Section 72A(2)(ii) of the I.T. Act, 1961-Need for certificate from specified authority in respect of adequacy of steps taken for rehabilitation or revival of the business of amalgamating co.-Clarification regarding - Income Tax - 350/1982

Section 72A(2)(ii) of the I.T. Act, 1961-Need for certificate from specified authority in respect of adequacy of steps taken for rehabilitation or revival of the business of amalgamating co.-Clarification regarding Circular No. 350 Dated 29/9/1982 In cases where the Central Government issues under section 72A(1), a declaration that the amalgamation of a company (which was not financially viable by reason of its liabilities, losses, etc.) with another company has been in the public interest, the accumulated losses and the unabsorbed depreciation of the amalgamating company for the year in which the amalgamation was effected and the amalgamated company is allowed to set off and carry forward such loss, etc., accordingly. Such set-off and carry-forward of loss, etc., is subject to the condition under section 72A(2)(ii) that "the amalgamated company furnishes, along with its return of income for the said assessment year, a certificate from the specified authority to the effect that adequate steps have been taken by that company for the rehabilitation or revival of the business of the amalgamating company". 2. A doubt has been raised as to whether the certificate from the specified authority under section 72A(2)(ii) is required only once for the year in which the amalgamation has taken place or for every year in which the benefit under section 72A is claimed. 3. The issue has been examined and the Board have been advised that section 72A(2) of the Act provides that the accumulated loss shall not be set off or carried forward and the unabsorbed depreciation shall not be allowed in the assessment of the amalgamated company unless the two conditions specified therein are fulfilled. On a perusal of the two conditions, it would appear that the certificate from the specified authority should be required not only for the year of amalgamation but also for the subsequent years. Such certificates would be necessary for all the years during which the revival scheme is implemented. The certificate will also be required for all the assessment years in which the carryforward and set-off of unabsorbed loss, etc., of the amalgamating company is claimed by the amalgamated company. There is nothing in sub-section (2) of section 72A to indicate that the benefit of that section can be claimed only once, for the year of amalgamation. (Sd.) Joginder Pall, Officer on Special Duty.