THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. AIRPLAZA RETAL HOLDINGS PVT

PDF · subscribers
TCA/69/2018HC 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 on the grounds of low tax effect, referencing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted that the tax effect in the present case was below the threshold limit of Rs. 1 Crore for pursuing appeals before the High Court. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed by the Revenue were left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the fixed threshold, allowing it to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded. The specific findings on the allowability of depreciation on goodwill, the nature of downward revaluation, and the treatment of revaluation as goodwill or capital loss were not adjudicated upon due to the dismissal on procedural grounds.

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 01.05.2017 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'V' Bench. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2011-12 and concerns M/s. Airplaza Retal Holdings Pvt. Ltd. The dispute revolves around the allowability of depreciation on goodwill, which the assessee had claimed. The ITAT's order is the subject of challenge. The appeal was filed raising substantial questions of law regarding the nature and allowability of goodwill created through asset revaluation.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether depreciation on goodwill is allowable, especially when it is claimed to be artificially created by revaluing assets after taking over a company, suggesting it's an afterthought and thus not permissible? 2. Whether assets revalued downwards in the subsequent assessment year could be construed as creating goodwill? 3. Whether the treatment of asset revaluation represents goodwill, or if it is merely a capital loss arising from a slum sale, making it not an allowable expenditure? The Revenue argued that the appeal was not being pursued 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 stated to be below this threshold. The Respondent/assessee's arguments are not recorded in the judgment.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.69 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.69 of 2018 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Airplaza Retal Holdings Pvt. Ltd., 4, Mookambika Complex, 5th Floor, Lady Desika Road, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004. PAN: AAICA7614B ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 01.05.2017 made in ITA.No.2227/MDS/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'V' Bench for the assessment year 2011-12. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC and Ms.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent : Mr.R.Sivaraman 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.69 of 2018 appellant/revenue and Mr.R.Sivaraman, 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 01.05.2017 made in ITA.No.2227/MDS/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'V' Bench for the assessment year 2011-12. 3.The appeal has been filed by raising the following substantial questions of law : “1.Whether depreciation on goodwill is to be allowed especially when the assessee has created goodwill artificially by revaluing the assets much after taking over of the Company which is afterthought and therefore not allowable? 2.Whether the assets which were revalued downward in the next assessment year was to create a difference which could be termed as goodwill? 3.Whether the treatment of revaluation of assets does not represent goodwill as it is only a capital loss arising out of slum sale and therefore not allowable expenditure?" 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 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.69 of 2018 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 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.Airplaza Retal Holdings Pvt. Ltd., 4, Mookambika Complex, 5th Floor, Lady Desika Road, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.69 of 2018 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.69 of 2018 28.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

Recent GST High Court judgments

Search GST case law →