COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S KUTTY FLUSH DOORS &

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TCA/529/2015HC Madras05 February 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The High Court dismissed the appeal as withdrawn on account of low tax effect, in line with CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted the Revenue's submission that the tax effect was below the increased monetary limit for pursuing appeals before the High Court. The substantial questions of law were expressly left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No costs were awarded. The judgment did not decide the merits of the substantial questions of law.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai, dated 29.10.2014. The appeal pertained to Assessment Year 2007-08 and challenged the ITAT's decision regarding the fair market value (FMV) of a property. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law. Subsequently, the Revenue sought to withdraw the appeal, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs. 1 crore. The Revenue stated that the tax effect in this case was below this threshold.

What were the issues?

The High Court was to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the ITAT was correct in applying the average of the assessee's valuation rate to determine the Fair Market Value (FMV) of the property as on 01.04.1981, given that this method is not prescribed by the Income Tax Act or Rules? (Section 2(22B), Section 55A) 2. Whether the ITAT was correct in rejecting the Revenue's valuation based on guideline value, which is fixed by the Sub-Registrar of Assurances (SRO) in the property's area? (Section 55A) 3. Whether the guideline value issued by the State Government could not be the basis for FMV, especially when the assessee presented only a valuation report supporting its claim? (Section 55A) Contentions: Assessee: Not recorded. Revenue: Submitted that the appeal should be dismissed as withdrawn due to low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, since the tax effect was below the Rs. 1 crore threshold for High Court appeals.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 2(22B),Section 55A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.529 of 2015 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATE: 05.02.2021 CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.DURAISWAMY AND THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE T.V.THAMILSELVI T.C.A.No.529 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, No.121, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai – 600 034. ... Appellant Vs. M/s.Kutty Flush Doors & Furniture Company Pvt. Ltd., 167, Poonamallee High Road, Koyambedu, Chennai – 600 107. ... Respondent Appeal preferred under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras, "C" Bench, dated 29.10.2014 in I.TA.No.2018/Mds/2014 Assessment Year 2007-08. For Appellant : Mr.Karthick Ranganathan, Senior Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.S.Sridhar Page 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.529 of 2015 JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by M.DURAISWAMY, J.) We have heard Mr.Karthick Ranganathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant/Revenue and Mr.S.Sridhar, learned counsel for the respondent/assessee. 2.The appeals, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short, the Act) are directed against the order dated 29.10.2014 made in I.TA. No.2018/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, "C" Bench (for brevity, the Tribunal) for the Assessment Year 2007-08. 3.The appeal was admitted on 23.07.2015 on the following substantial questions of law: “1)Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in applying the value of the land at the average of the valuation rate adopted by the assessee for the purpose of arriving at the fair market Page 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.529 of 2015 value (FMV) of the property as on 01.04.1981 especially when no such method is provided in the Income Tax Act or Rules? 2)Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was correct in rejecting the value adopted by the Revenue on the basis of the guideline value, which is fixed by the SRO in the area where the land is situated? 3)Whether the guideline value issued by the State Government could not be the basis for arriving at the Fair Market Value of the property especially when the assessee did not produce any other evidence other than an valuation report which supports its case? 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. Page 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.529 of 2015 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 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.] [T.V.T.S., J.] Index : Yes/No 05.02.2021 Internet : Yes (2/2) va

To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, "C" Bench Page 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.529 of 2015 M.DURAISWAMY, J. and T.V.THAMILSELVI, J. va T.C.A.No.529 of 2015 (2/2) 05.02.2021 Page 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/

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