THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. M/S. CRAZY INFOTECH LTD
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 a low tax effect, falling below the threshold limit stipulated in CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted that the substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission were left open. Liberty was granted to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No costs were awarded. The specific findings of the ITAT on the allowability of depreciation on non-compete fees were not adjudicated upon by the High Court.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, represented by the Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal before the High Court of Judicature at Madras against an order dated 10.7.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal concerned the assessment year 2007-08 and challenged the ITAT's decision to allow depreciation on 'non-compete fees'. The assessee is M/s. Crazy Infotech Ltd., Chennai. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law. Subsequently, the Revenue sought to withdraw the appeal, citing a low tax effect in light of CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore.
What were the issues?
The High Court was to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Tribunal was correct in allowing depreciation on non-compete fees at the rate of 25%. 2. Whether the Tribunal's finding allowing depreciation on non-compete fees was invalid, as such fees cannot be classified as a business or commercial right under Appendix-I of the Income Tax Rules, 1962, thus making depreciation impermissible. 3. Whether the Tribunal's finding allowing depreciation on non-compete fees was invalid, as the right to trade freely and compete is not an asset, and the right to personal service under a contract is unassignable, lacking marketable value and thus not an asset. The Revenue argued that depreciation on non-compete fees is not allowable. The assessee's arguments are not explicitly recorded in the judgment, beyond the fact that the Tribunal had allowed depreciation.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.55 of 2016 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 30.8.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.55 of 2016 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai ...Appellant Vs M/s.Crazy Infotech Ltd., Chennai-83. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 10.7.2015 made in ITA.No.1226/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2007-08. For Appellant: Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC and Mrs.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent: Ms.Sree Lakshmi Valli for Mr.G.Baskar Judgment was delivered by
T.S.Sivagnanam,J
We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar and Mrs.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Ms.Sree Lakshmi Valli, learned counsel appearing for the respondent – assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.55 of 2016 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 10.7.2015 made in ITA.No. 1226/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2007-08. 3. The appeal was admitted on 08.2.2016 on the following substantial questions of law : “(i) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Tribunal was right in allowing depreciation on non compete fees at the rate of 25% ? (ii) Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad by allowing depreciation on non compete fees especially when the same cannot be classified as business right or commercial right as mentioned in Appendix-I of the Income Tax Rules, 1962 and as such, no depreciation is allowable ? and (iii) 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 marketable value and hence, cannot be termed as an asset ?" 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.55 of 2016 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 08.8.2019 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.) 30.8.2019 Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No Internet: Yes (or) No To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. RS 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.55 of 2016 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J RS TCA.No.55 of 2016 30.8.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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