Friday 16 October 2020

Treatment of Cash Sales under the Income Tax Law

 

Cash sales are sales made against cash. It is where the seller receives the cash consideration at the time of delivery. Unlike credit sales, cash sales do not result in accounts receivable. It is not necessary that the seller must receive the currency notes to qualify a sale as cash sale. Sales involving direct immediate transfer to the seller bank account or payments through credit cards are also cash sales.

No law which prohibits a trader or a manufacturer in making cash sales

There is no law which prohibits receipt of sale consideration in cash. There is no limit prescribed for Cash Transactions under GST Law as of now, which means any registered person may enter into any business transaction attracting GST Law in cash of any amount including Sales/Purchases to/from unregistered persons. But in order to, curb black money, the government has imposed various restrictions on cash receipts/payments and cash withdrawal from time to time through Income Tax Act 1961.

 

 Cash Sale – Tax provisions

Section

 

269ST

Section 269ST, introduced vide Finance Act, 2017 with effect from 01.04.2017 prohibits cash transaction exceeding Rs. 2,00,000/- otherwise than by an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or use of electronic clearing system through a bank account.

271DA

As per the provisions of section 271DA, any person who enters into a cash transaction of Rs. 2,00,000/- or above, will be liable to a penalty of an amount equivalent to the amount of transaction.

 

Section 269ST of Income Tax Act 1961 provides that no person shall receive an amount of Rs. 2,00,000 or more: –

(a)   In aggregate from a single person in a single day 

Cash Receipt of Rs. 2,00,000 or more, from a single person in a day is not allowed even if the amount has been paid through multiple transactions during the day which are below Rs. 2,00,000.

 

Mr A sold an item amounting to Rs 2,50,000/- to Mr B and received 5 installments of Rs. 50,000/- in a single day. He has received more than Rs 2,00,000/- in a single day.

 

(b)   In respect of a single transaction 

Cash receipts of Rs 2 Lakh or more which are related to a single transaction are prohibited.

In the example above, if Mr. A receives 5 installments in 5 days, still the transaction covers under section 269ST of Income Tax Act as amount received against a single transaction.

 

(c) In respect of transactions relating to one event or occasion from a person 

Cash transactions or cash receipts related to a single event or occasion, can not be more than Rs 2,00,000.

 

A caterer receives cash of more than Rs. 2,00,000 in respect of a marriage even if separate bills are made and payment are received on separate days.

 

KEY NOTE

The Cash Transactions Limit is applicable on receiver and not the payer.

 

Non Applicability of section 269ST 

This section is not applicable on

(i)  Any receipt by Government , banking company, post office savings bank or co-operative bank

(ii)  transactions of nature referred to in section 269SS (Section 269SS deals with provisions related to receiving loan or deposit from specified person )

(iii)  such other persons or class of persons or receipts, which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify.

Penalty 

Sum equal to the amount of such receipt shall be liable to be paid by the receiver as the penalty under Section 271DA of Income Tax Act. No penalty shall be impossible if such person proves that there were good and sufficient reasons for the contravention. Also, the penalty is imposed on the receiver, not on the payer.

 

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) vide Circular No. 27/2017 dated 03.11.2017 clarified that Section 269ST of the Act prohibits receipt of Rs. 2 lakhs or more otherwise than by specified modes in a day or in respect of a single transaction or in respect of transactions relating to an event or occasion from a person. As no exception has been given for agricultural income, any cash sale of an amount of Rs. 2 lakh or more by cultivator of agricultural produce is prohibited under this section. This circular also clarified that cash sale of the agricultural produce by its cultivator to the trader for an amount less than Rs. 2 lakhs will not:

(a)  Result in any disallowance of expenditure under section 40A(3) of the Act in case of trader

(b)  Attract prohibition under section 269ST of the Act in the case of cultivator

(c)  Require the cultivator to quote his PAN or furnish Form No. 60.

 

CBDT Circular No. 27/2017, Dated 03.11.2017

Subject : Clarification on Cash sale of agricultural produce by cultivators/agriculturist

Representations have been received from the stakeholders. regarding applicability of income-tax provision to cash sale of agricultural produce by cultivators/agriculturists to traders.

2. In this context, it is stated that the provisions of section 40A(3) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 ('the Act') provides for the disallowances of expenditure exceeding Rs. 10,000 made otherwise than by an account payee cheque/draft or use of electronic clearing system through a bank account. However, rule 6DD of the Income-tax Rules, 1962 ('IT Rules') carves out certain exceptions from application of the provisions of section 40A(3) in some specific cases and circumstances, which inter alia include payments made for purchase of agricultural produce to the cultivators of such produce. Therefore, no disallowance under section 40A(3) of the Act can be made if the trader makes cash purchases of agricultural produce from the cultivator.

3. Further, section 269ST, subject to certain cxceptions, prohibits receipt of Rs. 2 lakh or more otherwise than by an account payee cheque/draft or by use of electronic clearing system through a bank account from a person in a day or in respect of a single transaction or in respect of transactions relating to an event or occasion from a person. Therefore, any cash sale of an amount of Rs. 2 lakh or more by a cultivator of agricultural produce is prohibited under section 269ST of the Act.

4. Further also the provisions relating to quoting of PAN or furnishing of Form No. 60 under rule 114B of the IT Rules do not apply to the sale transaction of Rs. 2 Lakh or less.

5. In view of the. above, it is clarified that cash sale of the agricultural produce by its cultivator to the trader for an amount less than Rs. 2 Lakh will not:-

(a) result in any disallowance of expenditure under section 40A(3) of the Act in the case of trader.

(b) attract prohibition under section 269ST of the Act in the case of the cultivator; and Page 1 of 2

(c) require the cultivator to quote his PAN/ or furnish Form No.60.

 

Once the amounts have been credited in the sales account and have been duly included while computing the profit, the same cannot be added under section 68 of the Income Tax Act, 1961

The explanation has not been rebutted with evidence by the Assessing Officer. The claim of the Assessing Officer is that, the assessee has conveniently and very cleverly filed his reply before few days, when the case is going to be time barred and hence the documents filed cannot be verified is factually incorrect. Just because there are problems of time and manpower to conduct verification and detailed examination of the claims of the assessee, an addition cannot be made by rejecting the claim of the assessee. (Related Assessment Year : 2014-15) – [New Pooja Jewellers v. ITO – Date of Judgement : 26.02.2020 (ITAT Kolkata)]

 

Assessee was importing mobile phones from China. Most of the time it was making sales of the goods when in transit by way of high sea sales. During the year total turn-over was Rs. 62.91 crores out of which high sea sales were of Rs. 59.11 crores. Sale consideration for high sea sales was received in cash. The assessee was having meager finances and was purchasing the goods on credit and was making the payment after the sale. The Assessing Officer with a view to verify the transactions of high sea sales issued notices to the buyers which were returned by postal authorities with remarks “left or not exist”. The Assessing Officer on this basis made addition of Rs. 59.11 crores under section 68. Held by the Tribunal that Section 68 was not applicable. Goods have been duly imported there have been custom clearances for the same. There were agreements for sale of the goods on high sea basis. Once the goods have been sold, the buyer became the debtor and any receipt of money from him is the realization of such debt. Therefore, Section 68 cannot be applied. – [M/s Singhal Exim (P) Ltd. v. ITO – Date of Judgement : 12.04.2019 (ITAT Delhi)]

 

Only profit margin to be added if cash deposit was from cash sales

There is no dispute that there were frequent deposits and withdrawal from the bank accounts. There is also no dispute in so far as the business of the assessee is concerned. Considering the nature of business of the assessee it can be safely concluded that the cash deposited by the assessee were out of his cash sales. In our considered opinion only margin of profit should be added on such cash deposit, therefore, we do not find any error or infirmity in the finding of the Ld. CIT(A). – [ITO v. Shri Pankaj Aggarwal – Date of Judgement : 16.05.2018 (ITAT Delhi)]

 

Entire cash sale can not be added, add only margin

In case the books are rejected, then only margins out of the cash sales can be added to the income of the assessee. The ld. CIT(A) has right observed that total amount appearing as a deposit in the account was not cash credits, rather sale proceeds of the assessee. Turnover of the assessee is to be computed on the basis of all these details and at the most, an estimated net profit can be computed as an income of the assessee.  Accordingly, the ld. CIT(A) has confirmed an addition of Rs. 3,50,208/-. We do not find any error in the detailed reasoning of the ld. CIT(A), and accordingly, the appeal of the Revenue is dismissed. For dismissal of this appeal, we do not require the presence of the assessee. (Related Assessment year : 2008-09) – [ITO v. Shri Pavankumar Bhagatram Sharma – Date of Judgement : 11.04.2017 (ITAT Ahemdabad)]

 

As long as stock is available and nothing adverse against the cash memo is found then cash sale cannot be doubted - Cash sale is offered as income hence the same can not be added under section 68 (double addition)

It is but natural that if a customer makes cash purchase & lifts the goods, there is no duty cast upon seller to insist for address of the purchaser. In light of the fact that stock record was available with assessee, which evidenced making of sale, we fail to appreciate as to how any addition can be made by treating cash sales as bogus. (Related Assessment year : 2006-07)  [Kishore Jeram Bhai Khaniya, Prop. M/s Poonam Enterprises v. ITO – Date of Judgement : 13.5.2014 (ITAT Delhi)]

During the course of survey two slips were found mentioning about sale of bardana of Rs. 10 Lacs. Cash of Rs. 10 lacs was also found. The assessee entered in the books of account sale of bardana and determined the profit on that basis. The Assessing Officer made addition of Rs. 10 lacs rejecting the explanation of the assessee. The assessee's explanation had been accepted that cash of Rs. 10 lakhs found during the course of survey were on account of realization from sale of bardana of Rs. 10 lakhs. It was held that since sale of bardana was duly entered in the books, amount of Rs. 10 lacs did not remain unrecorded and it was not unaccounted. It was also noted by the Tribunal that addition of the same amount again during assessment proceedings amounted to double addition. – [CIT v. Jaora flour and Foods (P) Ltd. (2012) 344 ITR 294 (MP)]

Assessing Officer had doubted the cash sales as bogus and had made additions - It is not in dispute that the sum of Rs 24,58,400/- was credited in the sale account and had been duly included in the profit disclosed by the assessee in its return - It is in these circumstances that the Tribunal observed that the cash sales could not be treated as undisclosed income and no addition could be made once again in respect of the same

Cash of Rs. 24,58,400/- was deposited in bank account. The Assessing Officer made the addition on the ground that nexus of such deposit was not establish with any source of income. The assessee claimed that it was duly recorded in the books on account of cash sales and was considered in the Profit and Loss Account. The Assessing Officer had verified the stock and cash position as per books and had accepted the same. Complete books of account and cash book was submitted to the Assessing Officer and no discrepancy was pointed out. On this basis CIT(A) deleted the addition. Tribunal also observed that it is not in dispute that sum of Rs.24,58,400/- was credited in the sale account and had been duly included in the profit disclosed by the assessee in its return. Therefore, cash sales could not be treated as undisclosed income and no addition could be made once again in respect of the same. The Hon’ble High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Department. – [CIT v. Kailash Jewellery House – Date of Judgement : 09.04.2010]

 

Not bound to maintain name and address of buyers in cash sale

In the case of a cash transaction where delivery of goods is taken against cash payment, it is hardly necessary for the seller to bother about the name and address of the purchaser. As to the cash transactions also, the quantity of sugar sold has not been disputed. The rates at which sugar was sold were not such as would excite suspicion by reason of being lower than the prevailing market rates. The names of the customers are also entered in respect of the transaction. All that is not done is that the addresses are not entered and on enquiry the assessee was unable to supply the addresses. There was no necessity whatsoever for the assessee to have maintained the addresses of cash customers, the failure to maintain the same or to supply them as and there was no necessity whatsoever for the assessee to have maintained the addresses of cash customers, the failure to maintain the same or to supply them as and when called for cannot be regarded as a circumstance giving rise to a suspicion with regard to the genuineness of the transactions. – [R.B. Jessaram Fatehchand (Sugar Deptt.) v. CIT (1969) 75 ITR 33 (Bom.)

 

 


 

 

Friday 9 October 2020

Capital Gain not to be charged on investment in certain bonds (Financial Assets) [Section 54EC]

 

Section 54EC provides that capital gain arising from the transfer of a long-term capital asset, being land or building or both, invested in the long-term specified asset at any time within a period of six months after the date of such transfer, the capital gain shall not be charged to tax subject to certain conditions specified in the said section.

 

Text of Section 54EC

[1][Capital gain not to be charged on investment in certain bonds.

54EC. (1) Where the capital gain arises from the transfer of a long-term capital asset [2][, being land or building or both,] (the capital asset so transferred being hereafter in this section referred to as the original asset) and the assessee has, at any time within a period of six months after the date of such transfer, invested the whole or any part of capital gains in the long-term specified asset, the capital gain shall be dealt with in accordance with the following provisions of this section, that is to say,—

 (a) if the cost of the long-term specified asset is not less than the capital gain arising from the transfer of the original asset, the whole of such capital gain shall not be charged under section 45;

(b) if the cost of the long-term specified asset is less than the capital gain arising from the transfer of the original asset, so much of the capital gain as bears to the whole of the capital gain the same proportion as the cost of acquisition of the long-term specified asset bears to the whole of the capital gain, shall not be charged under section 45 :

[3][Provided that the investment made on or after the 1st day of April, 2007 in the long-term specified asset by an assessee during any financial year does not exceed fifty lakh rupees :]

[4][ Provided further that the investment made by an assessee in the long-term specified asset, from capital gains arising from transfer of one or more original assets, during the financial year in which the original asset or assets are transferred and in the subsequent financial year does not exceed fifty lakh rupees.]

 (2) Where the long-term specified asset is transferred or converted (otherwise than by transfer) into money at any time within a period of three years from the date of its acquisition, the amount of capital gains arising from the transfer of the original asset not charged under section 45 on the basis of the cost of such long-term specified asset as provided in clause (a) or, as the case may be, clause (b) of sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be the income chargeable under the head "Capital gains" relating to long-term capital asset of the previous year in which the long-term specified asset is transferred or converted (otherwise than by transfer) into money.

[5] [Provided that in case of long-term specified asset referred to in sub-clause (ii) of clause (ba) of the Explanation occurring after sub-section (3), this sub-section shall have effect as if for the words "three years", the words "five years" had been substituted.

Explanation.—In a case where the original asset is transferred and the assessee invests the whole or any part of the capital gain received or accrued as a result of transfer of the original asset in any long-term specified asset and such assessee takes any loan or advance on the security of such specified asset, he shall be deemed to have converted (otherwise than by transfer) such specified asset into money on the date on which such loan or advance is taken.

[6][(3) Where the cost of the long-term specified asset has been taken into account for the purposes of clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (1),—

 (a) a deduction from the amount of income-tax with reference to such cost shall not be allowed under section 88 for any assessment year ending before the 1st day of April, 2006;

(b) a deduction from the income with reference to such cost shall not be allowed under section 80C for any assessment year beginning on or after the 1st day of April, 2006.]

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,—

(a) "cost", in relation to any long-term specified asset, means the amount invested in such specified asset out of capital gains received or accruing as a result of the transfer of the original asset;

[7][(b) "long-term specified asset" for making any investment under this section during the period commencing from the 1st day of April, 2006 and ending with the 31st day of March, 2007, means any bond, redeemable after three years and issued on or after the 1st day of April, 2006, but on or before the 31st day of March, 2007,—

 (i) by the National Highways Authority of India constituted under section 3 of the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988 (68 of 1988); or

(ii) by the Rural Electrification Corporation Limited, a company formed and registered under the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956),

and notified by the Central Government in the Official Gazette for the purposes of this section with such conditions (including the condition for providing a limit on the amount of investment by an assessee in such bond) as it thinks fit:]

[7][Provided that where any bond has been notified before the 1st day of April, 2007, subject to the conditions specified in the notification, by the Central Government in the Official Gazette under the provisions of clause (b) as they stood immediately before their amendment by the Finance Act, 2007, such bond shall be deemed to be a bond notified under this clause;]

[8][(ba) "long-term specified asset" for making any investment under this section on or after the 1st day of April, 2007 means any bond, redeemable after three years and issued on or after the 1st day of April, 2007 by the National Highways Authority of India constituted under section 3 of the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988 (68 of 1988) or by the Rural Electrification Corporation Limited, a company formed and registered under the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) [now Companies Act, 2013] [9][; or any other bond notified by the Central Government in this behalf].]

Following clause (ba) shall be substituted for the existing clause (ba) of Explanation to section 54EC by the Finance Act, 2018, with effect from 01.04.2019 :

(ba) "long-term specified asset" for making any investment under this section,—

(i) on or after the 1st day of April, 2007 but before the 1st day of April, 2018, means any bond, redeemable after three years and issued on or after the 1st day of April, 2007 but before the 1st day of April, 2018;

(ii) on or after the 1st day of April, 2018, means any bond, redeemable after five years and issued on or after the 1st day of April, 2018, by the National Highways Authority of India constituted under section 3 of the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988 (68 of 1988) or by the Rural Electrification Corporation Limited, a company formed and registered under the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) [now Companies Act, 2013] or any other bond notified in the Official Gazette by the Central Government in this behalf.

KEY NOTE

1.     Inserted by the Finance Act, 2000, with effect from 01.04.2001.

2.     Inserted by the Finance Act, 2018, with effect from 01.04.2019.

3.     Inserted by the Finance Act, 2007, with effect from 01.04.2007.

4.     Inserted by the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2014, with effect from 01.04.2015.

5.     Inserted by the Finance Act, 2018, with effect from 01.04.2019.

6.     Substituted by the Finance Act, 2005, with effect from 01.04.2006.

7.     Substituted by the Finance Act, 2007, with retrospective effect from 01.04.2006.

8.     Inserted , ibid, with effect from 01.04.2017.

9.     Inserted by the Finance Act, 2017, with effect from 01.04.2018.

 

Who can claim exemption?

This exemption is available to all categories of assessees i.e. Individual, HUF, Firm, Company or any other person can claim exemption under section 54EC. (including NRI out of NRO account on a non-repatriable basis)

Nature of the Asset

Long Term Capital Asset

 

Definition of capital assets does not include following –

(i)               Stock-in-trade, consumable stores, raw-material which has been held for the purpose of business or profession;

(ii)             Movable property held for personal use by the person or any dependent member;

(iii)           Agricultural land located in rural area;

(iv)            6.5% gold bond or 7% gold bond or national defence gold bond issued by the Central Government;

(v)              Special bearer bond;

(vi)            Gold deposit bond as issued under gold deposit scheme.

 

Which original asset is qualified for exemption?

A Long-term capital asset being land or building or both is transferred by an assessee during the previous year is qualified for exemption.

With effect from assessment year 2019-20, the Finance Act, 2018 has restricted the scope of exemption under Section 54EC only in respect of long-term capital gains arising from land or building or both. Further, the lock-in period of these bonds, i.e., NHAI and RECL, has been increased to 5 years.

Which new asset should be purchased (acquired)?

v  Notified Bonds issued on or after 01.04.2007 by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI); or

v  With effect from 01.04.2008 - Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (RECL); or

v  With effect from assessment year 2018-19, investment in any bond redeemable after five (three years up to assessment year 2018-19) years which has been notified by the Central Government in this behalf

Ø  shall also be eligible for exemption.

 

Long Term Specified Assets

Exemption under section 54EC of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is available in case the long term capital gain is invested into the long term specified assets. Long term specified assets means any bond redeemable after a period of 3 years (5 years from financial year 2018-2019). The said bonds should have been issued on or after 1st April, 2000. Qualifying bonds are listed hereunder –

(i)            Bonds issued by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development established under section 3 of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development Act, 1981; or

(ii)          Bonds issued by the National Highways Authority of India constituted under section 3 of the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988; or

(iii)        Bonds issued by Rural Electrification Corporation; or

(iv)         Bonds issued by Power Finance Corporation Limited (Government has notified that said bonds issued on or after 15th June, 2017) (notification no. 47/2017 dated 8 th June, 2017) ; or

(v)           Bonds issued by Indian Railway Finance Corporation (Government has notified that said bonds issued on or after 8th August, 2017) (notification no. 79/2017 dated 8 th August, 2017.

Essential conditions

(1)   The assessee should transfer a long-term capital asset being land or building or both (up to assessment year 2018-19 - other than residential house property) during the previous year.

(2)     The assessee has to invest long-term capital gain within six months from the date of transfer of Long-Term Capital Asset, being land or building or both.

(3)    He has to invest in one of the following Bonds:—

(a) Bonds redeemable after five years [three years - up to assessment year 2018-19]

(b) Issued on or after 01.04.2007 and

(c) Issued by

(i)         Bonds issued by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) or

(ii)       Bonds issued by the Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (RECL); or

(iii)     By any other authority but bonds are notified by the Central Government for this purpose [applicable from the assessment year 2018-19]

Ø  If all the above conditions are satisfied then the assessee can claim the exemption under section 54EC.

Holding period of new asset

The investment should be for minimum period of five years [three years up to assessment year 2018-19].

 

Interest on notified for section 54EC bonds is taxable

Interest is taxable in the hands of the investor depending on his/her income tax slab.

 

Withdrawal of Section 54EC exemption if bonds issued on or after 01.04.2018 transferred or redeemed within 5 years [Proviso to section 54EC(2)]

Section 54EC provides exemptions up to Rs. 50 lakhs if any long-term capital gain is invested in the specified bonds of NHAI and RECL within a period of six months after the date of such transfer. Such investments in these bonds have a lock-in period of 3 years.

The Finance Act, 2018 has inserted proviso  in section 54EC(2), with effect from 01.04.2019 restricted the scope of exemption under Section 54EC only in respect of long-term capital gains arising from land or building or both. Further, the lock-in period of these bonds, i.e., NHAI and RECL, has been increased to 5 years. Accordingly, exemption shall be withdrawn if bonds issued on or after 01.04.2018 are transferred or redeemed within 5 years.

 

PROVISIONS ILLUSTRATED:

On 05.11.2017 , Mr. ‘X’ sells gold for Rs. 15,00,000/- (cost of acquisition on 15.03.2010 Rs. 2,00,000/-). Expenses on purchase and transfer are Rs. 1,000/- and Rs. 2,000/-, respectively. On 01.05.2019, he acquires bonds of National Highways Authority (investment being Rs. 7,00,000/-). These bonds are redeemable after 42 months. Find out the exemption under section 54EC.

SOLUTION:

 

S. No.

Particulars

Amount (in Rs.)

(i)

Sale consideration

15,00,000

(ii)

Less : Expenses on transfer

2,000

(iii)

Net sale consideration

14,98,000

(iv)

Less : Indexed cost of acquisition i.e.

3,90,540  

(v)

Long-term capital gain 2,00 000 x 289

                                                           148

11,07,460

(vi)

Less : Exemption under section 54EC

7,00,000

(vii)

Capital gain chargeable to tax

4,07,460

KEY NOTE :

(i) Mr. ‘X’ should not transfer the bonds of National Highway Authority (NHA) of India or take a loan on the security of these bonds or otherwise convert these bonds into money, within 3 years from 01.05.2018.

(ii) If Mr. ‘X’ transfers the bonds of National Highway Authority (NHA) of India (or Mr. ‘X’ takes any loan or advance on security of these bonds within 3 years from 01.05.2019, then Rs. 7,00,000/- will be deemed income by way of long-term capital gain of the previous year in which he transfers these bonds.

Up to assessment year 2018-19

Consequences if the asset is transferred within 3 years:

The bonds should not be transferred or converted into money or any loan/ advance within a period of three years from the date of purchase. In case the bonds are transferred within a period of 3 years from the date of their purchase, the exemption allowed for investment earlier would be taxed in the year of such transfer as capital gains.

For this purpose, it would be considered as transfer even if the assessee takes any loan or advance on the security of the specified securities. For the investment in the bonds, deduction under section 80C will not be available.

If transferred or converted into money or took loan or advance on the security of such asset within that period, so much of the capital gains not charged earlier will be treated as capital gains of the year of such transfer.

Amount of exemption available

(a) Amount of Investment in the specified bonds or

(b) Capital gains,

Ø  whichever is lower. (Maximum Rs. 50 lakhs during any financial year)

FOR EXAMPLE:

(a) Capital gain is Rs. 30 lakhs and the amount invested is Rs. 30 lakhs.

Ø  In this case, Rs. 30 lakhs is exempted and there will be no capital gain tax.

(b) In another case, capital gain is Rs. 30 lakhs and the amount invested is Rs. 16 lakhs.

Ø  In this case, Rs. 16 lakhs is exempted and Rs. 14 lakhs will be taxed as capital gain.

Maximum investment eligible

Rs. 50,00,000/- : The Investment made on or after 01.04.2007 in the long-term capital asset, specified asset by an assessee during any financial year shall not exceed Rs. 50,00,000.

 

Period for investment is to be made in asset (i.e. Time limit for Investment)

The investment is to be made within six months from the date of transfer of the original capital asset.

 

Applicable up to assessment year 2018-19

Capital Gains arising from conversion of capital asset into stock-in-trade shall be invested in specified assets under section 54EC within 6 months from the date of such stock-in-trade is sold or otherwise transferred in terms of section 45(2).—[Board’s Circular No. 791, dated 02.06.2000]

 

If capital gain invested within the period of 6 months from the date of transfer, exemption under section 54EC cannot be denied merely because the Bond was issued after expiry of 6 months.—[Hindustan Unilever Limited v. DCIT (2010) 325 ITR 102 (Bom)]

 

Consequence of Transfer of Long Term Specified Assets

In case the long term specified assets are transferred / converted into money within a period of 5 years (3 years upto financial year 2017-2018) from the date of its acquisition, the amount exempted under section 54EC shall be deemed to be long term capital gain in the previous year in which the long term specified assets i.e. the bonds are transferred.

 

It must be noted that as per the explanation contained in section 54EC in case the individual takes any loan or advances on the security of such specified assets, it would be deemed that the same has been converted into money on the date on which such loan or advances is taken and taxed accordingly.

 

Investment in bonds - Investment made from advance received on sale of capital asset before date of transfer of asset will qualify for exemption

It was held that, investment made from advance received on sale of capital asset before date of transfer of asset will qualify for exemption.( Related  Assessment year : 2013-14) - [Rahul G. Patel. v. DCIT (2018) 195 TTJ 1027 : 173 ITD 1 : 171 DTR 1 (ITAT Ahmedabad)]

 

Amount received on transfer of rights to carry on any business is taxable as capital gain and not as business income - consequently deduction under section 54EC is available

Allowing the appeal of the assessee the Tribunal held that , the amount received on account  of transfer of business is  taxable as capital gains and not as business income, consequently deduction under section 54EC is available in respect of investment made in Govt Bonds. (Related Assessment Year : 2006-07)

[Suklendu A.Baji v.DCIT – Date of Judgement : 05.02.2018 (ITAT Mumbai)]

 

Investment in specified bonds from the amounts received as an advance is eligible for section 54EC deduction. The fact that the investment is made prior to the transfer of the asset is irrelevant

Thus, these amounts when received as advance under an Agreement to Sale of a capital asset are invested in specified bonds the benefit of Section 54EC of the Act is available. Moreover, on almost identical facts, this Court in Parveen P. Bharucha Vs. DCIT, 348 ITR 325, held that the earnest money received on sale of asset, when invested in specified bonds under Section 54EC of the Act, is entitled to the benefit of Section 54EC of the Act. This was in the context of reopening of an assessment and reliance was placed upon CBDT Circular No. 359 dated 10th May, 1983 in the context of Section 54E of the Act. (Related Assessment year : 2008-09) - [Jagdish C. Dhabalia v. ITO – Date of Judgement : 14.12.2016) (Bom)]

 

Correctness of law laid down by Bombay High Court in Ace Builder 281 ITR 210 that deduction under section 54EC is available to short-term capital gains computed under section 50 doubted by Tribunal

By virtue of the deeming provision of section 50, cost of a long-term capital asset (LTCA), i.e., as per section 2(29A), where depreciable, forming part of a block assets on which depreciation stands claimed, the capital gain on its transfer would have to be computed in terms thereof, i.e. by treating the WDV of the relevant block of assets (or, as the case may be, the relevant asset) as its cost of acquisition. The second deeming per the provision of section 50 is qua the nature of such capital gains, i.e., as capital gains arising from the transfer of a STCA. Section 54EC is available on capital gain arising on the transfer of a LTCA, i.e., which is not a STCA by definition. The same shall, therefore, not apply to capital gains computed under section 50. - [ACIT v. Kamlakar Moghe – Date of Judgement : 04.09.2015 (Bom)

 

The period of "6 months" available for making investment means 6 calendar months & not 180 days. Payment by cheque dates back to date of presentation & not date of encashment

For purposes of section 54EC, as held by the Special Bench of Ahmedabad bench in the case of Alkaben B. Patel (2014) 148 ITD 31 (Ahd) and M/s. Crucible Trading Co. (P) Ltd. in ITA No.5994/Mum/2013 dated 25.02.2015 “6 months” have been interpreted and it is held that the same would mean 6 calendar months and not 180 days. As held by the Supreme Court in CIT v. Ogale Glass Works Ltd. (1954) 25 ITR 529 (SC), in the case of cheques not having been dishonored but having been encashed, the payment related back to the date of the receipt of the cheques and in law the dates of payments were the dates of the delivery of the cheques. - [Neela S. Karyakarte v. ITO - Date of Judgement : 28.08.2015 (ITAT Mumbai)]

 

Assessee is eligible for deduction of Rs.1 Crore in respect of investment of Rs.50 Lakhs made in two different financial years. Proviso to section 54EC seeking to curb this has effect from Assessment year 2015-16

 (i) On a plain reading of Section 54EC(1) of the Act it is clear that it restricts the time limit for the period of investment after the property has been sold to six months. There is no cap on the investment to be made in bonds. The first proviso to Section 54EC(1) of the Act specifies the quantum of investment and it states that the investment so made on or after 01.04.2007 in the long-term specified asset by an assessee during any financial year does not exceed fifty lakh rupees. In other words, as per the mandate of Section 54EC(1) of the Act, the time limit for investment is six months and the benefit that flows from the first proviso is that if the assessee makes the investment of Rs.50,00,000/- in any financial year, it would have the benefit of Section 54EC(1) of the Act.

(ii) The legislature has chosen to remove the ambiguity in the proviso to Section 54EC(1) of the Act by inserting a second proviso with effect from 01.04.2015. The memorandum explaining the provisions in the Finance (No. 2) Bill, 2014 also states that the same will be applicable from 01.04.2015 in relation to assessment year 2015-16 and the subsequent years. The intention of the legislature probably appears to be that this amendment should be for the assessment year 2015-2016 to avoid unwanted litigation of the previous years. (related Assessment year : 2008-09) - [CIT v. C. Jaichander – Date of Judgement : 15.09.2014 (Mad)]

 

Investment in bonds – Exemption – Six months from the end of month  

During the previous year relevant to the assessment year under consideration the assessee sold shares of two companies on 24th February 2005. The assessee invested entire sale consideration on 30th August 2005, in the bonds specified under section 54EC. i.e. REC Bonds. The Tribunal held that the word used in section is “any time with in a period of six months after the date of such transfer”. The term “month” is not defined in the Income-tax Act, 1961. Applying the expression used in the General clauses Act, 1897, the term six months should be reckoned from the end of month in which the transfer takes place. On the facts as the invest were made on 30th August, 2005, the Tribunal held that the assessee is entitled to exemption under section 54EC. (Related Assessment year : 2005-06). - [Yahya E. Dhariwala v. DCIT (2012) 247 CTR 230 : 49 SOT 458 (ITAT Mumbai)]

 

Investment in bonds – Exemption – In joint names 

To claim exemption under sections 54 and 54EC what is material is investment of sale consideration in acquiring residential premises or constructing a residential premises or investing amount in bonds set out in section 54EC, there is no requirement that such investments should be in name of assessee only. Assessee sold her residential house property and invested part of sale proceeds in purchasing residential house property and specified bonds in joint names of assessee and her husband. The Court held that as entire consideration had flown from assessee and no consideration had flown from her husband, merely because either in sale deed or in bonds her husband’s name is mentioned, in law, he would not have any right, and assessee could not be denied benefit of deduction under section 54 and 54EC. (Related Assessment year 2007-08). - [CIT v. Voith Paper Fabrics India Ltd. (2011) 245 CTR 516 : 64 DTR 58 (P&H)]

 

Investment in bonds – Exemption – Allowable before set-off of brought forward loss

While section 54EC is an exemption provision which exempts capital gains and takes them outside the purview of chargeable “capital gains”, section 74 deals with the carry forward and set off of loss under the head “capital gains”. The stage at which set off of carried forward long term capital loss is to be given is subsequent to the stage at which income under the head capital gains is computed and deduction under section 54EC is to be given in the course of the latter. Accordingly, section 54EC deduction has to be given before set-off of losses. (Related Assessment year : 2005-06) - [Tata Power Co. Ltd. v. ACIT (2011) 47 SOT 470 (ITAT Mum)]

 

Investment in bonds – Exemption – Date of payment – Delivery

The Tribunal held that since the assessee had delivered the cheque to NABARD by 09.02.2006, the date of payment would be the date of delivery of the cheque. The date when the cheque was encashed by NABARD cannot be said to be the date of investment. (Related Assessment year : 2006-07) - [Kumar Amrutlal Doshi v. DCIT – Date of Judgement : 09.02.2011 (ITAT Mubai)]

 

Benefit under section 54EC could be availed where bonds are purchased in joint name

Merely because bonds are in joint name, assessee could not be denied benefit of deduction under section 54EC. As far as it is established that the complete consideration has flown from the assesse, the benefit could not be denied on this ground. - [DIT v. Mrs. Jennifer Bhide (2011) 15 taxmann.com 82 (Kar)]

 

Investment can be made in joint names

Exemption under section 54EC cannot be denied when investment in notified bonds is made in joint names of assessee and her son and not in her own name exclusively. - [ITO v. Saraswati Ramanathan (2008) 114 TTJ 803 (Del)]