PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONER OF vs. M/S.INDIA TRIMMINGS PVT LTD

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TCA/768/2017HC 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 on the ground of low tax effect, in line with CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted the submission by the Revenue's counsel that the tax effect was below the revised monetary limit for appeals to the High Court. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed for determination were left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect is found to be above the threshold limit fixed in the circular, allowing for a hearing and decision on merits. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, represented by the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax I, Coimbatore, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against an order dated April 29, 2016, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2007-08 and concerns M/s. India Trimmings Pvt. Ltd. The ITAT's order was challenged by the Revenue. The appeal was heard by the High Court of Judicature at Madras.

What were the issues?

1. Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was correct in holding that the defect in not passing the draft assessment order u/s.144C(1) of the Act cannot be cured at this stage and therefore the final order passed by the Assessing Officer is null and void and without jurisdiction? (Question of law) 2. Whether the Appellate Tribunal was right in not considering the fact that the non-issue of draft assessment order u/s.144C of the Act was only a procedural irregularity which can be cured at any stage of the proceedings? (Question of law) 3. Whether the Appellate Tribunal was right in not considering the fact that there is a fine distinction between the orders which are null and void and orders which are irregular, wrong or illegal? (Question of law) Contentions: Assessee: Not recorded. Revenue: Submitted that the appeal is 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 is below this threshold.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 144C

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

T.C.A.No.768 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.768 of 2017 Principal Commissioner of Income Tax I, No.63, Race Course Road, Coimbatore. .. Appellant -vs- M/s.India Trimmings Pvt. Ltd., 6/636, Pillaippanpalayam, Telungupalayam Post, Annur, Coimbatore-641 653. PAN: AAA CI 6934 N .. Respondent Appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 29.04.2016, made in I.T.A.No.1865/Mds/2011 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'D' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2007-08. For Appellant : Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar, Senior Standing Counsel : assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, Standing Counsel For Respondent : Mr.A.S.Sriraman For Mr.S.Sridhar ****** 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.768 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 29.04.2016, made in I.T.A.No.1865/Mds/2011 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'D' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2007-08. 2.The appeal has been filed raising the following substantial questions of law:- “(i) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was correct in holding that the defect in not passing the draft assessment order u/s.144C(1) of the Act cannot be cured at this stage and therefore the final order passed by the Assessing Officer is null and void and without jurisdiction? (ii) Whether the Appellate Tribunal was right in not considering the fact that the non issue of draft assessment order u/s.144C of the Act was only a procedural irregularity which can be cured at any stage of the proceedings? and (iii) Whether the Appellate Tribunal was right in not considering the fact that there is a fine distinction between the orders which are null and void and orders which are irregular, wrong or illegal?” 3.Heard Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.768 of 2017 by Ms.K.G.Usharani, learned Standing Counsel for the appellant – and 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 abr T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.768 of 2017 (abr) To 1.M/s.India Trimmings Pvt. Ltd., 6/636, Pillaippanpalayam, Telungupalayam Post, Annur, Coimbatore-641 653. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'D' Bench, Chennai. T.C.A.No.768 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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