COMMISSIONER OF WEALTH TAX vs. A. A. PARVEEN

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TCA/558/2017HC Madras29 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeals filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the submission by the Revenue that the appeals were not being pursued due to low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No.17/2019. The circular increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore, and the tax effect in these cases was below this limit. The Court explicitly stated that the substantial questions of law framed were left open. Liberty was granted to the Revenue to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were imposed. The connected civil miscellaneous petition was also closed.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Wealth Tax, Non Corporate Ward 19(1), Chennai, filed two appeals (T.C.A.Nos.558 & 559 of 2017) against the common order dated 14.12.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ('C' Bench, Chennai). These appeals challenged the Tribunal's decision for assessment years 2006-07 and 2007-08 concerning Smt. A.A. Parveen. The appeals were filed under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The respondent-assessee did not appear before the High Court. The Revenue sought to withdraw the appeals due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the vacant land held by the assessee is agricultural land and not liable to tax in the absence of any contemporaneous documents/evidences produced by the assessee? (Question of law and fact, concerning the classification of land for wealth tax purposes). 2. Whether the Tribunal was right in deleting the additions made by the Assessing Officer under the head vacant land which is liable for tax under Section 2(ea) of the Wealth Tax Act? (Question of law, concerning the applicability of Section 2(ea) of the Wealth Tax Act). Assessee's arguments: Not recorded as there was no appearance. Revenue's arguments: The Revenue submitted that the appeals were 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 these cases was stated to be below this threshold.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 2(ea)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.Nos.558 & 559 of 2017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 29.08.2019 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal Nos.558 and 559 of 2017 and C.M.P.No.13953 of 2017 Commissioner of Wealth Tax, Non Corporate Ward 19(1), Chennai. .. Appellant in both Appeals -vs- Smt.A.A.Parveen, New No.18, Old No.45, Pudupet Garden Street, Royapettah, Chennai-600 014. PAN: AAPPP 8199 L .. Respondent in both Appeals Appeals under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the common order dated 14.12.2016, made in W.T.A.Nos.38 & 39/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'C' Bench, Chennai for the assessment years 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, (In both Appeals) Senior Standing Counsel : assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa Standing Counsel For Respondent : No appearance (In both Appeals) ****** 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.558 & 559 of 2017 COMMON JUDGMENT (Delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam, J.) These appeals filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income- tax Act, 1961 are directed against the common order dated 14.12.2016, made in W.T.A.Nos.38 & 39/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'C' Bench, Chennai for the assessment years 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively. 2.The appeals have been filed raising the following substantial questions of law:- “(i) Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the vacant land held by the assessee is agricultural land and not liable to tax in the absence of any contemporaneous documents/evidences produced by the assessee? and (ii) Whether the Tribunal was right in deleting the additions made by the Assessing Officer under the head vacant land which is liable for tax under Section 2(ea) of the Wealth Tax Act?” 3.Heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel for the appellant. 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.558 & 559 of 2017 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the above appeals are not pursued by the Revenue on account of the low tax effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019, dated 08.08.2019 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 appeals are 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 appeals to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. Consequently, connected civil miscellaneous petition is closed. (T.S.S., J.) (V.B.S., J.) 29.08.2019 Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-Speaking Order abr To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'C' Bench, Chennai. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.558 & 559 of 2017 T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) T.C.A.Nos.558 and 559 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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