“deduction of export profits”
The decision most relied on for deduction of export profits is Liberty India v. CIT (317 ITR 218), cited in 571 judgments on BharatTax.
Leading authorities on deduction of export profits
The Supreme Court clarified that for profits and gains to be eligible for deductions under sections like 10B, 80IA, or 80IB, the income must be "derived from" or have a direct nexus to the eligible business activity. Income from incidental sources like the sale of scrips/licenses or interest on employee loans is generally not considered as derived from the eligible business for such deductions.
When computing the deduction available under Section 10A of the Income-tax Act, communication expenses must be excluded from the total turnover for the purpose of calculating the eligible relief.
Disallowances made under various sections, such as for PF/ESIC contributions, result in an increase in business profits, and these enhanced profits are eligible for deduction under Sections 10A and 10AA. Similarly, gains from foreign exchange fluctuations directly linked to export sales are also eligible for deduction under Section 10A.
Export incentives, such as DEPB (Duty Entitlement Pass Book) and advance license benefits, constitute income taxable on an accrual basis under Section 28 of the Income-tax Act. Profit arising on the transfer of DEPB is not eligible for deduction under Section 80HHC.
Incidental income like interest on bank deposits or staff loans, earned by an undertaking eligible for deductions under sections 10A and 10B, constitutes part of the 'profit and gains of the undertaking' and is thus eligible for 100% deduction, as it arises in the ordinary course of the export business even if not a direct result of export.
Section 115JB is a self-contained code for computing book profit, which relies on audited financial statements subject to adjustments under Explanation 1. Restrictions on export profit deductions under Section 80HHC(1B) for normal tax computation do not automatically apply when computing book profits under Section 115JB.
Interest from debtors and foreign exchange rate difference arising from exports are includible in the eligible profit for computing deductions under section 80HHC.
Interest income derived from funds of an undertaking, such as from FDRs or EEFC accounts, forms part of the "profits of the business of the undertaking" and is eligible for deduction under Sections 10A and 10B, provided there is a direct nexus with the business. This deduction applies to the entire income from the business of the undertaking, not solely to profits from export activities.
