Prospective application of tax amendment preserves taxpayer expectations and limits disallowance of expenses to stated effective years.
The issue is whether the Explanation to Section 14A introduced by the Finance Act, 2022 applies retrospectively or prospectively, particularly for assessment years where no exempt income arose. The Court analysed the Memorandum to the Finance Bill, relevant precedents, and the principle that tax laws altering existing legal positions are not to be given retrospective effect unless expressly or necessarily implied. It concluded the Explanation must operate prospectively from the effective date stated in the Memorandum, maintaining taxpayer expectations and legal certainty.