COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S. CHETTINAD BUILDERS

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TCA/710/2016HC Madras30 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, citing CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted that the Revenue's counsel submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to the tax effect being less than the increased threshold limit of Rs. 1 Crore for 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. No costs were awarded. The specific findings of the ITAT on the issues of Rule 8D(2)(ii) and the nature of interest-free funds were not adjudicated upon by the High Court.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Central-I, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated March 31, 2016, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'B' Bench. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2010-11 and challenges the ITAT's decision concerning the disallowance of certain expenses and the nature of funds advanced by the assessee, M/s. Chettinad Builders Pvt. Ltd., Chennai. The appeal was admitted on October 4, 2016, on three substantial questions of law.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide the following substantial questions of law: 1. Whether Rule 8D(2)(ii) of the Income Tax Act is attracted to the facts and circumstances of the case. 2. Whether the amount advanced by the assessee is from interest-free loans. 3. Whether the money was advanced out of interest-free funds, which is contrary to the facts on record. The Revenue contended that the Tribunal erred in its findings on these issues. The assessee's arguments are not recorded in the judgment. The Revenue's submission for not pursuing the appeal was based on CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 Crore, and the tax effect in this case being below that threshold.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.710 of 2016 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 30.8.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.710 of 2016 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Central-I, Chennai-34 ...Appellant Vs M/s.Chettinad Builders Pvt. Ltd., Chennai-6. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 31.3.2016 made in ITA.No.1645/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. For Appellant: Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, SSC assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, SC For Respondent: Mr.A.S.Sriraman Judgment was delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

We have heard Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel appearing for the respondent – assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.710 of 2016 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 31.3.2016 made in ITA.No. 1645/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. 3. The appeal was admitted on 04.10.2016 on the following substantial questions of law : “i. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal is correct in holding that Rule 8D(2)(ii) is not attracted ? ii. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal is correct in holding that the amount advanced by the assessee is from interest free loan? and iii. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal is correct in holding that the money was advanced out of interest free funds, which is contrary to the facts on record?” 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 is further submitted that the tax effect in this case is less than the threshold limit. 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.710 of 2016 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.) 30.8.2019 Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No Internet: Yes (or) No To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench. RS 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.710 of 2016 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J RS TCA.No.710 of 2016 30.8.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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