THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME T vs. M/S CARBURETTORS LTD

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TCA/746/2017HC Madras29 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeals filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the submission by the Revenue that the appeals were not being pursued due to a low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No.17/2019. This circular increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore, and the tax effect in these cases was stated to be below this limit. Consequently, the appeals were dismissed on this administrative ground. The substantial question of law framed for consideration was expressly left open by the Court. The Revenue was granted liberty to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit fixed in the circular, to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue (Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai) filed two appeals (T.C.A.Nos.746 & 747 of 2017) before the High Court of Judicature at Madras against the common order dated 28.09.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) 'A' Bench, Chennai. These appeals pertained to assessment years 2010-11 and 2011-12 concerning the assessee, M/s.Carburettors Ltd. The appeals were admitted on 02.01.2018. The core of the dispute revolved around the disallowance under Section 14A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, read with Rule 8D(2)(iii) of the Income Tax Rules, 1962, specifically concerning interest incurred on investments made in a subsidiary company and the value of such investments.

What were the issues?

1. Whether interest incurred in respect of investments made in a subsidiary company, as well as the value of such investment, has to be excluded while computing disallowance under Section 14A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 read with Rule 8D(2)(iii) of the Income Tax Rules, 1962? (Question of law) The Revenue argued that the appeals were not being pursued due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. The Revenue stated that the tax effect in these cases was below this threshold. The judgment does not record any specific arguments from the assessee regarding the merits of the substantial question of law.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 14A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.Nos.746 & 747 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 Nos.746 and 747 of 2017 The Commissioner of Income tax, Chennai. .. Appellant in both Appeals -vs- M/s.Carburettors Ltd., Raheja Towers, 7th Floor, Sigma Wing, No.177, Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002. PAN: AAACC 1299E .. Respondent in both Appeals Appeals under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the common order dated 28.09.2016, made in I.T.A.Nos.640 & 641/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai for the assessment years 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively. For Appellant : Mr.T.Ravikumar (In both Appeals) Senior Standing Counsel & : Ms.R.Hemalatha Senior Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.A.S.Sriraman (In both Appeals) For Mr.S.Sridhar ****** 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.746 & 747 of 2017 COMMON JUDGMENT (Delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam, J.) These appeals filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income- tax Act, 1961 are directed against the common order dated 28.09.2016, made in I.T.A.Nos.640 & 641/Mds/2016 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai for the assessment years 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively. 2.The appeals have been admitted on 02.01.2018, on the following substantial question of law:- “Whether interest incurred in respect of investments made in a subsidiary company as also the value of such investment has to be excluded while computing disallowance under Section 14A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 read with Rule 8D(2)(iii) of the Income Tax Rules, 1962?” 3.Heard Mr.T.Ravikumar and Ms.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant – and Mr.A.S.Sriraman, learned counsel for Mr.S.Sridhar, learned Counsel for the respondent. 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.Nos.746 & 747 of 2017 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that the above appeals are 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 these cases is less than the threshold limit. 5.In the light of the said submissions, the above tax case appeals are 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 appeals 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.Nos.746 & 747 of 2017 T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) To 1.M/s.Carburettors Ltd., Raheja Towers, 7th Floor, Sigma Wing, No.177, Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'A' Bench, Chennai. T.C.A.Nos.746 and 747 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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