COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. THE METAL POWDER COMPANY

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TCA/790/2015HC Madras27 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeals filed by the Revenue on account of low tax effect, as submitted by the Revenue's counsel. The Court noted that the tax effect in the respective cases was less than the threshold limit stipulated in CBDT Circular No.17/2019. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission were left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeals if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No costs were imposed. The ITAT's order on the merits of the Section 80IA deduction was not adjudicated upon by the High Court.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Madurai, filed four appeals (TCA.Nos.790 to 793 of 2015) before the High Court of Judicature at Madras against the common order dated 21.02.2013 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'B' Bench. These appeals pertained to assessment years 2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06, and 2006-07. The respondent in these appeals was The Metal Powder Company Limited. The appeals were admitted on 04.11.2015. The Revenue, however, did not pursue these appeals due to a low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019 which increased the monetary limit for filing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. The tax effect in these cases was below this threshold.

What were the issues?

The High Court admitted the appeals on two substantial questions of law: 1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that each undertaking had to be considered separately for working out deduction under Section 80IA of the Income Tax Act? 2. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that profits and gains earned by one priority industry cannot be reduced by the loss suffered by any other industry or industries owned by the assessee for the purpose of claiming deduction under Section 80IA? The Revenue argued that the appeals were not being pursued due to low tax effect, referencing CBDT Circular No.17/2019. The assessee, The Metal Powder Company Limited, did not appear before the High Court.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 80IA

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.Nos.790 to 793 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.790 to 793 of 2015 Commissioner of Income Tax, Madurai. ...Appellant Vs The Metal Powder Company Limited, Maravankulam, Thirumangalam - 625 706. PAN: AAACT4262E ...Respondent APPEALS under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the common order dated 21.02.2013 made in ITA.Nos.869, 870, 871 and 872/Mds/2012 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment years 2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06 and 2006-07. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, SSC assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa, SSC For Respondent : No appearance COMMON JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J) We have heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.790 to 793 of 2015 assisted by Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Senior Standing Counsel appearing for the appellant – Revenue. 2.These appeals, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, are directed against the common order dated 21.02.2013 made in ITA.Nos.869, 870, 871 and 872/Mds/2012 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench for the assessment years 2002-03, 2003- 04, 2005-06 and 2006-07. 3.The appeals were admitted on 04.11.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “1) Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that each undertaking had to be considered separately for working out deduction under Section 80IA of the Income Tax Act? 2) Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal was right in holding that profits and gains earned by one priority industry cannot be reduced by the loss suffered by any other industry or industries owned by the assessee for the purpose of claiming deduction under Section 80IA?” 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.790 to 793 of 2015 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 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.The Metal Powder Company Limited, Maravankulam, Thirumangalam - 625 706. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'B' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.790 to 793 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.Nos.790 to 793 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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