THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. M/S.VIRA PROPERTIES (MADRAS)

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TCA/7/2015HC Madras27 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 made by the Revenue regarding the low tax effect, referencing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted that the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court has been increased to Rs. 1 Crore and that the tax effect in this particular case was below this limit. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed on this administrative ground. The substantial question of law framed at the time of admission was expressly left undecided. Liberty was granted to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, to be heard and decided 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 June 17, 2014, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'D' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2010-11 and challenged the ITAT's decision regarding the classification of income. The assessee is M/s. Vira Properties (Madras) Pvt. Ltd. The dispute revolves around whether income from letting out of a building and maintenance receipts should be assessed as business income. The High Court admitted the appeal on a substantial question of law.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, in the facts and circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that the income from letting out of building and maintenance receipts are assessable as business income? (Question of law turning on the interpretation of provisions related to business income assessment). Contentions: Assessee: The judgment does not record any specific contentions made by the assessee in the High Court. Revenue: The Revenue submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, citing Circular No. 17/2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes, which 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.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.7 of 2015 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 27.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.7 of 2015 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Vira Properties (Madras) Pvt.Ltd., New No.158, Old No.781, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 17.06.2014 made in ITA.No.735/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC and Ms.V.Pushpa, SC For Respondent : Mr.R.Venkatanarayanan for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar Padmanabhan JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/revenue 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.7 of 2015 and Mr.R.Venkatanarayanan for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyar Padmanabhan, 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 17.06.2014 made in ITA.No.735/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. 3.The appeal was admitted on 10.02.2015 on the following substantial question of law : “Whether in the facts and circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that the income from letting out of building and maintenance receipts are assessable as business income?" 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 pursuing an appeal before the High Court has been increased to Rs.1 Crore. It 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.7 of 2015 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 question of law framed is 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.) 27.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.Vira Properties (Madras) Pvt.Ltd., New No.158, Old No.781, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.7 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.7 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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