PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. INDOWIND ENERGY LTD
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the Tax Case 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, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which raised the monetary threshold for High Court appeals to Rs. 1 Crore. The Court noted that the tax effect in this particular case was below the stipulated limit. Consequently, the substantial question of law, which was whether the ITAT was correct in allowing the bad debt write-off, was 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, allowing for a decision on merits.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, represented by the 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 (ITAT), Madras 'B' Bench. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2006-07 and challenges the ITAT's decision to allow a bad debt write-off claimed by the assessee, M/s. Indowind Energy Ltd. The appeal was admitted by the High Court on 28.08.2018, framing a substantial question of law regarding the correctness of the ITAT's decision on the bad debt.
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. Soprano Holdings P.Ltd.? Assessee's contentions: Not recorded in the judgment. Revenue's contentions: The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, citing Circular No. 17/2019 issued by the CBDT. This circular increased the monetary limit for filing or pursuing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore, and the tax effect in this case was below this threshold.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
T.C.A.No.557 of 2018 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 07.07.2020 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM & THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.557 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 : AAA CI 1806 M
... Respondent Tax Case Appeal is filed under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act 1961 against the order dated 25.10.2016 made in I.T.A.No.1823/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras “B” Bench, for the assessment year 2006 - 07
For Appellant : Mr.Karthik Ranganathan
For Respondent : Mr.A.S.Sriraman For Mr.S.Sridhar 1/5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.557 of 2018 Judgment
(Judgment was delivered by T.S.SIVAGNANAM.J) We have heard Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, learned counsel for the appellant and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, accepting notice for the respondent. 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 25.10.2016 made in I.T.A.No.1823/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras “B” Bench, for the assessment year 2006 - 07. 3. The Tax case 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.Soprano Holdings P.Ltd.?” 4. The learned 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 2/5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.557 of 2018 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 make a mention to this Court to restore the appeal to be heard and decided on merits.
(T.S.S.J.,) (V.B.S.J.,)
07.07.2020 raja Index : yes/no Internet : yes/no Speaking Order/Non-Speaking Order To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, “B” Bench, Chennai. 3/5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.557 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM.J., and V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN.J., raja Tax Case Appeal No.557 of 2018 4/5 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.557 of 2018 07.07.2020 5/5 http://www.judis.nic.in
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