Capital gains exemption (u/s 54 or u/s 54F) on sale of flat on the ground of acquisition of two houses - Disallowed
CASE 1: Income Tax - 2010 - TMI - 79018 - HC
Sh. Pawan Arya Versus Commissioner of Income Tax - (PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT )
Assessee claimed exemption - capital gains on sale of flat on the ground of acquisition of two houses - assessee is claiming exemption in respect of two independent residential houses situated at different locations - Assessing Officer set off the capital gain against one of the houses but held the claim not to be admissible against second house.
Held that: - Purchase of two flats in the same building which were united for living of theassessee by making necessary modifications made the 'residential unit as one' and, thus, that case could not be applied to the facts of the case of the assessee - No substantial question of law arises - appeal is dismissed.
CASE 2: Income Tax - TMI - 205679 - HC
Commissioner of Income-tax, Bangalore Versus Smt. Jyothi K. Mehta - (KARNATAKA HIGH COURT )
Exemption under sections 54 and 54F - The Assessing Officer held that the assessee was already an owner of a residential flat at Bombay and she has purchased two flats out of the sale proceeds - The fact that the assessee could have purchased both the flats in one single sale deed or could not have narrated the purchase of two premises as one unit in the sale deed could not have made any difference.
An asset newly acquired after the sale of the original asset can also be buildings or lands appurtenant thereto, which also should be ‘a residential house - The evidence on record also discloses that the two units are situated side by side, modification were made, the door was opened making it as a single unit and the consideration received from the sale of the residential unit is utilised to purchase these residential units and therefore, the assessee is entitled to the benefit of section 54.
NOTE:
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As you can see in Case 2, if the two units acquired are side-by-side and can be modified, making them a single residential unit, then 2 units can be purchased and tax exemption u/s 54 or 54F can be availed.
Else, as demonstrated in Case 1, one cannot avail exemption u/s 54, and most likely u/s 54F also. (Capital gains exemption on sale of residential plot falls under purview of Sec. 54F.)
Please look into ITAT/HC/SC cases.