Seeking to reduce tax litigation by about 50 per cent, the finance ministry on Tuesday raised the monetary limit for filing appeals to Rs 10 lakh in appellate tribunal, and Rs 20 lakh in high courts (HCs).

It has been decided to withdraw appeals filed by the income tax (I-T) department in Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) and high courts for cases involving tax effect of below the new monetary limit. There are 75,000 cases pending in ITAT and HC.

Tax effect refers to the difference between what the I-T department's assessment of tax liability and asssessee’s assumption.

“The monetary limits for filing of appeals by the Department before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) and the High Courts have been revised to tax effect of Rs 10 lakhs and Rs 20 lakhs respectively, from the present limits of tax effect of Rs 4 lakhs and Rs 10 lakhs,” Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia told reporters.

The revised limits have been made applicable retrospectively to pending appeals also, he said, adding that directions have been issued that pending appeals which are below the revised monetary limits may be withdrawn or not pressed.

However, he added the cases involving substantive question of law would be pursued irrespective of the monetary limit.

Adhia further said that the government and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) have also decided to set up a collegium of two chief commissioners would be set up by principal chief commissioners to decide on withdrawal of appeals filed by the department.

“This collegium will consider withdrawal of appeals filed by the Department in cases involving tax effect above the revised monetary limit from the High Courts if no question of law is involved, the issue is considered settled by the Department or the appeal is no longer relevant in view of subsequent amendment,” he said.

When asked whether the government is still sticking to the April 1, 2016, deadline for GST rollout, Adhia said, “we will take a call after the end of the ongoing Winter session of Parliament”.

The good and services tax is stuck in the Rajya Sabha because of the political logjam.