COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. TRIMEX SANDS PVT LTD
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeals filed by the Revenue on account of low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted the submission by the Revenue's counsel that the tax effect in these cases was below the revised threshold limit of Rs. 1 Crore for pursuing appeals before the High Court. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were 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 the appeals to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were imposed. The specific findings of the ITAT on the four issues were not adjudicated upon by the High Court.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Corporate Circle-3, Chennai, filed these appeals under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the common order dated 26.07.2017 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeals pertain to assessment years 2011-12 and 2012-13 and challenge the ITAT's decision on several issues concerning the assessee, M/s. Trimex Sands Private Limited. The appeals were admitted by the High Court on substantial questions of law. However, the Revenue later submitted that they were not pursuing these appeals 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.
What were the issues?
The Tribunal had to decide four substantial questions of law: 1. Whether Section 14A read with Rule 8D is inapplicable if no exempt income is received or earned, even if expenditure is linked to investments fetching exempt income? 2. Whether interest disallowance under Section 36(1)(iii) on borrowed loans/advances diverted to a subsidiary without charging interest was justified? 3. Whether liquidated damages received in the course of business constitute a capital receipt and are thus not taxable as income? 4. Whether depreciation under Section 32(1)(ii) can be allowed on a road laid on government land, used by the assessee and the public, by classifying it as a building? The Revenue argued that the Tribunal erred in its findings on these issues. The assessee's contentions are not explicitly recorded in the judgment, but their arguments would have supported the ITAT's order which the Revenue is challenging. The judgment does not name specific authorities, circulars, or precedents relied upon by either side.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
Section 260A,Section 14A,Section 36(1)(iii),Section 32(1)(ii)
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
TCA.Nos.654 to 657 of 2018 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 28.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal Nos.654 to 657 of 2018 Commissioner of Income Tax, Corporate Circle-3, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Trimex Sands Private Limited, No.1, Subbaraya Avenue, CP Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600 018. PAN: AABCE3846Q ...Respondent APPEALS under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the common order dated 26.07.2017 made in ITA.Nos.383, 384, 418 and 419/Mds/2017 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment years 2011-12 and 2012-13. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa, SSC For Respondent : Mr.N.Devanathan COMMON JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J) We have heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.N.Devanathan, learned counsel appearing for the respondent - Assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.654 to 657 of 2018 2.These appeals, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, are directed against the common order dated 26.07.2017 made in ITA.Nos.383, 384, 418 and 419/Mds/2017 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment years 2011-12 and 2012-13. 3.The appeals were admitted on 16.11.2018 on the following substantial questions of law : “TCA.Nos.654 and 655 of 2018 : i. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the provision of Section 14A read with Rule 8D will have no applicability if there is no exempt income received or earned during the previous year, though the disallowance is linked to expenditure incurred on investment fetching exempt income ? ii. Whether the Tribunal was right in deleting the disallowance of interest under Section 36(1)(iii) on borrowed loans/advance diverted to the subsidiary company without charging interest ? iii. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the liquidated damages received during the course of business is capital receipt and hence, not taxable as income ? And TCA.Nos.656 & 657 of 2018 : iv. Whether the Tribunal was right in allowing depreciation under Section 32(1)(ii) on road laid in on the land owned by the Government of Andhra Pradesh and used by the assessee as well as public holding the same as building ? ” 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 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.654 to 657 of 2018 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 the respective cases 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 in the respective cases 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. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 28.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.Trimex Sands Private Limited, No.1, Subbaraya Avenue, CP Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600 018. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.654 to 657 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.Nos.654 to 657 of 2018 28.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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