sale of leases assets


This query is : Resolved 

05 September 2009 Hi,
My query is as follows. There were certain assets taken on lease in one of the companies premises. However, the company decided to wind operations in that premise. Subsequently, the company purchases those assets on lease and sold it. There are proper invoices for purchase and sell.
Can the company expense the loss on purchase and subsquent sale of these leased assets without capitalising the assets. The whole transaction was completed within 15 days and the amount involved is about 5 lacs. PLz suggest

05 September 2009 The difference between the purchase and sale prices is the loss/profit on this transaction.If u do not write it off in the current year the debit balance in this account will be carried forward to the next year when u cannot justify the expense as it relates to an earlier year. As far as income tax is concerned the block of assets concept applies and any profit/loss on sale of assets does not affect the total income/loss.

06 September 2009 Thanks for the reply. But I dont want to capitalise the assets. Can i not expense this out without capitalising not showing this as an asset in books and income tax.

22 July 2025 Thanks for sharing your question!

Here’s the key point regarding **sale of leased assets and accounting treatment** in your case:

---

### Can you expense the loss without capitalising the leased assets?

* **Generally, leased assets should be capitalised** in the books if the company **owns or controls them**, especially if purchased.
* However, since you purchased and sold the assets **within 15 days**, and it’s more like a **trading transaction** rather than holding the asset for use, you may treat this as a **revenue transaction** (i.e., expense the loss directly).

---

### What about tax implications?

* For **income tax**, the **block of assets concept** applies only if the assets are capitalised.
* If you do **not capitalise**, and treat it as a revenue transaction, then the loss would be allowed as a **business expense** in that year.
* But this treatment should be **consistent and justifiable** based on the nature and frequency of such transactions.

---

### Summary:

| Treatment Option | Effect |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Capitalise then sell | Profit/loss treated under block of assets; deferred impact |
| Do not capitalise, expense it | Loss booked immediately as business expense; simpler for short turnover transactions |

---

### Important:

* Make sure to document your accounting policy clearly.
* Consult your auditor for concurrence, especially to avoid any scrutiny.
* Frequent such transactions may require capitalisation as per accounting standards.

---

Would you like help drafting a brief accounting policy note for this scenario?


You need to be the querist or approved CAclub expert to take part in this query .
Click here to login now



Similar Resolved Queries


loading


Unanswered Queries



CCI Pro



Answer Query



Company
11 August 2026
COMPLIANCE EXECUTIVE

YMW COMPLIANCE SERVICES LLP

Others

CA Final

View Details
Company
28 August 2026
Assistant Manager

NRS AND ASSOCIATES

Kozhikode

CA Inter

View Details
Company
11 August 2026
Manager / Senior Manager - Statutory Audit

CommerceCareer

New Delhi

CA

View Details
Company
ARTICLESHIP 26 August 2026
Article Assistant

ANIVESH CONSULTANTS LLP

Gurgaon

CA Inter

View Details
Company
ARTICLESHIP 17 August 2026
Article Assistant

Jain Ankit and Co

Gurgaon

CA Inter

View Details
Company
21 August 2026
Accountant

A G International

Kolkata

B.Com

View Details
Company
ARTICLESHIP 01 September 2026
Articles

Saini Pati Shah & Co LLP, Chartered Accountants

Mumbai

CA Foundation

View Details
Company
12 August 2026
Deputy Manager - Finance

RoamPrime Technologies Private Limited

Bengaluru

CA

View Details