COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S. SANMAR SPECIALITY

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TCA/566/2017HC Madras14 June 2022Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice R. MAHADEVAN4 pages
AI SummaryWithdrawn

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court did not decide the substantial questions of law on their merits. Instead, the Court considered the submission made by the Revenue regarding CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. This circular mandates that appeals shall not be filed or pursued by the Department before the High Court if the tax effect does not exceed Rs. 1,00,00,000/-. As the Revenue submitted that the tax effect in this particular appeal was less than the threshold limit specified in the circular, the High Court, in light of this submission, dismissed the appeal. The Court explicitly stated that the substantial questions of law were kept open for determination in an appropriate case. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 18.12.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai, 'A' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2011-12 and concerned M/s. Sanmar Speciality Chemicals Ltd. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law. During the proceedings, the Revenue's counsel brought to the court's notice CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which stipulates that appeals shall not be filed or pursued if the tax effect does not exceed Rs. 1,00,00,000/-. The Revenue submitted that the tax effect in this appeal was below this threshold.

What were the issues?

The High Court was to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether freight and clearing expenses incurred in foreign exchange should be included when computing deduction under Section 10B of the Income Tax Act, 1961? 2. Whether the ITAT erred in law by including freight and clearing expenses incurred in foreign exchange for the purpose of computing deduction under Section 10B of the Income Tax Act, 1961? 3. Whether the decision of the Special Bench of the ITAT in ITO vs. Sak Soft Ltd. reported in (2009) 313 ITR 353, is correct in law? 4. Whether Section 14A of the Income Tax Act read with Rule 8D of the Income Tax Rules applies even when the assessee has not received any dividend income? Assessee's Contentions: The judgment does not record any specific contentions made by the assessee. Revenue's Contentions: The Revenue's primary submission was based on CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, stating that the tax effect in the present appeal was less than the stipulated monetary limit of Rs. 1,00,00,000/-, and therefore, the appeal should not be pursued.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 10B,Section 14A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.566 of 2017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 14.06.2022 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. MAHADEVAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ T.C.A.No.566 of 2017 Commissioner of Income Tax Chennai. ... Appellant Versus M/s. Sanmar Speciality Chemicals Ltd., 9, Cathedral Road, Chennai 600 086 PAN:AABCS0201P ... Respondent Appeal preferred under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, “A” Bench, dated 18.12.2015 in I.TA.No.1360/Mds/2015. For Appellant : Mr.J.Narayanasamy Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.R.Venkatenarayanan for Mr.Subbaraya Aiyar

Page 1/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis T.C.A.No.566 of 2017 J U D G M E N T (Judgment of the Court was delivered by R.MAHADEVAN, J.) This tax case appeal has been filed by the appellant / Revenue, challenging the order dated 18.12.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, 'A' Bench, Chennai, in I.T.A.No.1360/Mds/2015, relating to the assessment year 2011-12. 2. By order dated 05.12.2017, this court admitted the aforesaid tax case appeal on the following substantial questions of law: “(i) Whether freight and clearing expenses incurred in foreign exchange is to be included while computing deduction under Section 10B of the Income Tax Act, 1961? (ii) Whether the learned Tribunal erred in law in including freight and clearing expenses incurred in foreign exchange for the purpose of computing deduction under Section10B of the Income Tax Act, 1961? (iii) Whether the decision of the Special Bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in the case of ITO vs. Sak Soft Ltd., reported in (2009) 313 ITR 353, is correct in law? (iv) Whether Section 14A of the Income Tax Act read with Rule 8D of the Income Tax Rules applies even when the assessee has not received any dividend income? Page 2/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis T.C.A.No.566 of 2017 3.When the matter was taken up for consideration, the learned counsel for the appellant / Revenue brought to the notice of this court the Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.08.2019 issued by the Central Board Direct Taxes, wherein, it is stipulated that appeal shall not be filed/pursued by the Department before the High Court in cases where the tax effect does not exceed Rs.1,00,00,000/- (Rupees One Crore). It is also submitted that the tax effect in this appeal is less than the threshold limit. 4.In the light of the aforesaid submissions made by the learned counsel for the appellant / Revenue, the present appeal, wherein, the tax effect is said to be less than the monetary limit imposed, is dismissed as withdrawn, keeping open the substantial questions of law for determination in an appropriate case. No costs. (R.M.D., J.) (M.S.Q., J.) 14.06.2022

Internet : Yes

Index : Yes / No Page 3/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis T.C.A.No.566 of 2017 R. MAHADEVAN, J. and MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J. av To 1. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, “A” Bench, Chennai, 2. The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. 3. The Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax Corporate Circle 6(1), Aayakar Bhavan, New Block, Chennai - 600 034. 4. The Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) - 15, Chennai. T.C.A.No.566 of 2017 14.06.2022 (2/2) Page 4/4 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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