COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S.SICAL IRON ORE TERMINALS

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TCA/500/2020HC Madras08 January 2021Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. It held that the ITAT was correct in confirming the order of the CIT(A) which restricted the disallowance under Section 14A read with Rule 8D to the extent of the exempt income earned by the assessee. The Court found no error in the ITAT's order and concluded that no substantial question of law arose for consideration. The reasoning was based on the legal position settled by the Delhi High Court in the case of Joint Investments Ltd. vs CIT [372 ITR 694(Del)]. The operative direction was the dismissal of the appeal. No issue was expressly left undecided.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated July 19, 2019, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Madras 'C' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2011-12 and challenged the ITAT's decision regarding a disallowance of expenditure under Section 14A read with Rule 8D. The ITAT had confirmed the order of the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), which had restricted the disallowance to the extent of exempt income earned by the assessee, M/s. Sical Iron Ore Terminals Ltd. The Revenue contended that a disallowance should be made even with huge investment and receipt of exempted income.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that no disallowance of expenditure under Section 14A by applying the formula under Rule 8D can be made as computed by the assessing officer when the assessee had made a huge investment and had received exempted income? Assessee's Contention: The judgment does not record specific arguments made by the assessee. However, the outcome suggests the assessee likely argued that the disallowance under Section 14A read with Rule 8D should be limited to the amount of exempt income earned. Revenue's Contention: The Revenue argued that a disallowance under Section 14A, computed as per Rule 8D, should be made by the assessing officer, irrespective of the quantum of exempt income, especially when the assessee had made substantial investments and earned exempted income.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 14A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.500 of 2020 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 08.01.2021 CORAM : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Ms.Justice R.N.MANJULA Tax Case Appeal No.500 of 2020 Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Sical Iron Ore Terminals Ltd., No.73,South India House, Armenian Street, Chennai – 600 001. PAN: AAKCS5773M ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 19.07.2019 made in ITA.No.638/Chny/2019 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2011-12. For Appellant: Mr.J.Narayanasamy Senior Standing Counsel For Respondent: Mr.R.Vijayaraghavan for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar Padmanabhan 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.500 of 2020 JUDGMENT (Delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

) This appeal has been filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ('the Act' for brevity) challenging the order dated 19.07.2019 made in ITA.No.638/Chny/2019 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'C' Bench ('the Tribunal' for brevity) for the assessment year 2011-12. 2. The Revenue has raised the following substantial question of law for consideration: “Whether on facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that no disallowance of expenditure u/s 14A by applying the formula u/r 8D can be made as computed by the assessing officer when the assessee had made an huge investment and had received exempted income?” 3. We have heard Mr.J.Narayanasamy, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/Revenue and Mr.R.Vijayaraghavan, learned counsel on behalf of the respondent/assessee. 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.500 of 2020 4. On perusal of the order passed by the Tribunal, we find that the Tribunal was right in confirming the order passed by the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals), who had allowed the assessee's appeal holding that the disallowance under Section 14A read with Rule 8D should be restricted to the extent of exempt income earned. The Tribunal also noted the decision of the High Court of Delhi in the case of Joint Investments Ltd., vs CIT [372 ITR 694(Del)]. We find that there is no error in the order passed by the Tribunal and that no substantial question of law arises for consideration in this appeal. 5. In the light of the legal position settled out in the case of Joint Investments Ltd., vs CIT [372 ITR 694(Del)], the present Tax Case Appeal is dismissed and no substantial question of law is raised for consideration. No costs. (T.S.S.,J.) (R.N.M.,J.) 08.01.2021 Index: Yes/No Internet:Yes/No Speaking Judgment/Non speaking Judgment hvk 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.500 of 2020 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND R.N.MANJULA,J hvk To 1. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'C' Bench. 2. Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. TCA.No.500 of 2020 08.01.2021 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/

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