Dear Uday,
WE have discussed this topic earlier is well, below are some points which were raised by G.K. bhai.
Section 32(2)
Where, in the assessment of the assessee, full effect cannot be given to any allowance under sub-section (1 (– Depreciation)) in any previous year, owing to there being no profits or gains chargeable for that previous year, or owing to the profits or gains chargeable being less than the allowance, then, subject to the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 72 and sub-section (3) of section 73, the allowance or the part of the allowance to which effect has not been given, as the case may be, shall be added to the amount of the allowance for depreciation for the following previous year and deemed to be part of that allowance, or if there is no such allowance for that previous year, be deemed to be the allowance for that previous year, and so on for the succeeding previous years.
Section 72(2)
Where any allowance or part thereof is, under sub-section (2) of section 32 or sub-section (4) of section 35, to be carried forward, effect shall first be given to the provisions of this section.
This only says that the assessee should first set off unabsorbed depreciation against business income of the year first before setting off against other heads.
Losses in speculation business. – In case you want to see what 32(2) says actually
73(3) In respect of allowance on account of depreciation or capital expenditure on scientific research, the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 72 shall apply in relation to speculation business as they apply in relation to any other business.
The fact that in section 72, “Carry forward and set off of business losses.” says
“72(3) No loss (other than the loss referred to in the proviso to sub-section (1) of this section) shall be carried forward under this section for more than eight assessment years immediately succeeding the assessment year for which the loss was first computed.”
Still unabsorbed depreciation is carried forward infinitely. Why? Because it is not business loss, and as per section 32(2) it can be carried for any number of previous years.
See sections
72A - Provisions relating to carry forward and set off of accumulated loss AND unabsorbed depreciation allowance in amalgamation or demerger, etc.
72AA - Provisions relating to carry forward and set-off of accumulated loss AND unabsorbed depreciation allowance in scheme of amalgamation of banking company in certain cases.
72AB - Provisions relating to carry forward and set off of accumulated loss AND unabsorbed depreciation allowance in business reorganisation of co-operative banks.
These sections describe how business loss AND unabsorbed depreciation will be allowed to be carried forward and set off.
Why did that I bring up this section? Cos if section was not there, The IT Dept would have told the assessee, see sir, only loss can be carried forward, not the unabsorbed depreciation.
This shows beyond doubt that unabsorbed depreciation is not the same as business loss.
Countering the matching concept
The general principle is that only the expenditure which is incurred to earn income can be set off against that income. Depreciation is not an expense. It is an allowance; for the return on capital invested by business man. Technical definitions aside, unabsorbed depreciation can be set off against any income. This shows that the unabsorbed depreciation does not stick to matching of the income and expenditure. Thus to say that unabsorbed depreciation cannot be set off against on the grounds that it was not incurred to earn salary has no merit.
Above points given by G.K. Bhai are logical & business loss is different then unabsorbed depreciation.
and sectuion 32(2) does not restrict anywhere that unabsorbed dep cant be setoff against the salary income.
But practicaly you cant do the same becoz in the return for setoff of unabsorbed dep there is no option of salary income.