THE PRINCIPAL COMMISSINER OF INCOME TAX vs. PINKCITY JEWELHOUSE PVT. LTD.
What did the High Court hold?
The High Court held that the appeal is not maintainable. The Court distinguished between 'tax not quantifiable' and 'tax not quantified'. It reasoned that the exception in Circular 5, Clause F, applies to orders where the tax effect is not quantifiable. In this case, even taking the department's case at its highest, the tax effect of disallowing the entire deduction under Section 10AA would be Rs.1,32,00,000/-, which is less than two crores. Therefore, the appeal does not meet the monetary limit for maintainability as per Circular 9 dated 17.9.2024. The Court dismissed the appeal on the grounds of non-maintainability, leaving the proposed substantial question of law open.
What were the facts?
The assessee, Pinkcity Jewelhouse Pvt. Ltd., was assessed for AY 2015-16. Reassessment proceedings were initiated based on a survey, leading to a reassessment order dated 17.12.2018 where deduction under Section 10AA was disallowed. This order was rectified on 25.02.2019. The revisional authority, by order dated 17.3.2021, set aside the assessment and rectification orders, remanding the matter to the Assessing Officer to pass a fresh assessment after recording findings on the eligibility for exemption under Section 10AA. The assessee succeeded before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (Tribunal), which set aside the revision order. The Revenue has filed the present appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, against the Tribunal's order.
What were the issues?
1. Whether the appeal filed by the Revenue is maintainable in light of Circular 9 dated 17.9.2024, considering the tax effect of the dispute. Assessee's Contention: The assessee argues that the appeal is not maintainable as the sole dispute pertains to deduction under Section 10AA, and if the department succeeds in disallowing the entire deduction, the tax effect would be less than two crores, thus falling outside the monetary limit prescribed by Circular 9. Revenue's Contention: The Revenue contends that the appeal is maintainable because it falls under an exception provided in Clause F of para 3.1 of Circular 5 dated 15.03.2024, which applies to orders passed under Section 263 of the Act where the tax effect is not quantifiable or not involved. The Revenue also initially submitted that the tax effect was not quantified, but later conceded that even if the entire deduction is disallowed, the tax effect would be Rs.1,32,00,000/-.
Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
[2025:RJ-JP:7837-DB] HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN BENCH AT JAIPUR D.B. Income Tax Appeal No. 8/2025 The Principal Commissioner Of Income Tax, (Central), Rajasthan, Room No. 402, 4Th Floor, Lic Building, Bhawani Singh Road, Ambedkar Circle, Jaipur-302005. ----Appellant Versus Pinkcity Jewelhouse Pvt. Ltd., 76, Dhuleshwar Gardens, Jaipur(Pan/gir No.-Aaacf8368D). ----Respondent For Appellant(s) : Mr.Siddharth Bapna with Mr.Meyhul Miittal HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AVNEESH JHINGAN HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHUTOSH KUMAR Order 21/02/2025 1. This appeal under Section 260A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 (for short the Act) is filed against the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Jaipur (for short the Tribunal) dated 7.3.2024. 2. The brief facts are that the respondent-company on 05.08.2016 was assessed under Section 143(1) of the Act for assessment year 2015-16. On the basis of survey conducted on the premise of the respondent, re-assessment proceedings were initiated. The proceedings culminated in reassessment order dated 17.12.2018 and assessing officer (for brevity ‘AO’) disallowed deduction under Section 10AA of the Act. On 25.02.2019, re- assessment order was rectified. The revisional authority vide order dated 17.3.2021 set aside the assessment and rectification orders and the matter was remanded to pass assessment afresh after
[2025:RJ-JP:7837-DB] (2 of 3) [ITA-8/2025] recording findings with regard to eligibility of the respondent to claim exemption under Section 10AA of the Act. The respondent succeeded before the tribunal, the revision order was set aside. Hence, the present appeal. 3. Learned counsel for the respondent raises objection with regard to maintainability of the appeal in view of Circular 9 dated 17.9.2024. The argument is that the only dispute is with regard to deduction claimed under section 10AA and in case the department succeeds and entire deduction is disallowed, the tax effect would be less than two crores. 4. Learned counsel for the appellant submits that Circular 9 retains the exceptions provided in Circular 5 dated 15.03.2024. The argument is that this appeal falls within the exception in Clause F of para 3.1 of Circular 5 of 2024. The appeal is maintainable as the order is passed under Section 263 of the Act and the tax effect is not quantified. Learned counsel for the appellant on instructions fairly submits that even if the entire deduction is disallowed the tax effect would be Rs.1,32,00,000/-. Clause F of para 3.1 of the Circular 5 reads as under:- “f. where the tax effect is not quantifiable or not involved, such as the case of registration of trust or institutions under sections 10(23C), 12A/12AA/12AB of the Act, order passed u/s 263 of the Act, etc. The reference to the cases involving sections referred here, where it is not possible to quantify tax effect or tax effect is not involved, is for the purpose of illustration only.” 5. The contention of the counsel for the appellant lacks merit. There is a distinction between ‘tax not quantifiable’ and ‘tax not
[2025:RJ-JP:7837-DB] (3 of 3) [ITA-8/2025] quantified’. The exception is for order passed under Section 263 of the Act where the tax effect is not quantifiable. Taking the case of the department at the highest and even if order of the revisional authority is upheld, the tax effect would be less than two crores. 6. The demand might not have been quantified but remand was with regard to deduction claimed under Section 10AA and the maximum tax effect can be quantified at this stage, which would be less than two crores. 8. In view of the above, the appeal is dismissed as not maintainable in view of Circular 9 dated 17.9.2024. The proposed substantial question of law is kept open. (ASHUTOSH KUMAR),J (AVNEESH JHINGAN),J Brijesh Whether reportable: Yes
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