Sec 10(34A) - Income on account of buyback of unlisted shares - Is it completely tax exempt?



Quick Summary
Section 10(34A) states that income received by a shareholder from a company's buyback of unlisted shares is exempt from tax. However, this exemption isn't always absolute. Section 14A and Rule 8D allow for disallowance of certain expenses related to earning this income, though the disallowance cannot exceed the total expenses claimed.

Incomes which do not form part of total income

Sec 10(34A) 

"Any income arising to an assessee, being a shareholder, on account of buyback of shares (not being listed on a recognized stock exchange) by the company as referred to in section 115QA"

Is this income completely Tax exempt?

Section 14A (Expenditure incurred in relation to income not includible in total income) and amended Rule 8D may be read alongside to check if any tax liability can come in this regard.

Sec 10(34A) Buyback Tax Exemption: Is It Fully Tax-Free

However, it may be noted that the disallowance cannot exceed aggregate total expenses claimed by the assessee in the financial year.

Some expenditures related to earning such exempt income shall be dis-allowed.

14A(2)

"The Assessing Officer shall determine the amount of expenditure incurred in relation to such income which does not form part of the total income under this Act in accordance with such method as may be prescribed, if the Assessing Officer, having regard to the accounts of the assessee, is not satisfied with the correctness of the claim of the assessee in respect of such expenditure in relation to income which does not form part of the total income under this Act".

 

14A(3)

"The provisions of sub-section (2) shall also apply in relation to a case where an assessee claims that no expenditure has been incurred by him in relation to income which does not form part of the total income under this Act".

 

Rule 8D(2)

"The expenditure in relation to income which does not form part of the total income shall be the aggregate of following amounts, namely:

(i) the amount of expenditure directly relating to income that does not form part of total income; and

(ii) an amount equal to one percent of the annual average of the monthly averages of the opening and closing balances of the value of investment, income from which does not or shall not form part of total income:

Provided that the amount referred to in clause (i) and clause (ii) shall not exceed the total expenditure claimed by the assessee."

FAQ :

Section 10(34A) covers any income received by a shareholder from a company's buyback of shares, provided these shares are not listed on a recognised stock exchange.

While Section 10(34A) exempts this income, Section 14A and Rule 8D may lead to disallowance of certain expenses incurred in relation to this income, meaning it might not be entirely tax-free.

Section 14A deals with expenditure incurred in relation to income that does not form part of the total income. It can be applied to the exempt income from buyback of unlisted shares to determine if any tax liability arises from related expenses.

Rule 8D outlines how to calculate disallowed expenditure related to exempt income. It includes directly related expenses and 1% of the average value of investments, but the total disallowance cannot exceed the overall expenses claimed by the assessee.

Yes, an assessee can claim no expenditure was incurred. However, Section 14A(3) states that the provisions of sub-section (2) (which allows the Assessing Officer to determine disallowed expenditure) will still apply in such cases.




About the Author

CA

Proprietor of R.Sethia Associates, Chartered accountants. CA year 2000. Experience in Banking, Corporate law, Manufacturing cos systems and audit, Income Tax etc.


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