T.V.SUNDARAM IYENGAR & SONS vs. THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T

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TCA/548/2017HC Madras17 December 2021Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice R. MAHADEVAN5 pages
AI SummaryWithdrawn

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court noted that the assessee had availed the benefit of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020, a beneficial legislation for the resolution of disputed tax matters. The declarations submitted by the assessee under this Act were accepted, and Form 3 was issued by the Income Tax Department. In light of this development, the High Court deemed it unnecessary to decide the substantial questions of law that had arisen in the tax case appeals. The appeal was disposed of by recording the submissions of both parties. The department was directed to process the application under the Vivad Se Vishwas Act at the earliest and communicate the decision to the assessee. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The assessee, T.V. Sundram Iyengar & Sons Ltd, filed a Tax Case Appeal before the High Court of Judicature at Madras challenging an order dated 15.09.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai. The appeal pertained to the assessment year 2011-12. The substantial questions of law admitted for consideration by the High Court related to the disallowance of foreign study expenses and the confirmation of disallowance under Section 14A of the Income Tax Act, 1961. During the pendency of the appeal, the assessee availed the benefit of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020, by filing the requisite forms, which were accepted, and Form 3 was issued.

What were the issues?

The High Court was to decide two substantial questions of law: 1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was justified in law in disallowing the foreign study expenses incurred by the assessee on six persons sponsored by it for higher studies abroad as personal expenses, not allowable under Section 37 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 2. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was justified in law in confirming the disallowance under Section 14A of the Act, especially when there was no finding by the Assessing Officer that there was any error in the accounts or that the assessee had actually incurred any expenses in relation to the dividend income. The assessee contended that it had availed the benefit of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020, by filing the necessary forms, which were accepted and Form 3 was issued. The revenue conceded this submission.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 37,Section 14A,Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Tax Case Appeal No. 548 of 2017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 17.12.2021 CORAM : THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R. MAHADEVAN AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ Tax Case Appeal No. 548 of 2017 T.V.Sundram Iyengar & Sons Ltd 7-B, West Veli Street Madurai.

... Appellant Vs.

The Commissioner of Income Tax Madurai. ... Respondent

Tax Case Appeal filed under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras “A” Bench, Chennai dated 15.09.2016 passed in I.T.A. No. 554/2016/Md/Chennai for the assessment year 2011-12. For Appellant : Mr. N.V.Balaji For Respondent : Mrs. V.Pushpa Junior Standing Counsel Page 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Tax Case Appeal No. 548 of 2017 J U D G M E N T (Judgment was delivered by R. MAHADEVAN, J.) This Tax Case Appeal has been filed by the appellant / Assessee challenging the order dated 15.09.2016 passed in I.T.A.No.554/Mds/2016 relating to the assessment year 2011-12 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Bench 'A', Chennai ('the Tribunal', for brevity). 2.The above appeal was admitted on 28.11.2017 on the following substantial questions of law : “1.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal is justified in law in disallowing the foreign study expenses incurred by the assessee on six persons sponsored by it for undertaking higher studies abroad as personal expenses and not allowable under section 37 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ? 2. Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal is justified in law in confirming the disallowance under Section 14A of the Act, especially when ther eis no finding by the Assessing Officer that there was any error in the accounts or that the assessee has actually incurred any expenses in relation to the dividend income?” Page 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Tax Case Appeal No. 548 of 2017 3.When the matter was taken up for consideration, the learned counsel appearing for the appellant / assessee submitted that during the pendency of this tax case appeal, the assessee has filed the requisite Forms 1 and 2 under Section 4 (1) of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020, which were accepted and Form 3 was issued to the assessee on 09.04.2021 by the Income Tax Department. The learned counsel has also filed a memo along with a copy of the Form 3 to that effect. 4.The aforesaid submission made by the learned counsel for the appellant / assessee has also been fairly conceded by the learned junior standing counsel appearing for the respondent / Revenue. 5.This court heard the submissions made by the learned counsel on either side, as per which, the assessee has already availed the benefit conferred under the beneficial legislation viz., the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020, enacted for resolution of disputed tax and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, which came into force with effect from 17.03.2020; and the declarations submitted by them were also accepted Page 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Tax Case Appeal No. 548 of 2017 and Form 3 was also issued to the assessee by the Income Tax Department. In view of such development, it is unnecessary for this court to decide the substantial questions of law arisen in these tax case appeals.

6.Therefore, recording the submissions so made by the learned counsel on either side, this appeal stands disposed of, directing the department to process the application at the earliest in accordance with the Act and communicate the decision to the assessee at the earliest. No costs. [R.M.D,J.] [M.S.Q, J.] 17.12.2021

Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes

Maya To 1.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Chennai “A” Bench 2.The Commissioner of Income Tax Madurai. Page 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis Tax Case Appeal No. 548 of 2017 R. MAHADEVAN, J. and MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J. Maya Tax Case Appeal No. 548 of 2017

Dated : 17.12.2021 Page 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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