Section 13(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act

Income-tax Act, 2025: ss.332–355

Section 13(1)(c) falls under section 13 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, which corresponds to sections 332 to 355 of the Income-tax Act, 2025, the provisions on registered non-profit organisations.

Read the 2025 provisions

Correspondence checked against the ICAI tabular mapping of the two Acts and the BharatTax.co section commentary.

The decision most relied on for Section 13(1)(c) is Indian Molasses Co. Pvt. Ltd. v. CIT (37 ITR 66), cited in 206 of the 697 judgments on BharatTax that turn on this section.

Leading authorities on Section 13(1)(c)

Indian Molasses Co. Pvt. Ltd. v. CIT
37 ITR 66 · 1959 · Supreme Court
206
citing judgments

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.

CIT v. Rajasthan & Gujarati Charitable Foundation Poona
402 ITR 441 · 2018 · Supreme Court
187
citing judgments

Depreciation is allowable as a deduction even if the expenditure for acquiring the capital asset was treated as application of income for charitable purposes. This does not constitute a double benefit.

CIT v. Tiny Tots Education Society
330 ITR 21 · 2011 · High Court
112
citing judgments

Charitable institutions are entitled to claim depreciation on assets even when the cost of acquisition has already been treated as an application of income for exemption purposes, as this does not constitute a double deduction.

1. Father Mullers Charitable Institutions 363 IT 230 (Kar.) 2. DIT(E) v. Sheth Mafatlal Gagalbhai Foundation Trust
249 ITR 533 · 2001 · High Court
108
citing judgments

Income of a trust that is taxable at the maximum marginal rate should be taxed accordingly, while other income is eligible for exemption under Section 11 of the Income-tax Act.

AGARWAL WAREHOUSING AND LEASING LTD. v. CIT
257 ITR 235 · 2002 · High Court
102
citing judgments

Orders passed by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal are binding on all revenue authorities, including the Assessing Officer and Commissioner (Appeals), functioning under its jurisdiction. Judicial discipline requires subordinate authorities to follow these orders unreservedly, and failure to do so constitutes judicial impropriety and an error in law.

CIT v. Sheth Manilal Ranchhoddas Vishram Bhavan Trust
198 ITR 598 · 1992 · High Court
98
citing judgments

When computing the income of a charitable trust for exemption under Section 11, depreciation must be allowed as an application of income based on commercial principles. This does not constitute a double deduction.

U.P.Pollution Control Board v. Kanoria Industrial Limited
2 SCC 549 · 2001 · Reported
69
citing judgments

The State Government's power to levy Forest Development Tax (FDT) under Section 98-A of the Act is limited to specific bodies. Notifying 'lease holders of mines and quarries situated in forest area' as such a body may be ultra vires the section.

M/s Safdurjung Enclave Educational Society v. Municipal Corporation Delhi
3 SCC 390 · 1992 · Reported
49
citing judgments

Activities run on commercial lines do not fall within the ambit of charitable objects. Section 2(15) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, is applicable to such activities.

CIT v. Indian National Theatre Trust
305 ITR 149 · 2008 · High Court
45
citing judgments

A loan advanced by a charitable trust to another charitable trust can be treated as an application of income for the purpose of availing exemption under Section 11 of the Income-tax Act.

Tamil Nadu Cricket Association v. Director of Income Tax (Exemptions)
360 ITR 633 · 2014 · High Court
40
citing judgments

Violation of the conditions under Section 13 of the Income Tax Act does not automatically lead to the conclusion that the activities of a trust are not in accordance with its objects. The revenue must demonstrate that the dominant activities are in the nature of trade, commerce, or business, not merely based on the volume of receipts.

Judgments on Section 13(1)(c)

The Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax(Exemptions), Exemption Circle, Vijayawada vs. C.V.S.Krishnamurthy Teja Charities, Tirupati

In the result, appeal of the revenue as well as the cross objections of the assessee are dismissed

ITA 111/VIZ/2019[2013-14]Status: DisposedITAT Visakhapatnam23 Nov 2020AY 2013-14

Bench: Shri V. Durga Rao& Shri D.S. Sunder Singhआयकर अपील सं./I.T.A.No.111/Viz/2019 (निर्धारण वर्ा/Assessment Year:2013-14) Vs. Dy.Commissioner Income Tax M/S C.V.S.Krishnamurthy Teja (Exemptions) Charities Exemptions Circle #14/182,Chadalawada Nagar Vijayawada Padmavthipuram Tirupathi, Chittoor District [Pan : Aaatc1439M] (अपीलार्थी/ Appellant) (प्रत्यर्थी/ Respondent) Cross Objection No.66/Viz/2019 Arising Out Of I.T.A.No.111/Viz/2019 (निर्धारण वर्ा/Assessment Year:2013-14) M/S C.V.S.Krishnamurthy Teja Vs. Dy.Commissioner Income Tax Charities (Exemptions) #14/182,Chadalawada Nagar Vijayawada Padmavthipuram Tirupathi, Chittoor District [Pan : Aaatc1439M] (अपीलार्थी/ Appellant) (प्रत्यर्थी/ Respondent) रधजस्व की ओर से /Revenue By : Shri D.K.Sonowal, Cit, Dr निर्धाऩरती की ओर से / Assessee By : Shri C.Subrahmanyam, Ar सुिवधई की तधरीख / Date Of Hearing : 23.09.2020 घोर्णध की तधरीख/Date Of : 23.11.2020 Pronouncement

For Appellant: Shri C.Subrahmanyam, ARFor Respondent: Shri D.K.Sonowal, CIT, DR
Section 11Section 13(1)(c)Section 143(2)Section 144

Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax (Exemptions), Vijayawada vs. Kandula Lakshumma Memorial Educational Society, Kadapa

In the result, appeal of the revenue as well as the cross objections of the assessee are dismissed

ITA 179/VIZ/2018[2013-2014]Status: DisposedITAT Visakhapatnam18 Sept 2020AY 2013-2014

Bench: Shri V. Durga Rao& Shri D.S. Sunder Singhआयकर अपील सं./I.T.A.No.179/Viz/2018 (निर्धारण वर्ा/Assessment Year:2013-14) Deputy Commissioner Of Vs. M/S Smt.Kandula Income Tax (Exemptions) Lakshumma Memorial Vijayawada Educational Society D.No.3/429 Raja Reddy Street Kadapa [Pan :Aadas4432Q] (अपीलार्थी/ Appellant) (प्रत्यर्थी/ Respondent) Cross Objection No.91/Viz/2018 (Arising Out Of I.T.A. No.179/Viz/2018) (निर्धारण वर्ा/Assessment Year:2013-14) Vs. M/S Smt.Kandula Lakshumma Deputy Commissioner Of Memorial Educational Society Income Tax (Exemptions) D.No.3/429 Vijayawada Raja Reddy Street Kadapa [Pan :Aadas4432Q] (अपीलार्थी/ Appellant) (प्रत्यर्थी/ Respondent) रधजस्व की ओर से /Revenue By : Shri B.Rama Krishna, Dr निर्धाऩरती की ओ रसे / Assessee By : Shri G.V.N.Hari, Ar सुिवधई की तधरीख / Date Of Hearing : 18.08.2020 घोर्णध की तधरीख/Date Of Pronouncement : 21.09.2020

For Appellant: Shri G.V.N.Hari, ARFor Respondent: Shri B.Rama Krishna, DR
Section 11Section 13(1)(c)