LITTLE FLOWER EDUCATIONAL vs. THE INCOME TAX OFFICER

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TCA/93/2017HC Madras23 February 2021Bench: Hon`ble Mr Justice M.DURAISWAMY5 pages
AI SummaryWithdrawn

What did the High Court hold?

The High Court did not decide the substantial questions of law framed for consideration. This was due to subsequent developments, specifically the enactment of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020. The assessee informed the Court that they had received Form-3 under this Act and sought permission to withdraw the appeals. Consequently, the Court dismissed the Tax Case Appeals as withdrawn. No costs were awarded. The specific findings of the ITAT on the denial of tax exemption under Section 11 based on Section 13(1)(b) were not adjudicated upon by the High Court.

What were the facts?

The assessee, M/s. Little Flower Educational Society, filed three appeals before the High Court of Judicature at Madras against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Chennai 'A' Bench, dated June 24, 2016. These appeals, Tax Case Appeal Nos. 93 to 95 of 2017, pertained to assessment years 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012. The appeals were admitted on June 2, 2020, on substantial questions of law. Subsequently, the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020, was enacted. The assessee informed the Court that they had been issued Form-3 under this Act and sought permission to withdraw the appeals.

What were the issues?

1. Whether the Appellate Tribunal was correct in law in denying tax exemption computation under Section 11 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, based on Section 13(1)(b) of the Act, concerning charitable contributions routed through M/s. Little Flower Monastery for educational objects? Assessee's contention: The assessee argued that the Tribunal erred in denying the tax exemption under Section 11 by invoking Section 13(1)(b), especially since the assessee was recognized as a public charitable trust under Section 12AA of the Act. Revenue's contention: The judgment does not record any specific contentions made by the Revenue on these issues.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 260A,Section 11,Section 13(1)(b),Section 12AA

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Tax Case Appeal Nos.93 to 95 of 2017 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 23.02.2021 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE M. DURAISWAMY AND THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE T.V. THAMILSELVI Tax Case Appeal Nos.93 to 95 of 2017 M/s.Little Flower Educational Society, Bharathi Park Road, No.2, Ramalingam Nagar, Saibaba Colony, Coimbatore – 641 911.

... Appellant in all appeals Vs.

The Income Tax Officer, Company Ward – I, Coimbatore. ... Respondent in all appeals

Tax Case Appeals in T.C.A.Nos.93, 94 and 95 of 2017 filed under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai "A" Bench, dated 24.06.2016 passed in I.T.A.Nos.2270/Mds/2014, 1222/Mds/2014 and 2714/Mds/2014 respectively. Page 1/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ Tax Case Appeal Nos.93 to 95 of 2017 For Appellant : Mr.M.Kaushik for Mr.S.Sridhar in all appeals For Respondent : Mr.J.Narayanaswamy

Senior Standing Counsel in all appeals C O M M O N J U D G M E N T (Delivered by M.DURAISWAMY, J.) The above appeals filed by the assessee under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ('the Act' for brevity), are directed against the order dated 24.06.2016 passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai "A" Bench, ('the Tribunal' for brevity) in I.T.A.Nos.2270/Mds/2014, 1222/Mds/2014 and 2714/Mds/2014 for the assessment years 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 respectively. The above appeals were admitted on 02.06.2020 on the following substantial questions of law : “(i)Whether the Appellate Tribunal is correct in law in denying the tax exemption computation u/s 11 of the Act on the strength of section 13 (1)(b) of the Act relating to the charitable contributions routed through M/s.Little Flower Monastry to pursue the object of education? Page 2/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ Tax Case Appeal Nos.93 to 95 of 2017 (ii)Whether the Appellate Tribunal is correct in law in interpreting the provisions of Section 13(1)(b) of the Act so as to deny the tax exemption computation under Section 11 of the Act in view of the fact of the appellant being recognized as a public charitable trust under Section 12AA of the Act?” 2. We have heard Mr.M.Kaushik for Mr.S.Sridhar, learned counsel for the appellant/ assessee and Mr.J.Narayanaswamy, learned Senior Standing Counsel for the respondent/Revenue. 3. It may not be necessary for this Court to decide the Substantial Questions of Law framed for consideration on account of certain subsequent developments. The Government of India enacted the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas Act, 2020 (Act 3 of 2020) to provide for resolution of disputed tax and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Act of the Parliament received the assent of the President on 17th March 2020 and published in the Gazette of India on 17th March 2020. Page 3/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ Tax Case Appeal Nos.93 to 95 of 2017 4. We are informed by the learned counsel for the appellant/ assessee that the assessee had already been issued with Form-3 on 11.12.2020 and the learned counsel for the appellant seeks permission of this Court to withdraw the above appeals. 5. In view of the submission made by the learned counsel for the appellant/assessee, the above Tax Case Appeals stand dismissed as withdrawn. No costs. [M.D., J.] [T.V.T.S., J.] Index : Yes/No 23.02.2021

Internet : Yes

mkn To 1. Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Chennai "A" Bench 2.The Income Tax Officer, Company Ward – I, Coimbatore. Page 4/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ Tax Case Appeal Nos.93 to 95 of 2017 M. DURAISWAMY, J. and T.V. THAMILSELVI, J. mkn Tax Case Appeal Nos.93 to 95 of 2017

23.02.2021 Page 5/5 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/

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