Understanding Amalgamation: Section 2(1B) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 on Company Mergers and Shareholder Rights.

Amalgamation, as defined under Clause (1B) of Section 2 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, refers to the merger of one or more companies with another company, or the merging of two or more companies to form a new entity. In this process, all properties and liabilities of the merging companies transfer to the newly formed or existing amalgamated company. Additionally, shareholders holding at least three-fourths of the value of shares in the merging companies become shareholders of the amalgamated company, excluding shares already held by the amalgamated company or its subsidiary. This excludes property acquisition through purchase or post-liquidation distribution.