COMMISSIOINER OF INCOME TAX vs. M/S HIDES

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TCA/828/2015HC 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. The dismissal was based on the submission by the Revenue that the appeals were not being pursued due to low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No.17/2019. The Court noted that the monetary limit for filing or pursuing an appeal before the High Court had been increased to Rs.1 Crore by this circular, and the tax effect in the respective cases was less than this threshold. Consequently, the appeals were dismissed on the ground of low tax effect. The substantial questions of law framed at the time of admission 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, for hearing and decision on merits. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax, Puducherry, filed six appeals (TCA.Nos.828 to 831, 833 and 834 of 2015) before the High Court of Judicature at Madras. These appeals challenged a common order dated 21.07.2014 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeals pertained to assessment years 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, and 2001-02, concerning assessees M/s.Hides and M/s.Hidesign. The ITAT's order had remitted the issue of computing the deduction under Section 80HHC back to the Assessing Officer. The Revenue's appeals were admitted on substantial questions of law.

What were the issues?

1. Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in law in remitting the issue back to the file of the Assessing Officer to re-compute the quantum of deduction available to the assessee under Section 80HHC, which is against the amendment to the provisions of Section 80HHC(3) of the Income Tax Act? (Question of law) Assessee's Arguments: No appearance was made by the respondent assessee. Revenue's Arguments: The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant Revenue submitted that the appeals were not being pursued due to low tax effect, citing CBDT Circular No.17/2019 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.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 80HHC,Section 260A

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.Nos.828 to 831, 833 and 834 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.828 to 831, 833 and 834 of 2015 Commissioner of Income Tax, D.P. Thottam, Muthialpet, Puducherry - 605 003. ...Appellant in all the appeals Vs M/s.Hides, No.244/1, Odiampet Village, Villianur, Puducherry. PAN: AABFM9226M ...Respondent in TCA.Nos.828 to 831 of 2015 M/s.Hidesign No.244/1, Odiampet Village, Villianur, Puducherry. PAN: AABFH9225K ...Respondent in TCA.Nos.833 & 834 of 2015 APPEALS under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the common order dated 21.07.2014 made in ITA.Nos.1045 to 1048, 1050 and 1051/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment years 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02, 1999- 2000 and 2000-01. For Appellant : Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, SSC assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, SC For Respondent : No appearance 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.828 to 831, 833 and 834 of 2015 COMMON JUDGMENT (Judgment was delivered by T.S.Sivagnanam,J) We have heard Mr.T.R.Senthilkumar, learned Senior Standing Counsel assisted by Ms.K.G.Usharani, learned 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 21.07.2014 made in ITA.Nos.1045 to 1048, 1050 and 1051/Mds/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment years 1998-99, 1999- 2000, 2000-01, 2001-02, 1999-2000 and 2000-01. 3.The appeals were admitted on 30.11.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “Whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Appellate Tribunal was right in law in remitting the issue back to file of the Assessing Officer to re-compute the quantum of deduction available to the assessee under Section 80HHC, which is against the amendment to the provisions of Section 80HHC(3) of the Income Tax Act?" 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 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.828 to 831, 833 and 834 of 2015 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.Hides, No.244/1, Odiampet Village, Villianur, Puducherry. 2.M/s.Hidesign No.244/1, Odiampet Village, Villianur, Puducherry. 3.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.Nos.828 to 831, 833 and 834 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.Nos.828 to 831, 833 and 834 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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