ITO (EXEMPTIONS), NEW DELHI vs. SHRI CHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ MEMORIAL NATIONAL COMMITTEE, NEW DELHI

This appeal filed by the Department is directed against the order dated 27.08.2015 of ld CIT(A)-40 (Exemption), New Delhi for the Assessment Year 2011-12, wherein, penalty u/s the ld CIT(A) denied u/s 11(1) and made an addition of Rs. 5215158/- and Rs. 1964970/- tax demanded on the addition made, mainly on the ground that the assessee is totally involved in trade, commerce or business.

At the outset of the hearing itself, the ld. DR brought to our attention that CBDT vide Circular No.03/2018 dated 11TH July 2018 has decided that the revenue would not prefer an appeal before the Tribunal if the tax effect is less than Rs.20 lakhs. Therefore, he pleaded that the appeal of the revenue be decided as per the instruction of the CBDT. Ld AR also reiterated same facts.

We have heard both the sides on the issue and perused the material. We find that the CBDT vide circular dated 11th July 2018 has revised the monetary limit for filing the appeal by the department before Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, Hon’ble High Courts and Hon’ble Supreme Court. The relevant para of the aforesaid circular is reproduced as under :- ITO(Exemption) Vs Shri Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial National Committee “3. Henceforth, appeals/SLPs shall not be filed in cases where the tax effect does not exceed the monetary limits given hereunder :- Sl.No. Appeals in Income-tax matters Monetary Limit(in Rs.) 1. Before Appellate Tribunal 20,00,000 2. Before High Court 50,00,000 3. Before Supreme Court 1,00,00,000 It is clarified that an appeal should not be filed merely because the tax effect in a case exceeds the monetary limits prescribed above. Filing of appeal in such cases is to be decided on merits of the case.”

We find that the tax effect involves in the appeal of the Revenue is below Rs.20 lakhs. There is no dispute that the Board’s instructions or directions issued to the Income-tax authorities are binding on those authorities, therefore, the Department should have withdrawn/not pressed the present appeal in view of the aforesaid instruction since the tax effect in the instant appeal is less than the amount of Rs.20 lakhs.

In view of the above, Circular No.3/2018 dated 10.07.2018 will apply to all pending appeals. Therefore the precedent, it is held that the appeal is not maintainable in the instant case as the tax effect is less than Rs.20 lakhs. Accordingly, it is held that appeal filed by the revenue is not maintainable.