Capital gain -Deeming fiction u/s 50 is restricted only to the mode of computation of capital gains contained in sections 48 and 49 of the Act.
The assessee had disclosed an amount of Rs.7.12 crore as deemed short term capital gain u/s. 50 of the Act. This deemed short term capital gain arose on account of the sale of depreciable assets. This deemed short term capital gain was set off against brought forward long term capital losses and unabsorbed depreciation. The Assessing Officer passed an order u /s 143(3) of the Act holding that in view of section 74 of the Act, such set off on short term capital gain against the long term capital gain is not permitted. Thus, he disallowed the set off of brought forward long term capital loss and unabsorbed depreciation against the deemed short term capital.
In appeal, the CIT[A] allowed the assessee’s appeal holding that the issue stand concluded by the decision of High Court in the case of CIT vs. ACE Builders(P) Ltd reported in 281 ITR 210(Bom).
On further appeal by the Revenue, the Tribunal by the impugned order upheld the order passed by the CIT(A) by placing reliance upon the decision of this Court in the case of ACE Builders(P) Ltd(supra) and by following its own order in the case of Komac Investments and Finance Pvt Ltd vs. Income Tax Officer 132 ITD 290. On further appeal the Revenue contended that in view of the clear mandate of Section 74 of the Act, no set off of the carry forward long term capital loss against the deemed short term capital gain u/s. 50 of the Act is permissible..
The Hon. High Court, observed that the issue stands concluded by the decision of this Court in ACE Builders(P) Ltd (supra) in favour of the Assessee. The deeming fiction u/s. 50 is restricted only to the mode of computation of capital gains contained in Sections 48 and 49 of the Act. It does not change the character of the capital gain from that of being a long term capital gain into a short term capital gain for purpose other than Section 50 of the Act. Thus, the assessee was entitled to claim set off as the amount of Rs.7.12 Crore arising out of sale of depreciable assets which are admittedly on sale of assets held for a period to which long term capital gain apply. Thus for purposes of Section 74 of the Act, the deemed short term capital gain continues to be long term capital gain. It was also observed that the Revenue has accepted the decision the Tribunal in Komac Investments and Finance Pvt Ltd (supra), as no information was provided as to whether any appeal being filed from that order. Therefore, no substantial questions of law arise for consideration , Appeal was dismissed.