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“non-compete fee”

Business IncomeSection 28(va)Section 28(va)164 judgments

The decision most relied on for non-compete fee is Lord Radcliffe in Commissioner of Taxes v. Nchanga Consolidated Copper Mines Ltd. (58 ITR 241), cited in 69 judgments on BharatTax.

Leading authorities on non-compete fee

Lord Radcliffe in Commissioner of Taxes v. Nchanga Consolidated Copper Mines Ltd.
58 ITR 241 · 1965 · Reported
69
citing judgments

The test of enduring benefit for classifying expenditure as capital or revenue is not absolute; expenditure incurred for an enduring advantage may nonetheless be on revenue account, as the test can break down depending on the facts.

Champion Engineering Works Ltd. v. CIT (1971) 81 ITR 273 (Bom), CIT v. Bowrisankara Stemp Ferry Co.
165 ITR 63 · 1987 · High Court
66
citing judgments

The case is cited for the principle that when a payment is made for a non-compete agreement which is part of a larger business transfer, the characterisation of the payment depends on whether it is for the enduring benefit of the business or for the loss of potential profits.

Guffic Chem (P.) Ltd. v. CIT
332 ITR 602 · 2011 · Supreme Court
66
citing judgments

Compensation received for a non-compete covenant or for not carrying on a specific business activity is a capital receipt and not liable to tax as business income.

Commissioner of Income Tax v. Coal Shipment Ltd.
82 ITR 902 · 1971 · Supreme Court
59
citing judgments

Payments for non-compete fees or restrictive covenants are revenue expenditure if they are for a limited or uncertain duration and do not confer an enduring advantage to the assessee. The classification as revenue or capital depends on the specific facts and circumstances of each case.

Rohitasava Chand v. CIT
306 ITR 242 · 2008 · High Court
59
citing judgments

Receipt of a non-compete fee, even if it does not alter the assessee's business structure, impairs the carrying on of their activity, constituting a loss of a source of income.

Pentasoft Technologies Ltd. v. DCIT
41 Taxmann.com 120 · 2014 · High Court
58
citing judgments

A non-compete fee paid as part of a business acquisition or transaction constitutes an intangible asset, eligible for depreciation under Section 32(1)(ii) of the Income-tax Act.

Alembic Chemical Works (supra), Commissioner of Income Tax v. Madras Auto Services (supra) and CIT vs. HMT Limited
203 ITR 820 · 1993 · High Court
55
citing judgments

Expenditure incurred for the elimination of business competition, such as non-compete fees, is classified as either revenue or capital expenditure based on whether it creates an enduring benefit for the assessee's business.

Sharp Business System v. CIT III
27 Taxmann.com 50 · 2012 · High Court
53
citing judgments

A non-compete fee, being a capital expenditure, is not allowable as a deduction from income and does not qualify for depreciation under Section 32(1)(ii) of the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Judgments citing non-compete fee