COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX II vs. M/S FAIRMACS SHIPPING &

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TCA/844/2015HC Madras27 August 2019Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM4 pages
AI SummaryDismissed

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Revenue. The dismissal was based on the Revenue's submission that the appeal was not being pursued due to a low tax effect, as per CBDT Circular No. 17/2019. The Court noted that the monetary limit for filing or pursuing appeals before the High Court had been increased to Rs. 1 Crore and that the tax effect in this case was below this limit. Consequently, the substantial questions of law framed were left open. The Revenue was granted liberty to mention the case for restoration if the tax effect was found to be above the threshold limit fixed in the circular, allowing for a decision on merits. No costs were awarded.

What were the facts?

The Revenue, Commissioner of Income Tax II, filed an appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against an order dated March 20, 2015, passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'C' Bench. The appeal pertains to the assessment year 2010-11 and concerns the assessee, M/s. Fairmacs Shipping & Transport Services Pvt. Ltd. The appeal was admitted on October 14, 2015, based on four substantial questions of law. However, the Revenue later submitted that it was not pursuing the appeal due to a 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 tax effect in this case was stated to be below this threshold.

What were the issues?

The Tribunal was to decide four substantial questions of law. The first question was whether the ITAT was justified in holding that loans and advances taken by a concern cannot be added as deemed dividend under Section 2(22)(e) of the Act. The second question was whether the ITAT was right in holding that the assessee company was not the beneficial owner of shareholding in its sister concern, despite both companies having the same shareholders. The third question concerned whether the ITAT's restrictive interpretation of Section 2(22)(e) ignored the inclusion of 'Concern' in the provision for deemed dividend taxation. The fourth question was whether the ITAT was right in granting liberty to the Revenue to rope in shareholders when the law does not provide for it. The Revenue argued that the ITAT's interpretation of Section 2(22)(e) was restrictive and ignored the inclusion of 'Concern'. The Revenue also questioned the ITAT's decision regarding beneficial ownership and the liberty granted to it. The assessee's contentions are not explicitly recorded in the provided text.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 2(22)(e)

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

TCA.No.844 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 No.844 of 2015 Commissioner of Income Tax II, 121, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai - 600 034.

...Appellant Vs M/s.Fairmacs Shipping & Transport Services Pvt. Ltd., New No.31, Moore Street, Chennai - 600 001. PAN: AAACF0474A ...Respondent APPEAL under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order dated 20.03.2015 made in ITA.No.3049/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. For Appellant : Mr.Karthik Ranganathan, SSC assisted by Mr.S.Rajesh, SC For Respondent : Mr.R.Sandeep Bagmar 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 and Mr.R.Sandeep Bagmar, learned counsel appearing for the respondent/assessee. 1/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.844 of 2015 2.This appeal, filed by the Revenue under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is directed against the order dated 20.03.2015 made in ITA.No.3049/MDS/2014 on the file of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench for the assessment year 2010-11. 3.The appeal was admitted on 14.10.2015 on the following substantial questions of law : “1.On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, whether the ITAT is justified in holding that the loans and advances taken by a Concern cannot be subjected to addition as deemed dividend under Section 2(22)(e) of the Act? 2.Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the ITAT was right in holding that the assessee Company was not the beneficial owner of shareholding in its Sister Concern when both the shareholders are one and the same in both the Companies? 3.On the facts and in the circumstances of the case, whether the restrictive interpretation of section 2(22)(e) by the ITAT does not amount to ignoring the second limb of provisions to Section 2(22)(e) wherein the word "Concern" is also included for the purpose of taxation of deemed dividend in its hands? 4.Whether, on the facts and in the circumstances of the case, the Honourable ITAT was right in granting liberty to the Revenue for roping in the shareholders concerned when the law does not provide to do so?" 4.The learned Senior Standing Counsel for the appellant submits that 2/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.844 of 2015 the above appeal is not pursued by the Revenue on account of the low tax effect in terms of Circular No.17/2019 dated 08.8.2019 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 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.) 27.08.2019 cse Speaking (or) Non Speaking Order Index : Yes (or) No To 1.M/s.Fairmacs Shipping & Transport Services Pvt. Ltd., New No.31, Moore Street, Chennai - 600 001. 2.The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai 'C' Bench. 3/4 http://www.judis.nic.in TCA.No.844 of 2015 T.S.SIVAGNANAM,J. AND V.BHAVANI SUBBAROYAN,J. cse TCA.No.844 of 2015 27.08.2019 4/4 http://www.judis.nic.in

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