COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. JAIRAM EDUCATIONAL TRUST
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue on the grounds of low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted the submission by the Revenue's counsel that the tax effect was less than the revised monetary limit for pursuing appeals before the High Court. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit fixed in the circular, allowing it to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded. The specific findings of the ITAT on the corpus fund and clubbing of receipts were not adjudicated upon by the High Court.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Salem, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 21.11.2014 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'A' Bench. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2004-05 and challenges the ITAT's decision regarding the exemption benefit under Section 10(23C)(iiiad) for the assessee, Jairam Educational Trust. The appeal was admitted on substantial questions of law. The Revenue was represented by its counsel, while the assessee did not appear.
What were the issues?
The Tribunal had to decide two substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Tribunal was correct in holding that corpus fund received by the Trust during the year should not be treated as income for determining 'aggregate annual receipts' to avail the benefit under Section 10(23C)(iiiad). 2. Whether the Tribunal was correct in holding that trust receipts and receipts of the college run by the trust should not be clubbed together for determining the threshold of exemption under Rule 2BC of Income Tax Rules, 1962, read with Section 10(23C)(iiiad) of the Income Tax Act. The Revenue argued that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold. The assessee did not present any arguments.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.502 of 2015 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 27.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.502 of 2015 Commissioner of Income Tax, Salem.
...Appellant Vs Jairam Educational Trust, 2, Deivanayagam Street, Shevapet, Salem. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 21.11.2014 made in ITA.No.1720/MDS/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2004-05. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC and Ms.V.Pushpa, SC For Respondent : No appearance. JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/revenue. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.502 of 2015 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 21.11.2014 made in ITA.No.1720/MDS/2013 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2004-05. 3.The appeal was admitted on 26.08.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “1.Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that corpus fund received by the Trust during the year cannot be treated as the income of the trust/institution for the purpose of determining 'aggregate annual receipts, in order to enjoy the benefit under Section 10(23C)(iiiad)? 2.Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that trust receipts and receipts of the college running under the trust are not to be clubbed together for the purpose of determining the threshold of exemption under Rule 2BC of Income Tax Rules, 1962 read with Section 10(23C)(iiiad) of the Income Tax Act?" 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the above appeal is not pursued by the Revenue on account of the low tax 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.502 of 2015 effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.8.2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. By the said Circular, the monetary limit for filing or pursuing an appeal before the High Court has been increased to Rs.1 Crore. It is further submitted that the tax effect in this case is less than the threshold limit. 5.In the light of the said submissions, the above tax case appeal is dismissed on account of the low tax effect. The substantial questions of law framed are left open. In the event the tax effect is above the threshold limit fixed in the said circular, liberty is granted to the Revenue to make a mention to this Court to restore the appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 27.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.Jairam Educational Trust, 2, Deivanayagam Street, Shevapet, Salem. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.502 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.502 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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