2018 (5) TMI 358 - SC - Income Tax

Taxability of income as a perquisite - waiver of loan by creditor - deemed income u/s 41(1) - sum due by the Respondent to Kaiser Jeep Corporation which later on waived off by the lender - applicability of Section 28 (iv) of the IT Act - whether waiver of loan by the creditor is taxable as a perquisite under Section 28 (iv) or taxable as a remission of liability under Section 41(1)? - Held that:- The very first condition of Section 28 (iv) which says any benefit or perquisite arising from the business shall be in the form of benefit or perquisite other than in the shape of money, is not satisfied in the present case. Hence, in our view, in no circumstances, it can be said that the amount of ₹ 57,74,064/- can be taxed under the provisions of Section 28 (iv) of the IT Act.

There is difference between ‘trading liability’ and ‘other liability’. Section 41 (1) of the IT Act particularly deals with the remission of trading liability. Whereas in the instant case, waiver of loan amounts to cessation of liability other than trading liability. Hence, we find no force in the argument of the Revenue that the case of the Respondent would fall under Section 41 (1) of the IT Act.

Section 28(iv) of the IT Act does not apply on the present case since the receipts are in the nature of cash or money AND Section 41(1) of the IT Act does not apply since waiver of loan does not amount to cessation of trading liability. It is a matter of record that the Respondent has not claimed any deduction under Section 36 (1) (iii) of the IT Act qua the payment of interest in any previous year.