Income Tax Act | To Claim Deduction U/S 54F, Assessee Must Show Intention To Repay Borrowed Funds With Capital Gains: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court stated that to claim the Section 54F deduction under the Income Tax Act, the assessee must satisfy the authorities that borrowed funds were used at their own risk with the intention to be repaid with capital gains. Section 54F of the Income Tax Act, 1961, allows a tax exemption on capital gains earned from selling a residential property, but only if certain rules are followed. Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. stated that "...even in a case where, the residential...

Income Tax Act | Payment To Consulting Doctors Appointed On Probation Is Not Salary; TDS Deductible U/S 194J, Not U/S 192: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court has held that payments to consultant doctors are not salary. Hence, TDS is deductible under section 194J and not under section 192 of the Income Tax Act. Justices B.P. Colabawalla and Firdosh P. Pooniwalla stated that there does not exist an employer-employee relationship between the assessee and consultant doctors, and the payments made to them by the assessee come under the purview of section 194J of the Income Tax Act. Section 194J of the Income Tax Act,...

Income Tax Act | Draft Assessment Order Not Permissible U/S 144C(1) When TPO Makes No Variation: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court has held that a draft assessment order is not permissible under section 144C(1) of the Income Tax Act when the TPO (transfer pricing officer) makes no variation. Section 144C(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, provides that the Assessing Officer should forward a draft of the proposed assessment order to the eligible assessee if any variation of the income or loss returned is proposed to be made which affects the assessee negatively. Justices B.P. Colabawalla and...

S. 149 Income Tax Act | Reassessment Beyond Limitation Period Is Valid Where 'Bogus' Royalty Payments Exceed ₹50 Lakh: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court has stated that reassessment beyond 3 years is valid where bogus royalty expenses exceed Rs. 50 lakhs. Justices Bharati Dangre and Nivedita P. Mehta upheld the reassessment proceedings initiated beyond three years, in the present case, where the alleged bogus royalty expenses exceeded 50 Lakhs. The bench opined that Section 149(1)(b) of the Income Tax Act is a jurisdictional fact which must be established prior to reopening of assessment on the ground that...

Surprise Searches Can Be Conducted On Family's Lockers U/S 132 Of Income Tax Act Over Suspicion Of Undisclosed Assets: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has upheld the surprise search and seizure conducted by the Income Tax Department at the private lockers maintained by a family at South Delhi Vaults, without issuance of prior notice or summons to them.The family claimed that failure to notify them was a flagrant violation of Section 132 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 which relates to 'Search and seizure'.Section 132(1)(c) stipulates that when the Department has 'reason to believe' that any person is in possession of...

Employees' Contributions Must Be Paid By Due Date Under ESI/EPF Act, Not Income Tax Act: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has held that an employer can claim deduction of employees' contributions towards Provident Fund or Employer's State Insurance Fund, held by it in trust, only if it deposits these amounts on or before the statutory due date prescribed under the relevant labour law.Section 36(1)(va) of the Income Tax Act, 196 pertains to employees' contribution. It stipulates that deductions towards any sum received by the assessee from any of his employees shall be allowed, if such sum is...

AO Can Determine Annual Value Of Property Higher Than Municipal Rateable Value U/S 22 Income Tax Act: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court stated that the assessing officer (AO) can determine the annual value of the property higher than the municipal rateable value under Section 22 of the Income Tax Act. Section 22 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 deals with the "taxability of 'Income from House Property”. It says the annual value of property consisting of any buildings or lands appurtenant thereto of which the assessee is the owner, other than such portions of such property as he may occupy for the...

Cash Deposits During Demonetisation Not 'Unexplained Money' If Traceable To Previous Year's Balance: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court held that cash deposits during demonetisation are not unexplained money if traceable to previous year's balance. Section 69 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 requires the assessee to provide proof of income and provide a proper explanation of the source of such unexplained income. Justices Sanjay K. Agrawal and Deepak Kumar Tiwari stated that the factum of liquidation/refund of short-term loans and advances and its consequential accumulation as cash-in-hand...

Income Tax | Interest On Fixed Deposits, TDS Refund Linked To Business Qualifies For S. 80IA Deduction: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court held that interest on fixed deposits, TDS refund linked to business qualifies for deduction under Section 80IA of the Income Tax Act. Section 80IA of the Income Tax Act, 1961 provides tax incentives for businesses operating in certain sectors such as infrastructure, power, and telecommunications. Justices B.P. Colabawalla and Firdosh P. Pooniwalla stated that the placement of fixed deposits was imperative for the purpose of carrying on the eligible business of...

S.263 Income Tax Act | Commissioner Cannot Revise Assessment Merely Because Detailed Reasoning Was Not Given: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court stated that the Income Tax commissioner cannot revise an assessment merely because detailed reasoning was not given in the order. Section 263 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, empowers the Commissioner of Income Tax to revise any order passed under the Income-tax Act, 1961, “the Act” which is erroneous insofar as it is prejudicial to the interest of the revenue. Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice Sunder Mohan stated that, "an order cannot be...

Income Tax | Sale Proceeds Of Vintage Cars Taxable Unless Assessee Proves That Car Was Used As Personal Asset: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court held that sale proceeds of vintage car taxable unless the assessee proves that the car was used as a personal asset. Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V. Marne stated that the capability of a car for personal use would not ipso facto lead to automatic presumption that every car would be personal effects for being excluded from capital assets of the Assessee. In this case, the Assessee had purchased a vintage car for a consideration of Rs.20,000/-....

Income Tax | Interest Earned On Surplus Lending Funds Is Attributable To Banking Business, Qualifies For 80P Deduction: Calcutta High Court

The Calcutta High Court stated that interest earned on surplus lending funds is attributable to banking business, qualifies for 80P deduction under Income Tax Act. Section 80P of the Income Tax Act, 1961 provides 100% tax deductions to cooperative societies for income from specified activities. These activities commonly include marketing agricultural produce, purchasing agricultural supplies, processing products without power, offering banking services, and more. Chief Justice T.S....