(a) tax planning, tax management, tax evasion and tax ... · ... tax planning, tax management, tax...
TRANSCRIPT
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LESSON 1
(a) Tax planning, tax management, tax evasion and tax avoidance
(b) Types of companies, residential status of companies and tax incidence
(A) TAX PLANNING, TAX MANAGEMENT, TAX EVASION
AND TAX AVOIDANCE
1. STRUCTURE
1.1 Concept of Planning
1.2 Tax Management
1.3 Objectives of Tax Planning
1.4 Importance of Tax Planning
1.5 Essential of Tax Planning
1.6 Tax Evasion and Tax Avoidance
1.7 Difference Between Tax Planning and Tax Management
1.8 Difference Between Tax Planning and ‘Tax Evasion’
1.9 Difference Between Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion
1.10 Definition of Company (Section 2(17)
1.11 Types of Companies
1.12 Residence of a Company (Section 6(3)
1.13 Incidence of Tax
1.14 Incomes Received or Deemed to be Received in India (Section 7)
1.15 Income Accruing or Arising in India or Deemed to be Accrued
Tax payment has never been a pleasure for any tax payer. Though tax is defined as a
contribution by the people to the government but it is a levy and an unpleasant burden on
every assessee. Tax is defined as something which taxes your strength, your patience or your
resources it uses nearly all of them so that you have great difficulty in carrying out what you
are trying to do. It is a task which requires lot of mental and physical efforts. One tries to
reduce tax burden by many means because tax is reduction in his disposable income which he
earned from his physical and mental efforts. Therefore every tax payer tries to minimise the
burden of tax by his own means.
1.1 CONCEPT OF TAX PLANNING
Tax Planning is an exercise undertaken to minimise tax liability through the best use
of all available allowances, deductions, exclusions, exemptions, etc., to reduce income.
Tax planning can be defined as an arrangement of one's financial and business affairs
by taking legitimately in full benefit of all deductions, exemptions, allowances and rebates so
that tax liability reduces to minimum. In other words, all arrangements by which the tax is
saved by ways and means which comply with the legal obligations and requirements and are
not colourable devices or tactics to meet the letters of law but the spirit behind these, would
constitute tax planning.
The Hon'ble Supreme Court in McDowell & Co. v. CIT (1985) 154 ITR 148 has
observed that "tax planning may be legitimate provided it is within the framework of the law.
Colourable devices cannot be part of tax planning and it is wrong to encourage or entertain
the belief that it is honourable to avoid payment of tax by resorting to dubious methods." Tax
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planning should not be done with intent to defraud the revenue; though all transactions
entered into by an assessee could be legally correct, yet on the whole these transactions may
be devised to defraud the revenue. All such devices where statute is followed in strict words
but actually spirit behind the statute is marred would be termed as colourable devices and
they do not form part of tax planning. All transactions in respect of tax planning must to be in
accordance with the true spirit of statute and should be correct in form and substance.
Various judicial pronouncements have laid down that substance and form of the
transactions shall be seen in totality to determine the net effect of a particular transaction. The
Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of CIT v. B M Kharwar (1969) 72 ITR 603 has held that,
"The taxing authority is entitled and is indeed bound to determine the true legal relation
resulting from a transaction. If the parties have chosen to conceal by a device the legal
relation, it is open to the taxing authorities to unravel the device and to determine the true
character of relationship. But the legal effect of a transaction cannot be displaced by a
probing into substance of the transaction."
In brief tax planning may be defined as an arrangement of one's financial affairs in
such a way that without violating in any way the legal provisions of an Act, full advantages
are taken of all exemptions, deductions, rebates and reliefs permitted under the Income Tax-
act, so that the burden of the taxation on an assessee, as far as possible be the least.
Actually the exemptions, deductions, rebates and reliefs have been provided by the
legislature to achieve certain social and economic goals. For example section 80IB of the
Income Tax Act, 1961 provides deduction from gross total income in respect of profits from
newly established industrial undertakings in industrially backward State or industrially
backward district as may be notified in this behalf. The object of the tax concession is clear,
i.e., economic development of industrially backward district or State. Section 80C provides
deduction from gross total income, if an individual or H.U.F. saves the amount and invests or
deposits it in the prescribed schemes. The deduction has been provided to encourage savings
and investments for economic development of the country. Thus, if a person takes .the
advantages of the aforesaid deductions, he not only reduces his tax liability but also helps in
achieving the objective of the legislature, which is lawful, social and ethical. Thus, tax
planning is an act within the four corners of the Act and it is not a colourable device to avoid
the tax liability.
1.2 TAX MANAGEMENT
Tax planning is a broader term which requires management of affairs in such a way
that results in the reduction in minimisation of tax liability. Tax planning is not possible
without tax management. It refers to the compliance of statutory provisions of law. Some
important areas of tax management are as stated below.
(i) Deduction of tax at source u/s 194 to 196
(ii) Payment of tax and self assessment u/s 140A
(iii) Payment of tax an demand u/s 220
(iv) Maintenance of accounts u/s 44AA
(v) Audit of accounts u/s 44AB
(vi) Payment of cess, duty or fees, bonus and commission to employees etc v/s 43B
(vii) Furnishing return of income u/s 139
(viii) Documentation and maintenance of tax files etc.
(ix) Review of order received from tax Authorities.
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1.3 OBJECTIVES OF TAX PLANNING
The objective of tax planning is to minimise tax liability and to avail maximum
benefits of the taxation laws within their framework. The objectives of tax planning cannot be
regarded as offending any concept of the taxation laws and subjected to reprehension of
reducing the inflow of revenue to the Government coffers, so long as the tax planning
measures are in conformity with the statute laws and the judicial expositions thereof. The
Basic objectives of tax planning are:
(a) Reduction of tax liability
(b) Minimisation of litigation
(c) Productive investment
(d) Reduction in cost
(e) Healthy growth of economy
(f) Employment generation
(a) Reduction in tax liability: The basic objective of tax planning is to reduce the tax
liability so that enough surplus out of profits remains with the earner of it for his personal and
social needs and also for future investments in his business. This is only possible by planning
his tax affairs properly and availing the deductions, exemptions and reliefs, etc. which are
admissible under the Acts. He can succeed in doing so by updating his knowledge about the
various concessions available in the taxation laws and the conditions to be fulfilled to avail
them.
(b) Minimisation of litigation: There is always a tug-of-war between the tax payers
and the tax administrators. The tax payers try their best to pay the least tax and the tax
administrators attempt to extract the maximum. This sometimes results in prolonged
litigation. Actually the main reason of litigation lies in tax avoidance and not in tax planning.
Whenever a tax payer wants to reduce his tax liability by finding a loophole in the Act and
title tax administrator does not agree with the interpretation of the assessee under which he is
demanding exemption, deduction or relief, it results in litigation. A good tax planning is
always based on clear words of the statute or in conformity with the provisions of the taxation
laws. In such a case the chances of litigation are minimised.
(c) Productive investment: A proper tax planning brings fiscal discipline in the
functioning of a tax payer and reduces the transfer of money, from the person who has earned
it by hard labour, to the Government for waste and misuse. The amount so saved enhances
the capacity of the tax payer for expansion and growth, which in turn increases the tax
revenue of the Government.
(d) Reduction in cost: Incidence of tax (direct and indirect) forms a part of cost of
production. The reduction of tax by tax planning reduces the overall cost. It results in more
sale, more profit and more tax revenue and more investment.
(e) Healthy growth of economy: The growth of a nation's economy depends upon
the growth of its peoples. Savings through tax planning devices foster the growth of economy
while savings through tax evasion lead to generation of black money, the evils of which are
obvious. The tax planning plays an important role in the development of backward districts
and backward states and development of infrastructure facilities or in other words it takes the
economy in the intended direction.
(f) Employment generation: The amount saved by tax planning is generally invested
in commencement of new undertakings or expansion of the business. This creates new
employment opportunities in the society. Further, taxation laws are so complicated that by
and large tax payers cannot plan their affairs efficiently. Hence, such persons need services of
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chartered accountants, financial advisers and lawyers. Such persons join the business
concerns either as employees or provide their services as tax experts.
1.4 IMPORTANCE OF TAX PLANNING
Though the basic objective of the planning is to minimise the tax liability of tax payer
yet following are the some considerations which are important for tax planning-
(i) When an assessee has not claimed all the deductions and relief, before the
assessment is completed, he is not allowed to claim them at the time of appeal. It
was held in CIT u/s Gurjargravures Ltd. (1972) 84 ITR 723 that if there is no tax
planning and there are lapses on the part of the assessee, the benefit would be the
least.
(ii) Tax planning exercise is more reliable since the Companies Act, and other allied
laws narrow down the scope for tax evasion and tax avoidance techniques, driving
a taxpayer to a situation where he will be subjected to severe penal consequences.
(iii) Presently, companies are supposed to promote those activities and programmes,
which are of public interest and good for a civilised society. In order to encourage
these, the Government has provided them with incentives in the tax laws. Hence a
planner has to be well versed with the laws concerning incentives.
(iv) With increase in profits, the amount of corporate tax also increases and it
necessitates the devotion of adequate time on tax planning to minimise' tax
burden.
(v) Tax planning enables a company to bear the burden of both direct and indirect
taxation during inflation. It enables companies to make proper expense planning,
capital budgeting, sales promotion planning etc.
(vi) Repairs, renewals, modernisation and replacement of plant and machinery are
indispensable for an industry for its continuous growth. The need for capital
formation in the corporate sector cannot be ignored and heavy taxation reduces the
inflow of corporate funds. Capital formation helps in replacing the technologically
obsolete and outdated plant and machinery and enables carrying on of
manufacturing operation with a new and more sophisticated system. Any decision
of this kind would involve huge capital expenditure which is financed generally
by ploughing back the profits, utilisation of reserves and surplus along with the
availing of deductions. Availability of accumulated profits, reserves and surpluses
and claiming such expenses as revenue expenditure are possible through proper
implementation of tax planning techniques.
(vii) In current days of credit squeeze and dear money conditions, even a rupee of tax
decently saved may be taken as an interest-free loan from the Government, which
perhaps, an assessee need not repay. It is rightly said that money saved is money
earned.
Thus, any legitimate step taken by an assessee directed towards maximising tax benefits,
keeping in view the intention of law, will not only help it but also the society since it
promotes the spirit behind the legal provisions. All those assessees which practice tax
planning may have the satisfaction that they are contributing their best to the nation's broad
objectives and goals in a welfare State like ours. At the same time, the law makes the
fulfillment of certain conditions obligatory before allowing the benefits to be claimed by the
assessees. In this way, the assessees, besides helping themselves, also help in securing the
objectives, tasks and goals set before them by the country.
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1.5 ESSENTIALS OF TAX PLANNING
Successful tax planning techniques should have following attributes:
(a) It should be based on uptodate knowledge of tax laws. Not only is an uptodate
knowledge of the statute law necessary, assessee must also be aware of judgments
made various by the courts. In addition, one must keep track of the circulars,
notifications, clarifications and Administrative instructions issued by the CBDT from
time to time.
(b) The disclosure of all material information and furnishing the same to the income-tax
department is an absolute pre-requisite of tax planning as concealment in any form
would attract the penalty clauses - the penalty often ranging from 100 to 300% of the
amount of tax sought to be evaded.
(c) Whatever is planned should not simply satisfy the requirements of law by complying
with legal provisions as stated and meeting the tax obligations but also should be
within the framework of law. It means that sham transactions or make-believe
transactions or colourable devices, which are entered into just with a view to misuse
the legal provisions, must be avoided.
Every citizen is obliged to honestly pay the taxes. Therefore, only colourable devices
resorted to by the tax payers for evading a tax liability will have to be ignored by the
court. Accordingly, a tax planning within the four corners of the taxation laws is not
to be turned down only because it legitimately reduces the tax inflow to the
Government. A genuine tax-planning device, aimed at carrying out the rules of law
and courts' decisions and to overcome heavy burden of taxation, if fully valid and
ethical.
(d) A planning model must be capable of attainment of the desired objectives of a
business and be suitable to its possible future changes. Therefore, all the important
areas of corporate planning, whether related to strategic planning, project planning or
operational planning involving tax considerations for long-term or short-term
management objectives and policies should be strictly scrutinised in relative
situations. Foresight is the essence of a business. Tax planning is one of its important
attributes.
1.6 TAX EVASION AND TAX AVOIDANCE
In the context of not paying tax, there are generally two methods which are used by
the assesses. They are (1) Tax Evasion (2) Tax Avoidance.
(1) Tax Evasion: It refers to a situation where a person tries to reduce his tax liability by
deliberately suppressing the income or by inflating the expenditure showing the
income lower than the actual income and resorting to various types of deliberate
manipulations. An assessee guilty of tax evasion is punishable under the relevant
laws. Tax evasion may involve stating an untrue statement knowingly, submitting
misleading documents, suppression of facts, not maintaining proper books of accounts
of income earned (if required under the law) omission of material facts in assessments
etc. An assessee who dishonestly claims the benefit under the statute by making false
statements, would be guilty of tax evasion.
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Thus when a person reduces his total income by making false claims or by withholding the
information regarding his real income, so that his tax liability is reduced, is known as tax
evasion. Tax evasion is not only illegal but it is also immoral, anti-social and anti-national
practice. Therefore, under the direct tax laws, provisions have been made for imposition of
heavy penalty and procedure of prosecution proceedings against tax evaders.
A tax evader reduces his taxable income by one or more of the following steps :
(a) Unrecorded sales.
(b) Claiming bogus expenses, bad debts and losses etc.
(c) Charging personal expenses as business expenses, e.g., car expenses, telephone
expenses, travelling expenses, medical expenses incurred for self or family may be
shown in the account books as business expenses.
(d) Submission of bogus receipts for charitable donations for claiming deduction u/s 80G.
(e) Non-disclosure of capital gains on sale of asset.
(f) Non-disclosure of income from 'Benami transactions'.
(2) Tax Avoidance: The line of demarcation between tax planning and tax avoidance is
very thin and blurred. There could be elements of malafide motive involved in tax
avoidance also. Any planning which, though done strictly according to legal
requirements defeats the basic intention of the Legislature behind the statute could be
termed as instance of tax avoidance. It is usually done by adjusting the affairs in such
a manner that there is no infringement of taxation laws and by taking full advantage
of the loopholes therein so as to attract the least incidence of tax. Earlier tax
avoidance was considered completely legitimate, but at present it may be illegitimate
in certain situations only. In the latest judgement of the Supreme Court in McDowell's
case 1985 (154 ITR 148) SC, tax avoidance has been considered as heinous as tax
evasion and a crime against society. Most of the amendments are now aimed at
plugging loopholes and curbing practice of tax avoidance.
Per Jagadisan J. [in Aruna Group of Estates vs. State of Madras (1965) 55 ITR 642
(Mad.)], observed "Avoidance of tax is not tax evasion and it carries no ignominy
with it, for it is a sound law and; certainly, not bad morality, for anybody to so arrange
his affairs as to reduce the burnt of taxation to a minimum."
However, now the Supreme Court is of the view that the colourable devices to avoid
tax should not be encouraged and this is the duty of the court to expose the persons
who avoid tax and refuse to approve such practice because the social evils of tax
avoidance are manifold, which may be summarised as below:
(a) substantial loss of much needed public revenue, particularly in a welfare state like
India;
(b) serious disturbance caused to the economy of the country by piling up of mountains of
black money directly causing inflation;
(c) large hidden loss to the community by some of the best brains in the country being
involved in the perpetual war waged between tax avoider and his expert team of
advisers, lawyers and accountants on one side, and Tax Officer and perhaps hot so
skilful advisers on the other side;
(d) sense of injustice and inequality of those who are unwilling or unable to profit by it;
(e) Tactics of transferring the burden of tax liability to the shoulders of the guideless,
good citizens from those of artful dodgers.
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One may not agree with the issue of generating black money by avoidance of tax. In
legal tax avoidance the money neither goes out of books nor it is spent unnecessarily but it is
used for further expansion of business.
In CWT vs. Arvind Norottam [(1988) 173 ITR 479] the Supreme Court has observed,
"It is true that tax avoidance in an undeveloped country should not be encouraged on practical
as well as ideological grounds.
Recently the legislature has inserted the provisions in direct and indirect tax laws for
checking tax avoidance. But so long there are loopholes in the laws, tax avoidance cannot be
checked by the courts. The function of judiciary in India is clearly not legislative, its role lies
in interpreting the law made by the legislature.
1.7 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAX PLANNING' AND TAX MANAGEMENT'
Tax planning primarily aims at adopting an arrangement so as to bring about the least
incidence of tax under the four corners of law. On the other hand, tax management comprises
a wider field like compliance with the statutory provisions of law, prospective planning so as
to ease the financial constraints if any, that would arise when discharging the commitments
through payment of tax, keeping close watch and monitoring the statutory requirements of
other laws, claiming the due reliefs arising on account of double taxation avoidance
agreements or claiming unilateral relief, etc. Thus, while tax planning is the pivot which
enables the drawing up of the different incentives and keep the incidence of tax law, the tax
management is the revolving wheel, which translates the policy in terms of results. The
difference between tax planning and tax management are stated as under:
1. Tax planning is a wider-term. It includes tax management. Tax management is the
first step towards tax planning.
2. The primary aim of tax planning is minimising incidence of tax, whereas main aim of
tax management is compliance with legal formalities.
3. Tax planning is not essential for every assessee, while tax management is essential for
every person, otherwise he may be liable for penal interest, penalty and prosecution.
For example, a person may not be reducing his tax liability by claiming any
exemption, deduction, relief, etc. in computing his total income but if he is liable to
pay advance tax or responsible for deduction of tax at source, etc. he has to comply
with all legal formalities.
4. Tax planning is a guide in decision making while tax management -is a regular feature
of an undertaking.
5. In tax planning exemptions, deductions and reliefs are claimed while in tax
management the conditions are complied with to claim the exemptions, deductions
and reliefs.
6. In tax planning alternative economic activities are studied and an activity with least
incidence of tax is selected whereas tax management includes maintenance of
accounts in prescribed form, getting books audited, filing the required forms and
returns, payment of taxes, etc.
7. Tax planning essentially looks at future benefits arising out of present actions. Tax
management relates to past, present and future. In respect of appeals, revision,
rectification of mistakes, etc. it deals with the past. Maintenance of records, self-
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assessment, filing the return and other _ documents, keeping pace with the changes,
etc. are present activities. Follow-up plans, etc. are in future.
1.8 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAX PLANNING AND 'TAX EVASION'
1. Tax planning is an act within the four corners of the Act to achieve certain social
and economic objectives and it is not a colourable device to avoid the tax. Tax evasion is a
deliberate attempt on the part of tax-payer by misrepresentation of facts, falsification of
accounts including downright fraud.
2. Tax planning is a legal right and a social responsibility. By tax planning certain
social and economic objectives are achieved. Tax evasion is a legal offence coupled with
penalty and prosecution.
3. Tax planning requires thorough knowledge of the relevant Acts, social, economic
and political situation of the country while tax evasion requires misadventure to infringe the
law.
4. Tax planning helps in economic development of the country by providing
additional funds for investment in desired channels while tax evasion generates black money
which is generally utilised for smuggling, bribery, extravagant expenses on luxury and
unlawful activities.
5. A tax planner enjoys its fruits freely and he does not suffer from high blood
pressure, whereas a tax evader remains always in anxiety of search and seizure and suffers
from many abnormalities.
As our society has become 'money society', whatever the evils of black money may
be, it has become a part of the life of most of the people and in near future there is no hope of
Putting a check on it. There is depth of honest tax payers.
1.9 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'TAX AVOIDANCE' AND 'TAX EVASION'
1. Tax avoidance is legal but tax" evasion is illegal.
2. In case of tax avoidance the objects and spirit of the law are not followed while in
the case of tax evasion the provisions of the law are flouted.
3. In case of tax avoidance no penalty can be imposed while in case of tax evasion the
person is liable to penalty and prosecution.
4. In case of tax avoidance, black money is not generated, hence, it is not very
harmful to the society. In case of tax evasion, black money is generated which is mostly used
for unproductive illegal and immoral purposes.
(B) TYPES OF COMPANIES, RESIDENTIAL STATUS OF COMPANIES
AND TAX INCIDENCE
1.10 DEFINITION OF COMPANY (SEC. 2(17)
A company means:
(i) any Indian company, or
(ii) any body corporate incorporated by or under the law of a country outside India, or
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(iii) any institution, association or body which is or was assessable or was assessed as
a company for any assessment year under the Income Tax Act, 1922, or which is or was
assessable or was assessed under the Income Tax Act, 1961 as a company for any assessment
year upto 1970-71, or
(iv) any institution, association or body, whether incorporated or not and whether
Indian or non-Indian, which is declared by general or special order of the Board to be a
company provided that it will be deemed to be a. company only for the assessment years
specified in the order.
The definition of company under the Income Tax Act is much wider than the Indian
Companies Act. The Income Tax Act has empowered the Central Board of Direct Taxes to
declare any association, institution, or body to be a company for income tax purposes.
Accordingly, on a few occasions Chamber of Commerce, Club, etc., have been declared by
the Board to be a company even though these bodies do not possess the ordinary
characteristics a company.
1.11 TYPES OF COMPANIES
Under the Income Tax Act companies are classified as under:
(1) Indian Company [Sec. 2(26)]
It means a company formed and registered under the Indian Companies Act, and
includes :
(i) a company formed and registered under any law relating to companies formerly in
force in any part of India other than the State of Jammu and Kashmir and the places specified
in (v);
(ii) a corporation established by or under a Central, State or Provincial Act;
(iii) any institution, association or body which is declared by the Board to be a
company;
(iv) in the case of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, a company formed and registered
under any law for the time being in force in that state;
(v) in the case of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Goa, Daman and Diu and Pondicherry, a
company formed and registered under any law for the time being in force in these place
places.
(2) Domestic Company
It means an Indian company, or any other company which in respect of its income
liable to tax under the Income Tax Act, has made the prescribed arrangements for the
declaration and payment within India, of the dividends (including dividends on preference
shares) payable out of such income.
In other words:
(i) All Indian companies are domestic companies. or
(ii) A foreign company which has made the prescribed arrangements for the
declaration and payment of dividends (out of taxable income in India) within India is also a
domestic company.
(3) A company in which the public are substantially interested: (section 2(18) :
As per section 2(18) such companies include:
(i) A company owned by Government or Reserve Bank of India. or
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(ii) A company having Govt. participation i.e. A company in which not less than 40%
of its shares are held by Government or the RBI or a corporation owned by the RBI. Or
(iii) Companies registered under section 25 of the Indian Companies Act, 1956:
Companies registered under section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 are companies which are
promoted with special object such as to promote commerce, art, science, charity or religion or
any other useful object and these companies do not have profit motive. However, if at any
time these companies declare dividend they would loose the status of a company in which the
public are substantially interested. Or
(iv) A company declared by the CBDT i.e. a company without share capital and
which having regard to its object, nature and composition of its membership or other relevant
consideration is declared by the Board to be a company in which public are substantially
interested. Or
(v) A Mutual benefit finance company, where principal business of the company is
acceptance of deposits from its members and which has been declared by the Central
Government to be a Nidhi or a Mutual Benefit Society. Or
(vi) A company having co-operative society participation i.e. a company in which at
least 50% or more equity shares have been held by one or more co-operative societies.
(vii) A public limited company i.e. company is deemed to be a public limited
company if it is not a private company as defined by the Companies Act,1956 and is fulfilling
either of the following two conditions:
(a) Its equity shares were listed on a recognised stock exchange, as on the last day of
the relevant previous year; or
(b) Its equity shares carrying at least 50% of the voting power (in the case of an
industrial company the limit is 40%) were beneficially held throughout the relevant previous
year by Government, a Statutory Corporation, a Company in which the public is substantially
interested or a wholly owned subsidiary of such a company.
(4) Widely held company
It is a company in which the public are substantially interested.
(5) Closely held company
It is a company in which the public are not substantially interested.
Burden of proof: The onus is on the department to establish that the public are not
substantially interested in a company. [Jayantilal Amritlal Ltd. v CIT (1965) 55 ITR (SC)] In
other words, the onus is on the department to establish that the company was a closely-held
company. On the other hand, the Bombay High Court had earlier held that the burden of
proving that a company is one in which the public are substantially interested is on the
company. [P.M. Hutheesingh & Sons Ltd. v CIT (1946) 14 ITR 653 (Bom)].
(6) Foreign Company [Section 2(23A)]
Foreign company means a company which is not a domestic company.
(7) Investment Company
Investment company means a company whose gross total income consists mainly of
income which is chargeable under the heads Income from house property, Capital gains and
Income from other sources.
1.12 RESIDENCE OF A COMPANY [SECTION 6(3)]
A company is said to be a resident in India during the relevant previous year if: (a) it
is an Indian Company, or (b) if it is not an Indian company then, the control and the
management of its affairs is situated wholly in India on the other hand.
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A company is said to be non-resident in India if it is not an Indian company and the
control and management of its affain; is situated outside India fully or partially
Note :
As a rule, the direction, management and control, the head, seat and directing power
of a company's affairs is situated at the place where the directors meetings are held.
Consequently a company would be resident in the country if the meetings of directors
who manage and control the business are held there. It is not what the directors have
power to do, but what they actually do, that is important in determining the question
of the place where the control is exercised. (Egyptian Hotels Ltd. v. Mitchell 6 T.C.
542). In this case Lord Sumner observed.
Where the directors forbore to exercise their powers, the bare possession of those powers was
not equivalent to taking part in or controlling the trading. Control means de facto control and
not merely de jure control. The control and management of a company's affairs is not situated
at the place where the shareholders meetings are held, even if one shareholder, by reason of
his holding an absolute majority of shares, has a decisive voice in matters relating to the
company's affairs.
1.13 INCIDENCE OF TAX
The residence of a company is important to determine total income and tax liability.
As per section 5 of the Income Tax Act 1961, following are the scope of total income of a
company on the basis of residence.
I. Resident. The total income of any previous year of a person who is a "Resident'
includes all income from whatever source derived which :
(a) is received or is deemed to be received in India in such year by or on behalf of
such person; or
(b) accrues or arises or is deemed to accrue or arise to him in India during such year;
or
(c) accrues or arises to him outside India during such year.
It is important to note that under clause (c) only income accruing or arising outside
India, is included. Income deemed to accrue or arise outside India is not includible. Hence,
net dividends received from foreign companies is includible in income and not the gross
dividends. [CIT v Shaw Wallace & Co. Ltd, (1981) 132 ITR 466 (Cal.)]
II. Non-Resident. The total income of any previous year of a person who is a *Non-
Resident' includes all income from whatever source derived which:
(a) is received or deemed to be received in India in such year by or
(b) accrues or arises or is deemed to accrue or arise to him in India during such year.
Note: (i) Income accruing or arising outside India shall not be deemed to be received
in India within the meaning of section 5 by reason only of the fact that it is taken into account
in a balance sheet prepared in India.
(ii) Income which has been included in the total income of a person on basis that if
has accrued or arisen or deemed to have accrued or arisen to him shall not again be so
included on the basis that it is received or deemed to be received by him in India.
12
1.14 INCOMES RECEIVED OR DEEMED TO BE RECEIVED IN INDIA
[SECTION 7]
(1) Received in India: Any income which is received in India, during the previous
year by any assessee, is liable to tax in India, irrespective of-the residential status of the
assessee and the place of accrual of such income. Receipts means the first receipt i.e. the
receipt of income refers to the first occasion when the recipient gets the money under his own
control. Once an amount is received as income, any remittance or transmission of the amount
to another place does not result in receipt within the meaning of this clause at the other place.
This principle is of importance because firstly, in determining the year of receipt, and
secondly, for ascertaining the incidence of taxation where it depends purely upon receipt of
income. For example, in the case of non-residents, their foreign income is not assessable,
unless it is actually received in India. In their case, unless, at the time the money is received
in India, it is received as income from an outside source, such receipt will not be an income
receipt. If a non-resident had already received amount outside India (in an earlier year or
during the previous year) as income or exempt income and he was transferring the funds into
India in the previous year, such amount will not count as income in the eyes of law.
(2) Income deemed to be received in India [Section 7]: The following incomes
shall be deemed to be received in India in the previous year even in the absence of actual
receipt:-
(i) Contribution made by the employer to the recognized provident fund in excess of
12% of the salary of an employee;
(ii) Interest credited to the Recognised Provident fund of an employee which is in
excess of 9.5% p.a.
(iii) Transferred balance from the unrecognized fund to a Recognised Provident Fund.
(iv) The contribution made, by the Central Government or any other employer in the
previous year, to the account of an employee under a notified contributory pension scheme as
referred to in section 80CCD.
1.15 INCOME ACCRUING OR ARISING IN INDIA OR DEEMEND TO BE
ACCRUED
(i) Income Accruing or Arising in India (Sec. 9) Income-tax is attracted not only or
receipt but also on accrual basis. Accrual of income means a stage where the assessee has
acquired a right to receive the income. If a person has not received an income but acquired a
right to receive such income, the income is said to have accrued to him:
The words 'accrue' and 'arise' may seem to carry the same meaning but this is not so.
Income accrues when the right to receive it comes into existence whereas it is said to arise
when it is actually treated as such in the accounts. For example, when the accounts are kept
on cash basis, some incomes may accrue in one previous year but arise in the next previous
year when they " are actually shown as such in the book of accounts.
(ii) Income Deemed to be accrued or Arisen in India [Sec. 9]: Some incomes shall
be deemed to accrue or arise in India even if such incomes, in reality, have not accrued or
arisen in India. They are as follows as per section 9:
1. All incomes accruing or arising, whether directly or indirectly, through or from:
(i) any business connection in India,
(ii) any property in India,
(iii) any asset or source of income in India, and
(iv) any transfer of a capital asset situated in India.
13
Explanation:
(i) In the case of a business of which all the operations are not carried out in India,
the income of the business deemed to accrue or arise in India shall be only such
part of the income as is reasonably attributable to the operations carried out in
India.
(ii) In the case of non-resident, no income shall be deemed to accrue or arise in
India to him through or from operations which are confined to the purchase of
goods in India for the purposes of export,
(iii) No income will be deemed to accrue or arise in India to a non-resident engaged
in the business of running a news agency or of publishing newspapers,
magazines or journals from activities confined to collection of news or views in
India for transmission outside India.
(iv) No income will be deemed to accrue or arise in India to a non-resident through
or from operations which are confined to the shooting of any cinematograph
film in India, if such non-resident is either an individual, who is not a citizen of
India, or a firm which does not have any partner who is a citizen of India or who
is resident in India, or a Company which does not have any shareholder who is a
citizen of India or is a resident in India.
2 Any salary payable for services rendered in India and the salary for the rest period
or leave period which is preceded and succeeded by services rendered in India will be
regarded as income earned in India.
3. Salary payable by the Government to a citizen of India for the service rendered
outside India.
4. Dividend paid by an Indian company outside India.
5. Income from interest, royalty or technical fee is deemed to accrue or arise in India
if:
(a) it is received by a non-resident;
(b) it is payable by:
(i) the government,
(ii) resident in India who utilises it in India for business or profession,
(iii) non-resident in India who utilises it for business or profession carried on by
him in India.
However, so much of the income by way of royalty as consists of lump-sum
consideration for the transfer outside India of, or the imparting of information outside India in
respect of any data, documentation, drawing or specification relating to any patent, invention,
model, design, secret formula or process or trademark or similar property shall not be deemed
to accrue or arise in India if such income is payable in pursuance of an agreement made
before 1.4.76 and the agreement is approved by the Central Government.
Further, so much of the income by way of royalty as consists of lump-sum payment
made by a resident for the transfer of all or any rights (including granting of a licence) in
respect of Computer software supplied by a nonresident manufacturer along with computer or
computer based equipment under any scheme approved under the Policy on Computer
Software Export, Software Development and Training, 1986 of the Government of India,
shall not be deemed to accrue or arise in India.
Meaning of Business Connection in India
Business connections may be in several forms e.g. a branch office in India or an agent
or an organization of a nonresident in India. Formation of a subsidiary company in India to
14
carry on the business of the non-resident parent company would also be a business
connection in India. Any profit of the non-resident which can be reasonably attributable to
such part of operations carried out in India through business connections in India are deemed
to be earned in India.
In the case of a Non-Resident the following shall not, however, be treated as business
connection in India:
(i) Operations confined to purchase of goods in India for purpose of exports;
(ii) Operations confined to collection of news and views for transmission outside
India by or on behalf of Non-Resident who is engaged in the business of running news
agency or of publishing newspapers, magazines or journals;
(iii) Operations confined to shooting of cinematograph films in India if such Non-
Resident is:
(a) In the case of an individual, he should not be a citizen of India; or
(b) In the case of a firm, the firm should not have any partner who is a citizen of India
or who is resident in India; or
(c) In the case of company, the company does not have any shareholder who is a
citizen of India or who is resident in India.
Example : Samsung, a South Korean Company, a non-resident under the Income-tax
Act, 1961, had the following receipts of royalty in 2015-16. Indicate whether they will be
taxable in India. Give reasons for your answer.
a. Rs. 50,000 from the Government of India under an agreement approved by the
Governments of South Korea and India;
b. Rs. 1,00,000 from Calcutta Co. Ltd., a resident Indian Company, for import of
technical know-how for use in a business in India;
c. Rs. 75,000 from Bombay Co., a resident Indian organisation, for import of
drawings for use in its business in Singapore and Malaysia;
d. Rs. 50,000 from Keshava, a non-resident under Indian tax law for use of a
formula for a business in India; and
e. Rs. 40,000 from Rajesh, an. Indian non-resident, for use of drawings and
technical know-howfor a business in the U.K.
Solution: Under Section 5, a non-resident is taxable in India on (a) income received
or deemed to be received in India. (b) Income accruing orarising or deemed to accrueorarise
in India and in this background, the assessability of the receipts by the South Korean
Company is as under
a. Any payment of royalty to a non-resident by the Government is deemed to accrue
in India. Hence Rs. 50,000 is taxable in India.
b. Payment of royalty to a non-resident by a resident for use of technical know-how
in India is taxable in India on an accrual basis. Hence Rs. 1,00,000 is taxable in
India.
c. Rs. 75,000 is not taxable in India since the payment was for the user of asset
outside India exempt.
d. Rs. 50,000 is taxable in India since the formula is used in India to earn an
income.
e. The payment of Rs. 40,000 made by Rajesh, an Indian non-resident to the non-
resident company is not taxable in India since the user of asset was for a business
outside India.
15
Questions
1. "Tax planning is a legal and moral way of tax saving" Discuss the statement and
describe it importance.
2. Explain with example tax evasion and tax avoidance.
3. Distinguish between tax planning and tax management. What are objectives of tax
planning.
4. A foreign company has on Indian subsidiary company. Indian company exports its
production to its associated company at a price of Rs. 100 per unit while the same
product is sold to another foreign custome at Rs. 150 per unit Discuss the purpose of
differential pricing by Indian company.
5. State with reason whether following transaction are an act of (i) Tax evasion (ii) Tax
avoidence (iii) Tax management.
(a) A ltd. maintains a regester for tax deducted at source for timely compliance
(b) Rakesh deposite Rs. 7000/- in P.P.F. account to avail deduction v/s 80C
(c) R. Ltd. purchases an expensive car for the use of the son of a director which is shown
as business assets.
(d) A transfer some debenture to his friend without any consideration to save tax on
interest an debentures.
(e) X Ltd. deducts at source tax from the payments but does not deposit the same in the
government treasury.
6. Ritu Ltd., a German company, which is non-resident in India-earned the following
incomes by way of fee for technical services. Advise about the taxability of such
income in the hands of Ritu Ltd. in India:
(a) Government of India paid Rs. 20,00,000 under an agreement, to be used for a
project in India.
(b) S Ltd., an Indian company, paid Rs. 30,00,000 for the know-how to be used in
India.
(c) Y Ltd. an Indian company, paid Rs. 40,00,000 for know-how acquired in
Germany to be used in China.
(d) Z Ltd. a non-resident company paid Rs. 24,00,000 for acquiring a know-how to
be used in India for carrying on certain manufacturing business.
Ans.: (a) Taxable, (b) Taxable, (c) Not taxable (d) Taxable.
7. State with reason south what will be residential status of following company for the
assessment year 2016-17.
Dalmia Company is an Indian company carrying on business in India as well as in South
Africa. The control and management of its affairs was wholly situated in India during the
year ended 31st March, 2015. Its income accruing or arising in South Africa in that year far
exceeded its incomes accruing or arising in India.
Ans. Dalmia Company is an Indian Company therefore it is a resident company. It is
immaterial whether its foreign income exceeded the Indian income or otherwise.
16
8. Define the following keeping in view the points involved while planning tax:
(a) Indian Company
(b) Domestic Company
(c) Foreign Company
(d) Company in which public is substantially interested.
(e) Closely-held Company.
9. Discuss the concept of income deemed to accrue or arise in India as per section 9 of
the Income Tax Act.
10. 25% of Shares capital of a public company are held by the life insurance Corporation
of India and remain 75% by the public. Its share are not listed in any recognised stock
exchange. State whether the company is one in which public are substantially
interested. Give you answer with reasons.
11. When a company in said to be non-resident company. Discuss the tax liability of a non
resident company.
12. Distinguish between income received and income deemed to receive in India. Give
suitable examples of income deemed to be received in India.
17
LESSON 2
Corporate Tax In India
2. STRUCTURE
2.1 Computation of Gross Total Income of a Company
2.2 Deductions Available to Corporate Assessees
2.1 COMPUTATION OF GROSS TOTAL INCOME OF A COMPANY
Following steps should be followed to compute the gross total income of a company:
(a) A certain net income of the company under different heads i.e. income from
House property, profit and gains of business or profession, capital gains and
income from other sources
(b) Add income of other persons includible under section 60
(c) Adjust current and brought forward losses as for section 70 to 80
The total income so computed is known as gross total income of the company.
2.2 DEDUCTIONS AVAILABLE TO CORPORATE ASSESSEES:
Before discussing deductions available under section 80 to corporate assessees, let us
understand see about the general rules for deductions.
General Principles For Deductions From Incomes Under Section 80a
1. From gross total income deductions shall be allowed under sections 80C to 80U.
2. The aggregate amount of deductions under sections 80C to 80U shall not exceed the
gross total income.
Note:- Deductions are not allowed against short-term capital gains specified in Sec.
111A and long-term capital gains.
3. If an association of persons or a body of individuals is entitled to any of the
deductions referred to in sections 80G, 80GGA, 80GGC, 80IA, 80IB, 80IC, 80ID and
80IE a member of the association is not again entitled to claim the same deduction in
his own assessment in respect of his share in the income of the association. This is to
prevent duplication of deductions.
4. Where deductions under sections 10AA or 80IA to 80RRB have been claimed and
allowed against the income specified in these sections for any assessment 'year, the
deduction in .respect of such profits and gains shall not be allowed under any other
provisions of the Act.
5. Where the assessee fails to make a claim in his return of income for any deduction in
sections mentioned above, no deduction shall be allowed to him thereafter.
Deductions under section 80: Following are the important deductions available to corporate
assessees under section 80
1. 80G Donations to certain funds / charitable institution, etc.
2. 80GGA Certain donations for scientific research or rural development.
3. 80GGB Contributions given by companies to political parties.
4. 80-IA Profits and gains of new industrial undertakings or enterprises
engaged in infrastructural development, etc.
5. 80-IAB Deductions in respects of profits and gains by an undertaking or
enterprises engaged in development of Special Economic Zone.
18
6. 80-IB Profits gains from certain industrial undertakings other than
infrastructure development undertakings.
7. 80-IC Deduction in respect of certain undertakings or enterprises in certain
special category States.
8. 80-ID Deduction in respect of profits and gains from business of hotels and
convention centres in specified area
9. 80-IE Special provision in respect of certain undertakings in North-Eastern
States
10. 80JJA Deduction in respect of profits and gains from business of collecting
and processing of bio-degradable waste
11. 80JJAA Deduction in respect of employment of new work men
12. 80-LA Deductions in respect of certain incomes of Offshore Banking Units
and International Financial Services Centre
1. Deduction in respect of donations to certain Funds, Charitable Institution, etc. (Sec.
80G): This section allows deduction in respect of amounts given as charitable donations and
it is allowed to all types of assessees. Where amount of donation exceeds Rs. 10,000, it
should be paid by any mode other than cash.
The donations can be classified as under:
(A) No limit donations, i.e., the whole amount qualify for deduction.
Such donations can further be classified as :
(i) deduction allowed @ 100% of qualifying amount; and
(ii) deduction allowed® 50% of qualifying amount.
(B) With limit of donations, i.e., the qualifying amount for deduction under this section
shall not exceed 10% of gross total income after deducting the following :
(a) Exempted income included in gross total income;
(b) Short-term capital gains specified in section 111A;
(c) Long-term capital gains;
(d) Incomes assessable under sections 115A, 115AB, 115AC and 115AD;
(e) Deductions under sections 80C to 80U except u/s 80G.
Such donations are also further be classified as :
(i) deduction allowed @ 100% of qualifying amount;
(ii) deduction allowed @ 50% of qualifying amount.
[A(i)] No limit donations where deduction is allowed @ 100% are as under :
(1) the National Defence Fund set-up by the Central Government; or
(2) the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund; or
(3) the Prime Minister's Armenia Earthquake Relief Fund; or
(4) the Africa (Public Contributions—India) Fund; or
(5) the National Foundation for Communal Harmony; or
(6) a University or Educational Institution of national eminence as may be approved by
the prescribed authority in this behalf; or
(7) the Maharashtra Chief Minister's Relief Fund or Chief Minister's Earthquake Relief
Fund, Maharashtra; or
(8) Zila Saksharta Samitis constituted under the Chairmanship of District Collector for
the purpose of improvement of primary education and for literary and post-literary
19
efforts in villages and towns with population not exceeding one lakh according to the
latest census; or
(9) the National Blood Transfusion Council or any State Blood Transfusion Council; or
(10) any Fund set-up by State Govt. to provide medical relief to the poor; or
(11) the Central Welfare Fund of the Army and Air Force and the Indian Naval Benevolent
Fund established for the welfare of the past and present members of such forces or
their dependents; or
(12) the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's Cyclone Relief Fund; or
(13) the National Illness Assistance Fund; or
(14) the Chief Minister's Relief Fund or the Lt. Governor's Relief Fund; or
(15) National Sports Fund to be set-up by the Central Govt.; or
(16) National Cultural Fund set-up by the Central Govt.; or
(17) the Fund for Technology Development and Application set-up by the Central Govern-
ment; or
(18) any fund set-up by the State Government of Gujarat exclusively for providing relief to
the victims of earthquake in Gujarat; or
(19) the National Trust for welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retar-
dation and Multiple Disabilities.
(20) National Children's Fund.
[A(ii)] No limit donations but deduction is allowed @ 50% of qualifying amount of are
as under :
(1) Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Fund;
(2) Prime Minister's Drought Relief Fund;
(3) Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust;
(4) Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.
[B(i)] With limit donations where deduction is allowed @ 100% of qualifying amount:
(1) the Government or to any such local authority, institution or association as may be
approved in this behalf by the Central Government to be utilized for the purpose of
promoting family planning;
(2) sums paid by a company to the Indian Olympic Association or any other Association
or Institution established in India and as notified by the Central Government for
development of infrastructure for sports and games in India or for sponsorship of
sports and games in India.
B(ii) With limit donations where deduction is allowed @ 50% of qualifying amount:
(1) the Government or any local authority to be utilized for any charitable purpose other
than the purpose of promoting family planning; or
(2) any other fund or any institution which is established in India for a charitable purpose,
if it fulfils the following conditions:
(a) its income is not included in total income under sections 11 and 12 of the
Income Tax Act, or it is Regimental Fund established by Armed Forces of the
Union for the welfare of the past and present members of the force or their
dependents;
(b) under the rules governing the institution or fund no part of the income or
assets of the institution or fund can be used for non-charitable purposes;
(c) the institution or fund is not expressed to be for the benefit of any particular
religious community or caste;
20
(d) the institution or fund maintains regular books of accounts of its receipt and
expenditure;
(e) the institution or fund is a public charitable trust or is registered under the
Societies Registration Act, 1860 or under section 25 of the Companies Act,
1956, or is a University established by law, or is any other educational
institution recognized by the Government or by a University established by
law, or it is an institution established in India for the control and supervision
of the games of cricket, hockey, football, tennis or any other game approved
by the Central Government, or is an institution financed wholly or in part by
the Government or a local authority; and the fund or institution is approved by
the Commissioner.
(3) any authority constituted in India by or under any law enacted either for the purpose
of the dealing with and satisfying the need for housing accommodation or for the
purpose of planning development or improvement of cities, towns and villages or for
both; or
(4) any corporation established by the Central Govt. or any State Govt. for promoting the
interests of the members of a minority community; or
(5) the sums paid by the assessee in the previous year as donations for the renovation or
repair of any temple, mosque, gurudwara, church or any other place which is notified
by the Central Government in the Official Gazette to be of historic, archaeological or
artistic importance or to be a place of public worship renowned throughout any State
or States.
Conditions for allowing deduction under this section :
(i) Not in Kind: No deduction will be allowed under section 80G unless the donation is
of a sum of money. It should not be given in kind.
(ii) Donation should not be given for the benefit of any particular religion, class, creed,
community, etc. Donation given for the benefit of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes,
backward class or women or children are not for any particular religion or caste.
Example 1:
Mr. Vivek's G.T.I. for the P.Y. 2015-16 was Rs. 5,00,000. He made the following
donations by cheques:
(a) Maharashtra Chief Minister's Earthquake Relief Fund-Rs. 10,000.
(b) National Foundations for Communal Harmony-Rs. 15,000.
(c) Rs. 10,000 to an Educational Institution of National Eminence.
(d) Rs. 5,000 to National Children's Fund.
(e) To Municipal Corporation for promotion of family planning-Rs. 40,000.
(f) To Minority Community Corporation (Notified) - Rs. 25,000.
Compute his taxable income for the Assessment Year 2016-17
Solution:
Computation of Total Income
for the Assessment Year 2016-17
Rs. Rs.
Gross Total Income
5,00,000
Less: Deduction u/s 80G:
(1) No limit donation, deduction allowed 100%:
(a) MCMERF 10,000
(b) NF for CH 15,000
21
(c) EI of NE 10,000
(d) NCF - Rs. 5,000 5,000
(2) With limit donation Rs. 40,000 + 25,000
Qualifying amount 10% of GTI Rs. 50,000
(a) Deduction @ 100% for
family planning Rs. 40,000 40,000
(b) Deduction @ 50% for
Minority Community Rs. 10,000 5,000 85,000
Total Income 4,15,000
Deduction in respect of certain donations for scientific research or rural development
[Section 80GGA]
Deduction is permissible to an assessee whose "Gross Total Income" does not
include income chargeable under the head "profits and gains of business or profession".
The deduction is available in respect of the payments made during the previous year
to the following institutions:
(i) to an approved research association, university, college or other institution to be used
for scientific research (Business assessees are allowed this deduction u/s 35);
(ii) to an approved research association which has as its objects the undertaking of
research in social sciences or statistical research or to university, college or other
institution for research in social science or statistical research (Business assessees are
allowed this deduction u/s 35);
(iii) to an association or institution engaged in any approved programme for rural
development, or which is engaged in training of persons for implementation of rural
development programmes, or to a notified rural development fund or to the notified
National Urban Poverty Eradication Fund (Business assessees are allowed this
deduction u/s 35CCA). In this case the assessee should furnish a certificate as is
required under section 35CCA;
(iv) to a public sector company or a local authority, or to an association or institution
approved by the National Committee, for carrying out any eligible project or scheme
(Business assessees are allowed this deduction u/s 35AC). In this case also the
assessee should furnish a certificate as a required under section 35AC.
Quantum of deduction: 100% of the sum paid to the above institutions.
Note : (A) Where a deduction under this section is claimed and allowed for any assessment
year then no deduction shall be allowed in respect of such payments under any other
provision of the Act for the same or any other assessment year.
(B) Deduction allowed to the assessee shall not be denied if subsequent to the
payment of the sum by the assessee, the approval granted to any of the above institution is
withdrawn.
3. Deductions in respect of contribution given by companies to Political Parties (Section
80GGB):
A sum donated by an Indian company to any political party or an electoral trust shall be allow
however no deduction is allowed for donation in cash.
22
4. Deduction in respect of profits and gains from new industrial undertakings or
enterprises engaged in infrastructural development etc. [Section 80-IA]
The deduction under this section is available to an assessee whose Gross Total Income
includes any profits and gains derived by:
(a) any enterprise carrying on the business of (i) developing, (ii) operating and
maintaining, or (iii) developing, operating, maintaining of any infrastructure facility;
(b) an undertaking which is engaged in the business of providing telecommunication
service, etc.;
(c) an undertaking which develops, maintains, etc. an industrial park or special economic
zone;
(d) an undertaking which is engaged in generation, transmission, distribution of power,
etc.
(a) Essential conditions for enterprises carrying on the business of infrastructure
facility [Section 80-IA(4)(i)]
(i) The enterprise should carry on the business of—
(a) developing,
(b) operating and maintaining, or
(c) developing, operating and maintaining,
any infrastructure facility.
(ii) the enterprise is owned by an Indian company or a consortium of such companies or
by an authority or a Board or a Corporation or any other body established or
constituted under any Central or State Act.
(iii) the enterprise has entered into an agreement with Central/State Government or a local
authority or any other statutory body for (i) developing, (it) operating and maintaining
or (iii) developing, operating and maintaining, a new infrastructural facility.
(iv) the enterprise has started or starts operating and maintaining the infrastructural
facilities on or after 1.4.1995. Meaning of infrastructural facility
For the purposes of this clause, "infrastructure facility" means:
(a) a road including toll road, a bridge or a rail system;
(b) a highway project including housing or other activities being an integral part of the
highway project;
(c) a water supply project, water treatment system, irrigation project, sanitation and
sewerage system or solid waste management system;
(d) a port, airport, inland waterway or inland port or navigational channel in the sea.
(b) Essential conditions for any undertaking which is engaged in providing
telecommunication services etc. [Section 80-IA(4)(ii)]
(i) The undertaking should have started or starts providing telecommunication service
whether basic or cellular, including radio paging, domestic satellite services or
network of trunking, broadband network and internet services.
(ii) Deduction is allowed to all assessees;
(iii) It should start providing telecommunication services at any time on or after 1.4.1995
but on or before 31.3.2005.
(i) Such undertaking should not be formed by splitting up, or the reconstruction, of a
business already in existence. However, this condition shall not apply to an
23
undertaking which is formed as a result of the re-establishment or revival of an
undertaking, in circumstances specified u/s 33B. i.e. discontinued business in the
circumstances specified in section 33B.
(ii) It should not be formed by the transfer to a new business of machinery or plant
previously used for any purpose. However, plant and machinery, already used for any
purpose, can be transferred to the new undertaking, provided value of such plant and
machinery does not exceed 20% of the total value of plant and machinery of the new
undertaking. It may be noted that it is not essential that the building in which the
undertaking carries on the business should also be new. Deduction under section 80-
IA will be available even if the undertaking is set up in an old building.
(c) Essential conditions for undertaking which develops, maintains etc., any
industrial park [Section 80-IA(4)(iii)]
(i) The under-taking should develop, develop and operate or maintain and operate an
industrial park notified by the Central Government in accordance with a scheme
framed for such purpose.
(ii) The industrial park should begin to operate, develop, etc., at any time on or after
1.4.1997 but before 1.4.2011.
(d) Essential conditions of undertaking engaged in generation transmission,
distribution of power, etc. [Section 80-IA(4)(iv)] It is an undertaking which:—
(i) is set up in any part of India for the generation or generation and distribution of power
if it begins to generate power at any time during the period beginning on 1.4.1993 and
ending on 31.3.2013;
(ii) starts transmission or distribution by laying a network of new transmission or
distribution lines at any time during the period beginning on 1.4.1,999 and ending on
31.3.2013. However, the deduction in this case shall be allowed only in relation to the
profits derived from laying of such network of new lines for transmission or
distribution;
(iii) undertakes substantial renovation and modernisation of the existing transmission or
distribution lines at any time during the period 1.4.2004 to 31.3.2013'. "Substantial
renovation and modernisation" shall mean an increase of plant and machinery by
atleast 50% of the book value of such plant and machinery as on 1.4.2004.
Other conditions
(i) Such undertaking should not be formed by splitting up, or the reconstruction, of a
business already in existence. However, this condition shall not apply to an
undertaking which is formed as a result of the re-establishment or revival of an
undertaking, in circumstances specified u/s 33B.
(ii) It should not be formed by the transfer to a new business of machinery or plant
previously used for any purpose. However, plant and machinery, already used for any
purpose, can be transferred to the new industrial undertaking, provided value of such
plant and machinery does not exceed 20% of the total value of plant and machinery of
the new industrial undertaking. It may be noted that it is not essential that the building
in which the undertaking carries on the business should also be new. Deduction u/s
80-IA will be available even if the industrial undertaking is set up in an old building.
Exceptions:
1. In view of the ongoing reforms of the State Electricity Boards, in case of
substantial renovation and modernisation, the restrictions imposed on the transfer of old plant
24
and machinery and splitting up of an old business shall not apply in the case of splitting up
or, reconstruction, or re-organisation of State Electricity Boards.
2. Any machinery or plant, which was used outside India by any person other than the
assessee shall not be regarded as machinery or plant previously used for any purpose, if the
following conditions are fulfilled, namely.
(a) such machinery or plant was not at any time previous to the date of the installation
by the assessee, used in India.
(b) such machinery or plant is imported into India from any country outside India; and
(c) no deduction, on account of depreciation in respect of such machinery or plant, has
been allowed or is allowable under the provisions of this Act in computing the total income
of any person for any period prior to the date of the installation of the machinery or plant by
the assessee.
Conditions applicable to all undertakings/enterprises eligible under section 80IA:-
(1) Audit of accounts [Section 80-IA(7)]: The deduction under section 80-IA from
profits and gains derived from an undertaking shall not be admissible unless the
accounts of the undertaking for the previous year relevant to the assessment year for
which the deduction is claimed have been audited by a chartered accountant and the
assessee furnishes, alongwith his return of income, the report of such audit in Form
No. 10CCB duly signed and verified by chartered accountant.
(2) Inter-unit transfer of goods or services [Section 80-IA(8)]: Where any goods or
services held for the purposes of the eligible business are transferred to any other
business carried on by the assessee, or where any goods or services held for the
purposes of any other business carried on by the assessee are transferred to the
eligible business and, in either case, the consideration, if any, for such transfer as
recorded in the accounts of the eligible business does not correspond to the market
value of such goods or services as on the date of the transfer, then, for the purposes of
the deduction under this section, the profits and gains of such eligible business shall
be computed as if the transfer, in either case, had been made at the market value of
such goods or services as on that date:
However, where in the opinion of the Assessing Officer, the computation of the
profits and gains of the eligible business presents exceptional difficulties, the
Assessing Officer may compute such profits and gains on such reasonable basis as he
may deem fit.
(3) Double deduction not allowed [Section 80-IA(9)]: Where any amount of profits and
gains of an undertaking or of an enterprise in the case of an assessee is claimed and
allowed under this section for any assessment year, deduction to the extent of such
profits and gains shall not be allowed under the heading "deductions in respect of
certain incomes", and shall in no case exceed the profits and gains of such eligible
business of undertaking or enterprise, as the case may be.
(4) Restriction of excessive profits [Section 80-IA(10)]: Where it appears to the
Assessing Officer that, owing to the (i) close connection between the assessee
carrying on the eligible business to which this section applies and any other person, or
(ii) for any other reason, the course of business between them is so arranged that the
business transacted between them produces to the assessee more than the ordinary
profits which might be expected to arise in 'such eligible business, the Assessing
Officer shall, in computing the profits and gains of such eligible business for the
purposes of the deduction under this section, take the amount of profits as maybe
reasonably deemed to have been derived therefrom.
25
(5) Power of Central Government to declare that the section shall not apply [Section
80-IA(11)]: The Central Govt. may, after making such inquiry as it may think fit,
direct, by notification in the Official Gazette, that the exemption conferred by this
section not apply to any class of industrial undertaking or enterprise with effect from
such date as it may specify in the notification.
(6) Deduction not to be allowed in cases where return is not filed within the specified
time limit [Section 80AC]: No deduction shall be allowed to the assessee under this
section unless he furnishes a return of his income of the relevant assessment year on
or before the due date specified u/s 139(1).
Quantum and period of deduction in case of all above undertakings/enterprises [Section
80-IA]
Undertaking/enterprises Period and quantum of deduction
(1) For all the above
undertaking/ enterprises other
than the enterprise engaged in
the business of providing
telecommunication, etc.
100% of profits and gains derived from such
business for 10 consecutive assessment years out of
15 years beginning with the year in which
undertaking or the enterprise develops and begins to
operate any infrastructure facility or develops an
industrial park or special economic zone or
generates power or commences transmission or
distribution of power or undertakes substantial
renovation or modernisation.
(2) For enterprise engaged in the
business of providing
telecommunication services, etc.
For the first 5 consecutive assessment years @
100%,
Subsequent 5 consecutive assessment years @ 30%
out of 15 years beginning with the year in which
enterprise starts providing telecommunication
services.
5. Deduction in respect of profits and gains by an undertaking or an enterprise engaged
in development of Special Economic Zone [Section 80-IAB]
The deduction under this new section is available where the gross total income of an
assessee, being a Developer, includes any profits and gains derived by an undertaking or an
enterprise from any business of developing a Special Economic Zone, notified on or after
1.4.2005 under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005.
Quantum of deduction: The deduction shall be allowed of an amount equal to 100%
of the profits and gains derived from such business for 10 consecutive assessment years.
The deduction may, at the option of the assessee, be claimed by him for any 10
consecutive assessment years, out of 15 years beginning from the year in which a Special
Economic Zone has been notified by the Central Government
26
Conditions prescribed under section 80-IA(7) to (11) to be applicable to
undertaking for claiming deduction under section 80-IAB [Section 80-IAB(3)]: The
provision contained in section 80-IA(7) to (11) shall so far as may be, apply to the eligible
business under this section. These provisions relate to following:
1. Audit of accounts [Section 80-IA(7)];
2. Inter unit transfer of goods or services [Section 80-IA(8)
3. Restriction of double deduction [Section 80-IA(9)
4. Restriction of excessive profits [Section 80-IA(10)];
5. Power of Central Government to notify undertakings to which section 80-IAB shall
not apply [Section 80-IA(11)];
6. Deduction not to be allowed where return is not filed within the time limit specified
under section 139(1) [Section 80-ACJ.
6. Deduction in respect of profits and gains from certain industrial undertakings other
than infrastructure development undertakings [Section 80-IB]
The deduction under this section is available to an assessee whose Gross Total
Income includes any profits and gains derived from the business of:
(1) commercial production and refining of mineral oil;
(2) processing, preservation and packaging of fruits or vegetables, meat and meat products or
poultry or marine or dairy products;
(3) integrated business of handling, storage and transportation of food grains;
(4) operating and maintaining a hospital located anywhere in India other than the excluded
area.
7. Deduction in respect of profits and gains from undertaking or enterprise in special
category States - (Sec- 80IC)
A deduction will be allowed from gross total income to an assessee in respect of
profits and gains derived from business specified below:
The undertaking or enterprise :
(a) has begun or begins to manufacture or produce any article or thing (not being any
article or thing specified in the Thirteenth Schedule), or which manufactures or
produces any article 'or thing (not being any article or thing specified in the Thirteenth
Schedule) and undertakes substantial expansion in any Export Processing Zone or
Integrated Infrastructure Development Centre or Industrial Growth Centre or In-
dustrial Estate or Industrial Park or Software Technology Park or Industrial Area or
Theme Park, as notified by the Board, during following period:
(i) in the State of Sikkim—after 22.12.2002 but before 1.4.2007;
(ii) in North-Eastern States—after 23.12.1997 but before 1.4.2007;
(iii) in the State of Himachal Pradesh or the State of Uttaranchal— after 6.1.2003 but
I before 1.4.2012.
(b) has begun or begins to manufacture or produce any article or thing or commences any
operation specified in the Fourteenth Schedule, or which manufactures or produces
any article or thing or commences any operation specified in the Fourteenth Schedule
and undertakes substantial expansion during the period :
(i) in the State of Sikkim—after 22.12.2002 but before 1.4.2007;
(ii) in North-Eastern States—after 23,12.1997 but before 1.4.2007;
(iii) in the State of Himachal Pradesh or the State of Uttaranchal—after 6.1.2003 but
before 1.4.2012.
27
Quantum of deduction : (1) In case of (a) (i) and (ii) and (b) (i) and (ii)—100% of
such profits for initial ten assessment years.
(2) In case of (a) (iii) and (b) (iii):
(i) Five initial assessment years—100% of such profits;
(ii) Next five assessment years : .
(a) In case of Companies—30% of such profits
(b) In case of other assessees—25% of such profits.
No deduction shall be allowed under sections 80C to 80U in relation to the profits and
gains of the undertaking or enterprise specified above.
Where the assessee has claimed exemption u/s 10C or deduction regarding industrial
undertaking located in North-Eastern Region the undertaking shall be entitled to deduction
only for the unexpired period of ten consecutive assessment years.
Conditions for deduction: The deduction shall be allowed if the following
conditions are satisfied:
(i) It is not formed by the splitting up, or the reconstruction, 'of a business .already in
existence.
Exception. Where the business of an industrial undertaking carried on in India is
discontinued in any previous year by reason of extensive damage to, or destruction of, any
buikling, plant, machinery or furniture owned by the assessee and used for such business, as a
direct result of:
(a) flood, typhoon, hurricane, cyclone, earthquake or other natural calominities or
(b) riot or civil disturbance; or
(c) accidental fire or explosion; or
(d) action by an enemy or action taken in combating an enemy (whether with or without
declaration of war) .
and thereafter at any time before the expiry of three years from the end of previous year, the
business is re-established or revived, by the assessee, it will not be deemed to be
reconstruction of a business already in existence.
(ii) It is not formed by the transfer to a new business of machinery or plant (exceeding
20%) previously used for any purpose.
Exception. Any machinery or plant which was used outside India by any person other
than the assessee shall not be regarded as machinery or plant previously used for any purpose,
if the following conditions are fulfilled :
(a) such machinery or plant was not used in India before installation by the assessee;
(b) it is imported into India from outside India; and
(c) no depreciation has been allowed or allowable under this Act for any period prior to
the installation of the Plant and machinery by the assessee.
Amalgamation/Demerger: Where any undertaking of an Indian company is
transferred, before the expiry of the period specified in this section, to another Indian
company in a scheme of amalgamation or demerger, then
(a) no deduction shall be allowed to amalgemating company in the your in which
amalgamation or demerger take place and
28
(b) the deduction for the remaining period shall be allowed to the amalgamated or
resulting company as it would have been allowed if the amalgamation or demerger
had not taken place.
Other provisions. The provisions relating to the following aspects are the same as
discussed u/s80-IA:
Note: (1) "North-Eastern Region" mean State of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.
(2) "Substantial expansion" means increase in the investment in the plant and
machinery by "at least 50% of the book value of plant and machinery (before taking
depreciation in any year), as on the first day of previous year in which the substantial
expansion is undertaken.
8. Deduction in respect of profits and gains from business of hotels and convention
centres in specified area (Sec. 80-ID)
Eligibility: (i) An undertaking engaged in the business of hotel (two-star, three-star or
four-star category), located in the specified area, if such hotel is constructed and has started
or starts functioning between 1.4.2007 and 31.7.2010.
(ii) An undertaking engaged in the business of building, owning and operating a
convention centre, located in the specified area, if it is constructed between 1.4.2007 and
31.7.2010.
Specified area mean: The National Capital Territory of Delhi and the districts of
Faridabad, Gurgaon, Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad.
(iii) An undertaking engaged in the business of hotel (two-star, three-star or four-star
category) located in the specified district having a World Heritage Site, if such hotel is
constructed and has started or starts functioning between 1.4.2009 and 31.3.2013.
Quantum of deduction and period for deduction:100% of the profits and gains
derived from such business for five consecutive assessment years.
Conditions for deduction: The deduction u/s 80ID will be allowed if the following
conditions are satisfied:
(i) It is not formed by the splitting up or the reconstruction of a business already in
existence,
(ii) It is not formed by the transfer of a building previously used as a hotel or a
convention centre, as the case may be.
(iii) It is not formed by the transfer of machinery or plant (exceeding 20%) previously
used for any purpose.
Exception: Any machinery or plant which was used outside India by any person other
than the assessee shall not be regarded as machinery or plant previously used for any purpose,
if the following conditions are fulfilled :
(a) such machinery or plant was not used in India before installation by the
assessee;
(b) it is imported into India from outside India; and
(c) no depreciation has been allowed or allowable under this Act for any period
prior to the installation of the Plant and machinery by the assessee.
29
(iv) The assessee furnishes along with the return of income, the audit report in the
prescribed form certifying that the deduction has been correctly claimed.
Other provisions: The provisions relating to the following aspects are the same as
discussed U/S 80IA:
1. Computation of income for deduction.
2. Withdrawal of deduction.
Note : Benefit under this section shall not be available to amalgamated company in
case of amalgamation.
Explanation: 'Convention centre a building of a prescribed area comprising of
convention halls to be used for the purposes of holding conferences and seminars, being of
such size and number and having such other faculties and amenities as may be prescribed.
9. Deduction in respect of profits and gains in respect of certain undertakings in
North-Eastern States (Sec. 80IE)
The deduction shall be allowed to an undertaking which has, during the period beginning on
the 1-4-2007 and ending before the 1-4-2017, begun or begins, in any of the North-Eastern
States :
(i) to manufacture or produce any eligible article or thing;
(ii) to undertake substantial expansion to manufacture or produce any eligible article
or thing;
(iii) to carry on any eligible business.
Quantum and period for deduction: 100% of the profits derived from such business
for ten consecutive assessment years commencing with the initial assessment years.
Conditions for deduction: The deduction shall be allowed if the following
conditions are satisfied:
(i) It is not formed by the splitting up, or the reconstruction, of a business already in
existence.
Exception: Where the business of an industrial undertaking carried on in India is
discontinued in any previous year by reason of extensive damage to, or destruction of, any
building, plant, machinery or furniture owned by the assessee and used for such business, as a
direct result of:
(a) flood, typhoon, hurricane, cyclone, earthquake or other natural calaminities or
(b) riot or civil disturbance; or
(c) accidental fire or explosion; or
(d) action by an enemy or action taken in combating an enemy
and thereafter at any time before the expiry of three years from the end of previous year, the
business is re-established or revived, by the assessee, it will not be deemed to be
reconstruction of a business already in existence.
(ii) It is not formed by the transfer to a new business of machinery or plant (exceeding
20%) previously used for any purpose.
30
Exception: Any machinery or plant which was used outside India by any person other
than the assessee shall not be regarded as machinery or plant previously used for any purpose,
if the following conditions are fulfilled :
(a) such machinery or plant was not used in India before installation by the assessee;
(b) it is imported into India from outside India; and
(c) no depreciation has been allowed or allowable under this Act for any period prior
to the installation of the Plant and machinery by the assessee.
Amalgamation or Demerger: Where any undertaking of an Indian company is
transferred, before the expiry of the period specified in this section, to another Indian
company in a scheme of amalgamation or demerger, then :
(a) no deduction shall be allowed to amalgamating or demerged company in the year
in which amalgamation or demerger takes place; and
(b) the deduction for the remaining period shall be allowed to the amalgamated or
resulting company as it would have been allowed if the amalgamation-or demerger had not
taken place.
Other provisions. The provisions relating to the following aspects are the same as
discussed U/S 80IA: regarding
(i) Computation of profits for deduction.
(ii) Audit of accounts.
(iii) Withdrawal of deduction.
10. Deduction in respect of profits from Business of Collecting and Processing of
Biodegradable Waste (Sec. 80JJA)
Where the gross total income of an assessee includes any profits derived from the
business of collecting and processing or treating of bio-degradable waste for generating
power or producing bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides or other biological agents or producing bio-
gas or making pellets or briquettes for fuel or organic manure, he is entitled to a deduction in
computing total income.
Quantum of deduction. 100% of such income for a period of five assessment years
beginning with the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which the business
commences.
11. Deduction in respect of Employment of New Workmen (Sec. 80JJAA)
Eligibility: An Indian Company engaged in the manufacture of goods in a factory.
Quantum of deduction. 30% of additional wages paid to the new regular workmen
employed by the assessee in such factory in the previous year such deduction is available for
three assessment year including the Assessment Year relevant to the previous year in which
such employment is provided. Conditions for deduction :
(1) The factory should not be formed by spilling up or reconstruction or transfer from
another existing entity or acquired by the assessee company as a result of amalgamation with
another company.
(2) The assessee furnishes along with the return of income the audit report giving the
prescribed particulars.
31
Meaning of Additional Wages
(1) In the case of new factory. 'Additional wages' means the wages paid to the new
regular workmen in excess of 100 workmen employed during the previous year.
(2) In the case of existing factory. The additional wages shall be nil if the increase in
number of regular workmen employed during the year is less than 10% of existing number of
workmen employed in the factory as on the last day of preceding year and the total number of
employees is less than 100.
Meaning of Regular Workman': Regular Workmen
(a) a casual workman; or
(b) a workman employed through contract labour; or
(c) any other workman employed for a period of less than 300 days during the previous
year.
12. Deduction in respect of certain incomes of Offshore Banking Units or
International Financial Services Centre. (Sec. 80LA)
This deduction is allowed to where (i) a scheduled bank or any bank incorporated by
or under the laws of a country outside India having an offshore banking unit in a special
economic zone; or Unit of an International Financial Services Centre, derives income from an
offshore banking unit in a special economic zone; or from the business referred to in Sec.
6(1) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, with an undertaking located in a special economic
zone or any other undertaking which develops, develops and operates or develops, operates
and maintains a special economic zone; or from any unit of the International Financial
Services Centre from its business for which it has been approved for setting up such a centre
in a Special Economic zone.
Quantum of deduction : 100% of such income for first five consecutive assessment
years beginning with the assessment year relevant to previous year in which permission u/s
23(lXa) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, or permission or registration under the
Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 or any other relevant law was obtained and
Thereafter, 50% of such income for five consecutive assessment years.
Conditions for deduction. The assessee must furnish alongwith the return of income:
(1) A report of the Chartered Accountant in the prescribed form certifying that the
deduction has been correctly claimed in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(2) A copy of the permission obtained u/s 23(1)(a) of the Banking Regulation Act,
1949.
Carry forward and set off of losses in case of certain companies [Section 79]
In the case of a company, not being a company in which public are substantially interested,
where a change shareholding has taken place in a previous year, then no loss incurred in any
year prior to the previous year shall be carried forward and set off against the income of the
previous year unless on the last day of that previous year and on the last day the previous year
in which the loss was incurred, the shares of the company carrying not less than 51% of the
voting right were beneficially held by the same person.
However this provision shall not apply to a change in the voting right consequent
upon:
32
(a) the death of a shareholder, or
(b) on account of transfer of shares by way of gifts to any relative of such shareholder, or
(c) any change in the shareholding of an Indian company which is subsidiary of a foreign
company arising as a result of amalgamation or demerger of a foreign company
subject to the condition that 51% of the shareholders of the amalgamating or
demerged foreign company continue to remain the shareholders of the amalgamated
or the resulting foreign company.
Note:
(i) Section 79 would not apply if shares carrying 51% of the voting powers continue to
be held by the same group which held shares carrying 51% of the voting power in the
year in which the loss was incurred, although within the group itself there may be any
amount of change of shareholding.
(ii) Section 79 applies to all losses, including losses under the head Capital gains.
However, overriding provisions of section 79 do not effect the set off of unabsorbed
depreciation which is governed by section 32(2).
Example: Jet Pvt. Ltd. has three shareholders i.e. A, B and C. All the three
shareholders have equal shareholding of the company. During the previous year 2015-16 the
company incurred a loss of Rs. 1,20,000. On 25.3.2017 A and B transferred their
shareholding to D. On 31.3.2013 the shareholders are.
C. 1/3rd shareholding
D. 2/3rd shareholding.
Will the company be able to carry forward and set off the loss of Rs. 1,20,000 to the
subsequent year?
Solution: As there has been a change in the shareholding to the extent of more than
49%, the company cannot any forward and set off the loss to the subsequent year.
Questions
1. Discuss the condition to be satisfied for deductions under section 80G
2. Explain the new provisions of section 80JJAA in respect of employment of new
workers by an Indian company.
3. Discuss the provisions under section 80IAB regarding deduction of profits and gains.
4. Discuss the provisions of section 80A regarding general rules for deductions from
G.T.I.
33
5. X Pvt. Ltd. submits the following information:
Previous Year
2013-14
Previous Year
2014-15
Previous Year
2015-16
Business income/loss (-) 1,50,000
40,000
F 35%
A 20%
B 15%
C 30%
(-) 2,50,000
80,000
F 35%
A 20%
D 15%
E 30%
(+) 5,00,000
-----
F 35%
G 20%
D 15%
E 30%
Unabsorbed
depreciation
Shareholding as on
last day of previous
Can the losses of previous year 2013-14 and 2014-15 be set off against the income of
previous year 2015-16
Answer:
Losses of previous year 2013-14 could be carried forward to previous year 2014-15 as the
change in shareholding is only to the extent of 45% (in order to attract section 79, the change
in the shareholding should be more than 49%). However, these cannot be carried forward to
previous year 2015-16 because change in 65%. However losses of 2014-15 can be carried
forward in the P.Y. 2015-16.
34
LESSON 3
Tax Liability and Minimum Alternate Tax, Tax on Distributed Profits
3. STRUCTURE
3.1 Constitutional Provisions
3.2 Incidence of Tax
3.3 Rates of income Tax For the Assessment Year 2015-16
3.4 Rates of Income-Tax for A.Y. 2016-17
3.5 Special Provision for Payment of Tax by Certain Companies or Minimum Alternative
Tax (MAT) (Section 115JB)
3.6 Tax Credit Respect of Tax Paid on Deemed Income Under Mat Provisions Against Tax
Liability in Subsequent Year [Section 115JAA]
3.7 Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) (Section 115-0)
3.8 Tax on Income Distributed to Unitholders [Section 115R, 115S and 115T]
3.9 Tax on Distributed Income of Domestic Company on Buy-Back of Shares [Sections,
115QA, 115QB and 115QC]
3.1 CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
Under the Constitution, Entry 85 of the Union List in the Seventh Schedule specifies
Corporation tax as a tax on companies.
Article 366(6) defines corporate tax as follows:
Corporate tax means any tax on income, so far as that tax is payable by companies and is a
tax in case the following conditions are fulfilled:
(i) It is not chargeable in respect of agricultural income;
(ii) No deduction in respect of tax paid by companies is by any enactments which may
apply to the tax authorised to be made from dividends payable by the companies to
individuals;
(iii) No provision exists for taking the tax so paid into account in computation for the
purposes of Indian income tax, the total income of individuals receiving such
dividends, or in computing the Indian income tax payable by, or refundable to, such
individuals.
3.2 INCIDENCE OF TAX
Incidence of tax depends upon the residential status of a company. A company may be
resident or nonresident in India.
As per Section 6(3), a company is resident in India in any previous year, if
(i) It is an Indian company; or
(ii) Its place of effective management, in that year, is fully situated in India;
Therefore, if any of the above two tests is not satisfied, the company would be a non-resident
in India during that previous year.
According to Section 5(1) of the Income Tax Act, the total income of a resident company
would consist of:
35
(i) Income received or deemed to be received in India during the previous year by or on
behalf of such company; or
(ii) Income which accrues or arises or is deemed to accrue or arises to it in India during
the previous year; or
(iii) Income which accrues or arises to it outside India during the previous year;
Under Section 5(2) of the Act, the total income of a non-resident company would consist of:
(i) Income received or deemed to be received in India during the previous year by or on
behalf of such company; or
(ii) Income which accrues or arises or is deemed to accrue or arise to it in India during the
previous year;
3.3 RATES OF INCOME TAX FOR THE ASSESSMENT YEAR 2015-16
Domestic company:
(i) For income other than capital gain 30%
(ii) on long term capital gain 20%
(iii) On short term capital gain emanating from transfer of short term capital
being equity shares or units of an equity oriented fund 15%
Surcharge of Income Tax
(i) No surcharge if total income doesn't exceed Rs.1 crore. But if more than 1
crore and upto Rs. 10 crore 5%
(ii) and if more than 10 crore 10%
Cess:
Education cess 2% plus 1% secondary and Higher Education is levied on tax
including surcharge 3%
In the. case of a company other than a domestic company :
(i) on income from royalty received from Government or an Indian concern„ j hi
pursuance of agreement made after 31st March, 1961, but before 1st April, 1976
50%
(ii) on income from fees for rendering technical services received from Government or an
Indian concern in pursuance of an agreement made after 29th February, 1964 but
before 1st April, 1976 50%
In respect of income under (i) and (ii) there should be an agreement with the
Government or Indian concern for the purpose, which should be approved by the
Central Government.
(iii) Winnings u/s 115BB 30%
(iv) Short-term capital gains specified in Sec. 111A 15%
(v) Long-term capital gains u/s 112 10% / 20%
(vi) Other income 40%
Surcharge, (i) @ 2% on the amount of income-tax, if total income exceeds one crore rupees
but does not exceed ten crore rupees;
36
(ii) @ 5% if total income exceeds ten crore rupees. Marginal relief. As discussed under
domestic company. Education cess. On the amount of income-tax and surcharge @ 3%.
Tax on certain dividends received from foreign companies
1. Where the total income of an Indian company includes any income byway of
dividends declared, distributed or paid by a specified foreign company, the Indian company
shall be liable to tax as under
(i) On such dividend, income :
(a) Income-tax @ 15%.
(b) Surcharge: (i) 5% if total income exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten
crore rupees.
(ii) @ 10% if total income exceeds ten crore rupees.
(c) Education cess : @ 3%
(ii) On other income, as per other provisions of the' Income Tax Act.
2. In computing the income no deduction in respect of any expenditure or allowance
shall be allowed from aforesaid dividends income.
3. "Dividends" shall have the same meaning as given in Sees. 2(22) (a), (b), (c) and
(d).
4. "Specified foreign company" means a foreign company in which the Indian
company holds 26% or more in nominal value of the equity share capital of the company.
3.4 RATES OF INCOME-TAX FOR A.Y. 2016-17
(I) Domestic Companies
(i) For income other than long term capital gains : 30% of total income
(ii) On short term capital gains emanating from transfer of a short term capital asset being
an equity share or unit of an equity oriented fund : 15% of such short term capital
gains
(iii) On long term capital gains emanating from transfer of a long term capital asset: 20%
Surcharge @ 7% is applicable if total income of the domestic company exceeds Rs. one crore
but does not exceed Rs. ten crores. Surcharge @ 12% shall be levied if total income of
domestic company exceeds Rs. ten crores.
1. Education cess @ 2% and Secondary & Higher education cess (SHEC) @ 1% is levied
on tax including surcharge.
(II) Foreign Companies
In the case of a company other than a domestic company (i) On so much of the total income as consists of royalties received from Government or
an Indian concern in pursuance of an agreement made by it with the Government or
the Indian concern after the 31st March 1961 but before 1st April; 1976; or fees for
technical services received from Government or an Indian concern in pursuance of an
agreement made by it with the Government or the Indian concern after 29th February,
1964 but before 1st April, 1976, and such agreement has, in either case, been
37
approved by the Central Government: 50% of such royalty or fees for technical
services, as the case may be; (ii) On other incomes: 40% of such income
Surcharge @ 2% is applicable if total income of the domestic company exceeds Rs. one crore
but does not exceed ten crores. Surcharge @ 5% shall be levied if total income of domestic
company exceeds Rs. ten crores.
2. Education cess @ 2% and Secondary & Higher education cess (SHEC) @ 1% is levied
on tax including surcharge. ,
Marginal Relief: However, in case of domestic as well as other companies, the total amount
payable as income-tax and surcharge on total income exceeding one crore rupees but not
exceeding ten crore rupees shall not exceed the total a mount payable as income tax on the
total income of one crore rupees by more than the amount that exceeds Rs. 1 crore similarly
the total amount payable an income tax and surcharge on total income exceeding Rs. 10
crores shall not exceed the total amount payable an income tax and surcharge on the total
income of Rs. 10 crore by more than the amount of income that exceeds Rs. 10 crore No
marginal relief is available for education cess and secondary & Higher Education cess.
Example :
Compute the taxable income of P.Ltd. for the previous year 2015-16 from the
following Profit & Loss Account and additional informations:
Rs. Rs.
To Salaries & Bonus 1,00,000 By Gross Profit 5,00,000
To Office Rent 10,000 By Interest 10,000
To Risk Insurance 10,000 By Short-term capital
gains
10,000
To Postage & Stationery 10,000
To General Charges 20,000
To Reserve for dep. 25,000
To Income tax 2014-16 50,000
To Provision for Income tax
2015-16
2,00,000
To Net Profit 1,00,000
Total 5,25,000 Total 5,25,000
Additional Information:
(a) The general charges include Rs. 5,000 for advertising; Rs. 1,000 for charitable
donation; Rs. 3,000 paid to a Motor-car Company for exchanging the old car for new
one; Rs. 1,000 for charity and Rs. 5,000 for miscellaneous repairs.
(b) The amount of depreciation admissible under the Income Tax Act is Rs. 15,000 only.
(c) The amount of interest is from Govt. securities.
Solution:
Computation of Income from Business
For A.Y. 2016-17
Rs. Rs.
Net Profit as per P. & L. A/c 1,00,000
Add: Items not allowed:
38
(i) Reserve for Depreciation 25,000
(ii) Income tax 2014-15 50,000
(iii) Provision for Income tax 2015-16 2,00,000
(iv) Donation 1,000
(v) Payment for Car being Capital Expenditure 3,000
(vi) Charity 1,000 2,80,000
3,80,000
Less (i) Short term capital gain 15,000
(ii) Interest on securities 10,000
(iii) Depreciation Allowed 15,000 40000
Profit from Business 3,40,000
Statement of Total Income
Rs.
1. Income from Business 3,40,000
2. Capital Gains - Short-term 15,000
3. Income from other Sources : Interest on Securities 10,000
Gross Total Income 3,65,000
Less: 50% of Donations u/s 80G, i.e., 50% of Rs. 1,000 500
Total Income Rs. 3,64,500
3.5 SPECIAL PROVISION FOR PAYMENT OF TAX BY CERTAIN
COMPANIES OR MINIMUM ALTERNATIVE TAX (MAT) (SEC. 115JB)
Where in the case of a company the normal income-tax payable on its total income is
less than 18.5% + surcharge, if any + Education cess of its book-profit, such book-profit shall
be deemed to be the total income and the tax payable on such total income shall be the
amount of income-tax @ 18.5%+ Surcharge + Education cess of such book-profit.
Note: Surcharge: For A.Y. 2016-17
(a) In case of domestic company, (i) If total income or book-profit (deemed total income)
exceeds Rs. one crore but does not exceed ten crore rupees Rs. 7%; (ii) if total income
or book-profit exceeds ten crore rupees @ 12%.
(b) In case of company other than domestic company, (i) if total income or book-profit
(deemed total income) exceeds Rs. one crore but does not exceed ten crore rupees @
2%. (ii) If total income or book-profit exceeds ten crore rupees @ 5%
Education cess : On the amount of income tax and surcharge 3%
While computing the normal profit the following points shall be kept in mind in case of
companies.
(i) Any insurance or banking company or any company engaged in generation or supply
of electricity shall prepare its P & L A/c in accordance with provisions of the Act
governing such class of company. Any other company shall prepare its profit & loss
account in accordance with the provisions of Parts II of Schedule VI to the Companies
Act.
(ii) While preparing the annual accounts including profit & loss account: the accounting
policies; the accounting standards followed for preparing accounts; the method and
39
rates adopted for calculating depreciation, shall be the same as have been adopted for
preparing such accounts laid before the company at its annual general meeting.
Meaning of Book Profit
As per explanation given below Section 115JB(2), Book Profit means the net profit as shown
in the profit and loss account for the relevant previous year prepared under Section 115JB(2)
increased by the following amounts:
(a) The amount of income tax paid or payable and the provision thereof; or
(b) The amounts carried to any reserve other than shipping reserve u/s 33AC of the Act;
or
(c) The amount or amounts set aside to provisions made for meeting unascertained
liabilities; or
(d) The amount by way of provision for losses of subsidiary companies; or
(e) The amount or amounts of dividends paid or proposed; or
(f) The amount or amounts of expenditure relatable to any income to which section 10
[other than section 10(23G) or 10(38)] or section 11 or section 12 apply;
(g) The amount of depreciation; or
(h) The amount of deferred tax and provisions thereof; or
(i) The amount or amounts set aside as provision for diminution in the value of any asset.
(j) The amount standing in revaluation reserve relating to revalued asset on the
retirement or disposal of such asset.
The net profit as increased by the amounts referred to in Clauses (a) to (j) shall be reduced by
the following amounts:
(i) The amount withdrawn from any reserves or provisions if any such amount is credited
to the profit and loss account; Provided that the amount withdrawn from reserves
created or provisions made in a previous year shall not be reduced from the book
profit unless the book profit of such year or any earlier year has been increased by
those reserves or provisions.
(ii) The amount of income to which any of the provisions of Section 10 or Section 11 or
Section 12 apply, if any such amount is credited to the profit and loss account; or
(iii) The amount of depreciation debited to the profit and loss account (excluding the
depreciation on account of revaluation of assets); or the amount withdrawn from
revaluation reserve and credited to the profit and loss account, to the extent it does not
exceed the amount of depreciation on account of revaluation of assets.
(iii) The amount of loss brought forward or unabsorbed depreciation, whichever is less, as
per books of account. For-the purpbses of this clause, the loss shall not include
depreciation. Therefore, in a case where an assessee has shown profit in a year, but
after adjustment of depreciation it results in a loss, no adjustment in book profit is
allowed;
(iv) The amount of profits of sick industrial company for the assessment year commencing
on and from the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which the said
company has become a sick industrial company under Section 17(1) of the Sick
Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 ('SICA') and ending with the
Assessment year during which the net worth (as per section 3 of the SICA) of such
company becomes equal to or exceeds the accumulated losses.
(v) The amount of deferred Tax, if any such amount is credited to the profit and loss
account.
40
Notes:
(1) Nothing contained in Section 115JB shall affect the determination of the amounts of
unabsorbed depreciation under Section 32(2), business loss under Section 72(1),
speculation loss u/s 73, Capital loss u/s 74 and loss u/s 74A in relation to the relevant
previous year to be carried forward to the subsequent year or years.
(2) Every company to which this section applies, shall furnish a report in the prescribed
form from a chartered accountant as defined in Section 288(2) certifying that the book
profit has been computed in accordance with the provisions of Section 115JB,
alongwith the return of income.
(3) Save as otherwise provided in Section 115JB, all other provisions of the Act shall
apply to every assessee, being a company, mentioned in this section.
(4) The provisions of Section 115JB shall apply to the income accrued or arising on or
after 1st April, 2005 from any business carried on, or services rendered, by an
entrepreneur or a Developer, in a Unit or SEZ (Special Economic Zone), as the case
may be (amendments made by Finance Act, 2011 and shall be effective from AY
2012-13, earlier the MAT provisions did not apply to SEZ enterprises and SEZ
developers).
(5) Provisions of MAT on the book profits of a Company would not apply to a Foreign
Company not having any physical presence in India Timken India Ltd. (2003) 273
ITR.67]'. In order to comply with the requirement of MAT provisions regarding Profit
and Loss Account in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Companies Act, it
is essential that the foreign company should have a place of business in India.
3.6 TAX CREDIT IN RESPECT OF TAX PAID ON DEEMED INCOME UNDER
MAT PROVISIONS AGAINST TAX LIABILITY IN SUBSEQUENT YEAR
[SECTION 115JAA]
Section 115JAA provides that where any amount of tax is paid under section 115JB(1) by a
company for any assessment year beginning on or after 1.4.2006, credit in respect of the taxes
so paid for such assessment year shall be allowed on the difference of the tax paid under
section 115JB and the araount.of tax payable by the company on its total income computed in
accordance with the other provisions of the Act. In other words, MAT credit shall be
computed as under:
MAT credit available = Tax paid u/s 115JB - Tax payable on the total income under
normal provisions of the Income Tax Act.
The amount of tax credit so determined shall be allowed to be carried forward and set
off in a year when the tax becomes payable on the total income computed under the normal
provisions. However, no carry forward shall be allowed beyond the tenth assessment year
immediately succeeding the assessment year in which the tax credit becomes allowable. The
set off in respect of the brought forward tax credit shall be allowed for any assessment year to
the extent of the difference between the tax on the total income and the tax which would have
been payable under section 115JB for that assessment year. No credit will be allowed in
respect of MAT paid in any assessment year prior to 2006-07.
41
In other words, MAT credit will be allowed only in that previous year in which tax
payable on the total income as per normal provisions of the income tax Act is more than tax
payable under section 115JB and it shall be allowed to the extent of the following:
Tax payable on total income under the normal provisions of the Act - tax payable
under section 115JB = MAT credit to be allowed.
Note:- No interest shall be allowed on the amount of tax credit available under section
115JAA
Where as a result of an order under sub-section (1) or sub-section (3) of section 143, section
144, section 147, section 154, section 155, sub-section (4) of section 245D, section 250,
section 254, section 260, section 262, section 263 or section 264, the amount of tax payable
under this Act is reduced or increased, as the case may be, the amount of tax credit allowed,
under this section shall also be increased or reduced accordingly.
For the purpose of computing interest chargeable under section 234A, 234B and
234C, credit of MAT under section 115JAA would have to be reduced from the amount of
tax payable. [CIT v Tulsian NEC Ltd. (2011) 330ITR 224 (SC) and also CIT v Deccan
Creations Pvt. Ltd. (2011) 55 DTK 206 (Kar).
Where a private company or unlisted public company is converted into limited liability
partnership in any previous year, MAT credit which was available to the company shall lapse.
In other words, the tax credit under section 115JAA shall not be allowed to the successor
LLP.
Example 2:
From the following information compute tax payable by X Ltd. for A.Y. 2016-17
Rs.
1. Total Income of the company for P.Y. 2016-17 6,00,000
2. Book profit u/s 115 JB of the company for P.Y. 2016-17 8,00,000
3. Carried forward credit U/S 115 JAA from A.Y. 2016-17 1,50,000
Solution:
Computation of Tax Payable by X Ltd. for the Assessment Year 2016-17
Tax on total income of Rs. 6,00,000 @ 30.9% (a) 1,85,400
Tax on book profit of Rs. 8,00,000 @ 19.055% (b) 1,52,440
MAT credit set-off (a-b) (c) 32,960
Tax payable (a-c) 1,52,440
Example 3:
The net profit of Pinki Ltd., an Indian company, as per its profit and loss account prepared as
per the Income-tax Act, 1961 is Rs. 90,00,000 after debiting and crediting following items:
Rs.
Provision for income-tax 5,00,000
Provisions for deferred tax 3,00,000
Proposed dividend 7,50,000
Depreciation including depreciation on revaluation of Rs. 20,00,000 debited to profit and loss
account 60,00,000
42
Profit from industrial unit in SEZ are 80,000
Provision for permanent diminution in the value of
investments 70,000
Compute tax liability under section 115JB for the assessment year 2016-17.
Solution: Computation of book profits of Pinki Ltd. under section 115JB
Rs.
Net profit as per profit and loss account 90,00,000
Add: Net profit to be increased by following amounts as per Explanation 1 to Section 115JB
- Provision for income tax 5,00,000
- Provision for deferred tax 3,00,000
- Proposed dividend 7,50,000
- Depreciation 60,00,000
- Provision for diminution in value of investment 70,000
1,66,20,000
Less: Net profit to be reduced by following amounts as per Explanation 1 to Section 115JB -
- Depreciation (excluding depreciation on revaluation of assets)
[Rs. 60 lakhs - Rs. 20 lakhs = Rs. 40 lakhs] 40,00,000
Book profits 1,26,20,000
Computation of tax liability of Pinki Ltd.
Mat @ 18.5% of the book profits
(i.e. 18.5% of Rs. 1,26,20,000) 23,34,700
Add: Surcharge @ 7% 1,63,429
Tax including surcharge 24,98,129
Add: Education Cess @ 3% 74,944
Total tax payable by the company
(rounded of to nearest Rs. 25,73,070
3.7 DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION TAX (DDT) SECTION 115-0)
A domestic company is liable to pay tax on the amounts distributed, declared or paid as
dividend (whether interim or otherwise) and it shall be payable @ 15% plus surcharge @
10% and education cess and SHEC @ 3% in addition to the income tax payable.
Exclusions from DDT:
The amount distributed, declared or paid as dividend may be out of accumulated or current
year profits but same shall exclude:
(i) The amount of dividend if any received by the domestic company during the
financial year, if such dividend is received from its subsidiary and;
(a) Where such subsidiary is a domestic company, the subsidiary has paid tax
which is payable under this section on such dividend; or.
(b) Where such subsidiary is a foreign company, the tax is payable by the
domestic company under Section 115BBD on such dividend.
43
However, the same amount of dividend shall not be taken into account more than once.
Note: A company shall be a subsidiary of another company, if such other company holds
more than half in nominal value of the equity share capital of the company.
(ii) Dividend shall not include deemed dividend u/s 2(22)(e) i.e. loan or advance given by a
closely held company to a shareholder holding beneficial interest of 10% or more in the
company or loan or advance given by a closely held company to a concern in which the
aforesaid shareholder has substantial interest, but include dividend u/s 2(22)(a), (b), (c) or (d).
Example 4:
From the following information compute the tax liability of Z Ltd. (a closely-held company)
for A.Y. 2016-17
Rs.
(i) Accumulated profits of the company on 31.3.2015 30,00,000
(ii) On 28.8.2015 the company redeemed bonus
Preference shares issued to equity shareholders
8,00,000
(iii) On 9.9.2015 the company declared dividend in its
annual general body meeting
10,00,000
(iv) A shareholder holding 15% equity shares in the
Company borrowed on 30.1.2015 @ 12% p.a. interest
60,00,000
Solution:
Computation of Tax Liability of Z Ltd.
for the assessment year 2016-17 Rs.
1. Redemption of bonus shares [Treated as dividend distribution
u/s 2/22 (a)]
8,00,000
2. Dividend declared 10,00,000
Dividend liable to tax u/s 115-0 18,00,000
Tax on dividend distribution:
Income Tax @ 15% 2,70,000
Add: Surcharge @ 10% 27,000
2,97,000
Add : Education cess @ 3% 8,910
3,05,910
Applicability of DDT on SEZ
Finance Act, 2011 inserted a proviso to sub-section 6 of Section 115O by which the
provisions of Section 115O shall also be applicable on an enterprise or undertaking engaged
in developing, operating and maintaining a SEZ.
Time limit for payment
(a) Declaration of dividend; or
(b) Distribution of dividend; or
(c) Payment of dividend
Any amount paid as DOT shall not be allowed as deduction under the provisions of the Act.
44
Amendment by Finance Act, 2014
The Finance Act 2014 has inserted sub-section (1B) in section 115-0 to ensure that tax is
levied on a proper base. In order to ensure that tax is levied on a proper base, the dividend
actually received need to be grossed up for the purpose of computing the dividend
distribution tax.
For the purpose of determining the tax on distributed profits payable in accordance with this
section, any amount by way of dividend referred to in sub-section (1) as reduced by the
amount referred to in subsection (1A) shall be called net distributed profits. This net
distributed profit shall be increased to such amounts as would, after reduction of the tax on
such increased amount at the rate of 15% plus surcharge @ 10% and education cess & SHEC
@ 3%, be equal to the, net distributed profits. [Surcharge has been increased vide Finance
Act, 2015]
As per the decision of Calcutta High Qourt in case of Jayshree Tea and Industries Ltd- v. UOI
[2006] 285 ITR 506, the tax on distributed profits is a tax on the company and not on
shareholders. Therefore, the distributed profits retain the same character as that of the income
being distributed. Therefore, in case of a company engaged in agricultural activities in India,
tax on distributed profits shall be levied only on the amount of non-agricultural income i.e.
40% of the amount declared as dividend.
Example 5:
A foreign company which has made prescribed arrangements for declaration and payment of
dividends within India, pays preference share dividend of Rs. 100 lakh for financial year
2015-16. It company liable to pay DDT.
Solution:
A foreign company, which has made prescribed arrangements for declaration and payment of
dividends within India, will be a domestic company [Section 2(22AJ] Therefore, in the above
case, the foreign company is a domestic company and it would be liable to pay a dividend
distribution tax just like a domestic company.
Dividend received from subsidiary company sec. 1150(11A) For the purpose of computation
of tax on distributed profits, the amount of dividend distributed by the domestic company
during the financial year shall be reduced by the following:
(1) the amount of dividend, if any , received by the-domestic company (holding company)
during the financial year, if—
(a) such dividend is received from its subsidiary;
(b) the subsidiary company has paid the tax which is payable under this section of
such dividend.
(2) the amount of dividend, if any, paid to any person for or behalf of the New Pension
Scheme trust referred to in section 10(44).
W.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14 any dividend received by a holding company (whether such holding
company itself is a subsidiary of another company or not) from any subsidiary company shall
be reduced from the dividend distributed by such holding company. In other words, dividend
distributed by the holding company in the same year, to the extent, shall not be subject to
dividend distribution tax under section 115-O of the Act.
45
Note: A. The expression 'dividend as used above, shall have the same meaning as is given in
section 2(22) which shall Include section 2(22)(a), (b), (c) and (d) but shall not Include
deemed dividends under section 2(22)(e), i.e. a loan or an advance given by a closely held
company to a substantial shareholder.
B. The above additional tax shall be payable even if no income-tax Is payable by such
company on its total income. [Section 115O(2)]
C. For the purposes of section 115-O(1A), a company shall be a subsidiary of another
company, If such other Company holds more than half in nominal value of the equity share
capital of the company.
Example 6:
R Ltd. holds 60% shares in S Ltd. & 20% shares in T Ltd. S Ltd. holds 55% shares in T Ltd.
T Ltd. paid Rs. 2,00,000 as dividend to R Ltd. and Rs. 5,50,000 as dividend to S Ltd.
S Ltd. declares a dividend of Rs. 10,00,000 to its shareholders, and R Ltd. received Rs.
6,00,000 as its share of dividend. R Ltd. declares a dividend of Rs. 20,00,000. Discuss the tax
liability of companies.
Solution:
(1) In this case T Ltd. will pay DDT @ 16.2225% on Rs. 10,00,000 (Rs. 5,50,000 paid to S
Ltd. holder of 55% shares, Rs. 2,00,000 paid to R Ltd. holder of 20% shares and Rs. 2,50,000
distributed to the balance 25% shareholders.
(2) S Ltd. will not get the benefit under section 115-O(1A) in respect of dividend of Rs.
5,50,000 received from T Ltd., while paying its dividend of Rs. 10,00,000 as it is a subsidiary
of R Ltd. Hence, it will pay dividend distributed tax of Rs. 1,62,223.
However, w,e.f. A.Y. 2013-14 S Ltd will get the benefit under section 115-O(1A) in respect
of dividend received from T Ltd. Hence, it will have to pay dividend distribution tax @
16.2225% on Rs. 4,50,000 (Rs.10,00,000-5,50,000) instead on f 10,00,000.
(3) R Ltd. will get the benefit under section 115-O(1A). In respect of Rs. 6,00,000 dividend
from its subsidiary. S Ltd. and shall pay dividend distribution @ 16.2225% on Rs. 14,00,000
(Rs. 20,00,000-6,00,000) = Rs. 2,27,115 R Ltd. will not get benefit of dividend of Rs.
2,00,000 form U Ltd., as U Ltd. will not be treated as subsidiary of R Ltd. as R Ltd. holds
only 20% shares in U Ltd.
3.8 TAX ON INCOME DISTRIBUTED TO UNITHOLDERS [SECTIONS 115R,
115S AND 115T]
1. The income distributed to a unit holder of the Unit Trust of India or a Mutual Fund
shall be charged to tax under section 115R.
2. The tax under section 115R shall not be chargeable in respect of any income
distributed to the unit holders of the Unit Scheme, 1964 of the Unit Trust of India or
any other open-ended (and from June 1, 2006, even close ended) equity oriented fund
in respect of income distributed under such schemes. For this purpose, "equity
oriented fund" is such fund where the investible funds are invested by way of equity
shares in domestic companies to the extent of more than 65 per cent (up to May 31,
2006, 50 per cent) of the total proceeds of such fund. The percentage of equity
shareholding of the fund shall be computed with reference to the annual average of
the monthly averages of the opening and closing figures.
46
3. The recipient of income will not be chargeable to tax whether the income comes
under (1) or (2) above.
4. The person responsible for making the payment of income distributed by the UTT or a
Mutual fund and the UTI or the Mutual Fund itself , as the case may be, shall be liable
to pay the tax to the credit of the Central Government within 14 days from the date of
distribution or payment of such income, whichever is earlier.
5. No deduction under any other provision of the Act shall be allowed to the Unit Trust
of India or to a Mutual Fund in respect of the income which has been charged to the
aforesaid tax.
6. If the person or UTI or Mutual Fund liable to make the payment fails to so pay the tax
to the credit of the Central Government, he or it shall be liable to pay simple interest
at the rate of 1 per cent every month or part thereof on such amount of tax which has
not been paid or was not paid in time.
7. If the person or UTI or Mutual Fund liable to make the payment fails to so pay the tax
to the credit of the Central Government, he or it shall be deemed to be an assessee in
default in respect of the amount of tax payable and all the provisions of the Act for the
collection and recovery of income-tax shall apply.
8. The person responsible for making payment of the income distributed by the Unit
Trust of India or the Mutual Fund and the Unit Trust of India or the Mutual Fund, as
the case may be, shall be liable to file a statement of distributed income in Form No.
63 (for UTI) or Form No. 63 A (for mutual fund), giving details of income distributed
to unit holders, tax paid thereon and other relevant details. The statement should be
submitted on or before September 15 giving details of amount distributed during the
immediately preceding previous year.
3.9 TAX ON DISTRIBUTED INCOME OF DOMESTIC COMPANY ON BUY-
BACK OF SHARES (SECTIONS. 115QA, 115QB AND 115QC)
A. Rate of Tax: If a domestic company buy-back of its own shares (not being shares
listed on a recognised stock exchange) from a shareholder, it shall be liable to pay
additional income-tax on the distributed income as under :
Income-tax @ 20%, Surcharge @ 10% and Education cess @ 3%.
Note: "Distributed income" means the consideration paid by the company on buy-back of
shares as reduced by the amount which was received by the company for issue of such shares.
B. Payment of Tax: Tax shall be paid to the credit of the Central Government within
fourteen days from the date of payment of consideration to the shareholder.
C. Payment of Interest: If the principal officer of the company or the company fails to
pay the whole or part of the tax within the period mentioned (B), he or it shall be
liable to pay simple interest @ 1% for every month or part thereof for the delayed
period.
If the principal officer or the company does not pay tax on distributed income within
prescribed time, then, he or it shall be deemed" be an assessee in default and all the
provisions of this Act for collection and recovery of income tax shall apply.
47
D. Tax Liability of Shareholders: The income arising to the shareholders in respect of
such buy-back by the company, shall be exempt provided company has paid tax u/s
115QA.
Example 7:
Following are the partition of a domestic company for the year ending 31.3.2016
Rs.
(i) Business profit 4,20,000
(ii) Dividend from an Indian public sector company (gross) 10,000
(iii) Dividend from an Indian company whose 80% income is
agricultural income (gross)
9,000
(iv) Income from Mutual Fund (gross) 5,000
(v) Royalty received from a foreign concern for providing
technical service
16,000
(vi) Fee from an Indian company for technical advise 12,000
(vii) Dividend from a foreign company 8,000
(viii) Company has donated to National Rural Development
Fund during the previous year
8,800
Compute the total income of company for the Assessment Year 2016-17. Find out tax
liability if the book profit of the company is Rs. 7,00,000 u/s 115JB.
Solution:
Computation of Total Income
for the Assessment Year 2016-17
Rs.
Business Profit 4,20,000
Less : Donation to N.R.D.F. (u/s 35CCA) 8,800 4,11,200
Income from other Sources:
Dividend under (ii) & (iii) above Exempt
Income from M.F. Exempt
Royalty from foreign concern 16,000
Fees from Indian company 12,000
Dividend from foreign company 8,000 36,000
Gross Total Income 4,47,200
Less : Deduction Nil
Total Income
Computation of Tax Liability
Tax on Rs. 4,47,200 @ 30% 1,34,160
Add : Surcharge Nil
1,34,160
48
Add : Education cess @ 3% 4,025
1,38,185
Tax on Book-profit Rs. 7,00,000 @ 18.5% 1,29,500
Add : Surcharge Nil
1,29,500
Add : Education cess @ 3% 3,885
Tax Liability 1,33,385
Tax Liability: Tax on total income Rs. 1,38,185 or tax on book-profit Rs. 1,33,385,
whichever is more. Hence, tax payable Rs. 1,38,185.
Questions / Problems
1. Form the following information compute the total income of Z Ltd. and the tax
liability for A.Y. 2016-17
Profit & Loss Account
for the year ended 31.3.2016
Rs. Rs.
To Expenses relating to textile
business
24,00,000 By Interest on Bank
Deposit
30,000
To General Reserve 6,00,000 By Sale of textile
business
38,40,000
To Income tax paid 1,50,000
To Provision for contingent
liability
1,50,000
To Proposed Dividend 3,00,000
To Balance c/d 2,70,000
38,70,000 38,70,000
Additional information:
(i) Brought forward loss as per books of account Rs. 3,00,000
(ii) Brought forward unabsorbed depreciation as per income tax Act Rs. 16,00,000
(iii) Brought forward unabsorbed depreciation as per books of account Rs. 2,40,000
Ans. Book profit B. 1230000 Tax payable Rs. 234380
2. Daver Cement Ltd. is an Indian company. The company earned income from following
sources for the year ended 31st March, 2016.
Cement production profit 7,50,000
Dividend from an Indian Company 'A' Ltd. 80,000
Dividend from 'B' Ltd. a Foreign Company 20,000
Interest on Central Govt. Securities 10,000
Short-term capital gain 50,000
Long-term capital gain (computed) 97,000
The company donated by cheque Rs. 1,75,000 on 28th February, 2016 to P.M. Drought Relief
Fund. This amount was not deducted from cement production profit Rs. 7,50,000.
Company's capital is Rs. 20 lakh and dividend distributed 10% on 30th Sept., 2015
49
Compute total income for the assessment year 2016-17 and calculate tax liability. The
company has paid Rs. 1,50,000 as advance tax.
Ans. Total Income Rs. 8,39,500; Tax Liability Rs. 99,410. Tax on dividend distributed Rs.
33,990.
3. The book profits of a company in the previous year 2015-16 computed in accordance
with section 115JB is Rs. 15 lakh. If the total income computed for the same period as
per the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961 is Rs. 3 lakh, calculate the tax payable
by the company in the assessment year 2016-17 and also indicate whether the
company is eligible for any tax credit. Tax payable Rs. 2,85,825 Mat Credit Rs.
1,93,125
4. Discuss the provision of Income Tax Act under Section 115JB. What is the time limit
for carry forward of tax credit.
5. Is domestic company liable to pay income tax on buy back of its own shares? What is
the rate of tax and rate of interest payable an delayed payment of tax.
6. The business income of the assessee before claiming depreciation, for the financial
year 2016-17 Rs. 15,00,000. The book profit of the company as per provisions of
section 115JB is Rs. 8,00,000. The other details are as under.
Rs.
(i) Current year depreciation 2,80,000
(ii) Brought forward business loss 8,00,000
(iii) Brought forward unabsorbed depreciation 5,20,000
Compute the tax payable by the company for the assessment year 2016-17
7. The profit as per P & L A/c of M/s ABC Ltd. is Rs. lakhs. for P.Y. 2015-16 You are
required to compute tax liability of the company under section 115JB after taking into
account the following considerations-
(i) Provision for Income-tax Rs. 20 details as follows : Current tax : Rs. 15 lakhs;
Dividend distribution tax : Rs. 3 lakhs; Deferred tax : Rs. 2 lakhs
(ii) Provision for doubtful debts : Rs. 10 lakhs
(iii) Profit on sale on land credited to P & L A/c : Rs. 18 lakhs
(iv) Amount withdrawn from statutory reserve account Rs. 12 lakhs credited to P
& L A/c.
Ans : Book Profit - 76,00,000
X Company Limited, an Indian company, furnished the following particulars of its
income for the previous year ended 31st March, 2016. Compute its total income for the
assessment year 2016-17
Rs.
1. Business income 4,20,000
2. Dividends from : Domestic Company (Gross) 20,000
A foreign company 15,000
3. Capital Gains : short-term 25,000
Long-term 70,000
50
Additional Information:
(a) General expenses charged include Rs. 5,000 revenue expenditure and Rs. 20,000
capital expenditure for family planning progrramme amongst employees.
(b) Donation to Delhi University, Rs. 30,000 by cheque; Ved Mata Gayatri Trust, Shanti
Kunj, Haridwar (an approved trust u/s 80G) Rs. 70,000 by cheque and Rajiv Gandhi
Foundation Rs. 5,000 in cash were debited to P. & L. A/c.
Ans - Rs. 6,19,450
51
LESSON 4
Tax Planning With Reference to Setting up of A New Business:
Locational Aspect, Nature of Business, Form of Organisation
4. STRUCTURE
4.1 Location fo Business
4.2 Nature of Business
4.3 Special Provisions in Respect of Newly Established Undertakings in Free Trade
Zone etc. [Section 10A]
4.4 Special Provisionsin Respect of Newly Established Units in Special Economic
Zone [Section 10 AA]
4.5 Agricultural Income [Section 2(1a)]
4.6 Tea Development Account, Coffee Development Account and Rubber
Development Account [Section 33ab]
4.7 Deduction in Respect of Prospecting for, or extraction or production of
Petroleum or Natural gas or Both in India – [Section 33ABA]
4.8 Expenditure for Obtaining Licence to operate Telecommunication Services
[Section 35ABB]
4.9 Expenditure or Eligible Projects or Schemes [Section 35AC]
4.10 Deduction in Respect of Expenditure on Specified business [Section 35AD]
4.11 Weighted Deduction of 150% for Expenditure Incurred on Agricultural
Extension Project [Section 35CCC] W.w.f. A.Y. 2013-14
4.12 Weighted Deduction of 150% for Expenditure Incurred by a Company on Skill
Development Project [Section 35CCD]
4.13 Expenditure on Prospecting, etc. for Development of Certain Minerals ([Section
35E]
4.14 Special Provisions for Computing Profits and Gains of any Business [Section
44AD]
4.15 Special Provisions for Computing Profits and Gains of Business of Plying,
Hiring or Leasing Goods Carriages [Section 44AE]
When an entrepreneur or a management plan to set up a new business from the tax point of
view, two consideration are very important namely location of the business and the nature of
business besides form of business. There are many tax concessions and deduction which
depend upon the location and the nature of the business. Following are the main provisions of
income Tax Act regarding tax exemption and other concession on the basis of location of
business and the nature of business.
4.1 LOCATION OF BUSINESS
Following tax incentives are available on the ground of location of business.
1. Newly established industrial under-taking in free trade zone-section 10A
2. Newly established units in special economic zone section10AA
3. Undertaking or enterprise engaged in development of special economic zone-section
80-IAB
4. Newly setup industrial undertaking or substantial expansion of existing undertaking
in certain special Calgary states-section 80 IC
5. New established hotel and convention centre in the specified area-section ID
6. Certain undertaking established in north eastern states-(section 80 IE)
52
4.2 NATURE OF BUSINESS
Tax exemption and tax incenting depend upon the nature of business also. Following are the
provision of income tax where a business in given tax incentive on the basis of its
nature.
1. Agriculture income-section 10(1)
2. Tea development account coffee development account and Rubber development
account section (33AB)
3. Deduction in respect of prospecting for or extracting or production of petroleum or
natural gas or both in India (section 33ABA)
4. Expenditure for obtaining licence to operate telecommunication Services (Sec.
33ABA).
5. Expenditure on eligible projects or schemes (Sec. 35AC)
6. Deduction in respect of expenditure on specified business (Sec. 35AD).
7. Weighted deduction of 150% for expenditure incurred on agricultural extension
projects (Sec. 35CCC)
8. Weighted diction 150% for expenditure incurred by a company on skill development
– (Sec. 35CCD)
9. Expenditure on prospecting etc of certain minerals – (Sec. 35E)
10. Special provisions for computing profit and gains of any business (except covered u/s
44AD (Sec. 44AD)
11. Special provisions for computing profit and gains of business plying, hiring or leasing
goods carriage - (Sec. 44AE)
12. Special provision for computing profit and gains of shipping business of a non –
resident – (Sec. 44B)
13. Special provisions for computing profit and gain in connecter with the business of
exploring etc. of mineral oils (Sec. 44BB)
14. Deduction of Head office expenditure in the case of non-residnt (Sec. 44C)
15. Computation of income by way of royalty etc. in the case of foreign companies (Sec.
44DA)
16. Deduction in respect of profit and gains from business collecting and processing of
bio-degradable waste (Sec. 80JJA)
17. Deduction in respect of employment of new workers (Sec. 80JJAA)
18. Deduction in respect of certain incomes of off-shore Banking units and International
financial services centre (Sec. 80LA)
4.3 SPECIAL PROVISIONS IN RESPECT OF NEWLY ESTABLISHED
UNDERTAKINGS IN FREE TRADE ZONE, ETC. [SEC. 10A]
The provisions of section 10A are given below—
Conditions to be satisfied - In order to get deduction, an undertaking must satisfy the
following conditions:
(A) MUST BEGIN MANUFACTURE OR PRODUCTION IN FREE TRADE ZONE
- It has begun or begins to manufacture/ produce articles or things or computer
software during the following years—
53
Free Trade Zone: During the previous year relevant to the assessment year 1981-82 or any
subsequent year.
Electronic hardware technology park or software technology park: During the previous
year relevant to the assessment year 1994-95 or any subsequent year.
Special economic zone: During the previous year relevant to the assessment year 2001-02 or
any subsequent year but before April 1, 2005.
Note: In the case of unit which begins to manufacture or produce an article or thing or
computer software on or after April 1,2005 in a special economic zone, deduction will not be
available under section 10A. Such unit can claim deduction under section 10AA.
Free trade zones - Free Trade Zones are : Kandla Free Trade Zone, Santacruz Electronics
Export Processing Zone, Falta Export Processing Zone, Madras Export Processing Zone,
Cochin Export Processing Zone and Noida Export Processing Zone.
Electronic/software /hardware technology park- "Electronic hardware technology park"
means any park set up in accordance with the Electronic Hardware Technology Park (EHTP)
Scheme notified by the Government of India in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Software technology park- "Software technology park" means any park set up in
accordance with the Software Technology Park (STP) Scheme notified by the Government of
India in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Computer software- It means
a. any computer programme recorded on any disc, tape, perforated media or other
information storage device; or
b. any customized electronic data or any product or service of similar nature, as may be
notified by the Board, which is transmitted or exported from India to any place
outside India by any means.
For the purpose of section 10A as long as a unit in the EPZ/EOU itself produces computer
programmes and exports them, it should not matter whether the programme is actually
written within the premises of the unit. Where a unit in the EPZ/EOU develops software at
the client's site abroad, such unit should not be denied the tax holiday under section 10A on
the ground that it was prepared on-site, as long as the software is a product of the unit, ie., it
is produced by the unit.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes has specified the following Information Technology
enabled products or services, as the case may be, for this purpose namely: (i) Back-office
Operations; (ii) Call Centres; (iii) Content Development or Animation; (iv) Data Processing;
(v) Engineering and Design; (vi) Geographic Information System Services; (vii) Human
Resource Services; (viii) Insurance Claim Processing; (ix) Legal Databases; (x) Medical
Transcription; (xi) Payroll; (xii) Remote Maintenance; (xiii) Revenue Accounting; (xiv)
Support Centres; and (xv) Web-site Services.
Maintenance of software is an inherent part of software development and, hence, an assessee
engaged in such maintenance is entitled to exemption under section 10A.
54
(B) Should Not Be Formed By Splitting Reconstruction Of Business - The industrial
undertaking should not have been formed by the splitting up or reconstruction of a business
already in existence. However, where an industrial undertaking is formed as a result of re-
establishment, reconstruction or revival by the assessee of the business of any such industrial
undertaking as is referred to in section 33B, in the circumstances and within the period
specified in that section the same will qualify for the tax concession.
(C) Should Not Be Formed By Transfer Of Old Machinery- The industrial undertaking
should not have been formed by the transfer of a new business of machinery or plant
previously used for any purpose.
Exception-For this purpose, any machinery or plant which was used outside India by any
person other than the assessee is not regarded as machinery or plant previously used for any
purpose if such machinery or plant was not previously used in India; and such machinery or
plant is imported into India from a foreign country; and no deduction on account of
depreciation in respect of such machinery or plant has been allowed or is allowable in
computing the total income of any person for any period prior to the installation of the
machinery or plant by the assessee.
Note: This tax 'concession is not denied in a case where the total value of used machinery or
plant transferred to the new business does not exceed 20 per cent of the total value of the
machinery or plant used in that business.
(D) There Must Be Repatriation Of Sale Proceeds Into India - Sale proceeds of
articles or things or computer software exported out of India must be received in India by the
assessee in convertible foreign exchange during the previous year or within a period of six
months from the end of the relevant previous year. For instance, for the assessment year
2015-16, the repatriation of the sale proceeds into India must be completed on or before
September 30, 2015. The sale proceeds shall be deemed to have been received in India where
such sale proceeds are credited to a separate account maintained for the purpose by the
assessee with any bank outside India with the approval of the Reserve Bank of India.
Note:- 1. The aforesaid time limit of six months can be extended by the Reserve Bank of
India or such other competent authority as is authorised under any law for the time being in
force for regulating payments and dealings in foreign exchange. Extension of time for
realization of export proceeds by competent authority under FEMA can be said to be
approval granted by competent authority under section 10A(3) and assessee would be entitled
to benefits under section 10A in respect of such export proceeds.
2. If foreign exchange is not remitted within six months from the end of the previous
year (or within the extended time-limit as approved by RBI), then deduction under sections
10A, 10B and 10BA is not available. If the foreign currency is remitted after the expiry of
time-limit of 6 months (or after the expiry of extended time-limit); the Assessing Officer shall
amend the order of assessment so as to allow deduction under sections 10A, 10B and 10BA;
The order shall be amended within a period of 4 years from the end of the previous year in
which the foreign currency is remitted.
(E) Audit - The assessee should furnish audit report in Form No. 56F along with the
return of income.!
55
(F) Deduction Should Be Claimed In The Return Of Income And Return Should Be
Submitted Within Time Period
Deduction under section 10A is not available unless it is claimed in the return of income.
Moreover, return of income should be submitted on or before the due date of submission of
return of income given by section 139(1). Deduction under section 10A is not available if
return of income is not submitted, or return of income is submitted late, or in the return of
income deduction under section 10A is not claimed.
(G) Deduction - If the aforesaid conditions are satisfied, the deduction under section 10A
may be computed as under:
(1) Period Of Deduction –
(i) If the aforesaid conditions are satisfied, the assessee can claim deduction under
section 10A from his total income, for a period of 10 consecutive assessment years
beginning with the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which the
undertaking begins to manufacture or produce such articles or things or computer
software.
(ii) For the undertakings which have claimed exemption up to the assessment year 2000-
01 under the old section 10A, the deduction shall be available for the unexpired
period of 10 consecutive assessment years' under the new. section 10A.
(iii) For an undertaking which was initially located in free trade zone or export processing
zone and is subsequently located in a special economic zone by reason of conversion
of such zones into a special economic zone, the deduction shall be available for 10
years from the previous year in which the undertaking begins to manufacture or
produce such articles or things or computer software in such free trade zone or export
processing zone.
(iv) The aforesaid deduction is not available to any undertaking from the assessment year
2012-13.
(2) Computation of Deduction: The deduction under Sec. 10A is computed by fallowing
formula: Profit of the business × Exporturnover / Total Turnover
(3) Amount of deduction - The deduction under section 10A in the case of an
undertaking which begins to manufacture or produce articles or things or computer software
during April 1,2002 and March 31,2005 in any special economic zone, shall be as follows—
It is available for first 10 assessment years.
(i) First 5 years -100 per cent of profits and gains derived from the export of such articles
or things or computer software is deductible for a period of 5 consecutive assessment
years (beginning with the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which'the
undertaking begins to manufacture or produce such articles or things or computer
software, as the case may be).
(ii) Sixth and seventh year - 50 per cent of such profits and gains is deductible for further
2 assessment years.
(iii) Eighth, ninth and tenth year - For the next 3 years, a further deduction would be
available to the extent of 50 per cent of the profit provided an equivalent amount is
debited to the profit and loss account of the previous year and credited to Special
Economic Zone Re-investment Allowance Reserve Account. The following
conditions should be satisfied—
56
(A) The Special Reserve Account should be utilised for the purpose of acquiring new
plant and machinery.
(B) The new plant and machinery should be first put to use before the expiry of 3 years
from the end of the year in which the Special Reserve Account was created.
(C) Until the acquisition of new plant and machinery the Special Reserve Account can
be utilised for the business purposes of the undertaking but it cannot be utilised for
distribution of dividends/ profits or for remittance outside India as profits or for
creating an asset outside India.
(D) Prescribed particulars should be submitted in respect of new plant and machinery
along with the return of income for the previous year in which such plant and
machinery was first put to use in Form 56FF.
(E) If the Special Reserve Account is misutilised then the deduction would be taken
back in the year in which the Special Reserve Account is misutilised. If the Special
Reserve Account is not utilised for acquiring new plant and machinery within three
years as stated above then the deduction would be taken back in the year
immediately following the period of three years.
Consequences of amalgamation/demerger - If a company which is entitled for deduction
under section 10A is amalgamated/demerged with another company (before claiming tax
holiday for 10 years), the amalgamated company/resulting company can avail the benefit
under section 1OA for the unexpired period of tax holiday (including the previous year in
which amalgamation/ demerger takes place). However, this facility is available only when
transferor-company and transferee-company are Indian' companies. In order to get the benefit
for the unexpired period, the assessee company must prove that it is a successor to the
predecessor who was enjoying the benefit of section 10A/10B.
4.4 SPECIAL PROVISIONS IN RESPECT OF NEWLY ESTABLISHED UNITS IN
SPECIAL ECONOMIC ' ZONE [SECTION 10AA]
Section 10AA has been inserted to give income-tax concession to newly established units fa
Special Economic Zone.
(A) Conditions - The following conditions should be satisfied to claim deduction under
10AA
1. The assessee is an entrepreneur as defined in section 2(j) of SEZ Act, 2005.
Entrepreneur is a person who has been granted a letter of approval by the
Development Commissioner to set up a unit in a Special Economic Zone.
2. The unit in Special Economic Zone begins to manufacture or produce articles or
things or provide services during the financial year 2005-06 or any subsequent year.
Manufacture for this purpose means to make, produce, fabricate, assemble, process or
bring into existence, by hand or by machine, a new product having a distinctive name,
character or use and shall include processes such as refrigeration, cutting, polishing,
blending, repair, remaking, re-engineering and includes agriculture, aquaculture,
animal husbandry, floriculture, horticulture, poultry, sericulture and mining.
3. It is not formed by the splitting up, or reconstruction, of a business already in
existence [for a few exceptions, see para 254.1-la].
4. It is not formed by the transfer to a new business, of old plant or machinery. However,
it can be formed by transfer of old plant or machinery to the extent of 20 per cent.
57
5. The assessee has income from export of articles or thing or from services from such
unit. In other words, the assessee has exported goods or provided services out of India
from the Special Economic Zone by land, sea, air or by any other mode.
6. Books of account of the taxpayer should be audited. The taxpayer should submit audit
report in Form No. 56F along with the return of income.
7. Deduction under section 10AA is not available unless it is claimed in the return of
income. In other words, if the assessee fails to make a claim in his return of income of
this deduction, the same will not be allowed.
(B) Amount of deduction - If the above conditions are satisfied, one can claim deduction
under section 10AA. Deduction depends upon quantum of profit derived from export of
articles or things or services (including computer software). It is calculated as:
Profit of Undertaking X Export turnover / Total Turnover
(C) Consequences for merger and demerger - Where an undertaking is transferred to
another company under a scheme of amalgamation or demerger, the deduction under section
10 AA shall be allowable in the hands of the amalgamated or the resulting company for the
unexpired period. However, no deduction shall be admissible under this section to the
amalgamating company or the demerged company for the previous year in which
amalgamation or demerger takes place*.
(D) Consequences of claiming deduction under section 10AA
1. Unabsorbed depreciation allowances or unabsorbed capital expenditure on scientific
research or family planning (pertaining to the assessment year 2005-06 or earlier years) are
not allowed to be carried forward and set off against the income of assessment years
following the period of deduction. However, this restriction is not applicable to losses in
respect of other businesses.
2. The losses under section 72(1) or 74(1) or 74(3) (pertaining to the assessment year 2005-06
or earlier years) are not allowed to be carried forward in assessment years succeeding the
period of deduction. The deductions under section 80-IA or 80-IB shall also not be available
to such undertakings after the expiry of tax holiday period. However, there is no bar to adjust
losses under sections 70 and 71. In other words, if loss is incurred by an undertaking which is
otherwise eligible for deduction under section 10AA, it can be set off under the provisions of
sections 70 and 71 against other incomes of the taxpayer.
3. In the assessment year following period of deduction, the depreciation will be computed on
the written down value of the asset as if the depreciation has actually been allowed in respect
of each assessment year falling in the period of exemption.
(E) Deduction
(a) Deduction for first five assessment years - 100 per cent of the profit and gains
derived from export of articles or things or from services is deductible for a period of 5
consecutive assessment years. Deduction for the first year is available in the assessment year
relevant to the previous year in which the unit begins to manufacture or produce articles or
things or provide services.
(b) Deduction for sixth assessment year to tenth assessment year - 50 per cent of the
profit and gains derived from export of articles or things or from services is deductible for the
next 5 years.
58
(c) Deduction for eleventh assessment year to fifteenth assessment year - For the next
5 years, a further deduction would be available to the extent of 50 per cent of the profit
provided ah equivalent amount is debited to the profit and loss account of the previous year
and credited to Special Economic Zone Re-investment Allowance Reserve Account.
4.5 AGRICULTURAL INCOME [SEC. 2(1A)]
Under Section 10(1) of the Act, agricultural income is exempt from tax. A detailed study of
this income is, therefore, quite necessary to make a clear interpretation of its definition.
According to Section 2(1A) of the Act, agricultural income means the following:
1. Any rent or revenue derived from land which is situated in India and is used for
agricultural purposes.
2. Any income derived from such land by: (i) agriculture, or
(ii) the performance by a cultivator or receiver of rent in kind of any process ordinarily
employed to render the produce fit to be taken to market, or
(iii) the sale by a cultivator or.receiver of rent in kind of the produce raised or received by
him in respect of which only the process mentioned in (ii) has been performed.
3. Income derived from. The income from a farm house is treated as agricultural income if
the following conditions are satisfied:
(i) the building is owned and occupied by the cultivator or receiver of the rent or revenue of
any such land; and
(ii) it is situated on or in the immediate vicinity of the agricultural land; and
(iii) the building is, by reason of his connection with the land, used as dwelling house or a
store-house or an out-house by the cultivator or receiver of rent-in-kind;
(iv) the land is either assessed to land revenue in India or is subject to a local tax; or
(v) the land (though not assessed to land revenue or local tax) is situated in non-urban' area,
i.e., an area which, though, is within municipality or cantonment board jurisdiction, has a
population of less than 10,000; or where the land is not assessed to land revenue or subject to
local rate, and if the farm building is situated within the area specified below, the income
derived from such building shall not be agricultural income. The land is situated in any area
within.
(1) not being more than two kilometres from the local limits and which has population more
than ten thousand but not exceed ing one lakh, or
(2) not being more than six kilometres from the local limits and which has a population of
more than one lakh but not exceeding ten lakh; or
(3) not being more than eight kilometres from the local limits and which has a population
more than ten lakh.
Notes:
(i) The income derived from any arising from the use of such building or land for any
purpose other than agricultural (mentioned in 1 and 2) shall not be exempt.
(ii) Any surplus arising on sale or transfer of agricultural land is not treated as rent or revenue
derived from land.
(iii) Following important points emerge out of the definition of agricultural income:
(a) Land must be situated in India.
(b) Land must be used for agricultural purposes.
(c) Income must be derived from agricultural land directly and not indirectly.
59
Explanation
(a) Land must be used for agricultural purposes in the relevant previous year. But all
incomes from land may not be treated as agricultural income. The Act is silent on the point as
to which incomes can strictly be considered as agricultural or as derived from land actually
used for agricultural purposes. We can, therefore, depend upon an important decision of the
Supreme Court in order to understand this term clearly. As pointed out in the judgment of the
Supreme Court in C.I.T. v. Raja Benoy Kumar Sahas Roy (1957) 32 ITR 466, 'agriculture in
its primary sense denotes the cultivation of land in the strict sense of the term, i.e., tilling of
the land, sowing seeds, planting and similar operation on the Land'. On this broad principle,
income from the sale of wild grass, bamboos, trees and fruits of spontaneous growth cannot
be treated as agricultural income because these items grow on the land spontaneously and
without any intervention of human skill and labour or agricultural operations.
(b) Income should be received either by the tenant or the owner or a mortgagee in
possession of the land who is directly responsible for carrying out the agricultural operations
on the land. Income earned by a merchant, who purchases a standing crop from the cultivator
and after carrying out the harvesting process sells the produce at a profit, is not agricultural
income because the land in this case is not the direct or immediate source of income for the
merchant. Similarly interest on arrears of rent or revenue is not treated as agricultural income
because the source of interest is not the land but it is the rent or revenue.
(c) Where the crop as harvested does not find a market and it requires some operations to
make it a marketable commodity, such operations enhances the value of the produce.
Whenever, such operations are carried out by the cultivator or receiver of rent-in-kind, the
additional income to him is also agricultural income.
(d) Where the cultivator or receiver of rent-in-kind sells the produce direct to the
consumers instead of Mandi, he earns some additional income. This additional income is also
treated as agricultural income.
(e) For exemption of farm house it should be occupied and owned by:
(a) if the owner of the land, or
If the building is occupied by the cultivator—whether owned by him or not.
Kinds of Agricultural Income: Various kinds of agricultural income, as explained in
Section 2(1 A) of the Act, are given below:
(i) Any rent or revenue derived from land used for agricultural purposes.
(ii) Income derived from cultivation of such land,
(iii) Income derived from such land by the performance of any process which is,
ordinarily, employed by the cultivator or receiver of rent in kind to render the produce
fit for marketability, e.g., ginning of cotton, curing of coffee, rice from paddy etc.
(iv) Income derived from such land by the sale of the produce raised on it.
(v) Income derived from building situated on or in immediate vicinity of the agricultural
land which is used for agricultural purposes.
Non-agricultural Incomes: The following incomes, being related to land, appear to be
agricultural incomes but they are not so because either the land in these cases is not used for
agricultural purposes or income is not derived directly from land:
(i) Income from markets and fisheries,
(ii) Income from mining royalties.
(iii) Income from the supply of water for irrigation purposes,
60
(iv) Income from stone quarries,
(v) Income from land used for bricks.
(vi) Income from land used for storing agricultural produce,
(vii) Remuneration received by the manager of an agricultural farm,
(viii) Income from forest trees of spontaneous growth,
(ix) Income from dairy farm.
(x) Interest on arrears of rent in respect of agricultural land,
(xi) Income from poultry farming, butter and cheese-making,
(xii) Income from the sale of silk cocoons produced by silk worms is not treated as
agricultural income [K. Lakshmansa & Co. v. C.I.T. (1981).
(xiii) Income from supply of water from a tank situated in the agricultural land [Sri Ranga
Vilas Ginning and Oil Mills v. CIT (1982).
Partly Agricultural Income: In some cases, there is composite income which is partly
agricultural and partly non-agricultural. For example, an assessee manufactures finished tea
or tobacco or sugar from the raw material grown by him or received as rent-in-kind on the
land used for agricultural purposes. In such cases, the profits relating to manufacturing
process is treated as business income and that relating to the agricultural process as
agricultural income.
[1] Profits of Sugar Factory [Rule 7]: While determining the taxable income in such cases,
the market value of the agricultural produce, i.e., sugarcane, which has been utilized as a raw
material, shall be deducted from the income of the factory. No further deduction is
permissible in respect of any expenditure incurred by the assessee as cultivator or receiver of
rent-in-kind. Where the agricultural produce is not ordinarily, sold in the market, all the
expenses of its cultivation and land revenue or rent paid for the land plus a reasonable rate of
profit will be deducted from the income. The balance will be taxable as business income.
[2] Income from Manufacture of Tea [Rule 8]: Income derived from the sale of tea grown
and manufactured by the seller in India shall be computed as if it were income derived from
business. After that, 40% of such income shall be treated as business profit liable to tax and
the remaining 60% shall be treated as agricultural income. Salary and profit received by a
partner from a firm engaged in growing tea leaves and manufacturing tea is taxable in his
hands to the extent of 40 per cent of such receipt as business income, the remaining 60 per
cent is exempt from tax being agricultural income [C.I.T. v. R. Chidambaram Pillai (1977)
106 ITR 292 (SC)].
[3] Income from the manufacture of centrifuged latex or cenex (Rule 7A). Sixty-five per
cent of the income derived from the sale of centrifuged latex or cenex or latex based crepes or
brown crepes or technically specified block rubbers manufactured or processed from rubber
grown in India is deemed to be agricultural income and the remaining thirty-five per cent is
taken as Business income.
[4] Income from the manufacture of Coffee (Rule 7B) Seventy five percent of the income
derived from the sale of coffee grown and cured by the seller in India is deemed to be
agricultural income and twenty five percent is taken as business income, Sixty per cent of the
income derived from the sale of coffee grown, cured, roasted and grounded by the seller in
India is deemed ; to be agricultural income and the remaining forty per cent is taken as
business income.
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Notes:
1. Amount received from insurance company on account of damage caused! by hail-storm to
growing tea, the entire amount is agricultural income [Camellia Tea Croup Pvt. Ltd. v. C.I.T.
(1993) 203 ITR 80].
2. Interest on capital and salary received by a partner from a firm which is engaged in
agricultural operations is agricultural income.
Illustration State whether the following are Agricultural Income or not:
Example 1:
1. An assessee earns Rs. 20,0000 as commission for selling the agricultural produce of his
tenants.
2. A partner received Rs. 10,000 as interest on his capital from the firm engaged in
agricultural operations.
3. Compensation received from insurance company.
Solution:
1. Commission for selling the agricultural produce of tenants is not agricultural income. Such
income has no direct connection with the agricultural land. But any profit on the sale of
agricultural produce will be agricultural income in the hands of the tenant since he earns it
direct from land used for agricultural purposes by carrying out agricultural operations on it.
2. In the case of C.I. T. v. R. Chidambaram Pillai, it was held that any payment received by a
partner from the firm in the form of salary, interest etc. is only a mode of adjustment of the
firm's income. In view of this, interest on capital received by a partner from the firm will be
treated as agricultural income.
3. Compensation received from an insurance company for damage of crop is agricultural
income because it is received on account of loss of agricultural income.
(E) Tax on non-agricultural income if the assessee earns agricultural income also or
integration of Agricultural income:
As already discussed, there is no tax on agricultural income but if an assessee has
non-agricultural income as well as agricultural income, such agricultural income is included
hi his total income for the purpose of computation of Income-tax on non-agricultural income.
This is also known as partial integration of agricultural income with non-agricultural income
or indirect way of taxing agricultural income. Such partial integration is done only in the case
of: (i) individual; (ii) HUF; (iii) AOP/BOI; (iv) Artificial juridical person. It is not done in the
case of: (i) firm; (ii) company; (iii) co-operative society; (iv) local authority.
The partial integration is done to compute the tax on non-agricultural income only when the
following two conditions are satisfied:
(i) non-agricultural income of the assessee exceeds the maximum exemption limit which for
assessment year 2016-17 is Rs. 250,000 in the case of an individual (other than individual of
the age of 60 years or above) and HUF, etc.; and
(ii) the Net Agricultural Income exceeds Rs. 5,000.
Notes:
In the case of individual (where male of female) who is resident in India and who is of the
age of 60 years or more but less than 80 years at any time during the previous year, the
maximum exemption limit shall be Rs. 3,00,000 instead of Rs. 2,50,000 and in case of an
62
individual who is resident in India who is of the age of 80 years or more at any time during
the previous year, the maximum exemption limit shall be Rs. 5,00,000 instead of Rs.
2,50,000.
Computation of tax where there is agricultural income also: The following steps should
be followed to calculate the tax:
Step 1: Add agricultural income and non-agricultural income together and calculate tax on
the aggregate as if such aggregate income is the Total Income.
Step 2: Add agricultural income to the maximum exemption limit available in the case of the
assessee and compute-tax on such amount as if it is the Total Income.
Step 3: Deduct the amount of income-tax as computed under Step 2 from the tax computed
under Step 1.
The net amount so arrived at shall be total Income-tax payable by the assessee.
Step 4: Add education cess and SHEC @3%
Example 2: Gross Total Income of aged 50 years as computed under Income tax Act, for the
assessment year 2016-17 is Rs. 3,00,000. He deposits Rs. 20,000 in a PPF account. Compute
the tax payable by him assuming that he has agricultural income of (a) Nil; (b) Rs. 5,000; and
(c) Rs. 3,50,000.
Solution: (a) and (b) Since the agricultural income is either Nil or does not exceed Rs. 5,000,
there will be no partial integration arid the Income-tax will be calculated on Rs. 2,80,000 as
usual. Tax on Rs. 2,80,000 will be Rs. 3,090 (Rs. 3,000 + 60+30).
(c) Step 1 Rs.
Aggregate of agricultural and non-agricultural income (Rs.
3,50,000+2,80,000
630000
Tax on Rs. 630000 51000
Step 2
Add Rs. 250000 (Maximum exemption limit) to agricultural
income of Rs. 3,50,000
6,00,000
Tax on Rs. 6,00,000 45,000
Step 3
Deduct Tax under Step 2 from Tax under Step 1 (Rs. 51000 -
45000)
6,000
Therefore, tax on non-agricultural income 6,000
Step 4
Add : Education cess & SHEC - @ 3% 180
Therefore, total tax payable 6180
Example 3: A, a resident in India, aged 60 years earned agricultural income of Rs. 5,00,000
during the previous year 2015-16. Compute his tax liability assuming that he has non-
agricultural income of:
(a) Rs. 2,20,000 (b) Rs. 2,50,000; (c) Rs. 3,30,000.
Solution: (a) and (b) Since the non-agricultural income does not exceed the maximum
exemption limit of 300000 (being individual of the age of 60 years of more) there will be no
partial integration and tax payable on non-agricultural income will be Nil. Further,
63
agricultural income itself is exempt. Therefore, the total tax payable is nil. However in case
of (c) the total tax payable will be Rs. 6180.
4.6 TEA DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT, COFFEE DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT
AND RUBBER DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT (SECTION 33AB)
Where an assessee is carrying on the business of growing and manufacturing tea or Coffee or
Rubber in India and has, before the expiry of six months from the end of previous year or
before furnishing the return of income, whichever is earlier, deposited with the National Bank
of Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) any amount in a Special Account
maintained by him in the bank in accordance with the scheme approved in this behalf by the
Tea Board or the Coffee Board or the Rubber Board then the assessee will be entitled to a
deduction.
(A) Quantum of Deduction:
A. a sum equal to the amount or the aggregate of the amounts so deposited; or B. a sum
equal to forty per cent of the profits of such business computed under the head 'profits
and gains of business or profession' before making any deduction under this section
and Section 72, i.e., before set off any loss brought forward from earlier years);
whichever is less.
Where the assessee is a firm or an association of persons or body of individuals, the
deduction under this section shall not be allowed again in the computation of the income of
any partner or member as the case may be. Further where any deduction, in respect of any
amount deposited in the Special Account, has been allowed in any previous year, no
deduction shall be allowed in respect of such amount in any other previous year.
(B) Audit of accounts: The deduction under this section will not be allowed unless the
accounts of the business of the assessee are audited and the audit report is furnished along
with the return of income.
(C) Prohibition of utilisation of the deposit: Amount withdrawn from deposit can
not be utilised for:
(i) any machinery or plant to be installed in office premises or residential
accommodation including a guest house;
(ii) any office appliances (not being computers);
(iii) any machinery or plant, the whole of the actual cost of which is allowed as a
deduction in any one previous year in computing the income chargeable under the
head 'Profits and gains of business or profession';
(iv) any new machinery or plant installed in an industrial undertaking for the purposes of
business of construction, manufacture or production of any article or thing specified
in the Eleventh Schedule; the amount so utilised shall be deemed to be the profits of
that previous year and chargeable to tax.
(D) Withdrawal from the Deposit: Any amount standing to the credit of the assessee in
the Special Account shall not be allowed to be withdrawn except for the specified purposes in
the scheme or in the following circumstances:
(i) Closure of business.
64
(ii) Death of an assessee.
(iii) Partition of a H.U.F.
(iv) Dissolution of a firm.
(v) Liquidation of a company.
Where the amount from the Special Account is withdrawn in any previous year at the closure
of business or dissolution of firm, the whole amount so withdrawn shall be deemed to be the
income of that previous year and chargeable to income-tax.
(E) Disallowance of expenditure: Where any amount out of the Special Account is
utilised by the assessee for the purpose of any expenditure in connection with the business in
accordance with the scheme, such expenditure shall not be allowed in computing the income.
(F) Withdrawal chargeable to tax in certain cases: Where any amount is released out
of the Special Account for being utilised by the assessee for purposes specified in the scheme
or at the time of closure of the account is not utilised in accordance with the scheme and
within that previous year either wholly or in part, the amount not so utilised shall be deemed
to be the profits of the business or profession and accordingly charged to tax.
(G) Restriction on sale or transfer of assets: The assets in respect of which deduction
has been allowed must not be sold or otherwise transferred by the assessee to any other
person for a period of 8 years immediately following the previous year in which the asset was
acquired. However, this restriction of 8 years will not apply in the following cases:
(i) Where the assets has been sold or transferred to the Government, a local authority, a
statutory corporation or a Government company.
(ii) Where the sale or transfer of an asset is made in a scheme of succession of a firm by a
company provided the following conditions are satisfied: a. all the assets and
liabilities of the firm relating to the business immediately before succession become
the assets and liabilities of the company. b. all the shareholders of the company were
the partners of the firm immediately before the succession.
If the asset is sold or transferred otherwise than mentioned above, such part of the cost of
such asset as it is relatable to the deduction allowed under this section shall be deemed to be
the profits of the business of the previous year in which the asset is sold.
Note: The deduction under Section 33AB will also be available, if the assessee deposits in an
account (known as Tea Deposit Account) Coffee Deposit Account/Rubber Deposit Account
in accordance with a scheme framed by the Tea Board/Coffee Board/Rubber Board with the
previous approval of the Central Government.
4.7. DEDUCTION IN RESPECT OF PROSPECTING FOR, OR EXTRACTION OR
PRODUCTION OF PETROLEUM OR NATURAL GAS OR BOTH IN INDIA —
(SECTION 33ABA)
(A) The main provisions of this section are as under:
(i) Deduction will be allowed if the Central Government has entered into an agreement
with the assessee.
(ii) The assessee before the end of the previous year has deposited the amount:
(a) in a special account with the State Bank of India, for the specified purposes in
a scheme approved in this behalf by the Government of India.
65
(b) in an account—Site Restoration Account (S.R.A.) for the purposes specified in
a scheme framed by the Government.
(B) Quantum of deduction:
(a) a sum equal to the amount or the aggregate of the amounts so deposited; or
(b) 20% of the profits of such business (computed under the head 'Profits and
gains of business or profession' before making any deduction under the section
33ABA whichever is less.
Notes:
(i) The profits shall be computed before deducting the brought forward losses from
earlier years,
(ii) Where assessee is a firm, A.O.P., or B.O.I, the deduction shall not be allowed to
partners or members, as the case may be.
(iii) Where any deduction is respect of deposits has been allowed in any previous year, no
deduction shall be allowed in respect of such amount in any other previous year. For
example, an assessee deposits 25% of the profits of such business in S.R.A. in
previous year 2014-15. He wi 11 get the deduction of only 20% of such profits. In the
following year he cannot claim the deduction in respect of additional 5% amount
deposited.
(C) Condition for deduction. The accounts of the assessee must be audited for the
previous year in which the deduction is claimed and the audit report must be furnished
along with the return of income.
(D) Withdrawal from the deposit. The amount deposited in special account or S.R.A.
shall not be allowed to be withdrawn except for the purposes specified in the scheme or in the
circumstances specified below:
(i) closure of business
(ii) death of an assessee
(iii) partition of a H.U.F.
(iv) dissolution of a firm
(v) liquidation of a company.
(E) No deduction will be allowed in respect of any amount utilised for the purchase
of:
(a) any machinery or plant to be installed in any office premises or residential
accommodation or guest house;
(b) any office appliances (not being computers);
(c) any machinery or plant, the whole of the actual cost of which is allowed as a
deduction in computing business income of any one previous year;
(d) any new machinery or plant to be installed in an industrial undertaking for the
purposes of business of construction, manufacture or production of any article
or thing specified in the Eleventh Schedule.
(F) Chargeability on withdrawl
(a) Where the amount is withdrawn from S.R.A. on closure of business or
dissolution of a firm it will be deemed to be the income of that previous year
and chargeable to tax accordingly.
66
(b) Where the amount is withdrawn for being utilised for the purposes of such
business in accordance with the scheme, is not so utilised, wholly or partly,
within that previous year, the unutilised amount shall be deemed to be the
profits and gains of business and accordingly chargeable to tax for that
previous year.
(c) Where any asset acquired in accordance with the scheme is sold or otherwise
transferred in any previous year by the assessee to any person at any time
before the expiry of eight years from the end of previous year in which it was
acquired, such part of cost of such asset as it relatable to the deduction shall be
deemed to be the profits and gains of business of the previous year in which
the asset is sold or otherwise transferred. However, this provision shall not
apply in the following cases:
(i) where the asset is sold or transferred to Government, a local authority, a corporation
established by or under a Central, State or Provincial Act or a Government Company.
(ii) where the sale or transfer of the asset is made in connection with the succession of a
firm by a company and the Scheme continues to apply to the company inthe same
manner applicableto the firm.
(G) No deduction for expenses out of special account or S.R.A.: Where the amount is
withdrawn and utilised for such business in accordance with the scheme, such expenditure
shall not be allowed as a deduction in computing the income under the head 'Profits and gains
of business or profession.
(H) Withdrawal of deduction. The Central Government may, by notification, withdraw
the deduction after such date as may be specified in the notification.
4.8 EXPENDITURE FOR OBTAINING LICENCE TO OPERATE
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES [SECTION 35ABB]
Where any capital expenditure is incurred by the assessee for acquiring any right to
operate telecommunication services either before the commencement of the business to
operate telecommunication service or thereafter any time during any previous year and for
which payment has actually been made a deduction will be allowed in equal instalments over
the period for which the license remains in force, subject to the following conditions:
(a) If the fee is paid for acquiring any right to operate telecommunication services before
the commencement of such business, the deduction shall be allowed for the previous
years beginning with the previous year in which such business commenced.
(b) If the fee is paid for acquiring such rights after the commencement of such business
the deduction shall be allowed for the previous years beginning with the previous year
in which the license fee is actually paid.
Notes:
(i) Where a deduction for any previous year has been claimed and allowed under this
section, no depreciation shall be allowed under section 32(1) for the same or any
subsequent year.
(ii) Payment has actually been made" means the actual payment of expenditure
irrespective of the previous year in which the liability for the expenditure was
incurred according to the method of accounting regularly employed by the assessee.
67
Example 4: Z. Ltd. obtained a licence to operate telecommunication services from
Department of Telecommunication on 1.7.2012 for a period of 11 years i.e. till 30.6.2023 for
a sum of Rs. 13,20,000. Calculate the amount of deduction available to the company under
section 35ABB for the various previous years assuming:—
(a) The payment of the entire licence fee was made on the date of acquisition of the
licence;
(b) Rs. 4,00,000 was paid on the date of acquisition, Rs. 2,60,000 was paid on 15.10.2012
and balance Rs. 6,60,000 will be paid in two equal instalments of Rs. 3,30,000 each
during previous year 2013-14 and 2014-15.
Solution: (a) Since the entire licence fee has been paid during the previous year 2012-13, the
deduction under section 35ABB shall be allowed for 12 relevant previous year in
equal amount of Rs. 1,10,000 each year starting from previous year 2012-13.
(b) Amount to be allowed as deduction
in previous year 2012-13 Rs.660000
12= 55,000
Amount to be allowed as deduction
in previous year 2013-14
55,000 (1/12th the amount paid in 2012-13
30,000 (3,30,000/11 i.e. amount paid in 2013-14
unexpired period of licence i.e. Rs. 85,000
Amount to be allowed as deduction in previous year 2014-15
Rs. 85,000 + 33,000 (3,30,000/10)
i.e. Rs. 118000
Previous years 2015-16 to 2013-24 Rs. 1,18,000
(A) Sale of licence
(a) Where the entire licence is transferred: (i) If the sale proceeds is less than the written down value of the licence, such deficiency shall
be allowed as deduction in the year in which the licence is transferred.
(ii) If the sale proceeds exceeds the written down value of the licence then such excess shall
be taxable as under:
(a) Where the sale proceeds does not exceed the original cost of the licence Sale
proceeds — Written down value of the licence shall be business income
taxable under this section.
(b) Where sale proceeds exceeds the original cost of licences
Original cost — WDV of the licence shall be business income taxable under this section and
Sale proceeds — Original cost (indexed cost in case the assets are held for more than 36
months) shall be short-term or long-term capital gain of the previous year in which such
assets are sold.
(b) Where only a part of the licence is transferred: (i) Where a part of the licence is transferred for a sum less than the written down
value of the total licence, the balance amount not yet written off shall be allowed as
deduction in the balance number of years in equal instalments.
(ii) If part of the licence is transferred for a sum exceeding the written down value of
the licence, then such excess shall be taxable as under:
68
Where the sale proceeds does not exceed the original cost of the licence Sale proceeds —
WDV of the entire licence shall be business income taxable under this section.
Where sale proceeds exceeds the original cost of licences
(i) Original cost — WDV of the entire licence shall be business income taxable
under this section.
(ii) Sale proceeds — Original cost of entire licence (indexed cost in case the assets
held for more than 36 months) shall be short-term or long-term capital gain of
the previous year in which such asset is sold.
Notes:
(a) Amalgamation demerger the; amalgamated! company or the resulting company, as the
case may be, shall be allowed to write off the balance amount of licence which was
not written off by the amalgamating company or demerged company in the same
manner as was allowed to the amalgamating company or demerged company as the
case may be.
(b) Where a deduction for any previous year u/s 35ABB(1) is claimed and allowed in
respect of any expenditure referred to in that sub-section, no deduction shall be
allowed on account of depreciation u/s 32(1) in the same previous year or any
subsequent previous year.
4.9 EXPENDITURE ON ELIGIBLE PROJECTS OR SCHEMES [SECTION
35AC]
Where an assessee incurs any expenditure by way of payment of any sum to a public
sector company or a local authority or to an association or institution approved by the
National Committee for carrying out any eligible project or scheme for promoting the social
and economic welfare of or the uplift of the public as the Central Government may specify,
the amount so paid, shall be allowed as deduction provided a certificate in Form No. 58A is
obtained from the said institution and furnished alongwith the return of income.
However, in the case of a company assessee, the deduction of such expenditure can be
allowed as under:
(a) Expenditure by way of payment to aforesaid institutions for specified purpose: The expenditure incurred by the company by way of payment of any sum to a public
sector company or to a local authority, or to an approved institution/association as
specified above. The deduction shall not be allowed unless the assessee furnishes,
alongwith a return of income, a certificate from such public sector company or local
authority or association in Form No. 58A.
(b) Direct expenditure: The expenditure incurred directly by the company on the
eligible project or scheme undertaken by it. The deduction shall not be allowed to the
assessee unless it furnishes, alongwith the return of income, a certificate from a
Chartered Accountant in Form No. 58B.
Notes:
(i) All assessees other than companies are allowed deduction only for payments made to
outside agencies whereas the companies may either make the payment to outside
agencies or incur the expenditure themselves.
69
(ii) If deduction is claimed under this provision, it shall not be allowed under any other
provision of the Act for the same or any other assessment year.
4.10 DEDUCTION IN RESPECT OF EXPENDITURE ON SPECIFIED BUSINESS
[SECTION 35AD]
(A) Eligibility: Deduction under section 35AD shall be allowed to the assessee who is
carrying on any of the following specified business:
(i) Setting up and operating a cold chain facility;
(ii) Setting up and operating a warehousing facility for storage of agricultural produce
(iii) laying and operating a cross-country natural gas or crude or petroleum oil pipeline
network for distribution, including storage facilities being an integral part of such
network
(iv) The business of building and operating anywhere in India, a hotel of two-star or above
category, as classified by the Central Government;
(v) Building and operating, anywhere in India, a hospital with at least 100 beds for
patients;
(vi) Developing and building a housing project under a scheme for slum redevelopment or
rehabilitation framed by the Central Government or a State Government, as the case
may be, and notified by the Board in this behalf in accordance with the guidelines as
may be prescribed;
(vii) Developing and building a housing project under a scheme for affordable housing
framed by the Central Government or a State Government, as the case may be, and
notified by the Board in this behalf in accordance with the guidelines as may be
prescribed;
(viii) Production of fertiliser in India;
(ix) Setting up and operating an Inland Container Depot or Container Freight Station
notified and approved under the Customs Act, 1962;
(x) Bee-keeping and production of honey and beeswax; and
(xi) Setting up and operating a warehousing facility for storage of sugar.
(B) Nature and amount of deduction: 100% deduction shall be allowed on account of
any expenditure of capital nature incurred wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the
above specified business carried on by such assessee during the previous year in which such
expenditure in incurred by him. However, in case any of the following business has
commenced its operation on or after 1-4-2012, the deduction allowed shall be 150% of such
capital expenditure incurred instead of 100%. The deduction is allowed for:
(a) Setting up and operating a cold chain facility.
(b) Setting up and operating a warehouse for storage of agricultural produce.
(c) Building and operating, anywhere in India, a hospital with atleast one hundred beds
for patients.
(d) Developing and building a housing project under a scheme for affordeable housing
framed by the Central Government or State Government and notified by the Board in
accordance with guidelines as prescribed.
(e) Production of fertilizer in India.
(C) Expenditure incurred prior to commencement of operation to be allowed in the
year of commencement of operation: The expenditure incurred, wholly and exclusively, for
the purposes of any specified business, shall be allowed as deduction during the previous year
in which he commences operations of his specified business, if—
70
(a) the expenditure is incurred prior to the commencement of its operations; and
(b) the amount is capitalized in the books of account of the assessee on the date of
commencement of its operations.
(D) Conditions: This section is applicable to the specified business which fulfils all the
following conditions:
(i) it is not set up by splitting up, or the reconstruction, of a business already in existence;
(ii) it is not set up by the transfer to the specified business of machinery or plant
previously used for any purpose;
(iii) where the business is of laying and operating a cross country natural gas or crude or
petroleum oil pipelines network it should satisfy the following conditions also:
(a) it is owned by an Indian or by a consortium of such companies or by an
authority or a board or a corporation established or constituted under any
Central or State Act;
(b) it has been approved by the Notified Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory
Board;
(c) it has made such proportion of its total pipeline capacity available; for use on
common carrier basis by any person other than the assessee or an associated
person as prescribed' by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board;
(d) any other condition as may be prescribed.
Notes:
(A) "Cold chain facility" means a chain of facilities for storage or transportation of
agricultural and forest produce, meat and meat products, poultry, marine and dairy
products, products of horticulture and apiculture and processed food items under
scientifically controlled conditions including refrigeration and other facilities
necessary for the preservation of such produce.
(B) Any expenditure of capital nature shall not include any expenditure incurred on the
acquisition of any land or goodwill or financial instrument.
(C) Where a deduction under section 35AD is claimed and allowed for any assessment
year, no deduction shall be allowed section 80-IA to 80RRB for the same.
Example 5: P.Ltd. constructed a building and started operating a hotel of 3 star category
w.e.f. 1.4.2015. The assessee incurred following expenditure in this connection.
1. Capital expenditure (including cost of land Rs. 50 lakhs)
incurred during December, 2014 to March 2015 which
were capitalized in the books of account 31.3.2015 Rs. 1,10,00,000
2. Capital expenditure incurred during previous year 2015-16
(it includes Rs. 20 lakhs paid for Goodwill) Rs. 1,40,00,000
(a) Compute the deduction available under section 35AD in the
assessment year
2016-17
(b) What will be your answer if such building was constructed
for operating a hospital of 100 beds.
Solution: Rs.
(a)
Capital expenditure incurred before commencement but capitalized
in books of account 1,10,00,000
Less: Cost of land not eligible for deduction under section 35AD 50,00,000
71
60,00,000
Capital expenditure incurred during previous year 2015-16
exclusive of value of goodwill 1,20,00,000
Deduction allowable under section 35AD 1,80,00,000
(b) Deduction shall be 150% of Rs. 1,80,00,000.
4.11 WEIGHTED DEDUCTION OF 150% FOR EXPENDITURE INCURRED ON
AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION PROJECT [SECTION 35CCC] [W.E.F. A.Y.
2013-14]
In order to incourage the business entities to provide better and effective agriculture extensive
services, new section 35CCC has been inserted in the Income-tax Act to allow weighted
deduction of 150% of the expenditure incurred on agricultural extension project. The
agricultural extension project eligible for this weighted deduction shall be notified by the
Board in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.
Where a deduction claimed and allowed for any assessment year in respect of any
expenditure referred to in section 35CCC(1), deduction shall not be allowed in respect of
such expenditure under any other provisions of the Income-tax Act for the same or any other
assessment year.
4.12 WEIGHTED DEDUCTION OF 150% FOR EXPENDITURE INCURRED
BY A COMPANY ON SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT [SECTION
35CCD]
In order to in courage companies to invest on skill development projects in the manufacturing
sector, new section 35CCD has been inserted in the Income-tax Act to provide weighted
deduction of 150% of expenses (not being expenditure in the nature of cost of any land or
building) incurred on skill development project from [A.Y. 2013-14] The skill development
project eligible for this weighted deduction shall be notified by the Board in accordance with
the prescribed guidelines.
Where a deduction claimed and allowed for any assessment year in respect of any
expenditure referred to in section 35CCD(1), deduction shall not be allowed in respect of
such expenditure under any other provisions of the Income-tax Act for the same or any other
assessment year.
4.13 EXPENDITURE ON PROSPECTING, ETC. FOR DEVELOPMENT OF
CERTAIN MINERALS (SECTION 35E)
Where an Indian Company or any other non-corporate person resident in India incurs, any
expenditure wholly and exclusively on the prospecting of any mineral (specified in Schedule
VII of the Income tax or on the development of mines or other natural -deposit of any such
mineral, the assessee shall be allowed a deduction of an amount equal to l/10th of such
expenditure for each of the ten successive previous years beginning with the year of
commercial production. The expenditure should have been incurred during the five-year
period ending with the year of commercial production under specified heads only.
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(A) Deduction: The deduction to be allowed for any previous year shall be the lesser of
the following two alternative amounts :
(a) An amount equal to l/10th of the total expenditure eligible for deduction under this
section; or
(b) The income of the previous year arising from the commercial exploitation of any mine or
other natural deposit in respect of which the expenditure was incurred.
(B) Carry-forward of Unabsorbed Amount. If, in any year, the profits are insufficient
to absorb the whole amount of instalment relating to that previous year, the unabsorbed part
of the instalment shall be carried forward and added to the instalment of the following year
and so on, for succeeding previous years upto the tenth previous year commencing from the
year of commercial production.
(C) Audit of Accounts. Where the assessee is a person other than a company, or a co-
operative society deduction u/s 35D and 35E will be allowed only if the accounts of the
concern are duly audited by a Chartered Accountant and the assessee furnishes along with the
Return of Income for the first year in which the deduction is claimed; the report of such audit
in the prescribed form duly signed and certified by such chartered accountant.
4.14 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR COMPUTING PROFITS AND GAINS OF ANY
BUSINESS [SECTION 44AD]
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in sections 28 to 43C, there is a special
scheme for estimating the profits and gains of assessees engaged in any business excluding
the business of transport covered under section 44AE. The broad features of the scheme are
as under:
(a) The scheme shall be applicable to an individual, a HUF or partnership firm who is a
resident but not to a Limited liability partnership firm. Thus, the scheme is not
applicable to LLP, a company assessee or AOP/BOI, etc.
(b) The provision of section 44AD shall not apply to—
(i) a person carrying on specified profession as referred to in section 44AA(1),
(ii) a person earning income from commission or brokerage, or
(iii) a person carrying on any agency business.
(c) It shall also not be applicable to an assessee who is availing deduction under section
10AA or deduction under any provisions of Chapter VIA under the heading "C.—
deductions in respect of certain incomes" in the relevant assessment year.
(d) The scheme is applicable for any other business (excluding a business of plying,
hiring or leasing goods carriages referred to under section. 44AE) whose total
turnover gross receipts in the previous year does not exceed an amount of Rs. 1 crore.
(e) a sum equal to 8% of the total turnover or gross receipts of the assessee in the
previous year on account of such business or as the case may be, a sum higher than
the aforesaid sum claimed to have been earned by the eligible assessee shall be
deemed to be the profits and gains of such business.
(f) Any deduction allowable under the provisions of section 30 to 38 shall be deemed to
have been already given effect to and no further deduction under these sections shall
be allowed. However, where the eligible assessee is a firm, the salary and interest
payable to its partners shall be deducted from the income specified in section 40(b).
(g) The written down value of any asset of an eligible business shall be deemed to have
been calculated as if the eligible assessee had claimed and had been actually allowed
the deduction in respect of the depreciation for each of the relevant assessment years.
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(h) An assessee opting for the above scheme shall be exempted from payment of advance
tax related to such business under provisions of the Income-tax Act.
(i) An assessee opting for the above scheme shall be exempted from maintenance of
books of accounts related to such business as required under section 44AA of the
Income-tax Act.
(j) An assesses with turnover not exceeding Rs. 1 crore, who shows an income below the
presumptive rate prescribed under these provisions, will, in case his total income
exceeds the maximum amount which is not chargeable to income tax, be required to
maintain books of accounts as per section 44AA and also get them audited and furnish
a report of each such audit as required u/s 44AB.
Note:
Profession referred to in section 44AA(1): Legal, medical, engineering or architectural
profession, or profession of accountancy or interior decoration or any other profession as is:
notified by the Board in the Official Gazette,
4.15 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR COMPUTING PROFITS AND GAINS OF
BUSINESS OF PLYING, HIRING OR LEASING GOODS CARRIAGES
[SECTION 44AE]
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in sections 28 to 43C, the scheme u/s
44AE provides for a system for estimating the income of an assessee engaged in the business
of plying, hiring or leasing of goods carriages. The broad features of the scheme are as under:
(a) the scheme is applicable to an assessee who owns not more than 10 goods carriages at
any time during the previous year and who is engaged in the business of plying, hiring
or leasing of such goods carriages;
(b) the profits and gains of each goods carriage owned by the above assessee in the
previous year shall be estimated as under:
(i) For heavy goods vehicle — Rs. 5,000 for every month or part of a month during
which the heavy vehicle is owned by the assessee in the previous year;
(ii) For goods carriage other than heavy goods vehicle — Rs. 4,500 for every month
or part of a month during which the goods carriage is owned by the assessee in
the previous year.
Note: The assessee may declare a higher income than that specified above.
(1) Consequence if presumptive income scheme is opted: following will be the result of
opting section 44AE:
(a) Expenses deemed to have been allowed: Any deduction allowable under the
provisions of sections 30 to 38 shall, for the purposes of the above income, be deemed to
have been already given full effect to and no further deduction under those Sections shall be
allowed. Remuneration and interest payable to partners, shall be allowed as deduction from
the income. Such deduction shall, however, be subject to the conditions and limits specified
u/s 40(b).
(2) Depreciation deemed to have been allowed: The written down value of any asset used
for the purpose of the business shall be deemed to have been calculated as if the assessee had
claimed and had been actually allowed the deduction in respect of the depreciation for each
of the relevant assessment years.
74
(3) Turnover of this business not to be included for computing limit of section 44AA and
44AB: The provisions of sections 44AA and 44AB shall not apply in so far as they relate to
this business and in computing the monetary limits under sections 44AA and 44AB for other
business, the gross receipts or, as the case may be, the income from the said business shall be
excluded.
Consequences if presumption income scheme is not opted: The assessee may choose not
to opt for the scheme and may declare an income lower than the specified amount. In this
case, the assessee shall have to maintain books of account and get his accounts audited by a
Chartered Accountant.
Notes:
1. An assessee, who is in possession of a goods carriage, whether taken on hire purchase
or on instalments and for which the whole or part of the amount payable is still due,
shall be deemed to be the owner of such goods carriage.
2. The income estimated as per section 44AE, shall be his income from the business of
plying, hiring or leasing goods carriages. This income will be aggregated with other
income of the assessee and deductions u/s 80C to 80U will be available to the
assessee, subject to fulfilment of conditions.
3. Income from vehicles is to be computed for every month or part of the month during
which these were owned by the assessee even though these are not actually used for
business.
4. Provision of section 44AE are not applicable in case the assessee owns more than 10
goods carriage or where he declares lower profits and gains than the profits and gains
specified in section 44AE.
Example 6: A transporter owns the following commercial vehicles:
(i) 2 light commercial vehicles — One for 9 months and two days and the other for 2
months.
(ii) 2 heavy goods vehicle — one for 6 months and 25 days and the other for 11 months
and 12 days
(iii) 2 medium goods vehicles — One for 6 months and the other for 8 months and 15
days.
(a) Compute the income from business if transporter opts for the scheme u/s
44AE.
(b) What will be the income if the trucks were not used for business for two
months during the year due to strike?
Solution
(a) The income u/s 44AE shall be computed as under: Rs.
(i) 10 x 4500 + 12 x 4500 99,000
(ii) 7 x 5000 + 12 x 5000 95,000
(iii) 6 x 4500 + 9 x 4500 67,500
Total 2,61,500
(b) Income from vehicles is to be computed for every month or part of the month during
which these were owned by the assessee even though these are not actually used for business.
Therefore there will be no change in the income of the assessee.
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LESSON 5
Tax Planning With Reference to Financial Management Decision –
Capital Structure, Dividend Including Deemed Dividend and Bonus Shares
5. STRUCTURE
5.1 Capital Structure
5.2 Meaning of Dividend [Section 2(22)]
5.3 Accumulated Profits
5.4 Tax Treatment of Dividend
5.5 Bonus Share
5.6 Tax Planning in Relation to Dividend Income
5.1 CAPITAL STRUCTURE
Management decision regarding capital structure is very important because it effects
the dividend payable to the shareholder as well as profit alter tax of a company. A company
may face problem of raising find for expansion of its exiting activity or a new company may
decide about it capital structure before raising funds.
Capital structure refers to the mix of sources from which funds required for the
business are raised. The choice relating to raising of funds and planning the capital structure
of an undertaking would be between capital and borrowings and the planning of the optimum
debt-equity ratio.
From tax point of view expenses incurred on raising loans/debentures and interest
payable on loans is deductible in computing taxable income of the assessee. Any amount of
interest paid, in respect of loan for acquisition of an asset for extension of existing business
capitalised in the books of account or not for any period beginning from the date on which
loan was taken for acquisition of such asset till the date on which such asset was first put to
use, shall not be allowed as a deduction. However, it will be added to the cost of the asset. On
the other hand, the expenses incurred on raising capital/share capital and interest on
capital/dividend on share capital is not deductible in computing the taxable income of the
assessee. However, the following expenses in relation to capital are deductible :
1. If the assessee is a firm, the interest payable to partners on their capital and loan
capital, subject to a maximum of 12% p.a. (u/s 40(b)
2. If the assessee is an Indian company and in connection with the issue, of shares and
debentures incurs expenses (being underwriting commission, brokerage and charges
for drafting, typing, printing and advertisement of the prospectus) twenty percent of
such expenses are allowed for each of the five successive previous years beginning
with the previous year in which the business commences.
From this it may be concluded that the borrowings contribute to tax saving resulting a higher
rate of return on owner's equity. But this does not hold good in every case. If the rate of
return on total capital is more than the rate of interest, definitely the borrowing would
increase the rate of return on owner's equity. Otherwise it would reduce his rate of return. It is
clear from the following illustration:
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Example 1: Y Ltd. wants to raise Rs. 2,00,000 which is required to meet the expansion of the
business. It has three options I-issue of share capital only II-Rs. 1,60,000 though issue of
share capital on Rs. 40,000 loan from bank at 10% interest III-Rs. 40,000 by issue of share
capital and Rs. 160000 through loan from bank 10% interest. You are required to advise the
management regarding the best option in following cases. Case I-Rate of Returns 25% Case
II. Rate of Return - 10%, Case III - Rate of return-8% and Rate of tax 30%.
Solution:
Case I (Return 25%)
Options
I.
Rs.
II.
Rs.
III.
Rs.
Return 50,000 50,000 50,000
Less: Interest on
loans @ 10%
--- 4,000 16,000
Profits before Tax 50,000 46,000 34,000
Less: Tax @ 30% 15,000 13,800 10,200
Profits after Tax 35,000 32,200 23,800
Rate of Return on
capital
17.5% 20.125% 59.5%
Case II - (Return 10%)
Situations
I II III
Rs. Rs. Rs.
Return 20,000 20,000 20,000
Less: Interest on
loans @ 10%
--- 4,000 16,000
Profits before Tax 20,000 16,000 4,000
Less: Tax @ 30% 6,000 4,800 1,200
Profits after Tax 14,000 11,200 2,800
Rate of Return on
capital
7% 7% 7%
Case III (Return 8%)
Situations
I II III
Rs. Rs. Rs.
Return 16,000 12,000 16,000
Less: Interest on
loans @ 10%
--- 4,000 16,000
Profits before Tax 16,000 12,000 Nil
Less: Tax @ 30% 4,800 3,600 Nil
Profits after Tax 11,200 8,400 Nil
Rate of Return on
capital
5.6% 5.25% Nil
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Conclusion. (1) When rate of return on capital is 25% (which is more than rate of
interest 10%) the capital structure of company III is the best. The company can declare
dividend at a higher rate.
(2) When rate of return on capital is equal to rate of interest, the rate of return on
capital is same, whether the company takes the loan or issues share capital.
(3) When the rate of return in less than rate of interest it is better to raise more capital
to maintain a minimum divided rate.
Management Planning regarding capital structure:
1. Where rate of return on investment is more than the rate of interest, it will increase the
rate of return of equity capital. However, the legal requirements for raising capital
through any means of finance cannot be ignored.
2. The capital may be utilised for acquisition of non-depreciable assets like land,
goodwill, etc. and borrowed funds may be utilised to acquire depreciable assets. The
interest on loans for the .period 'after setting up of business' but before the asset was
put to use will be capitalised and a higher amount of depreciation will be allowed.
3. If the gestation period in an industry is more it is better to use capital rather than
loans. On the loan interest will be paid out of capital. This interest payment will be
carried forward as business loss which the assessee may not be able to set-off within
the prescribed period of eight years. On the other hand, the money-lenders have to pay
tax on their interest income.
4. If interest is payable outside India tax must be deducted at source. If tax has not been
deducted at source, the amount paid as interest will not be allowed as a deduction in
computing business income.
5. The term 'interest' has been defined in section 2(28A) of the Income Tax Act, 'Interest'
means interest payable in any manner in respect of any amount borrowed or debt
incurred and includes any service fee or other charge in respect of the moneys
borrowed or debt incurred or in respect of any credit facility which has not been
utilised. Hence, not only interest but also service fee or other charge on loans, whether
utilised or not, should be claimed as revenue expenses in computing the business
income.
Example 2:
X Ltd. is a widely-held Indian company. It is currently considering a major expansion of its
business and the following alternatives are available for funds:
I
Alternative
Rs.
II
Alternative
Rs.
III
Alternative
Rs.
Share capital 5,00,00,000 2,00,00,000 1,00,00,000
Debentures (14%) --- 2,00,00,000 1,50,00,000
Loan from financial institution @ 18
per cent)
-- 1,00,00,000 2,50,00,000
Expected rate of return (before tax) is 25 per cent. The rate of dividend of the company since
2005 is not less than 20 per cent.
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Capital structure decision
I
Alternative
Rs.
II
Alternative
Rs.
III
Alternative
Rs.
Return on Rs. 5 crore 1,25,00,000 1,25,00,000 1,25,00,000
Less:
Interest on debenture -- 28,00,000 21,00,000
Interest on loan -- 18,00,000 45,00,000
profit before tax 1,25,00,000 79,00,000 59,00,000
Tax @ 30% (plus 5% of tax as
surcharge plus 3% of tax and
surcharge as education cess and
secondary and higher education
cess)
40,55,625 24,41,100 18,23,100
Return on equity share capital before
dividend tax
84,44,375 54,58,900 40,76,900
Rate of return on equity share capital 16.89% 27.29% 40.77%
The company should, therefore, opt for the third alternative.
5.2 MEANING OF DIVIDEND [SEC. 2(22)] –
Section 2 (22) gives the definition of "deemed dividend". However, the definition
laid down by section 2(22) is inclusive and not exhaustive. If, therefore, a
particular distribution is not regarded as dividend within the extended meaning of
the expression in section 2(22), it may still be dividend for the purpose of the
Income-tax Act.
Under section 2(22), the following payments or distributions by a company to its
shareholders are deemed as dividends to the extent of accumulated profits of the company:
A. any distribution entailing the release of company's assets
B. any distribution of debenture, debenture-stock, deposit certificates and bonus to
preference shareholders
C. distribution on liquidation of company
D. distribution on reduction of capital
E. any payment by way of loan or advance by a closely-held company to a shareholder
holding substantial interest provided the loan should not have been made in the
ordinary course of business and money-lending should not be a substantial part of the
company's business.
If dividend comes under (A) to (D), then the payer-company will pay dividend tax under
section 115-O and in the hands of recipient shareholders, it is not chargeable to tax.
Conversely, if dividend comes under (E), then it is taxable in teh hands of shareholder. In
such case, the payer-company will not pay dividend tax.
The following shall not be treated as "dividend"—
a. any payment made by a company on purchase of its own shares in accordance with
the provisions contained in section 77A of the Companies Act; or
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b. any distribution of shares made in accordance with the scheme of demerger by the
resulting company to the shareholders of the demerged company whether or not there
is a reduction of capital in the demerged company.
5.3 ACCUMULATED PROFITS
Any payment or distribution under the aforesaid clauses is treated as dividend. However, the
payment or distribution under the aforesaid clauses can be treated as dividend only to the
extent of accumulated profits of the company. Therefore, it is essential to discuss the meaning
and scope of the expression "accumulated profits" It includes:
1. It is expressly provided that it does not include capital gains arising after March 31,1948
but before April 1, 1956.
2. In the case of a company, which is not in liquidation, it includes all profits of a company
up to the date of distribution or payment.
3. In the case of a company which is in liquidation, it includes all profits of the company up
to the date of liquidation. But Where, the liquidation is consequent on the compulsory
acquisition of a company's undertaking by the Government or a Government company,
accumulated profits do not include any profits of the company prior to the three successive
years immediately preceding the previous year in which such acquisition took place. For
instance, if compulsory acquisition takes place on March 31, 2016, its accumulated profits
will exclude profits accumulated up to March 31.
Notes:
1. Accumulated profits include all profits (accumulated or current) up to the date of
distribution or payment (or up to the date of liquidation in the case of liquidation). In
a number of cases it has been held that accumulated profits are computed on the basis
of commercial profits.
2. Under sub-clause (a) of section 2(22), any distribution by a company of its
accumulated profits (whether capitalised or not) is dividend if it entails the release of
company's assets. In other words, there are two conditions prescribed by this clause—
first, distribution should be from accumulated profits (not from capital) and secondly,
such distribution must result in the release of the assets by the company. As no
specific mode of distribution is prescribed by the clause, distribution may be in the
form of payment in cash or kind.
3. Under this clause the following two distributions are treated as dividend to the extent
of accumulated profits (whether capitalised or not) of the company :
(a) distribution by a company to its shareholders (whether equity shareholders or
preference shareholders) of debentures, debenture-stock or deposit certificates in any
form, whether with or without interest; and
(b) distribution by a company to its preference shareholders of bonus shares. _
4. Under sub-clause (c), any distribution made by a company to its shareholders on its
liquidation is treated as dividend to the extent to which such distribution is
attributable to the accumulated profits (whether capitalised or not) of the company
immediately before its liquidation.
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However are following are not treated as dividend :
(a) any distribution in respect of preference shares issued for full cash consideration; and
(b) any distribution to the extent such distribution is attributable to the capitalised profits
of the company representing bonus shares allotted to its equity shareholders after
March 31,1964, but before April 1,1965.
Reduction of share capital:
Any distribution by a company to its shareholders on the reduction of capital is treated as
dividend to the extent the company possesses accumulated profits (whether capitalised or
not). However, the following are not treated as dividend under this clause :
(i) any distribution in respect of preference shares issued for full cash consideration; and
(ii) any distribution to the extent such distribution is attributable to the capitalised profits
of the company representing bonus shares allotted to its equity shareholders after
March 31, 1964, but before April 1,1965.
Loan or advance:
Under sub-clause (e), any loan or advance to a shareholder or concern is treated as dividend
in certain cases.
(a) Loan or advance is given by a closely-held company.
(b) Such loan is given to a registered shareholder.
(c) The shareholder (getting the loan) beneficially holds 10 per cent or more of equity
shares in the company.
(d) Such loan or advance is treated as dividend in the hands of shareholder.
Important points:
1. Such loan or advance is treated as dividend to the extent of accumulated profits
(excluding capitalized profit).
2. Loan or advance for the above purpose may be given to a shareholder directly or it
may be given for the benefit of shareholder or on behalf of shareholder.
3. "Concern" for this purpose may be a HUF, sole proprietor, firm, AOP, BOI or a
company.
4. A person shall be deemed to have a substantial interest in a concern, if he is (at any
time during the previous year), beneficially entitled to at least 20 per cent of income
of such concern (if such concern is a company, then he should beneficially hold at
least 20 per cent equity share capital of the company). Shares held by a person in two
different capacities, ie., as individual and as HUF, cannot be clubbed for purpose of
deciding whether a person has substantial interest in a concern.
5. Where money-lending is a substantial part of the business of the company, the above
provisions are not applicable. For this purpose, the factual position as it stands during
relevant previous year alone is supposed to be taken into consideration to decide
whether lending of money is substantial part of business of concerned company.
6. If after giving loan or advance to a shareholder, the company declares normal
dividend and such dividend is set off against outstanding loan/advance, the amount so
set off will not be treated as "dividend".
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5.4 TAX TREATMENT OF DIVIDEND
1. If dividend is covered by section 2(22) [not by clause (e) of section 2(22)] and
declared, distributed or paid during April 1,1997 and March 31,2002 or after March
31,2003, then it is not taxable in the hands of shareholders by virtue of section 10(34).
On such dividend the company declaring dividend will be liable to pay dividend tax
under section 115-O.
2. If a loan or advance is given after May 31,1997 which is deemed as dividend under
section 2(22)(e), then such loan or advance is taxable under section 56 as "dividend"
in the hands of recipient.
3. If the divided in received from a company other than a domestic company it is
chargeable to tax.
5.5 BONUS SHARES
When a company issues shares to the existing shareholders in lieu of dividends such
shares are termed as 'bonus shares'. By issue of bonus shares a company capitalises its profits
and widens the capital base. Expenditure incurred on issue of bonus shares is capital
expenditure hence, not deducted in computing the income of the company.
Where bonus shares are issued to the equity shareholders, the value of the shares is
not taxed as dividend distributed. However, when redeemable preference shares are issued as
bonus shares, on their redemption, the amount shall be taxed as dividend distributed.
When an equity shareholder sells the bonus shares the cost of bonus shares is taken as
zero. Hence, the whole net consideration (consideration less selling expenses if any) is treated
as long-term or capital gains, as the case may be.
5.6 TAX PLANNING IN RELATION TO DIVIDEND INCOME :
1. A domestic company may issue bonus shares to its equity shareholders in lieu of
dividend in cash. By this method it can avoid the tax u/s 115-O on dividend
distributed. However, it will increase tax liability of its shareholders on transfer.
2. Payment made by a closely-held company to a shareholder who is the beneficial
owner of not less than 10% of the equity shares of the company or on his behalf or for
his benefit, is deemed to be dividends to the extent of accumulated profits. [This
deemed dividend is not exempt u/s 10(34).] Such a shareholder should not take loan
from the company or ask the company to make payment on his behalf or for his
benefit. However, if it is not possible, he should reduce his shareholding to less than
10% of equity share capital.
3. Similarly, a concern, in which the aforesaid shareholder has substantial interest
(entitled to not less than 20% of the income of the concern or 20% voting right in the
company), should not borrow from the closely-held company. Otherwise, it will be
taxed as deemed dividend in the hands of the concern,
4. Where a loan in the hands of a shareholder or concern, has been taxed as deemed
dividend, such loan should not be repaid to- the closely-held company. It should be
adjusted against the dividends declared by the company in future. The dividend
declared in future and adjusted against the loan is not treated as dividend declared.
Thus, the double taxation liability can be avoided.
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5. The tax liability of the company can he reduced by purchase of own shares by the
company instead of distribution of dividend. Where a domestic company distributes
dividends to its shareholders, the company is liable to tax on dividend distributed u/s
115-O. However, purchase of own shares by a company from shareholders is not
deemed to be dividend distribution. Where a company purchases its own shares from
a shareholder, then the capital gains shall be chargeable to tax in the hands of
transferor. The capital gains shall be computed as provided in sec. 48 in the year in
which such shares are purchased by the company.
Example 3:
A domestic company possesses huge accumulated reserves. It wants do distribute dividends
of Rs. 100 crore to its equity. For this purpose it may issue 3 year 10% redeemable preference
shares or 3 year 10% redeemable debentures. Keeping in view the following information
suggest to the company whether it should issue bonus shares or bonus debentures so that the
tax liability of the company and its shareholders is reduced:
Assume Rate of tax on income of company and shareholder is 30% and Dividend
Distribution Tax is 15%.
Solution:
Option I
(1) Tax Liability When Company Issues Bonus Shares
(a) Tax liability of Company : Rs.
(i) On issue of bonus shares Nil
(ii) On dividend distribution on Rs. 30 crore for 3 year @ 15%
- DDT
4,50,00,000
(iii) On redemption of bonus shares at Rs. 100 crore @ 15% -
DDT
15,00,00,000
Total Tax Liability 19,50,00,000
(b) Tax liability of Shareholders:
(i) At the time of receiving bonus shares Nil
(ii) On dividend for 3 years Nil
(iii) On redemption of bonus shares Nil
Total Tax Liability Nil
Therefore Total Tax liability of company and shareholders
under option-I (a+b) Rs. 19,50,00,000
Option-II
2. Tax Liability when Company Issues debentures:
(a) Tax liability of company: Rs.
(i) On issue of debentures on Rs. 100 crore @ 15% - DDT 15,00,00,000
(ii) On payment of interest on debentures Nil
(iii) On redemption of debentures Nil
(iv) Tax saved by company on interest payment on debentures
Rs. 100 crore @ 10%, i.e., on Rs. 10 crore @ 30% = Rs. 3
crore
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Tax saved for 3 years (Rs. 3×3) 9,00,00,000
Tax Liability 6,00,00,000
(b) Tax liability of Shareholders:
(i) At the time of receiving bonus debentures Nil
(ii) On interest Rs. 10 crore @ 30% = Rs. 3 crore
On interest for 3 years (Rs. 3 crore × 3) 9 crore
(iii) On redemption of bonus debentures Nil
Tax Liability 9 crore
Total tax liability of company and shareholders Rs. 15
crore
Therefore it may be suggested to the company that it should issue bonus debentures to its
equity shareholders instead of bonus shares to reduce tax liability.
Questions:
1. What are the factors which must be considered by a company to decide whether to
issue share or debenture to raise funds?
2. Discuss deemed dividend as per the provisions of section 2(22).
3. From tax point of view which of the following would you prefer:
(a) Issue of shares or issue of debentures
(b) Payment of dividend or issue of bonus hares
4. P. Ltd., a domestic company, furnishes the following particulars of its income and
payments for the previous year 2015-16
Rs.
Profits of business (computed) 5,00,000
Dividend from B. Ltd., a domestic company 2,00,000
Dividend from C Ltd., a foreign company 5,00,000
Dividend paid to shareholders of P Ltd.
on 1.10-2014 4,00,000
Compute the total income and tax payable
for A.Y. 2016-17
Ans. Total Income Rs. 10,00,000, Income Tax = Rs. 3,09,000
Note: Company is also liable to pay Dividend Distribution tax @ 16.995% on the amount of
dividend distributed to its shareholders.
5. P holds 12.5% shares carrying voting power in a domestic company in which public
are not substantially interested. On 1st Jan., 2015, he obtained a loan of Rs. 5 lakh at
10% interest per annum from the company. As on that date, the company had
accumulated profits of Rs. 4 lakh. Explain the tax implications of the transaction for P
and also for the company.
Ans. Shareholder : Deemed dividend Rs. 4,00,000; Taxable in hands of P.
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6. A company has share capital of Rs. one crore and is planning to invest an additional
fund of Rs. 80 lacks towards its expansion programme. Suggest the best option from
the following from tax planning point of view:
(i) To issue share capital of Rs. 80 lacs.
(ii) To borrow Rs. 20 lacs @ 18% p.a. and to issue debentures of Rs. 20 lacs @ 11%
p.a. and the balance amount be collected by issuing shares in the public.
(iii) To issue debentures for Rs. 50 lacs @ 11% p.a. and the balance be collected by
issuing shares in the public.
(iv) Rate of return is 30% before paying any interest and tax.
(v) Rate of tax is 30%.
Ans. Company will opt for (iii) alternative
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LESSON 6
Tax Planning With Reference to Specific Management Decisions –
Make or Buy; Own or Lease; Repair or Replace
6 STRCUTURE
6.1 Tax Related Considerations
6.2 Tax Planning in Respect of Owing or Leasing as Asset
6.3 Repair or Replace
6.4 Tax Planning in Relation to Repair and Replacement of an Asset
6.5 Shut Down or Continue
6.6 Tax Planning
Make or Buy
When business concern requires a product or any part or component of the product for its
existing unit, it has to decide whether it should make the product, part or component or buy it
from the other manufactures. There are many costing and non-costing considerations guiding
the decision towards make or buy it. Some to the important factors affecting such decisions
are :
1. Whether for manufacture infra-structural facilities are available.
2. Whether the present capacity of the undertaking is fully utilised. If not, it can be
utilised in making the required product.
3. If an additional unit is required for manufacture the required product, whether the
concern possesses adequate funds for establishing the unit and whether the whole
production of the unit will be consumed by the concern or there is market for the sale
extra production.
4. Whether the product is available in the market easily and at reasonable terms.
5. If the cost of manufacture of a component is lower than the cost of purchase, it should
be manufactured.
6. If the product is not manufactured in the country it has to be imported and then import
trade control relations and foreign exchange control regulations have also a role.
7. If there is change in the technology in production of that product, the concern should
be in a position to acquire the new technology without much difficulty. If the product
has to be imported, if not manufactured, and there is risk of the security of the
country, it must be manufactured in the country, whatever the cost of manufacture
may be.
6.1 TAX RELATED CONSIDERATIONS
1. If a concern has surplus capacity and even decide to buy a product it may require to
sell a part of its plant and machinery. In such a case it may be liable to capital gains
tax.
2. If a new industrial undertaking (unit) is established to make the product, which fulfils
the conditions laid down in section 80IA, 80-IB80-IC etc of the Act, a deduction will
be allowed in computing the income and tax liability of the undertaking.
3. If the product, which is manufactured or purchased, is a capital asset, its cost will not
be allowed as a deduction in computing the income. However, if the asset is such on
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which depreciation is allowed, it will be allowed in both the cases i.e., manufactured
or purchased.
4. If the product is a consumable one, raw material is required to replace a worn out part
at the time of repair, its cost will be treated as revenue expense and deductible in
computing the income from the business.
Example 1:
Z R Ltd. produces of its own parts and components. The standard wage rate in the
parts department is Rs. 12 per hour. Variable manufacturing overhead is applied at a standard
rate of Rs. 9 per labour-hour.
For its current years output, the company will require a new part. This can be made in
the parts department without any expansion of existing facilities. Nevertheless, it would be
necessary to increase the cost of product testing and inspection by Rs. 1,500 per month.
Estimated labour time for the new part is half an hour per unit. Raw materials cost has been
estimated at Rs. 24 per unit.
The other alternative before the company is to purchase part from an outside supplier
at Rs. 36 per unit. The company has estimated that it will need 20,000 new parts during the
current year.
Advise the company whether it would be more economical to buy or make the new
parts.
Solution:
Cost of Manufacturing
Per unit (Rs.) Total (Rs.)
Raw material 24.00 4,80,000
Direct wages 6.00 1,20,000
Variable overheads 4.50 90,000
Product testing and inspection
(Rs. 1,500 × 12)
0.90 18,000
Total cost 35.40 7,08,000
Total cost if the parts are bought Rs. 20,000 × 36 = Rs. 7,20,000.
Hence, it is advisable to make the parts as there is saving of Rs. 12,000.
The above illustration does not attract any special tax consideration as whether we
manufacture or buy the goods, the expenses relating to both are allowed as deduction.
Example 1:
A company requires a component. From the following information suggest to the company
wether it should make the component or buy it from the market:
A. For Making the component: A new machine will be purchased for Rs. 10,00,000. After
five years it will be sold for Rs. 2,00,000. Rate of depreciation 15%. Manufacturing cost of
component:
I. year Rs. 14,00,000; II. year Rs. 16,00,000;
III. year Rs. 18,00,000; IV. year Rs. 20,00,000;
V. year Rs. 24,00,000;
Rate of tax 30%
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B. Buying the component:
Cost: I. year Rs. 20,00,000; II. year Rs. 22,00,000;
III. year Rs. 24,00,000; IV. year Rs. 26,00,000;
V. year Rs. 26,00,000;
Solution:
(A) Making the Component
(Computation of Depreciation)
Year Depreciation WDV
I 1,50,000 8,50,000
II 1,27,500 7,22,500
III 1,08,375 6,14,125
IV 92,119 5,22,006
V 78,301 4,43,705
Short-term capital loss:
WDV Rs. 4,43,705 – Selling Price Rs. 2,00,000 – Rs. 2,43,705
Computation of Cost of Component
Year Manufacturing
Cost
Depreciation Total cost Tax Saving Net Cost
I 14,00,000 1,50,000 15,50,000 4,65,000 10,85,000
II 16,00,000 1,27,500 17,27,500 5,18,250 12,09,250
III 18,00,000 1,08,375 19,08,375 5,72,513 13,35,862
IV 20,00,000 92,119 20,92,119 6,27,636 14,64,483
V 24,00,000 78,301 24,78,301 7,43,490 17,34,811
STCL... 2,43,705 73,112 1,70,593
69,99,999
(B) Buying the Component
Year Total Cost Tax Saving Net Cost
I 20,00,000 6,00,000 14,00,000
II 22,00,000 6,60,000 15,40,000
III 24,00,000 7,20,000 16,80,000
IV 26,00,000 7,80,000 18,20,000
V 30,00,000 9,00,000 21,00,000
Total Net Cost -- -- 85,40,000
Conclusion- In case of making the component the cost is Rs. 69,999,999 and in case of
buying the component the cost is Rs. 85,40,000. Hence, the component should be
manufactured.
6.2 TAX PLANNING IN RESPECT OF OWNING OR LEASING AN ASSET:
A lease of property is a transfer of right to enjoy such property, made for certain time,
in consideration of a price payable periodically to the transferor by the transferee.
In other words, leasing is an arrangement that provides a person with the use and
control over an asset, for a price payable periodically, without having a title of ownership. In
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case of lease agreement the owner of the asset is called the lessor and the user is called the
lessee.
When a person needs an asset for his business purposes, he has to decide whether the
asset should be purchased or taken on lease. While taking this decision he should keep in
mind the following factors :
1. Cash position. When a person has sufficient cash or he can borrow funds at a
reasonable rate of interest to purchase an asset or can acquire the asset under hire purchase
system, he may decide to buy it. The cost of asset is not deductible in computing the income
but the interest on borrowed amount or instalment system is deductible in computing the
income. If he neither has sufficient cash nor he can borrow due to stringent credit control, he
has to take the asset on lease. The lease rent is deductible in computing the income.
2. Depreciation. When the asset is purchased or acquired under hire
purchase/instalment system, the depreciation is allowed in computing income. When the asset
is taken on lease the depreciation is not allowed to the lessee, because user is not the owner of
the asset, but it is allowed to the lessor. Non availability of depreciation to the lessee will
increase his tax liability. If the asset is such on which depreciation is not allowed, e.g., land,
the increase or decrease in the value of the asset in future must be considered. If the asset is
such where increase in the value is expected, it may be purchased otherwise it may be taken
on lease.
3. Obsolescence risk. When a plant or machinery is purchased and it becomes
obsolete earlier than its expected working life, it has to be replaced. The replacement cost can
be met partly out of depreciation fund and partly by arranging further funds. In case of lease
the asset will be replaced by the lessor. However, the lessor will also keep in mind the risk of
obsolescence and increase the lease rent to offset such a loss.
4. Residual Value. When a person owns an asset, he has full rights to the value of the
asset at the end of given period. In the case of asset with large residual value it is better to
purchase it rather than taken on lease.
5. Profit margin. Where profit margin is low, it is better to purchase the asset. If the
asset has been purchased by borrowed funds the cash outflow would be equal to loan
instalment, interest payment. On the other hand, in case of lease the lease rent would be equal
to part of the cost of asset to lessor, interest on investment: and profit to the lessor. The cash
outflow will be equal to lease rent less nominal tax saving.
6. Profit after tax. It is an important consideration in tax planning. The assessee
should follow such a method for obtaining an asset which reduces his tax liability and the
profits after tax are greater. For this purpose it is suggested that own funds should not be used
in purchase of an asset because interest on own funds is not deductible in computing the
income, whereas interest on borrowed funds is deductible. But one should keep in mind that
if own funds are invested outside the business, the interest earned will offset the interest
payment. Further, one must consider the difficulty involved in raising loans and the other cost
factors incidental thereto.
Conclusion. As far as possible the asset should be purchased and not taken on lease
because the cost of use of the asset purchased is less than the cost of lease asset. However,
where the assessee is suffering from scarcity of funds and and cannot invest in an asset nor
can he avail substantial credit from the suppliers or money-lenders, he should take an asset on
lease.
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Example 3:- From the following information advise whether the asset should be owned or
taken on lease.
1. Cost of Asset - Rs. 1,00,000
2. Rate of Depreciation - 15%
3. Rate of interest 10%
4. Repayment of loan by the assessee Rs. 20,000 p.a.
5. Rate of tax 30.9%
6. Residual value - Rs. 20,000 after five years.
7. Profit of the assessee Rs. 1,00,000 before depreciation, interest and tax.
8. Lease rent Rs. 30,000 p.a.
Solution I
When Asset is purchased
Year
I II III IV V Total
Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.
A Depreciation 15,000 12,750 10,838 9,212 7,830 55,630
B Interest 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 30,000
C Tax 23,175 24,488 25,697 26,817 27,863 1,28,040
D Profit after
tax
51,825 54,762 57,465 59,971 62,307 2,86,330
E Total 1,00,000 1,00,000 1,00,000 1,00,000 1,00,000 1,00,000
Loss on sale of asset = Rs. 1,00,000 – (55,630 + 20,000) = Rs. 24,370
II . Asset on lease
Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.
1. Lease
rent
30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 1,50,000
2. Tax 21,630 21,630 21,630 21,630 21,630 1,08,150
3. Profit
after
tax
48,370 48,370 48,370 48,370 48,370 2,41,850
5. Total 10,00,000 1,00,000 1,00,000 1,00,000 1,00,000 1,00,000
When asset is purchased profit is (Rs. 2,86,330 – 24,370=) Rs. 2,61,960
When asset is taken on lease profit is Rs. 2,41,850. Hence, asset may be purchased.
Example 4:- (when P.V. Factor is considered)
A Ltd. wants to acquire an asset costing Rs. 1,00,000. It has two alternatives. The first
one is buying the asset by taking a loan of Rs. 1,00,000 repayable in 5 equal instalments of
Rs. 20,000 each with interest @ 14% p.a. The second one is leasing the asset for which
annual lease rent is Rs. 30,000 upto 5 years. The lessor charges 1% as processing fees in the
first year. Assume the interenal rate return to be 10%. The present value factors are as under.
Years: 1 2 30 4 5
PV Factor: 0.909 0.826 0.751 0.683 0.621
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Assume lease rentals, processing fees, loan as well as interest amount are payable at
year end. Suggest which alternative is better for the company. Assume rate of depreciation @
15% and tax rate at 33.99%.
Solution:
Asset Taken on Lease
Particulars: Year
1 2 3 4 5
Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.
1. Lease rent 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000
2. Processing fee 1,000 -- -- -- --
3. Gross cashflow
(1+2)
31,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000
4. Tax saved @
33.99%
10,537 10,197 10,197 10,197 10,197
5. Net cash outflow
(3-4)
20,463 19,803 19,803 19,803 19,803
6. P.V. factor @ 10% 0.909 0.826 0.751 0.683 0.621
7. P.V. of net cash
outflow
18,601 16,357 14,872 13,525 12,298
Total Net present value of cash out flow = Rs. 75,653
Asset purchased by borrowed funds
Particulars: Year
1 2 3 4 5
Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.
1. Loan repayment 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000
2. Interest paid 14,000 11,200 8,400 5,600 2,800
3. Cash outflow
(1+2)
34,000 31,200 28,400 25,600 22,800
4. Depreciation @
15%
15,000 12,750 10,838 9,212 7,830
5. Total 2 and 4 29,000 23,950 19,238 14,812 10,630
6. Tax saved @
33.99% on 5
9,857 8,141 6,539 5,035 3,613
7. Net cash outflow
(3-6)
24,143 23,059 21,861 20,565 19,187
8. P.V. factor @ 10% 0.909 0.826 0.751 0.683 0.621
9. P.V. of net cash
outflow
21,946 19,047 16,418 14,046 11,915
Total P.V. of net cash outflow = Rs. 83,372
Conclusion. Asset should be taken on lease because P.V. of cash outflow is lesser.
Example:
From the following information determine whether the assessee should purchase the
machine by instalment or hire it.
1. Cost five annual instalments of Rs. 2,00,000 each payable in the beginning of each
year.
2. Hire charges Rs. 1,50,000 p.a. for eight years payable in the beginning of each year.
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3. Residual value Rs. 50,000 after eighth year.
4. Rate of depreciation 15%
5. Cost of Capital 10%
6. Rate of tax 30%
7. Present value @ 10%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
.909 .826 .751 .683 .621 .564 .513 .467
Solution:
(A) Asset purchased by instalments
Date of payment Instalment (Amount) Present Value
Rs. Rs.
Down payment 2,00,000 2,00,000
instalment - I 2,00,000 1,81,800
instalment - II 2,00,000 1,65,200
instalment - III 2,00,000 1,50,200
instalment - IV 2,00,000 1,36,600
Cash Outflow 8,33,800
Cash inflow at the end of 8th year Rs. 50,000 on account of residual value of machine. Present
value Rs. 23,350.
Savings on account of depreciation:
Year Amount of
Depreciation
Tax savings on
depreciation
Present value of tax
savings
Rs. Rs. Rs.
I year 1,50,000 45,000 40,905
II year 1,27,500 38,250 31,595
III year 1,08,380 32,514 24,418
IV year 92,120 27,636 18,875
V year 78,300 23,490 14,587
VI year 66,555 19,967 11,261
VII year 56,572 16,972 8,707
VIII year 48,086 14,426 6,737
7,27,513 1,57,085
Short-term capital loss on sale of machine
= Rs. 10,00,000 – (7,27,513 + 50,000) = Rs. 2,22,487 may be set off
Tax saved on Rs. 2,22,487@30% = Rs. 66,746
Present value of tax savings = Rs. 31,170
Cash Outflow Rs. Rs.
8,33,800
Less: (i) Cash inflow on sale of machine 23,350
(ii) Tax savings on account of
depreciation
1,57,085
(iii) Tax savings on account of STCL 31,170 2,11,605
Net Cash Outflow 6,22,195
(B) Asset taken on Hire
Date of Payment Hire Discounted Value Present Value of
Tax savings
Rs. Rs. Rs.
I year 1,50,000 1,50,000 45,000
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II year 1,50,000 1,36,350 40,905
III year 1,50,000 1,23,900 37,170
IV year 1,50,000 1,12,650 33,795
V year 1,50,000 1,02,450 30,735
VI year 1,50,000 93,150 27,945
VII year 1,50,000 84,600 25,380
VIII year 1,50,000 76,950 23,085
12,00,000 8,80,050 2,64,015
Present value of Cash outflow on account of Hire
8,80,050
Less : Present value of tax savings 2,64,015
Net Cash Outflow 6,16,035
Conclusion - Asset should be taken on lease.
6.3 REPAIR OR REPLACE
From the accounting point of view a person can debit, the expenses incurred on repair
or replacement of an asset, in profit and loss account. But to show a better profitability or to
increase the groas block of assets so that higher amount of loans could be taken from banks
or financial institutions, the expenses on replacement of an asset are capitalised. When
expenses incurred on replacement of an asset are capitalised, this increases the tax liability.
From tax point of view the person is not at liberty to capitalise or not to capitalise the
expenses incurred on replacement of a part of asset or the asset itself. Let us consider the
provisions of the Income Tax Act regarding deduction of expenses incurred on repairs and
renewal/replacement of an asset.
Deduction of Expenses Incurred on Repairs
Where an assessee uses a building for the purpose of business or profession, he is
entitled to a deduction of the amount paid on account of 'current repairs' of the premises. If he
has taken the building on rent and has undertaken to bear the cost of repairs to the premises,
he is entitled to a deduction u/s 30 of the amount paid on account of such repairs Similarly if
the assessee uses any machinery, plant or furniture for the purposes of his business or
profession he is entitled to a deduction, in computing his income, the amount paid on account
of current repairs u/s 31.
Now the question is that what is the meaning of the expressions repairs' and 'current
repairs.
In New Shorrock Spinning & Manufacturing Ltd. vs. CIT [(1956) 30 ITR 338] the
Bombay High Court has observed that the expression 'repairs' means any expenditure
incurred to preserve and maintain an existing asset. The object of the expenditure is neither to
bring a new asset into existence nor to obtain any fresh advantage from such machine.
As regards the expression 'current repairs' High Courts are not unanimous. The Delhi High
Court in Modi Spinning and weaving Co. Ltd. [(1993) 200 ITR 544] has observed that
current repairs means repairs which are required to be carried out from time to time as and
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when a defect arises. If there has been wear and tear on an item, like the floors of a building,
over a number of years and ultimately they are replaced, then such replacement cannot be
regarded as current repairs from such machine.
The Allahabad High Court in Ramkrishan Sunder Lal vs. CIT [(1951) 19 ITR 324]
has held that current repairs means petty repairs usually carried out periodically and does not
include repairs or renewals costing large sums of money which has to be spent after a
machine has been used for a number of years.
The Supreme Court in Mahalaxmi Textile Mills Ltd. vg, CIT [(1967 ) 66 ITR 710]
has held that where only a replaceable part of a composite piece of machineiy is renewed,
such part having a comparatively lesser life than the machinery itself, it will be reasonable to
regard the cost of such renewal as revenue expenditure.
In summary the expression 'current repairs neither refers to petty repairs nor the
repairs carried out year to year but it refers to the repair carried out presently, whatever its
cost may be-
Replacement or Renewal where an expenditure is incurred to bring new asset into
existence or to obtain a new or fresh advantage it is considered as a replacement or renewal.
The replacement may be of a defective part or replacement of the entire machinery of a
substantial part of the entire machinery. If the replacement is of parts only, the expenditure
for such replacement is deductible in computing the income. On the other hand if the
replacement is the whole machinery with a view to bring a new asset into existence, the
expenditure will not be deductible being capital in nature. However, on such asset the
depreciation may be allowed u/s 32.
6.4 TAX PLANNING IN RELATION TO REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF AN
ASSET
The following points should be kept in mind to reduce the tax liability while taking a
decision to repair or replace an asset :
(i) There are stringent conditions to carry-forward and set-off of business losses. Hence,
if in the relevant year less income is expected, it will be better to slow down the pace
of repair and renewal of a part of asset in such a manner that it is spread over a
number of years.
(ii) As far as possible a part of the asset should be replaced and not the in entire asset. In
case of replacement of a part of asset, the cost of replacement is allowed as a
deduction in computing the income for tax purposes. On the other hand the cost of
replacement of the asset itself is treated as a capital expense.
6.5 SHUT DOWN OR CONTINUE
Losses co-exist with profits in a business. A business may suffer losses due to one or
more of the following reasons:
(a) Fall in demand. The demand of the product may fall due to availability of new
products in the market, change in fashion increase in number of
producers/competitors etc.
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(b) Financial problems. A firm may not have sufficient finance of its own nor further
credit available from banks or financial institutions due to government restrictions.
(c) Change in technology. Where the growth of technology is rapid and if is not possible
to keep pace with it the net result may be a loss.
(d) High rates of taxes. High rate of taxes import- duty, excise, duty sales tax, control,
etc., increase the price of the product. Due to this demand of the product may fall and
the business may suffer losses.
(e) Mismanagement. Efficient management is an important factor for success of
business. If it is inefficient, the result may be huge loss.
When a business suffers loss continuously, whatever the reason of loss may be, the
.management has to decide whether the business should be shut-down or continue. While
taking this decision, the impact of Income Tax provisions cannot be overlooked. Following
factors are considered.
(1) Treatment of losses and unabsorbed depreciation. When a business as a whole is
discontinued or closed down, the brought forward business losses and unabsorbed
depreciation shall be dealt with as under :
(a) Business Loss. If the business or profession has been discontinued loss can be carried
forward and set-off against profits and gains of business or profession.
(b) Unabsorbed Depreciation. If the business or profession has been discontinued,
unabsorbed depreciation is dealt as fallows:
(i) It can be set-off against income from business or profession or income under any
other head;
(ii) It can be carried forward and set-off for indefinite period, whether business is carried
on or discontinued.
(2) Discontinuance of Business
Where a part of a business (unit, department or activity) is discontinued or a business is
continued with reduced level of activity it is not a discontinuation of business.
The Supreme Court has held that whether the business carried on is the same business
or not is to be decided by seeing whether the several businesses carried on by the assessee are
inter-connected, inter-linked, inter-dependent and have a unity. Such inter-connection, inter-
dependence and unity are evidenced by the existence of common management, common
business organisation, common administration, common fund and common place of business.
[CIT vs. Prithvi Insurance Co. Ltd. (1967) 63ITR 632 (SC)]. Hence, if there was business of
import and sale of cotton fabrics in year I and export and sale of textiles in year II with every
thing common, this would be the same business. Similarly, the same assessee carried on
business at-two places A and B in Beedi leaves. Business at place A was discontinued and at
place B continued, he would be entitled to set-off loss brought forward from place A against
profit at another place B because the assessee carried on business in beedi leaves. [CIT vs.
Dharma Reddy (1969) 73 ITR 751 (SC)]. Thus in short the following cases cannot be said
discontinuance:
1. Where the business of the assessee has been shifted from one premises to another or
from one market to another or from one city to another city.
2. Where one or the other department of the business had been closed down.
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For example assessee carrying on business of running tea plantations and manufacturing of
tea and selling tea. Manufacture of tea discontinued for three years, machinery used in
manufacture leased out but employees retained. Assessee continued running of tea plantations
and selling green tea. Business had not been discontinued. Losses incurred in manufacturing
activity can be carried. Where the business of an industrial undertaking carried on in India is
discontinued in any previous year by reason of extensive damage to, or destruction of any
building, plant, machinery or furniture owned by the assessee and used for the purpose of
such business and such business is re-established, reconstructed or revived by the assessee
within three years from the end of previous year in which the business was discontinued, the
losses of such a business shall be carried forward and set-off against the profits and gains of
the business or any other business carried on by him. The loss can be set-off by the same
person who has suffered the loss. But in this connection the following points are to be
considered:
(a) Where succession takes place by inheritance, the loss incurred by the father in the
course of carrying on his business can be carried forward and set-off by his son, if he
succeeds to the business of his father.
(b) Where an assessee transfers his business to his spouse or minor child and the income
from such business is to be included in his total mcome u/s 64(1), the assessee is
entitled to the set-off of his loss carried forward from the previous year against the
income of wife or minor child included in his income.
(c) Where two or more companies amalgamate and form a new company, the assessee
(amalgamating companies and amalgamated company) and the business are not :the
same the losses sustained by amalgamating companies cannot be carried forward and
set-off by the amalgamated company. However, section 72A provides exceptions to
this general rule.
(d) Where there has been a demerger of an undertaking, the accumulated loss and the
unabsorbed depreciation directly relatable to the undertaking transferred by the
demerged company to the resulting company shall be allowed to be carried forward
and set-off in the hands of the resulting company.
If the accumulated loss or unabsorbed depreciation is not directly relatable to the undertaking,
the same will be apportioned between the demerged company and the resulting company in
the same proportion in which the value of the assets have been transferred.
The Central Government may notify such conditions as it consider necessary to ensure that
demerger or amalgamation is for genuine business purpose.
(e) Where a firm is succeeded by a company/a proprietary concern which fulfils the
conditions laid down in Sec. 47 (xiii)/47 (xiv) or the accumulated loss and unabsorbed
depreciation of predecessor firm shall be deemed to be the loss and unabsorbed
depreciation of the successor company for the previous year in which business
reorganisation was effected. The provisions of the Act relating to set-off and carry-
forward loss and unabsorbed depreciation shall apply accordingly.
If any of the conditions laid down in Sec. 47 (xiii) or 47 (xiv) are not complied
with, the set-off of loss or depreciation made in any previous year in the hands of the
successor company, shall be deemed to be the income of the company chargeable to
tax in the year in which such coiiditions are not complied with.
(f) Where the business carried on by a H.U.F. is transferred to the members of the family
on partition there is a change in persons carrying on the business. Hence, the losses
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suffered by the family in its business cannot be set-off by the members after partition
of the family.
(g) Where a partner leaves a firm (on retirement or death) his share of less con not be
carried forward and set-off by the reconstituted firm.
(h) A closely-held company shall not be allowed to carry-forward and set-off its losses
against the income of the previous year unless on the last day of the previous year the
shares of the company carrying not less than 51% of the voting power were
beneficially held by persons who beneficially held shares of the company carrying not
less than 51% of the voting power on the last day of the year in which the loss was
incurred.
Exceptions :
(i) Where a change in the said voting power takes place in the previous year due to the
death of a shareholder or on account of transfer of shares by way of gift to any
relative of the shareholder making such gift.
(ii) Any change in the shareholding of an Indian company which is subsidiary of a foreign
company, arising as a result of amalgamation or demerger of a foreign company
subject to the condition that 51% of the shareholders of the amalgamating or
demerged foreign company continue to remain the shareholders of the amalgamated
or resulting foreign company. (Sec. 79)
Speculation loss can be set-off against speculation income either in the same year or in
subsequent four years.
In case of such loss even, if the particular speculation business in which there is loss is
discontinued, it can be carried forward to be set-off in the succeeding year against the profits
of any other speculation business.
However, the loss from an illegal speculation business (loss incurred in speculation business
in banned items) neither can be set-off against income from any lawful speculation business
nor it can be carried forward for being set-off in the subsequent year against income even
from an illegal speculation business because the law assumes that any illegal business dies
with all its losses in the same year. [CITvs. Kurji JinabhaiKotecha (1977) 107 ITR 101
(SC)]
Important Notes :
(1) From tax point of view it is suggested that the assessee should avoid indulgence in illegal
speculation business; if the old speculation business is not profitable the assessee should start
a new profitable speculative business so that he can set-off the brought forward losses against
such income within specified time.
(2) Withdrawal of certain deductions. The benefit of deductions under section 33AB (Tea
Development Account/Coffee Development Account/Rubber Development Account) and
115VT (Reserve for Shipping Business) may be withdrawn and liable to tax for the year in
which business is discontinued.
(3) Deemed Income. If the business is discontinued and the assets used for scientific research
and family planning are sold, the selling price to the extent of deduction claimed shall be
deemed as profits of the previous year in which such assets are sold.
(4) Sale of depreciable assets. The assets on which the assessee has claimed depreciation,
are sold in the event of discontinuance of business, the difference between the net
97
consideration and W.D.V. shall be treated as short-term capital gain/loss. If there is a gain it
will be liable to tax. In case of loss it can be set-off only against the capital gains, if any.
(5) Sale of other assets: When other assets are sold, there may be long-term or short-term
capital gain/loss, as the case may be. Such gain is liable to tax.
6.6 TAX PLANNING
If a person is running more than one business the loss making business should not be
discontinued but operated at a low key for some time to claim the certain losses and expenses
against the income of profit making business. Provisions are as below:
(i) Retrenchment compensation to staff: If the business is closed and retrenchment
compensation paid, the expenditure would be disallowed as not incurred for 'carrying
on business'. [CIT vs. Gemini Cashew Sales Corporation (1967) 65 ITR 643 (SC)]
(ii) In case of closely-held company: It may be taken care that there may not be a change
in the shareholding exceeding 49% of the shareholding. If there is a change in
shareholding exceeding 49%, and the transferor/s and transferee/s are relatives, they
may transfer some percentage of shares as gift rather than sale so that the conditions
for set-off of losses are complied with.
(iii) If the assessee is a company: it may amalgamate/demerge with other company after
satisfying the conditions laid down in Sec. 72A.
Example 6:
X Ltd. a domestic company, has two businesses A and B. For the last two years business A
has been running into a loss wiping out the entire, profits of business 'B. At the end of
financial year 2014-15 there are brought forward losses of Rs. 8,00,000 and unabsorbed
depreciation Rs. 5,00,000.
In the financial year 2016-17 onwards it is expected that business B will earn a profit of Rs.
5,00,000 annually and if business A is continued at a minimum level there will be an annual
loss of Rs. 1,00,000.
Please suggest to the management of the company regarding:
(i) Whether business A should be continued or shut-down.
(ii) If continued for how many years.
Solution
If business A is continued in P. Y. 2016-17 the company will not loose the right to carry-
forward and set-off the past losses and unabsorbed depreciation. Let us calculate profit after
tax in both the situations: (i) business A continued; (ii) business A discontinued, and then
arrive at any conclusion
Business A Continued
Future Years
I II III IV
Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.
Profit of business B 5,00,000 5,00,000 5,00,000 5,00,000
Less: Current Loss of
business A
1,00,000 1,00,000 1,00,000 1,00,000
4,00,000 4,00,000 4,00,000 4,00,000
Less: B/f Previous loss of
business A
4,00,000 4,00,000 -- --
Less: Unabsorbed Nil Nil 4,00,000 1,00,000
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depreciation
Profit of Business B Nil Nil Nil 3,00,000
Tax @ 30.9% Nil Nil Nil 92,700
Business A Discontined
Future Years
I II III IV
Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs.
Profit of business B 5,00,000 5,00,000 5,00,000 5,00,000
Less: B/f Previous Loss of
Business A
5,00,000 3,00,000 Nil Nil
Less : Unabsorbed
depreciation
Nil 2,00,000 3,00,000 Nil
Profit of Business B Nil Nil 2,00,000 5,00,000
Tax @ 30.9% Nil Nil 61,800 1,54,500
Conclusion: Business A should be continued for at least four years.
Questions:
1. Discuss the points which are taken into consideration while deciding to buy or lease
on asset for expansion of production facilities.
2. An asset costing Rs. 1,00,000 is to be acquired. There are two alternative available to
the taxpayer. First one is buying the asset out of own funds. The second one is taken
on lease for which annual lease rent is Rs. 40000 upto 5 years. Lease management fee
: Rs. 1,000.
Suppose:
(i) International rate of return to be 10% and present value at 10% is: .909; .826; .751;
683; .621 for 5 years.
(ii) Rate of Income Tax - 30%
(iii) Rate of Depreciation - 30%
Ans. : The asset should be bought
3. What are the considerations which are kept in mind while making manufacture or buy
decision from tax point of view.
4. When a loss making business should be shut down to minimise tax liability?
5. Problem Bright Ltd. Manufacture electric pumping sets. The company has the option
to either make or buy from the market component Y used in manufacture of the sets.
The following details are available:
The component will be manufactured on new machine costing Rs. 1 lakh with a life of 10
years. Material costs Rs. 2 per kg. and wages re. 0.30 per hour. The salary of the foreman
employed is Rs. 1,500 per month and other variable overheads included Rs. 20,000 for
manufacturing 25,000 components per year. Material requirement is 25,000 kgs. and 50,00
labour hours required.
The component is available in the market at Rs. 4.30 per piece.
Will it be profitable to make or to buy component? Does it make any difference if the
component can manufactured on an existing machine?
Ans. Case-I - Better to buy
Case-II - Better to manufacture
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LESSON -7
Tax Planning with Reference to Employee Remuneration
After studying this chapter, students will be able to compute the taxable amount of salary
received by an employee from the employer. Since the chapter is about tax planning,
assessment year 2017-18 is applicable.
Following provision are explained in this lesson –
1. Tax rates for assessment year 2016-17 and 2017-18
2. Brief explanation of concepts of ‘salary’.
Computation of Net Taxable Income of an assessee:
Computation of net taxable income of an assessee for the assessment year 2016-17 (or
assessment year 2017-18):
Particulars Amount (Rs.)
Income under the head “Salaries” XX
Income under the head “House Property” XX
Income under the head “Profits and gains of business or profession” XX
Income under the head “Capital Gains” XX
Income under the head “Income from other sources” XX
Gross total income XX
Less: Deductions under chapter VIA XX
Net taxable income or Total income XXX
Computation of Net Tax Liability of an assessee:
Computation of tax liability of an assessee for the assessment year 2016-17 (or assessment
year 2017-18):
Particulars Amount (Rs.)
Income-tax on net taxable income XX
Less: Rebate under section 87A XX
Tax (a) XX
Add: Surcharge [% of tax (a)] XX
Total (b) XX
Add: Education Cess (EC) @ 2% on (b) XX
Add: Secondary and Higher Education Cess (SHEC) @ 1% on (b) XX
Total XX
Less: Relief under section 86, 89, 90, 90A or 91 XX
Tax liability XX
Add: Interest/ Penalty etc. XX
Less: Pre-paid taxes
[i.e., advance tax, self-assessment tax, TDS, TCS, MAT credit]
XX
Tax Payable XXX
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Tax rates for Assessment Year 2016-17 [Individual, HUF, AOP, BOI and Artificial
juridical person]:
Situation 1: For a resident senior citizen (who is 60 years or more at any time during the
relevant previous year 2015-16 but less than 80 years on the last day of the relevant previous
year 2015-16 i.e., born during April 1, 1936 and March 31, 1956):
Annual net taxable income Tax
Up to Rs. 3,00,000 Nil
Rs. 3,00,001 – Rs. 5,00,000 10% of income exceeding Rs. 3,00,000
Rs.5,00,001 – Rs. 10,00,000 Rs. 20,000 + 20% of income exceeding Rs. 5,00,000
Above Rs. 10,00,000 Rs.1,20,000 + 30% of income exceeding Rs. 10,00,000
Situation 2: For a resident super senior citizen (who is 80 years or more at any time during
the relevant previous year 2015-16 i.e., born before April 1, 1936):
Annual net taxable income Tax
Up to Rs. 5,00,000 Nil
Rs. 5,00,001 – Rs. 10,00,000 20% of income exceeding Rs. 5,00,000
Above Rs. 10,00,000 Rs. 1,00,000 + 30% of income exceeding Rs. 10,00,000
Situation 3: For any other resident individual (who is born on or after April 1, 1956), any
non-resident individual, every HUF/ AOP/ BOI/ artificial juridical person:
Annual net taxable income Tax
Up to Rs. 2,50,000 Nil
Rs. 2,50,001 – Rs. 5,00,000 10% of income exceeding Rs. 2,50,000
Rs. 5,00,001 – Rs. 10,00,000 Rs. 25,000 + 20% of income exceeding Rs. 5,00,000
Above Rs. 10,00,000 Rs. 1,25,000 + 30% of income exceeding Rs. 10,00,000
Tax rates for Assessment Year 2017-18 [Individual, HUF, AOP, BOI and Artificial
juridical person]:
Situation 1: For a resident senior citizen (who is 60 years or more at any time during the
relevant previous year 2016-17 but less than 80 years on the last day of the relevant previous
year 2016-17 i.e., born during April 1, 1937 and March 31, 1957):
Annual net taxable income Tax
Up to Rs. 3,00,000 Nil
Rs. 3,00,001 – Rs. 5,00,000 10% of income exceeding Rs. 3,00,000
Rs. 5,00,001 – Rs. 10,00,000 Rs. 20,000 + 20% of income exceeding Rs. 5,00,000
Above Rs. 10,00,000 Rs. 1,20,000 + 30% of income exceeding Rs. 10,00,000
Situation 2: For a resident super senior citizen (who is 80 years or more at any time during
the relevant previous year 2016-17 i.e., born before April 1, 1937):
Annual net taxable income Tax
Up to Rs. 5,00,000 Nil
Rs. 5,00,001 – Rs. 10,00,000 20% of income exceeding Rs. 5,00,000
Above Rs. 10,00,000 Rs. 1,00,000 + 30% of income exceeding Rs. 10,00,000
Situation 3: For any other resident individual (who is born on or after April 1, 1957), any
non-resident individual, every HUF/ AOP/ BOI/ artificial juridical person:
101
Annual net taxable income Tax
Up to Rs. 2,50,000 Nil
Rs. 2,50,001 – Rs. 5,00,000 10% of income exceeding Rs. 2,50,000
Rs. 5,00,001 – Rs. 10,00,000 Rs. 25,000 + 20% of income exceeding Rs. 5,00,000
Above Rs. 10,00,000 Rs. 1,25,000 + 30% of income exceeding Rs. 10,00,000
Common provisions for assessment year 2016-17 and 2017-18:
1. Tax rates for Individual, HUF, AOP, BOI and Artificial juridical person:
For individual, HUF, AOP, BOI and artificial juridical person, tax rates are same in
assessment year 2016-17 and 2017-18. The only difference is in checking date of birth of
assessees to compute the age of assessees.
2. Rebate under section 87A:
This rebate is given to provide tax relief to individual taxpayers who are in lower income
bracket. Any resident individual whose net taxable income (i.e., GTI minus deductions under
section 80C to 80U) is Rs. 5 lakhs or less is entitled to claim rebate under section 87A. This
rebate is available from income tax (before adding surcharge and cess).
Rebate Assessment year 2016-17 Assessment year 2017-18
Amount
of Rebate
100% of income tax payable on total
income or Rs. 2,000, whichever is less
100% of income tax payable on total
income or Rs. 5,000, whichever is less
3. Firms:
A firm is taxable at the rate of 30% for assessment year 2016-17 as well as 2017-18.
4. Companies:
The following rates of income-tax are applicable:
Company Assessment
year 2016-17
Assessment
year 2017-18
In the case of a domestic company:
- where its total turnover (or gross receipts) during the
previous year 2014-15 does not exceed Rs. 5 crore
- any other domestic company
30%
30%
29%
30%
In the case of a foreign company:
- Royalty received from Government or an Indian concern in
pursuance of an agreement made by it with the Indian
concern after March 31, 1961, but before April 1, 1976, or
fees for rendering technical services in pursuance of an
agreement made by it after February 29, 1964 but before
April 1, 1976 and where such agreement has, in either case,
been approved by the Central Government
- Other income
50%
40%
50%
40%
5. Surcharge:
Surcharge is applicable as a percentage of income-tax.
Assessee Assessment
year 2016-17
Assessment
year 2017-18
Any assessee:
- If net taxable income does not exceed Rs. 1 crore
Nil
Nil
102
Individual, HUF, AOP, BOI and Artificial juridical person:
- If net taxable income exceeds Rs. 1 crore
12%
15%
Firm:
- If net taxable income exceeds Rs. 1 crore
12%
12%
Domestic company:
- If net taxable income exceeds Rs. 1 crore but does not
exceed Rs. 10 crore
- If net taxable income exceeds Rs. 10 crore
7%
12%
7%
12%
Foreign company:
- If net taxable income exceeds Rs. 1 crore but does not
exceed Rs. 10 crore
- If net taxable income exceeds Rs. 10 crore
2%
5%
2%
5%
Surcharge is subject to marginal relief. In the case of an assessee having a net income
exceeding Rs. 1 crore, the amount payable as income tax and surcharge shall not exceed the
total amount payable as income-tax on total income of Rs. 1 crore by more than the amount
of income that exceeds Rs. 1 crore. Similarly, in the case of a company having a net income
exceeding Rs. 10 crore, the amount payable as income tax and surcharge shall not exceed the
total amount payable as income-tax on total income of Rs. 10 crore by more than the amount
of income that exceeds Rs. 10 crore.
6. Education cess [EC]:
Education cess is 2% [of income-tax calculated after adding surcharge (if any)] irrespective
of any income.
7. Secondary and Higher Education cess [SHEC]:
Secondary and higher education cess is 1% [of income-tax calculated after adding surcharge
(if any)] irrespective of any income.
Computation of salary income –
Income under the head “Salaries” is computed in the following manner:
Particulars Amount (Rs.)
Income from salary XX
Income by way of allowances XX
Taxable value of perquisites XX
Gross salary XX
Less: Deductions under section 16:
Entertainment allowance XX
Professional tax XX
Income from salaries XXX
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
Leave Salary –
Tax treatment – The tax treatment is given below:
Nature of leave encashment Status of employee Taxability
Leave encashment during
continuity of employment
Government/
non-Government employee
It is fully chargeable to tax.
However, relief can be taken
under section 89.
103
Nature of leave encashment Status of employee Taxability
Leave encashment at the time
of retirement/ leaving job
Government employee It is fully exempt from tax
(see the provisions given
below).
Non-Government employee It is fully or partially exempt
from tax. Here, exemption
depends upon the provisions
given below (see the
provisions given below).
Non-Government employees getting leave encashment at the time of retirement – In case of
non-Government employees (including an employee of a local authority or public sector
undertaking), leave salary is exempt from tax to the extent of least of the following four
amounts:
a. Period of earned leave (in number of months) standing to the credit of employee at the
time of retirement/ leaving the job (earned leave entitlements cannot exceed 30 days
for every year of actual service)*Average monthly salary
b. 10*Average monthly salary
c. Amount specified by the government (i.e., Rs. 3,00,000 minus amount exempted
earlier)
d. Leave encashment actually received at the time of retirement
Notes:
1. How to find out the leave standing to the credit of employee at the time of retirement or
leaving the job -
Step 1: Find out duration of service in years (ignore any fraction of the year)
Step 2: Find out the rate of earned leave entitlement from the service book of the employees –
such entitlement cannot exceed 30 days in a year. For example, if leave entitlement allowed
is 20 days per year, then 20 days per year will be taken (because it is less than 30 days in a
year). However, if leave entitlement allowed is 40 days per year, then for the purpose of
computing leave entitlement, 30 days would be taken and not 40.
Step 3: Find out the leaves actually availed or encashed while in service (in number of days)
Step 4: Multiply step 1 with step 2 and then divide the resulting figure by step 3 and result
would be in number of days. For example, if duration of service is 24 years 9 months, step 1
becomes 24. If leave entitlement as per service rules is 35 days per year, step 2 becomes 30.
If leaves actually availed while in service is 90 days, then step 3 becomes 90. Thus, step 4
becomes 24*30–90 = 630 days which is to be further divided by 30 to get the result in
number of months and the final leaves standing to one’s credit in numbers of months comes
out to be 21 (630/30).
2. Meaning of salary – Salary for this purpose means basic salary (+) dearness allowance (if
terms of employment so provide) (+) commission based upon fixed percentage of turnover
achieved by an employee. It is to be noted that dearness allowance/ pay shall be considered
only when it is part of salary for computing all retirement benefits (like provident fund,
pension, leave encashment, gratuity, etc.). If dearness allowance/ pay is part of salary for
computing only some (not all) of the retirement benefits, then it is not taken into
consideration for this purpose.
104
3. Average salary – Average salary for this purpose is to be calculated on the basis of average
salary drawn during the period of 10 months immediately preceding the retirement. For
example, if a person retires on 30 Nov. 2016, average salary will be taken from Feb. 1, 2016
to 30 Nov. 2016.
4. Actual years of service – While computing completed/ actual years of service, any fraction
of the year shall be ignored.
5. When earned leave encashment is received from two or more employers – Where leave
salary or leave encashment is received by a non-Government employee from two or more
employers (may be in the same year or different years), the maximum amount of exemption
cannot exceed Rs. 3,00,000 during the lifetime of the concerned employee.
6. Other relevant points –
Relief under section 89 would be admissible in respect of encashment of leave salary
by an employee while in service.
Salary paid to the legal heirs of the deceased employee in respect of privilege leave
standing to the credit of such employee at the time of his/ her death is not taxable as
salary.
Gratuity –
Tax treatment – The tax treatment is given below:
Status of employee Taxability
Government employee It is fully exempt from tax
Non-Government
employee
Covered by the Payment of
Gratuity Act, 1972
See the provisions given below
Not covered by the Payment
of Gratuity Act, 1972
see the provisions given below
Non-Government employees covered by the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 – In such cases,
least of the following amount is exempt from tax:
a. 15 days salary (7 days salary in the case of employees of a seasonal establishment)
based on salary last drawn for every completed year of service or part thereof in
excess of 6 months.
For example, if service is rendered for 20 years and 6 months, then we have to take 20
years.
b. Rs. 10,00,000 being the amount specified by the Government
c. Gratuity actually received
Notes:
1. Relief under section 89 – Gratuity in excess of the aforesaid limits is taxable in the hands
of the assessee. However, the assessee can claim relief under section 89.
2. Salary for this purpose means – Salary last drawn by an employee and dearness allowance
(whether forming part or not) but does not include any bonus, commission, etc.
3. Calculation of 15 days’ salary – Salary of 15 days is calculated by dividing salary last
drawn by 26 i.e., the maximum number of working days in a month.
For example, if monthly salary at the time of retirement is Rs. 3,000, 15 days salary would
come to Rs. 1,730.77 (Rs. 3,000/26*15).
Non-Government employees not covered by the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 – In such
cases, least of the following amount is exempt from tax:
105
a. Half months average salary for each completed year of service
b. Rs. 10,00,000 minus amount exempted earlier
c. Gratuity actually received
Notes:
1. Relief under section 89 – Gratuity in excess of the aforesaid limits is taxable in the hands
of the assessee. However, the assessee can claim relief under section 89.
2. Salary for this purpose means – Basic salary (+) dearness allowance (if terms of
employment so provide) (+) commission based on fixed percentage on turnover achieved by
an employee. It is to be noted that dearness allowance/ pay shall be considered only when it is
part of salary for computing all retirement benefits (like provident fund, pension, leave
encashment, gratuity, etc.). If dearness allowance/ pay is part of salary for computing only
some (not all) of the retirement benefits, then it is not taken into consideration for this
purpose.
3. Average monthly salary – is calculated on the basis of average salary for 10 months
immediately preceding the month in which the employee has retired. For example, if a person
retires on February 19, 2017, average salary will be considered on the basis of salary drawn
from April 1, 2016 to January 31, 2017.
4. Completed/ actual years of service – While computing completed/ actual years of service,
any fraction of the year shall be ignored. The words “each year of completed service” used
for the purpose of ‘gratuity’ in are not confined to completed years of service under one
employer and have to be interpreted to mean an employee’s total service under two different
employers including employer other than one from whose service he has retired, for purposes
of calculation of period of years of his completed service, provided he was not paid gratuity
by former employer.
5. Employee – Covered under Gratuity Act 1972 or not – If nothing is mentioned whether the
employee is covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 or not, it would be assumed
that the employee is not covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.
Gratuity paid while in service is taxable – Any gratuity paid to an employee while he
continues to remain in service (whether or not after he has put in a minimum specified period
of service) is not exempt from tax. However, here also, assessee can claim relief under
section 89.
Gratuity received by family members after the death of the employee – If gratuity is paid after
the death of an employee, then following situations may arise:
a. When gratuity becomes due before the death of the assessee but paid after the death of
the assessee, it will be taxable (as per the provisions) in the hands of the assessee even
if it is received by his legal heirs after his death.
b. When gratuity becomes due and paid after the death of a person, then the gratuity
amount will neither be taxable in the hands of that person nor in the hands of legal
heirs of that person.
Pension –
Pension is always given to the employee after retirement. The tax treatment of pension
received by the employee from the employer is given below –
Pension Status of employee Is it chargeable to tax
Uncommuted pension
(Periodical payment)
Government/
Non-Government employee
It is fully chargeable to tax
106
Commuted Pension
(Lump sum payment
in lieu of periodical
payment)
Government employee (including
the employees of local authority
and statutory corporation)
It is fully exempt from tax
Non-Government employee See the provisions given below
Exemption of commuted pension for non-government employees depends upon the receipt of
gratuity (i.e., whether employee has received gratuity also or not):
a. In case where a non-government employee receives Gratuity –
the commuted value of one-third of the pension which he is normally entitled to
receive is exempt from tax.
b. In case where a non-government employee does not receive Gratuity –
the commuted value of one-half of such pension which he is normally entitled to
receive is exempt from tax.
Notes:
1. Assessee can claim relief under section 89 in respect of taxable pension.
2. Pension received from UNO by the employees or his family members is not chargeable to
tax.
3. Family pension received by the family members of armed forces is exempt from tax under
section 10(19) in some cases.
4. Family Pension received by family members (not being the family members of armed
forces) after the death of an employee is taxable in the hands of recipients under section 56
under the head “Income from other sources”. Standard deduction is available under section
57 which is one-third of such pension or Rs. 15,000, whichever is lower.
5. Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts are also entitled to the exemption of the
commuted pension under section 10(10A)(i) of the Act.
Pension scheme in case of an employee joining Central Government or any other
employer on or after January 1, 2004:
National Pension Scheme (NPS) is applicable to new entrants to Government service or any
other employer. Even a self-employed person can join NPS. As per the scheme, it is
mandatory for persons entering the service on or after January 1, 2004, to contribute 10% of
salary every month towards NPS. A matching contribution is required to be made by the
employer to the said account. The tax treatment under the new scheme is as follows –
a. Contribution by the employer to NPS is first included under the head “Salaries” in
hands of the employee and then deduction is also available under section 80CCD(2)
for such contribution (shown in the table given below).
b. When pension is received out of the aforesaid amount, it will be chargeable to tax in
the hands of the recipient. However, from the assessment year 2017-18, the whole
amount received by the nominee from NPS on death of the assessee shall be
exempt from tax.
c. No deduction will be allowed under section 80C in respect of amounts on which
deduction has been claimed under section 80CCD.
d. “Salary” for the above purpose of NPS means basic salary + dearness allowance
(forming part) + commission based on fixed percentage of turnover achieved by the
employee.
e. Deduction for contribution towards NPS is available under section 80CCD which is
explained below in detail:
107
Provisions Maximum deduction Cumulative maximum
deduction
Section 80C (Investments) Rs. 1,50,000
Rs. 1,50,000
[Section 80CCE]
Section 80CCC (Pension Fund) Rs. 1,50,000
Section 80CCD(1)
[i.e., employee’s contribution or
assessee’s contribution towards NPS]
10% of salary (if a salaried
individual)/ 10% of GTI
(if a non-salaried
individual)
Section 80CCD(1B)
[i.e., employees contribution or
assessee’s contribution towards NPS]
Rs. 50,000 Not Applicable
Section 80CCD(2)
[i.e., employer’s contribution towards
NPS]
10% of salary Not Applicable
Compensation received at the time of voluntary retirement [Sec. 10(10C)] –
Compensation received/ receivable at the time of voluntary retirement is exempt from tax
upto Rs. 5,00,000 if few conditions are satisfied. One of the conditions is the amount payable
on account of voluntary retirement or voluntary separation of the employees should not
exceed:
a. the amount equivalent to 3 months’ salary for each completed year of service; or
b. salary at the time of retirement multiplied by the balance months of service left before
the date of his retirement on superannuation,
whichever is more.
In this case, relief under section 89 is not available.
Retrenchment Compensation [Sec. 10(10B)] –
Compensation received by a workman at the time of his retrenchment is exempt from tax to
the least of the following amounts –
a. Rs. 5,00,000 (amount specified by the Government);
b. 15 days average pay for every completed year of service or part thereof in excess of 6
months;
c. Amount actually received.
In this case, relief under section 89 is available.
Provident Funds –
Tax treatment of different types of provident funds –
Situations Statutory
Provident
Fund (SPF)
Recognized
Provident Fund
(RPF)
Unrecognized
Provident Fund
(UPF)
Public
Provident
Fund
(PPF)
Employer’s
contribution
Exempt from
tax
Exempt up to 12% of
salary.
Exempt from tax Employer
does not
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Situations Statutory
Provident
Fund (SPF)
Recognized
Provident Fund
(RPF)
Unrecognized
Provident Fund
(UPF)
Public
Provident
Fund
(PPF)
to provident
fund
Excess of employer’s
contribution over
12% of salary is
taxable.
contribute
Interest
credited to
provident
fund
Exempt from
tax
Exempt from tax if
rate of interest does
not exceed 9.5%;
excess of interest
over this rate is
taxable.
Exempt from tax Exempt
from tax
Lump sum
payment at
the time of
retirement or
termination of
service
Exempt from
tax
Exempt from taxes in
some cases given
below§. When not
exempt, provident
fund will be treated
as an unrecognized
fund from the
beginning.
Employer’s
contribution and
interest thereon is
taxable under the
head “Salary”.
However, payment
received in respect of
employee’s own
contribution is
exempt from tax.
Interest on
employee’s
contribution is
taxable under the
head “Income from
other sources”.
Exempt
from tax
Salary for this purpose means – Basic salary (+) dearness allowance/ dearness pay (if terms
of employment so provide) (+) commission based on fixed percentage of turnover achieved
by an employee.
It is to be noted that dearness allowance/ pay shall be considered only when it is part of salary
for computing all retirement benefits (like provident fund, pension, leave encashment,
gratuity, etc.). If dearness allowance/ pay is part of salary for computing only some (not all)
of the retirement benefits, then it is not taken into consideration for this purpose.
§ Cases in which lump sum payment (RPF) is exempt –
1. If the employee has rendered continuous service with his employer for a period of 5 years
or more. If accumulated balance includes any amount transferred from his individual account
in any other recognized provident fund(s) maintained by his former employer(s), then, in
computing the period of 5 years, the period(s) for which the employee rendered continuous
service to his former employer(s) is also to be included; or
2. If the employee is not able to fulfill the conditions of such continuous service due to his
service having being terminated by reason of his ill-health or by reason of the contraction or
discontinuance of the employer’s business or due to some other reason beyond the control of
the employee; or
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3. If the employee has resigned before completion of 5 years but he joins another employer
(who maintains recognized provident fund and provident fund money with the current
employer is transferred to the new employer).
4. If the entire balance standing to the credit of the employee is transferred to his account
under a pension scheme referred to in section 80CCD and notified by the Central
Government (i.e., NPS) [Amended for Assessment year 2017-18]
Approved Superannuation Fund –
Tax treatment –
1. Employer’s contribution towards an approved superannuation fund will be chargeable to
tax to the extent it exceeds Rs. 1,50,000 per annum [In Assessment year 2016-17, this limit
was Rs. 1,00,000 per annum].
2. Employee’s contribution towards such fund is exempt from tax under section 80C.
3. Interest on accumulated balance is exempt from tax.
4. Payment from the fund is not chargeable to tax in the following cases:
a. refund of contribution or any payment from fund on the death of employee (i.e.,
payment to widow); and
b. lump sum payment by way of commutation of annuity to the employee on his
retirement.
ALLOWANCES
Allowances are divided under three categories for the purpose of taxability:
1. Fully taxable allowances;
2. Fully exempt allowances; or
3. Partially exempt allowances:
a. Exemption depending upon actual expenditure; or
b. Fixed exemption depending upon the provisions of the Act.
Fully taxable allowances –
There can be hundreds of fully taxable allowances. Some of the common fully taxable
allowances are –
1. City compensatory allowance (CCA)
2. Tiffin allowance
3. Fixed medical allowance
4. Servant allowance
5. Dearness allowance
6. Deputation allowance
7. Lunch/ meal/ dinner/ refreshment allowance
8. Overtime allowance
9. Family allowance
10. Non practicing allowance
11. Warden allowance
12. Planning allowance
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Special allowances prescribed as exempt under section 10(14) –
When exemption depends upon actual expenditure by the employee –
In the case of given below six allowances, lower of the following is allowed as deduction:
the amount of the allowance; or
the amount utilized for the specific purpose for which allowance is given.
These allowances are as follows –
1. Travelling allowance/ Transfer allowance
2. Conveyance allowance
3. Daily allowance
4. Helper allowance
5. Research/ Academic allowance
6. Uniform allowance –
When exemption does not depend upon the actual expenditure –
In case of given below allowances, the amount of exemption does not depend upon the
expenditure actually incurred by the employee. Amount of exemption is –
the amount of allowance; or
the amount specified in rule 2BB,
whichever is lower.
1. House rent allowance [Section 10(13A) and rule 2A] –
In case of house rent allowance, least of the following amount is exempt from tax –
1. An amount equal to 50% of salary, where residential house is situated at Bombay,
Calcutta, Delhi or Madras and an amount equal to 40% of salary where residential
house is situated at any other place.
2. House rent allowance received by the employee in respect of the period during which
rental accommodation is occupied by the employee during the previous year.
3. The excess of rent paid over 10% of salary.
Notes:
1. Salary for this purpose means – Basic salary (+) dearness allowance (if terms of
employment so provide) (+) commission based on fixed percentage of turnover achieved by
an employee.
It is to be noted that dearness allowance/ pay shall be considered only when it is part of salary
for computing all retirement benefits (like provident fund, pension, leave encashment,
gratuity, etc.). If dearness allowance/ pay is part of salary for computing only some (not all)
of the retirement benefits, then it is not to be taken into consideration for this purpose.
2. Due basis – Salary for this purpose is determined on “due” basis in respect of the period
during which rental accommodation is occupied by the employee in the previous year. It,
therefore, follows that salary of a period, other than the previous year, is not considered even
though such amount is received during the previous year and is taxable on “receipt” basis.
Likewise, salary of the period during which rental accommodation is not occupied in the
previous year, is left out of the aforesaid computations.
3. Exemption is denied where an employee lives in his own house, or in a house for which he
does not pay any rent or pays rent which does not exceed 10% of salary.
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2. Entertainment allowance [Sec. 16(ii)] –
It is first included in salary income under the head “allowances” and thereafter a deduction is
given on the following basis:
a. In case of a Government employee, the least of the following is deductible:
- Rs. 5,000;
- 20% of basic salary; or
- Amount of entertainment allowance granted during the previous year.
Basic salary for this purpose excludes any allowance, benefit or other perquisites. Further,
amount actually expended towards entertainment (out of entertainment allowance received) is
not taken in to consideration.
b. In the case of a non-government employee (including employees of local authority
and statutory corporation), entertainment allowance is not deductible. It if fully
taxable.
3. Allowance for transport employees working in any transport system –
Amount of exemption is 70% of such allowance or Rs. 10,000 per month whichever is lower.
4. Transport allowance –
Amount of exemption is limited to Rs. 1,600 per month (Rs. 3,200 per month in case of an
employee who is blind or orthopaedically handicapped).
It is to be noted that expenditure for covering the journey between office and residence is not
treated as expenditure in performance of duties of the office.
5. Children education allowance –
Amount exempt from tax is limited to Rs. 100 per month per child up to a maximum of two
children.
6. Hostel expenditure allowance –
Amount exempt from tax is limited to Rs. 300 per month per child up to maximum of two
children.
7. Tribal/ scheduled areas allowance –
Rs. 200 per month if an employee is posted in U.P., M.P., Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West
Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Assam or Tripura.
8. Underground allowance –
Underground allowance is granted to an employee who is working in uncongenial, unnatural
climate in underground mines. Exemption is limited to Rs. 800/ month.
9. Highly active field area allowance –
It is exempt from tax up to Rs. 4,200 per month.
10. Island duty allowance –
It is exempt from tax up to Rs. 3,250 per month.
11. Allowance to Government employees outside India –
Any allowance paid or allowed outside India by the Government to an Indian citizen for
rendering service outside India is wholly exempt from tax.
12. Allowance received from a UNO –
Not chargeable to tax
13. Allowance to High Court and Supreme Court Judges –
Not chargeable to tax
14. Allowances to Chairman/ members of UPSC –
In the case of serving Chairman and members of UPSC, transport allowance and sumptuary
allowance are not chargeable to tax.
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PERQUISITES
Perquisites are divided under five categories for the purpose of taxability:
1. Perquisites which are taxable for specified as well as non-specified employees;
2. Perquisites which are exempt for specified as well as non-specified employees;
3. Perquisites which are taxable only for specified employees and exempt for non-
specified employees;
4. Contribution by the employer to the approved superannuation fund in respect of the
assessee to the extent it exceeds Rs. 1,50,000;
5. Specified equity or sweat equity shares allotted or transferred by the employer to the
assessee.
Perquisites taxable only in the hands of a specified employee –
The following perquisites are taxable only in the hands of specified employees:
Service of a sweeper, gardener, watchman or personal attendant
Supply of gas, electricity or water for household purposes
Education facility to employee’s family members
Leave travel concession (LTC)
Medical facility
Car or any other automotive conveyance
Transport facility by a transport undertaking
VALUATION OF DIFFERENT PERQUISITES
Accommodation –
1. Rent-free unfurnished accommodation [Rule 3(1)] –
For Central and State Government employees – The value of perquisite in respect of
accommodation provided to such employees is equal to the licence fee which would have
been determined by the Central or State Government in accordance with the rules framed by
the Government for allotment of houses to its officers.
However, rent-free official residence provided to a Judge of a High Court or to a judge of the
Supreme Court is exempt from tax. A similar exemption is extended to an official of
Parliament, a Union Minister, a Leader of Opposition in Parliament and serving Chairman/
members of UPSC.
For private sector or other employees (including the employees of a local authority or a
foreign Government):
Population of city as per
2001 census where
accommodation is provided
Where the accommodation is
owned by the employer
Where the accommodation is
taken on lease or on rent by
the employer
Exceeding 25 lakh 15% of salary in respect of
the period during which the
accommodation is occupied
by the employee Amount of lease rent paid or
payable by the employer or
15% of salary, whichever is
lower Exceeding 10 lakh but not
exceeding 25 lakh
10% of salary in respect of
the period during which the
accommodation is occupied
by the employee
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Any other 7.5% of salary in respect of
the period during which the
accommodation is occupied
by the employee
Notes:
1. Salary for this purpose includes – Basic salary, dearness allowance/ pay (if terms of
employment so provide), bonus, commission, fees, all other taxable allowances (excluding
amount not taxable) and any monetary payment which is chargeable to tax (by whatever
name called).
It is to be noted that dearness allowance/ pay shall be considered only when it is part
of salary for computing all retirement benefits (like provident fund, pension, leave
encashment, gratuity, etc.). If dearness allowance/ pay is part of salary for computing only
some (not all) of the retirement benefits, then it is not taken into consideration for this
purpose.
2. Salary does not include –
employer’s contribution to provident fund account of an employee;
all allowances which are exempt from tax;
value of perquisites [under section 17(2)]; and
lump-sum payment received at the time of termination of service or superannuation or
voluntary retirement, like gratuity, severance pay leave encashment, voluntary
retrenchment benefits, commutation of pension and similar payments.
3. Salary shall be determined on “accrual” basis – For example, advance salary of a period
other than the previous year is not included even if the same is received in the previous year.
Similarly, salary due in the previous year is included, even if it is received after the end of the
previous year. In other words, we can say that salary accrued for the period during which
rent-free accommodation is occupied by the employee will be considered whether it is
received during the previous year or not.
In all we can say that advance salary/ bonus for a period other than the previous year will not
to be included in salary for the above purpose.
4. Monetary payments which are in the nature of perquisites under section 17(2) shall not be
included. Conversely, monetary payments which are not in the nature of perquisites under
section 17(2) shall be included. For example, bonus (not being a perquisite, but being a
monetary payment) is taken into consideration. However, income tax payment of an
employee by the employer, being a monetary payment but also a perquisite is not included for
the purpose of computing salary.
5. Salary from two or more employers – Salary from all employers in respect of the period
during which an accommodation is provided will be taken into consideration.
6. Accommodation provided on transfer – Where on account of the transfer of an employee
from one place to another, he is provided with accommodation at the new place of posting
while retaining the accommodation at the other place, the value of perquisite shall be
determined with reference to only one such accommodation which has the lower value for a
period not exceeding 90 days and thereafter the value of perquisite shall be charged for both
such accommodations.
7. Exemption – The above perquisite is not chargeable to tax in respect of any
accommodation located in a ‘remote area’ [i.e., an area located at least 40 kilometres away
from a town having a population not exceeding 20,000] provided to an employee working at
a mining site or an onshore oil exploration site, or a project execution site or a dam site or
power generation site or an offshore site.
114
2. Rent-free furnished accommodation (not being a hotel) –
First, find out the value of the perquisite assuming that the accommodation is unfurnished
and to the figures so arrived, add the value of furniture on the following basis –
a. 10% (p.a.) of the original cost of furniture, if furniture is owned by the employer;
b. actual hire charges (whether paid or payable) if furniture is hired by the employer.
Furniture, here, includes radio sets, televisions sets, refrigerators, air–conditioners and other
household appliances.
3. Rent-free furnished accommodation provided in a hotel –
Besides, accommodation in a hotel, it includes licensed accommodation in the nature of
motel, service apartment or guest house.
The value of perquisite shall be taken as 24% of salary paid or payable for the period during
which such accommodation is provided in the previous year or actual charges paid/ payable
by the employer to such hotel, whichever is lower.
However, in case of an accommodation provided in a hotel, nothing is chargeable to tax
(subject to the fulfilment of given below two conditions) –
1. The hotel accommodation is provided for a period not exceeding in aggregate 15 days
in a previous year and
2. Such accommodation is provided on an employee’s transfer from one place to another
place.
It is to be noted that if in the aforesaid case, the hotel accommodation is provided for more
than 15 days, then the perquisite is not taxable for the first 15 days. After that it is chargeable
to tax.
4. Accommodation provided at concessional rent –
Accommodation may be furnished or unfurnished or it is provided in a hotel. However, if it is
provided at a concessional rent, the valuation should be made as follows –
Step 1: Find out the value of the perquisite on the assumption that no rent is charged by the
employer (as per the above stated rules).
Step 2: From the value so arrived at, deduct the rent charged by the employer from the
employee.
Employee’s obligation met by the employer –
Amount paid by the employer in respect of any obligation which otherwise would have been
payable by the employee is taxable in all cases whether the employee is specified or non-
specified.
Amount payable by the employer to effect an assurance on the life of the employee –
Amount payable by an employer, directly or indirectly, to effect an assurance on the life of
the assessee or to effect a contract for an annuity is taxable in the hands of all employees.
This rule is, however, not applicable if the employer makes contribution/ payment towards
the following:
a. RPF (up to 12% of salary of the employee);
b. Approved superannuation fund (up to Rs. 1,50,000 per annum) [In Assessment year,
this limit was Rs. 1,00,000 per annum];
115
c. Group insurance schemes;
d. Employee’s state insurance schemes; and
e. Fidelity guarantee schemes.
Interest-free loan or loan at concessional rate of interest –
If a loan is given by an employer to the employee (or any member of his household), it is a
perquisite chargeable to tax. Value of perquisite is computed at the rate of interest charged by
SBI as on the first day of the relevant previous year in respect of loan for the same purpose
advanced by it.
Interest is calculated on the maximum outstanding monthly balance for each loan as on the
last day of each month.
Given below are the rates of State Bank of India:
Type of loan Different limit As on April 1, 2016 (applicable for the
assessment year 2017-18)
Housing loan 9.45% (9.40% for women)
Car loan 9.80% (9.75% for women)
Education loan Up to Rs. 7.5 lakh 11.20%
Above Rs. 7.5 lakh 10.90%
Personal loan 15.95%
In the following cases, however, the above perquisite is not chargeable to tax:
1. If a loan is made available for medical treatment in respect of diseases specified in rule 3A
(the exemption is, however, not applicable to so much of the loan as has been reimbursed to
the employee under any medical insurance scheme; in such a case, perquisite will be
chargeable to tax from the date of receipt of insurance compensation).
2. Where the amount of original loan (or loans) does not exceed Rs. 20,000 in aggregate.
Where, however, the amount exceeds Rs. 20,000, entire amount is chargeable to tax.
Use of movable assets –
The value of this perquisite is determined @ 10% p.a. of the actual cost of such asset (if the
asset is owned by the employer) or the amount of rent paid or payable (if the asset is taken on
hire by the employer).
From the value so arrived, deduct the amount received from the employee.
However, no perquisite is chargeable to tax in respect of use of computer/ laptops.
Movable assets sold by employer to its employees (or any member of his household) at a
nominal price –
The value of this perquisite is calculated as an actual cost of such asset to the employer minus
normal wear and tear at the rate given below for each completed year during which such asset
was put to use by the employer for his business purposes minus amount received from the
employee.
Following are the rates for normal wear and tear:
Electronic items/ computers : 50% by reducing balance method (WDV)
Motor Car : 20% by reducing balance method (WDV)
Any other asset : 10% of the actual cost
116
[Electronic item means data storage and handling devices like computer, digital diaries and
printers but does not include household appliances like mixers, washing machines, ovens,
etc.]
Lunch/ Refreshment, etc. –
The value of free food, tea and snacks etc. shall be as under:
Circumstances Value of perquisite
Tea or similar non-alcoholic beverages and
snacks (in the form of light refreshments)
provided during working hours
NIL
Food and non-alcoholic beverages is
provided in working hours in remote area or
in an offshore installation
NIL
Food and non-alcoholic beverages is
provided in working hours at any other place
(other than remote area or in an offshore
installation) i.e., either in office or business
premises or through non-transferable paid
vouchers usable only at eating joints
provided by an employer
NIL, if the value thereof in either case is up
to Rs. 50 per meal. However, expenditure in
excess of Rs. 50 per meal should be treated
as perquisite.
Amount received from the employee is
deducted to compute the taxable value of the
perquisite.
In any other case Actual amount of expenditure incurred by the
employer minus amount paid or recovered
from the employee
Travelling, Touring and Accommodation –
Following is the treatment in respect of travelling, touring, accommodation and any other
expenses paid by employer for any holiday availed by employee (or any member of
household) other than leave travel concession (LTC):
Where such facility is available uniformly to all employees:
Expenditure incurred by the employer minus amount recovered from the employee is the
taxable value of the perquisite.
Where such facility is not available uniformly to all employees:
Value at which such facilities are offered by other agencies to the public minus amount
recovered from the employee is the taxable value of the perquisite.
Gift, Voucher or taken –
The value of any gift, voucher or token in lieu of which gift may be received by the employee
(or by the member of his household) on ceremonial occasions or otherwise shall be
determined as the sum equal to the amount of such gift. Such gift is exempt from tax where,
the value of such gift, voucher or token, as the case may be, is below Rs. 5,000 in aggregate
during the previous year. Beyond Rs. 5,000, gift-in-kind is taxable.
However, gifts made in cash or convertible into money (gift cheques) are not exempt from
tax even if there value is less than Rs. 5,000.
Credit card –
Any expenditure incurred by the employer in respect of credit card used by the employee or
any member of his household after deducting the expenditure on use of this credit card for
official purposes is the taxable value of the perquisite. The expenditure incurred by the
117
employer includes the membership fees and annual fees incurred by the employee or any
member of his household, which is charged to a credit card (including any add-on-card),
provided by the employer (or otherwise paid or reimbursed by the employer).
Club expenditure –
This perquisite includes any expenditure on club facility used by the employee or any
member of his household which is paid or reimbursed by the employer. It also includes
amount of annual or periodical fees paid or payable to a club.
The amount of expenditure incurred by the employer in respect of club facility used by the
employee or any member of his household after deducting the expenditure on use of this club
facility for official purposes is the taxable value of the perquisite.
Expenditure for official use:
The amount of expenditure incurred on use of club facility for official purposes is deductible,
provided following conditions are satisfied:
1. Complete detail in respect of such expenditure is maintained by the employer which may,
inter alia, include the date of expenditure, the nature of expenditure and its business
feasibility.
2. The employer gives a certificate for such expenditure to the effect that the same was
incurred wholly and exclusively for the performance of official duties.
The following expenditure is exempt from tax:
1. Health club, sports facilities etc. provided uniformly to all classes of employees by the
employer at employer’s premises.
2. The initial one time deposit or fees for corporate or institutional membership, where
benefit does not remain with a particular employee after cessation of employment.
Sweat equity shares or Employees stock option plan (ESOP) –
Perquisite in respect of “sweat equity shares” or “ESOP” is chargeable to tax in the hands of
employees, provided such shares are allotted or transferred to the concerned employee after
March 31, 2009.
For the purpose of valuation of this perquisite, fair market value (FMV) of shares or
securities has to be calculated on the date on which the employee exercises the option.
Amount actually paid or recovered from the employee in respect of such shares or securities
shall be deducted.
This perquisite will be taxable in the hands of employee in the previous year in which shares
or securities are allotted or transferred to him. However, fair market value shall be calculated
on the date on which the employee exercises the option.
“Sweat equity shares” means shares issued by a company to its employees or directors at a
discount or for consideration other than cash for providing know-how or making available
rights in the nature of intellectual property rights or value additions, by whatever name called.
Such shares may be equity shares, any other shares, scrips, debentures, derivatives or units.
These may be transferred/ allotted (directly or indirectly) to the employee.
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Domestic servants –
The value of perquisite shall be the actual cost to the employer minus amount paid by the
employee for such services.
If an employer provides a rent-free house (owned by the employer) to his employee, expenses
(inclusive of salary of a gardener) incurred by the employer on maintenance of garden and
ground attached to the house, are not taxable separately.
Gas, Electricity or Water supply –
The value of perquisite shall be the cost to the employer as reduced by the amount recovered
from the employee.
Education –
1. Any amount spent for providing free education facilities to, and training of, the
employees is not taxable.
2. Any payment of school fees of the family members of the employee directly to the
school or any reimbursement of expenditure incurred for education of the family
members of the employee is taxable as a perquisite in all cases.
3. Education facility in employer’s institute:
It means:
a. an educational institute which is owned and maintained by the employer and
educational facility is provided; or
b. an educational facility is provided in any institute by reason of employee’s
employment with the employer.
Different situations Amount chargeable to tax
Where educational facility is provided to
employee’s children:
a. If cost of education or value of such
benefit does not exceed Rs. 1,000 per
month per child (no restriction on
number of children)
b. Where such amount exceed Rs. 1000
per month per child §1
Nil
Cost of such education in a similar institution
in or near the locality minus amount paid or
recovered from the employee
Where education facility is provided to
member of his household (other than
children)
Cost of such education in a similar institution
in or near the locality minus amount paid or
recovered from the employee
§1 A literal meaning of the line indicates that if the cost of education per child exceeds Rs.
1,000 per month, the entire cost will be the value of the perquisite. Also, the Punjab and
Haryana High Court in the case of CIT v. Director, Delhi Public School [2011] 202 Taxmann
318 ruled that nothing is taxable if cost of education in a similar institute is equal to or less
than Rs. 1,000 per month. In case, it exceeds Rs. 1,000 per month, the entire amount is
chargeable to tax.
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Leave Travel Concession in India [Section 10(5)] –
Leave travel assistance extended by an employer to an employee for going anywhere in India
along with his family is exempt according to the provisions mentioned in the table given
below:
Different situations Amount of exemption (exemption is available
only in respect of fare for going anywhere in
India along with the family twice in a block of
four years)
Where journey is performed by air Amount of economy class fare of the national
carrier by the shortest route or the amount
spent, whichever is less
Where journey is performed by rail Amount of air-conditioned first class rail fare
by the shortest route or the amount spent,
whichever is less
Where the places of origin of journey and
destination are connected by rail and journey
is performed by any other mode of transport
Same as (2)
Where the places of origin of journey and
destination (or part thereof) are not
connected by rail:
a. Where a recognized public transport
exists
b. Where no recognized public transport
exists
First class or deluxe class fare by the shortest
route or the amount spent whichever is less
Air-conditioned first class rail fare by the
shortest route (as if the journey had been
performed by rail) or the amount actually
spent, whichever is less.
Notes:
1. Family for this purpose includes:
a. spouse and children of the employee; and
b. parents, brothers and sisters of the employee, who are wholly or mainly dependent
upon the employee.
2. Only two journeys performed in a block of four years is exempt:
Exemption of this perquisite is exempt from tax in respect of two journeys performed in a
block of four calendar years. The different blocks are:
a. 2010-2013 (i.e., January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2013);
b. 2014- 2017 (i.e., January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017)
3. “Carry-over” concession:
If an assessee has not availed travel concession or assistance during any of the specified four-
year block periods on one of the two permitted occasions (or on both occasions), exemption
can be claimed in the first calendar year of the next block (but in respect of only one
journey). This is known as “carry-over” concession. In such case, exemption so availed will
not be counted for the purposes of claiming the future exemptions allowable in respect of two
journeys in the subsequent block.
4. Exemption is based on actual expenditure:
5. Exemption is available in respect of fare:
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Exemption is strictly restricted to expenses on air fare, rail fare, bus fare etc. No other
expenditure, like scooter charges, lodging and boarding expenses etc. are qualified for
exemption.
6. Exemption is available in respect of shortest route.
Medical Facility –
The following expenses whether incurred or reimbursed by the employer are exempt from
tax:
Medical facilities in India:
1. Medical facility in employer’s hospital (including clinic, dispensary or nursing home).
2. Medical facility in a hospital maintained by Central/ State Government or by a local
authority or by any other person approved by the Government for the treatment of its
employees.
3. Treatment of prescribed disease given in rule 3A(2) in a hospital approved by the Chief
Commissioner.
4. Medical insurance premium for employees on any health insurance policy.
5. Medical facility in a private clinic not exceeding, Rs. 15,000 in aggregate in a year.
Medical facility outside India:
The amount is exempt from tax subject to the conditions given below in the table:
Perquisite not chargeable to tax Conditions to be satisfied
Medical treatment of employee or any
member of family of such employee outside
India
Expenditure shall be excluded from
perquisite only to the extent permitted by
RBI
Cost on travel of the employee/ any member
of his family and one attendant who
accompanies the patient in connection with
treatment outside India
Expenditure shall be excluded from
perquisite only in the case of an employee
whose gross total income, as computed
before included therein the said expenditure
(i.e., travelling) does not exceed Rs.
2,00,000
Cost of stay abroad of the employee or any
member of the family for medical treatment
and cost of stay of one attendant who
accompanies the patient in connection with
such treatment
Expenditure shall be excluded from the
perquisite only to the extent permitted by
RBI
Family for this perquisite means:
1. the spouse and children of the individual; and
2. the parents, brothers and sisters of the individual or any one of them wholly or mainly
dependent on the individual.
Motor Car –
Taxable value of perquisite in respect of car is computed in three steps:
Step 1: Check the ownership of car
Step 2: Check who incurs the running and maintenance expenditure of car
Step 3: Check the use of car
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Chart for computing the value of motor car
Ownership EmployEE EmployER
Expenses Employee EmployER EmployER Employee
Official use
Not a
perquisite
No value provided a few conditions are satisfied§
Private use Actual expenditure of the employer XX
Less: Amount recovered from the employee XX
XXX
Official
as well as
personal
use
Actual expenditure
of the employer
Less: Official expense
1,800/ m [≤ 1.6 ltr.]
or 2,400/ m [> 1.6 ltr.]
plus 900/ m [if driver is
provided]
OR
Higher amount (if
log book is
maintained)
Less: Amount recovered
from the employee
1,800/ m
[≤ 1.6 ltr.]
or 2,400/ m
[> 1.6 ltr.]
plus 900/ m
[if driver is
provided]
Note: Amount
recovered is not
deductible
600/ m
[≤ 1.6 ltr.]
or 900/ m
[> 1.6 ltr.]
plus 900/ m
[if driver is
provided]
Note: Amount
recovered is not
deductible
Note:
1. If car is owned by the employer which is used for official as well as personal use and
expenses for personal purpose are incurred by the employee, perquisite value will be
done according to the provision given in this column.
2. Amount recovered from the employee is never deducted in case of car owned by the
employer and the car is used for official as well as personal purpose.
§ Conditions to be satisfied if car is used for official purposes:
Where the employer or the employee claim that the motor-car is used wholly and exclusively
in the performance of official duty, the following two conditions should be satisfied –
1. The employer has maintained complete details of journey undertaken for official
purpose which may include date of journey, destination, mileage, and the amount of
expenditure incurred thereon.
2. The employer gives a certificate to the effect that the expenditure was incurred wholly
and exclusively for the performance of official duties.
It is to be noted that the above two conditions should also be satisfied if a car is owned by the
employee, expenses are incurred or reimbursed by the employer and the employee claims that
the expenses for official purposes is more than Rs. 1,800 per month (or Rs. 2,400 per month
if cc rating of car exceeds 1,600 cc).
Notes –
1. Month: ‘Month’ means complete month and a part of the month is left out of consideration.
2. The use of motor car by an employee for the purpose of going from his residence to the
place where the duties of employment are to be performed or from such place back to his
residence, is not chargeable to tax.
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3. Where two or more cars are owned or hired by the employer and maintenance and running
expenses are also met or reimbursed by the employer, and the employee (or any member of
his household) are allowed the use of such motor-cars (or all or any of such motor-cars)
(otherwise than wholly and exclusively in the performance of his duties), in such a situation
any one car (as selected by the employee) will be treated as used partly for official and
private purposes and others would be assumed as used wholly for private purposes for the
purpose of valuation of perquisite of car.
Free transport provided by a transport undertaking to its employees –
The value of this perquisite is equal to the value at which such benefit is offered by the
employer to the public minus amount recovered from the employee.
However, nothing is chargeable to tax in the hands of employees of railways/ airlines.
Any other benefit or amenity –
It covers any other benefit or amenity, service, right or privilege provided by the employer
and it is applicable to all employees. However, it does not cover the following –
1. Perquisites already discussed above
2. Telephone/ mobile phones
Value of such perquisites shall be determined on the basis of cost to the employer under an
arm’s length transaction as reduced by the employee’s contribution, if any.
DEDUCTIONS FROM SALARY
Deductions from salary are given in section 16. There are two deductions available from
gross salary –
1. Entertainment Allowance [Sec. 16(ii)]
2. Professional tax [Sec. 16(iii)]: Professional tax or tax on employment, levied by a State
under article 276 of the Constitution, is allowed as deduction. Deduction is available only in
the year in which professional tax is paid. If the professional tax is paid by the employer on
behalf of an employee, it is first included in the salary of the employee as a “perquisite” and
then the same is allowed as deduction on account of “professional tax” from gross salary.
It is to be noted that there is no monetary ceiling under the Income-tax Act. Under article 276
of the Constitution, a State Government cannot impose more than Rs. 2,500 per annum as
professional tax. However, under the Income-tax Act, whatever professional tax is paid
during the previous year is deductible.
Example:
Mr. X has received offers from companies of Delhi for service as under:
Offer A (Rs.) Offer B (Rs.)
Basic Salary 5,00,000 2,50,000
House Rent Allowance ---- 48,000
Travelling allowance
(for coming to office from residence and back) ---- 19,200
Contribution to approved superannuation fund by
the employer ---- 1,70,000
Mobile phone ---- 12,800
Total 5,00,000 5,00,000
Additional information:
a. His qualifying savings under section 80C will be Rs. 50,000.
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b. He will pay house rent Rs. 6,500 p.m.
c. He needs a mobile phone for private purposes.
Which offer should he accept and why? Further, is there any gain to the employer in case of
offer ‘B’? The rate of tax for the employer is 30% + surcharge @ 7% + Education cess @ 3%
= 33.063%.
Solution:
Since the topic is concerned with planning, assessment year 2017-18 has been applied.
Computation of taxable income and tax liability of Mr. X for the assessment year 2017-18:
Particulars Offer A (Rs.) Offer B (Rs.)
Salary 5,00,000 2,50,000
HRA received 48,000
Less: Exempt 48,000
Least of the following is exempt:
a. HRA received is Rs. 48,000
b. Rent paid – 10% of salary (78,000 – 10% of
2,50,000) i.e., 53,000
c. 50% of Rs. 2,50,000 i.e., 1,25,000
NIL
Travelling allowance (exempt up to 1,600 per
month)
NIL
Contribution to approved superannuation fund
(1,70,000 – 1,50,000)
20,000
Mobile phones Exempt
Gross total income 5,00,000 2,70,000
Less: Deduction under section 80C 50,000 50,000
Less: Deduction under section 80GG
Least of the following is exempt:
a. 60,000
b. Rent paid – 10% of total income (78,000 – 10%
of 4,50,000) i.e., 33,000
c. 25% of 4,50,000 i.e., 1,12,500
33,000
Net taxable income 4,17,000 2,20,000
Tax on NTI 16,700 Nil
Less: Rebate under section 87A 5,000 Nil
11,700 Nil
Add: Cess @ 3% 351 Nil
Net tax payable (Rounded off) 12,050 Nil
Conclusion: It is better to accept offer B since tax liability is less.
Computation of gain/ loss to employer:
Offer A (Rs.) Offer B (Rs.)
Total remuneration 5,00,000 5,00,000
Less: Tax saved @ 33.063% 1,65,315 1,65,315
Net burden 3,34,685 3,34,685
There is a neither any gain nor any loss to the employer in any case.
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Example:
Mrs. Z is employed in Indian Airlines on a monthly salary of Rs. 25,000 p.m. and is in receipt
of the following allowances:
a. Split duty allowance Rs. 500 p.m.
b. Lunch allowance Rs. 500 p.m.
c. Regularity allowance Rs. 600 p.m.
d. Transport allowance Rs. 1,600 p.m.
e. Outstation allowance Rs. 4,000 p.m.
f. Overtime allowance Rs. 1,000 p.m.
g. Servant allowance Rs. 500 p.m.
h. Deputation allowance Rs. 400 p.m.
i. Special compensatory (Tribal Areas) allowance Rs. 250 p.m.
Compute the gross salary of Mrs. Z for the assessment year 2017-18.
Solution:
Computation of gross salary of Mrs. Z for the assessment year 2017-18:
Particulars Amount (Rs.)
Basic salary 3,00,000
Split duty allowance 6,000
Lunch allowance 6,000
Regularity allowance 7,200
Transport allowance (Exempt up to Rs. 1,600 per month) NIL
Outstation allowance 48,000
Less: Exempt 70% of 48,000 or 10,000 p.m. whichever is less 33,600
14,400
Overtime allowance 12,000
Servant allowance 6,000
Deputation allowance 4,800
Tribal area allowance (Exempt upto Rs. 200 per month) 600
Gross salary 3,57,000
Example:
A Ltd. has offered you a job in Delhi at a basic salary of Rs. 15,000 per month and an option
to choose any one of the following two packages:
Package I Package II
1. HRA Rs. 4,500 per month
(Rent to be paid Rs. 4,500 per month)
Company owned unfurnished
accommodation
(F.R.V. Rs. 54,000 per annum)
2. Education allowance Rs. 400 per month
(for one child)
Education facility for one child in an
institution owned by employer valued at Rs.
300 per month
3. Telephone allowance Rs. 1,500 per
month
Free telephone facility at residence upto
Rs.1,000 per month
4. Medical allowance Rs. 2,000 per month Medical reimbursement upto Rs. 24,000 per
annum
5. Conveyance allowance Rs. 1,500 per
month (for private use)
Motor car facility for private use with
expenditure valued at Rs. 18,000
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The company also offers the services of watchman, sweeper and gardener in both the above
packages. The salary of each is Rs. 500 per month. Which package will you choose so that
your tax liability is minimized?
Solution:
Calculation of salary in case Package I is chosen:
Amount (Rs.)
Basic salary 1,80,000
HRA (4,500 – 3,000)*12 18,000
Education allowance (400 - 100)*12 3,600
Telephone allowance 18,000
Medical allowance 24,000
Conveyance allowance 18,000
Sweeper etc. [500*3*12] 18,000
Taxable salary 2,79,600
Calculation of salary in case Package II is chosen:
Amount (Rs.)
Basic salary 1,80,000
RFA (15% of 1,80,000) 27,000
Education facility (exempt as less than 1,000) ----
Telephone facility exempt
Medical facility (24,000 – 15,000) 9,000
Motor car 18,000
Sweeper etc. [500*3*12] 18,000
Taxable salary 2,52,000
Conclusion: Here, package II is better.
It is assumed that gardener is not provided along with the rent free unfurnished
accommodation.
Example:
Mrs. ‘X’ is offered an employment by ABC Ltd. at a basic salary of Rs. 24,000 p.m. Other
allowances according to rules of the company are:
Dearness allowance: 18% of basic pay (not forming part of the salary), bonus one month’s
basic pay, project allowance: 6% of basic pay.
The company gives Mrs. X an option either to take a rent-free unfurnished accommodation at
Bhopal for which the company would directly bear the rent of Rs. 15,000 p.m. or to accept a
house rent allowance of Rs. 15,000 p.m. and to find out own accommodation. If Mrs. X opts
for H.R.A., she will have to pay Rs. 15,000 p.m. as rent. Which one of the two options should
be opted by Mrs. X in order to minimize her tax bill?
Will it make any difference to her choice if Dearness Allowance forms part of salary for
long-term benefits?
Solution:
Computation of salary income for both the offers for the assessment year 2017-18:
Particulars Offer A
(RFA) [Rs.]
Offer B
(HRA) [Rs.]
Basic salary (24,000*12) 2,88,000 2,88,000
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DA (18% of 2,88,000) 51,840 51,840
Bonus 24,000 24,000
Project Allowance (6% of 2,88,000) 17,280 17,280
RFA [15% of (2,88,000 + 24,000 + 17,280) or
lease rent of Rs. 1,80,000 whichever is lower]
49,392 ----
HRA Received 1,80,000
Less: Exempt 1,15,200
Least of the following is exempt:
a. 40% of 2,88,000 i.e., 1,15,200
b. HRA received i.e., 1,80,000
c. Rent paid – 10% of salary i.e., 1,80,000 – 10% of
2,88,000 = 1,51,200
---- 64,800
Gross salary 4,30,512 4,45,920
Less: Deduction under section 16 NIL NIL
Net taxable salary 4,30,512 4,45,920
Conclusion: Mrs. X should, therefore, opt for rent free house.
If dearness allowance forms part of salary for long-term benefits;
Particulars Offer A
(RFA) [Rs.]
Offer B
(HRA) [Rs.]
Basic salary (24,000*12) 2,88,000 2,88,000
DA (18% of 2,88,000) 51,840 51,840
Bonus 24,000 24,000
Project Allowance (6% of 2,88,000) 17,280 17,280
RFA [15% of (2,88,000 + 51,840 + 24,000 +
17,280) or lease rent of Rs. 1,80,000, whichever is
lower]
57,168 ----
HRA Received 1,80,000
Less: Exempt 1,35,936
Least of the following is exempt:
a. 40% of 3,39,840 i.e., 1,35,936
b. HRA received i.e., 1,80,000
c. Rent paid – 10% of salary i.e., 1,80,000 – 10% of
3,39,840 = 1,44,016
44,064
Gross salary 4,38,288 4,25,184
Less: Deduction under section 16 NIL NIL
Net taxable salary 4,38,288 4,25,184
Conclusion: In this situation, Mrs. X should opt for house rent allowance.
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LESSON -8
(a) Tax Planning with Reference to Sale of Scientific Research Assets
(b) Tax Planning with Reference to Receipt of Insurance Compensation
(c) Tax Planning with Reference to Distribution of Assets at the
Time of Liquidation
(a)Tax Planning with reference to Sale of Assets used for Scientific Research
8 STRCUTURE
8.1 Sale of Assets Used for Scientific Research
8.1 SALE OF ASSETS USED FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
If an assessee purchases an asset for scientific research related to its business, the
expenditure incurred is deductible during the previous year in which it is incurred. If such
asset ceases to be of any use for scientific research purposes, the assessee can sell it or use it
in the business for some other purposes.
From tax planning point of view, we should consider whether it is beneficial to sell such asset
immediately or it should be sold after using it for some time in the business for some other
purposes. Following are the tax implications:
1. Sold the asset without having been used for other purposes:
Where the scientific research asset is sold off without having been used for other
purposes, then the net sale price or the cost of the asset, which was earlier allowed as
deduction under section 35, whichever is less, shall be treated as business income of
the previous year in which such asset is sold. Any excess1 of the sale price over cost
shall be subject to the provisions of the capital gains. This shall apply even if the
business is not in existence in that previous year.
2. Sold the asset after having been used for business:
Where the scientific research asset is used in the business after it ceases to be used for
scientific research, the actual cost of such asset to be included in the relevant block of
asset shall be taken as nil as the full amount has been allowed as deduction under
section 35. If this asset is later on sold, the money payable shall be deductible from
the block in which such asset was earlier included.
Example:
R purchased an asset for scientific research for Rs. 15,00,000 in the previous year 2008-09.
During the previous year 2015-16, the said asset ceased to be used for scientific research.
The following information is also submitted to you:
Amount (Rs.)
Profit from business before depreciation 5,00,000
WDV of BOA as on 01-04-2015 (15%) 10,00,000
The scientific research asset if used for business shall be eligible for depreciation @ 15%.
Compute the total income for the assessment year 2016-17, if the scientific research asset is
sold for Rs. 28,00,000 assuming:
a. It is sold without using for business; and
b. It is sold after using for business.
1 In case sale price does not exceed the cost of asset, provisions of capital gains does not apply.
128
Assume CII for 2008-09 is 582 and for 2015-16 is 1081.
Solution:
a. It is sold without using for business:
Amount (Rs.)
Business income 5,00,000
Less: Depreciation @ 15% on Rs. 10,00,000 1,50,000
3,50,000
Add: Profit on sale of scientific research asset
(to the extent of cost of asset) [U/S 41(3)] 15,00,000
Business income 18,50,000
Sale consideration 28,00,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition
(15,00,000/582*1081) 27,86,082
LTCG 13,918
GTI (PGBP + LTCG) 18,63,918
b. It is sold after using for business:
Business income 5,00,000
Less: Depreciation Nil
PGBP 5,00,000
Sale consideration 28,00,000
Less: WDV of the block on 01-04-2015 10,00,000
STCG [Sec. 50(1)] 18,00,000
GTI (PGBP + STCG) 23,00,000
Working note:
WDV on 01-04-2015 10,00,000
Add: Scientific research asset put to business use
[15,00,000 – 15,00,000 as deduction] Nil
10,00,000
Less: Sale price 10,00,000*
WDV on 31-03-2016 Nil
Therefore, depreciation is Nil
Example:
XYZ Ltd., a paper manufacturing concern, purchases a machine on March 1, 2006 for Rs.
6,10,000 for its laboratory with a view to improving the quality of art paper manufactured by
the company.
a. What will be the amount of deduction under section 35 on account of capital
expenditure of Rs. 6,10,000 for the assessment year 2006-07.
b. If the research activity for which the aforesaid machine is purchased ceases in 2014
and the machinery is brought into business proper on November 1, 2014 (market
129
value of the machine: Rs. 2,30,000); depreciation is admissible at the rate of 15 per
cent; depreciated value of the relevant block of assets on April 1, 2014 is Rs.
14,07,860, the scientific research machine is sold for Rs. 1,90,000 on April 4, 2015,
compute the following:
- what is the amount of chargeable profit under section 41(3) in assessment year
assessment year 2016-17.
- what will be the amount of depreciation for the assessment years 2014-15, 2015-
16, 2016-17 and 2017-18;
- what is the amount of capital gain in assessment year assessment year 2016-17.
c. If the research activity for which the machine was purchased ceases on November 1,
2014 (market value of the machine: Rs. 2,30,000) and the machine is sold on April 4,
2015 without using it for another purpose, sale price being Rs. 1,90,000, or Rs.
5,40,000, or Rs. 8,10,000 or Rs. 15,00,000. What will be the tax treatment for
different sale values?
The CII for 2005-06 is 497, 2014-15 is 1024 and for 2015-16 is 1081.
Solution:
a. As the scientific research is related to the business of the assessee, the whole of
capital expenditure of Rs. 6,10,000 is allowable as deduction under section 35(2)(ia)
for the assessment year 2006-07.
b. The machine is brought into business proper on November 1, 2014. In this case, profit
arising on sale of machinery is not chargeable under sub-section (3) of section 41.
Provision of sub-section (3) of section 41 would not apply as the section covers only
such assets which are represented by expenditure of capital nature on scientific
research that is sold without having being used for any other purpose.
Tax treatment of depreciation is given below:
(Rs.)
WDV on March 31, 2014 [14,07,860/85*100] 16,56,306
Less: Depreciation for the previous year 2013-14 (15%) 2,48,446
WDV on 01-04-2014 14,07,860
Add: Cost of machine transferred from laboratory on Nov. 1, 2014
[i.e., 6,10,000 – deduction of 6,10,000 claimed under section 35] Nil
WDV on 31-03-2015 14,07,860
Less: Depreciation for the previous year 2014-15 (15%) 2,11,179
WDV on April 1, 2015 11,96,681
Less: Sale proceeds of machine sold on April 4, 2015 1,90,000
WDV on 31-03-2016 10,06,681
Less: Depreciation for the previous year 2015-16 (15%) 1,51,002
WDV on 01-04-2016 8,55,679
Less: Depreciation for the previous year 2016-17 (15%) 1,28,352
WDV on 31-03-2017 7,27,327
There will be no capital gain or loss in the previous year 2015-16 in this case because
neither the block ceases to exist on March 31, 2016 nor WDV of the block on March
31, 2016 is Zero.
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c. Tax treatment should be as under:
Particulars Sale price (Rs.)
1,90,000 5,40,000 8,10,000 15,00,000
Amount chargeable under section 41(3)
[i.e., sale proceeds but subject to
maximum of deduction claimed under
section 35 for the assessment year
2006-07] as PGBP
1,90,000 5,40,000 6,10,000 6,10,000
Capital gain under section 45:
Sale proceeds 1,90,000 5,40,000 8,10,000 15,00,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition
(6,10,000/497*1081)
13,26,781 13,26,781 13,26,781 13,26,781
LTCG (11,36,781) (7,86,781) (5,16,781) 1,73,219
Question:
1. Explain the consequences, where the scientific research assets are sold without having
been used for other purposes.
(b)Tax Planning with Reference to Receipt of Insurance Compensation
RECEIPT of insurance compensation [Sec. 45(1A)]
Where any person receives at any time during the previous year any money or other asset
under any insurance from an insurer on account of damage to or destruction of, any capital
asset, as a result of:
a. flood, typhoon, hurricane, cyclone, earthquake, or other convulsion of nature; or
b. riot or civil disturbance; or
c. accidental fire or explosion; or
d. action by an enemy or action taken in combating an enemy (whether with or without a
declaration of war),
then, any profits or gains arising from receipt of such money or other asset shall be
chargeable to tax under the head “capital gains” in the year in which such money or other
asset is received.
For computing capital gains, the value of any money or the fair market value of asset
received on the date of receipt shall be deemed to be the full value of consideration received
or accruing as a result of the transfer of damaged asset.
Notes –
1. The capital asset should be insured.
2. The asset should be damaged or destroyed due to any reason mentioned in (a) to (d)
above.
3. Capital gain shall be deemed to be income/ loss of the previous year in which
compensation (money or other asset) is received. It means if the asset was destroyed
in 2010-11 but the compensation is received in 2015-16, the capital gain shall be
computed in previous year 2015-16. However, indexation of cost of acquisition will
be based on the index of the year in which the asset was damaged or destroyed.
131
4. Full value of consideration shall be the money received or the fair market value of
asset received from the insurer.
5. If an asset is not a capital asset under section 2(14), the compensation for loss of it,
shall not be liable to tax under section 45(1A). It will be treated as normal trading
receipt.
6. If an insured capital asset is destroyed and compensation is received from the insurer,
there will be capital gain even if no capital asset has been transferred.
7. If an uninsured capital asset is destroyed, the loss cannot be deducted under the head
“capital gains” since is no transfer of an asset.
Illustration:
From the following information, compute the capital gain chargeable to tax for the
assessment year 2016-17:
Amount (Rs.)
a. Residential house constructed on 10.06.2009,
the cost of construction excluding cost of land 3,60,000
b. House destroyed by fire on 15.04.2014
c. Compensation received on 20.12.2015 from the insurance company 8,00,000
d. CII for 2009-10: 632, for 2014-15: 1024 and for 2015-16: 1081.
Solution:
Computation of capital gains for the assessment year 2016-17:
Amount (Rs.)
Compensation received 8,00,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition
(3,60,000/632*1024) 5,83,291
LTCG 2,16,709
Illustration:
a. The written down value of the block of assets as on 01-04-2015 was Rs. 5,00,000. An
asset of the same block was acquired on 11-05-2015 for Rs. 3,00,000. There was a
fire on 18-09-2015 because of which assets were destroyed and the assessee received
a sum of Rs. 11,00,000 from the insurance company. Compute the capital gain
assuming:
i. All the assets were destroyed by fire.
ii. Part of the block was destroyed by fire.
b. What will be the answer if assessee received Rs. 6,00,000 from insurance company
and assume that:
i. All the assets were destroyed by fire.
ii. Part of the block was destroyed by fire.
Solution:
(a) (i) All the assets were destroyed by fire;
Sale consideration 11,00,000
Less: WDV on 01-04-2015 5,00,000
Asset acquired 3,00,000
STCG [50(2)] 3,00,000
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(ii) Part of the block was destroyed by fire:
Sale consideration 11,00,000
Less: WDV on 01-04-2015 5,00,000
Asset acquired 3,00,000
STCG [50(1)] 3,00,000
Here, the block will continue next year at nil value.
Calculation of WDV at the year-end:
WDV on 01-04-2015 5,00,000
Asset acquired 3,00,000
8,00,000
Sale consideration 8,00,000*
WDV on 31-03-2016 Nil
(b) (i) All the assets were destroyed by fire;
Sale consideration 6,00,000
Less: WDV on 01-04-2015 5,00,000
Asset acquired 3,00,000
STCG [50(2)] (2,00,000)
(ii) Here, neither section 50(2) is applicable nor section 50(1) is applicable.
Here, depreciation can be calculated as follows:
WDV on 01-04-2015 5,00,000
Add: Cost of asset acquired 3,00,000
8,00,000
Less: Sale consideration 6,00,000
WDV on 31-03-2016 2,00,000
Suppose rate of depreciation is 15%, then depreciation for the previous year
2015-16 will be 15% on Rs. 2,00,000 i.e., Rs. 30,000.
Question
1. Write a short note on receipt of insurance compensation in case of damage or
destruction of capital asset under section 45(1A).
(c)Tax Planning with Reference to Distribution of Assets
at the Time of Liquidation
DISTRIBUTION of assets at the time of liquidation of company [Sec. 46]
Where the assets of a company are distributed to its shareholders on its liquidation, such a
distribution is not regarded as a transfer of a capital asset by the company for purposes of
taxation.
Notes –
1. Whatever is distributed by the company at the time of its liquidation out of
accumulated profits, it is treated as deemed dividend under section 2(22)(c) and the
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company is liable to pay tax on it @ 20.358% as CDT under section 115-O for the
assessment year 2016-17 and thus, the amount received by a shareholder is exempt
from tax under section 10(34).
2. Taxation of capital gains in the hands of the shareholders in case of liquidation of
company [Sec. 46(2)]:
A shareholder is liable to tax on capital gains if he receives any money or other assets
from the company on its liquidation. The income chargeable in the hands of the
shareholders under the head “capital gains” would be in respect of the money so
received or the market value of the assets on the date of distribution as reduced by the
amount of notional dividends under section 2(22)(c) (the proportion of distribution
attributable to the accumulated profit) and the amount so arrived at would be further
reduced by the cost of acquisition of the share. The amount, thus, ascertained would
be chargeable to tax as capital gains.
Where the payment is made by the liquidator in installments to registered
shareholders, the entire cost of the shares is deductible from the first installment of the
amount received.
3. The value of asset [even not an asset under section 2(14)] received on liquidation of a
company by a shareholder is assessable under section 46(2).
4. Extinguishment of the right of a shareholder amounts to transfer for the purposes of
section 48. Hence, where the receipt is ‘nil’ on the date of distribution on the
liquidation of the company, the case of such shareholder would fall under section
46(2). The deemed full value of consideration for the purpose of section 48 would be
regarded as ‘nil’ and on that basis the income chargeable to tax (in this case loss)
under the head ‘capital gains’ would have to be computed under section 48.
5. The capital gains on transfer of shares in case of liquidation of company shall not be
exempt under section 10(38), as shareholders are not supposed to pay STT in case of
liquidation of the company.
6. Cost of acquisition of an asset acquired on distribution of capital assets of a company
on its liquidation:
Where the capital asset became the property of the assessee on the distribution of the
capital asset of a company on its liquidation and the assessee has been assessed to
income tax under the head “capital gains” in respect of that asset under section 46(2),
the cost of acquisition to him shall be the fair market value of the asset on the date of
distribution.
Where the assessee was not charged to tax under section 46(2) on the basis of market
value of the asset received at the time of liquidation of the company, the cost of
acquisition to the assessee will be the cost to the previous owner for computation of
capital gains at the time of transfer of such asset.
7. In determining whether the capital gain is short term or long term, the period
subsequent to the date on which the company goes into liquidation shall not be
considered.
Example:
From the following information, compute the amount of capital gains under section 46(2) for
the assessment year 2016-17:
a. The shareholder holds 20% of the total shares in the company under liquidation.
b. Indexed cost of acquisition of shares Rs. 1,75,000.
c. Received assets worth Rs. 4,00,000 on its liquidation.
d. Accumulated profits of the company before distribution Rs. 6,01,790.
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Solution:
Assessment year 2016-17
Amount received 4,00,000
Less: Deemed dividend [2(22)(c)]
20% of (6,01,790 – Tax of 1,01,790) 1,00,000
3,00,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition 1,75,000
Long term capital gain 1,25,000
Corporate dividend tax = 1,01,790 [601,790/120.358* 20.358]
Question
1. When can a company claim exemption regarding capital gains on distribution of assets
at the time of its liquidation?
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LESSON 9
Double Taxation Relief, Provisions Regulating Transfer Pricing
9. STRUCTURE
9.1 Introduction of International Taxation
9.2 Double Tax Avoidance
9.3 Double Taxation Relief
9.4 Bilateral Relief
9.5 Bilateral Relief may be Granted by one of the following two Methods
9.6 Unilateral Relief u/s 91
9.7 Transfer Pricing
9.8 Transfer Pricing Provisions in India
9.9 Arm’s Length Price (ALP)
9.10 Associated Enterprises (Section 92 A)
9.11 Deemed Associated Enterprises
9.12 Conditions for Applicability of Arm’s Length Price in the International Transaction
9.13 Specified Domestic Transactions
9.14 Methods of Determination of ALP
9.15 Reference to Transfer Pricing Offer
9.16 Determination of Arm’s Length Price by Transfer Pricing Officer
9.17 Procedure of Computation of Arm’s Length Price by Transfer Pricing Officer (TPO)
9.18 Rectification of Arm’s Length Price Order by Transfer Pricing Officer
9.19 Maintenance, Keeping of Informations and Documents by Persons Entering into
International Transatcions
9.20 Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) [Section 92CC and 92 CCD]
9.21 Calculation of Arm’s Length Price Under Advance Pricing Agreement
9.22 Validity of Advance Pricing Agreement
9.23 Parties Bound by Advance Pricing Agreement
9.24 Void Advance Pricing Agreement
9.25 Effect of Void Agreement
9.26 Procedure of APA
9.27 Modified Return
9.28 Asessment under APA
Double Taxation Relief
9.1 INTRODUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL TAXATION.
After the liberalization of Indian economy and easing of restrictions on the entry of foreign
entities, cross border business transactions have increased. With the ratification of WTO by
the Government of India, our economy has become robust and an atmosphere has sprang up
where FII investments in India have increased tremendously. All these economic activities
has ramifications for tax laws of the country. Issues like tax havens, transfer pricing, double
taxation, WTO, F, etc. are required to be taken care of and have become part and parcel of
international taxation regime.
With the acceptance of the WTO regime India has embarked on the policy of market reforms
and merging with the international business community by providing market access to the
overseas investor with zero or qualitatively lesser restrictions.
136
In the context of international taxations, including cross border-investments, eliminated
double taxation become an important consideration in doing business in India and abroad
specially with the double taxation aspect became omnipresent in relations to transitions
involving cross border investments with those foreign entities belonging to those countries
with which India doesn't have double taxation avoidance agreements.
To overcome difficulties faced by investors from countries, India in recent years entered into
Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with many countries. Section 91 of the
Income Tax Act deals with unilateral relief given to the concerned persons of the foreign
countries with whom India does not have DTAA under section 90 of the Act deals with
general aspect concerning bilateral relief,
Another way of resolving dispute relating to taxes involving international transaction is
through Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) in regard to those categories of disputes where
there are no DTAA. In order to reduce the misuse of tax havens, some countries have started
the concept of CFC (controlled foreign corporations) to deal with the problems of tax
evasion. There are nil tax haven destinations as well as low tax haven destinations.
In cases of double taxation the parties can get relief either through unilateral measures or
bilateral measures or under adjudication by judiciary or through commercial arbitration.
Section 90 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 deals with agreements entered by Government of
India with Government of other countries. Section 91 deals with provisions relating to those
issues for which India does not have any formal agreements with Government of other
countries, regarding avoidance of double taxation. Section 90A relates to granting to
permissions to 'specified association'-through official Gazette notification to enter into
agreement with foreign Government in regard to giving of relief for double taxation.
9.2 DOUBLE TAX AVOIDANCE
The situation of double taxation will arise where the income gets taxed in two or more than
two countries whether due to residence or source principle as the case may be. The problem
of double taxation arises if the income of a person is taxed in one country on the basis of
residence and on the basis of source in another country or on the basis of both. To mitigate
the double taxation of income the provisions of double taxation relief were made. The double
taxation relief is available in two ways one in unilateral relief and other is bilateral relief.
Government of India can enter into agreement with a foreign government vide Entry 14 of
the Union List regarding any matter provided Parliament verifies it. Double Tax Avoidance
Agreement is a kind of bilateral treaty or agreement, between Government of India and any
other foreign country or specified territory outside India. Such treaty or agreement or
agreement is permissible in terms of Article 253 of the Constitution of India.
In pursuance of Section 90, agreements for grant of relief on double taxation and agreement
for avoidance of double taxation are executed by the Government of India from time to time
Some of the countries with which such agreements are in force are: Canada, Korea, New
Zealand, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Belgium, Sri Lanka, Swiss Federal Council, Sweden,
Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, Norway, Japan, The Federal Republic of Germany,
Republic of Austria, Greece, Romania, Republic of Lebanon, United Arab Republic, French
Republic, Iran, Libya, Malaysia, Singapore, Tanzania, Zambia, Australia, Bulgaria, Ethiopia,
Italy, Kuwait, USA, USSR etc.
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9.3 Double Taxation Relief
Double taxation means taxation of same income of a person in more than one country. This
results due to countries following different rules for income taxation. There are two main
rules of income taxation i.e. (a) Source of income rule and (b) residence rule.
As per source of income rule, the income may be subject to tax in the country where the
source of such income exists (i.e. where the business establishment is situated or where the
asset/property is located) whether the income earner is a resident in that country or not. On
the other hand, residence rule stipulates that power to tax should rest with that country in
which tax payer resides. In other words, the income earner may be taxed on the basis of his
residential status in that country. For example if a person is resident of a country, he may
have to pay tax on any income earned outside that country as well.
Thus problem of double taxation arises if a person is taxed in respect of any income on the
basis of source of income rule in one country and on the basis of residence in another country
or on the basis of mixture of above two rules.
In India, the liability under the Income-tax Act arises on the basis of the residential status of
the assessee during the previous year. In case the assessee is resident in India, he also has to
pay tax on the income which accrues or arises outside India, and also received outside India.
The position in many other countries may be broadly similar, it frequently happens that a
person may be found to be a resident in more than one country or that the same item of his
income may be treated as accruing, arising or received in more than one country with the
result that the same item becomes liable to tax in more than one country.
Relief against such happening can be provided mainly by two methods (a) Bilateral relief, (b)
Unilateral relief.
9.4 Bilateral relief
The Government of two countries can enter into Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
(DTAA's) so that the same income may not be taxed twice. DTAA's lay down the rule of
taxation of the income by the source country and the residence country. Such rules are laid
for various categories of income, for example interest, dividend, royalties, capital gains,
business income, salary income etc. Each such category is dealt with by separate article in
DTAA.
Thus DTAA's are entered into to provide relief against such Double Taxation, worked out on
the basis of mutual agreement between the two concerned sovereign countries. This may be
called a scheme of 'bilateral relief' as both concerned countries agree as to the basis of the
relief to be granted by either of them.
9.5 BILATERAL RELIEF MAY BE GRANTED BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
TWO METHODS-
(a) Exemption method: Where two countries agree that income from various specified
sources which are likely to be taxed in both the countries should either be taxed only
in one of them or that each of the two countries should tax only a particular specified
portion of the income so that there is no overlapping. Such an agreement will result in
a complete avoidance of double taxation of the same income in the two countries.
This is known as exemption method of relief.
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(b) Tax credit method: This method does not evolve any such scheme of single
taxability but merely provides that, if any item of income is taxed in both the
countries, the assessee should get relief in a particular manner. Under this method, the
assessee is liable to have his income taxed in both countries but is given a deduction,
from the tax payable by him in the country of residence, of a part of the taxes paid
by him thereon, in the source country usually the lower of the two taxes paid. This is
known as tax credit method of relief.
9.6 UNILATERAL RELIEF U/S 91:
Section 91 provides for the grant of unilateral relief in the case of resident taxpayers on
income which has suffered tax in India as well as in the country with which there is no
DTAA agreement.
The following requirement have to be satisfied order that an assessee is entitled to claim
deduction on the doubly taxed income:
(a) The assessee must have been resident in India in the relevant previous year ;
(b) Income must have accrued or arisen to him during that previous year outside India ;
(c) In respect of that income which accrued or arose outside India, he must have paid by
deduction or otherwise tax under the law in force in the foreign country.
The relief will be worked out as under:
1. First, ascertain the amount of doubly taxed income. It consists such income which has
accrued or arisen to the taxpayer in a foreign country and has been subjected to
income-tax in that country as well as in India. It however, does not include income
which is deemed to have accrued or arisen to the taxpayer in India, even though it has
been charged to income-tax in a foreign country.
2. On the amount of that doubly taxed income so ascertained, income-tax calculated at
the Indian rate of tax and the rate of tax of the foreign country. The foreign tax rate
has to be calculate separately for each county.
3. Relief is granted by allowing to the taxpayer a deduction from the tax liability of an
amount equal to the tax calculated at the average Indian rate of tax or the amount of
tax calculated at the rate of tax of the foreign country on the doubly taxed income,
whichever is lower. For example, if out of income of Rs. 4,80,000 deduction of Rs.
40,000 is allowed under section 80 in computing the total income, the assessee will be
entitled to the double taxation relief under section 91 only in respect of Rs. 440000
which has been subject to income-tax India.
Therefore we can say that double taxable relief in the case of no agreement with the foreign
country is allowed unilaterally u/s 91. If a person has earned income outs India in a country
haring no agreement under Section 90 for the relief or avoidance of double taxation and he
proves that he has paid income tax by way of deduction or otherwise under the law in force in
that country in respect of the income so included he shall be entitled to a deduction from the
India income tax payable by him of a sum calculate on such taxed income so included at the
average Indian income tax rate or the average foreign tax rate whichever is lower or at the
Indian rate of tax it both the rates are equal.
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Example:
Mr. Rajeev an individual, resident of India in the previous year receive professional fees of
Rs. 1,70,000 on 7th August 2015 and Rs. 2,55,000 on 15th March 2016 for rendering services
in Pakistan on Which TDS of Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 45,000 had been deducted respectively. He
incurred Rs. 2,60,000 as expenditure for earning this fees. He paid Rs. 90,000 towards PPF.
His Income from other sources in India is Rs. 2,60,000. Compute Tax liability & relief under
section 91.
Solution:
Computation of Relief section 91 of Mr. Rajeev
For the Assessment Year 2016-17
1. Computation of tax liability of Mr. Rajeev as per the Income Tax Act, 1961
Rs. Rs.
Income under the head business & profession: 5,00,000
Less: Expenditure incurred 2,60,000 2,40,000
Income from other sources 2,60,000
Gross Total income 5,00,000
Less: Deduction u/s 80C: PPF 90,000,
Total Income 4,10,000
Tax on Rs. 4,10,000 16,000
Less: Rebate under section 87A1 (2,000)
Net Tax 14,000
Net Tax including cess 14,420
Less: Relief u/s 91 (8,441)
Tax Payable (rounded off) 5980
Computation of relief u/s 91
Double Taxed Income = Rs. 2,40,000
Total Income in India = Rs. 4,10,000
Tax on total income in India = Rs. 14,420
Tax paid in foreign country = Rs. 75,000
Total income assessed in foreign country = Rs. 5,00,000
(a) Tax in India on such doubly taxed income in foreign country: 14,420×2,40,000
4,10,000 × = Rs. 8,441
(b) Tax on such doubly taxed income in foreign country: Rs. 75000
Relief u/s 91 will be lower of (a) or (b) above i.e. Rs. 8,441
Example:
Mr. Ram, a resident of India, provides you the following particulars of his income for the
assessment year 2016-17
Rs.
(1) Interest on Government Securities 25,000
(2) Income form House Property (Computed) 45,000
(3) Business Income 4,40,000
(4) Income from a foreign country with which no agreement
for relief or avoidance of double taxation exists
1,00,000
(5) Income tax paid on foreign income Compute the amount
of income tax payable in India.
20,000
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Solution:
Computation of Total Income
for the Assessment Year 2016-17
Rs.
Interest on securities 25,000
Income from House Property 45,000
Business income 4,40,000
Foreign income 1,00,000
Gross Total Income 6,10,000
Deduction Nil
Total Income 610000
Computation of Tax Payable
for the assessment year 2016-17
Rs.
Income tax on Rs. 6,10,000 47,000
Add : Surcharge Nil
47,000
Add : Education cess @ 3% 1,410
Total
Less Relief on foreign income at Indian rate of tax or
foreign rate of tax, whichever is lower 48,410×1,00,000
6,10,000i.e., Rs. 7,936 or Rs. 20,000, whichever is less
Tax Payable
48410
7,936
40,747
9.7 TRANSFER PRICING
In the present age of globalization, diversification and expansion, most of the companies are
working under the umbrella of group in diversified fields/sectors leading to large number of
transactions between related parties. Related party transaction means the transaction between/
among the parties which are associated by reason of common control, common ownership or
other common interest.
The mechanism for accounting, the pricing for these related transactions is called Transfer
pricing.
Transfer Price refers to the price of goods/service which is used in accounting for transfer of
goods or services from one responsibility centre to another or from one company to another
associated company. Transfer price affects the revenue of transferring division and cost of
receiving division. As a result, the profitability, return on investment and managerial
performance evaluation of both divisions are also affected.
Example
Hero & Companies is a group Companies engaged in diversified business. One of its
units i.e. Unit X is engaged in manufacturing of automotive batteries. Another Unit Y is
engaged in manufacturing of Trucks. Unit X is supplying automotive batteries to Unit Y.
In such cases transfer price mechanism can be used to account for the transfer of
automotive batteries.
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9.8 TRANSFER PRICING PROVISIONS IN INDIA
Increasing participation of multi-national groups in economic activities in India has given rise
to new and complex issues emerging from transactions entered into between two or more
enterprises belonging to the same group. Hence, there was a need to introduce a uniform and
internationally accepted mechanism of determining reasonable, fair and equitable profits and
taxes in India. Accordingly, the Finance Ac, 2001 introduced law of transfer pricing in India
through Sections 92 to 92F of the Income Tax Act, 1961 which guides computation of the
transfer price and suggests detailed documentation procedures. Year 2012 brought a big
change in transfer pricing regulations in India whereby government extended the applicability
of transfer pricing regulations to specified domestic transactions which are enumerated in
Section 92BA. This would help in curbing the practice of transferring profit from a taxable
domestic zone to tax free domestic zone. The fundamental of transfer pricing provision is that
transfer price should represent the arm's length price of goods transferred and services
rendered from one unit to another unit.
9.9 ARM'S LENGTH PRICE (ALP)
In general arm's length price means fair price of goods transferred or services rendered. In
other words, the Arm's Lenth price should represent the price which could be charged from
an independent party in uncontrolled conditions. Arm's length price calculation is very
important for a company. In case the transfer price is not at arm's length, it may have
following consequences.
(a) Wrong performance evaluation
(b) Wrong pricing of final product (In case where the goods/services are used in the
manufacturing of final product)
(c) Non compliances of applicable laws and thus attraction of penalty provisions.
The same may be explained with the following three examples.
Company A and Company B is working under the common umbrella of AB & Company.
Company A manufactures a product which is raw material for Company B.
Case Criteria Effect on Company A Effect on Company B
1. Company A
charges price
more than the
Arm's length
price from
Company B
The revenue of
company A will
increase.
The total cost of company B will
increase. The will result into
wrong pricing of its product
which may further lead to non-
competitiveness of its product
2. Company A
charges price
less than the
Arm's from
company B
The revenue of
company parent
company A will
decrease and may
close the company A
treating it as loss
making entity.
The total cost of company B will
decrease. Therefore, the company
B may charge lower price which
may lead to loss.
3. Company A
charges Arm's
Length price
from Company
The revenue of
company A will be
representing true and
fair view of its
Company B will be paying the
price as equivalent to market
price of Company A product and
its cost will be correct. On the
142
B operation basis of the cost arrived after
considering the arm's length price
of company A product, company
B will be able to take correct
price decision.
9.10 ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISES (SECTION 92 A)
"The concept of associated enterprises and international transaction are very important
"Associated enterprise", (AE) in relation to another enterprise, means an enterprise-
(a) Which participates, directly or indirectly, in the management or control or capital of
the other enterprise; or
(b) In respect of which one or more person who participate, directly or indirectly, in the
management or control or capital of the other enterprise. Thus, from above definition
we may understand that the basic criterion to determine an Associated enterprise is
the participation in management, control or capital (ownership) of one enterprise by
another enterprise whereby the participation may be direct or indirect or through one
or more intermediaries.
9.11 DEEMED ASSOCIATED ENTERPRISES
As per Section 92A(2), two enterprises shall be deemed to be associated enterprises if, at any
time during the previous year-
(a) One enterprise holds, directly or indirectly, shares carrying not less than twenty-six
per cent of the voting powers in the enterprise; or
(b) Any person or enterprise holds, directly or indirectly, shares carrying not less than
twenty-six per cent of the of the voting power in each of such enterprise; or
(c) A loan advanced by one enterprise to the other enterprise constitutes not less than
fifty-one per cent of the book value of the total assets of the other enterprise; or
(d) One enterprise guarantees not less than ten per cent of the total borrowings of the
other enterprise; or
(e) More than half of the board directors or executive members of the governing board, or
one or more executive directors or executive member of the governing board of one
enterprise, are appointed by the other enterprise; or
(f) More than half of the directors or members of the governing board, or one or more
executive directors or members of the governing board, of each of the two enterprises
are appointed by the same person or persons; or
(g) The manufacture or processing of goods or articles or business carried out by one
enterprise is wholly dependent on the use of know-how, patents, copyrights, trade-
marks, licences, franchises or any other business or commercial rights of similar
nature, or any data, documentation, drawing or specification relating to any patent,
invention, model, design, secret formula or process, of which the other enterprise is
the owner or in respect or which the other enterprise has exclusive rights; or
(h) Ninety per cent or more of the raw materials and consumables required for the
manufacture or processing of goods or articles carried out by one enterprise, are
supplied by the other enterprise, or by persons specified by the other enterprise, and
the prices and other conditions relating to the supply are influenced by such other
enterprise: or
(i) The goods or articles manufactured or processed by one enterprise, are sold to the
other enterprise or to persons specified by the other enterprise, and the price and other
conditions relating thereto are influenced by such other enterprise; or
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(j) Where one enterprise is controlled by an individual, the enterprise is also controlled
by such individual or jointly by such individual and relative of such individual; or
(k) Where one enterprise is controlled by a Hindu undivided family, the other enterprise
is controlled by a member of such Hindu undivided family or by a relative of a
member of such Hindu undivided family or jointly by such member and relative of
such individual; or
(l) Where one enterprise is a firm, association of persons or body of individual, the other
enterprise holds not less than ten per cent interest in such firm, association of persons
or body of individuals; or
(m) There exists between the two enterprises, any relationship of mutual interest, as may
be prescribed.
In Brief, two enterprises will be deemed as Associated Enterprises as per fallowing criteria:
Quantum of Interest Criteria applied for Associated Enterprises
26% or more Shareholding with voting power either direct
or indirect
51% or more Advancement of loan by one entity to other
constituting percentage of the book value of
the total assets of the other entity.
51% or more The board of directors appointed in the
governing board of the entity in the other
90% or more The quantum of supply of raw materials and
consumables by one entity to the other.
10% or more Total borrowing guarantee by one enterprises
for other
10% or more Interest by a firm or Association of Person
(AOP) or by a Body of individuals (BOI) in
other firm AOP or BOI
9.12 CONDITIONS FOR APPLICABILITY OF ARM'S LENGTH PRICE IN THE
INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTION
The provisions under sections 92 to 92F have been enacted with an intention to provide
statutory framework which can lead to computation of reasonable, fair and equitable profit
and tax in India so that the profits chargeable to tax in India do not get diverted elsewhere by
altering the prices charged and paid in intra-group transactions leading to erosion of Indian
tax revenue. Any income arising from an international transactions shall be computed with
regard to arm's length price.
With effect from the assessment year 2013-14, section 92BA has been inserted to extend
transfer pricing provisions to a domestic transactions also.
The following conditions need to be satisfied for the applicability of the arm's length price in
the international transaction-
1. International transaction is subject to the arm's length price only in case of transaction
between two entities called associated enterprise. An enterprise would be regarded as
an associated enterprise of another enterprise, if-it participates, directly or indirectly,
or through one or more intermediaries, in the management or control or capital of the
other enterprise; or in respect of it one or more persons who participate, directly or
indirectly, or through one or more intermediaries, in its management or control or
144
capital, are the same persons who participate, directly or indirectly, or through one or
more intermediaries, in the management or control or capital of the other enterprise.
2. Two enterprises shall be deemed to be associated enterprises if the two enterprises
fall, at any time during the previous year, in any of the prescribed conditions stated
above. In addition, these provisions are applicable if there is complete dependency of
one enterprise on the other enterprise.
3. An international transaction should be carried out by the associated enterprise.
4. The transactions between an enterprise and another person is deemed as transactions
entered into between two associated enterprises if either there is a prior agreement in
relation to the relevant transaction between such other person and the associated
enterprise or the terms of the relevant transaction are determined in substance between
such other person and the associated enterprise.
9.13 SPECIFIED DOMESTIC TRANSACTIONS
Section 92BA has been inserted by finance act 2012 with effect from the assessment year
2013-14. It provides meaning of "specified domestic transaction" with reference to which the
income is computed under section 92 having regard to arm's length price. The following
transactions are covered within the meaning of "specified domestic transactions" if the
aggregate of these transactions entered into by the assessee in a previous year exceeds Rs. 20
crore.
(a) any expenditure in respect of which payment has been made or is to be made to be
made to a person referred to in section 40A(2)(b);
(b) any transaction referred to in section 80A;
(c) any transfer of goods or services referred to in section 80-IA(8);
(d) any business transacted between the assessee and other person as referred to in section
80-IA(10);
(e) any transaction referred to in any other section under Chapter VI-A or section 10AA,
to which provisions of section 80-IA(8)/(10) are applicable; or
(f) any other transaction as may be prescribed.
Any allowance for an expenditure or interest or allocation of any cost or expense or any
income in relation to the above domestic transactions shall be computed having regard to the
arm's length price. For this purpose, arm's length price shall be determined within the
parameters of sections 92 to 92F
9.14 METHODS OF DETERMINATION OF ALP.
Arm's length price can be computed by any the following methods:
(a) comparable uncontrolled price method; (CUPM)
(b) resale price method; (RPM)
(c) cost plus method; (CPM)
(d) profit split method; (PSM)
(e) Transactional and Net margin Method; (TNMM)
(f) such other method as may be prescribed by the (CBDT)
A. Comparable uncontrolled price method (CUP) – Under this method following
Procedure is adopted:
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(a) The price charged or paid for property transferred or services provided in a
comparable uncontrolled transaction, (i,e., a transaction between enterprises other
than associated enterprises whether resident or non-resident) or a number of such
transactions, is identified;
(b) Such price is adjusted to account for differences, if any, between the international
transaction and the comparable uncontrolled transactions or between the enterprises
entering entering into such transactions, which could materially affect the price in the
open market;
(c) The adjusted price arrived at under (b) is taken to be an arm's length price in respect
or the property transferred or services provided in the international transaction.
CUPM is applied when a price is charged for a product or service. This is essentially
comparison of prices charged for the property or services transferred in a controlled
transaction to a price charged for property or services transferred in a comparable
uncontrolled transaction. The essence of this method is the identification of an identical
transaction, in a situation where a price is charged for product or services between unrelated
parties.
B- Resale price method (RPM) is: The essence of this method.
(a) The price at which property purchased or services obtained by the enterprise from an
associated enterprise is resold or are provided to an unrelated enterprise, is identified;
(b) Such resale price is reduced by the amount of a normal gross profit margin accruing
to the enterprise or to an unrelated enterprise from the purchase and resale of the same
or similar property or from obtaining and providing the same or similar services, in a
comparable uncontrolled transaction, or a number of such transactions;
(c) The price so arrived at is further reduced by the expenses incurred by the enterprise in
connection with the purchase of property or obtaining of services;
(d) The price so arrive at is adjusted to take into account the functional and other
differences, including differences in accounting practices, if any, between the
international transaction and the comparable uncontrolled transactions, or between the
enterprises entering into such transaction which could materially affect the amount of
gross profit margin in the open market;
(e) The adjusted price arrived at under (d) above is taken to be an arm's length price in
respect of the purchase of the property or obtaining of the services by the enterprise
from the associated enterprise.
Example: A sold a machine to B (Associated enterprise) and in turn B sold the same machinery
to C (an independent party) at sale margin of 30% for Rs. 2,10,000 but without
making any additional expenses and change. Here arm's length price would be
calculated as
Sales price to C = Rs. 2,10,000
Gross Margin = 2,10,000 × 30% = Rs. 63,000
Arm's Lenth Prce = Rs. 1,47,000
Example:
A sold a machine to B (Associate enterprise) and in turn B sold the same machinery to
C (an independent party) at sale margin of 30% for Rs. 4,00,000 but B has incurred
Rs. 4000 in sending the machine to C. Here Arm's length price would be calculated as
Sales price to C = Rs. 4.00.000
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Gross Margin = Rs. 4,00,000 × 30% Rs. 1, 20,000
Balance = Rs. 2,80,000
Less : Expenses incurred by B : = Rs. 4,000
Arm's length price = Rs. 2,76,000
C- Cost Plus Method (CPM) – The essence of this method is:
(a) The direct and indirect costs of production incurred by the enterprise in respect of
property transferred or services provided to an associated enterprise, are determined;
(b) The amount of a normal gross profit mark-up to such costs (computed according to
the same accounting norms) arising from the transfer or provision of the same or
similar property of services by the enterprise, or by an unrelated enterprise, in a
comparable uncontrolled transaction, or a number of such transaction, or between, is
determined;
(c) The normal gross profit mark-up referred to in clause (b) is adjusted to take into
account the functional and other differences, if any, between the international
transaction and the comparable uncontrolled transactions, or between the enterprises
entering into such transaction, which could materially affect such profit mark-up in
the open market;
(d) The costs referred to in clause (a) increased by the adjusted profit mark-up arrived at
under clause (c)
(e) The sum so arrived at is taken to be an arm's length price in relation to the supply of
the property or provision of services by the enterprise.
This method is ordinarily used where some semi-finished goods are sold between related
parties or similar situations or in respect of joint facility agreements long-term buy and
supply arrangements of provisions of services, etc.
D- Profit Split Method (PSM) – This method is applicable mainly in international
transactions involving transfer of unique intangible or in multiple international transactions
which are so interrelated that they cannot be evaluated separately for the purpose of
determining the arm's length price of any one transaction. As per profit split method
following step are taken :
(a) The combined net profit of the associated enterprises from the international
transaction in which they are engaged, is determined;
(b) The relative contribution made by each of the associated enterprises to the earning of
such combined net profit, is then evaluated on the basis of the functions performed,
assets employed or to be employed and risks assumed by each enterprise and on the
basis of reliable external market data which indicates how such contribution would
be evaluated by unrelated enterprises performing comparable functions in similar
circumstances;
(c) The combined net profit is then split amongst the enterprises in proportion to their
relative contributions, as evaluated under clause (b)
(d) Profit thus apportioned to the assessee is taken into account to arrive at an arm's
length price in relation to the international transition.
E- Transactional Net Margin Method (TNMM)- According to transactional net margin
method following steps are taken to calculate ALP :
(a) The net profit margin realised by the enterprise from an international transaction
entered into with an associated enterprise is computed in relation to costs incurred or
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sales effected or assets employed or to be employed by the enterprise or having regard
to any other relevant base;
(b) The net profit margin realised by the enterprise or by an unrelated enterprise from a
comparable uncontrolled transaction or a number of such transactions is computer
having regard to the same base;
(c) The net profit margin referred to in (b) above arising in comparable uncontrolled
transactions is adjusted to take into account the differences, if any, between the
international transaction and the comparable uncontrolled transactions, or between the
enterprises entering into such transitions, which could materially affect the amount to
net profit margin in the open market;
(d) the net profit margin realised by the enterprise and referred to in clause (a) is
established to be the same as the net profit margin referred to in (c) above;
(e) The net profit margin thus established is then taken into account to arrive at an arm's
length price in relation to the international transaction.
Selection of Appropriate Method :
In selecting a most appropriate method, the following factors shall be taken into account as
per Rule 10C of Indian Income Tax Rules 1962;
(a) The nature and class of the international transaction.
(b) The class or classes of Associated Enterprises entering into the transaction and the
functions performed by them taking into account assets employed or to be employed
and risks assumed by such enterprises.
(c) The availability, coverage and reliability of data necessary for application of the
method.
(d) The degree of comparability existing between the international transaction and the
uncontrolled transaction and between the enterprises entering into such transaction.
(e) The extent to which to which reliable and accurate adjustments can be made to
account for differences, if any, between the international transaction and the
comparable uncontrolled transactions or between the enterprises entering into such
transactions.
(f) The nature, extent and reliability of assumptions required to be made in the
application of a method.
The starting point to select the most appropriate method is the functional analysis which is
necessary regardless of what transfer pricing method is selected. Each method may require a
deeper analysis focusing on aspects relating to various methods. The functions analysis helps
in the following.
I. To identify and understand the intra-group transactions;
II. To have a basis for comparability
III. To determine any necessary adjustments to the comparables;
IV. To check the accuracy of the method selected; and
V. To consider adaptation of the policy it the functions, risks or assets have been
modified.
There is no universally accepted method or model which describes the technique for choosing
a transfer pricing method. Traditionally comparable Uncontrolled Pricing Method, Profit
Split Method, Resale Price Methods are being used in transfer pricing. Other method as
TNMM may also be used after the functional analysis and global practices analysis.
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9.15 REFERENCE TO TRANSFER PRICING OFFICER
Section 92CA of Income Tax Act Deals Reference to the Transfer Pricing Officer by the
Assessing Officer. It provides that Assessing Officer with prior approval of the Principal
Commissioner or Commissioner may refer the computation of Arm's Length Price in an
International Transaction to transfer Pricing Officer if he considers it necessary or expedient
to do so. On reference by Assessing officer, Transfer Pricing officer (TPO) shall serve a
notice to the Assessee requiring him to produce the evidence in support of computation made
by him of Arm's Length Price in relation to an international transaction.
9.16 DETERMINATION OF ARM'S LENGTH PRICE BY TRANSFER PRICING
OFFICER
Transfer Pricing officer after hearing the evidences, information or documents as produced
by assessee and after considering such evidence as he may require on any specified points
and after taking into account all relevant materials which he has gathered, shall, by order in
writing, determine the arm's length price in relation to the international transaction/specified
transaction and send a copy of his order to the Assessing Officer and to the assessee.
On receipt of the order from Transfer Pricing officer, the Assessing officer shall proceed to
compute the total income of the assessee in conformity with the arm's length price as
determined by the Transfer Pricing Officer.
9.17 PROCEDURE OF COMPUTATION OF ARM'S LENGTH PRICE BY
TRANSFER PRICING OFFICER (TPO)
As per selection 92 (CA) the A.O. may refer the computation of arm's length price, with the
previous approval of the Commissioner, to the TPO. TPO means a Joint Commissioner or
Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner, authorised by the Board to perform all or
any of the functions of an A.O. specified in Secs. 92C and 92D in respect of any person or
class of persons.
Where a reference is made, the TPO shall serve a notice on the assessee to produce on a date
specified therein, any evidence on which the assessee may rely in support of the computation
made by him of the arm's Length price in relation to the international transaction. Keep the
TPO shall following in mind:
i. the evidence as the assessee may produce;
ii. any information or documents referred to in Sec. 92D()3;
iii. all relevant materials which he has gathered.
He will send a copy of the order to the A.O. and the assessee.
The TPO shall pass an order at least 60 days before the period of limitation referred to in Sec.
153/153B, for making the order of assessment or reassessment or recompilation or fresh
assessment, expires. The TPO shall determine the arm's length price keeping in view the
following:
On receipt of the order the A.O. will proceed to compute the total income of the assessee (u/s
92C(4)) in conformity with the arm's length price determined by the TPO. The TPO may
amend an order passed by him with a view to rectifying any apparent mistake keeping in
view the provisions of Sec. 154. Where an amendment is made by the TPO in his order, he
will send a copy of it to the A.O. who will thereafter proceed to amend the order of
assessment accordingly.
Penalty. Where an assessee enters into an international transaction (defined in Sec. 92B), any
amount is added or disallowed in computing the total income, then, the amount so added or
disallowed shall be deemed to represent the income in respect of which particulars have been
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concealed or inaccurate particulars have been furnished. A minimum 100% as maximum
300% penalty may be imposed of the amount of tax evaded.
9.18 RECTIFICATION OF ARM'S LENGTH PRICE ORDER BY TRANSFER
PRICING OFFICER
If any mistake is observed which is apparent from record, the Transfer Pricing Officer may
amend any order passed by him and the provisions of Section 154 for rectification of mistake
shall apply accordingly. Where any amendment is made by the Transfer Pricing Officer, he
shall send a copy of his order to the Assessing Officer who shall thereafter proceed to amend
the order of assessment in conformity with such order of the Transfer Pricing Officer.
9.19 MAINTENANCE, KEEPING OF INFORMATIONS AND DOCUMENTS BY
PERSONS ENTERING INTO INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS
(1) Every person who has entered into an international transactions shall keep and
maintain such informations and documents in respect thereof, as may be prescribed.
(2) The informations and documents shall be kept and maintained for a period of eight
years from the end of the relevant assessment year.
Penalty. If a person fails to keep and maintain any such information and document as
required (u/s 92D (1) or (2) the Assessing Officer or Commissioner (Appeals) may impose a
penalty, a sum equal to two percent of the value to each international transaction entered into
by him.
(3) The Assessing Officer or the Commissioner (Appeals) may, in the course of any
proceeding under this Act, require any person who has entered into an international
transaction to furnish any information or document in respect thereof, as may be
prescribed, within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of a notice issued in
this regard:
However, the Assessing Officer or the Commissioner (Appeals) may, on an application made
by such person, extend the period of thirty days by a further period not exceeding thirty days.
Penalty. If a person, who has entered into an international transaction, fails to furnish any
such information or document as required (u/s 92D(3) the Assessing Officer or the
Commissioner (Appeals) may impose a penalty on him, a sum equal to two per cent of the
value of the international transaction for each such failure.
Report form an accountant to be furnished by persons entering into international
transaction. Every person who has entered into an international transaction during a previous
year shall obtain a report from an accountant and furnish such report on or before the due
date of furnishing the return in the prescribed form (Form No. 3CEB) duly signed and
verified in the prescribed manner by such accountant and setting forth such particulars as may
be prescribed.
Penalty. If a person fails to furnish a report from an accountant relating to his international
transactions, the Assessing Officer may impose a penalty on him of Rs. 1,00,000
Note: No penalty shall be levied under aforesaid sections if the assessee proves that there was
reasonable cause for the said failure.
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Example 1:
A Ltd., an Indian company, sells computer monitor to its 100 per cent subsidiary X Ltd. in
United States @ $ 50 per piece. A Ltd. also sells its computer monitor to another company Y
Ltd. in United States @ $ 80 per piece. Total income of A Ltd. for the assessment year 2015-
16 is Rs. 12,00,000 which includes sales made for 100 computer monitors @ $ 50 to X Ltd.
Compute the arm's length price and taxable income of A Ltd. The rate of one dollar may be
assumed to the equivalent to Rs. 60
Solution
Computation of Arm's Length Price and
Taxable Income of A Ltd.
Arm's length price : 100×80×60 = Rs. 4,80,000
Rs.
Total Income 12,00,000
Add: Arm's length price 4,80,000
Less : Price charged 100×50×60 3,00,000
Taxable Income 13,80,000
9.20 ADVANCE PRICING AGREEMENT (APA) SEC. 92CC AND 92CCD
Advance Pricing Agreement is an agreement between taxpayer and a taxing authority on an
appropriate transfer pricing methodology for a set of transactions over a fixed period of time
in future. The APA offers better assurance on transfer pricing methods and are conducive in
providing certainty and unanimity of approach. Section 92CC and 92CD have been inserted
by the Finance Act, 2012 with effect from July 1,2012 to provide a framework for advance
pricing agreement under the Act. Section 92CC empowers the Board (with the approval of
the central Government) to enter into an advance pricing agreement, in relation to an
international transaction to be entered into by that person.
9.21 CALCULATION OF ARMS'S LENGTH PRICE UNDER ADVANCE PRICING
AGREEMENT
Arm's Length Price under Advance Pricing Agreement shall be calculated as per method
enumerated in section 92C (1) or any other method with such adjustment and variation as
may be necessary and expedient so to do.
Section 92 C (1) of Income Tax Act prescribes that the arm's length price in relation to an
international transaction shall by determined by any of the following methods, being the most
appropriate method, having regard to the nature of transaction or class of transaction or class
of associated persons or functions performed by such persons or such other relevant factors as
the Board may prescribe (see rule 10B) namely:-
(a) Comparable uncontrolled price method;
(b) Resale price method;
(c) Cost plus method;
(d) Profit split method;
(e) Transactional net margin method;
(f) Such other method as may be prescribed by the Board.
Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 92C or Section 92CA, if the Advance Pricing
Agreement has been entered between an assessee and Board in respect of one international
transaction, the arm's length price will be calculated as per the provisions of Advance Pricing
Agreement.
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9.22 VALIDITY OF ADVANCE PRICING AGREEMENT
The Advance Pricing Agreement shall be valid for a period as specified in the Advance
Pricing Agreement. However, this period will not be more than 5 consecutive years.
9.23 PARTIES BOUND BY ADVANCE PRICING AGREEMENT
Advance Pricing Agreement shall be binding on:
(a) the person in whose case, and in respect of the transaction in relation to which, the
agreement has been entered into; and
(b) on the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner, and the income-tax authorities
subordinate to him, in respect of the said person and the said transaction.
However the advance pricing agreement shall not be binding if there is a change in law or
facts having bearing on the agreement so entered.
9.24 VOID ADVANCE PRICING AGREEMENT
If an agreement has been obtained by fraud or misrepresentation or false documents it may be
declared void ab initio:
9.25 EFFECT OF VOID AGREEMENTS:
If an agreement in declared void;
(a) All the provisions of the Act shall apply of the person as if such agreement had never
been entered into; and
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Act, for the purpose of computing any
period of limitation under this Act, the period beginning with the date of such
agreement and ending on the date of order for declaring an Advance Pricing
Agreement void ab initio shall be excluded. Provided that where immediately after the
exclusion of the aforesaid period, the period of limitation, referred to in any provision
of this Act, is less than sixty days, such period shall be extended to sixty days and the
aforesaid period limitation shall be deemed to be extended accordingly.
9.26 PROCEDURE OF APA
The Board is empowered to prescribe a scheme providing for the manner, form, procedure
and any other matter generally in respect of the advance pricing agreement.
9.27 MODIFIED RETURN
The person entering into such APA shall necessarily have to furnish a modified return within
a period of 3 months from the end of the month in which the said APA was entered into
respect of the return of income already filed for a previous year to which the APA applies.
The modified return has to reflect modification to the income only in respect of the issues
arising from the APA and in accordance with it.
9.28 ASSESSMENT UNDER APA
Where the assessment or reassessment proceeding for an assessment year relevant to the
previous year to which the agreement applies are pending on the date of filing of a modified
return, the Assessing Officer shall proceed to complete the assessment or reassessment
proceedings in accordance with the agreement, taking into consideration the modified return
so filed and normal period of limitation of completion of proceeding shall be extended by one
year.
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If the assessment or reassessment proceedings for an assessment year relevant to a previous
year to which the agreement applies has been completed before the expiry of period allowed
for furnishing of modified return, the Assessing Officer shall, in a case where modified return
is filed, proceed to assess or reassess or recomputed the total income of the relevant
assessment year having regard to and in accordance with the APA. To such assessment, all
the provisions relating to assessment shall apply as if the modified return is a return furnished
under section 139. The period of limitation for completion of such assessment or
reassessment is one year from the end of the financial year in which the modified return is
furnished.
Questions:
1. What is double taxation avoidance agreement? Discuss in the context of India.
2. Disuses the steps for calculating unilateral tax relief.
3. What are the condition for claiming double taxation relief?
4. Rakesh is a magician deriving income from shows performed outside India amounting
Rs. 2,50,000. Tax of Rs. 37,500 was deducted at source in the country where the
concerts were given. India does not have any agreement with that country for
avoidance of double taxation. Assuming that the Indian income of Rakesh is Rs.
5,00,000, what is the relief due to him under Section 91 for assessment year 2016-17.
Ans. Rs. 25750
5. An individual, resident of India has the following incomes during P.Y. 2015-16
Rs.
1. Business income in India 7,20,000
2. Business income in a foreign country with
which India does not have Double
Taxation avoidance agreement
3. Tax an income mentioned in 2 by foreign
country deposited in Public Provident Fund
Compute his tax liability
2,40,000
48,000
40,000
Ans. Rs. 83087
6. Discuss method under. Which arm's length price relating to an international
transaction determined.
7. When an enterprise is treated an associated enterprise under income tax act? Discuss
deemed associated enterprises.
8. Write notes on advance pricing agreement.
9. Distinguish between resale price method and cost plus method.
10. From the following information determined the 'Arm's' length price' and taxable
income of S. Ltd. a 100% Indian subsidiary company of a foreign Company F Ltd. :
a. F Ltd. sold 1,000 mobile phones to S. Ltd. @ $ 40 per unit.
b. F Ltd. sold 2,000 mobile phones to other Indian companies @ $ 50 per unit.
c. Total income of S Ltd. for the year Rs. 15,00,000
d. Assume the rate of a dollar = Rs. 65
Ans. ALP Rs. 3250000 income – Rs. 2150000
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LESSON 10
(a) Special Provisions Relating to Non-Residents
(b) Advance Ruling
(a) NON-RESIDENTS
According to section 2(30), “Non-resident” means a person who is not a resident in India.
However in the following cases, it also includes a person who is not ordinarily resident in
India:
1. Section 92 : relating to computation of income from international transactions
having regard to arm’s length price;
2. Section 93 : avoidance of income tax by transactions resulting in transfer of
income to non-residents;
3. Section 168 : executors.
TYPES OF NON-RESIDENTS IN INDIA
Under Income-tax Act, non-resident in India can be of two types:
1. Non-resident Indian:
“Non-resident Indian” means an individual, being a citizen of India or a person of Indian
origin who is not a resident.
2. Any other non-resident person:
Foreign nationals (other than individuals of Indian origin) or foreign companies or Overseas
financial organizations (Offshore funds) or foreign institutional investors, etc.
EXEMPTED INCOMES
1. Any income by way of interest on notified securities or bonds (including income by
way of premium on the redemption of such bonds) or any income by way of interest
on moneys standing to a non-resident individual’s credit in a Non-Resident (External)
Account in any bank in India in accordance with the relevant rules [Sec. 10(4)].
2. A foreign company deriving income by way of royalty or fees for technical services
received from Government or an Indian concern in pursuance of an agreement made
by the foreign company with Government or the Indian concern after the 31st day of
March, 1976 but before the 1st day of June, 2002 [Sec. 10(6A)].
3. A non-resident (not being a company) or a foreign company deriving income (not
being salary, royalty or fees for technical services) from Government or an Indian
concern in pursuance of an agreement entered into before the 1st day of June, 2002 by
the Central Government with the Government of a foreign State or an international
organisation, the tax on such income is payable by Government or the Indian concern
to the Central Government under the terms of that agreement or any other related
agreement approved before that date by the Central Government [Sec. 10(6B)].
4. Any income arising to notified foreign companies by way of royalty or fees for
technical services received in pursuance of an agreement entered into with that
Government for providing services in or outside India in projects connected with
security of India [Sec. 10(6C)].
5. Any payment made, by an Indian company engaged in the business of operation of
aircraft, to acquire an aircraft or an aircraft engine (other than a payment for providing
spares, facilities or services in connection with the operation of leased aircraft) on
lease from the Government of a foreign State or a foreign enterprise under an
agreement, not being an agreement entered into between the 1st day of April, 1997
and the 31st day of March, 1999,] and approved by the Central Government [Sec.
10(15A)].
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COMPUTATION OF CERTAIN INCOME OF NON-RESIDENTS
1. Profits and gains of shipping business [Sec. 44B]:
This section is applicable if the assessee is a non-resident in India and engaged in the
business of operation of ships.
Income shall be calculated @ 7.5% of the aggregate of the following:
a. the amount paid or payable (whether in or out of India) to the assessee on account of
carriage of passengers, livestock, mail or goods shipped at any Indian port; and
b. the amount received or deemed to be received in India by the assessee on account of
the carriage of passengers, livestock, mail or goods shipped at any port outside India.
The amount paid or payable or received or deemed to be received also include the amount
received by way of demurrage charges or handling charges or any other amount of similar
nature.
The provisions of section 44B are applicable to a ship which is engaged in regular business in
India and provisions of section 172 are applicable to a ship which occasionally visits the
Indian ports. However, assessees applying section 172 can opt for being governed by the
provisions of section 44B, and accordingly, in such cases taxes paid under section 172 shall
be adjusted in light of the tax liability computed under section 44B.
Section 172 Section 44B
Tax liability 7.5% of amount received on account
of carriage of goods, passengers, etc.,
is taxable at the rate applicable to a
foreign company [if not opted for
regular assessment]
7.5% of such collection is taken as
business income; other provisions
will be applicable to find out taxable
income which will be taxable at the
rate applicable to a non-resident.
Overriding
effect
It overrides all other provisions of the
Act subject to availing the facility of
regular assessment
It overrides sections 28 to 43A
2. Profits and gains of business of exploration etc. of mineral oils [Sec. 44BB]:
This section is applicable if the assessee is non-resident and engaged in the business of
providing services and facilities in connection with, or supplying plant and machinery on
hire, used or to be used in the exploration for, and exploitation of, minerals oils.
Income is calculated @ 10% of the amounts given below:
a. amount paid or payable to the assessee (whether in or out of India) for the aforesaid
services or facilities or supplying plant and machinery for the aforesaid purposes; and
b. amount received or deemed to be received in India for the aforesaid services or
facilities or supply of plant and machinery.
For this purpose, "plant" includes ships, aircraft, vehicles, drilling units, scientific apparatus
and equipment, used for the purposes of the said business.
The provisions of sections 28 to 41, 43 and 43A are not applicable.
3. Profits and gains of the business of operation of aircraft [Sec. 44BBA]:
This section is applicable in the case of a non-resident engaged in the operation of aircraft.
Income from such business is calculated @ 5% of the following:
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a. the amount received (whether in or out of India) by the assessee on account of
carriage of passenger, livestock, mail or goods from any place in India; and
b. the amount received or deemed to be received in India by the assessee on account of
carriage of passenger, livestock, mail or goods from any place outside India.
4. Profits and gains of business of civil construction etc. in certain turnkey power
projects [Sec. 44BBB]:
This section is applicable in the case of a foreign company engaged in the business of civil
construction or the business of erection of plant or machinery or testing or commissioning
thereof, in connection with a turnkey power project approved by the Central Government.
Income @ 10% of the amount paid or payable (whether in India or out of India) to the said
assessee (or to any person on his behalf) on account of such civil construction, erection,
testing or commissioning, shall be deemed to be the profits and gains of such business
chargeable to tax under the head “Profits and gains of business or profession”.
In such a case, provisions of sections 28 to 44AA are not applicable.
5. Head office expenditure in the case of non-resident [Sec. 44C]: Deduction in respect of head office expenditure is restricted to the least of the following:
a. an amount equal to 5% of the “adjusted total income”, or in the case of loss, 5% of
“average adjusted total income”; or
b. the actual amount of head office expenditure attributable to the business or profession
in India;
The term “adjusted total income” means the total income without giving effect to unabsorbed
depreciation, allowance under section 44C, capital expenditure in respect of promoting
family planning amongst its employees, business loss brought forward, speculation loss
brought forward, loss under the head “capital gains” or any deduction under sections 80C to
80U.
The term “average adjusted total income” means one-third of the aggregated amount of
adjusted total income in respect of three previous years preceding the relevant assessment
year. If the assessee has assessable income for less than three years out of the preceding three
years, the average will be based upon those lesser number of years only, i.e., in case of two
years, the aggregate of two years will be divided by two and in case of one year only the
actual amount of adjusted total income will be the average also.
The term “Head office expenditure” means executive and general administration expenditure
incurred by the assessee outside India, including expenditure incurred in respect of:
a. rent, rates, taxes, repairs or insurance of any premises outside India used for the
purposes of the business or profession;
b. salary, wages, annuity, pension, fees, bonus, commission, gratuity, perquisites or
profits in lieu of or in addition to salary, whether paid or allowed to any employee or
other person employed in, or managing the affairs of any office outside India;
c. travelling by any employee or other person employed in, or managing the affairs of
any office outside India; and
d. such other matters connected with executive and general administration as may be
prescribed.
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6. Royalties and fees for technical services [Sec. 44D]: Provisions of section 44D are divided into two categories:
a. In case of a foreign company, the deduction that would be admissible in computing its
income by way of royalty or fees for technical services received from Government or
an Indian concern in pursuance of an agreement made by it with them before April 01,
1976 will be limited to 20 percent of the gross amount of such income, as reduced by
the amount, if any, of so much of the royalty income as consists of lump sum
consideration for the transfer outside India of, or the imparting of information outside
India in respect of, any data, documentation, drawing or specification relating to a
patent, invention, model, design, secret formula or process or trademark or similar
property.
The aforesaid ceiling is applicable in relation to all royalties and fees for technical services
received by foreign companies from Indian concerns, irrespective of whether such royalties
or fees for technical services are received under agreements which have been approved by the
Central Government or not.
b. In case, the agreement is made after March 31, 1976 but before April 01, 2003, no
deductions under sections 28 to 44C shall be allowed to foreign companies having
income by way of royalty or fees for technical services received from Government or
an Indian concern (applicable whether the agreement is approved by the Central
Government or not).
7. Royalties and fees for technical services in case the agreement is made after
March 31, 2003 [Sec. 44DA]:
The income by way of royalty or fees for technical services received from Government or an
Indian concern in pursuance of an agreement made after March 31, 2003 by a non-resident
non-corporate assessee or a foreign company with the aforesaid person shall be computed
under the head “Profit and gains of business or profession” if the following conditions are
satisfied:
1. The assessee carries on business in India through a permanent establishment (PE)
situated in India, or performs professional services from a fixed place of profession
situated in India.
2. The right, property or contract in respect of which the royalties or fees for technical
services are paid to the taxpayer is effectively connected with such permanent
establishment or fixed place of profession.
In computing the income for this purpose, the following expenses shall not be allowed:
a. Any expenditure or allowance which is not wholly and exclusively incurred for the
business of such permanent establishment or fixed place of profession in India.
b. Any amount paid (otherwise than towards reimbursement of actual expenses) by the
permanent establishment to its head office or to any of its other offices.
Deductions under sections 28 to 44D and 57 are allowed from such incomes.
DETERMINATION OF TAX IN CERTAIN SPECIAL CASES (CHAPTER XII):
Section 110 to 115BBE relates to computation of tax as special cases. For example, section
111A tax income from STCG @ 15%, section 112 tax income from LTCG @ 20%, section
115BB tax lottery income @ 30%, etc. But we will discuss only those special tax rates which
are applicable to non-residents.
157
Tax on dividends, royalty and fees for technical services [Sec. 115A]: This section is applicable for non-resident non-corporate assessee or a foreign company.
Incomes covered under section 115A are divided into two categories:
1. Following incomes are covered:
a. Dividend (not being dividend covered under section 115-O); and
b. Interest received from Government or an Indian concern on moneys borrowed or
debt incurred by Government or Indian concern in foreign currency; and
c. Income received in respect of units, purchased in foreign currency, of a Mutual
Fund specified under section 10(23D) or of UTI
2. Four different cases of royalties and fees for technical services received under an
agreement made on or after April 01, 1976 (not being covered by section 44DA):
a. Where such agreement is with the Government of India; or
b. Where such agreement is with an Indian concern, the agreement is approved by
the Central Government; or
c. Where such agreement relates to a matter included in the industrial policy, for the
time being in force, of the Government of India, the agreement is in accordance
with that policy; or
d. Where such royalty is in consideration for the transfer of all or any rights
(including the granting of a licence) in respect of copyright in any book to an
Indian concern or in respect of any computer software to a person resident in
India.
No deduction under sections 28 to 44C and section 57 is allowed from such incomes.
Tax rates on incomes covered under section 115A are given in table 2.
Table 1: Collective impact of sections 44D, 44DA and 115A:
Royalty or fees for technical services received by a
foreign company or a non-resident non-corporate
assessee from Government or an Indian concern
Deductions
under
sections 28 to
44C and 572
Deductions
under
sections 80C
to 80U
Tax rate
(%)3
Such royalty or technical fee is received under an
agreement made after March 31, 1976 but before
April 01, 2003:
a. Where such agreement is with Government
b. Where such agreement is with an Indian
company, the agreement is approved by the
Central Government
c. Where such agreement relates to a matter
included in the industrial policy, for the time
being in force, of the Government of India, the
agreement is in accordance with that policy
d. Where such royalty is in consideration for the
transfer of all or any rights (including the
granting of a licence) in respect of copyright in
any book to an Indian concern or in respect of
No deduction
No deduction
No deduction
No deduction
Deduction
available
Deduction
available
Deduction
available
Deduction
available
10
10
10
10
2 Section 57 relates to deductions under the head “Income from other sources”. 3 Plus surcharge (if applicable) plus education cess plus secondary and higher education cess.
158
computer software to a person resident in India
e. In any other case
Foreign
company
cannot claim
any deduction,
non-resident
non-corporate
assessee can
claim
deduction
Deduction
available
Applicable
rate
Such royalty or technical fee is received under an
agreement made after March 31, 2003:
a. Where royalty or technical fee is effectively
connected to Permanent Establishment (PE) in
India
b. Where PE is absent but the case is covered by
section 115A(1) [i.e., a to d (supra)]
c. In any other case (means except a and b)
Deduction
available
No deduction
Deduction
available
Deduction
available
Deduction
available
Deduction
available
Applicable
rate
10
Applicable
rate
Table 2: Summary of provisions of sections having special rates of tax:
Sections Nature of income Deductions
under
sections 28
to 44C and
574
Deductions
under
sections 80C
to 80U
Tax rate
(%)5
115A
Following incomes in the case of a non-
resident non-corporate assessee or a foreign
company:
1. Dividend (not being dividend
covered under section 115-O)
2. Interest received from Government
or an Indian concern on moneys
borrowed or debt incurred by
Government or Indian concern in
foreign currency
3. Income received in respect of units,
purchased in foreign currency, of a
Mutual Fund specified under section
10(23D) or of UTI
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
20
20
20
Royalty or technical fees of a non-resident
non-corporate assessee or a foreign company
See the provisions given in table 1
115AC
Following incomes of a non-resident:
a. Income by way of interest or
dividends (not being covered by
section 115O), on notified bonds/
Global Depository Receipts (GDRs)
of an Indian Company or public
sector company, sold by the
Government and purchased by him
Not available
Not available
10
4 Section 57 relates to deductions under the head “Income from other sources”. 5 Plus surcharge (if applicable) plus education cess plus secondary and higher education cess.
159
Sections Nature of income Deductions
under
sections 28
to 44C and
574
Deductions
under
sections 80C
to 80U
Tax rate
(%)5
in foreign currency; or
b. Income by way of LTCG arising
from the transfer of aforesaid bonds
or GDRs
[in this case (b), first and second proviso to
section 486 are not applicable]
----
Not available
10
115BBA
Following income of a non-resident
sportsman (including an athlete) who is a
foreign citizen:
1. Participation in India in any game
(other than the game of winnings
wherefrom the income is taxable
under section 115BB) or sport; or
2. Advertisement; or
3. Contribution of articles relating to
any game or sport in India in
newspapers, magazines or journals
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
20
20
20
Any amount guaranteed to be paid or
payable to a non-resident sports association
or institution in relation to any game (not
being a game referred to in section 115BB)
or sports played in India
Not available Not available 20
Income of a non-resident foreign citizen
entertainer
Not available Not available 20
115D7
Following incomes of a non-resident Indian:
1. Investment income from foreign
exchange assets
2. LTCG on transfer of foreign
exchange assets
[in this point (2), first proviso to section 48 is
applicable but second proviso is not
applicable]
No deduction
under any
provision
----
Not available
Not available
20
10
SPECIAL PROVISIONS [Sec. 115C to 115I] [Chapter XIIA] The provisions under section 115C to 115I are applicable only in respect of the following
incomes derived by a non-resident Indian:
a. Investment income derived from “foreign exchange assets”; and
b. Long-term capital gains on sale or transfer of “foreign exchange assets”.
Foreign exchange assets:
6 First proviso to section 48 relates to computing capital gains by converting selling price (in Indian currency)
into foreign currency which the assessee had brought to invest in bonds etc. Second proviso to section 48 states
that benefit of indexation is not available.
7 Covered under chapter XIIA in detail.
160
It means any “specified asset” acquired, purchased or subscribed to, by the non-resident
Indian in foreign currency in accordance with the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973/
Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.
Specified assets:
Following are the “specified assets” for this purpose:
a. Shares in an Indian company;
b. Debentures of an Indian public limited company;
c. Deposits with an Indian public limited company;
d. Securities of the Central Government; and
e. Any other asset which the Central Government may by notification in the Official
Gazette specify in this behalf.
Computation of investment income:
In computing the investment income for the above purpose, no deduction shall be allowed in
respect of any expenditure or allowance under any provision of the Act. Further, no deduction
under sections 80C to 80U shall be allowed in respect of investment income for the above
purpose.
Computation of long-term capital gain:
Long-term capital gain on sale or transfer of foreign exchange assets shall be calculated
subject to the following points:
1. The benefit of indexation is not available in respect of sale or transfer of foreign
exchange assets.
2. No deduction is permissible in respect of long-term capital gain under sections 80C to
80U.
3. By investing sale consideration in another asset, the non-resident Indian can claim
exemption under section 115F.
Computation of tax:
Investment income is taxable @ 20% and LTCG is taxable @ 10%.
Section 115F:
If the following conditions are satisfied, one can take the benefit of section 115F:
1. The taxpayer is a non-resident Indian at the time of sale of capital asset.
2. He has transferred a capital asset [i.e., shares in an Indian company, debentures of an
Indian public limited company, deposits with an Indian public limited company, or
securities of the Central Government (hereinafter referred to as “original asset”)]
which has been acquired or purchased with, or subscribed to in, convertible foreign
exchange.
3. Such asset is a long-term capital asset.
4. Within 6 months of the transfer of original asset, the taxpayer has invested the whole
or any part of net sale consideration (i.e. sale minus expenses on sale) in any of the
following assets (hereinafter referred to as “new asset”):
a. Shares in an Indian company;
b. Debentures of an Indian public limited company;
c. Deposits with an Indian public limited company; or
d. Securities of the Central Government;
161
5. If the above given conditions are satisfied, exemption under section 115F is equal to 𝐶𝑎𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠
𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛* Amount invested in new asset
In case the new asset, is transferred or converted (otherwise than by transfer) into money
within 3 years from the date of its acquisition, the capital gains arising from the transfer of
original asset exempted from tax on the basis of acquisition of new asset will be deemed to be
income by way of long-term capital gains of the previous year in which such new asset is so
transferred or converted into money.
Return of income not to be filed in certain cases [Sec. 115G]:
In cases where a non-resident Indian has income only from a foreign exchange asset or
income by way of long-term capital gains arising on transfer of a foreign exchange asset, or
both, and tax deductible at source from such income has been deducted, he is not required to
file the return of income under section 139(1).
The income from foreign exchange assets and long-term capital gains arising on transfer of
such assets would be treated as a separate block and charged to tax at a flat rate as explained
above. If the non-resident Indian has other income in India, such other income is treated as an
altogether separate block and charged to tax in accordance with other provisions of the Act.
Applicability of this benefit in certain cases even after assessee becomes resident [Sec.
115H]:
Where a person, who is a non-resident Indian in any previous year, becomes assessable as
resident in India in any subsequent year, he may furnish to the Assessing Officer a
declaration in writing (along with his return of income under section 139 for the assessment
year for which he is so assessable) to the effect that the special provisions shall continue to
apply to him in relation to the investment income derived from any foreign exchange asset
being debentures and deposit with an Indian public limited company and Central Government
securities. If he does so, the special provisions shall continue to apply to him in relation to
such income for that assessment year until the transfer or conversion (otherwise than by
transfer) into money of such assets.
Non-applicability of this special provision [Sec. 115I]:
A non-resident Indian may opt that the special provisions relating to taxation of the
investment income and long term capital gains at flat rate should not apply to him. This
option will be exercisable by the assessee making a declaration to that effect in his return of
income for the relevant assessment year. In cases where such an option is exercised by a non-
resident Indian, the whole of his total income (including income from foreign exchange assets
and long-term capital gains arising on transfer of a foreign exchange asset) is charged to tax
under the general provisions of the Act.
FIRST PROVISION TO SECTION 48
To avail the benefit of this provision, the following conditions should be satisfied:
1. The taxpayer is a non-resident (may be an Indian or foreign citizen, or a corporate-
assessee or a non-corporate assessee but not being an assessee covered by sections
115AC and 115AD) at the time of sale of capital asset.
162
2. He acquires shares8 in (or debentures of) an Indian company (may be public limited or
private limited) by utilizing foreign currency.
3. The asset may be short-term or long-term.
Rule of computation under this section:
If the aforesaid conditions are satisfied, then the following procedure shall be adopted to
determine capital gain (it may be noted that the procedure given below is applicable without
any exception whenever the above conditions are satisfied):
1. Capital gain shall be computed in the same foreign currency which was initially
utilized in acquiring shares or debentures.
2. Capital gain so calculated in the foreign currency shall be reconverted into Indian
currency.
3. The benefit of indexation shall not be available but the option of taking fair market
value on April 01, 1981 is available.
4. The aforesaid manner of computation of capital gain shall be applicable in respect of
capital gain accruing or arising from every re-investment thereafter in (and sale of)
shares in (or debentures of) an Indian company.
5. Average exchange rate:
It is the average of the telegraphic transfer buying rate and telegraphic transfer selling
rate of the foreign currency initially utilized in the purchase of the said asset.For this
purpose, telegraphic transfer buying/ selling rate in relation to a foreign currency is
rate of exchange adopted by the SBI for purchasing or selling such currency where
such currency is made available by that bank through telegraphic transfer.
6. Buying rate:
It is the telegraphic transfer buying rate of such currency.
7. The aforesaid provision is applicable even in the case of short-term capital gain.
Steps to be followed to compute capital gain under this section:
Following steps are to be applied whether the gain is short-term or long-term:
Step 1: Find out sale consideration in Indian currency and convert it into foreign currency at
“average exchange rate” on the date of transfer.
Step 2: Find out the expenditure on transfer in Indian currency and convert it into foreign
currency at “average exchange rate” on the date of transfer (and not on the date on
which expenditure is incurred).
Step 3: Find out the cost of acquisition in Indian currency and convert it into foreign currency
at “average exchange rate” on the date of acquisition.
Step 4: Capital gain (1 – 2 – 3) will be reconverted in to Indian currency at “buying rate” on
the date of transfer.
8 In some cases, capital gain on transfer of equity shares is not chargeable to tax under section 10(38).
163
TRANSACTIONS NOT TREATED AS TRANSFER [Sec. 47] The following transfers by a foreign company/ non-resident are not regarded as transfer,
hence, the capital gains arising out of the transaction is not liable to tax:
1. Any transfer of shares held in an Indian company, by the amalgamating foreign
company to amalgamated foreign company, in a scheme of amalgamation, if:
a. At least 25% of the shareholders of the amalgamating foreign company continue
to remain shareholders of the amalgamated foreign company; and
b. Such transfer does not attract tax on capital gains in the country in which the
amalgamating company is incorporated.
2. Any transfer of shares held in an Indian company by the demerged foreign company
to resulting foreign company, in a scheme of demerger, if:
a. Shareholders holding not less than 75% in value of shares of the demerged foreign
company continue to remain shareholders of the resulting foreign company; and
b. Such transfer does not attract tax on capital gains in the country in which the
demerged foreign company is incorporated.
3. Any transfer of bonds or Global Depository Receipts purchased in foreign currency
held by a non-resident to another non-resident, where the transfer is made outside
India.
TRANSFER OF SHARES OR UNITS IN A RECOGNIZED STOCK EXCHANGE IN
INDIA [Sec. 111A or 10(38)]
Whenever, equity shares or units of equity oriented mutual fund are transferred in a
recognized stock exchange in India on or after October 1, 2004, the transaction is chargeable
to securities transaction tax*.
In such cases, long-term capital gain is exempt from tax under section 10(38). However, if
the capital asset is short-term capital asset, then short-term capital gain is taxable under
section 111A @ 15%9. Such short-term capital gain is calculated without considering
securities transaction tax paid by the assessee.
Deductions under sections 80C to 80U is not allowed from LTCG or STCG (covered under
section 111A).
Normal LTCG is taxable at a flat rate of 20% + Surcharge (if any) + EC and SHEC @ 3%.
TAX INCIDENCE ON TRANSFER OF LISTED SECURITIES (and units of mutual
fund whether listed or not):
Listed securities include shares, bonds, debentures and Government Securities.
In this case, tax on LTCG can be computed under two options and the taxpayer has an option
to pay tax under option I or option II, whichever is lower.
Option I:
Compute LTCG after applying indexation and compute tax @ 20% + surcharge (if any) + EC
and SHEC (3%)
Option II:
9 Plus surcharge (if applicable) plus education cess plus secondary and higher education cess.
164
Compute LTCG without applying indexation and compute tax @ 10% + surcharge (if any) +
EC and SHEC (3%)
Example 1:
Mr. X, a non-resident Indian, furnishes the following information to you for the previous year
2015-16: Rs.
a. Income from property (Net) 1,12,000
b. Income from consultancy derived during his visits to India 80,000
c. Income from other sources 1,10,000
d. Capital gains on sale of shares in an Indian Company:
Cost in 1989-90 Rs. 1,90,000
Sale price in 2015-16 Rs. 4,80,000 2,90,000
CII for 1989-90 is 172 and 2015-16 is 1081.
Your advice is sought on his tax liability in India for the assessment year 2016-17 assuming
that the shares of the Indian Company were purchased in convertible foreign exchange. Can
the tax on capital gains be saved?
Solution:
Tax payable under sections 115C to 115I:
Amount (Rs.)
Income from property 1,12,000
Income from consultancy 80,000
Income from other sources 1,10,000
3,02,000
Long term capital gains on sale of shares 2,90,000
Net Taxable Income 5,92,000
Tax on Rs. 2,90,000 @ 10% 29,000
Tax on remaining income of Rs. 3,02,000
[10% of (3,02,000 – 2,50,000)] 5,200
34,200
Add: Surcharge Nil
34,200
Add: Cess @3% 1,026
Tax payable (Rounded off) 35,230
Tax payable under other provisions of the Act:
Amount (Rs.)
Income excluding LTCG 3,02,000
Long term capital gains:
Sale consideration 4,80,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition
(1,90,000/172*1081) 11,94,128 (7,14,128)*
Tax on Rs. 3,02,000 (i.e., income excluding LTCG) 5,200
Add: Surcharge Nil
5,200
Add: Cess @ 3% 156
Tax payable (Rounded off) 5,360
165
Conclusion: Mr. X should pay tax under other provisions of the Act.
The capital gains arising on the sale of foreign exchange asset can be saved by investment in
specified assets. If the cost of asset is not less than the net consideration in respect of the
original asset, the whole of the capital gains will not be charged to tax. Otherwise, the capital
gains will be exempt proportionately as given below:
Capital gain/ Net sale consideration* Cost of investment
Example 2:
The total income of a non-resident Indian includes: Rs.
a. Investment income (net after TDS) 40,000
b. Long-term capital gains 25,000
c. Other income 2,85,000
Total income 3,50,000
What will be the tax payable by him in respect of assessment year 2016-17 on the above
income under Chapter XIIA (Sections 115C to 115I) of the Income-tax Act? In what manner
can the tax liability be reduced in this case?
Solution:
It has been assumed that the investment income and long-term capital gains are from foreign
exchange assets.
The tax liability of a non-resident Indian shall be computed under chapter XIIA:
Amount (Rs.)
Investment income (40,000/80*100) = 50,000*20% 10,000
LTCG (25,000*10%) 2,500
Remaining Other income (2,85,000 – 2,50,000)*10% 3,500
16,000
Add: Surcharge Nil
16,000
Add: Cess @ 3% 480
16,480
Less: TDS 10,000
Net tax payable by the assessee 6,480
As far as reduction of tax liability is concerned, the tax liability on LTCG can be saved if the
assessee invests the net consideration on sale of original specified assets in specified assets
within 6 months from the date of transfer of original asset.
Example 3:
Mahesh, a non-resident Indian, has the following income from investments in foreign
exchange assets and other income: Rs.
a. Interest on Central Government Securities 50,000
b. Interest on debentures of public limited company 1,00,000
He spent on collection of above incomes 3,000
c. Long-term capital gains on transfer of debentures mentioned
in point (b) above [computed under section 48 (proviso)] 2,00,000
d. Other income 2,90,000
Determine his tax liability for the assessment year 2016-17 under sections 115C to 115H of
the Income-tax Act. How can ‘X’ reduce his tax liability?
166
Solution:
Tax payable under sections 115C to 115H:
Income from foreign exchange assets:
Amount (Rs.)
Interest on Central Government Securities 50,000
Interest on debentures of public limited companies 1,00,000
LTCG on transfer of debentures mentioned above 2,00,000
3,50,000
Add: Income from other sources 2,90,000
6,40,000
Tax on interest income (1,50,000*20%) [115D] 30,000
Tax on LTCG (2,00,000*10%) [115D] 20,000
Tax on Rs. 2,90,000 [10% of (2,90,000 – 2,50,000)] 4,000
54,000
Add: Surcharge Nil
54,000
Add: Cess @ 3% 1,620
Tax payable 55,620
Tax payable under other provisions of the Act:
Amount (Rs.)
Interest on debt in foreign currency:
a. Interest on Central Government Securities 50,000
b. Interest on debentures 1,00,000
LTCG 2,00,000
Income from other sources 2,90,000
6,40,000
Tax on debt in foreign currency (1,50,000*20%) [Sec. 115A] 30,000
Tax on LTCG (2,00,000*20%) [Sec. 112] 40,000
Tax on Rs. 2,90,000 (2,90,000 – 2,50,000)*10% 4,000
74,000
Add: Surcharge Nil
74,000
Add: Cess @ 3% 2,220
Tax payable 76,220
Conclusion: Mahesh should pay tax under the provisions of section 115C to 115H.
Example 4:
‘X’, a member of the New Zealand Cricket team, received a sum of Rs. 5 lakh for
participation in matches in India. He also received a sum of Rs. 1 lakh in India for endorsing
a product on T.V. He contributed articles in an Indian newspaper for which he received Rs.
10,000. During the tour of India, he won a prize of Rs. 10,000 in horse race. What will be his
tax liability for the assessment year 2016-17?
167
Solution:
Under section 115BBA, ‘X’ has to pay tax @20% on the following incomes:
Amount (Rs.)
Income from participation in matches 5,00,000
Articles in newspapers 10,000
Advertisement on TV 1,00,000
6,10,000
Tax on Rs. 6,10,000 @ 20% 1,22,000
Tax on Rs. 10,000 @ 30%
(Income from horse races is Rs. 10,000) 3,000
Total tax (1,22,000 + 3,000) 1,25,000
Add: Surcharge Nil
1,25,000
Add: Cess @ 3% 3,750
1,28,750
Example 5:
A non-resident company is engaged in the business of operation of ships. From the following
information compute its business income assessable in India under section 44B and tax
liability for the assessment year 2016-17:
Amount (Rs.)
1. Goods shipped in Bangladesh:
a. Freight paid in Bangladesh 1,00,000
b. Freight paid in India by the consignees 40,000
2. Goods shipped in India:
a. Freight paid in India 70,000
b. Freight paid in Pakistan by the consignees 40,000
c. One party delayed the goods, hence, the company
charged demurrage 20,000
Solution:
Computation of business income in India of non-resident shipping company for the
assessment year 2016-17:
Particulars Amount (Rs.)
Income received in India:
Freight paid in India by consignees of goods shipped in Bangladesh 40,000
Freight paid in India regarding goods shipped in India 70,000
Demurrage charges 20,000
Income accrues in India:
Freight paid in Pakistan by the consignees of goods shipped in India 40,000
Total receipts 1,70,000
Therefore, assessable income under section 44B = 7.5% of Rs. 1,70,000 = Rs. 12,750
Tax liability is Rs. 5,250 after rounding off [Rs. 12,750*41.20%]
168
(b) Advance Rulings
In order to avoid needless litigation and promote better relations with a non-resident, a
system of ‘advance rulings’ [Chapter XIX-B] has been incorporated under the Income Tax
Law by the Finance Act, 1993.
Meaning of advance ruling [Sec. 245N(a)] Advance ruling means:
1. A determination, by the Authority in relation to a transaction which has been
undertaken or proposed to be undertaken by a non-resident applicant and such
determination shall include the determination of any question of law or of fact
specified in the application; or
2. A determination by the Authority in relation to the tax liability of a non- resident
arising out of a transaction which has been undertaken or is proposed to be undertaken
by a resident applicant with such non-resident and such determination shall include
the determination of any question of law or of fact specified in the application; or
3. A determination by the Authority in relation to the tax liability of a resident applicant,
arising out of a transaction which has been undertaken or is proposed to be undertaken
by such applicant and such determination shall include the determination of any
question of law or of fact specified in the application; or
4. A determination or decision by the Authority in respect of an issue relating to
computation of total income which is pending before I.T. Authority or the Tribunal
and such determination or decision shall include the determination or decision of any
question of law or of fact relating to such computation of total income specified in the
application; or
5. A determination or decision by the Authority whether an arrangement, which is
proposed to be undertaken by any person being a resident or a non-resident, is an
impermissible avoidance arrangement as referred to in Chapter X-A or not.
Meaning of applicant [Sec. 245N(b)] Applicant means any person, who:
1. is a non-resident mentioned in point (1); or
2. a resident mentioned in point (2); or
3. is a resident mentioned in point (3) falling within any such class or category of
persons as the Central Government may, by notification, specify;
For this purpose, a resident, in relation to his tax liability arising out of one or more
transactions valuing Rs. 100 crore or more in total which has been undertaken or
proposed to be undertaken, has been notified by the Central Government.
4. is a resident falling within any such class or category of persons as the Central
Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf;
For this purpose, a public sector company has been notified by the Central
Government.
5. is referred in point (5) above; or
6. in makes an application under section 245Q(1).
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Authority for Advance Rulings [Sec. 245-O]
1. The Authority shall consist of a Chairman and such number of Vice-chairmen,
revenue Members and law Members as the Central Government may, by notification,
appoint.
2. A person shall be qualified for appointment as—
a. Chairman, who has been a Judge of the Supreme Court;
b. Vice-chairman, who has been Judge of a High Court;
c. a revenue Member from the Indian Revenue Service, who is a Principal Chief
Commissioner or Principal Director General or Chief Commissioner or
Director General;
d. a law Member from the Indian Legal Service, who is, or is qualified to be, an
Additional Secretary to the Government of India.
3. The Central Government shall provide to the Authority with such officers and
employees, as may be necessary, for the efficient discharge of the functions of the
Authority under this Act.
4. The powers and functions of the Authority may be discharged by its Benches as may
be constituted by the Chairman from amongst the Members thereof.
5. A Bench shall consist of the Chairman or the Vice-chairman and one revenue
Member and one law Member.
6. The Authority shall be located in the National Capital Territory of Delhi and its
Benches shall be located at such places as the Central Government may, by
notification specify.
Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings [Sec. 245P]
No proceeding before, or pronouncement of advance ruling by, the Authority shall be
questioned or shall be invalid on the ground merely of the existence of any vacancy or defect
in the constitution of the Authority.
Application for advance ruling [Sec. 245Q]
1. An applicant desirous of obtaining an advance ruling may make an application in
prescribed forms and in prescribed manner, stating the question on which the advance
ruling is sought.
2. The application shall be made in quadruplicate (four copies) and be accompanied by a
fee of Rs. 10,000 or prescribed fee in this behalf, whichever is higher.
3. An applicant may withdraw an application within 30 days from the date of the
application.
The prescribed forms are:
a. Form 34C in respect of a non-resident applicant referred in point (1) section 245N(a);
b. Form 34D in respect of a resident applicant referred in point (2) of section 245N(a);
c. Form 34DA in respect of a resident applicant referred in point (3) of section 245N(a);
d. Form 34E in respect of a resident referred in point (4) of section 245N(a); and
e. Form 34EA, in respect of an applicant referred in point (5) of section 245N of the Act.
Procedure on receipt of application [Sec. 245R]
1. On receipt of an application, the Authority shall cause a copy thereof to be forwarded
to the Principal Commissioner (or Commissioner) and, if necessary, call upon him to
furnish the relevant records.
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2. The Authority may, after examining the application and the records called for, by
order, either allow or reject the application. However, no application shall be rejected
unless an opportunity has been given to the applicant of being heard. Further, where
the application is rejected, reasons for such rejection shall be given in the order.
3. However, the Authority shall not allow the application where the question raised in
the application –
a. is already pending before any income-tax authority or Appellate Tribunal [except
in the case of a resident applicant mentioned in point (4) of section 245N(b)] or
any court;
b. involves determination of fair market value of any property;
4. relates to a transaction or issue which is designed prima facie for the avoidance of
income-tax [except in the case of a resident applicant mentioned in point (4) of
section 245N(b) or in the case of an applicant mentioned in point (5) of section
245N(b)].
Where an application is allowed, the Authority shall, after examining such further
material as may be placed before it by the applicant or obtained by the Authority,
pronounce its advance ruling on the question specified in the application.
5. On a request received from the applicant, the Authority shall, before pronouncing its
advance ruling, provide an opportunity to the applicant of being heard, either in
person or through a duly authorised representative.
6. A copy of every order shall be sent to the applicant and to the Principal Commissioner
(or Commissioner).
7. The Authority shall pronounce its advance ruling in writing within six months of the
receipt of application.
8. A copy of the advance ruling pronounced by the Authority, duly signed by the
Members and certified in the prescribed manner shall be sent to the applicant and to
the Principal Commissioner (or Commissioner), as soon as may be, after such
pronouncement.
9. No income-tax authority or the Appellate Tribunal shall proceed to decide any issue
in respect to which an application has been made by a resident applicant.
Applicability of advance ruling [Sec. 245S]
The advance ruling pronounced by the Authority under section 245R shall be binding only on
the applicant who had sought it and that too, in respect of the transaction in relation to which
the ruling had been sought. It is also binding on the Principal Commissioner (or
Commissioner), and the income-tax authorities subordinate to him, in respect of the applicant
and the said transaction.
The advance ruling shall be binding as aforesaid unless there is a change in law or facts on
the basis of which the advance ruling has been pronounced.
Advance Ruling to be void in certain circumstances [Sec. 245T]:
Where an authority finds (on a representation made to it by the Commissioner or otherwise)
that an advance ruling pronounced by it has been obtained by the applicant by fraud or
misrepresentation of facts, it may (by order) declare such ruling to be void ab-initio and
thereupon all the provisions of the Act shall apply (after excluding the period beginning with
the date of such advance ruling and ending with the date of order declaring such ruling as
void), to the applicant as if such advance ruling had never been made. However, on receipt of
such representation, a notice shall be issued to the applicant along with a copy of the
representation for rebuttal and reasonable opportunity shall be allowed to the applicant and
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the Commissioner for being heard before passing order declaring the advance ruling to be
void.
Powers of Authority [Sec. 245U]:
The Authority will have all the powers of a Civil Court in respect of discovery and
inspection, enforcing the attendance of any person including any officer of a banking
company and examining him on oath, issuing commissions and compelling the production of
books of account and other records. It will also have the power to regulate its own procedure
in all matters arising out of the exercise of its powers under the Act. The Authority would be
deemed to be a Civil Court for the purposes of section 195 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1973, and every proceeding before the Authority shall be deemed to be a judicial
proceeding under certain provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
Questions
1. Explain briefly the amount of deduction allowed on account of head office
expenditure in the case of non-residents.
2. How the following incomes of a non-resident are determined:
a. profits of shipping business;
b. business of operation of aircraft;
c. business of civil construction in certain turnkey power project.
3. Mr. X is an individual of Indian origin through his residential status is non-resident.
During the previous year 2015-16, his income from investments in Foreign Exchange
Assets in India is as follows:
Amount (Rs.)
Interest on deposits with Public Limited Company 40,000
Interest on Central Government Securities 50,000
Dividend from an Indian Company 30,000
Determine the tax liability for the assessment year 2016-17 under sections 115C to
115H. [Ans. Rs. 18,540]
4. ‘A’, a member of the West Indian Cricket team, received a sum of Rs. 10 lakh for
participation in matches in India. He also received a sum of Rs. 2 lakh in India for
endorsing a product on T.V. He contributed articles in an Indian newspaper for which
he received Rs. 20,000. During the tour of India, he won a prize of Rs. 10,000 in
horse race. What will be his tax liability for the assessment year 2016-17?
[Ans. Rs. 2,54,410]
Questions:
1. Discuss the scheme of advance ruling briefly.
2. What is ‘Advance Ruling’? When does a ruling become void?
3. State the circumstances under which application for advance ruling shall not be
allowed by the Authority for Advance Ruling.
4. Mr. ‘A’ is a non-resident. The appeal pertaining to the assessment year 2015-16 is
pending before the Appellate Tribunal, the issue involved being computation of
income from house property. The same issue persists for the assessment year 2016-17
172
also. A’s friend has obtained an advance ruling under chapter XIX B from the
Authority for Advance Ruling on an identical point. Mr. ‘A’ proposes to use the said
ruling for his assessment pertaining to the assessment year 2016-17. Advise ‘A’
suitably.
[Ans. Keeping in view the provisions of section 245S, A cannot use the ruling
obtained by his friend for his assessment.]
5. What is advance ruling as per section 245N(a). Who can be the applicant for advance
ruling under section 245N(b). Under what circumstances the authority shall reject the
application for advance ruling.
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LESSON -11
Tax Planning with Reference to Business Restructuring
11. STRUCTURE
11.1 Meaning of Amalgamation
11.2 Exceptions
11.3 Tax Incentives for Amalgamation
11.4 Accumulated Non-Speculative Business Losses and Unabsorbed Depreciation
11.5 Tax Liability of Amalgamated Company
11.6 Amalgamation of Banking Company
11.7 Tax Planning
11.8 Meaning of Demerger [Section 2(19AA)]
11.9 Important Points for Consideration for Demerger
11.10 Meaning of demerged Company [Section 2(19AAA)]
11.11 Meaning of Resulting Company [Section 2(41A)]
11.12 Tax Concession/Incentives in Case of Demerger
11.13 Tax Concession to the Resulting Company
11.14 Other Important Points
11.15 Distinction Between Amalgamation and Demerger
11.16 Slump Sale
11.17 Coversion of Sole Proprietary Concern/Partnership Firm into Company
11.18 Coversion of a Private Company or an Unlisted Public Company into a Limited
Liability Parternship (LLP)
11.19 Transfer of Assets between Holding and Subsidiary Companies
11.1 MEANING OF AMALGAMATION
Amalgamation is a merger of two or more existing undertakings into one undertaking. The
shareholders of each company become substantially the shareholders in the company which is
to carry on the business of merged undertakings. There may be amalgamation either by the
transfer of two or more undertakings to a new company, or by the transfer of one or more
undertakings to an existing company.
For the purpose of the Income-tax Act, amalgamation of companies means either merger of
one or more companies with another company or the merger of two or more companies to
form one new company. The definition of amalgamation under section 2(1B) covers the
following cases.
Merger of A Ltd. with B Ltd. A Ltd. goes out of existence.
Merger of A Ltd. and B Ltd. with C Ltd. A Ltd. and B Ltd. go out of existence.
Merger of A Ltd. and B Ltd. into a newly incorporated company C Ltd. A Ltd. and B
Ltd. go out of existence.
Merger of A Ltd., B Ltd. and C Ltd., into a newly incorporated company D Ltd. In the
case, A Ltd., B Ltd. and C Ltd. are amalgamating companies, while D Ltd. is an
amalgamated company.
For a merger to qualify as an "amalgamation" for the purpose of the Income-tax Act, it has to
satisfy the following three conditions—
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1. All the properties of the amalgamating company immediately before the
amalgamation should become the property of the amalgamated company by virtue of
the amalgamation
2. All liabilities of the amalgamating company immediately before the amalgamation
should become the liabilities of the amalgamated company by virtue of the amalgam-
ation
3. Shareholders holding not less than three-fourths shares in the amalgamating company
should become shareholders of the amalgamated company by virtue of the
amalgamation.
For example where A Ltd. merges with B Ltd., in a scheme of amalgamation, and
immediately before the amalgamation, B Ltd. held 20 per cent of the shares in A Ltd., the
above-mentioned condition 3 will be satisfied if shareholders holding not less than 3/4 (in
value) of the remaining 80 per cent of the shares in A Ltd., ie., 60 per cent thereof (3/4 C 80),
become shareholders of B Ltd., by virtue of the amalgamation. Where, however, the whole
share capital is held by another company, the merger of two companies will as an
amalgamation within section 2(1B), if the other two conditions are fulfilled.
For the purpose of condition (3), "shareholders" may be equity shareholders or preference
shareholders. Consequently, persons holding at least 75 per cent of the equity and preference
shares (in value) in the amalgamating company should become shareholders (by holding
equity or preference shares or both) in the amalgamated company.
11.2 EXCEPTIONS
Section 2(1B) specifically provides that in the following two cases there is no "amalgam-
ation" for the purpose of the Income-tax Act, though the element of merger exists:
(i) where the property of the company which merges is sold to the other company and the
merger is actually a result of sale
(ii) where the company which merges is wound up in liquidation and the liquidator
distributes its proceeds to the other company.
11.3 TAX INCENTIVES FOR AMALGAMATION
Some tax incentives have been provided for amalgamation of a company under income tax
Act to the:
1. amalgamating company;
2. shareholders of the amalgamating company; and
3. amalgamated company.
1. Tax incentives to Amalgamating Company (a) Exemption from Capital gains tax. There shall be no liability for capital gains tax on the
transfer of capital assets by the amalgamating company if the amalgamated company is
an Indian company. [Sec. 47(vi)]
(b) Tax Concession to foreign Company: There shall be no liability for capital gains tax on
the transfer of shares of an Indian company by a foreign company to another foreign
company in a scheme of amalgamation between the two foreign companies, if
(i) at least 25% of the shareholders of the amalgamating foreign company continue to
remain shareholders of the amalgamated foreign company;
(ii) such transfer does not attract tax on capital gains in the country in which the
amalgamating company is incorporated. [Sec. 47(via)]
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(c) Exemption from tax liability on transfer of licence to operate telecommunication
services etc: There shall be no tax liability on transfer of a licence to operate
telecommunication services (u/s 35ABB) or on transfer of a business of prospecting for or
extraction or production of petroleum and natural gas (u/s 42) by the amalgamating
company if the amalgamated company is an Indian company.
2. Tax incentives to Shareholders of Amalgamating Company (a) Period of holding of shares of the amalgamated company: Where shares in an Indian
Company, which become the property of the assessee in consideration of shares transferred in
case of amalgamation, it shall be included the period for which the shares in the
amalgamating company were held by the assessee. [Sec. 2(42A)(C)]
(b) Exemption from tax on exchange of shares. The shareholders of the amalgamating
company are not liable to capital gains tax, when they are allotted shares by the Indian
amalgamated company in lieu of shares held by them in the amalgamating company.
[Sec. 47(vii)]
3. Tax incentives to Amalgamated Company (a) Capital expenditure on scientific research: Where a company is amalgamated before
claiming full deduction in respect of capital expenditure on scientific research, the
amalgamated company (being an Indian company) is entitled to claim deduction of such
unabsorbed amount. [Sec. 35(5)]
(b) Expenditure incurred to obtain licence to operate telecommunication services. Where a company is amalgamated before claiming full deduction in respect of expenditure to
obtain licence to operate telecommunication services, the amalgamated company (being an
Indian company) is entitled to claim deduction in respect of remaining instalments of such
expenditure. [Sec. 35ABB]
(c) Preliminary expenses. Where an Indian company is amalgamated before claiming full
deduction in respect of certain preliminary expenses, the amalgamated company (being an
Indian company) is entitled to claim deduction in respect of remaining instalments of such
expenses. [Sec. 35D(5)]
(d) Expenses on amalgamation. Where an Indian company incurs expenditure wholly and
exclusively for the purposes of amalgamation, it shall be allowed a deduction @ 20% of such
expenditure for each of five successive previous years beginning with the previous year in
which amalgamation tookes place. (Sec. 35DD)
(e) Expenses incurred under voluntary retirement scheme. Where an Indian company is
amalgamated before claiming full deduction in respect of expenses incurred under voluntary
retirement scheme the amalgamated company (being an Indian company) is entitled to claim
deduction in respect of remaining instalments of such expenses.
[Sec. 35DDA(2)]
(f) Expenses on prospecting etc. of certain minerals. Where an Indian company is
amalgamated before claiming full deduction in respect of expenditure incurred on
prospecting for, or extraction or production of certain minerals, the amalgamated company
(being an Indian company) is entitled to claim deduction in respect of remaining instalments
and unabsorbed amount of such instalments. [Sec. 35E(7)]
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(g) Capital expenditure on family planning. Where a company is amalgamated before
claiming full deduction in respect of capital expenditure incurred for the purpose of
promoting family planning amongst its employees, the amalgamated company (being an
Indian company) is entitled to claim deduction in respect of remaining instalments and
unabsorbed amount of such instalments. [Sec. 36(l)(ix)]
(h) Expenses on prospecting etc. of petroleum and natural gas. Where a company is
amalgamated before claiming full deduction in respect of expenditure incurred on
prospecting for or extraction or production of petroleum and natural gas, the amalgamated
company (being an Indian company) is entitled to claim deduction in respect of such
expenditure. (Sec. 42)
(i) Bad debts. Where a part of debts taken over by the amalgamated company from the
amalgamating company becomes bad subsequently, such bad debts are allowed as a
deduction in computing the income of the amalgamated company.
(j) Actual cost of an asset. Where, in a scheme of amalgamation, any capital asset is
transferred by the amalgamating company to amalgamated company and the amalgamated
company is an Indian company the actual cost of the transferred capital asset to the
amalgamated company shall be taken to be the same as it would have been if the
amalgamating company had continued to hold the capital asset for the purpose of its own
business. [Sec. 43(1)]
(k) Actual Cost of depreciable assets. Where in any previous year, any block of assets is
transferred by an amalgamating company to the amalgamated company in a scheme of
amalgamation, and the amalgamated company is an Indian Company, then the actual cost of
the block of assets transferred to the amalgamated company shall be the book value of the
assets to the amalgamating company in the immediately preceding previous year as reduced
by the amount of depreciation actually allowed in relation to the said preceding previous
year, [Sec. 43(6)]
(l) Deduction in respect of profits from undertaking engaged in infrastructure
development or other than infrastructure development. Certain deductions are allowed
from gross total income under sections 80IA 80-IAB or 80-IB or 80-IC or 80-IE on fulfilment
of certain conditions. If the amalgamated company fulfils those conditions it is entitled to
these deductions resulting in reduction of its tax liability zione is transferred to another unit.
(m) Special Economic Zone. Where an unit of SEZ is transfered to another unit in a scheme
of amalgamation, the exemption shall be allowed to the other unit for the unexpired period.
[Sec. 10AA(5)]b
(n) Tonnage Scheme. Where there has been an amalgamation of a qualifying company with
another company, the provisions relating to the tonnage tax scheme shall apply to the
amalgamated company if it is a qualifying company.
However where the amalgamated company is not a tonnage tax company, it can exercise an
option for tonnage tax scheme within three months from the date of the approval of the
scheme of amalgamation. (Sec. 115VY)
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11.4 ACCUMULATED NON-SPECULATIVE BUSINESS LOSSES AND
UNABSORBED DEPRECIATION:
Where a company owning an industrial undertaking or ship or hotel amalgamates with
another company, or a banking company amalgamates with a specified bank, or one or more
public sector company or companies engaged in the business of operation of aircraft
amalgamates with one or more public sector company or companies engaged in similar
business, the accumulated loss and the unabsorbed depreciation of the amalgamating
company shall be deemed to be the loss or unabsorbed depreciation of the amalgamated
company of the previous year in which the amalgamation. Thus, the amalgamated company
will be entitled to carry-forward and set-off the loss and unabsorbed depreciation of the
amalgamating company as if these were the losses or unabsorbed depreciation of the
amalgamated company itself. It is important to note thatthe amalgamated company has the
right to carry-forward and set-off the balance of business loss for a period of eight assessment
years immediately succeeding the assessment year relevant to the previous year in which the
amalgamation was effected and unabsorbed depreciation till it is fully absorbed. (Sec. 72A)
Conditions:
1. For amalgamating company:
(a) It has been engaged in the business, in which the accumulated loss occurred or
depreciation remains unabsorbed, for three or more years.
(b) It has held continuously as on the date of amalgamation at least three-fourth of the book-
value of fixed assets held by it two years prior to the date of amalgamation.
2. For amalgamated company:
(a) The amalgamated company holds at least 75% of book value of fixed assets, of the
amalgamating company acquired as a result of amalgamation, for five years from the
effective date of amalgamation.
(b) The amalgamated company continues the business of the amalgamating company for at
least five years from the effective date of amalgamation.
(c) The Central Government may notify such other conditions as may be necessary.
3. Conditions prescribed by the Government:
(a) The amalgamated company, owning an industrial undertaking of the amalgamating
company by way of amalgamation, shall achieve the level of production of at least fifty
percent of the installed capacity of the said undertaking before the end of four years from the
date of amalgamation and continue to maintain the said minimum level of production till the
end of five pears from the effective date of amalgamation.
However, the, Central Government, on an application made by the amalgamated company,
may relax the condition of achieving the level of production or period of production or both
having regard to the genuine efforts made by the amalgamated company to attain the
prescribed level of production and the circumstances preventing such efforts from achieving
the same.
(b) The amalgamated company shall furnish to the Assessing Officer a certificate in Form
No. 62, duly verified by a Chartered Accountant, with reference to the books of accounts and
other documents showing particulars of production, along with the return of income for the
assessment year relevant to the previous year during which the prescribed level of production
is achieved and for subsequent assessment years relevant to the previous years falling within
five years from the date of amalgamation. For the purposes of this rule 'Installed capacity'
means the capacity of production existing on the date of amalgamation.
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Non-fulfillment of conditions. If the above specified conditions are not fulfilled that part of
carry forward loss and unabsorbed depreciation remaining to be utilised by the amalgamated
company shall lapse, and such loss or depreciation as has been set-off shall be treated as the
income of the year in which the failure to fulfill the conditions occurs.
11.5 TAX LIABILITY OF AMALGAMATED COMPANY
1. Where an allowance or deduction has been made in respect of loss, expenditure or liability
to the amalgamating company and subsequently during any previous year the amalgamated
company has obtained any amount (in cash or otherwise) in respect of aforesaid loss or
expenditure or some benefit in respect of trading liability by way of remission or cessation
thereof, it is taxed in the hands of the amalgamated company. [Sec.41(1)]
2. Amalgamation is treated as a case of succession to business. The tax liability of the
amalgamating company in respect of income for the previous year in which the succession
took place up to the date of succession and for the previous year preceding that year can be
recovered from the amalgamated company if it cannot be recovered from the amalgamating
company. [Sec. 170(3)] Hence, the tax liability for the aforesaid period of the amalgamating
company should carefully be ascertained.
11.6 AMALGAMATION OF BANKING COMPANY : (SEC. 72AA)
(Sec.72AA) Provides carry forward and set-off of accumulated loss and unabsorbed
depreciation allowance of a banking company against the profits of a banking institution
under a scheme of amalgamation sanctioned by the Central Government. [Section 72AA]
Conditions:
1. There is an amalgamation of a "banking company" with any other "banking institution".
Banking company for this purpose means a company which transacts the business of banking
in India. A manufacturing or trading company which accepts deposits of money from the
public merely for the purpose of financing its business shall not be deemed to transact the
business of banking. A banking institution for this purpose means any banking company and
includes State Bank of India or other scheduled banks.
2. The amalgamation is sanctioned and brought into force by the Central Government under
section 45(7) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
Consequences if the above conditions are satisfied- If the above conditions are satisfied, the accumulated loss and unabsorbed depreciation of the
amalgamating banking company shall be deemed to be the loss or the allowance for
depreciation of the banking institution for the previous year in which the scheme of
amalgamation is brought into force.
For this purpose, "accumulated loss" means so much of the loss of the amalgamating banking
company under the head "Profits and gains of business or profession" which such
amalgamating banking company, would have been entitled to carry forward and set off under
the provision of section 72 if the amalgamation had not taken place. It does not, however,
include speculative business Losses. Unabsorbed depreciation" means so much of the
depreciation of the amalgamating banking company which remains to be allowed and which
would have been allowed to such banking company if amalgamation had not taken place.
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11.7 TAX PLANNING:
1. Where some assets or liabilities are not proposed be taken over by the amalgamated
company, the same may be disposed of or paid-off by the amalgamating company before the
scheme of amalgamation effected.
2.'Where shareholders holding more than 25% shares of the amalgamating company are not
willing to become shareholders of the amalgamated company, the shares of some of the
dissenting shareholders may be purchased by the other shareholders or amalgamated
company before amalgamation, so that the condition shareholders holding at least 75% of the
shares of the amalgamating company become shareholders of amalgamated company is
fulfilled.
3. Where the amalgamation does not satisfy the conditions laid down in section 72A, the
benefit of set-off unabsorbed depreciation and carry forward business losses are not available
to the amalgamated company. In such a case it is better that a profit-making company merges
with the loss incurring company rather than vice-versa. It would help in continuing to carry-
forward and set-off the unabsorbed depreciation and losses against the profits derived from
the business of the profit-making company.
4. The amalgamated company should not give composite consideration (shares and
debentures or shares and cash) to the shareholders of the amalgamating company in lieu of
shares held by them in the amalgamating company. They should be given only shares in lieu
of share held by them in amalgamating company. In case of composite consideration the tax
incentive u/s 47(vii) will not be available.
Example 1. From the following information determine whether there is an amalgamation for income tax
purposes :
(i) All the assets and liabilities of company 'A' are transferred to company 'B';
(ii) The position of shareholders is as under :
(a) 40% shares in value of company 'A' are held by company B';,
(b) 60% shares in value of company 'A' are held by other shareholders.
The other shareholders holding 40% shares in value of company 'A become the shareholders
of company 'B'.
Solution: Following conditions should be fulfilled order to constitute a valid amalgamation for income
tax purposes.
(i) All the assets and all the liabilities of amalgamating company must be transferred to the
amalgamated company; (ii) Shareholder holding at least 75% value of the amalgamating
company (excluding shares held by the amalgamated company or its nominee or its
subsidiary company) become the shareholders of the amalgamated company.
In the given case first condition is satisfied but the second condition is not satisfied, i.e.,
shareholders holding 75% shares of 60% shares i.e. 45% shares in company A do not become
the shareholders of company 'B'. Hence, there is no amalgamation.
Example 2.
Company A is proposed to be merged with company B in 2017. The following are the
particulars of the company A.
(i) unabsorbed depreciation Rs. 50 lakh
(ii) unabsorbed business loss Rs. 30 lakh
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(iii) unexpired period for deduction under section 80IB 3 years
Consider which of the benefits can be availed by company B if:
(a) the merger is not 'amalgamation'
(b) the merger is 'amalgamation' but does not satisfy conditions of Sec. 72A;
(c) the merger satisfies conditions of amalgamation as well as Sec. 72A.
Solution: (a) When merger of company A is not an amalgamation u/s 2(1B);
(i) Company B cannot carry-forward and set-off the unabsorbed depreciation and
unabsorbed business loss of company A;
(ii) Company B cannot avail deduction u/s 80IB for unexpired period of three years.
[Sec. 80IB(12)]
(b) When merger of company A is amalgamation u/s 2(1B) but does not satisfy conditions of
Sec. 72A, company B can claim deduction u/s,80IB for unexpired period of three years.
However, company B cannot carry forward and set-off the unabsorbed depreciation and
unabsorbed business loss of company A.
(c) When merger of company A is amalgamation u/s 2(1B) and it satisfies the conditions of
Sec. 72A as well, company B can :
(i) claim the deduction u/s '80IB for unexpired period of three years;
(ii) set of and carry-forward and set-off business loss against its business income within
8 years from the end of previous year in which amalgamation takes place;
(iii) set off or carry-forward and set-off unabsorbed depreciation against any income till
it is fully absorbed.
11.8 MEANING OF DEMERGER [SECTION 2(19AA)]:
"Demerger", in relation to companies, means the transfer, pursuant to a scheme or
arrangement under sections 391 " to 394 of the Companies Act, 1956 by a demerged
company of its one or more undertakings to any resulting company in such a manner that—
(i) all the property of the undertaking, being transferred by the demerged company,
immediately before the demerger, becomes the property of the resulting company by
virtue of the demerger;
(ii) all the liabilities relatable to the undertaking, being transferred by the demerged
company, immediately before the demerger, becomes the liabilities of the resulting
company by virtue of the demerger;
(iii) the property and the liabilities of the undertaking or undertakings being transferred by
the demerged company are transferred at values appearing in its books of account
immediately before the demerger.
(iv) the resulting company issues, in consideration of the demerger, its shares to the
shareholders of the demerged company on a proportionate basis;
(v) the shareholders holding not less than three-fourths in value of the shares in the
demerged company (other than shares already held therein immediately before the
demerger, or by a nominee for, the resulting company or, its subsidiary) become
shareholders of the resulting company or companies by virtue of the demerger,
otherwise than as a result of the acquisition of the property or assets of the demerged
company or any undertaking thereof by the resulting company;
(vi) the transfer of the undertaking is on a going concern basis;
(vii) the demerger is in accordance with the conditions, if any, notified under subsection
(5) of section 72 A by the Central Government in this behalf.
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11.9 IMPORTANT POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION FOR DEMERGER
(a) Meaning of undertaking being transferred [Explanation to Section 2(19AA)]: For the
purposes of this clause, "undertaking" shall include any part of an undertaking, or a unit or
division of an undertaking or a business activity taken as a whole, but does not include
individual assets or liabilities or any combination thereof not constituting a business activity.
(b) Meaning of liabilities referred to in sub-clause (ii) of section 2(19AA): For the
purposes of this clause, the liabilities referred to in sub-clause (ii), shall include—
(i) the liabilities which arise out of the activities or operations of the undertaking;
(ii) the specific loans or borrowings raised, incurred and utilised solely for the activities
or operations of the undertakings; and
(iii) in cases, other than those referred to in clause (a) or clause (b), above so much of the
amounts of general or multipurpose borrowings, if any, of the demerged company as
stand in the same proportion which the value of the assets transferred in a demerger
bears to the total value of the assets of such demerged company immediately before
the demerger.
(c) Value of the property of the undertaking being transferred: Section 2(19AA)
specifies that the value of the property and the liabilities of the undertaking being transferred
by the demerged company should be at book value appearing in books immediately before
demerger. This is also required that any change in the value of assets consequent to
revaluation shall be ignored.
(d) Benefit of demerger also available to certain authorities or Boards: For the purposes
of this clause, the splitting up or the reconstruction of any authority or a body constituted or
established under a Central, State or Provincial Act, or a local authority or a public sector
company, into separate authorities or bodies or local authorities or companies, as the case
may be, shall be deemed to be a demerger if such split up or reconstruction is as per the
conditions, if any, specified by the Central Government.
(e) Shares to be issued on a proporttoriate basis: Under the provision of section 2(19AA)
the resulting company should issue shares on a proportionate basis to the shareholders of
demerged company.
11.10 MEANING OF DEMERGED COMPANY [SECTION 2(19AAA)|:
"Demerged company" means the company whose undertaking is transferred, pursuant to a
demerger, to a resulting company.
11.11 MEANING OF RESULTING COMPANY [SECTION 2(41A)]:
"Resulting company" means one or more companies (including a wholly owned subsidiary
thereof) to which the undertaking of the demerged company is transferred in a scheme of
demerger and, the resulting company in consideration of such transfer of undertaking, issues
shares to the shareholders of the demerged company and includes any authority or body or
local authority or public sector company or a company established, constituted or formed as a
result of demerger.
Example 3. ‘A’. Ltd., transferred its fertilizer business to a new company 'B' Ltd., by way of
demerger with effect from appointed date of 1.4.2015 after satisfying the conditions of
demerger. Further information are also given.
(a) Book Value of the entire block of plant and machinery held by 'A' Ltd. as on 1.4.2015 is
Rs. 100 crores;
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(b) Out of the above (a), WDV of block of plant and machinery of fertilizer division is 70
crores;
(c) 'A' Ltd. has unabsorbed depreciation of Rs.50 lakhs as at 31.3.2015; On the basis of above
facts:
(i) You are required to explain the provisions of the income-tax as to the allow ability of
depreciation, in the hands of' 'A' Ltd. and 'B' Ltd. on at 31.3.2016. (ii) State how the
unabsorbed depreciation has to be dealt with for the assessment year 2016-17.
Solution:
(A) As the conditions laid down in section 2(19AA), have been satisfied the depreciation
claim will be subject to the following provisions:
1. Where there is a demerger of a company the resulting company will be entitled to
depreciation on the written down value of the block of assets transferred to it, which will be
the written down value of the transferred assets of the demerged company .immediately
before the demerger [Explanation 2B to section 43(6)].
2. Where there is a demerger of a company the written down value of the block of assets in
the hands of the demerged company shall be the written down value of the block of assets of
the demerged company for the immediately preceding previous year as reduced by the
written down value of the assets transferred to the resulting company pursuant to the
demerger. [Explanation 2A to section 43(6)].
3. Depreciation on plant and machinery in the hands of 'A' Ltd. and 'B' Ltd. will be computed
as under:
WD V of plant and machinery 'A" Ltd. 'B' Ltd.
Rs. (in crores) Rs. (Crores)
As at 1-4-2015 " 30.00 70.00
Less: Depreciation® 15% 4.50 10.50
WDV as at 31-3-2016 25.50 59.50
(ii) Set-off of unabsorbed depreciation:
In case of demerger section 72A(4) provides as under:
(a) the unabsorbed depreciation directly relatable to the resulting company is allowed to
be carried forward and set off in the hands of the resulting company.
(b) where such unabsorbed depreciation is not directly relatable to the undertaking
transferred to the resulting company, it has to be apportioned between the demerged
company and the resulting company in the same proportion in which the assets of the
undertakings have been retained by the demerged company and transferred to the
resulting company.
(c) the demerged company and the resulting company would be allowed to carry toward
and set-off their respective share of unabsorbed depreciation, as calculated above, for
indefinite period as per section 32(2). However, brought forward business loss can be
carried forward for the unexpired period of 8 years only.
11.12 TAX CONCESSION/INCENTIVES IN CASE OF DEMERGER:
If any demerger takes place within the meaning of section 2(19AA) of the Income-tax Act,
the following tax concession shall be available to various parties:
(A) Tax concessions to demerged company.
(B) Tax concessions to shareholders of demerged company.
(C) Tax concessions to resulting company.
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These concessions are on similar lines as are available in case of amalgamation discussed
earlier. However some concessions available in case of amalgamation are not available in
case of demerger of companis.
1. Tax concession to demerged company:
(i) Exemption from Capital gain Tax: According to section 47(vib) where there is a transfer
of any capital asset in a scheme of demerger by the demerged company to the resulting
company, such transfer will not be regarded as a transfer for the purpose of capital gain
provided the resulting company is an Indian company.
(ii) Tax concession to a foreign demerged company [Section 47(vic)]: Where a foreign
company holds any shares in an Indian company and transfers the same, in a scheme of
demerger, to another resulting foreign company, such transaction will not be regarded as
transfer for the purpose of capital gain under section 45 if the following conditions are
satisfied:
(a) at least seventy-five per cent of the shareholders of the demerged foreign company
continue to remain shareholders of the resulting foreign company; and
(b) such transfer does not attract tax on capital gains in that country, in which the
demerged foreign company was incorporated.
(iii) Reserves for shipping business: Where a ship acquired out of the reserve is transferred
in a scheme of demerger, even within the period of eight years of acquisition there will be no
deemed profits to the demerged company.
2. Tax concessions to the shareholders of the demerged company [Section 47] Any
transfer or issue of shares by the resulting company, in a scheme of demerger to the
shareholders of the demerged company shall not be regarded as a transfer if the transfer or
issue is made in consideration of demerger of the undertaking.
Existing shareholders: the existing shareholder of the demerged company will now hold:
shares in resulting company; and shares in demerged company, and in case the shareholders
transfers any of the above shares subsequent to the demerger, the cost of such shares shall be
calculated as given below:—
Cost of acquisition of shares in the resulting company [Section 49(2C). It shall be; he
amount which bears to the cost of acquisition of shares held by the assessee in the demerged
company the same proportion as me net book value of the assets transferred in a demerger
bears to the net worth of the demerged company immediately before such demerger.
In other words Cost of acquisition of the shares in the resulting company = cost of acquisition
of share held by the assessee in the demerged company × Net book value of the assets
transferred to resulting company Net worth of the demerged company immediately before
demerger.
Cost of acquisition of shares in the demerged company [Section 49(2 D)]: The cost of
acquisition of the original shares held by the shareholder in the demerged company shall be
deemed to have been reduced by the amount as so arrived at under section 49(2C) above.
For the above purpose net-worth means the aggregate of the paid up share capital and general
reserves as appearing in the books of account of the demerged company immediately before
the demerger.
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3. Period of holding of shares of the resulting company: [Section 2(42A)(g)]: In the case
of a capital asset, being a share or shares in an Indian company, which becomes the property
of the assessee in consideration of a demerger, there shall be included the period for which
the share or shares held in the demerged, company by the assessee.
11.13 TAX CONCESSION TO THE RESULTING COMPANY:
The resulting company shall be eligible for tax concessions only if the following two
conditions are satisfied:
(i) The demerger satisfies all the conditions laid down in section 2(19AA); and
(ii) The resulting company is an Indian company.
The following concessions are available to the resulting company in a scheme of demerger:
1. Expenditure for obtaining licence to operate telecommunication services [Section
35ABB(7)]: Where in a scheme of demerger, the demerged company sells or otherwise
transfers its licence to the resulting company (being an Indian company), the provisions of
section 35ABB which were applicable-to the demerged company shall become applicable in
the same manner to the resulting company, therefore:
(i) The expenditure on acquisition of licence, not yet written off, shall be allowed to the
resulting company in the same number of balance instalments.
(ii) Where such licence is sold by the resulting company, the treatment will be same as would
have been in the case of demerged company.
2. Treatment of preliminary expenses [Section 35D(5A)]: Where the undertaking of an
Indian company which is entitled to deduction of preliminary expenses in transferred before
the expiry of deduction period to another company in a scheme of demerger, the preliminary
expenses of such undertaking which are not yet written off shall be allowed as deduction to
the resulting company in the same manner as would have been allowed to the demerged
company. The demerged company will not be entitled to the deduction thereafter.
3. Treatment of expenditure on prospecting, etc. of certain minerals [Section 35E(7A)]\
Where the undertaking of an Indian company which is entitled to deduction on account of
prospecting of minerals, is transferred before the expiry of period of 10 years to another
company in a scheme of demerger, such expenditure of prospecting, etc. which is not yet
written off shall be allowed as deduction to the resulting company in the same manner as
would have been allowed to the demerged company. The demerged company will not be
entitled to the deduction thereafter.
4. Treatment of bad debts [Section 36(l)(vii)]: Where due to demerger the debts of the
demerged company have been taken over by the resulting company and subsequently any
such debt or part of debt becomes bad such bad debt will be allowed as a deduction to the
resulting company. This is based upon the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of K.
Koteswara Rao & Co. (1985) 155 1TR 152 (SC) which was decided in the case of
amalgamation of companies.
5. Amortisation of expenditure in case of demerger [Section 35DD}: (1) Where an
assessee, being an Indian company, incurs any expenditure, on or after 1-4-1999, wholly and
exclusively for the purposes of demerger of an undertaking, the assessee shall be allowed a
deduction of an amount equal to one-fifth of such expenditure for each of the five successive
previous years beginning with the previous year in which the demerger took place.
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6. Carry forward and set off of business losses and unabsorbed depreciation of the
emerged company [Section 72A(4) & (5)]: The accumulated loss and unabsorbed
depreciation in a demerger, should be allowed to be carried forward by the resulting company
if these are directly relatable to the undertaking proposed to be transferred. More it is not
possible to relate these to the undertaking, such loss and depreciation shall be apportioned
between the demerged company and the resulting company in proportion of the assets
coming to the share of each company as a result of demerger.
7. Deduction available under section 80-1AB or 80-IB or 80-IC or 80-IE: Where an
idertaking which is entitled to deduction under section 80-IAB/80-IB/80-IC/80-IE is
ansferred in the scheme of demerger before the expiry of the period of deduction under action
80-IAB or 80-IB or 80-IC or 80-IE, then—
(i) no deduction under section 80-IAB/80-IB/80-IC/80-IE shall be available to the demerged
company for the previous year in which amalgamation takes place; and
(ii) the provisions of section 80-IAB/80-IB/80-IC/80-IE shall apply to the resulting company
in such manner in which they would have applied to the demerged company.
11.14 OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS
1. "Actual cost" of assets to the resulting company: Where, in a merger, any capital asset
is transferred by the demerged company to the resulting company and the resulting company
is an Indian company, the actual cost of the is transferred capital asset to the resulting
company shall be taken to be the same as it would have been if the demerged company had
continued to hold the capital asset for the pose of its own business.
2. "Written down value" of assets to the resulting company. Where in previous year, any
asset forming part of a block of assets is transferred by a demerged company to the resulting
company, then, the written down value of the block of assets in the case of the resulting
company shall be the written down value of the transferred assets as appearing in the books
of account of the demerged company immediately before the demerger.
3. "Written down value" of assets to the demerged company: Where in any previous year,
any asset forming part of a block of assets is transferred by a demerged company to the
resulting company, then, the written down value of the block of assets of the demerged
company for the immediately preceding previous year shall be reduced by the written down
value of the assets transferred to the resulting company pursuant to the demerger.
4. Apportionment of depreciation between the demerged company and resulting
company [Proviso 5 to section 32] If in any previous year there is any demerger then for the
purpose of computing depreciation for that previous year it will be first assumed as if no
demerger had taken place and thereafter depreciation so computed shall be apportioned
between the demerged company and the resulting company in the ratio of the number of days
for which the assets were used by them.
5. Recovery of any allowance/deduction earlier allowed to the demerged company [Section 41(1)\: Where a demerged company was earlier allowed any allowance/deduction in
respect of loss, expenditure, or trading liability and subsequently the resulting company has
obtained/recovered whether in cash or in any other manner any amount in respect of which
any allowance/deduction was allowed to the demerged company, such amount shall be
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deemed to be the profits and gains of business or profession of the resulting company of the
previous year in which it is recovered.
11.15 DISTINCTION BETWEEN AMALGAMATION AND DEMERGER
(i) An amalgamation has a reference to a company as a whole whereas a demerger has a
reference to an undertaking of the company.
(ii) The amalgamating company will lose its identity in amalgamation whereas the demerged
company may continue to exist after demerger.
(iii) Demerger stipulates a transfer under sections 391 to 394, whereas there is no such
requirement in case of amalgamation.
(iv) Demerger requires transfer of undertaking on going-concern basis whereas there is no
such explicit requirement in case of amalgamation.
11.16 SLUMP SALE
'Slump Sale'. [Sec. 2(42C)] It means transfer of one or more undertakings as a result of the
sale for a lump-sum consideration without values being assigned to the individual assets and
liabilities in such slump sales.
Explanation-1. 'Undertaking' shall include any part of an undertaking or a unit or division of
an undertaking or a business activity taken as a whole, but does not include individual assets
or liabilities or any combination thereof not constituting a business activity.
Explanation-2. The determination of the value of an asset or liability for the sole purpose of
payment of stamp duty, registration fees or other similar taxes or fees shall not be regarded as
assignment of values to individual assets or liabilities.
1. Computation of Capital Gains in case of Slump Sale (Sec. 50B)
Any gains arising from the slump sale effected in the previous year shall be chargeable as
long-term capital gains of the previous year in which the transfer took place.
However, gains on slump sale of capital asset being one or more undertakings owned and
held by the assessee for not more than 36 months immediately preceding the date of its
transfer shall be deemed to be short-term capital gains.
2. Cost of acquisition and cost of improvement in case of slump sale The net worth' of an undertaking or division transferred by way of slump sale shall be
deemed to be the cost of acquisition and improvement for purposes of sections 48 and 49. It
is to be noted that indexed cost of acquisition of long-term capital asset shall not be
considered in slump sale.
The assessee shall furnish in the prescribed form along with the return of income, a report of
Chartered Accountant, indicating the computation of net worth of the undertaking or division
and certifying that the net worth has been correctly arrived at in accordance with the
provisions of this section.
Explanation-1. Net worth shall be the aggregate value of total assets of the undertaking or
division as reduced by its liabilities as appearing in books of account. However, any change
in the value of the assets on account of revaluation of assets shall be ignored for computing
the net worth.
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Explanation-2. For computing net worth, the aggregate value of total assets will be
computed as under:
(a) in the case of depreciable assets, the written down value of the block of assets as
determined u/s 43(6)(c)(i)(C)];
(b) in the case of capital assets in respect of which the whole of the expenditure has been
allowed or is allowable as a deduction u/s 35AD, nil; and
(c) in the case of other assets, the book value of such assets.
3. Determination of Written down value for slump sale [Sec. 43(6)(c)(i)(C)]
Actual cost of the asset shall be reduced by :
(a) the amount of depreciation actually allowed to the assessee upto assessment year 1987-88;
and
(b) the amount of depreciation that would have been allowable to the assessee for any
assessment year commencing on or after 1st day of April, 1988 as if the asset was the only
asset in the relevant block of assets.
11.17 CONVERSION OF SOLE PROPRIETARY CONCERN/ PARTNERSHIP FIRM
INTO COMPANY
1. Conversion of Partnership Firm into a Company
[Sec. 47(xiii)]
Where a firm is succeeded by a company in the business carried on by it as a result of which
the firm sells or otherwise transfers any tangible asset or intangible asset to the company it is
not regarded as a transfer and capital gains, if any, are not chargeable to tax. The exemption
will be allowed if the following conditions are satisfied :
(a) All the assets and liabilities of the firm relating to the business immediately before
succession become the assets and liabilities of the company.
(b) All the partners of the firm immediately before succession become shareholders of the
company in the same proportion in which their capital accounts stood in the books of the firm
on the date of succession.
(c) The partners of the firm do not receive any consideration or benefit, directly or indirectly,
in any form or manner, other than by way of allotment of shares in the company.
(d) The aggregate of the shareholding in the company of the partners is not less than 50% of
total voting power in the company for at least five years from the date of succession.
2. Conversion of Sole Proprietary Concern into a Company [Sec. 47(xiv)]
Where a sole proprietary concern is succeeded by a company in the business carried on by
him as a result of which the concern sells or otherwise transfers any tangible asset or
intangible asset to the company it is not regarded as a transfer and capital gains, if any, are
not chargeable to tax. The exemption will be available if the following conditions are
satisfied:
(a) All the assets and liabilities of the concern relating to the business immediately before
succession become the assets and liabilities of the company.
(b) The shareholding of the proprietor in the company is not less than 50% of the total voting
power in the company for at least five years from the date of succession.
(c) The proprietor does not receive any consideration or benefit, directly or indirectly, in any
form or manner, other than by way of allotment of shares in the company.
Important Notes:-
(1) The above exemption is available in case of business and not in case of profession.
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(2) The exemption is available in case of transfer of capital assets. Stock-in-trade is not a
capital asset, hence, gains on its transfer shall be business profits and liable to tax.
(3) Regarding cost of acquisition of the assets for the .company nothing has been given
specifically. Hence, the cost of acquisition of the assets shall be the price at which the assets
have been transferred to the company by the firm/sole proprietor.
(4) Where the aggregate of the shareholding of the partners or the shareholding of the sole
proprietor, as the case may be, in the company does not remain 50% of the total voting power
at any time during a period of five years from the date of succession, the capital gains
exempted at the time of succession shall be chargeable to tax in the hands of successor
company for the previous year in which such requirement is not complied with.
3. Carry forward and set-off of accumulated loss and unabsorbed depreciation in case
of succession. [Sec. 72A(6), (7)(a)(b)] Where a sole proprietary concern or firm is succeeded by a company which fulfils the
conditions laid down in sec. 47(xiii/47(xiv), the accumulated loss and unabsorbed
depreciation of predecessor firm/proprietary concern shall be deemed to be the loss and
unabsorbed depreciation of the successor company for the previous year in which business
reorganisation was effected. The provisions of the Act relating to set-off and carry-forward
loss and unabsorbed depreciation shall apply accordingly.
If any of the conditions laid down in sec. 47(xiii)/47(xiv) are not complied with, the set-off of
loss or allowance of depreciation made in any previous year in the hands of the successor
company, shall be deemed to be the income of the company chargeable to tax in the year in
which such conditions are not complied with.
'Accumulated loss' means so much of the loss of the predecessor firm/proprietary concern
under the head 'Profits and Gains of Business or Profession' (not being speculative loss)
which the predecessor would have been entitled to carry forward and set-off u/s 72 if the
reorganisation of business had not taken place.
'Unabsorbed depreciation' means so much of the depreciation allowance of the predecessor
firm/proprietary concern which remains to be allowed and which would have been allowed to
the predecessor under this Act, if the reorganisation of business had not taken place.
Example 4: The following is the Balance Sheet of a firm as on 31.3.2016 :
Liabilities Rs. Assets Rs.
Capital Accounts Land at cost (Acquired on
A 6,00,000 10.6.2009) 4,00,000
B 3,00,000 Building W.D.V. 6,00,000
C 3,00,000 Plant W.D.V. 3,00,000
Creditors 4,00,000 Debtors 2,00,000
Other liabilities 2,00,000 Stock 3,00,000
18,00.000 18,00.000
The partners share profit/loss in the ratio of 2:1:1,
The firm wants to convert into a company on 1.4.2016. Discuss what steps the firm and
company should take to avoid the tax on capital gains.
The firm revalued its assets as under for transfer to the company:
Rs.
Land 15,00,000
Building 9,00,000
Plant & Machinery 4,00,000
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Debtors 2,00,000
Stock 4,00,000
The liabilities will be transferred at the book value
Solution:
All the partners (A, B and C) should become shareholders of the company in the same
proportion in which their capital accounts stood in the books of the firm on the date of
succession. The capital accounts will be :
Other Stock
Assets Rs. Rs.
Transfer price 30,00,000 4,00,000
Less : Book-value 15,00,000 3,00,000
Profit on transfer 15.00.000 1.00.000'
Partners' Capital Accounts after succession:
A B C
Rs. Rs. Rs.
Capital 6,00,000 3,00,000 3,00,000
Add: Profit in 2:1:1 8,00,000 4,00,000 4,00,000
Capital on the date of succession 14.00.000 7.00.000 7.00.000
4. The company should allot shares worth Rs. 28,00,000 to A, B and C in the capital ratio. No
consideration should be paid by the company in any form or manner except allotment of
shares.
5. The voting power of partners should not be less than 50% of the total voting power of the
company.
6. The partners should hold in aggregate at least 50% of total voting power in the company
for at least five years from the date of successions.
11.18 CONVERSION OF A PRIVATE COMPANY OR AN UNLISTED PUBLIC
COMPANY INTO A LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP (LLP)
Exemption of Capital Gains Where capital assets or intangible assets are transferred by a private company or an unlisted
public company (company) to a LLP or shareholder transfers shares held in such company, it
will not be regarded as transfer [u/s 47 (xiii b)] for the purposes of capital gains (u/s 45) the
following conditions should be satisfied :
(a) All assets and liabilities of the company become the assets and liabilities of the LLP.
(b) All the shareholders of the company become partners of the LLP in the same proportion
as their share-holding in the company.
(c) The total sales, turnover or gross receipts in business of the company do not exceed sixty
lakh rupees in any of the three preceding previous years.
(d) No consideration other than share in profit in the LLP arises to partners.
(e) The shareholders of the company continue to be entitled to receive at least 50% of the
profit of the LLP for a period of five years from the date of conversion.
(f) No amount is paid, directly or indirectly, to any partner out of accumulated profits of the
company for a period of three years from the date of conversion.
1 Taxation of Capital Gains. If the above mentioned conditions are not complied with, the
benefit of exemption of capital gains availed by the company shall be deemed to be the
capital gains of the LLP and chargeable to tax for the previous year in which the
conditions are not complied with.
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2 Carry forward and set-off of Losses and unabsorbed depreciation Where a private/unlisted company is succeeded by a LLP, which fulfils the above
mentioned conditions, the accumulated Losses and unabsorbed depreciation of predecessor
company shall be deemed to be the Losses and unabsorbed depreciation of the successor
LLP for the previous year in which business reorganisation was effected. The provisions of
the Income Tax Act relating to set-off and cany-forward Losses and unabsorbed
depreciation shall apply accordingly.
If any of the conditions mentioned above are not complied with, set-off of Losses or
unabsorbed depreciation made in any previous year in the hands of the successor LLP,
shall be deemed to be the income of the LLP chargeable to tax in the year in which such
conditions are not complied with.
3 Actual cost, (i) Actual cost of the assets to the LLP shall be the WDV of the block of
assets of the predecessor company on the date of conversion.
(ii) The cost of acquisition of the asset for the successor LLP shall be deemed to be the
cost for which the predecessor company acquired it.
Cost of acquisition of Capital asset being rights of a partner in the Limited Liability
Partnership [Sec 49(2AAA)] Where a private company or unlisted public company is converted into a limited liability
partnership, the cost of acquisition of above mentioned capital asset to the partner shall be
deemed to be the cost of acquisition of shares in the company immediately before its
conversion.
No Tax Credit to LLP. The tax credit, (u/s 115 JAA) available to a company regarding
minimum tax paid (u/s 115 JB) shall not be allowed to the successor LLP.
11.19 TRANSFER OF ASSETS BETWEEN HOLDING AND SUBSIDIARY
COMPANIES
Transfer of assets between holding and subsidiary companies:
1. Transfer of assets from holding company to subsidiary company [Sec. 47(iv)]:
Any transfer of capital asset by a company to its subsidiary company is not regarded
as transfer, if:
a. The parent company or its nominees hold the whole of the share capital of the
subsidiary company, and
b. The subsidiary company is an Indian Company.
2. Transfer of assets from subsidiary company to holding company [Sec. 47(v)]:
Any transfer of capital asset by a subsidiary company to Holding Company is not
regarded as transfer, if:
a. The whole of the share capital of the subsidiary company is held by the holding
company, and
b. The holding company is an Indian Company.
Notes –
1. Exception:
Any transfer of a capital asset covered in sections 47(iv) and 47(v) shall be treated as
transfer if the transfer is made after February 29, 1988, as stock in trade.
2. Withdrawal of exemption [Sec. 47A]:
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If at any time before the expiry of 8 years from the date of transfer of a capital asset
referred to in sections 47(iv) and 47(v):
a. Such capital asset is converted by the transferee company into, or is treated by it as
stock in trade of its business, or
b. The parent company (or its nominee) or the holding company ceases to hold the
whole of the share capital of the subsidiary company,
then, the amount of capital gain exempted from tax shall be deemed to be the income of
transferor company chargeable under the head ‘capital gains’ of the year in which such
transfer took place.
3. Amendment of assessment order [Sec. 155(7B)]:
Where the profits or gains arising from the transfer of a capital asset are not charged to
tax under section 45 [by virtue of section 47(iv) or (v)] but such profits or gains are
deemed under section 47A to be income chargeable under the head ‘Capital Gains’ the
Assessing Officer may, make an order of amendment at any time before the expiry of 4
years from the end of the previous year in which the relevant capital asset was
converted in to, or treated as, stock in trade or, as the case may be, the parent company
ceased to hold the entire share capital of subsidiary company.
4. Cost of acquisition of an asset where capital gains are exempt:
Where a capital asset has been transferred between holding and subsidiary companies,
the cost of acquisition of the asset shall be the aggregate of the following:
a. the cost for which the previous owner of the property acquired it, and
b. the cost of any improvement of the asset incurred by the previous owner or the
assessee, as the case may be.
5. Cost of acquisition of an asset where capital gains are chargeable under section 47A:
The cost of acquisition of such asset to the transferee company shall be the cost for
which such asset was acquired by it.
6. Period for which the capital asset is held by the assessee:
Where the capital asset becomes the property of the assessee there shall be included the
period for which the asset was held by the previous owner.
Other points –
1. The provisions of indexation and adoption of market value as on 01-04-1981 were
made effective only w.e.f. assessment year 1993-94.
2. From the assessment year 1985-86 onwards, the conversion of capital asset into stock-
in-trade of a business carried on by the taxpayer (it may be a new business or an
existing business) is treated as a transfer within the meaning of section 2(47).
3. However, section 45(2) provides that although such a conversion of capital asset into
stock-in-trade will be treated as a transfer of the previous year in which the asset is so
converted, but the notional capital gain will not arise in the previous year in which the
asset is converted; it will arise in the previous year in which such converted asset is
sold or otherwise transferred.
4. Indexation of cost of acquisition and improvement, if required, will be done till the
previous year in which such conversion took place. Further, the fair market value of
the capital asset, as on the date of such conversion, shall be deemed to be full value of
the consideration of the asset.
5. The sale price minus market value as on the date of conversion shall be treated as
business income and taxed under the head “Profits and gains of business or
profession”.
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Example 5:
S Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of A Ltd. Both are Indian companies and maintain books
of account on the basis of financial year. On April 10, 1984 (relevant to the assessment year
1985-86), S Ltd. transfers a capital asset (i.e., shares) to A Ltd. (acquired on April 6, 1981 for
Rs. 50,000) for Rs. 1,50,000. A Ltd. sells the asset on May 10, 2015 for Rs. 6,40,000.
Determine the assessable profits of A Ltd. and S Ltd. under the following situations:
a. Before the sale of asset, A Ltd. has not converted it into stock-in-trade and it does not
cease to hold entire share capital of S Ltd.
b. A Ltd. has converted the capital asset into stock-in-trade before its sale on May 10,
2015 (date of conversion: June 10, 1987, fair market value: Rs. 3,10,000).
c. Though A Ltd. does not convert capital asset into stock-in-trade, it ceases to hold
entire share capital of S Ltd. on June 10, 1988 when 5% shareholding in S Ltd. is
transferred by way of sale to the public.
The CII for 1984-85 is 125, for 1987-88 is 150, for 1988-89 is 161 and for 2015-16 is 1081.
Solution:
Situation 1:
S Ltd.:
Transfer between A Ltd. and S Ltd. will not be treated as transfer under section 47(v).
Consequently, nothing will be taxable in the hands of S Ltd. in the assessment year 1985-86.
A Ltd.:
A Ltd. will, however, be taxable in respect of capital gain for the assessment year 2016-17
computed as under:
Amount (Rs.)
Sale consideration 6,40,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition
(50,000/100*1081) 5,40,500
LTCG 99,500
Cost inflation index of 1981-82 i.e., 100 has been taken because it is the year in which the
asset was acquired by the previous owner.
Situation 2:
S Ltd.:
Since A Ltd. has converted the capital asset into stock-in-trade within 8 years from April 10,
1984, exemption granted by section 47(v) will not be available and, consequently, Rs.
1,00,000* (i.e., Rs. 1,50,000 – Rs. 50,000) will be treated as long-term capital gain (by virtue
of section 47A) of S Ltd. for the assessment year 1985-86 86 and taxed according to the
provisions applicable at that time..
* It is to be noted the provisions of indexation of cost and adoption of market value as on 1-4-
1981 were made effective only w.e.f. the assessment year 1993-94.
A Ltd.:
Capital gain for the assessment year 2016-17 will be determined as under:
Amount
(Rs.)
Full value of consideration received [Fair market value on the date
of conversion of capital asset into stock-in-trade under section 45(2)] 3,10,000
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Less: Indexed cost of acquisition (1,50,000/125*150) 1,80,000
Long-term capital gain (notional) 1,30,000
1987-88 (CII: 150) is the year in which capital asset ceased to exist.
Besides, Rs. 3,30,000 (i.e., Rs. 6,40,000 – Rs. 3,10,000) will be chargeable to tax under
section 28(i) as business profits for the assessment year 2016-17.
Situation 3:
S Ltd.:
Since A Ltd. has transferred the shareholding in S Ltd. before the expiry of 8 years from
April 10, 1984, the exemption granted by section 47(v) will not be available and,
consequently, Rs. 1,00,000* (i.e., Rs. 1,50,000 – Rs. 50,000) will be treated as long-term
capital gain (by virtue of section 47A) of S Ltd. for the assessment year 1985-86 and taxed
according to the provisions applicable at that time.
* It is to be noted the provisions of indexation of cost and adoption of market value as on 1-4-
1981 were made effective only w.e.f. the assessment year 1993-94.
A Ltd.:
Capital gain for the assessment year 2016-17 will be determined as under:
Amount (Rs.)
Sale consideration 6,40,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition (1,50,000/125*1081) 12,97,200
Long-term capital gain (6,57,200)
Other than the income of capital gains in assessment year 2016-17, there will be no other
income in the year in which it ceases to be wholly owned subsidiary company.
Example 6:
S Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of H Ltd. Both companies are Indian companies. H Ltd.
purchased a piece of land in May 2006 at Rs. 3,00,000. In June 2009, H Ltd. transferred the
land to S Ltd. at Rs. 5,62,000. In August 2015, S Ltd. sold the land at Rs. 12,00,000.
Compute capital gain/business profit in the following cases:
a. Before the sale of land by S Ltd., neither H Ltd. ceases to hold 100% shares of S Ltd.
nor does S Ltd. convert land into stock-in-trade.
b. In July 2015, S Ltd. converted the land into stock-in-trade, when the fair market value
of land was Rs. 7,50,000.
c. In May 2015, H Ltd. sold 10% shares of S Ltd. to the public.
The CII in 2006-07, 2009-10, 2012-13 and 2015-16 were 519, 632, 852 and 1081
respectively.
Solution:
Situation 1:
H Ltd.:
Transfer between H Ltd. and S Ltd. will not be treated as transfer under section 47(iv).
Consequently, nothing would be taxable in the hands of H Ltd.
194
S Ltd.:
S Ltd. will, however, be taxable in respect of capital gain for the assessment year 2016-17
computed as under:
Amount (Rs.)
Sale consideration 12,00,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition
(3,00,000/519*1081) 6,24,855
LTCG 5,75,144
Cost inflation index of 2006-07 i.e., 519 has been taken because it is the year in which the
asset was acquired by the previous owner.
Situation 2:
H Ltd.:
Since the land has been converted into stock-in-trade in July 2015, which falls within 8 years
of the original transfer date (i.e., June 2009), there will be capital gains to H Ltd. and its
assessment of assessment year 2010-11 (i.e., previous year 2009-10) will be rectified under
section 155 as under:
Amount (Rs.)
Consideration price 5,62,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition (3,00,000/519*632) 3,65,318
LTCG 1,96,682
The long-term capital gain of Rs. 1,96,682 will be included in the total income for the
assessment year 2010-11 and taxed according to the provisions applicable at that time.
S Ltd.:
Although the land was converted into stock-in-trade in July 2015, which will be regarded as
transfer, but capital gain on such a transfer will be taxable in the previous year in which such
converted asset is sold. Indexation of cost, will, however, be done till the year of conversion.
The cost of acquisition in this case will be the value at which the asset was transferred to it.
Capital gain for the assessment year 2016-17 will be determined as under:
Amount
(Rs.)
Full value of consideration received [Fair market value on the date
of conversion of capital asset into stock-in-trade under section 45(2)] 7,50,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition (5,62,000/632*1081) 9,61,269
Long-term capital gain (notional) (2,11,269)
Besides, business income for the assessment year 2016-17:
Amount (Rs.)
Sale price 12,00,000
Less: Market value on the sale of conversion 7,50,000
Business income 4,50,000
Situation 3:
H Ltd.:
Since holding company ceases to hold 100% share capital of subsidiary company before the
expiry of 8 years from the date of transfer of the asset, there will be capital gains to H Ltd.
195
and its assessment of assessment year 2010-11 (i.e., previous year 2009-10) will be rectified
under section 155 as under:
Amount (Rs.)
Consideration price 5,62,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition (3,00,000/519*632) 3,65,318
LTCG 1,96,682
The long-term capital gain of Rs. 1,96,682 will be included in the total income for the
assessment year 2010-11 and taxed according to the provisions applicable at that time.
S Ltd.:
There will be no income in the year in which it ceases to be wholly owned subsidiary
company. Since the asset has been sold in August 2015, there will be capital gain to S Ltd. on
such a transfer for the assessment year 2016-17.
Capital gain for the assessment year 2016-17 will be determined as under:
Amount (Rs.)
Sale consideration 12,00,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition (5,62,000/632*1081) 9,61,269
Long-term capital gain 2,38,731
Example 7:
S Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of H Ltd. Both companies are Indian companies. H Ltd.
purchased a piece of land in May 2001 for Rs. 6,00,000. In June 2007, H Ltd. transferred the
land to S Ltd. at Rs. 12,00,000. In August 2015, S Ltd. sold the land at Rs. 20,00,000.
Compute capital gain/business profit in the following cases:
a. Before the sale of land by S Ltd., neither H Ltd. ceases to hold 100% shares of S Ltd.
nor does S Ltd. convert land into stock-in-trade.
b. In July 2014, S Ltd. converted the land into stock-in-trade, when the fair market value
of land was Rs. 16,00,000.
c. In May 2015, H Ltd. sold 10% shares of S Ltd. to the public.
The CII in 2001-02, 2007-08, 2014-15 and 2015-16 were 426, 551, 1024 and 1081
respectively.
Solution:
Situation 1:
H Ltd.:
Transfer between H Ltd. and S Ltd. will not be treated as transfer under section 47(iv).
Consequently, nothing would be taxable in the hands of H Ltd.
S Ltd.:
S Ltd. will, however, be taxable in respect of capital gain for the assessment year 2016-17
computed as under:
Amount (Rs.)
Sale consideration 20,00,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition
(6,00,000/426*1081) 15,22,535
LTCG 4,77,465
Cost inflation index of 2001-02 i.e., 426 has been taken because it is the year in which the
asset was acquired by the previous owner.
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Situation 2:
H Ltd.:
Since the land has been converted into stock-in-trade in July 2014, which falls within 8 years
of the original transfer date (i.e., June 2007), there will be capital gains to H Ltd. and its
assessment of assessment year 2008-09 (i.e., previous year 2007-08) will be rectified under
section 155 as under:
Amount (Rs.)
Consideration price 12,00,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition (6,00,000/426*551) 7,76,056
LTCG 4,23,944
The long-term capital gain of Rs. 4,23,944 will be included in the total income for the
assessment year 2008-09 and taxed according to the provisions applicable at that time.
S Ltd.:
Although the land was converted into stock-in-trade in July 2014, which will be regarded as
transfer, but capital gain on such a transfer will be taxable in the previous year in which such
converted asset is sold. Indexation of cost, will, however, be done till the year of conversion.
The cost of acquisition in this case will be the value at which the asset was transferred to it.
Capital gain for the assessment year 2016-17 will be determined as under:
Amount
(Rs.)
Full value of consideration received [Fair market value on the date
of conversion of capital asset into stock-in-trade under section 45(2)] 16,00,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition (12,00,000/551*1024) 22,30,127
Long-term capital gain (notional) (6,30,127)
2014-15 (CII: 1024) is the year in which capital asset ceased to exist.
Besides, business income for the assessment year 2016-17:
Amount (Rs.)
Sale price 20,00,000
Less: Market value on the sale of conversion 16,00,000
Business income 4,00,000
Situation 3:
H Ltd.:
Since holding company ceases to hold 100% share capital of subsidiary company before the
expiry of 8 years from the date of transfer of the asset, there will be capital gains to H Ltd.
and its assessment of assessment year 2008-09 (i.e., previous year 2007-08) will be rectified
under section 155 as under:
Amount (Rs.)
Consideration price 12,00,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition (6,00,000/426*551) 7,76,056
LTCG 4,23,944
The long-term capital gain of Rs. 4,23,944 will be included in the total income for the
assessment year 2008-09 and taxed according to the provisions applicable at that time.
197
S Ltd.:
There will be no income in the year in which it ceases to be wholly owned subsidiary
company. Since the asset has been sold in August 2015, there will be capital gain to S Ltd. on
such a transfer for the assessment year 2016-17.
Capital gain for the assessment year 2016-17 will be determined as under:
Amount (Rs.)
Sale consideration 20,00,000
Less: Indexed cost of acquisition (12,00,000/551*1081) 23,54,265
Long-term capital gain (3,54,265)
Questions
1. What do you mean by amalgamation? What are various modes of amalgamation.
2. Discuss the provisions u/s 72AA regarding carry forward and set off of accumulated
loss and unabsorbed depreciation of a banking company.
3. What are tax incentive to an amalgamated company.
4. Define demerger as per Income Tax Act and discuss process of demerger.
5. What are the conditions for exemption of capital gain in the case of conversion of sole
proprietorship into private limited company or LLP.
6. Write note on slump sale and determination of capital gains in the case of slump sale.
7. Discuss the tax implications to a resulting company in the scheme of demerger.
8. Explain in the conditions which should be satisfied to claim exemption of capital
gains in the case of conversion of a firm into a private limited company.
9. Define the status of transfer of assets between holding and subsidiary company. What
are the cases when profits and gains arising from such transfer will be charged to
capital gains tax?
10. Discuss the tax implications in case of transfer of assets between holding and
subsidiary companies. When are profits and gains from such transactions chargeable
to capital gains tax?