COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S. TALLBOY STATIONERY
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court dismissed the appeals filed by the Revenue on account of low tax effect, in terms of CBDT Circular No.17/2019. The Court noted the submission by the Revenue's counsel that the tax effect in these cases was below the enhanced monetary limit of Rs.1 Crore for filing or pursuing appeals before the High Court. 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, to be heard and decided on merits. No costs were awarded.
What were the facts?
The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Corporate Circle 3(1), Chennai, filed two appeals (T.C.A.Nos.807 & 808 of 2016) before the High Court of Judicature at Madras against the orders of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) dated 29.04.2016. These ITAT orders pertained to appeals filed by M/s.Tallboy Stationery Private Limited for assessment years 2011-12 and 2008-09. The appeals were admitted on substantial questions of law. The Revenue, however, sought to withdraw these appeals. The reason cited for withdrawal was the low tax effect, as per Circular No.17/2019 issued by the CBDT, which increased the monetary limit for pursuing appeals before the High Court to Rs.1 Crore. The tax effect in these cases was stated to be below this threshold.
What were the issues?
The Tribunal had to decide two substantial questions of law. The first question was: (i) Whether the Tribunal was correct in law in holding that the addition could not have been made by the Assessing Officer in the hands of the Assessee company as it was not a registered shareholder of M/s.Chennai Micro Prints Private Limited from which the Assessee received loan/advance? This question turns on the interpretation of provisions related to deemed dividends. The second question was: (ii) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal correctly interpreted the provisions of Section 2(22)(e) in the light of the clarification given by the Board vide Circular No.495 dated 22.9.1987? The Revenue argued that the appeals were not being pursued due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019. The Assessee's arguments on the merits of the case are not recorded as the appeals were dismissed on the ground of low tax effect.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
T.C.A.Nos.807 & 808 of 2016 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 18.08.2021 CORAM The Honourable Mr.Justice T.S.SIVAGNANAM and The Honourable Mr.Justice SATHI KUMAR SUKUMARA KURUP T.C.A.Nos.807 and 808 of 2016 Commissioner of Income Tax, Corporate Circle 3(1), Chennai. .. Appellant in both Appeals
-vs- M/s.Tallboy Stationery Private Limited, New No.130, Old No.34, Nelson Manickam Road, Aminjikarai, Chennai-600 029. PAN: AACCT 3483H .. Respondent in both Appeals Appeals under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 29.04.2016 made in I.T.A.Nos.2291 & 2292/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai for the assessment years 2011-12 and 2008-09 respectively. For Appellant : Mr.M.Swaminathan, (In both Appeals) Senior Standing Counsel & Ms.V.Pushpa, Junior Standing Counsel _________ Page 1 of 5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.Nos.807 & 808 of 2016 For Respondent : Ms.S.Sriniranjani, (In both Appeals) ****** COMMON JUDGMENT (Delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam, J.) These appeals, by the appellant/Revenue, filed under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, are directed against the order dated 29.04.2016, made in I.T.A.Nos.2291 & 2292/Mds/2015 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai for the assessment years 2011-12 and 2008-09 respectively. 2.The appeals were admitted on 16.11.2016, on the following substantial questions of law:- “(i) Whether the Tribunal was correct in law in holding that the addition could not have been made by the Assessing Officer in the hands of the Assessee company as it was not a registered shareholder of M/s.Chennai Micro Prints Private Limited from which Assessee received loan/advance? and _________ Page 2 of 5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.Nos.807 & 808 of 2016 (ii) Whether on the facts and circumstances of the case and in law, the Tribunal correctly interpreted the provisions of Section 2(22)(e) in the light of the clarification given by the Board vide Circular No.495 dated 22.9.1987?” 3.Heard Mr.M.Swaminathan, learned Senior Standing Counsel and Ms.V.Pushpa, learned Junior Standing Counsel for the appellant/Revenue and Ms.S.Sriniranjani, learned counsel for the respondent/assessee. 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant/Revenue 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 08.08.2019 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 these cases is less than the threshold limit. _________ Page 3 of 5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.Nos.807 & 808 of 2016 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 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.) (S.S.K., J.) 18.08.2021 Index: Yes/ No Speaking Order : Yes/ No abr To The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal 'B' Bench, Chennai. _________ Page 4 of 5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ T.C.A.Nos.807 & 808 of 2016 T.S.Sivagnanam, J. and Sathi Kumar Sukumara Kurup, J. (abr) T.C.A.Nos.807 & 808 of 2016 18.08.2021
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