2014 (6) TMI 186 - HC - Income Tax

Permission from Committee of disputes - Disallowance of claim of bad debts as per Explanation to clause (vii) read with clause (viia) of section 36(1) of the Act Held that - Revenue submitted that it was not open to the assessee to raise an issue of disallowance of bad debts before the FAA arising from the order of assessment passed after the order dated October 10, 2003, passed by the Commissioner in revision u/s 263 of the Act - he submitted that the order dated March 28, 2002 had attained finality - it was not open to the appellate authority to consider the issue of disallowance of bad debts and allow the appeal - This position has not been disputed he submitted that he has no objection for remand of the matter to the first appellate authority to consider the issue of disallowance of bad debts afresh including the contentions urged by Mr. K. V. Aravind - when the Revenue filed an appeal against the order of the FAA before the Tribunal, they had raised the issue in the present appeal and before the Tribunal they challenged the order of the first appellate authority in respect of the disallowance of bad debts on the merits thus, the matter is required to be remitted back to the FAA for fresh adjudication Decided in favour of Revenue. Deletion of accrued interest on broken period Held that - During the pendency of the appeal, the Revenue informs the court that the COD refused permission to file an appeal - the appeal raising the substantial question is not maintainable and the question need not be answered Relying upon Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. v. Union of India 2011 (2) TMI 3 - Supreme Court - permission of the COD in fact was not required - revenue could not and did not convince to take the matter further in view of the Office Memorandum Decided against Revenue. Permission from Committee of Disputes Subsequent restoration of appeal not recorded Adjustment of book profits u/s 115JA of the Act Held that - The Tribunal dismissed the appeal of the Revenue on the assumption that permission was refused by the COD and, therefore, the Tribunal did not record any finding on the merits of the case and the Tribunal dismissed the appeal without reserving liberty to the Revenue to file a fresh appeal after obtaining permission of the COD - the COD granted permission to file an appeal before the court against the order of the Tribunal on the same issue and, the matter is required to be remanded back to the Tribunal for fresh adjudication Decided in favour of Revenue.

Summary

Issues:
1. Appeal against the common order of the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal for the assessment year 1999-2000.
2. Substantial questions of law raised in the appeal.
3. Disallowance of claim of bad debts.
4. Disallowance of accrued interest for the broken period.
5. Dismissal of appeal for want of permission from the Committee on Disputes (COD).
6. Dismissal of appeal without reserving liberty to file a fresh appeal.

Issue 1: Appeal against the common order of the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal for the assessment year 1999-2000.
The Revenue filed an appeal against the common order dated January 31, 2007, passed by the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal, Bangalore Bench, pertaining to the assessment year 1999-2000. The Tribunal partly allowed the appeal filed by the Revenue, which was directed against the order passed by the Commissioner of Income-tax under sections 143(3) and 263 of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Issue 2: Substantial questions of law raised in the appeal.
Several substantial questions of law were raised in the appeal, including the correctness of dismissing the appeal for want of permission from the COD, the disallowance of bad debts, deletion of accrued interest, and adjustments to book profits for tax purposes under section 115JA. The court examined each question in detail, addressing the arguments presented by both parties and providing reasoned decisions on each issue.

Issue 3: Disallowance of claim of bad debts.
The court analyzed the issue of disallowance of bad debts, noting that the question had already been concluded in a previous order by the Assessing Officer. Despite subsequent appeals and challenges, the court decided to remand the matter to the first appellate authority for fresh consideration, allowing all contentions to be raised before it.

Issue 4: Disallowance of accrued interest for the broken period.
The court addressed the issue of disallowance of accrued interest, finding that the appeal raising this substantial question was not maintainable due to the COD's refusal of permission. The court cited relevant legal precedents and official memoranda to support its decision, ultimately concluding that the issue was concluded and did not require further consideration.

Issue 5: Dismissal of appeal for want of permission from the Committee on Disputes (COD).
The court examined the dismissal of the appeal based on the lack of permission from the COD, finding discrepancies in the records regarding the refusal of permission. Upon clarification that permission was indeed granted subsequently, the court decided to remand the issue to the Tribunal for a fresh decision on its merits.

Issue 6: Dismissal of appeal without reserving liberty to file a fresh appeal.
The court addressed the dismissal of the appeal without reserving liberty to file a fresh appeal, noting that permission was eventually granted by the COD. As a result, the court decided to remand this issue to the Tribunal for a fresh decision based on the updated information and permissions granted.

In conclusion, the High Court of Karnataka analyzed the various substantial questions of law raised in the appeal against the Tribunal's order for the assessment year 1999-2000. The court provided detailed explanations for each issue, remanding some matters for fresh consideration while concluding others based on legal precedents and official memoranda. The judgment highlighted the importance of procedural compliance and the need for thorough examination of all relevant aspects in tax-related appeals.