addition of disallowance u/s 14A in the book profit for computing income under MAT

[Lalit Kishore]

While completing the assessment for A/Y 2008-09, the assessing officer made addition to the income u/s 14A, however the income under MAT was higher than the regular income hence the tax was calculated as per the provisions of section 115JB. However, whiile computing the tax on book profit, the book profit was increased by the disallowance u/s 14A. Is the action on part of AO correct as this was a disallowance after assessment and not as per books.

[CA Rachit Agarwal]

With reference to disallowance u/s14A, the amount of MAT credit will get reduced due to the increase of income tax payable under the Income Tax Act, 1961.

MAT is payable on the book profit as disclosed while considering the preparation of Accounts based on the Schedule VI of the Companies Act, 1956.

Reference can be give for Appolo Tyres Limited

[Vineet Agrawal]

The provisions of section 14A are limited for the purposes of computation of income under chapter IV of the Act and the same cannnot be extended to MAT provisions u/s 115JB which is a self conmtained code. Section 115JB provides for increase of Book Profit by expenses relatable to exempt income, but there is no scope for importing disallowance made under section 14A rw rule 8D. It has to be seperate exercise considering the sources of income providing stream of exempt income. It is pointed out that Long Term Capital Gain from transfer of shares (STT paid) which is otherwise exempt is chargeable to MAT. Hence any expense related to such investment cannot be added back for MAT.

AI Summary

Disallowance Under Section 14A Cannot Be Added to Book Profit for MAT Calculation, Says Response on Assessment Query An assessing officer added disallowance under section 14A to the book profit while computing income under Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) for the assessment year 2008-09, leading to a query about the correctness of this action. One response highlighted that MAT is calculated based on book profit as per the Companies Act, 1956, and disallowance under section 14A should not reduce MAT credit. Another response argued that section 14A applies only to income computation under Chapter IV and cannot be extended to MAT provisions under section 115JB, which is a separate code. Expenses related to exempt income should not be added back for MAT purposes.