THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. M/S.A.B.MAURI INDIA PVT LTD

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TCA/510/2015HC Madras22 July 2021Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice M.DURAISWAMY5 pages
AI SummaryWithdrawn

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeal as withdrawn on account of low tax effect, as submitted by the Revenue. The court noted that the Revenue cited CBDT Circular No.17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs.1 crore, and stated that the tax effect in this case was below this threshold. The substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission were expressly left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit fixed in the circular, to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.

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 11.02.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai, in I.T.A.No.769/Mds/2012. The appeal pertains to Assessment Year 2002-03 and concerns the assessee, M/s.A.B.Mauri India Pvt. Ltd. The appeal was admitted on substantial questions of law related to the allowability of depreciation on non-compete fees. The Revenue subsequently submitted that it was not pursuing the appeal due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for appeals to High Courts to Rs.1 crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in allowing depreciation on non-compete fees? (Question of law) 2. Is the finding of the Tribunal bad by allowing depreciation on non-compete fees, especially when the right to trade freely and to compete in the market is not an asset, and the right to personal service under a contract of service is unassignable, cannot be bought or sold, has no actual and marketable value, and therefore cannot be termed as an asset? (Question of mixed law and fact) Assessee's contentions: Not recorded in the judgment. Revenue's contentions: The Revenue argued that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019. The monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court was increased to Rs.1 crore by this circular, and the tax effect in this case was below that limit.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.510 of 2015 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 22.07.2021 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.DURAISWAMY AND THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE R. HEMALATHA T.C.A.No.510 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ... Appellant Vs. M/s.A.B.Mauri India Pvt. Ltd., No.2/15, Ganapathy Colony, Teynampet, Chennai – 600 018. ... Respondent Appeal preferred under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras, “A” Bench, dated 11.02.2015 in I.TA.No.769/Mds/2012, Assessment Year 2002-03. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravi Kumar Senior Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.S.P.Chidambaram Page 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.510 of 2015 JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by M.DURAISWAMY, J.) We have heard Mr.T.Ravi Kumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant/Revenue and Mr.S.P.Chidambaram, learned counsel for the respondent/assessee. 2.The appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short, the Act) is directed against the order dated 11.02.2015 made in I.TA.No.769/Mds/2012 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, “A” Bench (for brevity, the Tribunal) for the Assessment Year 2002-03. 3.The appeal was admitted on the following substantial questions of law: “1.Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in allowing depreciation in non compete fees? and Page 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.510 of 2015 2.Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad by allowing depreciation on non compete fees especially when right to trade freely and to compete in the market is not an asset and right to personal service under a contract of service is unassignable, which cannot be bought or sold and has no actual and marketable value and therefore, cannot be termed as an asset?” 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 Effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.08.2019 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 as withdrawn on account of the Low Tax Effect. The substantial questions of law framed are left open. In the event the tax Page 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.510 of 2015 effect in this case 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. [M.D., J.] [R.H., J.] 22.07.2021

Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes

mkn

To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, “A” Bench Page 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.510 of 2015 M.DURAISWAMY, J. and R. HEMALATHA, J. mkn T.C.A.No.510 of 2015 22.07.2021 Page 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/

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