DCIT, FARIDABAD vs. SHRI SOHAN LAL SINGLA, NEW DELHI

At the outset, it has been pointed out by the ld. counsel for the assessee that the tax effect on the disputed issue raised in the Revenue’s Appeal is much below Rs.50 lac, and therefore, in view of new CBDT Circular No.17/2019, the appeal of the Revenue is not maintainable. Ld. DR did not dispute that tax effect on the disputed issue is less than Rs.50 lac.

In view of the CBDT Circular No.17/2019 dated 8th August, 2019, wherein the CBDT has further enhanced the monetary limit for filing of appeal by the Department before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal from Rs.20 lacs to Rs.50 lacs. The said circular also make reference to the earlier Circular No.3 of 2018 dated 11.07.2018 and specially states that as a step towards further management of litigation, the Board has decided to enhance the monetary limit for filing of the appeals. This circular is not in supersession of the earlier circular but only amends the monetary limits as well as gives clarification with regard to paragraph 5 of the earlier circular. This inter alia means that all the other conditions mentioned in the earlier Circular No.3 of 2018 dated 11.07.2018 will apply mutatis mutandis including that is, it will apply to all the pending appeals.

Further CBDT vide clarification dated 20.08.2019 has clarified that the aforesaid circular will apply to all pending appeals. Accordingly, the appeal of the Revenue is dismissed as non maintainable as the tax effect is below Rs.50 lakhs.

In the result, the appeal filed by the Revenue is dismissed. Order pronounced in the open Court on 6th December, 2019.