THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME vs. M/S. RANE HOLDINGS LTD.,

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TCA/750/2016HC 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 on the ground of low tax effect, as submitted by the Revenue. The Court noted that the tax effect was less than the threshold limit stipulated in CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. 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, to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded. The specific findings of the ITAT on the disallowance under Section 14A and the reasoning behind the remittal were not adjudicated upon by the High Court.

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 January 6, 2016, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'D' Bench. The appeal pertained to assessment year 2010-11. The ITAT had remitted an issue concerning disallowance under Section 14A back to the Assessing Officer for fresh consideration. The Revenue challenged this decision, arguing that the ITAT ignored existing evidence and that the remittal was improper given the categorical findings of the Assessing Officer and the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals). The appeal was admitted on substantial questions of law.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances, the Tribunal was right in remitting the issue of disallowance under Section 14A back to the Assessing Officer for fresh consideration ignoring the evidence already on record? (Question of law) 2. Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad by remitting the issue back to the Assessing Officer especially when the Assessing Officer and the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) had given categorical finding on issue of disallowance under Section 14A of the Income Tax Act? (Question of mixed law and fact) Assessee's Arguments: Not recorded. Revenue's Arguments: The Revenue submitted 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 below this threshold.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 14A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.750 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.750 of 2016 The Commissioner of Income Tax, Chennai ...Appellant Vs M/s.Rane Holdings Limited, Chennai-86. ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 06.1.2016 made in ITA.No.115/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. For Appellant: Mr.T.Ravikumar, SSC and Mrs.R.Hemalatha, SSC For Respondent: Mr.R.Venkatanarayanan for M/s.Subbaraya Aiyer Padmanabhan Judgment was delivered by

T.S.Sivagnanam,J

We have heard Mr.T.Ravikumar and Mrs.R.Hemalatha, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue and Mr.R. Venkatanarayanan, learned counsel appearing for the respondent – assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.750 of 2016 2. This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 06.1.2016 made in ITA.No. 115/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. 3. The appeal was admitted on 25.10.2016 on the following substantial questions of law : “i. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances, the Tribunal was right in remitting the issue of disallowance under Section 14A back to the Assessing Officer for fresh consideration ignoring the evidence already available on record ? and ii. Is not the finding of the Tribunal bad by remitting the issue back to the Assessing Officer especially when the Assessing Officer and the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) had given categorical finding on issue of disallowance under Section 14A of the Income Tax Act?” 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. 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.750 of 2016 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.) 30.8.2019 Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No Internet: Yes (or) No To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'D' Bench. RS 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.750 of 2016 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J RS TCA.No.750 of 2016 30.8.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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