Tax Provisions for Mineral Oil Exploration: Clause 54 of Income Tax Bill, 2025 vs. Section 42 of the Income Tax Act, 1961

Deductions for oil exploration clarify eligibility, government agreements and transfer treatment under new tax clause.

Clause 54 establishes a tax framework for prospecting for mineral oils by permitting deductions for pre commercial production expenses and depletion of mineral oil, defining specified oil exploration business and including petroleum and natural gas as mineral oil, and requiring agreements with the Central Government to be laid before Parliament. It prescribes deduction interplay with other allowances and specifies tax treatment on business transfers, cessation during transfer year, and applicability on amalgamation or demerger.