PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. INDIAN BANK
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court, in its judgment delivered by T.S. SIVAGNANAM, J., noted the submissions of the learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant/Revenue. The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to the low tax effect, in terms of CBDT Circular No.17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. Since the tax effect in this case was below the threshold limit, the Court dismissed the appeal as withdrawn on account of low tax effect. The substantial questions of law framed were expressly 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. No costs were awarded.
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 22.01.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai (“the Tribunal”), in I.T.A.No.1910/Mds/2015. The appeal pertained to Assessment Year 2006-07 and concerned the assessee, Indian Bank. The appeal challenged the Tribunal's decision regarding depreciation on ATMs and UPS, and a deduction under Section 36(1)(viia). The Revenue sought to withdraw the appeal due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for appeals to the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was below this threshold.
What were the issues?
The Tribunal had to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether Auto Teller Machines (ATMs) are computers eligible for 60% depreciation under Section 32 of the Income Tax Act. 2. Whether UPS is eligible for 60% depreciation or only 15% as plant and machinery. 3. Whether UPS, being an energy storing device and not an integral part of a computer, should be classified only under Plant and Machinery. 4. Whether higher depreciation was correctly granted on UPS as part of computer hardware. 5. Whether the Revenue's appeal on deduction under Section 36(1)(viia) was rightly dismissed when the relied-upon decision in Lakshmi Vilas Bank was set aside. Assessee's Contentions: Not recorded in the judgment. Revenue's Contentions: The Revenue argued that ATMs are not computers eligible for 60% depreciation, UPS is eligible for 15% depreciation as plant and machinery, and higher depreciation on UPS was incorrect. They also argued that the appeal on Section 36(1)(viia) should not have been dismissed. However, the Revenue later sought to withdraw the appeal citing low tax effect.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
T.C.A.No.615 of 2016 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 24.08.2021 CORAM : THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE T.S. SIVAGNANAM AND THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SATHI KUMAR SUKUMARA KURUP T.C.A.No.615 of 2016 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-2, No.121, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai – 600 034. ... Appellant Vs. Indian Bank Corporate Office, Accounts Department, No.254-260, Avvai Shanmugam Salai, Royapettah, Chennai – 600 014. ... Respondent Appeal preferred under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras, “C” Bench, dated 22.01.2016 in I.T.A.No.1910/Mds/2015, Assessment Year 2006-07. For Appellant : Mr.Karthik Ranganathan Senior Standing Counsel For Respondent : Ms.Sri Niranjani Srinivasan for M/s.G.Baskar Page 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis T.C.A.No.615 of 2016 J U D G M E N T (Judgment was delivered by T.S. SIVAGNANAM, J.) We have heard Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant/Revenue and Ms.Sri Niranjani Srinivasan for M/s.G.Baskar, learned counsel for the respondent/assessee. 2.The appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (“the Act” for brevity) is directed against the order dated 22.01.2016 made in I.T.A.No.1910/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, “C” Bench (“the Tribunal” for brevity) for the Assessment Year 2006-07. 3.The appellant/Revenue has raised the following substantial questions of law in this appeal : “1.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in treating the Auto Teller Machines ATMs as computers which are eligible for depreciation at 60% under section 32 of the Income Tax Act? Page 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis T.C.A.No.615 of 2016 2.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in granting depreciation at the rate of 60% on UPS especially when the same is eligible for depreciation at 15% only as applicable to plant and machinery as per depreciation Table stated in Appendix-I provided in the Income Tax Rules? 3.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that higher rate of depreciation is to be allowed on UPS which is not an Integral part of the Computer but only a machine which stores power for the purpose of using such stored power cuts providing uninterrupted power supply and is energy storing device classifiable under Plant and Machinery only? 4.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was correct in granting excess depreciation on UPS stating the same is part of the computer hardwares? Page 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis T.C.A.No.615 of 2016 5.Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in dismissing the appeal of the Revenue on deduction u/s.36[1][viia] of the Act, when the relied upon decision in the case of Lakshmi Vilas Bank has been set aside to the file of Assessing Officer for fresh consideration?” 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 08.08.2019 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 Appeal is dismissed as withdrawn on account of the Low Tax Effect. The substantial questions of law framed are left open. In the event the tax effect in this case 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 Page 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis T.C.A.No.615 of 2016 and decided on merits. No costs. (T.S.S., J.) (S.S.K., J.) 24.08.2021 (2/4)
mkn
Internet : Yes
Index : Yes / No To 1.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, “C” Bench 2.The Principal Commissioner of Income Tax-2, No.121, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai – 600 034. 3.The Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Company Circle II (2), Chennai. Page 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis T.C.A.No.615 of 2016
T.S. SIVAGNANAM, J. and SATHI KUMAR SUKUMARA KURUP, J. mkn T.C.A.No.615 of 2016 24.08.2021 (2/4) Page 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
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