COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. P.SIVAMANI
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the Revenue's submission that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No.17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. The Court noted that the tax effect in this case was below the threshold limit. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were 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. No costs were awarded. The specific findings of the ITAT on the three substantial questions of law were not adjudicated upon by the High Court.
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 09.04.2014 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2009-10 and challenged the ITAT's deletion of additions made by the Assessing Officer (AO) regarding the cost of construction of a hospital cum residential building. The dispute involved the AO's reference to the Departmental Valuation Officer (DVO) for valuation. The Revenue's appeal was listed for hearing before the High Court of Judicature at Madras.
What were the issues?
The Tribunal had to decide three substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Tribunal was right in deleting the addition made by the AO concerning the difference in the cost of construction of the hospital cum residential building as arrived at by the DVO and the assessee, without considering the retrospective effect of Section 142A. 2. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the AO's reference to the DVO for valuing the cost of construction was invalid because the AO had not rejected the assessee's books of accounts. 3. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the AO could not refer the valuation of the cost of construction to the DVO prior to issuing a notice under Section 143(2), and that the AO had acted on a predetermined notion without analyzing the books of accounts and made additions based on the DVO's report. The Revenue argued that the Tribunal erred in its findings on these issues. The Assessee's contentions are not explicitly recorded in the judgment.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.55 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.55 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs Dr.P.Sivamani ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 09.04.2014 made in ITA.No.164/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2009-10. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC and Ms.V.Pushpa, SC For Respondent : Mr.N.Quadir Hoseyn 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 and Mr.N.Quadir Hoseyn, learned counsel appearing for the respondent/assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.55 of 2015 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 09.04.2014 made in ITA.No.164/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2009-10. 3.The appeal has been filed by raising the following substantial questions of law : “1) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in deleting the addition made by the assessing officer with respect to difference in cost of construction of hospital cum residential building as arrived by the DVO and the assessee without considering the retrospective effect of section 142A? 2) Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in holding that the reference by the assessing officer to DVO to value the cost of construction is not valid on the ground that the assessing officer had not rejected the books of accounts and assessing officer cannot refer the valuation of cost of construction to DVO without rejecting the books of accounts? 3) Whether the Tribunal is right in holding that the assessing officer cannot refer the valuation of cost of construction to DVO prior to issue of notice under section 143(2) and the assessing officer has acted on the predetermined notion without analysing the books of accounts and had made addition based on DVO's report?" 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.55 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 The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.55 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.55 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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