Joint bank account: taxability query

We also had a similar case though slightly different as the case was taken up for scrutiny u/s 143 (2) calling up the primary holder of the joint bank acct & askingher to explain the transactions in her acct which were mostly done by the second holder. We could explain all the transactions to the satisfaction of the AO & also showed that the correspondig entries were there in the books of both the parties by clearly bifurcating them. The issue got resolved. Yes, both of them has to show their individual balances in the joint bank acct in their respective B/S naming it as "Joint Acct - Bank Bal". Thnx for the opportunity

The most practical way of looking at it is to see how the account is operated. If it is to be operated jointly i.e. only with the signature of both the parties, then it can be taken that they have equal share. Else the first named person who usually operates the account can be said to be the owner of the funds parked in that account. Of course, this may not always be that clear cut, but will change from case to case.