COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S VESTAS WIND TECHNOLOGY

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TCA/772/2015HC Madras27 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 grounds of low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019. The Court noted that the Revenue's counsel submitted that the appeal was not being pursued because the tax effect was below the revised monetary limit of Rs.1 Crore for appeals before the High Court. Consequently, the substantial question of law framed at the time of admission was left undecided. 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.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Company Circle III, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 27.03.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'A' Bench. The appeal pertains to assessment year 2007-08 and challenges the ITAT's decision regarding the disallowance of prorate interest expenditure on account of interest-free advances made by the assessee, M/s. Vestas Wind Technology India Pvt. Ltd., to its subsidiary. The appeal was admitted on 15.09.2015. The respondent/assessee did not appear before the High Court.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that the disallowance of prorate interest expenditure on account of interest-free advances to its subsidiary company was not warranted, especially when the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of M/s. Tulip Star Hotels Limited (C.A.No.(CC).7138-7140 of 2012) by an order dated 30.04.2012 held that the judgment delivered in the case of S.A.Builders requires consideration and is pending before the Larger Bench? Contentions: Assessee: No appearance recorded. Revenue: The appeal is not being pursued due to low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No.17/2019, which increased the monetary limit for appeals before 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

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.772 of 2015 In the High Court of Judicature at Madras Dated : 27.08.2019 Coram : The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mrs.Justice V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN Tax Case Appeal No.772 of 2015 Commissioner of Income Tax, Company Circle III, Chennai. ...Appellant Vs M/s.Vestas Wind Technology India Pvt. Ltd., 298, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Sholinganallur, Chennai - 600 119. PAN: AAACA9274F ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 27.03.2015 made in ITA.No.68/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2007-08. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC and Ms.V.Pushpa, SC For Respondent : No appearance. JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J.) We have heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel, and Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant/revenue. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.772 of 2015 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 27.03.2015 made in ITA.No.68/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment year 2007-08. 3.The appeal was admitted on 15.09.2015 on the following substantial question of law : “Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that the disallowance of prorate interest expenditure on account of interest free advances to its subsidiary company was not warranted especially when the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of M/s.Tulip Star Hotels Limited in C.A.No.(CC).7138- 7140 of 2012 by an order dated 30.04.2012 has held that the judgment delivered in the case of S.A.Builders requires consideration and is pending for consideration before the Larger Bench?" 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. It 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.772 of 2015 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 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 appeal to be heard and decided on merits. No costs. (T.S.S.J.) (V.B.S.J.) 27.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.Vestas Wind Technology India Pvt. Ltd., 298, Old Mahabalipuram Road, Sholinganallur, Chennai - 600 119. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.772 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.772 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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