Chartered Accountant
22 Points
Joined November 2009
Section 40A(3) – Capital Assets
Analysis
A plain reading of this section makes it clear that this section does not provide for any addition on the income side.
This leads to 2 possible interpretations:
1) Whether the cost of acquisition for purchase of capital asset can be disallowed u/s 40A(3).
2) Whether depreciation on such capital asset can be disallowed u/s 40A(3).
Regarding question no. 1), cost of acquisition of a capital asset is normally not allowed as deduction (I am not talking about depreciation here as it is an allowance). In such cases, as the cost is not claimed as an ‘expenditure’, question of its disallowance is out of question.
Regarding question no. 2), the question that arises is whether depreciation can be considered as ‘expenditure’ as used in section 40A(3). It has been held by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Pandyan Insurance Co. Ltd. reported in 55 ITR 716 that depreciation is not ‘expenditure’. Therefore, depreciation cannot be disallowed u/s 40A(3). Further, this view is fortified by the recent judgment of Delhi ITAT in the case of SMS Demag Private Limited reported in 3 taxmann.com 37. It was, inter-alia, held in this judgment that disallowance of depreciation cannot be made as a result of non deduction of TDS u/s 40(a)(i). Even though it is in relation to section 40(a)(i), the logic remains same that depreciation is not an ‘expenditure’. Therefore, disallowance u/s 40A(3) cannot apply to depreciation.
Conclusion
Cost of capital asset paid in cash cannot be disallowed u/s 40A(3) as it is not claimed as a deduction. Further, depreciation on such assets can also not be disallowed u/s 40A(3) as it is not in the nature of ’expenditure’ as held in the judgments cited supra.