PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. M/S VELTI INDIA P. LTD

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TCA/712/2017HC Madras29 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 Revenue's submission that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, in accordance 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 the present case was stated to be below this threshold. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were left open and not decided on merits. The Revenue was granted liberty to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, represented by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax 4, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against an order dated January 6, 2016, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) 'B' Bench, Chennai. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2010-11 and concerns the assessee, M/s. Velti India Pvt. Ltd. (formerly Air2Web India Pvt. Ltd.). The ITAT's order addressed two specific issues, including a disallowance of Rs. 20,33,130 made by the Assessing Officer for carrier charges paid to a non-resident, and the treatment of service charges received in advance. 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, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in law in holding that the disallowance of Rs. 20,33,130/- being the payment made towards 'carrier charges' paid to a non-resident under Section 40(a)(i) of the Income Tax Act for non-deduction of TDS under Section 195 is to be allowed? 2. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal was right and justified in holding that service charges received in advance in lumpsum cannot be treated as income of the year of receipt? The Revenue contended that the disallowance under Section 40(a)(i) was justified due to non-deduction of TDS. The Revenue also likely argued that advance service charges should be taxed in the year of receipt. The judgment does not explicitly record the assessee's arguments on these points, nor does it name any specific authorities, circulars, or precedents relied upon by either side for these issues.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 40(a)(i),Section 195

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.712 of 2017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 29.08.2019 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.712 of 2017 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax 4, No.121, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chennai-600 034. .. Appellant -vs- M/s.Velti India Pvt. Ltd., (Air2Web India Pvt. Ltd.), Unit No.1 & 2, 1st Floor, Pinnacle Buildings, INTL TECH Park, CSIR, Taramani, Chennai-113. PAN: AAC CA 8496 P .. Respondent Appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 06.01.2016, made in I.T.A.No.1651/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2010-11. For Appellant : Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, Senior Standing Counsel : assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.A.S.Sriraman for Mr.S.Sridhar ****** 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.712 of 2017 JUDGMENT (Delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam, J.) This appeal filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 06.01.2016, made in I.T.A.No.1651/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2010-11. 2.The appeal has been admitted on 21.12.2017, on the following substantial questions of law:- “(i) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in law in holding that the disallowance of Rs.20,33,130/- being the payment made towards 'carrier charges' paid to non resident under Section 40(a)(i) of the Income Tax Act for non deduction of TDS under Section 195 is to be allowed? and (ii) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal was right and justified in holding that service charges received in advance in lumpsum cannot be treated as income of the year of receipt?” 3.Heard Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, learned Standing Counsel for the appellant – and 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.712 of 2017 Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel for Mr.S.Sridhar, learned Counsel for the respondent. 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 08.08.2019 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. 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.) 29.08.2019 Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-Speaking Order abr 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.712 of 2017 T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) To 1.M/s.Velti India Pvt. Ltd., (Air2Web India Pvt. Ltd.), Unit No.1 & 2, 1st Floor, Pinnacle Buildings, INTL TECH Park, CSIR, Taramani, Chennai-113. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai. T.C.A.No.712 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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