14 March 2012
As per Section 40(A)(3) if any asset purchased by way of cash exceeding more than Rs. 20,000/- then depreciation on that is disallowed in that year. My Question is whether in subsequent year depreciation is allowable on that assets????
23 July 2025
This is a very important and practical question. Letβs clarify it with the current legal position and interpretations:
π· Issue: If a capital asset is purchased in cash exceeding βΉ10,000 (earlier βΉ20,000):
Is depreciation disallowed under Section 40A(3) in that year?
Is depreciation allowed in subsequent years?
πΆ Short Answer: π Section 40A(3) does not apply to capital asset purchases directly, but depreciation can be disallowed under Section 43(1) if paid in cash.
π· Detailed Explanation: β 1. Section 40A(3) β Scope Applies to revenue expenditure only β not capital expenditure like purchasing a machine, vehicle, etc.
So, Section 40A(3) itself does not disallow the capital expenditure, nor depreciation directly.
πΆ 2. But Section 43(1) Comes into Play π Section 43(1) defines the "actual cost" of an asset for depreciation purposes.
π Explanation 13 to Section 43(1) (inserted by Finance Act, 2017) says:
βWhere an assessee incurs any expenditure for acquisition of an asset in respect of which a payment exceeding βΉ10,000 is made otherwise than by account payee cheque/draft or ECS, such payment shall not be included in actual cost of the asset.β
π« So: If cash payment > βΉ10,000 was made for buying the asset, that amount is excluded from actual cost, and thus no depreciation is allowed on that part.
πΆ 3. π Depreciation in Subsequent Years? Since the cost itself is reduced permanently under Section 43(1), depreciation in subsequent years is also reduced.
β It is not a timing disallowance (like in some revenue items) β it's a permanent exclusion from depreciation base.
π Example: Asset bought for βΉ1,00,000 in cash (not through account payee cheque/ECS)
Entire payment made in cash (>βΉ10,000)
Under Section 43(1), actual cost = βΉ0
So, depreciation = βΉ0 for all years β not just the first year.
β Final Answer: Section 40A(3) does not apply directly to capital asset purchases.
But under Section 43(1), depreciation is disallowed permanently for that portion of cost paid in cash over βΉ10,000.
β Depreciation is not allowable in subsequent years either for that disallowed amount.