Profit on sale of fixed assets

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Querist : Anonymous

Querist : Anonymous (Querist)

26 August 2014 Can any one tell
Under which Section profit on sale of fixed Assets is Disallowed while calculating PGPB, ( if asset sold part of block of fixed and also whole block of Fixed Assets)

Akshay Malpani

Akshay Malpani (Expert)
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26 August 2014 Refer Section 50 and Section 50B

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Querist : Anonymous

Querist : Anonymous (Querist)

26 August 2014 Sir if i not calculated Capital gain araising from profit on sale of fixed assets and profit credited in income and Expendicture a/c . Is it wrong, if it is wrong means what is correct answer

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Asha Kanta Sharma

Asha Kanta Sharma

(Expert)
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10 August 2024 When dealing with the profit on the sale of fixed assets under the Income Tax Act, the treatment and reporting of such profits are critical for accurate financial reporting and tax compliance. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

### **1. Treatment of Profit on Sale of Fixed Assets:**

**1.1. **Capital Gains vs. Business Income:**
- **Capital Gains:** If the fixed asset is sold and it is not part of the regular business operations (e.g., land or building held as investment), the profit is treated as capital gains.
- **Business Income:** If the fixed asset is sold as part of normal business operations (e.g., machinery, vehicles used in the business), the profit is considered as business income.

**1.2. **Sections Involved:**
- **Section 28:** Profit from the sale of fixed assets used in business is treated as business income. Under this section, the entire profit is included in the taxable income.
- **Section 50:** For depreciable assets, this section applies to compute the capital gains. It deals with the computation of short-term capital gains and provides for depreciation to be adjusted in calculating the gains.

### **2. Disallowance in the Calculation of PGBP (Profit and Gains of Business or Profession):**

**2.1. **Section 43(6):**
- Under this section, if the fixed asset is sold and it forms part of a block of assets, the profit or loss on the sale is adjusted in the computation of the business income. The block of assets concept means that depreciation is computed on a block of assets, and the sale of an asset within this block does not require individual accounting for capital gains or losses. Instead, the overall block is adjusted.

**2.2. **Profit and Loss Account:**
- **Incorrect Treatment:** If profit on the sale of fixed assets is credited to the Profit and Loss Account as income, this is generally acceptable if it pertains to assets used in the business. However, it should be ensured that any depreciation previously claimed on the asset is also considered.
- **Correct Treatment:**
- **For Assets Used in Business:** The profit should be included in the Profit and Loss Account and taxed as part of business income under Section 28.
- **For Assets Not Used in Business:** If the asset is not part of regular business operations, the profit might be treated as capital gains and reported under the relevant capital gains sections (Sections 45 and 50).

### **3. Correct Approach for Reporting:**

**3.1. **Profit from Sale of Depreciable Assets:**
- **Depreciable Asset Sale:** For assets that are part of a block of assets, the entire profit is included in business income under Section 28. Depreciation should be adjusted, and the block of assets should be updated accordingly. You must follow the block of asset concept for computing the final profit or loss.

**3.2. **Profit on Sale of Non-Depreciable Assets:**
- **Non-Depreciable Asset Sale:** For assets that are not depreciable or are considered investment assets (e.g., land or building not used in business), calculate capital gains under the appropriate sections, considering any adjustments for cost of acquisition and indexation benefits.

**3.3. **Tax Filing and Reporting:**
- Ensure that the financial statements reflect the correct profit or loss. If the asset is sold at a gain, ensure proper reporting in the Income and Expenditure Account and consider adjustments for tax purposes.

### **4. Example of Calculation:**

**Example Scenario:**
- **Asset:** Machinery originally costing ₹10,00,000, depreciated to ₹5,00,000.
- **Sale Price:** ₹6,00,000.

**Calculation:**
- **Profit on Sale:** ₹6,00,000 (sale price) - ₹5,00,000 (written down value) = ₹1,00,000.
- **Tax Treatment:** This ₹1,00,000 is included in business income and taxed under Section 28. Depreciation previously claimed on the asset should also be adjusted.

**Summary:**
- For assets used in the business, the profit on sale is treated as business income under Section 28 and should be included in the Profit and Loss Account.
- For non-business or capital assets, follow capital gains computation under Sections 45 and 50.
- Ensure that proper accounting and adjustments for depreciation are made.

Always consult the latest tax guidelines or a tax professional for specific cases to ensure compliance with current tax laws.