23 July 2025
Great question, Vijay. You’re referring to the applicability of **Section 56(2)** of the **Income Tax Act** on the **issue of shares by a private limited company to directors at a premium**.
Let’s break it down clearly for you.
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## 🔍 **Which Clause Applies Here?**
Since the **recipient is an individual (the director)** and the **company is issuing shares at a value lower than FMV**, the relevant clause is:
> **Section 56(2)(vii)** (for years prior to **1 April 2017**)
Or
> **Section 56(2)(x)** (for **transactions after 1 April 2017** — both clauses are materially similar)
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## ✅ **Applicability in Your Case**
You said:
* Company: **Pvt Ltd** * Face value: ₹10 * Premium: ₹80 → Issue price = ₹90 per share * Book value / FMV = ₹90 * Shares issued to: **Directors (Individuals)**
If:
* The **issue price = ₹90**, and * **FMV = ₹90**
👉 Then **no tax is applicable under Section 56(2)(x)**, because the shares are being issued **at FMV**.
### BUT...
If the company **issues shares at ₹80 (below FMV of ₹90)**, then:
➡️ The **difference of ₹10** (i.e., ₹90 - ₹80) **will be taxable in the hands of the director** as **“Income from Other Sources” under Section 56(2)(x)**, if:
> "...any property (including shares) is received for a consideration which is **less than FMV** by an amount exceeding ₹50,000..."
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## 🧮 **How to Determine FMV of Unquoted Equity Shares**
As per **Rule 11UA(1)(c)** of the **Income Tax Rules**, FMV of **unquoted equity shares** is calculated using this formula:
> **FMV = (A – L) / PE × PV**
Where:
* **A** = Book value of assets (excluding certain items) * **L** = Book value of liabilities (excluding equity & related items) * **PE** = Total paid-up equity share capital * **PV** = Paid-up value of share being valued
This is effectively the **Net Asset Value (NAV) method** — i.e., **book value per share** based on balance sheet.
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## ✅ Summary Answer:
| Question | Answer | | ------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Is Section 56(2)(x) applicable? | ✅ Yes, **if shares are issued below FMV** | | What is taxable? | The **difference between FMV and issue price** (if > ₹50,000 aggregate) | | FMV Calculation | As per **Rule 11UA(1)(c)** using **NAV method** | | If issued at FMV (₹90)? | ❌ **No tax liability** |
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## 💡 Suggestions:
* If possible, **issue shares at FMV** (₹90) to avoid tax exposure. * Keep documentation ready (audited balance sheet, valuation report if required). * If discount is offered, **consider tax impact in the hands of the director**.
Let me know if you’d like help preparing a **valuation working** under Rule 11UA or a draft **board/shareholder resolution**.