PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. INDOWIND ENERGY LTD
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the submission made by the Revenue 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. Consequently, the substantial question of law framed for the appeal was left undecided. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to file a petition for restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, allowing it to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax 2, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 25.10.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'B' Bench. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2008-09 and challenges the Tribunal's decision to allow a bad debt write-off on an advance made to M/s. Wipro Finance Ltd. The assessee is M/s. Indowind Energy Ltd. The High Court admitted the appeal on a substantial question of law.
What were the issues?
1. Whether, in the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the ITAT was correct in allowing the bad debt written off on account of advance made to M/s. Wipro Finance Ltd. when the assessee is not into the business of real estate? (Question of law turning on the allowability of bad debt under the Income Tax Act, 1961). Assessee's Contention: The judgment does not record any specific contentions made by the assessee before the High Court. Revenue's Contention: The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.No.556 of 2018 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 05.01.2021 CORAM : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Ms.Justice R.N.MANJULA Tax Case Appeal No.556 of 2018 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax 2, No.121, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai - 600 034. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Indowind Energy Ltd., Kothari Buildings, IV Floor, 114, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai - 600 034. PAN: AAACI1806M ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 25.10.2016 made in ITA.No.937/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2008-09. For Appellant: Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar Senior Standing Counsel For Respondent: Mr.A.S.Sriraman 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.556 of 2018 JUDGMENT (Delivered by
T.S.Sivagnanam,J
) We have heard Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the Appellant – Revenue and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel appearing for the respondent. 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short, the Act), is directed against the order dated 25.10.2016 made in ITA.No.937/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'B' Bench (for brevity, the Tribunal) for the assessment year 2008-09. 3. The appeal was admitted on 28.08.2018 on the following substantial question of law: “Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the ITAT was correct in allowing the bad debt written off on account of advance made to M/s.Wipro Finance Ltd. when the assessee is not into the business of real estate?" 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.556 of 2018 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 question of law framed is 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 file a petition before this Court to restore the appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. (T.S.S.,J.) (R.N.M.,J.) 05.01.2021 Index: Yes/No Internet:Yes/No Speaking Judgment/Non speaking Judgment hvk 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ TCA.No.556 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND R.N.MANJULA,J hvk To 1. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras 'B' Bench. 2. Principal Commissioner of Income Tax 2, No.121, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai - 600 034. TCA.No.556 of 2018 05.01.2021 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
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