“interest on securities”
The decision most relied on for interest on securities is South Indian Bank Ltd. v. CIT (438 ITR 1), cited in 508 judgments on BharatTax.
Leading authorities on interest on securities
The mixed fund theory is affirmed, holding that no disallowance of interest expenditure under Section 14A can be made if the assessee possesses sufficient non-interest bearing funds, such as capital and reserves, to cover investments made in tax-free securities.
Income earned by a cooperative society from investing its surplus funds in short-term deposits and securities is not attributable to its core activities and therefore not eligible for deduction under Section 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Income-tax Act.
If an assessee possesses interest-free funds exceeding investments in tax-free securities, it is presumed that investments are made from these own funds, precluding disallowance of interest expenditure under Section 14A read with Rule 8D(2)(ii). Additionally, weighted deduction under Section 35(2AB) is computed on the gross expenditure incurred, not net expenditure after reducing income earned.
Income from surplus funds invested in short-term deposits and securities by a cooperative credit society is not attributable to its activities and is therefore not eligible for exemption under section 80P(2)(a)(i) of the Income-tax Act.
The 'broken period interest' paid on securities is considered part of the capital outlay for acquiring those securities and cannot be allowed as a revenue expenditure or business deduction. It must be capitalized.
Interest paid by banks is allowable as a deduction in computing total income. The decision distinguished the Supreme Court's ruling in Vijaya Bank regarding the deductibility of such interest.
Notional interest on an interest-free security deposit cannot be considered as actual or deemed rent under Section 23(1) of the Act. For determining Annual Letting Value (ALV) under Section 23(1)(a), it must be in accordance with municipal laws, considering extraneous circumstances, but not exceeding the standard rent as per rent control legislation.
Interest income earned by a co-operative bank from the investment of its surplus funds, including those statutorily required to be placed in approved securities, is attributable to its banking business and qualifies for deduction under Section 80P(2)(a)(i).
