COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S. FOUR M MARITIME P.LTD.,
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal as withdrawn on account of low tax effect, as submitted by the Revenue. The Court noted that the Revenue's decision not to pursue the appeal was based on CBDT Circular No. 17/2019, which raised the monetary threshold for appeals to the High Court to Rs. 1 crore, and that the tax effect in this case was below that limit. The Court explicitly stated that the substantial question of law framed in the appeal was left open. Liberty was granted to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit in the future, to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded. The ITAT's order was not adjudicated upon merits by the High Court.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai, dated 24.10.2014. The appeal pertained to Assessment Year 2010-11 and concerned the assessee, M/s. Four M Maritime P Ltd. The dispute revolved around whether a ship operated by the assessee, the "M.V. Gem of Ennore," which transported thermal coal within India, qualified for the Tonnage Tax Scheme (TTS) under Chapter XII G of the Act, specifically under Section 115 VD. The Revenue challenged the ITAT's finding that the ship was a qualifying ship for TTS benefits.
What were the issues?
1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Hon'ble ITAT was right in holding that the ship operated by the assessee, "M.V. Gem of Ennore," transporting thermal coal from one port to another within India, was a qualifying ship under Section 115 VD of the Income Tax Act, and that the assessee was entitled to the benefit of the Tonnage Tax Scheme (TTS) provided under Chapter XII G of the Act, which is contrary to the plain meaning of clause (1) of Section 115 VD of the Income Tax Act? Assessee's Contentions: The judgment does not record any specific contentions made by the assessee's counsel regarding the merits of the case. The assessee was represented by Ms. Sri Niranjani Srinivasan. Revenue's Contentions: The Revenue, represented by Mr. Karthik Ranganathan, Senior Standing Counsel, submitted that the appeal was not being pursued due to the low tax effect, citing Circular No. 17/2019 issued by the CBDT, which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs. 1 crore. The Revenue stated that the tax effect in this case was below the threshold limit.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
Section 260A,Section 115VD,Section 115G
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
T.C.A.No.765 of 2016 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 30.07.2021 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M.DURAISWAMY AND THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE R. HEMALATHA T.C.A.No.765 of 2016 Commissioner of Income Tax, No.121, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai – 600 034. ... Appellant Vs. M/s.Four M Maritime P Ltd., No.4, Buhari Towers, Moores Road, Chennai – 600 006. ... Respondent Appeal preferred under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Madras, “B” Bench, dated 24.10.2014 in I.TA.No.1971/Mds/2014, Assessment Year 2010-11. For Appellant : Mr.Karthik Ranganathan Senior Standing Counsel For Respondent : Ms.Sri Niranjani Srinivasan for M/s.G.Baskar Page 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.765 of 2016 JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by M.DURAISWAMY, J.) We have heard Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant/Revenue and Ms.Sri Niranjani Srinivasan for M/s.G.Baskar, learned counsel for the respondent/assessee. 2.The appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short, the Act) is directed against the order dated 24.10.2014 made in I.TA.No.1971/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, “B” Bench (for brevity, the Tribunal) for the Assessment Year 2010-11. 3.The appeal was admitted on the following substantial question of law: “Whether on facts and circumstances of the case, the Hon'ble ITAT is right in holding that the ship operated by the assessee namely “M.V.Gem of Ennore” transporting thermal coal from one Page 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.765 of 2016 port to another within India was a qualifying ship u/s.115 VD of the Income Tax Act and the assessee was entitled for the benefit of Tonnage Tax Scheme (TTS) provided under Chapter XII G of the Act, which is contrary to the plain meaning of clause (1) of Section 115 VD 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 08.08.2019 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 as withdrawn on account of the Low Tax Effect. The substantial question of law framed is left open. In the event the tax effect in this case is above the threshold limit fixed in the said Circular, Page 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.765 of 2016 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. [M.D., J.] [R.H., J.] 30.07.2021
Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes
mkn
To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai, “B” Bench Page 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.No.765 of 2016 M.DURAISWAMY, J. and R. HEMALATHA, J. mkn T.C.A.No.765 of 2016 30.07.2021 Page 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/
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