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AGRICULTURE INCOME
CA Abhishek Mittal
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Topic: Agriculture Income
Content Section
Definition of agricultural income 2(1A)
Rent or revenue derived from agricultural land 2(1A)(a)
Income derived from agricultural land by agricultural
operations
2(1A)(b)
Income of a farm building 2(1A)(c)
Exemption of agricultural income 10(1)
Income which is partially agricultural and partially from
business
Rule 7
Income from growing and manufacturing of rubber Rule 7A
Income from growing and manufacturing of coffee Rule 7B
Income from growing and manufacturing of tea Rule 8
Definition of Agriculture Income [Section 2 (1A)]: The term Agricultural Income is
defined in three parts under Income Tax Act under section 2(1A)(a), 2(1A)(b), 2(1A)(c) as
given below:
Income from leasing out of agricultural land [Section 2(1A)(a): Any rent or revenue
derived from land which is situated in India and is used for agricultural purposes, shall be
considered to be agricultural income.
Example: Mr. X has ten acres of agricultural land in India which is given on lease at a
rent of Rs. 200,000. It will be considered to be agricultural income.
If rent is received in kind, still it will be considered to be agricultural income.
Example: Mr. X has leased out ten acres of agricultural land and has received 500 kg.
of wheat worth Rs. 4,500. In this case, Rs. 4,500 shall be considered to be his
agricultural income.
If rent to be received is in arrears and accordingly interest has been received, such
interest shall not be considered to be agricultural income, rather it is his income under
the head other sources.
If the agricultural land is situated outside India, income from agricultural land is
taxable as income from other sources.
Income from agricultural operations [Section 2 (1A)(b)]: Any income derived from such
land by
i. agriculture; or
ii. the performance by a cultivator or receiver of rent-in-kind (owner of a land) of any
process ordinarily employed by a cultivator or receiver of rent-in-kind to render the
produce raised or received by him fit to be taken to market; or
iii. The sale by a cultivator or receiver of rent-in-kind of the produce raised or received by
him, in respect of which no process has been performed other than a marketing process
Meaning of agriculture:
The term agriculture and agricultural purposes has not been defined under Income Tax Act,
accordingly its meaning has been explained in the following case:
CIT v Raja Benoy Kumar Sahas Roy, (1957) 32 ITR 466 (SC)
Agriculture shall include the following two main operations:
i. Basic Operations:
In order to constitute agriculture, there must be some basic operations like expenditure
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of human skill and labour upon the land to make it fit for agricultural purposes, like
ploughing of land, sowing of seeds, planting and similar kind of operations on the land.
ii. Subsequent Operations:
After carrying out basic operations, there must be subsequent operations like weeding,
digging the soil around the growth, removal of undesirable undergrowth, watering of
the plant at regular intervals, using pesticides to protect the crop etc.
If there are basic and subsequent operations, it will be considered to be agricultural income
even if what is produced is not food grains, example:
If a person is growing betel, coffee, tea, spices etc. through basic and subsequent
operations, it will be agricultural income.
If a person is growing commercial crops like cotton, flax, jute, indigo etc. through basic
and subsequent operations, it will be considered to be agricultural income.
If a person is growing trees like Sal, Seesam, Sangwan etc. for obtaining timber, it will
be considered to be agricultural income, provided there are basic and subsequent
operations.
Process employed by a cultivator to make the crop fit to be taken to the market
(marketing operations /marketing process):
Sometimes a cultivator may not get the ready market to sell the crop in the form in which
it was grown, rather some essential processes are required to be carried out to make the
crop fit for sale. In such cases, the income shall continue to be agricultural income.
Example: Threshing is done in case of wheat crop to render it fit for sale, similarly, tobacco
leaves are dried to make them fit for sale. In all such cases, it will continue to be agricultural
income. Other such processes may be winnowing, cleaning, crushing etc.
Income which is partially agricultural and partially from business (Rule 7):
If agricultural produce can be sold in the market without employing any ordinary process,
but still the assessee has employed some process, it will be called industrial process and
income shall be computed as per rule 7.
It will be presumed that the assessee has sold the agricultural produce to the industrial unit
at the market price and agricultural income shall be computed accordingly.
While computing the income of industrial unit, such market price shall be considered to be
cost of raw material.
Example: Mr. X is engaged in growing of sugarcane and also has a sugar factory. He
has incurred expenses of Rs. 300,000 in connection with growing of sugarcane crop.
Entire sugarcane crop was transferred to the industrial unit when market price of
sugarcane was Rs. 1,000,000. In this case, agricultural income of Mr. X shall be Rs.
700,000. While computing income of sugar factory, Rs. 1,000,000 shall be debited to
profit and loss account as the cost of raw material.
Where agricultural produce is not ordinarily sold in the market in its raw state, and
accordingly market value is not available, in that case, the expenses of cultivation and
also any other expenses permitted by the Assessing Officer shall be allowed to be
debited to profit and loss account of the industrial unit as the cost of raw material.
Mr. B grows sugarcane and uses the same for the purpose of manufacturing sugar in
his factory. 50% of sugarcane produce is sold for Rs.10 lacs, and the cost of cultivation
of such sugarcane is Rs. 3 lacs. The cost of cultivation of the balance sugarcane (50%)
is 3 lacs and the market value of the same is Rs.10 lacs. After incurring Rs. 1.5 lacs in
the manufacturing process on the balance sugarcane, the sugar was sold for Rs. 25
lacs. Compute B’s business income and agricultural income.
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Agricultural income = Actual sale of sugarcane + Market value of sugarcane transferred
to the manufacturing unit – Cost of cultivation
= [Rs. 10 lacs + Rs. 10 lacs] – [Rs. 3 lacs + Rs. 3 lacs]
= Rs. 20 lacs – Rs. 6 lacs
= Rs. 14 lacs
Business income = Sales – Market value of 50% of sugarcane produce received by the
manufacturing unit – Manufacturing expenses
= Rs. 25 lacs – Rs. 10 lacs – Rs. 1.5 lacs
= Rs. 13.5 lacs
Computation of income in case of growing and manufacturing of Rubber [Rule 7A]
Income derived from the sale of centrifuged latex or cenex, manufactured from rubber
plants grown by the seller in India shall be computed as if it were income derived from
business and 35% of such income shall be deemed to be income liable to tax.
Computation of income from the growing and manufacturing of Coffee[Rule 7B]
Income derived from the sale of coffee grown and cured by the seller in India shall be
computed as if it were income derived from business, and 25% of such income shall be
deemed to be income liable to tax.
Income derived from the sale of coffee grown and manufactured by the seller in India,
with or without mixing of chicory or other flavouring ingredients, shall be computed as
if it were income derived from business, and 40% of such income shall be deemed to be
income liable to tax.
Computation of income in case of persons Growing and Manufacturing Tea[Rule 8]
In case of persons who are growing as well as manufacturing tea, income shall be
computed as if it was income derived from business and 40% of such income shall be
deemed to be income liable to tax.
Dividends received by a shareholder from the company having agricultural
income:
If any shareholder has received dividend from a company having income from agricultural
activities, such income shall not be considered to be agricultural income rather it will be
considered to be dividend income. However, if the company paying dividend is an Indian
company, dividend shall be exempt under section 10(34) and the company has to pay
additional income tax under section 115-O @ 15% plus surcharge @ 5% plus EC @ 3%.
If it is a foreign company, its agricultural income in India shall also be exempt and if the
company has paid dividend, it will be taxable in the hands of the shareholder and the
company shall be exempt from additional income tax.
Share received by a partner out of the profits of the partnership firm having
Agricultural Activities:
If any partner has received share from a partnership firm having income from agricultural
activities, it will not be considered to be agricultural income in the hands of the partner
rather it will be considered to be his income exempt from tax under section 10(2A)
Section 10(2A) - In the case of a person being a partner of a firm which is separately
assessed as such, his share in the total income of the firm is exempt from tax.
CIT v. R.M. Chidambaram Pillai, (1977) (SC):
If any partner has received any salary or interest on capital from the firm having agricultural
activities, it will be considered to be his agricultural income u/s 10(1).
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Income derived from animal husbandry, fisheries, poultry farming, dairy farming etc. shall
not be considered to be agricultural income.
Income derived from saplings or seedlings growing in a nursery shall be considered to be
agricultural income.
Income from sale of agricultural land shall not be considered to be agricultural income rather
it will be considered to be capital gain.
If tea, rubber or coffee is grown and manufactured outside India and sold in India then
100% income taxable under the head PGBP as business income.
Example: Mr. Sony has estates in rubber, tea and coffee. He derives income from them.
He has a nursery wherein he grows and sells the plants. For the previous year ending
31.03.2016, he furnishes the following particulars of his income from estates and sale
of plants. You are requested to compute the taxable income and tax liability for the
assessment year 2016-17: `
Growing and manufacturing of rubber 500,000
Sale of coffee grown and cured 350,000
Growing and manufacturing of tea 700,000
Sale of plants from nursery 100,000
He has long term capital gain on the sale of agricultural land in Delhi Rs. 313,500. He
has received rent of Rs. 7,000 p.m. by letting out one farm house near Delhi and he has
incurred Rs. 20,000 on the repairs of the farm house. He has not paid municipal taxes
for the last ten years in connection with farm house and MCD has issued him a notice
for selling of farm house, hence he has paid municipal tax of Rs. 90,000.
Business Income Agricultural Income
Income from growing and manufacturing of Rubber {Rule 7A}
[Agricultural income 65% and business income 35%] 175,000 325,000
Income from Coffee grown and cured {Rule 7B}
[Agricultural income 75% and business income 25%] 87,500 262,500
Income from growing and manufacturing of Tea {Rule 8}
[Agricultural income 60% and business income 40%] 280,000 420,000
Income from growing and selling of plants 100,000
Total 542,500 1,107,500
Computation of Income under the head House Property: `
Gross Annual Value (7,000 x 12): 84,000
Less: Municipal Taxes : 90,000
Net Annual Value : (6,000)
Less: 30% of NAV u/s 24(a) : Nil
Less: Interest on capital borrowed u/s 24(b) Nil
Loss under the head House Property (6,000)
In this case loss of Rs. 6,000 can be set off either from long term capital gain or from
business income, if loss is set off from Long term capital gain, there is tax saving of Rs.
6,000 x 20% = Rs. 1,200 and if it is set off from normal income, there is tax saving of
Rs. 6,000 x 30% = Rs. 1,800, hence it is beneficial to set it off from business income
hence after set off, business income shall be Rs. 5,42,500 – Rs. 6,000 = 5,36,500
Computation of Total Income
Income under the head Business/Profession 536,500
Income under the head Capital gain (LTCG) 313,500
Gross Total Income 850,000
Less: Deduction under section 80C to 80U Nil
Total Income 850,000
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Computation of Tax Liability
Tax on total of Agricultural + non-agricultural income:
(1,107,500 + 536,500) : 318,200
Tax on 250,000 + agricultural income
(250,000 + 1,107,500) : 232,250____
Tax on Normal Income (318,200 – 232,250) : 85,950
Tax on long term capital gain Rs. 313,500 @ 20% u/s 112: 62,700
Tax before education cess : 148,650
Add: Education cess @ 2% : 2,973
Add: SHEC @ 1% : 1,487____
Tax Liability : 153,110
Rounded off u/s 288B : 153,110
Income from a Farm Building [Section 2(1A)(c)]
If any building is in the agricultural field or is very near to the agricultural field and it is
being used for storing agricultural produce or for storing agricultural implements or it is
being used as dwelling unit by the farmer himself, such building is called farm building and
its income shall be computed as per provisions given under the head house property and
income shall be considered to be agricultural income.
Such building must be in the rural area. If it is in the urban area, it should be constructed
on the land which has been classified as agricultural land.
A farm house shall not be considered to be farm building and income of farm house shall be
taxable.
Judicial Decisions
CIT v. B. Gupta (Tea) Private Ltd., (1969) (Cal)
Compensation received from an insurance company on account of damage caused to the crops
is agricultural income.
Mustafa Ali Khan (Raja) v. CIT, (1948) (PC)
Income from sale of forest trees, wild grass etc. without involving basic and subsequent
operations is not agricultural income.
Venkataswamy Naidu (R.), (1956) (SC)
Income from butter and cheese making is not agricultural income.
Sri Ranga Vilas Ginning & Oil Mills v. CIT, (1982) (Mad)
Income from supplying surplus water to other agriculturists is not agricultural income.
CIT v. New Ambadi Estates Ltd., (1967) (SC)
Harvest crops on purchased land is not agricultural income.
Brihan Maharashtra Sugar Syndicate Ltd v. CIT, (1946) (Bom)
Process of converting sugarcane into jaggery shall not be considered to be ordinary process to
make the agricultural produce fit for sale, accordingly income is partly agricultural and partly
non-agricultural.
K. Lakshmansa & Co. v CIT, (SC)
If the assessee was growing mulberry leaves, feeding them to silkworms and obtaining silk
cocoons, income from sale of silk cocoons would not be agricultural income.
Example: Mr. X is employed in MP Agricultural University and getting basic pay Rs.
20,000 p.m. He claims that it is his agricultural income. Discuss.
Income from an agricultural university cannot be considered to be agricultural income
rather it is his income under the head salary.
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Example: Mr. X has sold his agricultural land in Delhi and there are long term capital
gains of Rs. 1000,000. Mr. X claims it to be his agricultural income. Discuss.
Income from sale of agricultural land cannot be considered to be agricultural income and
accordingly it is chargeable to tax under the head capital gains provided it is capital
asset as per section 2(14) of Income Tax Act.
Example: Mr. X holds shares in ABC Ltd., an Indian Company, which is engaged in
agricultural operations. He has received dividends of Rs. 120,000 from ABC Ltd. and
claims that it is his agricultural income. Discuss.
Dividend from a company which is engaged in agricultural operations cannot be
considered to be agricultural income rather it is dividend income of the recipient.
However, dividend income is exempt from tax under section 10(34).
Computation of tax in case of agriculture income:
Partial integration method is applicable only when
i. Agriculture income exceeds Rs. 5000 and
ii. Non agriculture income exceeds basic exemption limit (i.e.
250,000/300,000/500,000)(as the case)
Benefit of partial integration is not applicable to those assess who fall in flat rate i.e.
assessee to whom exemption limit concept is not applicable like firm, company.
While applying the Integration method, agriculture income is added in other income i.e.
amount remaining after excluding those which is chargeable at special rate i.e. lottery,
LTCG and STCG u/s 111A
Tax Shall be calculated in the following manner:
Step 1: Add agricultural with non-agricultural income and calculate the tax on the
aggregate as if it is the total income
Step 2: Compute the tax on [Exemption limit + Agricultural income] as if it is the
total income from the total amount again Exemption shall be given.
Step 3: [Step 1 – Step 2] will be tax payable
Step 4 : Add Education cess @ 2% and SHEC @ 1%
Sequence for calculating tax under step 1:
a. Charge flat 30% tax on lottery and winning XXX
b. Apply slab rate on [Other Income + Agriculture Income] XXX
c. If any exemption limit remains unexhausted, then deduct that amount LTCG
Charge flat 20% on remaining LTCG XXX
d. If any exemption limit remains unexhausted, then deduct that amount STCG
Charge flat 15% on remaining STCG u/s 111A XXX
Total Tax under Step 1 XXX
Non – Residents are not allowed to deduct unexhausted exemption limit from LTCG
or STCG u/s 111A as the benefit of exemption limit is available only for general
incomes in their case.
Losses from agricultural operations could be carried forward and set off with the
agriculture income for the next 8 Assessment Years.
If a person sells processed produce without carrying out any agricultural or
processing operations, the income would not be regarded as agricultural income
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Tax on Sale of Agriculture Land: An agricultural land does not form part of the definition of
a capital asset and hence, there will be no capital gains on the sale of such land. Any other land
not forming part of the above will be a capital asset and sale of the same shall attract tax on
capital gains subject to Section54B, which is explained below:
Section 54B Capital gain on transfer of land used for agricultural purpose:
It gives relief to a taxpayer who sells or transfer his agricultural land and acquires another
agricultural land from the sale proceeds. Conditions to be satisfied to claim the benefit of this
Section:
i. The assessee must be an individual or a HUF.
ii. The agricultural land should have been used for agricultural purposes. It may be a
long term asset or a short term asset.
iii. It must have been used either by the assessee or his parents for agricultural purposes
in at least two years immediately preceding the date on which the transfer of land
took place.
iv. The assessee should have purchased another land, which is being used for
agricultural purposes, within a period of two years from the date of sale.
Note: In case of compulsory acquisition, the period of acquisition of new agricultural
land will be determined from the date of receipt of compensation. However, as per
Section 10 (37), no capital gain would be chargeable to tax in case of an individual
or HUF if agricultural land is compulsorily acquired under any law and the
consideration of which is approved by the Central Government or RBI and received
on or after 01042004.
v. The whole amount of capital gain must be utilised in the purchase of the new
agricultural land. If not, the difference between the amount of capital gain and the
new asset will be chargeable as capital gains and the tax will be computed
accordingly.
vi. The new asset purchased should not be sold within a period of three years from the
date of acquisition.
vii. If sold, the cost of the new asset will be reduced by the amount of capital gain
(claimed as exemption under Section 54B) for the purpose of computing tax on
capital gains.
viii. Where the amount of capital gain is not utilised by the assessee for the purchase of
the new asset before the due date of furnishing his return of income, he may deposit
it in the Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS) of any specified bank.
ix. The return of income of the assessee should be accompanied by the proof of such
deposit.
x. In such a case, the cost of the new asset shall be deemed to be the amount already
utilised by the assessee for the purchase of the new asset together with the amount
deposited in the CGAS.
xi. If the deposited amount is not utilised for the purchase of the new asset within the
specified period, then the unutilised amount shall be taxed as income in the year in
which the period of two years from the date of sale of the original asset expires.
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Summary of Agriculture Income:
Section 2(1A) : Meaning of Agriculture Income (AI)
(a) (b) (c)
Rent from agricultural land
situated in India used for
agricultural purpose
Growing of crops from land situated
in India. Also saplings in a nursery.
Rent from building situated
in the immediate vicinity of
agricultural land situated in
India and used for
agricultural purpose and not
situated in urban area.
Exception: If let out for
purpose other than
agriculture then NAI
Basic
Operation
Yes Yes No
Subsequent
Operation
Yes No Yes
Whether
AI?
Yes No No
Computation under the head
Other Sources
Computation under the head
Business
Computation under the head
House Property
S 56 to 59 S 28 to 44D S 22 to 27
Rent XXX Sale of Crops XXX GAV XXX
Less: Taxes on Land XXX Less: All business Expenses XXX Less: MT XXX
Less: Collection Charges
XXX
Salary, Irrigation Expenses,
Depreciation
NAV XXX
Less: SD 24(a) XXX
OS (AI) XXX BI (AI) XXX Less: Interest 24(b) XXX
HP (AI) XXX
Computation of income which is partly agricultural & partly non agricultural
Rule Cases AI NAI
Rule 7A Manufacture of rubber 65% 35%
Rule 7B (1) Sale of coffee grown and cured by seller 75% 25%
Rule 7B (1A) Sale of coffee grown, cured, roasted and grounded by seller in
India with or without mixing chicory or other flavouring
ingredients
60% 40%
Rule 8 Growing and manufacturing tea in India 60% 40%
Computation of tax if assessee is earning both AI & NAI (Partial Integration)
1 The assessee is an Individual or HUF or BOI, or
AOP or Artificial Juridical Person
Computation of Tax
Tax on (NAI + AI) at slab rate A
Less : Tax on (AI + BE) at slab rate B
Tax A-B
2 Non-agricultural income i.e. normal income
exceeds basic exemption
3 Agricultural Income exceeds Rs. 5,000
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