THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. M/S DELOITTE HASKINS & SELLS

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TCA/672/2018HC Madras28 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the submission by the Revenue's counsel that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, in line with CBDT Circular No.17/2019. This circular increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. The tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, for a decision on merits. 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 an order dated 08.02.2018 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'A' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2012-13 and challenged the ITAT's decision regarding the allowability of payments made to retiring partners. The amount in dispute was Rs.158,56,741/-. The High Court admitted the appeal on substantial questions of law.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide two substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that payments of Rs.158,56,741/- made to retiring partners were on account of overriding title and therefore allowable expenditure, even though the payment was self-imposed and thus an application of income, concerning Section 37 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 2. Whether gratuitous payments made to retiring partners are to be treated as revenue expenditure allowable as business expenditure under Section 37 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, even if not for the purpose of carrying on the business. The Revenue argued that the payments were self-imposed and an application of income, not an allowable expenditure. The assessee's contentions are not explicitly recorded in the judgment, but the Tribunal's decision implies they argued for the allowability of the expenditure. The judgment does not mention specific authorities, circulars, or precedents relied upon by either side.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 37

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.672 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 No.672 of 2018 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chennai. PAN: AACFD3771D ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 08.02.2018 made in ITA.No.1517/MDS/2017 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2012-13. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC and Ms.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent : Mr.S.P.Chidambaram JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.672 of 2018 appellant/revenue and Mr.S.P.Chidambaram, learned counsel appearing for the respondent/assessee. 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 08.02.2018 made in ITA.No.1517/MDS/2017 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2012-13. 3.The appeal was admitted on 28.08.2018 on the following substantial questions of law : “1.Whether the Tribunal was right in holding that the payments of Rs.158,56,741/- made to the retiring partners was on account of overriding title and therefore allowable expenditure eventhough the payment made was self imposed by the assessee and therefore is application of income only? 2.Whether the gratuitous payments made to the retiring partners is to be treated as a Revenue Expenditure allowable as Business expenditure under Section 37 of the I.T. Act, 1962 even if the same is not for the purpose of carrying its business?" 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 08.8.2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. By the said Circular, the monetary limit for filing or 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.672 of 2018 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 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 appeal 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.Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chennai. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.672 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.672 of 2018 28.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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