COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S.E.CARE INDIA PVT LTD

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TCA/776/2015HC Madras27 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court, in light of the submissions made by the Revenue regarding the low tax effect, dismissed the appeals. The Court noted that the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court had been increased to Rs.1 Crore by CBDT Circular No.17/2019, and the tax effect in these cases was below this limit. Consequently, the appeals were dismissed on this ground. The substantial questions of law framed were expressly left open. Liberty was granted to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeals if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit, allowing them to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded. The specific findings of the ITAT on the three issues were not adjudicated by the High Court.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax II, filed five appeals (TCA.Nos.776 to 780 of 2015) against the common order dated 09.01.2015 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'A' Bench. These appeals pertained to assessment years 2007-08 to 2011-12 and challenged the ITAT's decision concerning the computation of deduction under Section 10B of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and the allowability of depreciation on a UPS. The appeals were admitted on substantial questions of law. The respondent assessee, M/s. E-Care India Pvt. Ltd., did not appear before the High Court.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal had to decide three substantial questions of law: 1. Whether the expenditure in foreign exchange should be excluded from both export and total turnover when computing the eligible deduction under Section 10B of the Income Tax Act, 1961. 2. Whether the total profit of the business should be taken without reducing the proportionate profit relating to domestic turnover while computing the deduction under Section 10B. 3. Whether 60% of depreciation is allowable for a UPS used in a computer, even if it is not considered a part and parcel of the computer. 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 appeals to the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. The Revenue submitted that the tax effect in these cases was below this threshold. No arguments were recorded for the assessee.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 10B,Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.Nos.776 to 780 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 Nos.776 to 780 of 2015 Commissioner of Income Tax II, No.121, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai - 600 034. ...Appellant Vs M/s.E-Care India Pvt. Ltd., B.R. Complex, II Floor, No.27-28, Woods Road, Chennai - 600 002. PAN: AACCE5386R ...Respondent APPEALS under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the common order dated 09.01.2015 made in ITA.Nos.2650 to 2654/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment years 2007-08 to 2011-12. For Appellant: Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, SSC assisted by M.S.Rajesh, SC For Respondent: No appearance COMMON JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J) We have heard Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.776 to 780 of 2015 2.These appeals, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, are directed against the common order dated 09.01.2015 made in ITA.Nos.2650 to 2654/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench for the assessment years 2007-08 to 2011-12. 3.The appeals were admitted on 03.11.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “1) Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Honourable Income Tax Appellate Tribunal is right in holding that the expenditure in foreign exchange is to be excluded from both export and total turnover while computing eligible deduction under Section 10B of the Act? 2) Whether the Appellate Tribunal was right in directing the assessing officer to take the total profit of the business without reducing the proportionate profit relating to domestic turnover while computing deduction under Section 10B of the Act? 3) Whether the Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that 60% of depreciation is allowable for UPS used in computer which is not a part and parcel of a computer?" 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 08.8.2019 issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes. By the said Circular, the monetary limit for filing or 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.776 to 780 of 2015 pursuing an appeal before the High Court has been increased to Rs.1 Crore. It is further submitted that the tax effect in the respective 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 questions of law framed are left open. In the event the tax effect in the respective cases 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.) 27.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.E-Care India Pvt. Ltd., B.R. Complex, II Floor, No.27-28, Woods Road, Chennai - 600 002. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'A' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.776 to 780 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.Nos.776 to 780 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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