THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME vs. M/S. SALCOMP MANUFACTURING
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the submission by the Revenue's counsel that the appeal was not being pursued due to low tax effect, as per 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 this case was stated to be below this threshold. Consequently, the substantial questions of law were left open. The Court granted liberty to the Revenue to seek restoration of the appeal if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit. No costs were imposed. The specific findings of the Tribunal on the four issues raised were not adjudicated upon by the High Court.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income-tax, Chennai, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against an order dated 31.08.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ('D' Bench, Chennai). The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2008-09 and challenges the Tribunal's findings regarding the assessee, M/s. Salcomp Manufacturing India Pvt Ltd. The dispute revolves around the determination of arm's length price (ALP) for transactions between the assessee and its associated enterprise. The Revenue contended that the Tribunal erred in its findings on purchases, adjustments to ALP, and interest payments. The appeal was listed for hearing before the High Court of Judicature at Madras.
What were the issues?
The Tribunal had to decide four substantial questions of law: 1. Whether purchases made by the assessee from its Associated Enterprise (AE) were at arm's length, considering the AE charged a 5% markup on its purchases from third parties supplied to the assessee. 2. Whether the adjustment to ALP made by the assessee for the actual credit period availed was acceptable, despite invoices showing interest payable on overdue payments after the due date. 3. Whether interest payments by the assessee to its AE were at arm's length. 4. Whether the Tribunal was correct in relying on "India's External Debt – A Status Report 2010-11" for the financial year 2007-08, given the varying international financial scenarios. The Revenue argued that the Tribunal overlooked material facts and relied on inappropriate data. The assessee's contentions are not recorded in the judgment.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
T.C.A.No.803 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.803 of 2017 The Commissioner of Income-tax, Chennai. .. Appellant -vs- M/s.Salcomp Manufacturing India Pvt Ltd., Nokia Telecom SEZ, 3rd Phase, SIPCOT Industrial Estate, Sriperambudur, Tamil Nadu-602 105. .. Respondent Appeal under Section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, against the order dated 31.08.2016, made in I.T.A.No.2201/Mds/2012 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'D' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2008-09. For Appellant : Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar, Senior Standing Counsel : assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, Standing Counsel 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 31.08.2016, made in 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.803 of 2017 I.T.A.No.2201/Mds/2012 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'D' Bench, Chennai for the assessment year 2008-09. 2.The appeal has been filed raising the following substantial questions of law:- “(i) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case the Tribunal was right in holding that purchases made by the assessee from its Associated Enterprise is at Arms Length overlooking the fact of charging mark up of 5% by the AE on its purchases from third parties which were supplied to assessee? (ii) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case the Tribunal was right in accepting the adjustment to ALP made by the assessee by making adjustment for actual credit period availed by it when the invoices showed interest payable on overdue payment after due date which are contrary to facts? (iii) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case the Tribunal was right in holding that interest payment by assessee to its Associated Enterprise is at Arms Length? and (iv) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case the Tribunal was right in relying on “India's External Debt – A Status Report 2010-11”, when the period in question relates to the FY 2007-08 and that the prevalent rate of interest will vary on account of varied international financial scenario?” 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.803 of 2017 3.Heard Mr.T.R.Senthil Kumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, learned Standing Counsel for the appellant. 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 Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-Speaking Order abr 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in T.C.A.No.803 of 2017 T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and V.Bhavani Subbaroyan, J. (abr) To 1.M/s.Salcomp Manufacturing India Pvt Ltd., Nokia Telecom SEZ, 3rd Phase, SIPCOT Industrial Estate, Sriperambudur, Tamil Nadu-602 105. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'D' Bench, Chennai. T.C.A.No.803 of 2017 29.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in
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