Changes in Income Tax Act, 1961 in relation to Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC)- All Union Budgets since 2018

Changes in Income Tax in relation to Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016(IBC)- All Union Budgets Union Budget 2023 […]

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Changes in Income Tax in relation to Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016(IBC)- All Union Budgets

Union Budget 2023

February 1, 2023
Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance

A. Provisions related to business reorganisation

Memorandum Explaining the Provisions in the Finance Bill, 2023: Section 170A of the Act was inserted vide Finance Act, 2022 in order to make provisions for giving effect to the order of business reorganisation issued by tribunal or court or an Adjudicating Authority under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

2. The section provides that in case of business reorganisation, where a return of income has been filed by the successor under section 139 of the Act, such successor shall furnish a modified return within six months from the end of the month in which such order of business reorganisation was issued, in accordance with and limited to the said order. Consequently, Rule 12AD has been notified prescribing the form and manner of furnishing such modified return by companies by the Board vide Notification No. 110/2022 dated 19.09.2022.

3. The provisions pertaining to business reorganisation and corporate restructuring are also available under other statutes like the Companies Act, 2013. Considering the multiplicity of provisions, certain issues have come to the fore since the insertion of section 170A in the Act last year. These pertain to the entities who have previously furnished the return for the relevant assessment year, obligation on the Assessing Officer (AO) for passing or modifying assessment or reassessment orders, the requirement of furnishing modified return etc. In order to avoid any unintended litigation, it is proposed to amend the law to clarify the same.

4. Accordingly, it is proposed to substitute section 170A, to provide that notwithstanding anything contained in section 139, in a case of business reorganisation, where prior to the date of order of the tribunal or the High Court or Adjudicating Authority as defined in clause (1) of section 5 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, any return of income has been furnished for any assessment year relevant to a previous year, by an entity to which such order applies, the successor shall furnish, within a period of six months from the end of the month in which the said order was issued, a modified return in the form and manner, as may be prescribed, in accordance with and limited to the said order. This would also enable modification of the returns filed by the predecessor wherever required

5. There was no provision of the procedure to be followed by the Assessing Officer after the modified return is furnished by the successor entity. It is therefore being provided that, if proceedings of assessment or reassessment for the relevant assessment year have been completed on the date of furnishing of modified return under sub-section (1), the Assessing Officer shall pass an order modifying the total income of the relevant assessment year in accordance with the order of the business reorganisation and taking into account the modified return so furnished. Where proceedings of assessment or reassessment for the relevant assessment year are pending on the date of furnishing of modified return under sub-section (1), the Assessing Officer shall pass an order assessing or reassessing the total income of the relevant assessment year in accordance with the order of the business reorganisation and taking into account the modified return so furnished.

6. For the purposes of such assessment or reassessment, unless provided otherwise, all other provisions of the Act shall apply and the tax shall be chargeable at the rate applicable to such assessment year.

7. It is also proposed to define the following terms for the purposes of this section:

“business reorganisation” means the reorganisation of business involving the amalgamation or demerger or merger of business of one or more persons;

“successor” means all resulting companies in a business reorganisation, whether or not the company was in existence prior to such business reorganisation.

8. This amendment will take effect from the 1st day of April, 2023.

Finance Bill, 2023: Substitution of new section for section 170A: Clause 77. For section 170A of the Income-tax Act, the following section shall be substituted, namely:–

Effect of order of tribunal or court in respect of business reorganisation.

170A. (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in section 139, in a case of business reorganisation, where prior to the date of order of a High Court or tribunal or an Adjudicating Authority as defined in clause (1) of section 5 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as order in respect of business reorganisation), as the case may be, any return of income has been furnished by an entity to which such order applies under the provisions of section 139 for any assessment year relevant to the previous year to which such order applies, the successor shall furnish, within a period of six months from the end of the month in which the order was issued, a modified return in such form and manner, as may be prescribed, in accordance with and limited to the said order.

(2) Where the assessment or reassessment proceedings for an assessment year relevant to a previous year to which the order in respect of the business reorganisation applies,––

(a) have been completed on the date of furnishing of the modified return in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1), the Assessing Officer shall pass an order modifying the total income of the relevant assessment year determined in such assessment or reassessment, in accordance with such order and taking into account the modified return so furnished;

(b) are pending on the date of furnishing of the modified return in accordance with the provisions of sub- section (1), the Assessing Officer shall pass an order assessing or reassessing the total income of the relevant assessment year in accordance with the order of the business reorganisation and taking into account the modified return so furnished.

(3) Save as otherwise provided in this section, in an assessment or reassessment made in respect of an assessment year under this section, all other provisions of this Act shall apply and the tax shall be chargeable at the rate or rates as applicable to such assessment year.

Explanation.—In this section, the expressions—

(i) “business reorganisation” means the reorganisation of business involving the amalgamation or demerger or merger of business of one or more persons;

(ii) “successor” means all resulting companies in a business reorganisation, whether or not the company was in existence prior to such business reorganisation.’.

 

B. Decriminalisation of section 276A of the Act

Memorandum Explaining the Provisions in the Finance Bill, 2023: Section 276A of the Act makes provision for prosecution with rigorous imprisonment up to two years in the case of a person, being a liquidator who fails to give notice in accordance with sub-section (1) of section 178, or fails to set aside the amount as required by subsection (3) of the said section or parts with any of the assets of the company or the properties in contravention of the provisions of the said section.

2. It has been the stated policy of the Government to decriminalise minor offences as a step towards improving ease of business. In this regard, the provisions of the Act have been examined. Section 276A provides for prosecution of liquidator for non-compliance with section 178. Section also imposes personal liability on such liquidator for the same noncompliance. Further, with the operationalisation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC), waterfall mechanism for payment of dues is now in place for companies under liquidation and sub-section (6) of section 178 (the parent section) provides that this section shall not have effect when provisions of the IBC are in contrary. Moreover, the liquidator is now working under the oversight of this specific law.

3. In view of this, it is proposed to amend section 276A by providing a sunset clause on the section with effect from 31.03.2023. Hence, it is proposed that no fresh prosecution shall be launched under this section on or after 1st April, 2023. The earlier prosecutions will however continue.

4. This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2023.

Finance Bill, 2023: Substitution of new section for section 170A: Clause 118. In section 276A of the Income-tax Act, after the proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:––

“Provided further that no proceeding shall be initiated under this section on or after the 1st day of April, 2023.”. 

 

Union Budget 2022

February 1, 2022
Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance

Amendments related to successor entity subsequent to business reorganization

Memorandum Explaining the Provisions in the Finance Bill, 2022: Chapter XV of the Act refers to liability in certain special cases. Section 170, inter-alia, governs the procedure of taxation in case of succession to business in the event of reorganization or restructuring of the business which is discussed as under.

2. Though section 170 provides for assessment in cases of succession otherwise than by death, in practice once an entity starts the process of reorganization by filing an application with the adjudicating authority or any High Court, the period of time involved in coming to a conclusion with respect to such reorganization is found to be a long-drawn process and is not time-bound. The reorganization often is from a preceding date. During the pendency of the court proceedings the income tax proceedings and assessments are carried on and often completed on the predecessor entities only. Courts have held such proceedings and consequent assessments illegal as the predecessor assessee ceases to exist in the midst of a perfectly valid and legal proceeding.

3. Hence, till the decision of the court is received, the proceedings of the Act have to be continued in the case of the predecessor only and such proceedings once completed, cannot become illegal as a result of subsequent order of any court.

Therefore, with a view to clarify that such proceedings under the Act are valid, it is proposed to insert a sub-section (2A) to section 170, to provide that the assessment or other proceedings pending or completed on the predecessor in the event of a business reorganization, shall be deemed to have been made on the successor.

4. Further, it is seen that post such reorganization, the affairs of the successor entity go through a complete change with effect from the date from which such reorganization takes place. However, due to the indefinite timeline involved in issuing such orders, there is a gap between the effectivity of such order and the date on which such order is issued by the competent authority. This also affects the final accounts of such entities as they are unable to modify their already filed returns in accordance with the reorganization. Hence, in order to remove this anomaly, it is proposed to insert a new section 170A to the Act, to enable for the entities going through such business reorganization, for filing of modified returns for the period between the date of effectivity of the order and the date of issuance of final order of the competent authority.

5. Further, it has been noted that in the cases of business reorganisation, instances have been found where the Court or Tribunal or an Adjudicating Authority, as defined in clause (1) of section (5) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, as the case may be, as a part of the restructuring process, recast the entire liability to ensure future viability of such sick entities and in the process, modify the demand created vide various proceedings in the past, by the Income Tax department as well, amongst other things.

6. However, it is observed that there is no procedure or mechanism provided in the Act to reduce such demands from the outstanding demand register. Hence, in order to remove this anomaly, it is proposed to insert a new section 156A to the Act to give effect to the orders of the competent authority and to modify such demands in accordance with such directions.

A. Modification and revision of notice in certain cases

Clause 50 seeks to insert a new section 156A in the Income-tax Act relating to modification and revision of notice in certain cases.

It is proposed to provide that where any tax, interest, penalty, fine or any other sum in respect of which a notice of demand has been issued under section 156, is reduced as a result of an order of an Adjudicating Authority as defined in clause (1) of section 5 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, the Assessing Officer shall modify the demand payable in conformity with such order and shall thereafter serve on the assessee a notice of demand specifying the sum payable, if any, and such notice of demand shall be deemed to be a notice under section 156 and the provisions of this Act shall apply accordingly.

It is further proposed to provide that where the order referred to in sub-section (1) is modified by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal or the Supreme Court, as the case may be, the modified notice of demand as referred to in sub-section (1), issued by the Assessing Officer shall be revised accordingly. These amendments will take effect from lst April, 2022.

156A.(1) Where any tax, interest, penalty, fine or any other sum in respect of which a notice of demand has been issued under section 156, is reduced as a result of an order of the Adjudicating Authority as defined in clause (1) of section 5 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, the Assessing Officer shall modify the demand payable in conformity with such order and shall thereafter serve on the assessee a notice of demand specifying the sum payable, if any, and such notice of demand shall be deemed to be a notice under section 156 and the provisions of this Act shall accordingly, apply in relation to such notice.

(2) Where the order referred to in sub-section (1) is modified by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal or the Supreme Court, as the case may be, the modified notice of demand as referred to in sub-section (1), issued by the Assessing Officer shall be revised accordingly.”.

B. Amendment in section 170 of the Income Tax

Clause 53 seeks to amend section 170 of the Income-tax Act relating to succession to business otherwise than on death.

It is proposed to amend the said section to insert a new sub-section (2A) to provide a deeming provision in order to save and validate the proceedings and to hold the assessment or other proceedings pending or completed on the predecessor in the event of a business reorganisation, to be held in the hands of the successor and to insert an Explanation to define the expressions,––

(i) “business reorganisation” means the reorganisation of business involving the amalgamation or de-merger or merger of business of one or more persons;

(ii) “pendency” to mean the period commencing from the date of filing of application for such reorganisation of business before the High Court or tribunal or the date of admission of an application for corporate insolvency resolution by the Adjudicating Authority as defined in clause (1) of section 5 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 and ending with the date on which the order of such High Court or tribunal or such Adjudicating Authority, as the case may be, is received by the Principal Commissioner or the Commissioner.

This amendment will take effect from lst April, 2022.

Complete Section 170 will be as after incorporation of the above amendment:

“170. Succession to business otherwise than on death. –(1) Where a person carrying on any business or profession (such person hereinafter in this section being referred to as the predecessor) has been succeeded therein by any other person (hereinafter in this section referred to as the successor) who continues to carry on that business or profession,—

(a)  the predecessor shall be assessed in respect of the income of the previous year in which the succession took place up to the date of succession;

(b)  the successor shall be assessed in respect of the income of the previous year after the date of succession.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), when the predecessor cannot be found, the assessment of the income of the previous year in which the succession took place up to the date of succession and of the previous year preceding that year shall be made on the successor in like manner and to the same extent as it would have been made on the predecessor, and all the provisions of this Act shall, so far as may be, apply accordingly.

[(2A) Notwithstanding anything contained in subsections (1) and (2), where there is a business reorganisation, the assessment or reassessment or other proceedings, made on the predecessor during the course of pendency of such reorganisation, shall be deemed to have been made on the successor and all the provisions of this Act shall, so far as may be, apply accordingly.

Explanation.–– For the purposes of this sub-section, the expressions,––

(i) “business reorganisation” means the reorganisation of business involving the amalgamation or de-merger or merger of business of one or more persons;

(ii) “pendency” means the period commencing from the date of filing of application for such reorganisation of business before the High Court or tribunal or the date of admission of an application for corporate insolvency resolution by the Adjudicating Authority as defined in clause (1) of section 5 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 and ending with the date on which the order of such High Court or tribunal or such Adjudicating Authority, as the case may be, is received by the Principal Commissioner or the Commissioner.]

(3) When any sum payable under this section in respect of the income of such business or profession for the previous year in which the succession took place up to the date of succession or for the previous year preceding that year, assessed on the predecessor, cannot be recovered from him, the Assessing Officer shall record a finding to that effect and the sum payable by the predecessor shall thereafter be payable by and recoverable from the successor, and the successor shall be entitled to recover from the predecessor any sum so paid.

(4) Where any business or profession carried on by a Hindu undivided family is succeeded to, and simultaneously with the succession or after the succession there has been a partition of the joint family property between the members or groups of members, the tax due in respect of the income of the business or profession succeeded to, up to the date of succession, shall be assessed and recovered in the manner provided in section 171, but without prejudice to the provisions of this section.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “income” includes any gain accruing from the transfer, in any manner whatsoever, of the business or profession as a result of the succession.”

C. Effect of order of tribunal or court in respect of business reorganisation

Clause 54 seeks to insert a new section 170A in the Income-tax Act relating to the effect of order of tribunal or court in respect of business reorganisation. It is proposed to provide that notwithstanding anything contained in section 139, in case of business reorganisation, where prior to the date of order of a High Court or tribunal or an Adjudicating Authority as defined in clause (1) of section 5 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, as the case may be, any return of income has been furnished by the successor under the provisions of section 139 for any assessment year relevant to the previous year to which such order applies, such successor shall furnish, within a period of six months from the end of the month in which the said order was issued, a modified return in such form and manner, as may be prescribed, in accordance with and limited to the said order.

It is further proposed to insert an Explanation in the said section to define the expression “business reorganisation” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (i) of the Explanation to sub-section (2A) of section 170.

This amendment will take effect from lst April, 2022. 

170A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in section 139, in a case of business reorganisation, where prior to the date of order of a High Court or tribunal or an Adjudicating Authority as defined in clause (1) of section 5 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, as the case may be, any return of income has been furnished by the successor under the provisions of section 139 for any assessment year relevant to the previous year to which such order applies, such successor shall furnish, within a period of six months from the end of the month in which the said order was issued, a modified return in such form and manner, as may be prescribed, in accordance with and limited to the said order.

Explanation.––In this section, “business reorganisation” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (i) of the Explanation to sub-section (2A) of section 170.’.

D. Budget Speech

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
76. Necessary amendments in the Code will be carried out to enhance the efficacy of the resolution process and facilitate cross border insolvency resolution.

Accelerated Corporate Exit
77. Several IT-based systems have been established for accelerated registration of new companies. Now the Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE) with process re-engineering, will be established to facilitate and speed up the voluntary winding-up of these companies from the currently required 2 years to less than 6 months.

 

Union Budget-2020

I. Amendment in Sec. 140 of Income Tax Act, 1961 relating to verification of the return of income:

Section 140 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 provides that in case of company the return is required to be verified by the managing director (MD) thereof. Where the MD is not able to verify for any unavoidable reason or where there is no MD, any director of the company can verify the return. It is also provided that in case of a company in whose case application for insolvency resolution process has been admitted by the Adjudicating Authority (AA) under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC), the return has to be verified by the insolvency professional appointed by such AA. Similarly, in case of a limited liability partnership (LLP), the return has to be verified by the designated partner of the LLP or by any partner, in case there is no such designated partner.

Therefore, it is proposed to amend clause (c) and (cd) of section 140 of the Act so as to enable any other person, as may be prescribed by the Board to verify the return of income in the cases of a company and a limited liability partnership. Clause 67 of the Finance Bill, 2020 reproduced here:

“67. In section 140 of the Income-tax Act,––

(i) in clause (c), after the words “by any director thereof”, the words “or any other person, as may be prescribed for this purpose” shall be inserted;
(ii) in clause (cd), after the words “by any partner thereof”, the words “or any other person, as may be prescribed for this purpose” shall be inserted.”

These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2020.

 

II. Amendment in Sec. 288 of Income Tax Act, 1961 relating to appearance of authorized representative:

Section 288 of the Act provides for the persons entitled to appear before any Income-tax Authority or the Appellate Tribunal, on behalf of an assessee, as its “authorised representative”, in connection with any proceedings under that Act. While the IBC empowers the Insolvency Professional or the Administrator to exercise the powers of the Board of Directors or corporate debtor, it has been reported that lack of explicit reference in section 288 of the Act for an Insolvency Professional to act as an authorised representative of the corporate debtor has been raising certain practical difficulties.

Therefore, it is proposed to amend sub-section (2) of section 288 to enable any other person, as may be prescribed by the Board, to appear as an authorised representative. Clause 102 of the Finance Bill, 2020 reproduced here:

“102. In section 288 of the Income-tax Act, in sub-section (2), after clause (vii), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:––

“(viii) any other person as may be prescribed.

These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2020.

 

 

Union Budget-2019

Budget 2019 proposed amendment in Income Tax Act, 1961 facilitating Resolution of Distressed Companies under Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016

I. Proposed amendment in Section 79 – Carry forward and set off of losses in case of certain companies:

Section 79 of Act provides that carry forward and set off of losses in a closely held company shall be allowed only if there is a continuity in the beneficial owner of the shares carrying not less than 51 percent. of the voting power, on the last day of the year or years in which the loss was incurred.

A proviso to sec. 79 inserted by the Finance Act, 2018 to allow carry forward and set off of losses even if there is change in voting power or shareholding due to pursuant to a Resolution Plan approved by NCLT. The proviso reproduced here:

“Provided also that nothing contained in this section shall apply to a company where a change in the shareholding takes place in a previous year pursuant to a resolution plan approved under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016), after affording a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the jurisdictional Principal Commissioner or Commissioner.”(w.e.f 01.04.2018)

Now, the Budget, 2019 has proposed to allow carry forward and set off of losses to its subsidiaries and the subsidiary of such subsidiary also. The  Memorandum Explaining the Provisions in The Finance Bill, 2019 as under:

“Measures for resolution of distressed companies
The existing provisions of section 79 are not applicable to a company where any change in shareholding takes place in a previous year pursuant to a resolution plan approved under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) subject to the condition that jurisdictional Principal Commissioner or Commissioner is provided a reasonable opportunity of being heard. Thus, loss in such cases can be carried forward and set off even if there is change in voting power or shareholding. This benefit is proposed to be extended to certain companies. Thus it has been provided in newly substituted section 79 that the provision of this section shall not apply to those companies, and their subsidiary and the subsidiary of such subsidiary, where-

(i) the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on a petition moved by the Central Government under section 241 of the
Companies Act, 2013 has suspended the Board of Directors of such company and has appointed new directors, who are
nominated by the Central Government, under section 242 of the Companies Act, 2013: and

(ii) a change in shareholding of such company, and its subsidiaries and the subsidiary of such subsidiary, has taken place
in a previous year pursuant to a resolution plan approved by NCLT under section 242 of the Companies Act, 2013, after
affording a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the jurisdictional Principal Commissioner or Commissioner.

Further, it is also proposed that under section 115JB of the Act for calculating book profit, the aggregate amount of unabsorbed depreciation and loss (excluding depreciation) brought forward shall also be allowed to be reduced in cases of the above mentioned companies.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-21
and subsequent assessment years.”

Now, even if change in shareholding more than 49% due Resolution Plan approved by NCLT, losses of holding company and and its subsidiaries and the subsidiary of such subsidiary was being allowed to be carry forward and set off.

 

Notes:

Clause 22 of the Bill seeks to substitute section 79 of the Income tax Act relating to carry forward and set off of losses in case of certain companies and provides that where a change in shareholding has taken place during the previous year in the case of a company, not being a company in which the public are substantially interested, 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 the previous year, the shares of the company carrying not less than fifty-one per cent. of the voting power were beneficially held by persons who beneficially held shares of the company carrying not less than fifty one per cent. of the voting power on the last day of the year or years in which the loss was incurred.

Clause (c) of sub-section (2) to the said section provides that nothing contained in this section shall apply to a company where a change in the shareholding takes place in a previous year pursuant to a resolution plan approved under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, after affording a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the jurisdictional Principal Commissioner or Commissioner.

Clause (d) of sub-section (2) to the said section provides that nothing contained in this section shall apply to a company, and its subsidiaries and the subsidiary of such subsidiary, where,–

(i) the National Company Law Tribunal, on a petition moved by the Central Government under section 241 of the Companies Act, 2013 has suspended the Board of Directors of such company and has appointed new directors which are nominated by the Central Government, under section 242 of the said Act; and
(ii) a change in shareholding of such company, and its subsidiary and the subsidiary of such subsidiary, has taken place in a previous year pursuant to a resolution plan approved by the National Company Law Tribunal under section 242 of the Companies Act, 2013 after affording a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the jurisdictional Principal Commissioner or Commissioner.

The Explanation to the section specifies that a company shall be a subsidiary of other company, if such other company holds more than half in nominal value of the equity share capital of the company.

This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, be applicable for assessment year 2020-2021 and subsequent assessment years. 

 

II. Proposed amendment in Section 115JB-MAT:

Section 115JB of the Act, provides for levy of a minimum alternate tax (MAT) on the “book profits” of a company. In computing the book profit , it provides, inter alia, for a deduction in respect of the amount of loss brought forward or unabsorbed depreciation, whichever is less as per books of account. Consequently, where the loss brought forward or unabsorbed depreciation is Nil, no deduction is allowed.

Clause  (iih) to explanation 1 in section 115JB inserted by Finance Act, 2018 to provide that the aggregate amount of unabsorbed depreciation and loss brought forward (excluding unabsorbed depreciation) shall be allowed to be reduced from the book profit, if a company’s application for corporate insolvency resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 has been admitted by the Adjudicating Authority.(w.e.f. 01.04.2018). Clause (iih) & (iii) reproduced here:

“(iih) the aggregate amount of unabsorbed depreciation and loss brought forward in case of a company against whom an application for corporate insolvency resolution process has been admitted by the Adjudicating Authority under section 7 or section 9 or section 10 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016).
Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, the expression “Adjudicating Authority” shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (1) of section 5 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016) and the loss shall not include depreciation; or

(iii) the amount of loss brought forward or unabsorbed depreciation, whichever is less as per books of account in case of a company other than the company referred to in clause (iih).

Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause,—
(a)  the loss shall not include depreciation;
(b)  the provisions of this clause shall not apply if the amount of loss brought forward or unabsorbed depreciation is nil; or”

Budget 2019 proposed that under section 115JB of the Income Tax, 1961 for calculating book profit, the aggregate amount of unabsorbed depreciation and loss (excluding depreciation) brought forward shall also be allowed to be reduced in cases of the above mentioned companies. This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment years.

Notes:

Clause 34 of the Bill seeks to amend section 115JB of the Income-tax Act relating to special provision for payment of tax by certain companies. The said section provides for levy of tax on certain companies on the basis of book profit which is determined after making certain adjustments to the net profit disclosed in the profit and loss account prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. It also provides that in case of a company, against whom an application for corporate insolvency resolution process has been admitted by the Adjudicating Authority under section 7 or section 9 or section 10 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, the aggregate amount of unabsorbed depreciation and loss brought forward shall be allowed to be reduced from the book profit and the loss shall not include depreciation.

It is proposed to amend the said section so as to provide that the aggregate amount of unabsorbed depreciation and loss (excluding depreciation) brought forward shall also be allowed to be reduced from the book profit in case of a company, and its subsidiary and the subsidiary of such subsidiary, where, the National Company Law Tribunal, on an application moved by the Central Government under section 241 of the Companies Act, 2013 has suspended the Board of Directors of such company and has appointed new directors who are nominated by the Central Government, under section 242 of the said Act.

It is also proposed to amend the said section so as to provide that 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.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-2021 and subsequent assessment years.

III. Prescription of exemption from deeming of fair market value of shares for certain transactions:

The existing provisions of the section 56(2)(x) of the Income-tax Act, inter alia, provide for chargeability of income in case of receipt of money or specified property for no or inadequate consideration. For determining the amount of income for receipt of certain shares, the fair market value of the shares is taken into account. Similarly, section 50CA provides for deeming of fair market value of unquoted shares for computing the capital gains from the transfer of such shares. For both these provisions, the fair market value is determined based on the prescribed method. Currently, the provisions of section 56(2)(x) are not applicable to certain specified transactions. However, no such exemption is available under section 50CA.

Determination of fair market value based on the prescribed rules may result into genuine hardship in certain cases where the consideration for transfer of shares is approved by certain authorities and the person transferring the share has no control over such determination. In order to provide relief to such types of transactions from the applicability of sections 56(2)(x) and 50CA, it is proposed to amend these sections to empower the Board to prescribe transactions undertaken by certain class of persons to which the provisions of section 56(2)(x) and 50CA shall not be applicable.
These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment years.

 

Notes:

Clause 19 of the Bill seeks to amend section 50CA of the Income tax Act relating to special provision for full value of consideration for transfer of share other than quoted share.

The said section, inter alia, provides that where the consideration received or accruing as a result of the transfer by an assessee of a capital asset, being share of a company other than a quoted share, is less than the fair market value of such share determined in such manner as may be prescribed, the value so determined shall, for the purposes of computing capital gains, be deemed to be the full value of consideration received or accruing as a result of such transfer.

It is proposed to amend the said section so as to provide that the provisions of the said section shall not apply to any consideration received or accruing as a result of transfer by such class of persons and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.

This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-2021 and subsequent assessment years.

Clause 21 of the Bill seeks to amend section 56 of the Income tax Act relating to income from other sources.

Clause (viib) of sub-section (2) of the said section provides that where a company, not being a company in which the public are substantially interested, receives in any previous year, from any person being a resident, any consideration for issue of shares that exceeds the face value of such shares, the aggregate consideration received for such shares as exceeds the fair market value of the shares shall not be charged to tax, if the consideration for issue of shares is received by a venture capital undertaking from a venture capital company or a venture capital fund or by a company from a class or classes of persons as may be notified by the Central Government in this behalf.

It is proposed to amend the said clause so as to provide that where a company, not being a company in which the public are substantially interested, receives in any previous year, from any person being a resident, any consideration for issue of shares that exceeds the face value of such shares, the aggregate consideration received for such shares as exceeds the fair market value of the shares shall not be charged to tax, if the consideration for issue of shares is received by a venture capital undertaking from a specified fund.

It is further proposed to define the expression “specified fund”. It is also proposed to insert a second proviso to the said clause so as to provide that where the provisions of the said clause have not been applied to a company on account of fulfilment of conditions specified in the notification issued under clause (ii) of the first proviso and the company fails to comply with any of those conditions, then, any consideration received for issue of share that exceeds the face value of such shares shall be deemed to be the income of the company chargeable to income-tax for the previous year in which such failure has taken place.

These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-2021 and subsequent assessment years.

Clause (viii) of sub-section (2) of the said section provides that income by way of interest received on compensation or on enhanced compensation referred to in clause (b) of section 145A shall be chargeable to tax.

It is proposed to amend the said clause so as to substitute the reference of clause (b) of section 145A with the reference of subsection (1) of section 145B therein.

This amendment will take effect retrospectively from 1st April, 2017 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2017-2018 and subsequent assessment years.

The second proviso to the sub-clause (b) of clause (x) of subsection (2) of the said section specifies that the first proviso shall apply only in a case where the amount of consideration or a part thereof has been received by way of an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or by use of electronic clearing system through a bank account on or before the date of agreement for transfer of the asset.

It is proposed to amend the said second proviso so as to empower the Board to make rules to provide that the first proviso shall also apply in respect of those cases where the amount of consideration or part thereof has been received by way of any other electronic mode as may be prescribed.

The proviso to the said clause (x) provides that where any person receives, in any previous year, from any person or persons any property without consideration, the aggregate fair market value of which exceeds fifty thousand rupees, the whole of the aggregate fair market value of such property or consideration which is less than the aggregate fair market value of the property by an amount exceeding fifty thousand rupees, then the aggregate fair market value of such property as exceeds such consideration shall be the income of the person receiving such property.

It is proposed to insert a new clause (XI) in the proviso to the said clause (x) so as to provide that any sum of money or any property received from such class of persons and subject to such conditions, as may be provided by rules shall not be the income of such persons.

These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-2021 and subsequent assessment years.

 

 

Union Budget-2018

Following Changes in provisions under Income Tax Act, 1961 to bring in line with  Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC 2016) by Union Budget 2018:

I. Section 79 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 “Carry forward and set off of losses in case of certain companies”-
This section provides that in any previous year where there is a change of shareholding representing more than 49% of the voting power of a company in which the public is not substantially interested, the loss of any year prior to the said previous year shall not be allowed to be carried forward or set off.

Finance Act, 2018 inserted third Proviso to the Section 79 that provision will not be applicable to the companies where a change in shareholding takes places in a previous year pursuant to the approval of Resolution Plan under IBC 2016. The proviso reproduced here:

“Provided also that nothing contained in this section shall apply to a company where a change in the shareholding takes place in a previous year pursuant to a resolution plan approved under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016), after affording a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the jurisdictional Principal Commissioner or Commissioner.”

 

II. Section 115JB of the Income Tax Act, 1961 “Special provision for payment of tax by certain companies”-

In terms of clause (iii) of the explanation to Section 115JB, the amount of loss brought forward or unabsorbed depreciation whichever is less as per books of account is permitted to be set off in computing book profit.

The Finance Act, 2018 inserted clause (iih) prior to clause (iii) that on admission of application to appoint Insolvency Resolution Professional and to initiate CIRP process under IBC Code under Section 7, 9, or 10, then the aggregate amount of unabsorbed depreciation and loss shall be allowed to reduce from book P&L, which shall not include depreciation. The clause (iih) read as under:

“(iih) the aggregate amount of unabsorbed depreciation and loss brought forward in case of a company against whom an application for corporate insolvency resolution process has been admitted by the Adjudicating Authority under section 7 or section 9 or section 10 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016).
          Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, the expression “Adjudicating Authority” shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (1) of section 5 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016) and the loss shall not include depreciation; or

This amendment will mean that the eligible company will be entitled to set off the aggregate of loss and depreciation as per books of account.

 

III. Section 140 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 “Return by whom to be verified”-

This section prescribes the person who is to verify the return of income. In the case of a company, the return is to be verified by a managing director or where he is not able to verify the return, or there is no managing director, by any director. Section 17(1)(b) of the IBC 2016 provides that, on the appointment of an interim resolution professional the powers of the board will stand suspended.

The Finance Act, 2018 inserted clause (c) after the second proviso to Section 140(c), which reads as under:-

“(c)  where in respect of a company, an application for corporate insolvency resolution process has been admitted by the Adjudicating Authority under section 7 or section 9 or section 10 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016), the return shall be verified by the insolvency professional appointed by such Adjudicating Authority.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause the expressions “insolvency professional” and “Adjudicating Authority” shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in clause (18) of section 3 and clause (1) of section 5 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016);”

The above provisions come into effect from 01.04.2018.

 

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