30 July 2024
If your friend owns and rents out a commercial complex, the income derived from this property should generally be classified as income from **"Business or Profession"** rather than **"Income from House Property"**. Here's a detailed explanation to help clarify this:
### **Income Classification**
1. **Commercial Complex:** - **Nature of Income:** When a property is a commercial complex, it is typically used for business purposes by the tenants. Since the property is used for generating business income, the rental income from such a property is usually treated as income from business or profession. - **Tax Treatment:** The rental income from a commercial property is not treated under the head "Income from House Property" but rather under the head "Profits and Gains of Business or Profession" if the property is held as part of a business operation.
2. **Residential Properties:** - **Nature of Income:** Income from residential properties is classified under "Income from House Property." This head is used for properties that are let out or self-occupied for residential purposes.
### **Detailed Classification for Commercial Properties**
- **If Rented Out as a Business Asset:** - **Income from Business or Profession:** If your friend is renting out a commercial complex, the income is usually treated as business income. This is because the property is used for generating income in a business context (e.g., offices, retail spaces). - **Accounting Treatment:** The rental income should be included in the business income statement if the complex is part of the business assets of a company or a sole proprietorship.
- **If Held as an Investment:** - **Income from House Property (in some cases):** If the property is held as an investment and not part of any active business operations, then the rental income might be classified under "Income from House Property." This is less common for commercial complexes but can be relevant if the owner is not actively managing the property as part of a business.
### **Summary**
For a commercial complex rented out, the income should generally be treated as:
- **Income from Business or Profession** if the property is part of the owner's business operations or if the owner is actively involved in managing and renting out commercial properties.
- **Income from House Property** if the commercial property is merely held as an investment without active business involvement. However, this classification is less common for commercial properties.
**Tax Filing Implications:**
- **For Business or Profession:** The income is reported in the Profit and Loss account of the business and taxed under the head "Profits and Gains of Business or Profession." - **For House Property:** The income is reported under "Income from House Property" and taxed accordingly.
### **Final Note**
Ensure that your friend reviews the specifics of their situation and consults a tax professional or accountant to correctly classify and report income based on the actual use and management of the commercial complex. This will help ensure accurate tax reporting and compliance with income tax regulations.