“Section 36(1)(c)”
The decision most relied on for Section 36(1)(c) is Distributors (Baroda) (P.) Ltd. v. Union of India (155 ITR 120), cited in 229 judgments on BharatTax.
Leading authorities on Section 36(1)(c)
For computing the deduction under Section 80M, only the net dividend income (gross dividend income after reducing expenses attributable to earning it, as per Section 57(iii) and the principle in Section 80AB) is eligible. The case also holds that tax authorities are not bound to perpetuate an error from a previous assessment year, as each year is a separate unit and consistency cannot override substantive justice.
Expenditure is defined as money paid out or away, which is gone irretrievably. To be deductible under Section 37(1), expenditure must be wholly and exclusively for business, not capital or personal, and not fall under specific provisions of Sections 30 to 36, often justifiable on grounds of commercial expediency.
The Bombay High Court holds that employees' contributions to provident fund and ESIC, though paid beyond the due dates specified in the respective welfare legislations, are allowable as a deduction under section 36(1)(va) if they are paid before the due date for furnishing the return of income under section 139(1) of the Income-tax Act.
Interest received on delayed payments for sales is considered part of the sale proceeds and is eligible for deduction under Section 80-IA as business income.
For computing book profits under Section 115JB, an Assessing Officer's power is limited to examining duly certified books and making adjustments only as per the Explanation. A provision for bad and doubtful debts, being a diminution in the value of an asset (receivable), does not constitute a 'provision for liability' under Clause (c) of the Explanation and therefore cannot be added back.
Employee contributions to provident fund and ESI are deductible only if deposited by the due date prescribed under the respective PF/ESI Acts, and not merely by the due date for filing the income tax return.
Expenditure incurred by an assessee in relation to income not forming part of the total income is not deductible under Section 14A(1). The disallowance must be restricted to direct and indirect expenses having an approximate connection with the earning of such exempt income, and Rule 8D applies from Assessment Year 2008-09.
When claiming an expenditure under section 37(1), the onus is on the assessee to prove the necessary facts, not on the revenue. Mere production of vouchers is insufficient if the genuineness of payment is doubted.
