Tar Guidance Note
Tar Guidance Note
Tar Guidance Note
ISBN : 978-81-87080-65-7
September/2014/P1624(Revised)
2014 Edition
www.icai.org
Guidance Note
on
Tax Audit under Section 44AB
of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Revised 2014 Edition
New Delhi
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First Edition
Second Edition
Third Edition
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Reprinted
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Seventh Edition
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2014
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Website
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Price
` 300/-
ISBN
978-81-87080-65-7
Published by
Printed by
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CA. K. Raghu
President, ICAI
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Northern Region
CA. Sanjay Agarwal
CA. Naveen N.D. Gupta
Western Region
CA. Dhinal Shah
CA. Tarun Ghia
I am also appreciative of the contribution made by the following co-opted
members and special invitees of the Direct Taxes Committee:
CA. Manish Dafaria, Indore
CA. Ajay Wadhwa, Delhi
CA. Himanshu Goyal, Delhi
CA. Veera Babu CH, Guntur
Last but not the least, I appreciate the dedicated efforts of CA. Mukta
Kathuria Verma, Secretary, Direct Taxes Committee, CA. Ravi Gupta,
Executive Officer and the entire Secretariat of Direct Taxes Committee for
their technical and administrative assistance in bringing out this seventh
edition of the Guidance Note in limited available time.
Undoubtedly, this edition also would guide our members as the earlier edition
and would be of great assistance to our members.
Date : 9th September, 2014
CA. G. Sekar
Chairman
Direct Taxes Committee
vi
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14-2-1985
A. C. Chakrabortti
New Delhi
President
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Poddar, M.G. Patel and A.H. Dalal, members of the Taxation Committee and
the Secretary of the Committee for the efforts put in by them in the
finalisation of the guidance note. I am confident that this guidance note will
be of great assistance to our members in industry or in public practice.
13th February, 1985
G. Narayanaswamy
Chairman
Taxation Committee
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Contents
Foreword to the Seventh Edition
Preface to the Seventh Edition
Foreword to the First Edition
Preface to the First Edition
1.
Terms, abbreviations used in this Guidance Note
2.
Introduction
3.
Provisions of section 44AB
4.
Profession and business explained
5.
Sales, turnover, gross receipts
6.
Liability to tax audit - special cases
7.
Specified date and tax audit
8.
Penalty
9.
Tax auditor
10.
Accounting Standards
11.
Audit procedures
12.
Professional misconduct
13.
Audit report
14.
Form No. 3CA
15.
Form No. 3CB
16.
Form No. 3CD
17.
Particulars to be furnished in Form No. 3CD [clauses 1-8]
18.
Particulars of Members/Partners [clause 9]
19.
Nature of business or profession [Clause 10]
20.
Books of account and relevant documents [Clause 11]
21.
Presumptive Income [clause 12]
22.
Method of Accounting [clause 13]
23.
Valuation of Closing Stock [clause 14]
24.
Conversion of asset into stock-in-trade [clause 15]
25.
Items of Income not credited [clause 16]
26.
Valuation of property [Clause 17]
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1
2
14
18
20
30
31
31
32
41
52
58
58
61
64
66
68
70
72
73
76
80
83
99
102
106
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
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108
115
125
131
137
144
146
149
149
150
150
155
156
158
160
161
164
168
170
172
174
175
177
181
183
185
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70
71.
186
187
189
190
191
195
198
199
201
201
202
203
203
204
205
207
208
208
209
APPENDICES
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
xiii
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213
217
220
226
237
242
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII
XIII
XIV
XV
XVI
XVII
XVIII
xiv
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243
254
266
268
269
271
273
275
278
286
294
313
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In this Guidance Note the following terms and abbreviations occur often in
the text. A brief explanation of such terms and abbreviations is given below.
Further, reference to a section without reference to the relevant Act means
that the section has reference to the Income-tax Act, 1961.
(a)
Act
(b)
AS
(c)
AS(IT)
(d)
Assessee
(e)
Audit report
(f)
Board
(g)
Circular
(h)
Form or
Forms
(i)
ICAI/Institute
(j)
Limited
Liability
Partnership
(LLP)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(k)
Person
(l)
Previous
year
(m)
Rules
(n)
Specified
date
(o)
SA
Standards on Auditing
(p)
STT
(q)
Tax audit
(r)
Tax auditor
2.
Introduction
Particulars
of
Report/ statement/
Certificates
1.
Assessees carrying
on the business of
growing
and
manufacturing
tea/coffee/rubber
claiming
deduction
under section 33AB.
Assessees carrying
on
business
consisting of the
prospecting for, or
2.
Applicable
Section of
the Incometax Act,
1961
33AB (2)
Applicable
Rule of
Income-tax
Rules, 1962
Form No.
5AC
3AC
33ABA (2)
5AD
3AD
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
S.
No.
3.
4.
Particulars
of
Report/ statement/
Certificates
extraction
or
production
of,
petroleum or natural
gas or both in India
and in relation to
which the Central
Government
has
entered
into
an
agreement for the
purpose of deposit in
Special Account/ Site
Restoration Account
under section 33ABA.
Assessees other than
companies or cooperative
societies
claiming amortisation
of certain preliminary
expenses
under
section 35D and
assessee being Indian
company or a noncorporate
resident
claiming deduction for
expenditure
on
prospecting etc. for
certain minerals under
section 35E.
Assessees carrying
on
business
or
profession
whose
sales, turnover or
gross receipts exceed
Rs.1 Crore (Rs.25
lakhs in the case of
Applicable
Section of
the Incometax Act,
1961
Applicable
Rule of
Income-tax
Rules, 1962
Form No.
6AB
3AE
44AB
6G
3CA/ 3CB/
and 3CD
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
S.
No.
5.
6.
7.
Particulars
of
Report/ statement/
Certificates
Applicable
Section of
the Incometax Act,
1961
Applicable
Rule of
Income-tax
Rules, 1962
Form No.
44DA (2)
6GA
3CE
50B (3)
6H
3CEA
92E
10E
3CEB
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
S.
No.
8.
9.
Particulars
of
Report/ statement/
Certificates
requirement of section
92E of the Act.
Assessees who have
been ordered by the
Assessing Officer with
the previous approval
of the Principal Chief
Commissioner
or
Chief Commissioner
or
Principal
Commissioner
or
Commissioner under
section 142(2A) to get
their books of account
audited having regard
to the nature and
complexity of the
accounts, volume of
accounts,
doubts
about the correctness
of
the
accounts,
multiplicity
of
transactions in the
accounts
or
specialized nature of
business activity of
the assessee and the
interests
of
the
revenue.
Assessee being a
trust or institution
claiming deduction u/s
11 & 12 as per the
requirement of section
12A(b).
Applicable
Section of
the Incometax Act,
1961
Applicable
Rule of
Income-tax
Rules, 1962
Form No.
142(2A)
14A
6B
12A(1)(b)
17B
10B
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
S.
No.
Particulars
of
Report/ statement/
Certificates
10.
11.
12.
13.
Applicable
Section of
the Incometax Act,
1961
10(23C)(iv)/
(v)/(vi)/(via)
Applicable
Rule of
Income-tax
Rules, 1962
Form No.
16CC
10BB
13B
17CA(12)
10BC
80-IA
(7)/80-IB/
80-IC and
80-IE
18BBB (1)
10CCB
80-ID (3)(iv)
18DE(3)
10CCBBA
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
S.
No.
14.
15.
16.
Particulars
of
Report/ statement/
Certificates
Applicable
Section of
the Incometax Act,
1961
Applicable
Rule of
Income-tax
Rules, 1962
Form No.
80-IB(11C)
18DDA
10CCBD
80-IA (6)
18BBE (3)
10CCC
80LA (3)
19AE
10CCF
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
S.
No.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Particulars
of
Report/ statement/
Certificates
respect of specified
incomes.
Assessees,
being
Indian
companies,
claiming
deduction
under
section
80JJAA, in respect of
employment of new
workmen.
Assessee responsible
for
making
the
payment to a non
resident
Assessee who has
failed to deduct tax at
source in accordance
with the provisions of
the Act, not be
deemed
as
an
assessee in default
provided
certain
conditions are fulfilled
and a certificate from
an accountant to this
effect is furnished in
the format prescribed
under section 201(1)
of the Act.
Assessee who has
failed to collect tax at
source in accordance
with the provisions of
the Act, not be
deemed
as
an
assessee in default
Applicable
Section of
the Incometax Act,
1961
Applicable
Rule of
Income-tax
Rules, 1962
Form No.
80JJAA(2)(b)
19AB
10DA
195(6)
37BB(1)(ii)(a)
15CB
201(1)
31ACB (1)
26A
206C (6A)
37J (1)
27BA
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
S.
No.
21.
22.
23.
24.
Particulars
of
Report/ statement/
Certificates
provided
certain
conditions are fulfilled
and a certificate from
an accountant to this
effect is furnished in
the format prescribed
under
section
206C(6A) of the Act.
Corporate assessees
liable to pay Minimum
Alternate tax under
section 115JB of the
Act, to furnish a report
from an accountant
certifying
the
computation of book
profits.
Non-corporate
assessees liable to
pay
Alternate
Minimum tax under
section 115JC of the
Act, to furnish a report
from an accountant
certifying
the
computation
of
adjusted book profits.
Assessee being a
non-resident having a
liaison office in India
prepare and deliver a
statement containing
such particulars as
may be prescribed.
Manufacturer
assessee
deriving
Applicable
Section of
the Incometax Act,
1961
Applicable
Rule of
Income-tax
Rules, 1962
Form No.
115JB (4)
40B
29B
115JC (3)
40BA
29C
285
114DA
49C
10A(5)
16D
56F
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
S.
No.
25.
26.
27.
Particulars
of
Report/ statement/
Certificates
Applicable
Section of
the Incometax Act,
1961
Applicable
Rule of
Income-tax
Rules, 1962
Form No.
72A(2)(b)(iii)
9C(b)
62
115R(3A)
12B(2)
63
115R(3A)
12B(3)
63A
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
S.
No.
28.
29.
Particulars
of
Report/ statement/
Certificates
giving
details
of
amount so distributed
to be verified by an
accountant
as
required by section
115R(3A).
Assessee being a
venture
capital
company or a venture
capital fund to furnish
a statement giving
details of the nature
of income paid or
credited during the
previous year and
other relevant details
to be verified by an
accountant as per
section 115U.
Assessees engaged
in the business of
operating qualifying
ships having opted for
computation
of
income from such
business under the
tonnage tax scheme
contained in chapter
XII G of the Act to
furnish a report under
section 115VW of the
Act.
Applicable
Section of
the Incometax Act,
1961
Applicable
Rule of
Income-tax
Rules, 1962
Form No.
115U (2)
12C (2)
64
115VW(ii)
11T
66
2.2 The first edition of this Guidance Note was published in the year 1985
immediately after the introduction of tax audit provision to help members in
discharging their responsibility in an efficient manner. In order to incorporate
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
changes made by the amendments to the Finance Act, as well as judicial
pronouncements, circulars etc., the said Guidance Note has been revised in
the years 1989, 1998, 1999, 2005 and 2013. The sequence of certain
significant events is as follows:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Significant changes in the Form No.3CD were made in the year 2006
through a Notification No. 208/2006 dated 10th August, 2006 which
notified the Income tax (Ninth Amendment) Rules, 2006.
(d)
Significant changes in the Form No.3CD were again made in the year
2014 through the Notification No. 33/2014 dated 25.07.2014 which
notified the Income-tax (7th Amendment) Rules, 2014.
2.3 Form No. 3CD is quite comprehensive and covers generally all the
items included in Form No. 6B prescribed for reporting under section 142(2A)
and hence this Guidance Note would meet almost all the reporting
requirements of audit under section 142(2A) also. However, if under section
142(2A), the Assessing Officer requires specific information, the same has to
be given separately along with Form No. 6B. The Institute has published
separate Guidance Notes for audit of Public Charitable Institutions under
section 12A(b), Report under section 92E of the Act ,Report under section
115JB of the Act and Report under section 115JC of the Act .
2.4 The tax audit was introduced by section 11 of the Finance Act, 1984,
which inserted a new section 44AB with effect from 1st April, 1985
[Assessment Year 1985-86]. This section makes it obligatory for a person
carrying on business to get his accounts audited by a chartered accountant,
and to furnish by the specified date, the report in the prescribed form of
such audit, if the total sales, turnover or gross receipts in business in the
relevant previous year exceed or exceeds the prescribed limit (Rs. One
Crore w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14). For a professional, the provisions of tax audit
become applicable, if his gross receipts in profession exceed the prescribed
limit (Rs. Twenty five Lakhs w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14) in the relevant previous
year. As observed by the Finance Minister, while presenting the Union
Budget for 1984-85, and as stated in the Memorandum explaining the
12
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
provisions of the Finance Bill, 1984, the compulsory audit is intended to
ensure proper maintenance of books of account and other records, in order
to reflect the true income of the tax payer and to facilitate the administration
of tax laws by a proper presentation of the accounts before the tax
authorities. This would also save the time of the Assessing Officers
considerably in carrying out the verification. The scope of section 44AB was
enlarged to provide that audit under the section would be required in case of
a person carrying on the business of the nature referred to in section 44AD
or 44AE or 44AF (by the Finance Act 1997 w.e.f. assessment year 1998-99)
or 44BB or 44BBB (by the Finance Act 2003 w.e.f. assessment year 200405), if such person claims that his income is lower than the amount of income
deemed under these sections as presumptive income. Thereafter, Finance
(No.2) Act, 2009 (w.e.f. AY 2011-12) enlarged the scope of section 44AD to
encompass within its ambit the assessees covered by the provision of
erstwhile section 44AF and hence, section 44AF has been omitted. While
section 44AF dealt with assessees carrying on retail trade, the amended
section 44AD covers all assessees carrying on eligible business except
professionals as referred to in section 44AA(1), a person earning income in
the nature of commission or brokerage, a person carrying on any agency
business.
2.5 The vires of section 44AB has been upheld by Hon'ble Supreme Court
in T.D. Venkata Rao v. Union of India [1999] 237 ITR 315 (SC). The Apex
Court has made the following significant observations:
"Chartered Accountants, by reason of their training have special
aptitude in the matter of audits. It is reasonable that they, who
form a class by themselves, should be required to audit the
accounts of businesses whose income (sic: turnover) exceeds
Rs.40 lakhs* and professionals whose income (sic: gross
receipts) exceeds Rs.10 lakhs** in any given year. There is no
material on record and indeed in our view, there cannot be that
an income-tax practitioner has the same expertise as chartered
accountants in the matter of accounts. For the same reasons the
challenge under article 19 must fail, and it must be pointed out
that these income-tax practitioners are still entitled to be
authorised representatives of assessees.
*(increased to Rs. One Crore w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14)
**(increased to Rs. Twenty Five Lakhs w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
3.
3.1
(b)
(c)
carrying on the business shall, if the profits and gains from the
business are deemed to be the profits and gains of such
person under section 44AE or section 44BB or section 44BBB,
as the case may be, and he has claimed his income to be
lower than the profits or gains so deemed to be the profits and
gains of his business, as the case may be, in any previous
year; or
(d)
carrying on the business shall, if the profits and gains from the
business are deemed to be the profits and gains of such
person under section 44AD and he has claimed such income to
be lower than the profits and gains so deemed to be the profits
and gains of his business and his income exceeds the
maximum amount which is not chargeable to income-tax in any
previous year
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
before the specified date and furnishes by that date the report of the
audit as required under such other law and a further report by an
accountant in the form prescribed under this section.
Explanation - For the purposes of this section, (i)
(ii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
his income to be lower than the presumptive income deemed under the said
section and such income exceeds the maximum amount not chargeable to
income-tax (i.e. basic exemption limit). Section 44AD as amended by
Finance Act, 2009 provides that notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in sections 28 to 43C, in the case of an eligible assessee engaged
in an eligible business, a sum equal to eight per cent of the total turnover or
gross receipts of the assessee in the previous year on account of such
business or, as the case may be, a sum higher than the aforesaid sum
claimed to have been earned by the eligible assessee, shall be deemed to
be the profits and gains of such business chargeable to tax under the head
"Profits and gains of business or profession".
(2) Any deduction allowable under the provisions of sections 30 to 38 shall,
for the purposes of sub-section (1), be deemed to have been already given
full effect to and no further deduction under those sections shall be allowed :
Provided that where the eligible assessee is a firm, the salary and interest
paid to its partners shall be deducted from the income computed under subsection (1) subject to the conditions and limits specified in clause (b)
of section 40.
(3) The written down value of any asset of an eligible business shall be
deemed to have been calculated as if the eligible assessee had claimed and
had been actually allowed the deduction in respect of the depreciation for
each of the relevant assessment years.
(4) The provisions of Chapter XVII-C shall not apply to an eligible assessee
in so far as they relate to the eligible business.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions of this
section, an eligible assessee who claims that his profits and gains from the
eligible business are lower than the profits and gains specified in sub-section
(1) and whose total income exceeds the maximum amount which is not
chargeable to income-tax, shall be required to keep and maintain such books
of account and other documents as required under sub-section (2) of section
44AA and get them audited and furnish a report of such audit as required
under section 44AB.
(6) The provisions of this section, notwithstanding anything contained in the
foregoing provisions, shall not apply to
(i)
(ii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(iii)
(i)
(ii)
(b)
(i)
(ii)
whose total turnover or gross receipts in the previous year does not
exceed an amount of one crore rupees.
3.6 Under the provisions of section 44AD, an eligible assessee can opt to
be assessed on presumptive basis, so long as the sales, turnover or gross
receipts from an eligible business do not exceed Rs.1 crore. Once the sales,
turnover or gross receipts from any such eligible business(es) exceed the
prescribed limit (Presently Rs.1 crore w.e.f A.Y. 2013-14), a tax audit will be
required under clause (a) of section 44AB. The provisions of sections 44AA
and 44AB shall not apply insofar as they relate to an eligible business as
referred to in section 44AD and , the business of plying, hiring or leasing
goods carriages as referred to in section 44AE. In computing the monetary
limits under sections 44AA and 44AB, the sales, turnover or gross receipts,
from the business in the said sections is to be excluded.
3.7 If a person is carrying on business(es), coming within the scope of
sections 44AD, 44AE, 44BB or 44BBB but he exercises his option given
under these sections to get his accounts audited under section 44AB, tax
audit requirements would apply, in respect of such business(es) even if the
turnover of such business(es) does not exceed the prescribed limit
(Presently Rs.1 crore w.e.f A.Y. 2013-14). In the case of a person carrying
on businesses covered by sections 44AD, 44AE, 44BB or 44BBB and opting
for presumptive taxation, tax audit requirement would not apply in respect of
such businesses. If such person is carrying on other business(es) not
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
covered by presumptive taxation, tax audit requirements would apply in
respect thereof, if the turnover of such business(es), other than the
business(es) covered by presumptive taxation thereof, exceed the prescribed
limit (Presently Rs.1 crore w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14).
3.8 The first proviso to section 44AB stipulates that this section will not be
applicable to a person who derives income of the nature referred to in
sections 44B or 44BBA. Accordingly, where the assessee is carrying on any
one or more of the businesses specified in section 44B or 44BBA referred to
in the first proviso to section 44AB, the sales/turnover/gross receipts from
such businesses shall not be included in the total sales/turnover/gross
receipts for determining the applicability of section 44AB.
3.9 The report of such audit, duly signed and verified by the chartered
accountant is required to be given in such form and setting forth such
particulars as prescribed by the Board. Rule 6G provides that such audit
report and particulars should be given in Forms No. 3CA/3CB as may be
applicable and the statement of particulars should be given in Form No.3CD.
3.10 A question may arise in the case of an assessee who is eligible to
claim deductions under various sections like sections 80-IA, 80-IB or 80-IC
etc., as to whether it will be necessary for him to get separate audit
reports/certificates under these sections in addition to an audit report under
section 44AB. The requirement of section 44AB is a general requirement
covering the overall position of the accounts of the assessee. This applies to
the consolidated accounts of the assessee for the relevant previous year
covering the results of all the units owned by the assessee whether situated
at one place or at different places. Therefore, when the turnover of all the
units put together exceed the prescribed limits, the assessee will have to get
the audit report under section 44AB in the prescribed form and separate
audit reports in the forms prescribed for different purposes like sections 80IA, 80-IB or 80-IC etc. will have to be further obtained by the assessee to
meet the specific requirements of the relevant sections.
4.
4.1.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
The word `business' is one of wide import and it means activity carried
on continuously and systematically by a person by the application of
his labour or skill with a view to earning an income. The expression
"business" does not necessarily mean trade or manufacture only Barendra Prasad Ray v ITO [1981] 129 ITR 295 (SC).
4.2 Section 2(36) of the Act defines profession to include vocation.
Profession is a word of wide import and includes "vocation" which is only a
way of living. Additional CIT v. Ram Kripal Tripathi [1980] 125 ITR 408
(All).
4.3 Whether a particular activity can be classified as `business' or
`profession' will depend on the facts and circumstances of each case. The
expression "profession" involves the idea of an occupation requiring purely
intellectual skill or manual skill controlled by the intellectual skill of the
operator, as distinguished from an operation which is substantially the
production or sale or arrangement for the production or sale of commodities.
- CIT Vs. Manmohan Das (Deceased) [1966] 59 ITR 699 (SC), CIT v. Ram
Kripal Tripathi [1980] 125 ITR 408 (All).
4.4 The following have been listed out as professions in section 44AA
read with Rule 6F and other professions notified thereunder (Notifications
No. 1620 SO-18(E) dated 12.1.77, No. 9102SO 2675 dated 25.09.1992 and
No.116 SO 385(E), dated 4.5.2001):
(i)
Accountancy
(ii)
Architectural
(iii)
Authorised Representative
(iv)
Company Secretary
(v)
Engineering
(vi)
(vii)
Interior Decoration
(viii) Legal
(ix)
Medical
(x)
Technical Consultancy
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(xi)
is
invited
to
Notification
4.5.
(i)
Advertising agent
(ii)
(iii)
Couriers
(iv)
Insurance agent
(v)
Nursing home
(vi)
Stock and share broking and dealing in shares and securities - CIT v.
Lallubhai Nagardas & Sons [1993] 204 ITR 93 (Bom).
(vii)
Travel agent.
5.
5.1 It will be noted that the provision relating to tax audit applies to every
person carrying on business, if his total sales, turnover or gross receipts in
business exceed the prescribed limit (Rs.1 crore w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14) and to
a person carrying on a profession, if his gross receipts from profession
exceed the prescribed limit (Rs.25 lakhs w.e.f A.Y. 2013-14) in any previous
year. However, the term "sales", "turnover" or "gross receipts" are not
defined in the Act, and therefore the meaning of the aforesaid terms has to
be considered for the applicability of the section.
5.2
Further, section 8A(1) of the said Act provides that in determining turnover,
deduction of sales tax should be made from the aggregate of sales price.
5.3 The term "Turnover" has been defined under Section 2(91) of the
Companies Act, 2013 as follows:
"2(91) turnover means the aggregate value of the realisation of
amount made from the sale, supply or distribution of goods or on
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
account of services rendered, or both, by the company during a
financial year;"
5.4 In the Guidance Note on Terms Used in Financial Statements
published by the Institute, the expression Sales Turnover (Item 15.01) has
been defined as under:The aggregate amount for which sales are effected or services
rendered by an enterprise. The term `gross turnover and `net
turnover (or `gross sales and `net sales) are sometimes used to
distinguish the sales aggregate before and after deduction of returns
and trade discounts.
5.5 The Guide to Company Audit issued by the Institute in the year 1980,
while discussing sales, stated as follows:
Total turnover, that is, the aggregate amount for which sales are
effected by the company, giving the amount of sales in respect of each
class of goods dealt with by the company and indicating the quantities
of such sales for each class separately.
Note (i) The term turnover would mean the total sales after deducting
therefrom goods returned, price adjustments, trade discount and
cancellation of bills for the period of audit, if any. Adjustments which
do not relate to turnover should not be made e.g. writing off bad debts,
royalty etc. Where excise duty is included in turnover, the
corresponding amount should be distinctly shown as a debit item in
the profit and loss account.
5. 6 The Statement on the Amendments to Schedule VI to the Companies
Act, 1956 issued by the Institute (Page 14, 1976 edition)( replaced with
Guidance Note on Revised Schedule VI of the Companies Act, 1956) while
discussing the disclosure requirements relating to `turnover stated as
follows:As regards the value of turnover, a question which may arise is with
reference to various extra and ancillary charges. The invoices may
involve various extra and ancillary charges such as those relating to
packing, freight, forwarding, interest, commission, etc. It is suggested
that ordinarily the value of turnover should be disclosed exclusive of
such ancillary and extra charges, except in those cases where
because of the accounting system followed by the company, separate
demarcation of such charges is not possible from the accounts or
where the companys billing procedure involves a composite charge
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
inclusive of various services rather than a separate charge for each
service.
In the case of invoices containing composite charges, it would not
ordinarily be proper to attempt a demarcation of ancillary charges on
a proportionate or estimated basis. For example, if a company makes
a composite charge to its customer, inclusive of freight and despatch,
the charge so made should accordingly be treated as part of the
turnover for purpose of this section. It would not be proper to reduce
the value of the turnover with reference to the approximate value of
the service relating to freight and despatch. On the other hand, if the
company makes a separate charge for freight and despatch and for
other similar services, it would be quite proper to ignore such charges
when computing the value of the turnover to be disclosed in the Profit
and Loss Account. In other words, the disclosure may well be
determined by reference to the companys invoicing and accounting
policy and may thereby vary from company to company. For reasons
of consistency as far as possible, a company should adhere to the
same basic policy from year to year and if there is any change in the
policy the effect of that change may need to be disclosed if it is
material, so that a comparison of the turnover figures from year to
year does not become misleading.
5.7 The Statement on the Companies (Auditors' Report) Order, 2003
issued by the Institute in April 2004, while discussing the term turnover in
paragraph 23 states `as follows:
The term, "turnover", has not been defined by the Order. Part II of
Schedule VI to the Act, however, defines the term "turnover" as the
aggregate amount for which sales are effected by the company. It may
be noted that the "sales effected" would include sale of goods as well
as services rendered by the company. In an agency relationship,
turnover is the amount of commission earned by the agent and not the
aggregate amount for which sales are effected or services are
rendered. The term "turnover" is a commercial term and it should be
construed in accordance with the method of accounting regularly
employed by the company.
5.8 Although, Schedule III of the Companies Act, 2013 has replaced the
Revised Schedule VI of the Companies Act, 1956 in the year 2014,
guidance given herein above with respect to meaning of the term turnover
is still relevant.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
5.9 The term turnover for the purposes of this clause may be interpreted
to mean the aggregate amount for which sales are effected or services
rendered by an enterprise. If sales tax and excise duty are included in the
sale price, no adjustment in respect thereof should be made for considering
the quantum of turnover. Trade discounts can be deducted from sales but
not the commission allowed to third parties. If, however, the Excise duty an /
or sales tax recovered are credited separately to Excise duty or Sales tax
Account (being separate accounts) and payments to the authority are
debited in the same account, they would not be included in the turnover.
However, sales of scrap shown separately under the heading miscellaneous
income will have to be included in turnover.
5.10 Considering that the words "Sales", "Turnover" and "Gross receipts"
are commercial terms, they should be construed in accordance with the
method of accounting regularly employed by the assessee. Section 145(1)
provides that income chargeable under the head "Profits and gains of
business or profession" or "Income from other sources" should be computed
in accordance with either cash or mercantile system of accounting regularly
employed by the assessee. The method of accounting followed by the
assessee is also relevant for the determination of sales, turnover or gross
receipts in the light of the above discussion.
5.11 Applying the above generally accepted accounting principles, a few
typical cases may be considered:
(i)
Discount allowed in the sales invoice will reduce the sale price and,
therefore, the same can be deducted from the turnover.
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(v)
(vi)
Sale proceeds of fixed assets would not form part of turnover since
these are not held for resale.
(vii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
5.14 The turnover or gross receipts in respect of transactions in shares,
securities and derivatives may be determined in the following manner.
(a)
(b)
(ii)
(iii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(c)
5.15 (a) Further, an issue may arise whether such transactions of purchase
or sale of stocks and shares undertaken by the assessee are in the course of
business or as investment. The answer to this issue will depend on the facts
and circumstances of each case taking into consideration the nature of the
transaction, frequency and volume of transactions etc. For this, attention is
invited to the following judgments where this issue has been considered.
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
CIT v. Sutlej Cotton Mills Supply Agency Ltd. (1975) 100 ITR 706 (SC)
(iv)
(ii)
(iii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
The net exchange rate difference on export sales during the year on
the basis of the principle explained in (v) above will have to be added;
(vii)
(x)
(xi)
(xii)
Finance income to reimburse and reward the lessor for his investment
and services;
(xiii) Hire charges and instalments received in the course of hire purchase;
(xiv) Advance received and forfeited from customers.
(xv)
5.17 The following items would not form part of "gross receipts in business"
for purposes of section 44AB.
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii) In the case of a travelling agent, the amount received from the clients
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
for payment to the airlines, railways etc. where such amounts are
received by way of reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of
the client. If, however, the travel agent is conducting a package tour
and charges a consolidated sum for transportation, boarding and
lodging and other facilities, then the amount received from the
members of group tour should form part of gross receipts;
(ix)
(x)
(xi)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
advance for which services are yet to be rendered will not form part of the
receipts, as such advances are the liabilities of the assessee and cannot be
treated as his receipts till the services are rendered.
5.20 A question may arise in the case of an assessee carrying on business
and at the same time engaged in a profession as to what are the limits
applicable to him under section 44AB for getting the accounts audited. In
such a case if his professional receipts are, say, rupees twenty seven lakhs
but his total sales, turnover or gross receipts in business are, say, rupees
seventy two lakhs, it will be necessary for him to get his accounts of the
profession and also the accounts of the business audited because the gross
receipts from the profession exceed the limit of rupees twenty five lakhs. If
however, the professional receipts are, say, rupees twenty one lakhs and
total sales turnover or gross receipts from business are, say, rupees eighty
six lakhs it will not be necessary for him to get his accounts audited under
the above section, because his gross receipts from the profession as well as
total sales, turnover or gross receipts from the business are below the
prescribed limits.
5.21 It may, however, be noted that in cases where the assessee carries on
more than one business activity, the results of all business activities should
be clubbed together. In other words, the aggregate sales, turnover and/or
gross receipts of all businesses carried on by an assessee would be taken
into consideration in determining whether the prescribed limit (Presently Rs.
1 crore w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14) as laid down in section 44AB has been
exceeded or not. However, where the business is covered by section 44B or
44BBA turnover of such business shall be excluded. Similarly, where the
business is covered by section 44AD or 44AE and the assessee opts to be
assessed under the respective sections on presumptive basis, the turnover
thereof shall be excluded. So far as a partnership firm is concerned, each
firm is an independent assessee for purposes of Income-tax Act. Therefore,
the figures of sales of each firm will have to be considered separately for
purposes of determining whether or not the accounts of such firm are
required to be audited for purposes of section 44AB.
5.22 It must also be understood that the issue whether the turnover
exceeds the prescribed limit (Presently Rs.1 crore w.e.f A.Y. 2013-14) in the
case of business or the gross receipts exceed the prescribed limit (Presently
Rs.25 lakhs w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14) in the case of profession is to be
determined in each year independent of the results obtained in the preceding
year or years. Further, this section applies only if the turnover exceeds the
prescribed limit according to the accounts maintained by the assessee. If the
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Assessing Officer wants the assessee to get his accounts audited in cases
where the figures of turnover as appearing in the books of account of the
assessee do not exceed the prescribed limits, he has no option but to pass
an order under section 142(2A) directing the assessee to get his accounts
audited from a chartered accountant as may be nominated by the
Commissioner of Income-tax or the Chief Commissioner of Income-tax.
6.
6.1 A question may arise in the case of an assessee whose income is not
chargeable to income-tax by reason of a specific exemption contained in the
law or otherwise, as to whether he is required to get his accounts audited
and to furnish such report under section 44AB. Such cases may cover those
assessees who are wholly outside the purview of income-tax law as well as
those whose income is otherwise exempt under the Act. It is felt that neither
section 44AB nor any other provisions of the Act stipulate exemption from
the compulsory tax audit to any person whose income is exempt from tax.
This section makes it mandatory for every person carrying on any business
or profession to get his accounts audited where conditions laid down in the
section are satisfied and to furnish the report of such audit in the prescribed
form. A trust/association/institution carrying on business may enjoy
exemptions as the case may be under sections 10(21), 10(23A), 10(23B) or
section 10(23BB) or section 10(23C) or section 11. A co-operative society
carrying on business may enjoy deduction under section 80P. Such
institutions/associations of persons will have to get their accounts audited
and to furnish such audit report for purposes of section 44AB if their turnover
in business exceeds the prescribed limit (Presently Rs.1 crore w.e.f. A.Y.
2013-14). But an agriculturist, who does not have any income under the
head "Profits and gains of business or profession" chargeable to tax under
the Act and who is not required to file any return under the said Act, need not
get his accounts audited for purposes of section 44AB even though his total
sales of agricultural products may exceed the prescribed limit (Presently
Rs.1 crore w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14)
6.2 It may be appreciated that the object of audit under section 44AB is
only to assist the Assessing Officer in computing the total income of an
assessee in accordance with different provisions of the Act. Therefore, even
if the income of a person is below the taxable limit laid down in the relevant
Finance Act of a particular year, he will have to get his accounts audited and
to furnish such report under section 44AB, if his turnover in business exceed
the prescribed limit (Presently Rs.1 crore w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14).
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
6.3 The case of non-residents may be considered separately. Section
44AB does not make any distinction between a resident or non-resident.
Therefore, a non-resident assessee is also required to get his accounts
audited and to furnish such report under section 44AB if his
turnover/sales/gross receipts exceed the prescribed limits. This audit,
however, would be confined only to the Indian operations carried out by the
non-resident assessee since he is chargeable to income-tax in India only in
respect of income accruing or arising or received in India.
7.
7.1 As per the recent developments, the tax audit report is required to be
uploaded using digital signature of the tax auditor. A question may arise
whether a tax auditor appointed under section 44AB can be held responsible
if he does not complete the audit and if the tax audit report is not uploaded
before the specified date. Answer to this question will depend on the facts
and circumstances of the case. Normally, it is the professional duty of the
chartered accountant to ensure that the audit accepted by him is completed
before the due date. If there is any unreasonable delay on his part, he is
answerable to the Institute if a complaint is made by the client. However, if
the delay in the completion of audit is attributable to his client, the tax auditor
cannot be held responsible. It is, therefore, necessary that no chartered
accountant should accept audit assignments which he cannot complete
within the above time frame. In this regard, reference may also be made to
paragraph 12 of this Guidance Note.
8.
Penalty
8.1. In order to ensure proper compliance with section 44AB, section 271B
has been enacted which reads as under:"Failure to get accounts audited
271B. If any person fails to get his accounts audited in respect of any
previous year or years relevant to an assessment year or furnish a
report of such audit as required under section 44AB, the Assessing
Officer may direct that such person shall pay, by way of penalty, a
sum equal to one-half per cent of the total sales, turnover or gross
receipts, as the case may be, in business, or of the gross receipts in
profession, in such previous year or years or a sum of one hundred
fifty thousand rupees, whichever is less."
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
8.2. As such, the failure of a person, to get his accounts audited in respect
of any previous year or furnish a copy of such report as required under
section 44AB may attract a penalty equal to 0.5% of the total sales, turnover
or gross receipts, or Rs.1.5 lakh whichever is less. However, in view of the
specific provisions contained in section 273B, no penalty is imposable under
section 271B on the assessee for the above failure if he proves that there
was reasonable cause for the said failure. The onus of proving reasonable
cause is on the assessee.
8.3. Some of the instances where Tribunals/Courts have accepted as
"reasonable cause" are as follows:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Labour problems such as strike, lock out for a long period, etc.;
(e)
Loss of accounts because of fire, theft, etc. beyond the control of the
assessee;
(f)
(g)
9.
Tax auditor
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
9.2 The proviso to section 44AB lays down that where the accounts of an
assessee are required to be audited by or under any other law, it shall be
sufficient compliance with the provisions of this section, if such person gets
the accounts of such business or profession audited under such other law
before the specified date and furnishes by that date the report by an
accountant as required under section 44AB. It may be noted that after
amendment by the Finance Act, 2001, tax audit can be carried out by an
accountant only. Accordingly, in case of any assessee like a co-operative
society where the accounts under the relevant law have been audited by a
person other than a chartered accountant, the tax audit will have to be
conducted by the accountant as defined under section 44AB.
9.3. Though the section refers to the accounts being audited by an
accountant which means a chartered accountant as defined above, the audit
can also be done by a firm of chartered accountants. This has been a
recognised practice under the Act. In such a case, it would be necessary to
state the name of the partner who has signed the audit report on behalf of
the firm. The member signing the report as a partner of a firm or in his
individual capacity should give his membership number while registering
himself in the e-filing portal.
9.4. Section 44AB stipulates that only Chartered Accountants should
perform the tax audit. This section does not stipulate that only the statutory
auditor appointed under the Companies Act or other similar Statute should
perform the tax audit. As such the tax audit can be conducted either by the
statutory auditor or by any other chartered accountant in full time practice.
9.5 It may be noted that the Council at its 242nd meeting has passed a
resolution effective from 1st April 2005, that any member in part-time
practice (namely, holding a certificate of practice and also engaging himself
in any other business and/or occupation) is not entitled to perform attest
functions including tax audit.
9.6 A question may arise in the case of a public sector company or any
other company where the statutory auditor has not been appointed by the
authorities concerned as to whether the tax auditor appointed under section
44AB can complete his audit without waiting for statutory audit report on the
accounts audited by the statutory auditors. It may be noted that Form No.
3CA requires the tax auditor to enclose a copy of the audit report conducted
by the statutory auditor or the auditor of the financial statements as the case
may be. Where a statutory auditor has not been appointed by the authorities
concerned or where the report of the statutory auditor is not available for
whatever reasons, it will be possible for the tax auditor to give his report in
Form No. 3CB and to certify the relevant particulars in Form No.3CD. This is
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
particularly important in those cases where the assessee concerned has
suffered losses in the relevant accounting year. It may, however, be noted
that the tax auditor in such cases will have to conduct the financial audit as
well in order to enable him to certify whether or not the accounts reported
upon by him give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the assessee
whose accounts are audited by him under section 44AB.
9.7 Tax audit under section 44AB being a recurring audit assignment, for
expressing professional opinion on the financial statements and the
particulars, the member accepting the assignment should communicate with
the member who had done tax audit in the earlier year as provided in the
Chartered Accountants Act. When making the enquiry from the retiring
auditor, the member accepting the assignment should find out whether there
is any professional or other reasons why he should not accept the
appointment. The professional reasons for not accepting the appointment
include:
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
9.9 A chartered accountant should not accept the tax audit of a person to
whom he is indebted for more than rupees ten thousand. Reference should
be made to Chapter- X Appointment of an auditor when he is indebted to a
concern of the Council Guidelines No.1-CA(7)/02/2008, dated 8th August,
2008- Appendix IV (Page no. 226) whereby a member of the Institute shall
be deemed to be guilty of professional misconduct if he accepts appointment
as an auditor of a concern while he is indebted to the concern or has given
any guarantee or provided any security in connection with the indebtedness
of any third person to the concern, for limits fixed in the statute and in other
cases for amount exceeding rupees ten thousand. For this purpose, the limit
of Rs. 10,000/- shall be the aggregate amount in respect of the proprietor
and/or the partner/s of the firm of chartered accountants.
9.10 The Council has issued a Guideline No.1-CA(7)/02/2008, dated 8th
August, 2008 given in Appendix IV (Page no. 226) Chapter- IX
Appointment as Statutory auditor states that a member of the Institute in
practice shall be deemed to be guilty of professional misconduct, if he
accepts the appointment as statutory auditor of Public Sector Undertaking/
Government Company /Listed Company and other Public Company having
turnover of Rs. 50 crores or more in a year and accepts any other work or
assignment or service in regard to the same undertaking/company on a
remuneration which in total exceeds the fee payable for carrying out the
statutory audit of the same undertaking/company.
9.11 The above restrictions shall apply in respect of fees for other work or
service or assignment payable to the statutory auditors and their associate
concerns put together.
9.12 As per the said notification, the term other work(s) or service(s) or
assignment(s) shall include Management Consultancy and all other
professional services permitted by the Council pursuant to Section 2(2)(iv) of
the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 but shall not include: (i)
(ii)
(iii)
9.13 Since the obligation for tax audit has been specified in section 44AB of
the Income-tax Act, 1961, it will be considered as an audit under any other
statute for the purpose of this notification and thus the above restriction shall
not apply in respect of tax audit fees.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
9.14 The tax auditor should obtain from the assessee a letter of
appointment for conducting the audit as mentioned in section 44AB. It is
advisable that such an appointment letter should be signed by the person
competent to sign the return of income in terms of the provisions of section
140 of the Act. It would also be useful if the letter affirms that no other
auditor was appointed to conduct the tax audit for the year for which the
appointment is being made. The letter may also give the name and address
of the tax auditor for the previous year, wherever relevant. This would give
the necessary information to the incoming tax auditor to enable him to
communicate with the previous auditor. The letter of appointment should also
specify the remuneration of the tax auditor. SA-210, Agreeing the Terms of
Audit Engagement issued by the ICAI requires that the auditor to agree with
the terms of audit engagement with management or those charged with
governance as appropriate. The agreed terms would need to be recorded in
an audit engagement letter or other suitable form of written agreement and
shall include (a) The objective and scope of the audit of the financial
statements; It should be specifically mentioned that the scope of audit is
restricted to the provisions contained in section 44AB of the Income tax
Act,1961 and the Income-tax Rules, 1962. (b) The responsibilities of the
auditor; (c) The responsibilities of management; (d) Identification of the
applicable financial reporting framework for the preparation of the financial
statements; and (e) Reference to the expected form and content of any
reports to be issued by the auditor as per the provisions of Income-tax Act,
1961 and Income-tax Rule, 1962 along with a statement that there may be
circumstances in which a report may differ from its expected form and
content. In the interest of both client and auditor, the auditor should send an
engagement letter, preferably before the commencement of the engagement,
to help avoid any misunderstandings with respect to the engagement. The
engagement letter documents and confirms the auditors acceptance of the
appointment, the objective and scope of the audit and the extent of the
auditors responsibilities to the client. However, it may be noted that
wherever an audit is to be conducted under a Statute, acknowledgement of
the letter of the auditor by the client is considered to be sufficient compliance
of SA-210. The tax auditor should get the statement of particulars, as
required in the annexure to the audit report, authenticated by the assessee
before he does the same.
9.15 The tax auditor is required to upload the tax audit report directly in the
e-filing portal.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
9.16 The appointment of the auditor for tax audit in the case of a company
need not be made at the general meeting of the members. It can be made by
the Board of Directors or even by any officer, if so authorised by the Board in
this behalf. The appointment in the case of a firm or a proprietary concern
can be made by a partner or the proprietor or a person authorised by the
assessee. It is possible for the assessee to appoint two or more chartered
accountants as joint auditors for carrying out the tax audit, in which case, the
audit report will have to be signed by all the chartered accountants. In case
of disagreement, they can give their reports separately. In this regard,
attention is invited to Para 12 of the SA 299, Responsibility of Joint Auditors
issued by ICAI reproduced below:
"Normally, the joint auditors are able to arrive at an agreed report.
However, where the joint auditors are in disagreement with regard to
any matters to be covered by the report, each one of them should
express his own opinion through a separate report. A joint auditor is
not bound by the views of the majority of the joint auditors regarding
matters to be covered in the report and should express his opinion in
a separate report in case of a disagreement."
The responsibility of joint tax auditors will be the same as in the case of other
audits e.g. audit under the Companies Act. For details relating to such
responsibility, in the case of joint tax audit, reference may be made to SA
299, Responsibility of Joint Auditors.
9.17 The position of a tax auditor for conducting audit under section 44AB
will be considered as an office of profit. Therefore, the provisions of section
314 of the Companies Act, 1956 will be attracted when a relative of a director
is appointed as a tax auditor of the company, if the remuneration thereof
exceeds the limits prescribed in the aforesaid section. The necessary
formalities will be required to be complied with as required under section
314. It may be noted Section 314 of the Companies Act, 1956 has been
replaced with section 188 of the Companies Act, 2013, w.e.f. 1.4.2014.
9.18 The Act does not prohibit a relative or an employee of the assessee
being appointed as a tax auditor under section 44AB. It may, however, be
noted that as per the decision of the Council (reported in the Code of Ethics
under clause (4) of Part I of Second Schedule), a chartered accountant
should not express his opinion on financial statements of any business or
enterprise in which he, his firm or a partner in his firm has a substantial
interest. It may be noted that the Council has decided not to permit a
Chartered Accountant in employment to certify the financial statements of the
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
concern in which he is employed, or of a concern under the same
management as the concern in which he is employed, even though he holds
certificate of practice and that such certification can be done by any
Chartered Accountant in practice. This restriction would not however apply
where the certification is permitted by any law, e.g. Section 228(4) of the
Companies Act, 1956 and the Companies (Branch Audit Exemption) Rules,
1961 made thereunder. Therefore, an employee of an assessee or an
employee of a concern under the same management cannot audit the
accounts of an assessee under section 44AB. Relevant extracts from the
*Code of Ethics published by ICAI are given in Appendix V (Page no. 237)
*In view of the fact that with effect from 01.04.2014.the Companies
Act, 1956 has been replaced with Companies Act, 2013, the Code of
Ethics issued by ICAI is under revision. The members may refer the
revised Code of Ethics as and when published for the above
mentioned provisions.
9.19 A chartered accountant who is responsible for writing or maintenance
of the books of account of the assessee should not audit such accounts. This
principle will apply to the partner of such a member as well as to the firm in
which he is a partner. In view of this, a chartered accountant who is
responsible for writing or maintenance of the books of account or his partner
or the firm in which he is a partner should not accept tax audit assignment
under section 44AB in the case of such an assessee.
9.20 The audit of accounts of a professional firm of chartered accountants,
under section 44AB cannot be conducted by any partner or employee of
such firm.
9.21 A chartered accountant/firm of chartered accountants, who is
appointed as tax consultant of the assessee, can conduct tax audit under
section 44AB. But an internal auditor of the assessee cannot conduct tax
audit if he is an employee of the assessee. The Council of ICAI in its 281st
meeting held from 3rd to 5th October, 2008 decided that an internal auditor
of an assessee, whether working with the organisation or independently
practicing chartered accountant or a firm of chartered accountants, cannot
be appointed as his tax auditor. The decision was made effective from 12-122008.
9.22 A question may arise whether an assessee can remove a tax auditor
appointed under section 44AB. The answer depends upon the facts and
circumstances of the case. It is, however, possible for the management to
remove a tax auditor where there are valid grounds for such removal. This
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
may arise where the tax auditor has delayed the submission of audit report
under section 44AB for an unreasonable period and if it is found that there is
no possibility of getting the audit report uploaded before the specified date.
In such cases, the management may be justified in removing the tax auditor.
However, the tax auditor cannot be removed on the ground that he has given
an adverse audit report or the assessee has an apprehension that the tax
auditor is likely to give an adverse audit report. If there is any unjustified
removal of tax auditors, the Ethical Standards Board constituted by the
Institute can intervene in such cases. No other chartered accountant should
accept the audit assignment if the removal of his predecessor is not on valid
grounds.
9.23 Before accepting a tax audit, the chartered accountant should take
into consideration the ceiling on tax audit assignments fixed under the
Chapter VI- Tax Audit assignments under Section 44AB of the Income-tax
Act, 1961 of the Council Guidelines No.1-CA(7)/02/2008, dated 8th
August,2008 as amended by a decision of the Council taken in its 331st
meeting held from 10.02.2014 to 12.02.2014 and its 333rd meeting held from
14.05.2014 to 16.05.2014.- Appendix-IV (Page no. 226) .
9.24 In view of the said Guidelines a member of the Institute in practice,
shall be deemed to be guilty of professional misconduct if, he accepts more
than 60 tax audit assignments relating to an assessment year or such other
limit as may be prescribed by ICAI from time to time under section 44AB,
whether in respect of a person whose accounts have been audited under any
other law or a person who carries on business or profession but who is not
required by or under any other law to get his accounts audited.
9.25 (a) As per the Council Guidelines No.1-CA(7)/02/2008, dated 8th
August, 2008, audit of books of account of persons carrying on businesses
covered by sections 44AD and 44AE, is not included in the aforesaid limit.
The auditor is advised to maintain the details of the audits conducted by
virtue of the provisions of section 44AD and 44AE separately in the format
mentioned in Para 9.26.
(b) Furthermore, a clarification was issued for reckoning the specified
number of tax audit assignments conducted under section 44AB of the
Income-tax Act, 1961, the text of the clarification is reproduced below:
Various statutes prevailing in India like DVAT, 2004 requires the
assessee to furnish an audit report in a form duly signed and verified
by such particulars as may be prescribed under section 44AB of the
Income-tax Act, 1961 i.e. Form 3CB/3CD. This had lead to the doubts
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
as to whether such audits would be included in the ceiling of
specified number of tax audit assignments.
Considering the same, the Council at its 311th meeting held on 8th
and 9th November, 2011 clarified that audit prescribed under any
statute which requires the audit report in the form as prescribed under
section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, shall not be considered for the
purpose of reckoning the specified number of tax audit assignments if
the turnover of the auditee is below the turnover limit specified in
section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961. For instance audit under
section 44AD, audit under DVAT, 2004 (for turnover between 40 to 60
Lakhs) etc. will not be considered for inclusion in the present limit of
60* audits
*w.e.f 1.04.2014
9.26 In case the member is a partner of a firm of chartered accountants in
practice, the ceiling of 60 tax audit assignments shall be computed with
reference to each of the partner in the said firm. Where any partner of the
firm of chartered accountants in practice is also a partner of any other firm or
firms of chartered accountants in practice, the ceiling limit of 60 shall apply
with reference to all the firms together in relation to such partner. Similarly,
where any partner accepts one or more tax audit assignments in his
individual capacity, the total number of such assignments under section
44AB which may be accepted by him whether directly in his individual
capacity or as partner of the firm of chartered accountants in practice shall
not exceed 45 tax audit assignments. If two members or firms of chartered
accountants are appointed as joint tax auditors, then the assignment will
have to be included in the case of both the members or firms separately. It
has, however, been clarified that the audit of the head office and branch
offices concerned shall be regarded as one tax audit assignment. Similarly,
the audit of one or more branches of the same concern by one chartered
accountant in practice shall be construed as only one tax audit assignment.
In computing the specified number of tax audit assignments each year's
audit would be taken as a separate assignment. Every chartered accountant
in practice shall maintain a record of the tax audit assignments accepted by
him in each financial year in the format prescribed by the Council. This
format is reproduced in Appendix VI (Page no. 242).
9.27 The Institute has recommended fees for professional services on the
basis of time devoted by a chartered accountant and his assistants. The fees
for tax audit assignment can be charged by a chartered accountant on the
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
basis of the work involved in the assignment. It may be appreciated that no
uniform fees can be recommended on the basis of turnover because an
assessee having turnover of Rs.1 crore in a trading activity may have less
transactions as compared to an assessee having the same turnover in a
manufacturing activity. Similarly the transactions in a wholesale business will
be less than the transactions in a retail business. The revised minimum
recommended scale of fees recommended by the Committee of Capacity
Building of CA Firms and small and medium Practitioners as on date is
given in Appendix VII (Page No. 243).
9.28 The chartered accountants should charge reasonable fees depending
upon the responsibility involved under the revised forms and taking into
consideration the work involved in tax audit assignment which has increased
considerably consequent to the revision of the forms. It is necessary that
members of the profession should also maintain reasonable standards of
professional fees.
9.29 As mentioned in Paragraph 9.26 above, the audit of the head office
and branch offices of an assessee shall be regarded as one tax audit
assignment.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006, Companies are classified into two
categories, i.e., Small and Medium Companies (SMCs) and Non-SMCs. The
Companies Act, 2013 has replaced Companies Act, 1956. Section 133 of the
Companies Act, 2013 provides for compliance to Accounting Standards. The
existing Accounting Standards notified under Companies (Accounting
Standards) Rules,2006 would continue to be followed.
10.3 ICAI, keeping in view the fact that the Accounting Standards notified
under Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006, will be applicable to
the companies, announced the scheme for applicability of accounting
standards issued by ICAI to non-companies. The criteria for classification
non-corporate entities as decided by ICAI and companies under the
Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006 is given in Appendix-VIII
(Page no. 254).
10.4 The Accounting Standards, issued by ICAI/notified under Companies
(Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006 are for use in the presentation of
general purpose financial statements which are issued to the public by such
commercial, industrial or business enterprises as may be specified by the
Institute from time to time and subject to the attest function of its members.
The term `General Purpose Financial Statements' includes balance sheet,
statement of profit and loss, a cash flow statement (wherever applicable) and
other statements and explanatory notes which form part thereof, issued for
the use of various stakeholders, Governments and their agencies and the
public at large.
10.5. The Institute has so far issued thirty two definitive standards as
follows:
AS 1
AS 2
Valuation of Inventories
AS 3
AS 4
AS 5
Net Profit or Loss for the period, Prior Period items and
changes in Accounting policies
Construction Contracts
AS 8
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
AS 9
Revenue Recognition
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
exemptions/
(2)
Level I enterprises are required to comply fully with all the accounting
standards.
(3)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
10.9 AS also apply in respect of financial statements audited under section
44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961. Accordingly, members should examine
compliance with the mandatory accounting standards when conducting such
audit.
10.10 AS apply in respect of commercial, industrial or business activities of
an enterprise. In the case of charitable or religious organisations, AS will not
apply if all activities of such organisations are not of commercial, industrial or
business nature (e.g. an activity of collecting donations and giving them to
flood affected people). In other words, exclusion of an entity from the
applicability of the AS would be permissible only if no part of the activity of
such entity is commercial, industrial or business in nature. Even if a very
small portion of the activities of an entity is considered to be commercial,
industrial or business in nature, then it cannot claim exemption from the
application of AS. The AS would apply to all its activities including those
which are not commercial, industrial or business in nature.
10.11 The Companies Act, 2013, as well as many other statutes require that
the financial statements of an enterprise should give a true and fair view of
its financial position and working results. This requirement is implicit even in
the absence of a specific statutory provision to this effect. However, what
constitutes `true and fair' view has not been defined either in the Companies
Act, 2013, or in any other statute. The Accounting Standards (as well as
other pronouncements of the Institute on accounting matters) seek to
describe the accounting principles and the methods of applying these
principles in preparation and presentation of financial statements so that they
give a true and fair view.
10.12 In this connection, it may be noted that sub-section (1) of section 129
of the Companies Act, 2013, provides that the financial statements shall give a
true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company or companies, comply
with the accounting standards notified under section 133 and shall be in the
form or forms as may be provided for different class or classes of companies
in Schedule III thereof. It also provides that items contained in such financial
statements shall be in accordance with the accounting standards. Subsection (5) of section 129 provides that without prejudice to sub-section (1),
where the financial statements of a company do not comply with the
accounting standards referred to in sub-section (1), the company shall
disclose in its financial statements, the deviation from the accounting
standards, the reasons for such deviation and the financial effects, if any,
arising out of such deviation.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
10.13 Section 2(2) of Companies Act, 2013 provides that accounting
standards means the standards of accounting or any addendum thereto for
companies or class of companies referred to in section 133.
10.14 The Preface to the Statements of Accounting Standards, issued by
the Institute, inter alia, states:
The Accounting Standards will be mandatory from the respective
date(s) mentioned in the Accounting Standard(s). The mandatory
status of an Accounting Standard implies that while discharging their
attest functions, it will be the duty of the members of the Institute to
examine whether the Accounting Standard is complied with in the
presentation of financial statements covered by their audit. In the
event of any deviation from the Accounting Standard, it will be their
duty to make adequate disclosures in their audit reports so that the
users of financial statements may be aware of such deviation.
Ensuring compliance with the Accounting Standards while preparing
the financial statements is the responsibility of the management of the
enterprise. Statutes governing certain enterprises require of the
enterprises that the financial statements should be prepared in
compliance with the Accounting Standards, e.g., the Companies Act,
2013 (section 129), and the Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority (Preparation of Financial Statements and Auditors Report of
Insurance Companies) Regulations, 2000.'
10.15 While discharging their attest function, the members of the Institute
may keep the following in mind with regard to the mandatory AS.
AS 1 Disclosure of Accounting Policies1
In the case of a company, members should qualify their audit reports in case:
(a)
(b)
(c)
As per the announcement of the Council accounting Standards 1,7,8,9 and 10 made
mandatory published in July 1990 issue of The Chartered Accountants
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(d)
(e)
10.16 Where a company has been given a specific exemption regarding any
of the matters stated above, but the fact of such exemption has not been
adequately disclosed in the accounts, the member should mention the fact of
exemption in his audit report without necessarily making it a subject matter of
audit qualification.
10.17 In the case of an enterprise other than a company, members should
qualify their audit reports in case AS issued, prescribed and made mandatory
by the ICAI have not been followed.
10.18 Financial statements prepared on a basis other than accrual
With regard to the fundamental accounting assumption of accrual, the
Council has made a specific announcement that in respect of (a) Sole
proprietary concerns/individuals, (b) Partnership firms, (c) Societies
registered under the Societies Registration Act, (d) Trusts, (e) Hindu
undivided families and (f) Association of persons, the auditor should examine
whether the financial statements have been prepared on accrual basis. In
case where the statute governing the enterprise requires the preparation and
presentation of financial statements on accrual basis but the financial
statements have not been so prepared, the auditor should qualify his report.
On the other hand where there is no statutory requirement for preparation
and presentation of financial statements on accrual basis, and the financial
statements have been prepared on a basis other than accrual, the auditor
should describe in his audit report, the basis of accounting followed, without
necessarily making it a subject matter of a qualification. In such a case the
auditor should also examine whether those provisions of the AS which are
applicable in the context of the basis of accounting followed by the enterprise
have been complied with or not and consider making suitable qualifications
in his audit report accordingly.
10.19 Accounting Standards under taxation law
The Finance Act, 1995 substituted a new section 145 w.e.f. A.Y. 1997-98.
The section deals with method of accounting and is reproduced below :"145. (1) Income chargeable under the head "Profits and gains of
business or profession" or "Income from other sources" shall, subject
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
to the provisions of sub-section (2), be computed in accordance with
either cash or mercantile system of accounting regularly employed by
the assessee.
(2) The Central Government may notify in the Official Gazette from
time to time accounting standards to be followed by any class of
assessees or in respect of any class of income.
(3) Where the Assessing Officer is not satisfied about the correctness
or completeness of the accounts of the assessee, or where the
method of accounting provided in sub-section (1) or accounting
standards as notified under sub-section (2), have not been regularly
followed by the assessee, the Assessing Officer may make an
assessment in the manner provided in section 144."
10.20 Standards notified by Government - AS (IT)
In exercise of the powers conferred by section 145(2), the Central
Government has by Notification No. S.O.69 (E), dated 25th January, 1996
notified two AS (IT). This notification came into force with effect from 1st day
of April, 1996, and is accordingly applicable from assessment year 1997-98
and subsequent assessment years.
10.21 These AS (IT) are given below:
Accounting Standards to be followed by all assessees following
mercantile system of accounting:
A.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
have a material effect in any year subsequent to the previous year,
the fact of such change shall be appropriately disclosed in the
previous year in which the change is adopted.
4.
Accounting policies adopted by an assessee should be such so
as to represent a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the
business, profession or vocation in the financial statements prepared
and presented on the basis of such accounting policies. For this
purpose, the major considerations governing the selection and
application of accounting policies are the following, namely:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
5.
If the fundamental accounting assumptions relating to going
concern, Consistency and Accrual are followed in financial
statements, specific disclosure in respect of such assumptions is not
required. If a fundamental accounting assumption is not followed,
such fact shall be disclosed.
6.
(a)
(b)
(c)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
B.
(d)
(e)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
5.
A change in an accounting estimate that has a material effect
in the previous year shall be disclosed and quantified. Any change in
an accounting estimate which is reasonably expected to have a
material effect in years subsequent to the previous year shall also be
disclosed.
6.
If a question arises as to whether a change is a change in
accounting policy or a change in an accounting estimate, such a
question shall be referred to the Board for decision.
7.
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
omissions in the preparation of the financial statements
of one or more previous years.
Provided that the charge or credit arising on the outcome of a
contingency, which at the time of occurrence could not be estimated
accurately shall not constitute the correction of an error but a change
in estimate and such an item shall not be treated as a prior period
item.
10.22 The above Accounting Standards are to be followed by all assessees
following mercantile system of accounting. Therefore, it is clear that those
assessees who are following cash system of accounting need not follow the
Accounting Standards notified above.
10.23 Implications of non-compliance with the AS and AS (IT)
As mentioned earlier, AS are applicable to tax audit also when the tax
auditor performs the attest function, i.e., report on whether the accounts are
true and fair. Therefore, in case of non-compliance with the AS, the
chartered accountant should make appropriate qualifications/ disclosures in
the audit report. However, such qualifications/disclosures may or may not
have any impact on the computation of total income for the purpose of the
Act. Similarly, section 145 provides that the AS (IT) notified under that
section should be followed by the assessees to whom they are made
applicable. It should be noted that the tax auditor auditing accounts under
section 44AB is not computing the income but is - (a) reporting on accounts,
and (b) reporting on the relevant information furnished in Form No. 3CD.
Form No. 3CD vide clause 11(d) requires reporting of the details of deviation,
if any, in the method of accounting employed in the previous year from
accounting standards prescribed under section 145 and the effect thereof on
the profit or loss. Further, it may be noted that there is no material difference
between AS (IT)-1 and AS (IT)-2 notified by the Government and the
corresponding AS-1 and AS-5 of the ICAI respectively.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
auditor will have to use his professional skill and expertise and apply such
audit tests as the circumstances of the case may require, considering the
contents of the audit report. He will have to conduct the audit by applying the
generally accepted auditing procedures which are applicable for any other
audit. He should use his professional judgment to apply the technique of
audit sampling in accordance with the principles enunciated in SA 530
(Revised) Audit Sampling depending on the nature and volume of
transactions, the materiality involved and the internal control procedures
followed by the assessee. He would also be well advised to refer to the other
Standards on Auditing (SAs) as may be relevant, issued by ICAI, as well as
the "Guidance Note on Audit Reports and Certificates for Special Purposes".
If the statutory auditor of a person is also appointed to undertake tax audit, it
is advisable to carry out both the audits concurrently.
11.2 Section 227/143 of the Companies Act 1956/2013 gives certain
powers to the auditors to call for the books of account, information,
documents, explanations, etc. and to have access to all books and records.
No such powers are given to the tax auditor appointed under section 44AB.
Attention is invited to SA 210, Agreeing the Terms of Audit Engagements.
The Standard requires an auditor to establish whether the pre-conditions for
an audit are present so as to accept or continue an audit engagement. As
per para 6(b) (iii) the auditor is required to obtain agreement of management
that it acknowledges and understands its responsibilities to provide the
auditor with (a) access to all information of which the management is aware
that is relevant to the preparation of the financial statements such as
records, documentation and other matters, (b) additional information that the
auditor may request the management for the purpose of the audit and (c)
unrestricted access to persons within the entity from whom the auditor
determines it necessary to obtain audit evidence. Moreover, since the
appointment of the tax auditor is made by assessee, it will be in the interest
of the assessee to furnish all the information and explanations and produce
books of account and records required by the tax auditor. If, however, after
agreeing to the terms of the engagement, the assessee subsequently
refuses to produce any particular record or to give any specific information or
explanation in relation to the reporting requirement under section 44AB, the
tax auditor should see the impact thereof from the perspective of
management integrity vis-a-vis overall assessment of risk of misstatements
in accordance with under SA 315, Identifying and Assessing the risks of
material misstatement through understanding the entity and its environment
and consequently on his/her opinion for reporting in clause (3) of Form
No.3CA or Clause (5) of Form No. 3CB as the case may be.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
11.3 The audit report given under section 44AB is to assist the income-tax
department to assess the correct income of the assessee. In order that the
tax auditor may be in a position to explain any question which may arise later
on, it is necessary that he should keep necessary working papers about the
evidence on which he has relied upon while conducting the audit and also
maintain all his necessary working papers. Such working papers should
include his notes on the following, amongst other matters:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
the judicial pronouncements relied upon by him while making the audit
report; and
(e)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
depict a true and fair view, the statutory auditor applies audit sampling, in
case of tax audits also the tax auditor may apply audit sampling techniques
as prescribed in SA 530, Audit Sampling on the information provided by the
assessee to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to be able to draw
reasonable conclusions on which to base the audit opinion.. The extent of
check undertaken would have to be indicated by the tax auditor in his
working papers and audit notes. The tax auditor would be well advised to so
design his tax audit programme as would reveal the extent of checking and
to ensure adequate documentation in support of the information being
certified.
11.7 Where the assessee has been subjected to an internal audit and the
tax auditor decides to use the work of the internal auditor for the purpose of
the tax audit under section 44AB, the latters procedures would be guided by
the principles laid down in Standard on Auditing (SA) 610, Using the Work of
Internal Auditors.
11.8 Audit procedures applicable to a person whose accounts of the
business or profession have been audited under any other law will apply as
well to a person who carries on business or profession but who is not
required by or under any other law to get his accounts audited. In order to
express his opinion on the accounts of a person belonging to the latter
category the tax auditor should apply the same tests and checks as he would
have applied in the conduct of audit of the former category. In case the
relevant vouchers for the expenditure and payments made by a noncorporate entity are not available, it will be necessary for the tax auditor to
call for any other evidence in support of such expenditure and payments.
The entity should be advised to maintain vouchers/records in evidence of
transactions to avoid a qualification/observation* in the matter by the tax
auditors. The qualification in respect of this matter would, in the normal
course, be necessary in case the vouchers or other evidence required to be
maintained are not produced in evidence of the income/expenditure or
assets/liabilities. The entity should be encouraged to maintain office
vouchers with the recipient's signatures for the amounts reimbursed on
account of expenditure like local conveyance etc., for which other supporting
evidence is not possible to obtain. It would also be advisable to give
appropriate notes on accounts in the case of a person who carries on
business or profession but who is not required by or under any other law to
get his accounts audited. These may include disclosure regarding method of
accounting and practices consistently and regularly followed, and whether a
change in such matters or practice has been made during the year,
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
notwithstanding the fact that such disclosures are required to be made in
Form No.3CD.
* Attention of the members is invited to the principles laid out in SA 705,
Modifications to the Opinion in the Independent Auditors Report.
11.9 The ICAI had pursuant to the issuance of the Revised SA 700, Forming
an Opinion and Reporting on Financial Statements, prescribed a revised
format of the auditors report on financial statements, which has been made
effective in respect of audits of financial statements for periods beginning on or
after 1st April 2012. Since Form No. 3CA and Form No. 3CB are required to be
filed online in a preset form and the same are not in line with the requirements
of SA 700, there is no specifically allocated field for providing information
relating to the respective responsibilities of the assessee and the tax auditor as
required in terms of the principles laid out in SA 700. However, having regard
to the importance of these respective responsibility paragraphs from the
perspective of the readers of the tax audit report, it is suggested that these
respective responsibility paragraphs relating can be provided in the space
provided for giving observations, etc., under clause (3) of Form No.3CA or
Clause (5) of Form No.3CB as the case may be.
11.10 The illustrative Assessees responsibility paragraph and Tax Auditors
responsibility paragraphs in respect of Form No.3CB are given hereunder. The
same may be suitably reworded to meet the situation envisaged in Form
No.3CA.
Assessees Responsibility for the Financial Statements and the
Statement of Particulars in Form 3CD
1.
2.
(in case of the assessee being a Company, the reference would be to the
Accounting Standards referred to in sub-section (3C) of section 211 of the Companies
Act, 1956/ section 133 of the Companies Act, 2013)
2
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Income-tax Act, 1961 annexed herewith in Form No. 3CD read with
Rule 6G(1)(b) of Income Tax Rules, 1962 that give true and correct
particulars as per the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961 read with
Rules, Notifications , circulars etc that are to be included in the
Statement.
Tax Auditors Responsibility
3.
4.
5.
I/We believe that the audit evidence I/we have obtained is sufficient
and appropriate to provide a basis for my/our audit opinion.
6.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
reporting on financial statements, to formats of auditor's reports prescribed
under various laws and/ or regulations (22.08.2013), issued by ICAI, given in
Appendix IX (Page No. 266).
(b)
13.2 Sub-rule (2) of Rule 6G further provides that the particulars which are
required to be furnished under section 44AB shall be in Form No. 3CD.
13.3 It may be noted that the audit report in Form No.3CB is in two parts.
The first part requires the tax auditor to give his opinion as to whether or not
the accounts audited by him give a true and fair view:
(i)
in the case of the balance sheet, of the state of affairs as at the last
date of the accounting year.
(ii)
in the case of the profit and loss account, of the profit or loss of the
assessee for the relevant accounting year.
13.4 The second part of the report states that the statement of particulars
required to be furnished under section 44AB is annexed to the audit report in
Form No. 3CD. The tax auditor is required to give his opinion whether the
prescribed particulars furnished by the assessee are true and correct,
subject to observations and qualifications, if any.
13.5 In paragraph 3 of Form No. 3CB the auditor has to report that the
financial statements audited by him give a `true and fair' view. With regard to
the term true and fair view the auditor is advised to consider in the
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Framework for Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements as also
paragraph 12, 13, 14 and 27 of SA 700 (Revised), Forming an opinion and
reporting on Financial Statements. Attention of the members is drawn to
Para 5 of SA 200, Overall Objectives of the Independent Auditor reproduced
below:
5. As the basis for the auditors opinion, SAs require the auditor to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud
or error. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance. It is
obtained when the auditor has obtained sufficient appropriate audit
evidence to reduce audit risk (i.e., the risk that the auditor expresses
an inappropriate opinion when the financial statements are materially
misstated) to an acceptably low level. However, reasonable assurance
is not an absolute level of assurance, because there are inherent
limitations of an audit which result in most of the audit evidence on
which the auditor draws conclusions and bases the auditors opinion
being persuasive rather than conclusive.
13.6 The requirement in paragraph 3 of Form No.3CA and paragraph 5 of
Form No.3CB relating to particulars in Form No.3CD is that the auditor
should report that these particulars in Form No.3CD are "true and correct".
The terminology "true and fair" is widely understood though not defined even
under the Companies Act, 1956/2013. On the other hand, the words "true
and correct" lay emphasis on factual accuracy of the information. In this
context reference is invited to AS-1 and AS(IT)-I relating to disclosure of
accounting policies. These standards recognise that the major
considerations governing the selection and application of accounting policies
are (i) prudence, (ii) substance over form and (iii) materiality. Therefore,
while giving particulars in Form No.3CD these aspects should be kept in
view. In particular, considering the nature of particulars to be given in Form
No.3CD, the aspect of materiality should be considered. In other words,
particulars should be given in the respect of material items and the auditors
should assess factual correctness relating to these particulars. Attention of
the members, in this context is, however, also drawn to Para 51 of
Framework for Assurance Engagements reproduced below:
51. Reasonable assurance is less than absolute assurance.
Reducing assurance engagement risk to zero is very rarely attainable
or cost beneficial as a result of factors such as the following:
The use of selective testing.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
The inherent limitations of internal control.
The fact that much of the evidence available to the practitioner is
persuasive rather than conclusive.
The use of judgment in gathering and evaluating evidence and
forming conclusions based on that evidence.
In some cases, the characteristics of the subject matter when
evaluated or measured against the identified criteria.
13.7 In the case of a person whose accounts of the business or profession
have been audited under any other law, it is not required for the tax auditor
appointed under section 44AB to give his opinion, as to whether or not the
accounts give a true and fair view as indicated herein above. It would only be
necessary for him to annex a copy of the audited accounts as well as a copy
of the audit report given by the statutory auditor with his report in Form No.
3CA along with Form No.3CD.
13.8 In the case of a person who carries on business and also renders
professional services but who is not required by or under any other law to get
his accounts audited, report should be given in Form No. 3CB. The
statement of particulars should be given in Form No. 3CD.
13.9 In the case of a person who carries on business or profession but who
is not required by or under any other law to get his accounts audited, the
expression "proper books of account" should mean, the books of original
entry and other books of account required to be maintained to record all the
transactions of the assessee in the same manner, as in the case of a person
whose accounts of the business or profession have been audited under any
other law. Although, books of account have not yet been prescribed for a
person who carries on business or profession (except under Section 44AA
for certain categories of profession), the tax auditor should examine whether
such books are maintained by the assessee to provide the information and
the basis required to prepare the balance sheet and the profit and loss
account correctly in the formats recommended in Appendices XV (Page no.
278) and XVI (Page no. 286) of this Guidance Note.
13.10 In case the accounts of a person who carries on business or
profession are being audited for the first time, the tax auditor should ensure
compliance with SA 510 (Revised), Initial Audit Engagements- Opening
Balance.
13.11 In certain cases, members are called upon to report on the accounts
reopened and revised by the board of directors. The accounts of a company
once adopted at its annual general meeting should not normally be re60
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
opened and revised. The Institute and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs have
affirmed this position. In case of revision, the audit report should be given in
the manner as required by the Institute in SA-560 (Revised), Subsequent
Events. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs had also clarified that accounts can
be revised to comply with technical requirements. It may be pointed out that
report under section 44AB should not normally be revised. However,
sometimes a member may be required to revise his tax audit report on
grounds such as:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
14.2 The next paragraph states that the statement of particulars required to
be furnished under section 44AB is annexed with the particulars in Form No.
3CD. The tax auditor has to further state that, in his opinion and to the best
of his information and according to examination of books of account
including other relevant documents and explanations given to him, the
particulars given in the said Form No.3CD and the annexure thereto are true
and correct subject to the observations/qualifications, if any.
14.3 The auditor is required to examine not only the books of accounts but
also other relevant documents directly related to transactions reflected in the
books of accounts like original purchase invoice, copy of bank statements,
bills, vouchers, various agreements/ contracts or any other document on the
basis of which preliminary entries are passed in the books of accounts.
14.4 Attention is also drawn to the definition of document as per section
2(22AA) of the Act which is as under:
"document" includes an electronic record as defined in clause (t) of
sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Information Technology Act, 2000
(21 of 2000).
Section 2(1)(t) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 as referred above is
reproduced below:
"electronic record" means data, record or data generated, image or
sound stored, received or sent in an electronic form or micro film or
computer generated micro fiche.
The definition of term document is an inclusive definition and includes
within its ambit documents other than those considered as electronic record
as per section 2(1)(t) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The above
definition can also be relied when reporting under clause 11(c) of Form No.
3CD discussed later in this Guidance Note.
14.5 Where any of the requirements in this form is answered in negative or
with qualification, the report shall state the reasons thereof. The tax auditor
should state this qualification in the audit report so that the same becomes a
comprehensive report and the user of the audited statement of particulars
can realize the impact of such qualifications.
14.6 It is possible that in the case of a person whose accounts of the
business or profession have been audited under any other law, which has
branches at various places, the branch accounts might have been audited by
branch auditors under the statute. If the audit under section 44AB is also
carried out by the same branch auditors or other chartered accountants, they
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
should submit the report in Form No. 3CA to the management or the
principal tax auditor appointed for the head office under Section 44AB.
Attention in this regard is drawn to SA 600, Using the Work of Another
Auditor which discusses the procedures in this regard as well as the principal
tax auditor's responsibility in relation to his use of the work of the branch
auditor. The principal tax auditor should submit his consolidated report on
the registered office/head office and branch accounts and report in his tax
audit report as his observation in paragraph 3 of Form No. 3CA as under:
"I/We have taken into consideration the audit report and the audited
statements of accounts, and particulars received from the auditors,
duly appointed under the relevant law, of the branches not audited by
me/us".
14.7 Item No. 4 of the notes to Form No. 3CA requires that the person, who
signs this audit report, shall indicate reference of his membership
No./certificate of practice number/authority under which he is entitled to sign
this report. No separate certificate of practice number is allotted by ICAI. As
such, where a chartered accountant acts as a tax auditor he should give his
membership number with ICAI while registering himself in the e-filing
portal.In case, the e-filing utility of Form No. 3CA requires the mention of the
Firm Registration number and the name of the firm on whose behalf the
member has conducted audit, the same should invariably be provided by the
tax auditor.
14.8 An assessee may have one or more branches outside India. The
accounts of such branches are normally audited by the professional
accountants overseas. The results of such branches are also incorporated in
the consolidated accounts prepared in this country. In the case of foreign
branches, the relevant information in respect of such branches as is required
by Form No. 3CD, may be obtained by the tax auditor in India from the
assessee who should obtain the same from the overseas auditor who had
audited the accounts of such foreign branches. The tax auditor in India while
certifying the information in Form No. 3CD may rely upon the information
obtained by him from the overseas auditor and while submitting his
consolidated report in Form No.3CD, he should specifically point out the
following in his audit report in paragraph 3 of Form No.3CA as his
observation:I/We have taken into consideration the audit report and the audited
statements of accounts, and particulars received from the auditors,
appointed under the relevant law, of the overseas branches not
audited by me/us.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
If the assessee is unable to obtain relevant information in respect of the
overseas branches duly certified by the overseas auditor, the relevant facts
should be suitably disclosed and reported upon.
14.9 Where the tax auditor is unable to obtain the required information in
respect of branches situated in India or outside India then the fact should be
suitably disclosed along with its impact on the Auditors opinion on the
particulars furnished in Form No.3CD, as an observation in clause (3) of
Form No, 3CA. Reference is drawn to SA 705, Modifications to the opinion in
the Independent Auditors report.
he has obtained all the information and explanations which, to the best
of his knowledge and belief, were necessary for the purposes of the
audit;
(b)
in his opinion proper books of account have been kept by the head
office and branches of the assessee so far as appears from his
examination of the books;
(c)
in his opinion and to the best of his information and according to the
explanations given to him the said accounts, read with notes thereon,
if any, give a true and fair view;
(i)
in the case of the balance sheet of the state of the affairs of the
assessee as at 31st March, ______ and
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(ii)
15.5 Under clause (a) of paragraph 3 of Form No.3CB, the tax auditor has
to report his observations/comments/ discrepancies/inconsistencies, if any.
The expression Subject to above appearing in clause (b) makes it clear that
such observations/comments/ discrepancies/ inconsistencies which are of
qualificatory nature relate to necessary information and explanations for the
purposes of the audit or the keeping of proper books of accounts or the true
and fair view of the financial statements, respectively to be reported on in
paragraphs (A), (B) and (C) under clause (b) of paragraph 3. While reporting
on clause (a) of paragraph 3 of Form No. 3CB the tax auditor should report
only such of those observations/comments/ discrepancies/ inconsistencies
which are of qualificatory nature which affect his reporting about obtaining all
the information and explanations which were necessary for the purposes of
the audit, about the keeping of proper books of account by the head office
and branches of the assessee and about the true and fair view of the
financial statements. Further, only such observations/comments/
discrepancies/inconsistencies which are of a qualificatory nature should be
mentioned under clause (a). Any other observations/comments/
discrepancies/inconsistencies, which do not affect the reporting on the
matters specified above may form part of the notes to accounts forming part
of the accounts. In case the tax auditor has no observations/comments/
discrepancies/inconsistencies to report which are of qualificatory nature,
NIL should be reported in this part of paragraph 3.The tax auditor may then
give his report as required by sub-paragraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph
3 and paragraph 4.
15.6 Paragraph 4 of Form No.3CB provides that the prescribed particulars
are furnished in Form No.3CD annexed to the report. Paragraph 5 of Form
No.3CB requires the auditor to report whether in his opinion and to the best
of his information and according to the explanations given to him, the
particulars given in Form No.3CD are true and correct subject to
observations/qualifications, if any.The auditor may have a difference of
opinion with regard to the particulars furnished by the assessee and he has
to bring these differences under various clauses in Form No.3CD. The
auditor should make a specific reference to those clauses in Form No.3CD in
which he has expressed his reservations, difference of opinion, disclaimer
etc. in this paragraph.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
15.7 If a person who carries on business or profession but who is not
required by or under any other law to get his accounts audited, has branches
and separate accounts are maintained at the branches, the assessee can
request the tax auditor appointed under section 44AB to audit the head office
and branch accounts. In the alternative, the assessee can appoint separate
tax auditors for branches. The branch tax auditor in such a case will have to
give an audit report in Form No. 3CB to the management or the tax auditor
appointed for the audit of head office accounts. The tax auditor appointed for
the audit of head office can rely on the report of branch tax auditors subject
to such checks and verifications as he may choose to make and shall submit
his consolidated report on the head office and branch accounts. He should
make suitable reference to the audit conducted by separate branch tax
auditors in the same manner as stated in para 14.6 above.
15.8 If the tax auditor is called upon to give his report only in respect of one
or more businesses carried on by the assessee and the books of accounts of
the other businesses are not produced as the same are not required to be
audited under the Act, the tax auditor should mention the fact that audit has
not been conducted of those businesses whose books of account had not
been produced. However, if the financial statements include, inter alia, the
results of such business for which books of account have not been produced,
the auditor should qualify his report in Form No. 3CB.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(b)
(c)
The AS, Guidance Notes, SA issued by the Institute from time to time
should be followed.
(b)
If there is any difference in the opinion of the tax auditor and that of
the assessee in respect of any information furnished in Form No. 3CD,
the tax auditor should state both the view points and also the relevant
information in order to enable the tax authority to take a decision in
the matter.
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
_______________________
2.
Address
_______________________
3.
_______________________
4.
_______________________
5.
Status
_______________________
6.
Previous year
7.
Assessment year
_______________________
8.
_______________________
[Clauses 1 to 8]
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
17.3 Under clause (3) the permanent account number (PAN) allotted to the
assessee should be indicated. It may be noted that in the e-filing format PAN
is a mandatory field.
17.4 Under clause (4), the auditor is required to mention the registration
number or any other identification number, if any, allotted, in case the the
assessee is liable to pay indirect taxes like excise duty, service tax, sales tax,
customs duty, etc.
17.5 Part A of Form No. 3CD generally requires the auditor to give the
factual details of the assessee. Thus, the auditor is primarily required to
furnish the details of registration numbers as provided to him by the assessee.
The reporting is however, to be done in the manner or format specified by the
e-filing utility in this context.
17.6 The term Indirect taxes is neither defined in the Income-tax Act, 1961
nor under any other law. The levy of different types of indirect taxes on
various transactions may differ from State to State. Thus, it is recommended
that the auditor should obtain from the assessee the list of indirect taxes
applicable to him. Once the auditor obtains this management representation,
he is required to obtain a copy of the registration certificate clearly mentioning
the registration number under that relevant law. For example, Service tax
registration number, Excise registration number, VAT registration number/
Central Sales tax Registration number etc. The assessee may have multiple
registrations for various manufacturing units, service units, godowns etc under
the same law. In such circumstances also, a copy of all registration
certificates is to be obtained from the assessee for appropriate disclosure
under this clause. Where the indirect tax law does not require any registration,
appropriate identification number may be reported in this clause. For example,
in Customs Act, 1962, since there is no registration number, a copy of Export
Import Code (IEC) may be obtained and information be accordingly furnished.
17.7 The information may be obtained and maintained in the following
format:Sr. Relevant
No Indirect tax
Law which
requires
registration
1
Place of Business/
profession/service unit
for which registration is
in place/ or has been
applied for:3
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Registration/
Identification number
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
17.8 The auditor has to keep in mind the provisions of Standard on Auditing
580 Written Representation. In case the auditor prima facie is of the opinion
that any indirect taxes laws is applicable on the business or profession of the
assessee but the assessee is not registered under the said law, he should
report the same appropriately.
17.9 Under clause (5) the status of the assessee is to be mentioned.
Obviously this refers to the different classes of assessees included in the
definition of person in section 2 (31) of the Act, namely, individual, Hindu
undivided family, company, firm, an association of persons or a body of
individuals whether incorporated or not, a local authority or artificial juridical
person.
17.10 Under clause (6) the period of the previous year has to be stated.
Since the previous year under the Act now uniformly begins on 1st April and
ends on 31st March, the relevant previous year should be mentioned. In
case of amalgamations, demergers, reconstitution, new business, closure of
existing business etc the date of beginning/ ending of the previous year may
be different, the auditor may accordingly, mention the relevant date of
beginning and ending of the previous year in this clause.Hence, the tax
auditor has to apply his professional judgement depending on the facts and
circumstances of the same.
17.11 Under clause (7) the assessment year relevant to the previous year for
which the accounts are being audited should be mentioned.
17.12 Under clause (8) the auditor is required to mention the relevant clause
of section 44AB under which the audit has been conducted. In case the
assessee is carrying on business and his total sales, turnover or gross
receipts as the case may be, exceeds one crore in the relevant previous
year, the auditor is required to mention clause (a) under this head. If the
assessee is carrying on profession and his gross receipts exceed twenty five
lakh rupees in the relevant previous year, the auditor is required to mention
clause (b) under this head. Likewise, if the audit under section 44AB is being
conducted by virtue of provisions of section 44AE, 44BB and 44BBB, the
auditor is required to mention clause (c). For audit being conducted by virtue
of provisions of section 44AD, clause (d) is to be mentioned under this head.
18.
(a)
(b)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
18.1 Where the assessee is a firm or association of persons (AOP) or body
of individuals, the names of partners of the firm or members of the
association of persons or body of individuals and their profit sharing ratios
(%) have to be stated. In case where the partner of a firm or the member of
AOP/ BOI acts in a representative capacity, the name of the beneficial
partner/member should be stated. Thus, the details of partners or members
during the entire previous year will have to be furnished. The term profit
sharing ratios would include loss-sharing ratio also since loss is nothing but
negative profits. This would not cover any specific ratio or understanding in
relation to payment of remuneration or interest to partners or members. In
this connection, reference may be made to Circular No.739 dated 25.3.1996
issued by the Board reproduced in Appendix XI (Page no. 269).
18.2 If there is any change in the partners of the firm or members of the
association of persons/ body of individuals or their profit or loss sharing ratio
since the last date of the preceding year, the particulars of such change must
be stated. All the changes occurring during the entire previous year must be
stated.
18.3 The particulars in this clause should be verified from the instrument or
agreement or any other document evidencing partnership or association of
persons including any supplementary documents or other documents
effecting such changes. For this purpose, the tax auditor may also verify:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
18.4 The tax auditor should obtain certified copies of the deeds,
documents, understanding, notice of changes etc. including certified copies
of the acknowledgment, if any, evidencing filing of documents with the
concerned authorities, if registered.
18.5 In certain cases of association of persons or body of individuals, it
may be possible that the shares of the members are not precisely
ascertainable during the previous year resulting in a situation whereby the
shares of the members are indeterminate or unknown. In such
circumstances, the relevant fact should be stated.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
18.6 As per section 2(23) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 the term Firm shall
have the meaning assigned to it in the Indian Partnership Act, 1932, and
shall include a Limited Liability partnership firm as defined in Limited Liability
Partnership Act, 2008.
19.
(a)
(b)
19.1 In regard to the nature of business, the principal line of each business
is to be determined and stated in this clause, i.e. the sector in which the
business or profession falls such as manufacturing, trading, commission
agent, builder, contractor, professionals, service sector, financial service
sector or entertainment industry. In case of a person belongs to service
sector the nature of each type of service should be broadly stated.
Thereafter, the auditor is required to mention the sub-sector pertaining to the
sector selected.
19.2 . Information has to be furnished in respect of each business. The
code to be mentioned against the nature of business pertains to the main
area of business activity.
19.3 Any material change in the nature of business should be precisely set
out. The change will include change from manufacturer to trader as well as
change in the principal line of business. For example, an assessee switching
over from wholesale business to retail business or an assessee switching
over from manufacturing his own commodities to manufacturing goods on job
basis for others. Likewise, any addition to or permanent discontinuance of, a
particular line of business may also amount to change requiring reporting.
However, temporary suspension of the business may not amount to change
and therefore need not be reported.
19.4 A review of business report or the minutes of meetings would enable
the tax auditor to note the changes, if any. Based thereon, he may make
necessary enquiries and seek information and determine whether any
change has occurred or not. If need be, the tax auditor should get a
declaration from the assessee regarding change in the nature of business, if
any.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
19.5 In the case of business reorganization/ reconstruction if there is a
similar line of activity, no reference needs to be made. However, if a new line
of activity emerges because of business reorganization/ reconstruction, the
same may be stated. In the case of restructuring, if any line of activity is
being hived off, the same may also be reported.
19.6 The auditor should keep in mind the above guidance while furnishing
information under this clause in the format provided for in the e-filing utility
20.
(a)
(b)
(c)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
are likely to exceed the said amount, is required to maintain the following
books of account:
1.
Cash book.
2.
3.
Ledger.
(b)
an inventory under broad heads, as on the first and the last days of
the previous year, of the stock of drugs, medicines and other
consumable accessories used for the purpose of his profession.
20.3 In the case of a person for whom the books of account have been
prescribed under rule 6F, the list of books so prescribed have to be stated
under clause 11(a). It may be noted that the daily case register and the
inventory under broad heads do not constitute books of account and hence
the same need not be mentioned under clause 11(a). Sometimes an
assessee may carry on multiple activities. Books of account might have been
prescribed for one of the activities. In that case, mention may be made of the
activity for which books have been prescribed.
20.4 The tax auditor should obtain from the assessee a complete list of
books of account and other documents maintained by him (both financial and
non-financial records) and make appropriate marks of identification to ensure
the identification of the books and records produced before him for audit.
The list of books of account maintained by the assessee should be given
under clause 11(b).
20.5 Section 44AA(2) provides that persons carrying on business or
profession, other than those specified in sub-section (1), shall keep and
maintain such books of account and other documents as may enable the
Assessing Officer to compute his total income in accordance with the
provisions of the Income-tax Act, if his income from business or profession
exceeds the monetary limits prescribed under section 44AA(2) or his total
sales, turnover or gross receipts in business or profession exceed the
monetary limits prescribed under section 44AA(2) in any one of the three
years immediately preceding the previous year. The tax auditor will,
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
therefore, have to verify that the assessee has maintained such books of
accounts and documents as may enable the Assessing Officer to compute
the total income of the assessee in accordance with the provisions of the
Act. It may be noted that though the Central Board of Direct Taxes has been
empowered under sub-section (3) of section 44AA to prescribe books of
account to be maintained under sub-section (2), so far no books of accounts
have been prescribed.
20.6 For a person whose accounts of the business or profession have been
audited under any other law, the requirement for maintenance of books of
account is contained in the relevant statutes. In the case of other assessees,
normal books of account to be maintained will be cash book/bank book,
sales/purchase journal or register and ledger. Assessees engaged in
trading/manufacturing activities should also maintain quantitative details of
principal items of stores, raw materials and finished goods. While giving his
report in Form No. 3CB about maintenance of proper books of account, the
tax auditor should ensure that they are maintained in accordance with the
above requirements. In case where stock records are not properly
maintained by the assessee due to the nature, level, volume and variety of
items/ transactions, the tax auditor will have to consider the concept of
materiality and practicality while giving particulars in Form No. 3CD.
20.7 (a) As per section 2(12A) of the Income-tax Act, 1961, books or
books of account includes ledgers, day-books, cash books, account-books
and other books, whether kept in the written form or as print-outs of data
stored in a floppy, disc, tape or any other form of electro-magnetic data
storage device. As to the requirement regarding the mentioning of the books
of accounts generated by the computer system, the tax auditor should obtain
a list of books of account which are generated by the computer system. The
list given by the assessee can be verified from the printout of such books
obtained from the assessee. Only such books of account and other records
which properly come within the scope of the expression proper books of
account should be mentioned.
(b) It may be noted that section 4 of the Information Technology Act, 2000
states that Where any law provides that information or any other matter
shall be in writing or in the typewritten or printed form, then, notwithstanding
anything contained in such law, such requirement shall be deemed to have
been satisfied if such information or matter is(i)
(ii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
20.8 From AY 2014-15, the address at which the books so maintained are
kept is also required to be mentioned under clause (b). In case the books of
accounts are kept at more than one location then the auditor is required to
mention the details of address of each such location along with the detail of
books of account maintained thereof. The auditor is advised to obtain from
the assessee a list in the following format and accordingly report the same in
clause 11(b). In case of a company assessee auditor should also verify as to
whether any forms are filed under the Companies Act for maintenance of
books of accounts at a place other than the registered office:
Sr
No.
Details
of
maintained
books
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
S. No.
1
2
3
4
Section
44AD
44AE
44B
44BB
5
6
44BBA
44BBB
Chapter
XII-G
First
Schedule
Any other
relevant
section
8
9
Business covered
Eligible business
Transport business
Shipping business of a non-resident
Providing service or facilities in connection with, or
supplying plant and machinery on hire used, or to be
used, in the prospecting for, or extraction or
production of, mineral oils
Operation of aircraft by non-resident
Civil construction etc. in certain turnkey power
project by non-residents
Special provisions relating to Shipping Companies
(Section 115V to 115VT)
Insurance Business
This refers to the sections not listed above under
which income may be assessable on presumptive
basis like section 44D and section 115A(1)(b) and
will include any other section that may be enacted in
future for presumptive taxation
If the profit and loss account does not include profit assessable on
presumptive basis, then, there is no requirement to furnish the particulars
under this clause.
21.2 The amount to be mentioned under this clause means the amount
included in the profit and loss account. The tax auditor is not required to
indicate as to whether such amount corresponds to the amount assessable
under the relevant section relating to presumptive taxation. As such, the
reporting requirement gets satisfied if the amount as per profit and loss
account is reported.
21.3 The tax auditor may come across three different situations as follows:
(a)
(b)
Where the assessee has more than one business including some
business(es) falling under any of the aforesaid sections, but maintains
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
separate sets of accounts for each such business and opts for getting
the accounts of all such businesses audited under section 44AB.
(c)
Where the assessee, having regular books of account for his main
business, has some additional business of the nature described in any
of the aforesaid sections and no books of account whatsoever is
maintained for such additional business but the net income is credited
to the main profit & loss account of the assessee.
21.4 Under each of the aforesaid three situations, the tax auditor may
proceed as follows:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Here, the tax auditor is unable to satisfy himself about the correctness
of the net income from the presumptive business credited to the profit
and loss account. He should, therefore, state the amount of income as
appearing in the profit and loss account, with a suitable note
expressing his inability to verify the said figure. In the absence of
books of account, the tax auditor would be unable to form an opinion
about the true and fair view of the profit and loss account or balance
sheet of the assessee and therefore, it would become necessary for
him to qualify his report in Form No. 3CB.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
crore w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14). In such a case, the tax auditor auditing the books
of account etc. relating to business covered by the provisions relating to
presumptive taxation should sufficiently indicate in his report that his audit
report in Form No. 3CB and particulars in Form No.3 CD only relate to the
business covered by the provisions relating to presumptive taxation and his
audit report does not relate to business assessable under the normal
provisions of the Act.
21.6 Even where the assessee opts for presumptive taxation, the tax
auditor should impress upon the assessee that it would be advisable to
maintain some basic records to support the turnover/gross receipts declared
for presumptive taxation.
21.7 Where the profit and loss account includes any profits and gains
assessable by virtue of provisions of section 44AE, the auditor should obtain
and verify the following information from the assessee:
Sr Nature
of
No.
vehicle
No. of
Vehicles
Month of
acquisition
in case of
vehicle
purchased
during the
relevant
previous
year
Name
of the
Ship
Net
tonnage
capacity
as per
DGS
certificate
Net
tonnage
capacity
rounded
off to
nearest
100
Tonnage
income
per day
No of days
operated
during the
previous
year as per
DGS
Certificate
Tonnage
income
per year
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
21.9 The auditor should keep in mind the above guidance while furnishing
information under this clause in the format provided in the e-filing utility.
22.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Particulars
Increase in
profit (Rs.)
Decrease in
profit (Rs.)
22.1 The Finance Act, 1995 amended section 145 with effect from
assessment year 1997-98 to provide that the income chargeable under the
head Profits and gains of business or profession or Income from other
sources must be computed in accordance with either cash or mercantile
system of accounting regularly employed by the assessee. It has also been
provided that the Central Government may notify in the Official Gazette from
time to time the accounting standards to be followed by any class of
assessees or in respect of any class of income. The hybrid system of
accounting viz. mixture of cash and mercantile hitherto allowed to be
followed by the assessee was not permitted from assessment year 1997-98
& onwards. However, the assessee may adopt cash system of accounting for
one business and mercantile system of accounting for other business. Once
the choice of method of accounting is decided, the assessee must follow
consistently the method of accounting employed. If he employs different
methods for different businesses regularly and consistently, the profits would
have to be computed in accordance with the respective methods, provided
the result is a proper determination of profits. As regards the accrual system
of accounting, the Institute has published a Guidance Note on Accrual Basis
of Accounting which may be referred to.
22.2 It may be noted that in view of amendment made by the Companies
(Amendment) Act, 1988 in section 209 of the Companies Act,1956every
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
company is required to keep books of account on accrual basis. In other
words, a company governed by the Companies Act, 1956 cannot follow cash
system of accounting unless exempted under the Companies Act,
1956/2013. The provisions of section 209 (3) of the Companies Act, 1956
are, however, not applicable to entities other than companies. Section 209
has been replaced with the section 128/129 in the Companies Act, 2013
w.e.f.1.4.2014.
22.3 Under sub-clause (b), whether there has been any change in the
method of accounting employed vis--vis the method employed in the
immediately preceding previous year is to be stated. As already noted, an
assessee can follow either cash or mercantile system of accounting.
22.4 If there is any change, the effect thereof i.e. increase or decrease in
profits has to be stated under this clause. So far as the question of effect of
such change on the profit or loss is concerned, the concept of materiality is
the basic governing factor. If it is not possible to quantify the effect of the
change in the method of accounting, appropriate disclosure should be made
under this clause.
22.5 An assessee can follow a number of accounting policies for the
purpose of maintaining his books of account. As per AS-1 all significant
accounting policies adopted in the preparation and presentation of financial
statements shall be disclosed. The disclosure of the significant accounting
policies shall form part of the financial statements and the significant
accounting policies shall normally be disclosed in one place. Any change in
an accounting policy which has a material effect in the previous year or in the
years subsequent to the previous year shall be disclosed. The impact of, and
the adjustments resulting from such change, if material, shall be shown in
the financial statement of the period in which such change is made to reflect
the effect of such change.
22.6 As per paragraph 9 under AS(IT) relating to disclosure of prior period
and extraordinary items and changes in accounting policies, a change in an
accounting policy can be made only if:
(a)
(b)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
requirements of AS-1 and AS (IT)-1 such changes and the impact of such
changes will be disclosed in the financial statements. It may be noted that a
change in the method of valuation of stock will amount only to a change in an
accounting policy and hence such a change need not be mentioned under
sub-clause 13(b) but should be mentioned in the financial statements.
22.8 The tax auditor should apply reasonable checks to the earlier years
accounts to ascertain whether there is any change in the method of
accounting as compared to that of the year under audit, after obtaining a
written confirmation from the assessee as to the method of accounting
followed.
22.9 It must also be ascertained as to whether the AS (IT) as may be
applicable to the assessee or to the class of income, have been followed.
Presently, only two AS (IT) have been prescribed. AS (IT)-I relating to
disclosure of accounting policies and AS (IT)-II relating to disclosure of prior
period and extraordinary items and changes in profit and loss account. The
tax auditor has to report the details of the deviations in the method of
accounting in the previous year from the AS(IT) and the effect thereon on the
profit or loss. The tax auditor, while reporting on prior period and
extraordinary items should report only such items which fall within the
meaning of prior period items and extraordinary items in the relevant AS (IT).
Attention is invited to AS (IT)-II, paragraph 10, according to which any
change in an accounting policy which has a material effect is required to be
disclosed. As stated above, a change in the method of valuation of closing
stock would amount to a change in an accounting policy and has to be stated
in the financial statements. The tax auditor should ensure that in case the
same is not stated in the financial statements, the fact should suitably be
stated under clause 13(d). He may rely on the various pronouncements and
clarifications made by the ICAI.
22.10 The Finance (No. 2) Act, 2014 has amended section 145 w.e.f AY
2015-16 to the effect that the words accounting standards be replaced with
the words income computation and disclosure standards. As per the
memorandum explaining the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2014, such an amendment
has been made in order to clarify that the standards notified under section
145(2) are only meant for computation of income and disclosure of
information and the assessee need not maintain books of account on the
basis of AS notified under the Income-tax Act, 1961. The Accounting
Standards issued by ICAI/ Companies Accounting Standard Rule, 2006
would still be required to be followed by the assessee, for preparation of
financial statements.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
23.
(a)
(b)
Particulars
Increase
in
profit (Rs.)
Decrease in
profit (Rs.)
(ii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(SC) has held that the method of valuation of stock at actual cost of raw
materials and not taking into account overhead charges was not the correct
method of valuation even though the said method has been consistently
followed. As per AS-2 - Valuation of inventories (Revised) (from accounting
year starting from 1.4.1999), historical cost of manufactured inventories can
be arrived at on the basis of absorption costing alone and the allocation of
fixed costs of inventories should be based on the normal level of production
only. It is further provided that overheads should be included as part of the
inventory cost only to the extent that they clearly relate to putting the
inventories in their present location and condition.
23.6 It is not necessary to indicate any change in the method of valuation of
closing stock under this clause. However, as stated earlier in paragraph
22.6, any such change in the method of valuation of closing stock would
amount to change in an accounting policy and needs to be disclosed in the
financial statements as required by AS-1 and AS(IT).
23.7 The details of deviation, if any, from the method of valuation
prescribed under section 145A, and the effect thereof on the profit or loss
have to be stated under clause 14(b).
23.8 Section 145A was enacted by the Finance (No.2) Act, 1998 and came
into force from A.Y. 1999-2000. This section provides that the valuation of
purchase and sale of goods and inventory for the purpose of computation of
income from business or profession shall be made on the basis of the
method of accounting regularly employed by the assessee but this shall be
subject to certain adjustments. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the
method of valuation of purchase, sale and inventory regularly employed in
the books of account. The adjustments provided in this section can be made
while computing the income for the purpose of preparing the return of
income. These adjustments are as follows:
(a)
Any tax, duty, cess or fee actually paid or incurred on inputs should be
added to the cost of inputs (raw materials, stores etc.) if not already
added in the books of account.
(b)
Any tax, duty, cess or fee actually paid or incurred on sale of goods
should be added to the sales, if not already added in the books of
account.
(c)
Any tax, duty, cess or fee actually paid or incurred on the inventory
(finished goods, work-in-progress, raw materials etc.) should be
added to the inventories, if not already added while valuing the
inventory in the accounts.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
23.9 The statutory adjustments required under section 145A can be
explained by the following example.
Particulars
Qty
Rate
Rate of
excluding excise duty
excise duty
Opening stock
10
10
90
10
80
10
80
60
25
20
10
20
20
II.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
account, the amount of CENVAT credit availed in respect of
consumption of inputs would be reduced from the total cost of inputs
consumed. This method is hereinafter referred to as inclusive
method.
The effect of section 145A is to reflect the figures on inclusive method.
Following two illustrations explain the above propositions.
The profit & loss account on exclusive method would be as under:
Item Particulars
(a)
Opening
10
10
100
(h)
By sales
60
25
1,500
90
10
900
(i)
By closing
20
20
400
Stock
(b)
Purchase
of
raw material
Total
(c)
Less
closing
stock of
finished
goods
100
10
1000
20
10
200
80
10
800
80
10
800
stock of raw
Material
(d ) Raw material
consumed
(e)
To
manufacturing
Cost
(f)
To excise duty
on
finished
goods sold
(g)
To
Profit
TOTAL
gross
300
1900
TOTAL
1900
The profit & loss account on inclusive method which is also in accordance
with the provisions of section 145A would be as under:
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Item Particulars
(j)
Opening
stock
10
12
120
(s)
By sales
60
28
1680
(k)
Purchase of
raw material
90
12
1080
(t)
By closing
stock
of
finished
goods
20
23
460
100
12
1200
20
12
240
(m) Less
CENVAT
credit
80
160
(n)
Raw material
Consumed
80
10
800
(o)
To
manufacturing
cost
80
10
800
(p)
To
excise
duty
on
finished
goods
60
180
(q)
To
excise
duty
on
closing stock
of
finished
goods
20
60
(r)
To
profit
Total
(l )
Less closing
stock
TOTAL
gross
300
2140
TOTAL
2140
23.11 It may be pointed out that the "inclusive method" is not permitted by
AS-2 which is made mandatory from accounting year beginning on or after
01.04.1999. Further, in the Guidance Note on Accounting for CENVAT the
second method (inclusive method) has been withdrawn with effect from
accounting year commencing from 1.4.1999. In view of the above, the
adjustments under section 145A will have to be made in all cases where
'exclusive method' is followed.
23.12 In this connection, it is worthwhile to note that the Memorandum
explaining the provisions of section 145A inserted by the Finance (No.2) Bill,
1998 states as follows:
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Computation of value of inventory.
The issue relating to whether the value of closing stock of the inputs,
work-in-progress and finished goods must necessarily include the
element for which MODVAT* credit is available has been the matter of
considerable litigation.
In order to ensure that the value of opening and closing stock (bold for
emphasis) reflect the correct value, it is proposed to insert a new
section to clarify that while computing the value of the inventory as
per the method of accounting regularly employed by the assessee, the
same shall include the amount of any tax, duty, cess or fees paid or
liability incurred for the same under any law in force.
The proposed amendment which is clarificatory in nature shall take
effect retrospectively from the 1st day of April, 1986 and will
accordingly apply in relation to assessment year 1986-87 and
subsequent years.
[Clause 45]
*Now CENVAT.
(Section 145A was initially proposed to be applicable in relation to
assessment year 1986-87 and subsequent years. However, later on,
when the Finance (No.2) Bill, 1998 was enacted into law the provision
was made applicable from 1.4.1999 i.e. assessment year 1999-2000)
23.13 It may be noted that when the adjustments are made in the valuation
of inventories, this will affect both the opening as well as closing stock.
Whatever adjustment is made in the valuation of closing stock, the same will
be reflected in the opening stock also. Question for consideration is whether
the opening stock as on 1.4.1998 should be adjusted as required under
section 145A. It is now well settled that if any adjustment is required to be
made by a statute, effect to the same should be given irrespective of any
consequences on the computation of income for tax purposes. Section 145A
starts with the non obstante clause "Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in section 145". Therefore, to give effect to section 145A, the
opening stock as on 1.4.98 will have to be increased by any tax, duty, cess
or fee actually paid or incurred with reference to such stock if the same has
not been added for the purpose of valuation in the accounts.
23.14 It may be noted that while making the adjustments stated in Para 23.8
and 23.13 above, the tax auditor should ensure that if any deduction is
claimed for any tax, duty, cess or fee on the items covered by these two
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
paragraphs by way of debit in the profit and loss account, either in the earlier
year or in the year under report, adjustment for the same should be made in
such a manner that no double deduction is claimed for the same
expenditure. Similarly, adjustment should be made for any item of income to
ensure that the same item is not treated as income twice.
23.15 When the exclusive method is followed in the accounts, the
adjustments to be made under section 145A can be explained by the
following illustrations which are required to be reported under clause 14(b).
Sl.
No.
Particulars
(Rupees)
Increase in
Profit
1.
20
2.
180
3.
180
4.
180
5.
40
6.
60
7.
60
8.
160
TOTAL
440
440
It may be noted that the net impact on the profit or loss will be nil.
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(Rupees)
Decrease
in Profit
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Note 1: The reference in brackets is to items in the illustration given in
paragraphs 23.10 above.
Note 2: The CENVAT credit in the "inclusive method" has been worked out
on the basis of quantity of raw material consumed multiplied by excise duty
paid on purchase of such raw material (Rs.160) (item m), though the
CENVAT credit set off availed and utilized by the assessee against payment
of excise duty on finished goods is Rs.180. This is so because the raw
material consumed during the year under both the methods is Rs.800. The
CENVAT credit in the inclusive method would have to be deducted from
purchase of raw material on the basis of consumption of raw material and not
on the basis of set off availed in excise law to arrive at correct cost of
consumption. In the illustration if CENVAT credit of Rs.180 is accounted,
then the raw material consumed would be Rs.780. This figure would not be
the correct figure of consumption, since 80 units have been consumed and
the net cost of each raw material is Rs.10 (12-2). In other words, the
consumption of raw material to be debited during the year should be Rs.800
i.e. 80 units multiplied by 10. So also the figure of excise duty on finished
goods sold of Rs.180 is correctly debited because the same represents
excise duty on finished goods sold and the same cannot be changed on
account of CENVAT credit set off availed.
In the inclusive method the cost of the finished goods have been taken at
Rs.20 plus Rs.3 excise duty. The raw material component included in the
finished goods has been taken at Rs.10 since CENVAT credit have been
accounted at the rate of Rs.2 in arriving at consumption of raw material.
Note 3: Similar treatment should be given for other tax, duty, cess, or fee
paid by the assessee i.e. sales tax etc.
Note 4: It may be noted that liability for sales tax arises on sale as against
liability for excise duty which arises on manufacture. As such the liability for
sales tax need not be adjusted in the closing stock of finished goods before
the same are sold.
23.16 It may be noted that after making the above addition to the closing
stock under section 145A, it will be possible to claim a separate deduction for
excise duty actually paid after the year end but before the due date for filing
the return of income on production of evidence as provided under section
43B. Therefore, in the above illustration if the assessee has paid Rs.60
added in the valuation of closing stock of finished goods before the due date
for filing the return, deduction for the same can be separately claimed in the
computation of income under section 43B, if other conditions of those
sections are satisfied.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
23.17 The computation of total income would appear as under :
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
300
3)
4)
180
40
60
160
20
180
440
-------
Less:
1)
2)
3)
180
------
380
------
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60
-----360
60
------300
-------
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
23.18 The input State-Level Value Added Tax (VAT) paid on purchases
cannot be included in the cost of purchases where the tax paid on inputs is
available for set-off against the tax payable on sales or is refundable, it is in
the nature of taxes recoverable from taxing authorities. The Accounting
Standard (AS) 2 Valuation of Inventories deals with cost of inventories
and cost of purchases. As per para 6 and 7 of the said AS-2, the cost of
purchases cannot include duties and the taxes which are subsequently
recoverable from the taxing authorities. Hence the input tax which is
refundable, should not be included in the cost of purchases.
23.19 The Input State-Level VAT, to the extent it is refundable, will not form
part of the cost of the inventory. The inventory of inputs is to be valued at net
of the input tax which is refundable. If the inputs are obtained from the
dealers who are exempt from the VAT, the actual cost of purchase should be
considered as a part of cost of inventory.
23.20 A dealer may purchase certain common inputs which can be used for
manufacturing goods which are declared tax free as well as taxable goods.
In such case, the dealer should estimate inputs expected to be used for
making tax free goods and for making taxable goods. The dealer should
recognize VAT credit only in respect of those inputs which are used for
making taxable goods and no VAT credit should be recognized in respect of
inputs used for making tax free goods. Similar accounting treatment should
be given in the case of stock transfer/ consignment sale of goods out of the
State where VAT credit is available only to the extent of a certain portion of
input tax paid.
23.21 VAT is collected from the customers on behalf of the VAT authorities
and, therefore, its collection from the customers is not an economic benefit
for the enterprise. It does not result in any increase in the equity of the
enterprise. Accordingly, it should not be recognized as an income of the
enterprise. Similarly, the payment of VAT should not be treated as an
expense in the financial statements of the enterprise. Therefore, it should be
credited to an appropriate account, say. VAT Payable Account. In case the
VAT has not been charged separately but has made a composite charge, it
should segregate the portion of sales which is attributable to tax and should
credit the same to VAT Payable Account at periodic intervals. The amount
of VAT payable adjusted against the VAT Credit Receivable (Capital Goods)
Account and amounts paid in cash will be debited to this account. The credit
balance in VAT Payable Account at the year-end should be shown on the
Liabilities side of the balance sheet under the head Current Liabilities. It is
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
important to note that where the assessee is enjoying tax holiday under the
relevant state law as a result of which the liability to pay is deferred for a
period of more than one year then it should be reflected as a long term
liability.
23.22 Section 145A of the Income-tax Act provides that the valuation of
purchase and sales of goods and inventory for the purpose of computation of
income from business or profession shall be made on the basis of method of
accounting regularly employed by the assessee but this shall be subject to
certain adjustments. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the method of
valuation of purchase, sale and inventory regularly employed in the books of
account. The adjustment provided for in this section should be made while
computing the income for the purpose of preparing the return of income.
Therefore, the recommended method for accounting of VAT will not result in
non-compliance of section 145A of the Income-tax Act.
23.23 The adjustments envisaged by section 145A will not have any impact
on the trading account of the assessee. In other words both under exclusive
method of accounting and inclusive method of accounting, the gross profit in
the trading account will remain the same. The same is illustrated for a trading
concern and a manufacturing concern as follows:
(I)
Trading Concern
Rate
3,30,000
Less Input
tax rebate
Amount
Particulars
3,30,000 By Sales
Qty.
Rate
Amount
4,50,000
9,00,000
3,00,000
6,00,000
30,000
3,00,000
To
Purchases
To Gross
Profit
Total
3,00,000
9,00,000 By Closing
Stock
3,00,000
15,00,000
15,00,000
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
The Trading Account on INCLUSIVE METHOD
Particulars
Qty
.
Rate
Amount
To
Opening
Stock
3,30,000
3,30,000
To
Purchases
3,30,000
9,90,000
Particulars
Qty
Rate
Amount
By Sales
4,95,000
9,90,000
By Closing
Stock
3,30,000
6,60,000
13,20,000
Less: VAT
credit
availed on
cost
of
goods sold
60,000
12,60,000
VAT paid
on sales
Gross
Profit
90,000
3,00,000
16,50,000
16,50,000
Particulars
Increase
in profit
(Rs.)
90,000
90,000
60,000
90,000
60,000
2,10,000
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Decrease
in profit
(Rs.)
30,000
2,10,000
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
The computation of total income would appear as under:Profit as per Profit & Loss account on the
basis of exclusive method
Rs.3,00,000
Rs. 90,000
2.
Rs. 60,000
Total
Rs. 4,50,000
1.
Rs. 30,000
2.
Rs. 90,000
3.
Less:
90,000
60,000
Rs.30,000
Profit
(II)
Rs. 3,00,000
Manufacturing concern
Manufacturing Expenses
Rs.3,000
50 units
50 units
4%
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Manufacturing Account on EXCLUSIVE METHOD
Particulars
Qty
Rate
Amount
50
100
5,000
Purchase of
raw materials
300
100
30,000
Total
350
100
35,000
Less: Closing
Stock of raw
material
50
100
5,000
Raw material
300
Opening
Stock
Amount
Particulars
Qty
Rate
Amount
By Sales
250
150
37,500
50
110
5,500
By closing
stock
of
finished
goods
30,000
Consumed
(C) = (A)
(B)
To
manufacturing
300
10
3,000
Expenses
To VAT on
finished
goods sold
To
profit
gross
10,000
Total
43,000
Total
43,000
Qty
50
Rate
104
Amount
5,200
300
104
31,200
Total
Less: Closing
Stock of raw
material
Less; VAT on
Raw Material
Consumed
350
50
104
104
36,400
5,200
300
1200
Amount
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Particulars
By Sales
Qty
250
Rate
156
Amount
39,000
By closing
stock
of
finished
goods
50
114
5700
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Particulars
Raw material
Consumed
(C) = (A)
(B)
To
manufacturing
expenses
To VAT on
finished
goods sold
To
VAT
included
in
finished
goods
on
account
of
inclusion of
VAT in the
raw material
value
To
gross
profit
Total
Qty
300
Rate
100
Amount
Amount
30,000
300
100
3,000
250
1,500
50
200
Particulars
Qty
Rate
Amount
10,000
44,700
Total
44,700
The valuation of finished goods includes the raw material cost and the
manufacturing expenses. The raw material costs is taken at Rs.100 per unit
in the exclusive method and Rs.104 in the inclusive method. The overhead
cost is Rs.10 per unit.
23.24 It will be seen from the above that the gross profit is the same both
under the inclusive and the exclusive method. Further, the closing stock of
raw materials includes the appropriate VAT. But the VAT is not includible in
the closing stock of finished goods since the incidence of VAT arises only on
sale. However, VAT on raw material included in the finished goods has also
been included in the value of closing stock of finished goods.
The statutory adjustments required under section 145A can be explained by
the following example:
Sl.
No.
1.
Particulars
Increase
in Profit
(Rupees)
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Decrease
in Profit
(Rupees)
200
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Sl.
No.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Particulars
Increase
in Profit
(Rupees)
Total
Decrease
in Profit
(Rupees)
1,200
1,500
1,500
200
1,200
200
200
3,100
3,100
Rs.10,000
2.
3.
Rs. 200
Rs. 200
Rs.1,900
Rs.11,900
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Rs. 1,500
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Less:
1.
2.
3.
Rs.200
Rs.1200
Rs.1500
Rs.1200
Rs.200
Profit
Rs.500
Rs 10,000
24. Give the following particulars of the capital asset converted into
stock-in-trade:(a)
(b)
Date of acquisition;
(c)
Cost of acquisition;
(d)
24.1 For furnishing the particulars required by clause 15, the provisions of
section 2(47), 45(2), 47(iv), (v) and 47A have to be kept in mind.
24.2 From the A.Y. 1985-86 onwards the conversion by the owner of an
asset into or treatment of such asset as stock-in-trade of a business carried
on by him is treated as a transfer within the meaning of section 2(47). Under
section 45(2) such a conversion or treatment of capital asset into stock-intrade will be deemed to be a transfer of the previous year in which the asset
is so converted or treated as stock-in-trade. However, the capital gains
arising from such a transfer will become chargeable in the previous year in
which such converted asset is sold or otherwise transferred. In the case of
long-term capital asset, indexation of cost of acquisition and cost of
improvement, if any, will be with respect to the previous year in which such
conversion took place. The fair market value of the asset, as on the date of
such conversion or treatment as stock-in trade, shall be deemed to be the
full value of the consideration of the asset. The excess of the sale price over
the fair market value as on the date of conversion would be treated as
business income and taxed under the head profits and gains of business or
profession. The capital gains being the difference between the cost of
acquisition and the fair market value on the date of the conversion or
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
treatment as stock-in-trade will be chargeable to tax in the year in which the
asset is sold.
24.3 Section 47 of the Act enumerates the transactions which will not be
regarded as transfer. Under clause (iv) any transfer of a capital asset by a
company to its subsidiary company if the parent company or its nominees
hold the whole of the share capital of the subsidiary company and the
subsidiary company is an Indian company will not be treated as a transfer.
Under clause (v) any transfer of a capital asset by a subsidiary company to
the holding company if the whole of the share capital of the subsidiary
company is held by the holding company and the holding company is an
Indian company will not be considered as a transfer.
24.4 The capital gains exempted by virtue of clause (iv) or clause (v) of
section 47 may become chargeable under certain circumstances. The
provisions of section 47A are relevant here. Accordingly, where at any time
before the expiry of a period of 8 years from the date of transfer of a capital
asset referred to in clause (iv) or clause (v) of section 47, such capital asset
is converted by the transferee company into, or is treated by it as, stock-intrade of its business or the parent company or its nominees or, as the case
may be, the holding company ceases to hold the whole of the share capital
of the subsidiary company, the amount of profits or gains arising from the
transfer of such capital assets not charged under section 45 by virtue of the
provisions contained in clause (iv) or clause (v) of section 47 shall be
deemed to be income chargeable under the head capital gains of the
previous year in which such transfer took place.
24.5 The particulars to be stated under new clause 15 should be furnished
with respect to the previous year in which the asset has been converted into
stock-in-trade. The clause does not require details regarding the taxability of
capital gains or business income arising from such deemed transfer.
24.6 Under clause (a) description of the capital asset is required to be
mentioned for example shares, security, land, building, plant, machinery etc.
24.7 Under Clause (b) the date of acquisition is to be reported. For
ascertaining the correct date the tax auditor will have to refer the accounts of
the financial year in which such capital asset is acquired. The date assumes
importance for the purpose of determining whether the asset is long-term or
short-term in nature.
24.8 Under clause (c) the cost of acquisition is required to be reported.
Here the cost of acquisition as per the books of account is to be mentioned.
In case of depreciable assets, the carrying cost appearing in the books will
be the written down value. But the value to be reported will be the original
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
cost of acquisition. Even in case of an asset acquired prior to the 1st day of
April, 1981 the value to be reported will be the original cost of acquisition.
The assessee may exercise the option of considering the fair market value of
the asset as on 1st April, 1981 for assets acquired prior to that date for the
purpose of computation of capital gains as provided under section
55(2)(b)(i). Further, in case of block of assets a particular asset loses its
identity and therefore to report the original cost of acquisition may not be
possible in all cases. In case of corporate entities where the requirements of
CARO are applicable the cost may be available from the fixed asset register.
However, in case of companies where CARO is not applicable and other
partnership concerns, the reporting requirements as to the original cost of
acquisition may not be practically possible.
24.9 Under clause (d) the amount recorded in the books of account at
which the asset is converted into stock-in-trade should be stated. Such an
amount may not be the fair market value as on the date of conversion or
treatment as stock-in-trade. If a value other than carrying cost is recorded
then the auditor has to examine the basis of arriving at such a value. The
valuation of stock-in-trade is to be examined with reference to AS-2
Valuation of Inventories. Non-compliance with AS-2 is to be suitably qualified
in the main audit report.
24.10 It is desirable that necessary accounting entry is passed in the books
of account at the time of conversion of the asset into or treatment of the
same as stock-in-trade.
24.11 In the case of assessees like a proprietorship concern, prior to the
conversion of the asset into stock-in-trade, the details regarding the date of
acquisition and cost of acquisition may not be recorded in the books of
account. It is also possible that the year in which the capital asset is
acquired, the accounts of the assessee may not have been subjected to
audit. Also an assessee can acquire a capital asset through various modes
such as discussed under section 49 of the Act. Under such circumstances
the auditor may have to verify the cost and the date of acquisition. The
following broad principles need to be kept in mind.
24.12 While verifying the cost of acquisition of the fixed asset, the auditor
should bear in mind the principles enunciated in Accounting Standard (AS)
10, Accounting for Fixed Assets. As per paragraph 20 of the said Accounting
Standard, the cost of a fixed asset comprises of its purchase price and any
attributable cost of bringing the asset to its working condition for its intended
use. Thus, in case of capital assets purchased by the assessee, it would
relatively be easy for the auditor to verify the cost of acquisition, the
evidence being provided by the supporting purchase invoices from the
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
supplier, entries appearing in the bank statements in respect of payment to
the supplier, entries appearing in the cash book/ bank statement for payment
of cartage installment etc. In case of self-constructed capital assets, the cost
would comprise those costs that relate directly to the specific capital asset
and those that are attributable to the construction activity in general and can
be allocated to the specific asset. In case of Capital assets acquired in
exchange or in part exchange for another asset, the cost of the asset
acquired is either the fair market value or the net book value of the asset
given up, whichever is more clearly evident, adjusted for any balancing
payment or receipt of cash or other consideration. In case the capital asset is
recorded at the net book value of the asset, the fixed asset register would
provide the prime evidence of the value. If, however the capital asset so
acquired is recorded at the market value the auditor would need to examine
the basis for arriving at the fair market value, for example, the valuers
report, market quotes (in case of listed securities). Where the valuer is the
tax auditors internal/ external, the tax auditor should have regard to the
principles laid down in SA 620, Using the Work of An Auditors Expert. In any
case the auditor would also need to look into how the assessee has decided
the value at which the asset is recorded in the books of account is more
clearly evident than the other value. In case of a capital asset acquired by
way of inheritance, the auditor may find it difficult to verify the cost of
acquisition to the original owner. In case there does not exist any
documentary evidence as to the cost of acquisition of the asset to the
original owner, say the sale/purchase agreement the auditor may need to
rely upon the reports of the experts such as valuers. In addition to the above,
the auditor should also refer to the guidance contained in the Guidance Note
on Audit of Property, Plant and Equipment issued by the Institute.
25.
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
25.1 Under this clause various amounts falling within the scope of section
28 which are not credited to the profit and loss account are to be stated. The
information under sub-clauses (a), (d) and (e) of clause (16) is to be given
with reference to the entries in the books of account and records made
available to the tax auditor for the purpose of tax audit under section 44AB.
Sub-clauses 16 (b), (c) & (d) require information in respect of items which
may also be covered under section 28 and as such will also fall in clause 16
(a). However, those items which are reported in clauses 16(b), (c) and (d)
need not be reported in clause 16 (a). The tax auditor may obtain a
management representation in writing from the assessee in respect of all
items falling under this clause.
25.2 Section 28 refers to
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(v)
(va) any sum, whether received for (a) not carrying out any activity in
relation to any business (b) not sharing any know how, patent,
copyright, trade mark, licence, franchise or any other business
or commercial right of similar nature or information or technique
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
likely to assist in the manufacture or processing of goods or
provision for services
(vi)
(vii)
(ii)
Drawback
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
In respect of items falling under sub-clause (b) the tax auditor should
examine all relevant correspondence, records and evidence in order to
determine whether any particular refund/claim has been admitted as due and
accepted during the relevant financial year.
25.5 There may be practical difficulties in verifying the information in regard
to such refunds and credits. It may, therefore, be necessary for the tax
auditor to scrutinise the relevant files or subsequent records relating to such
refunds while verifying the particulars and also obtain an appropriate
management representation.
25.6 The words admitted by the concerned authorities would mean
admitted by the authorities within the relevant previous year.
25.7 The system of accounting followed in respect of these particular items
may also be brought out in appropriate cases. If the assessee is following
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
cash basis of accounting, it should be clearly brought out, since the
admittance of claims during the relevant previous year without actual receipt
has no significance in cases where cash method of accounting is followed.
Credits/claims which have been admitted as due after the relevant previous
year need not be reported here.
Where such amounts have not been credited in the profit and loss account
but netted against the relevant expenditure/income heads, such fact should
be clearly brought out.
25.8 Under sub-clause (c), the escalation claims accepted during the
previous year but not credited to the profit and loss account are to be stated.
The escalation claims accepted during the year would normally mean
accepted during the relevant previous year. If such amount has not been
credited to the profit and loss account the fact should be brought out. The
system of accounting followed in respect of this particular item may also be
brought out in appropriate cases. If the assessee is following cash basis of
accounting with reference to this item, it should be clearly brought out since
acceptance of claims during the relevant previous year without actual receipt
has no significance in cases where cash method of accounting is followed.
25.9 Escalation claims would normally arise pursuant to a contract
(including contracts entered into in earlier years), if so permitted by the
contract. Only those claims to which the other party has signified
unconditional acceptance could constitute accepted claims. Mere making of
claims by the assessee or claims under negotiations or claims which are
sub-judice [CIT v. Hindustan Housing & Land Development Trust Ltd. [1986]
161 ITR 524 (SC)] cannot constitute claims accepted. The Auditor should
take a professional judgment about acceptance of claim based on facts and
circumstances of each case.
25.10 Sub-clause (d) covers any other items which the tax auditor considers
as an income of the assessee based on his verification of records and other
documents and information gathered, but which has not been credited to the
profit and loss account. In giving the details under sub-clauses (c) and (d),
due regard should be given to AS-9 - Revenue Recognition.
25.11 The tax auditor should scrutinise all the items including casual and
nonrecurring items appearing in the books of account, particularly the credit
items, and ensure himself whether any such credit which is in the nature of
income has been credited to the profit and loss account or not.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
25.12 Under sub-clause (e), capital receipt, if any, which has not been
credited to the profit and loss account has to be stated. The tax auditor
should use his professional expertise and judgement in determining whether
the receipt is capital or revenue. The tax auditor may record various judicial
pronouncements on which he has relied in his working papers.
25.13 The following is an illustrative list of capital receipts which, if not
credited to the profit and loss account, are to be stated under this subclause.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
25.14 Loans and borrowings are not required to be stated under this subclause.
25.15 If during the course of audit auditor finds that certain income (e.g.
income referred to in section 41(1)) are not credited to profit and loss
account, the particulars of the same along with the amount is required to be
reported under this clause.
26. Where any land or building or both is transferred during the
previous year for a consideration less than value adopted or assessed
or assessable by any authority of a State Government referred to in
section 43CA or 50C, please furnish:
Details of property
Consideration
received
accrued
or
Value
adopted
assessed
assessable
or
or
(Clause 17)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
26.1 Section 43CA is applicable where the assessee has transferred an
asset (other than a capital asset) being land or building or both and the value
of such an asset is less than the value adopted or assessed or assessable
by any State Government authority for the purpose of payment of stamp
duty. In such a case for purpose of computing profit & gains from such
transfer, the value so adopted or assessed or assessable shall be deemed to
be the full value of consideration.
26.2 Section 50C is applicable where the assessee has transferred a
capital asset being land or building or both and the value of such an asset is
less than the value adopted or assessed or assessable by any State
Government authority for the purpose of payment of stamp duty. In such a
case, for purpose of section 48, the value so adopted or assessed or
assessable by stamp duty authority shall be deemed to be the full value of
consideration.
26.3 Where any land or building or both is transferred during the previous
year for a consideration less than value adopted or assessed or assessable
by any authority of a State Government referred to in section 43CA or 50C,
the auditor is required to furnish the following details:
(a)
Details of property
(b)
(c)
26.4 In the column requiring the details of property, the auditor has to
furnish the details about the nature of property i.e. whether the property
transferred by him is land or a building along with the address of such
property. If the assessee has transferred more than one property, the detail
of all such properties is required to be mentioned. The auditor should obtain
a list of all properties transferred by the assessee during the previous year.
He may also verify the same from the statement of profit and loss or balance
sheet, as the case may be. Attention is invited to the meaning of the term
transfer as defined in section 2(47) of the Act.
26.5 Under the heading consideration received or accrued, the auditor
has to furnish the amount of consideration received or accrued, during the
relevant previous year of audit, in respect of land/building transferred during
the year as disclosed in the books of account of the assessee.
26.6 For reporting the value adopted or assessed or assessable, the
auditor should obtain from the assessee a copy of the registered sale deed
in case, the property is registered. In case the property is not registered, the
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
auditor may verify relevant documents from relevant authorities or obtain
third party expert like lawyer, solicitor representation to satisfy the
compliance of section 43CA/ section 50C of the Act. In exceptional cases
where the auditor is not able to obtain relevant documents, he may state the
same through an observation in his report 3CA/CB.
26.7 Auditor would have to apply professional judgment as to what
constitutes land or building for e.g. whether leasehold right / development
rights / TDR / FSI etc would fall under this provisions or not, would require to
be evaluated based on facts & circumstances of transactions.
27. Particulars of depreciation allowable as per the Income-tax Act,
1961 in respect of each asset or block of assets, as the case may be, in
the following form:(a)
(b)
Rate of depreciation.
(c)
(d)
(ii)
(iii)
(e)
Depreciation allowable.
(f)
(b)
(c)
(d)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(e)
(f)
(g)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
27.6 If there is any dispute with regard to the classification of an asset in a
particular block or the rate of depreciation applied, the tax auditor must give
his working with suitable reasons. Further, there may be disputes in the
earlier years between the assessee and the Department regarding
classification, rate of depreciation etc. in respect of which the tax auditor
should give suitable disclosure depending upon the facts and circumstances
of the case. Alternatively, where the tax auditor adopts a system of
classification different from the one adopted by the assessee, suitable
disclosure should be made regarding the effect thereof.
27.7 It will, therefore, be advisable to put a suitable note with regard to
those items in respect of which disputes for the earlier years are not resolved
up to the date of giving the audit report and it should be clarified that the
amount of depreciation allowable may change as a result of any decision
which may be received after the audit report is given. This note can be in the
following manner:
NOTE: Certain disputes about
(a)
(b)
(c)
27.8 For the purpose of determination of actual cost, the tax auditor has to
be guided by the relevant legal provisions. Since determination of actual cost
has got accounting implications, he can rely on the relevant Accounting
Standards and Guidance Notes. Due to the amendments made by the
Finance (No.2) Act, 1998, depreciation is allowable on intangible assets like
know-how, patents, copyrights, trademarks, licenses, franchises or any other
business or commercial rights of similar nature. There may be intangible
assets like patents invented by the company, brand names, etc. for which the
assessee might have incurred costs. The tax auditor should examine the
basis on which the cost of such intangible assets has been arrived at.
27.9 The additions/deductions during the year have to be reported, with
dates. The tax auditor is advised to get the details of each asset or block of
asset added during the year or disposed of during the year with the dates of
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
acquisition/disposal. Where any addition was made, the date on which the
asset was put to use is to be reported. In respect of deductions, the sale
value of the assets disposed of along with dates should be mentioned. The
provisions of Section 36(1)(iii) and Explanation 8 to section 43(1) of the Act,
should be kept in mind for capitalization of interest to the cost of assets. The
tax auditor should check the working regarding the calculation of
depreciation allowable under the Act. To ascertain when the asset has been
put to use, the tax auditor could call for basic records like production
records/installation details/excise records/service tax records/records
relating to power connection for operating the machine and any other
relevant evidence. In the absence of any specific documentation with regard
to the effective date from which the asset is put to use, he could get a
representation letter from the management, in respect of the assets
acquired. He should examine whether the apportionment of depreciation in
cases like succession, amalgamation, demerger etc. has been properly
made.
27.10 Section 43(1) of the Act defines actual cost as under :
Actual Cost means the actual cost of the assets to the assessee,
reduced by that portion of the cost thereof, if any, as has been met
directly or indirectly by any other person or authority.
Further section 43(1) has explanation from 1 to 13 which provides for
different situations for the purpose of calculating the actual cost.
Section 43(2) defines the word Paid and Section 43(3) defines the word
Plant.
Section 2(11) defines Block of assets and section 43(6) read with
explanations 1 to 7 defines Written Down Value.
27.11 The Guidance Note on Accounting for State-level Value Added Tax
issued by ICAI has suggested the following treatment in respect of VAT
Credit on Capital Goods.
24. The accounting treatment recommended in the following
paragraphs applies only to those capital goods which are eligible for
the credit.
25. Paragraph 9.1 of Accounting Standard (AS) 10, Accounting for
Fixed Assets, issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of
India, inter-alia, provides as below:
9.1 The cost of an item of fixed asset comprises its purchase
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
price, including import duties and other nonrefundable taxes or
levies and any directly attributable cost of bringing the asset to
its working condition for its intended use; any trade discounts
and rebates are deducted in arriving at the purchase price.
VAT credit is considered to be of the nature of a refundable tax.
Therefore, the tax paid on purchase of capital goods should not be
included in the cost of such capital goods.
In view of above, the VAT Credit eligible on capital goods should be reduced
from the cost of the assets for the purpose of claim of depreciation.
27.12 Details have to be given in respect of adjustments on account of three
factors. The first adjustment relates to CENVAT claimed and allowed under
the Central Excise Rules, 1944 in respect of assets acquired on or after 1st
March, 1994. Explanation 9 to section 43(1) of the Act provides that where
an asset is or has been acquired on or after the 1st day of March, 1994 by
an assessee, the actual cost of asset shall be reduced by the amount of duty
of excise or the additional duty leviable under section 3 of the Customs Tariff
Act, 1974 (51 of 1975) or Service Tax in respect of which a claim of credit
has been made and allowed under the Central Excise Rules, 1944 and
Finance Act 1994 (relating to Service Tax) read with CENVAT Credit Rules
2004. It is necessary, therefore, for the tax auditor to examine the details of
assets acquired on or after 1st March, 1994 and the details of CENVAT
credit claimed and allowed in respect of those assets
27.13 In Clause 18(d)(i) the amount of CENVAT credit claimed and allowed
on capital goods and deducted from the cost of the asset has to be
mentioned. Under the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004, the assessee is entitled
to avail credit of duty paid on capital goods and utilise the same, in payment
of excise duty leviable on final products, or in payment of service tax on
taxable output services. However the CENVAT credit of duty paid on capital
goods is not allowed if the assessee claims depreciation under the Act on an
amount including the amount of CENVAT credit [Rule 4 (4) of the CENVAT
credit rules, 2004].
27.14 As such the assessee should not include duty paid on capital goods
eligible for CENVAT credit as part of the cost of fixed assets, otherwise he
will not eligible to claim the CENVAT credit. Whenever, CENVAT credit is
rejected in the subsequent year, the auditor should make separate disclosure
for the amount of CENVAT credit adjusted during the year which pertains to
earlier years. Similarly, if the CENVAT credit is claimed and allowed but
which has not been deducted from the cost of the asset, such credit should
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
be deducted from the cost and the appropriate disclosure should be made
separately for such adjustment.
27.15 The tax auditor should also verify that the amount of CENVAT credit
deducted from cost of capital goods tallies with the credit availed on this
account.
27.16 The second adjustment relates to the change in the rate of exchange
of currency. Section 43A deals with the adjustment on account of change in
the rate of exchange of currency. The Finance Act, 2002 has substituted a
new section 43A w.e.f. A.Y. 2002-03. As per this amendment,
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
27.17 In other words the extent of addition or reduction will be limited to the
exchange difference actually paid during the previous year. The tax auditor is
required to verify that the adjustments in the cost of fixed assets on account
of changes in the rate of exchange of currency in the schedule of fixed
assets prepared for computation of depreciation as per Income-tax Rules are
in accordance with the provisions of section 43A and information about such
adjustment is provided under sub-clause (ii) of clause 18(d). The Tax Auditor
may also prepare a reconciliation statement for his own records for any
different treatment followed for the purpose of books of accounts as per
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applicable accounting treatment under Accounting Standards. The auditor
should also refer the explanations to section 43A.
27.18 The third adjustment relates to the subsidy or grant or reimbursement,
by whatever name called. Explanation 10 to section 43(1) provides that
where a portion of the cost of an asset acquired by the assessee has been
met directly or indirectly by the Central Government or a State Government
or any authority established under any law or by any other person, in the
form of a subsidy or grant or reimbursement (by whatever name called),
then, so much of the cost as is relatable to such subsidy or grant or
reimbursement shall not be included in the actual cost of the asset to the
assessee. As per the proviso to the above Explanation, where such subsidy
or grant or reimbursement is of such nature that it cannot be directly
relatable to the asset acquired, such of the amount which bears to the total
subsidy or reimbursement or grant the same proportion as such asset bears
to all the assets in respect of or with reference to which the subsidy or grant
or reimbursement is so received, shall not be included in the actual cost of
the asset to the assessee. Subsidy coming within the scope of Explanation
10 to section 43(1) in respect of asset acquired in any earlier year(s) and
received during the year has to be deducted from the written down value of
such assets in the year of receipt.
27.19 Finally, the amount of depreciation allowable and the WDV at the year
end have to be stated. Wherever a claim for depreciation involves any
reliance on any judgement or opinion or other contentions (as to its
classification, rate applicable, cost, date on which put to use etc.), it may be
advisable for tax auditor to disclose full particulars thereof and the basis on
which the depreciation allowable has been determined and vouched by him.
27.20 The Finance Act, 2001 had inserted Explanation 5 below sub-section
(1) of section 32, to the effect that the provisions of section 32(1) regarding
allowing of depreciation shall apply whether or not the assessee has claimed
the deduction in respect of depreciation in computing his total income. Thus,
the claim for depreciation is now mandatory and the written down value of
each asset every year has to be reduced by the amount of depreciation
allowable under the Income-tax Rules and the details required under the
relevant sub-clauses need to be stated.
27.21 Section 32(1)(iia) effective from Financial year 2002-03 provide for
additional depreciation to a concern engaged in the business of
manufacturing or production of an article or thing or installation of a new
machinery on fulfillment of the prescribed conditions like specified
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percentage of increase in installed capacity. Additional depreciation shall be
allowable in respect of new machinery or plant installed on or after 31st day
of March, 2005, which is
(i)
(ii)
(a)
Section
32AC
33AB
33ABA
35(1)(i)
35(1)(ii)
35(1)(iia)
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35(1)(iii)
35(1)(iv)
35(2AA)
35(2AB)
35ABB
35AC
35AD
35CCA
35CCB
35CCC
35CCD
35D
35DD
35DDA
35E
[Clause 19]
28.1 The assessee can claim deduction under the sections 32AC, 33AB,
33ABA, 35, 35ABB, 35AC, 35AD,35CCA, 35CCB, 35CCC, 35CCD, 35D,
35DD, 35DDA and 35E subject to the terms and conditions mentioned in
these Sections.
28.2 In case the assessee has obtained a separate Audit Report for
claiming deductions under any of these sections, he must make a reference
to that report while giving the details under this clause.
28.3 The Tax Auditor should indicate the amount debited to the Profit &
Loss Account and the amount actually admissible in accordance with the
applicable provisions of law.
28.4 The amount not debited to the Profit & Loss Account but admissible
under any of the Sections mentioned in the clause have to be stated. For
example sections33AB and 33ABA allow deduction in respect of amount
deposited in designated account for specified purposes which, as per
accounting principles, are not to be debited to the Profit & Loss Account. In
this connection, the Tax Auditor has to work out, on the basis of the
conditions prescribed in the concerned Section, the amount admissible there
under and report the same.
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28.5 An assessee may be eligible for deduction under one or more subsections of section 35. In such case, the Tax Auditor should state the
deduction allowable under each sub-section separately under applicable
part, i.e. the amount deductible in respect of the amount debited in Profit &
Loss Account and the amount not debited to the Profit & Loss Account.
28.6 The Tax Auditor should also ensure the eligibility of the
expenditure/payment for deduction and compliance of the conditions
prescribed in the sub-section including approval from the relevant/prescribed
authority, notification issued by the Central Government, any other guideline
circular etc issued in this behalf. Tax auditor should also refer Rule 6 of
Income-tax Rules, 1962.
28.7 In case the auditor relies on a judicial pronouncement, he may
mention the fact in his observations para provided in Form No.3CA or Form
No.3CB, as the case may be.
28.8 The following Table summarizes Sub-section-wise eligibility,
requirement of compliance of the conditions and the amount of deductions
required to be mentioned under this clause (The summary is only illustrative
and Tax Auditor is advised to refer actual provision of the Act):
Table showing deductions applicable from A.Y. 2014-15 onwards (as
per law prevailing on 1-4-2014)
Section &
Subsection
32AC
33AB
Eligible expenditure/payment
Investment
Machinery
in
New
&
Amount
deposited
in
Tea/Coffee/Rubber Development
Account
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Plant
Amount/Quantum
of Deduction
15% of the actual
cost of such new
assets.
Deduction is allowed
for the least of the
following:
(a) Sum equal to the
amount
or
the
aggregate of the
amounts
so
deposited.(b) Sum
equal to 40% of the
profits
of
such
business.
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Section &
Subsection
33ABA
35(1)(i)
35(1)(ii)
35(1)(iia)
Eligible expenditure/payment
Amount/Quantum
of Deduction
Deduction is allowed
for the least of the
following:
(a) Sum equal to the
amount
or
the
aggregate of the
amounts
so
deposited.
(b) Sum equal to
20% of the profits of
such business
100%
of
the
expenditure
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175% of amount
paid/contributed
from A.Y. 2011-12
and onwards
125% of amount
paid/contributed till
A.Y 2010-11.
125% of amount
paid from A.Y. 200910
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Section &
Subsection
35(1)(iii)
35(1)(iv)
35(2AA)
35(2AB)
Eligible expenditure/payment
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Amount/Quantum
of Deduction
125%
paid.
of
amount
200% of amount
paid from A.Y. 12-13
and onwards.
175% for A.Y.201112
125% till A.Y.201011
200%
of
Expenditure incurred
from A.Y. 2011-12
and
onwards.
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Section &
Subsection
Eligible expenditure/payment
Amount/Quantum
of Deduction
150%
of
Expenditure incurred
from A.Y. 2001-02 to
A.Y. 2011-12
125% till A.Y. 200001.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Section &
Subsection
35ABB
35AC
35AD
Eligible expenditure/payment
Amount/Quantum
of Deduction
Deduction equal to
the
appropriate
fraction
of
the
amount of such
expenditure.
Where appropriate
fraction means the
fraction
the
numerator of which
is one and the
denominator
of
which is the total
number
of
the
relevant
previous
years;
100%
of
such
expenditure
Setting up and
Operating cold chain
facility-150%
of
expenditure
Setting up and
Operating
warehousing facility
for
storage
of
Agriculture produce150% of expenditure
Laying
and
operating a cross
country natural gas
pipeline network for
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Section &
Subsection
Eligible expenditure/payment
Amount/Quantum
of Deduction
distribution-100% of
expenditure
Building
and
operating a new
Hotel in India, of
two star or above
category- 100% of
such expenditure
Building
and
operating a new
Hospital in India,
with at least one
hundred beds for
patients- 150% of
expenditure
Developing
and
building a housing
project under a
scheme for slum
rehabilitation-100%
of expenditure
Developing
and
building a housing
project under a
scheme
for
affordable housing150% of expenditure
Production
of
fertilizer in India150% of expenditure
Setting up and
operating an inland
container depot or a
container
freight
station-100%
of
expenditure
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Section &
Subsection
Eligible expenditure/payment
Amount/Quantum
of Deduction
Bee-keeping
and
production of honey
and beeswax-100%
of expenditure
Setting up and
operating
a
warehousing facility
for storage of sugar100% of expenditure
Laying
and
operating a slurry
pipeline for the
transportation of iron
ore 100% of
expenditure w.e.f AY
2015-16
Setting
and
operating a semiconductor
wafer
fabrication
manufacturing unit
100% of expenditure
wef AY 2015-16
35CCA
35CCB
35CCC
35CCD
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100%
expenditure
of
100% of expenditure
150% of expenditure
150% of expenditure
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Section &
Subsection
35D
Eligible expenditure/payment
Amount/Quantum
of Deduction
35DD
Amortisation
of
Expenditure
incurred by an Indian Company for
the purpose of amalgamation or
demerger
35DDA
35E
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Members are advised to refer the Income-tax Act, 1961 for any change in the
provisions of Act at the time of signing the audit report.
28.8 Where under any section an assessee is eligible for deduction under
one or more of the sub-sections of the said section, the Tax Auditor should
certify the amount of deduction available under each sub-section separately
in the applicable part, i.e. the amount deductible in respect of the amount
debited to Profit & Loss Account and the amount not debited to the Profit &
Loss Account.
29. (a) Any sum paid to an employee as bonus or commission for
services rendered, where such sum was otherwise payable to
him as profits or dividend. [Section 36(1)(ii)].
(b) Details of contributions received from employees for various
funds as referred to in section 36(1)(va):
Serial
number
Nature
of
fund
Sum
received
from
employees
Due
date for
payment
The
actual
amount
paid
The actual
date
of
payment
to
the
concerned
authorities
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
2(24)(x) are applicable, if it is credited by the assessee to the account of the
employees in the relevant statutory fund on or before the due date.
29.4 Section 2(24)(x) includes within the scope of income any sum received
by the assessee from his employees as contributions to any provident fund
or superannuation fund or ESI Fund or any other Fund for employees
welfare (hereafter referred to as Welfare Fund).
29.5 As per the explanation provided in section 36(1)(va), due date
means the date by which the assessee is required as an employer to credit
an employees contribution to the employees account in the relevant fund
under any Act., rule, order or notification issued there under or under any
standing order, award, contract of service or otherwise, i.e., the date by
which it is required to be credited as per the provisions of the applicable law
etc. It may be noted that Employees P.F. manual provides for 5 days of
grace period for payment of contribution. This can be taken into
consideration for determining the due date of payment.
29.6 The tax auditor should get a list of various contributions recovered
from the employees which come within the scope of this clause and the date
on which it is deposited. He should also verify the documents relating to
provident funds and other welfare funds. He should verify the agreement
under which employees have to make contributions to provident fund and
other welfare funds. The ledger account of contributions from employees
should be reviewed; the due dates of payments and the actual dates of
payment should be verified with the evidence available. In view of the
voluminous nature of the information, the tax auditor can apply test checks
and compliance tests to satisfy himself that the system of recovery and
remittance is proper. Under this clause, details regarding the nature of fund,
details of the amount deducted, due date for payment, actual amount paid
and actual date of payment to the concerned authorities in respect of
provident fund, ESI fund or other staff welfare fund have to be stated.
29.7 The tax auditor should maintain the following information in his
working papers for the purpose of reporting in the format provided in the efiling utility:
(a)
Description
Amount
2
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(b)
Serial
number
Nature
of
fund
Sum
received
from
employees
Due
date for
payment
The
actual
amount
paid
The actual
date of
payment
to the
concerned
authorities
30. (a) Please furnish the details of amounts debited to the profit and
loss account, being in the nature of Capital, personal, advertisement
expenditure etc:
[Clause 21(a)]
Nature
Serial number
Particulars
Capital
Expenditure
Personal
Expenditure
Advertisement
expenditure in
any souvenir,
brochure, tract,
pamphlet or the
like published
by a political
party
Expenditure
incurred
at
clubs
being
entrance fees
and
subscriptions
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Amount in Rs.
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Expenditure
incurred
at
clubs
being
cost for club
services
and
facilities used.
Expenditure by
way of penalty
or
fine
for
violation of any
law for the time
being force
Expenditure by
way of any
other penalty or
fine
not
covered above
Expenditure
incurred for any
purpose which
is an offence or
which
is
prohibited by
law
31.
(b)
(i)
(B)
date of payment
(II)
amount of payment
(III)
nature of payment
(IV)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(ii)
(I)
date of payment
(II)
amount of payment
(III)
nature of payment
(IV)
(V)
(B)
Date of payment
(II)
Amount of payment
(III)
Nature of payment
(IV)
Date of payment
(II)
Amount of payment
(III)
Nature of payment
(IV)
(V)
(VI)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
Date of payment
(B)
Amount of payment
(C)
[Clause 21(b)]
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
32. (c) Amounts debited to profit and loss account being, interest,
salary, bonus, commission or remuneration inadmissible under section
40(b)/40(ba) and computation thereof;
[Clause 21(c)]
33.
(d)
(A)
(B)
Date of
payment
Nature of
payment
Amount
Name and
Permanent
Account
Number of
the payee, if
available
Date of
payment
Nature of
payment
Amount
Name and
Permanent
Account
Number of
the payee, if
available
[Clause 21(d)]
34.
(e)
35.
(f)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
36.
(g)
37.
(h)
38.
(i)
30.
Clause 21
This clause requires the tax auditor to state the amount of expenditure
incurred by the assessee in respect of various items listed above. These
expenses may be allowable or may not be allowable or may be allowable
subject to certain limits. It is important to note that the amount of expenditure
in respect of each of the items is required to be stated. Accordingly, tax
auditor will have to obtain the information and make necessary enquiries in
that behalf. It will necessitate verification of books of account and other
relevant documents, basis of classification, groups under which such
expenses have been debited, and so on.
30.1 Clause 21(a) - Expenditure in the nature of capital, personal,
advertisement expenditure etc.
Expenditure of Capital nature:
Capital expenditure is not allowable in computing business income unless
specifically provided in any sections of the Act. The word capital
expenditure is not defined in the Act and no conclusive test or rules can be
laid down to determine whether a particular expenditure is capital or revenue
in the nature. Different tests have been applied by the courts in different
cases depending upon the facts and circumstances of each case and the
case law on the subject, as evolved over a period of years, gives guidance
for determining the nature of expenditure.
30.2 Some tests which, however, are generally applied to determine
whether a particular item of expenditure is of capital nature, are set out
hereunder:
(i)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
30.3 The above factors are not exhaustive and the tax auditor is required to
verify the expenditure based on facts of the case after considering the
applicable provisions of the Act.
30.4 The nature of receipt in the hands of the recipient is not a determining
factor to decide the nature of payment in the hands of payer. If the amount is
in the nature of capital receipt in the hands of the payee, it does not
necessarily imply that it is a capital expenditure for the payer and vice versa.
The case of the payer has to be considered independently based on the
facts concerning him.
30.5 Under the Act, capital expenditure of certain types e.g., on scientific
research referred to in section 35, is deductible in computing the income.
Similarly depreciation at 100% is allowed in respect of certain assets as
prescribed in New Appendix I of the Income-tax Rules, 1962. Ordinarily the
capital expenditure should not be debited to profit and loss account. The tax
auditor needs to keep in mind that the accounting standards also apply in
respect of financial statements audited under section 44AB of the Act.
Therefore, besides disclosing the amount of such capital expenditure debited
to profit and loss account under this clause, the tax auditor should give
suitable disclosure/ qualifications in para 3(a) of Form No. 3CB, depending
on the facts of the case.
30.6 The details of capital expenditure, if any, debited to the profit and loss
account should be maintained in a classified manner stating the amount
under various heads separately. Since part of this capital expenditure may
be allowable as deduction in the computation of total income, it is advisable
to maintain particulars regarding the nature of expenditure, the amount of
expenditure incurred, and the relevant provision under which the expenditure
is admissible. However, the total amount of capital expenditure debited to the
profit and loss account is to be reported under this clause in the e-filing
portal.
Expenditure of personal nature:
30.7 Personal expenses debited to the profit and loss account are to be
specified under this sub-clause as they are not deductible in the computation
of total income under section 37. It may be noted that the word personal is
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
confined to and attached with the assessee and not necessarily to and with
persons other than the assessee.
30.8 Section 143(1)(e) of the Companies Act 2013 specifically requires the
auditor to inquire whether personal expenses have been charged to revenue
account. In the case of a person whose accounts of the business or
profession have been audited under any other law, the tax auditor will have
to report in respect of personal expenses debited in the profit and loss
account. In the case of a person who carries on business or profession but
who is not required by or under any other law to get his accounts audited,
the tax auditor will have to verify the personal expenses if debited in the
expenses account while conducting the audit and verify the amount of
expenses mentioned under this clause.
30.9 The tax auditor is advised to maintain the following details as partof
his working papers for the purpose of reporting in the format provided in the
e-filing utility:
Sl. No.
Nature and
particulars
of
expenditure
Account
head under
which
debited
Amount of
expenditure
Remarks
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
legal entity, then the expenditure incurred on such an advertisement will
have to be indicated against this clause.
30.12 The auditor may also keep in mind the provisions of section 80GGB
and 80GGC which allow deduction in respect of contribution made by
corporate and non-corporate assessees respectively to political parties and
electoral trust, as required to be reported by him in clause 33 of Form no.
3CD.
Expenditure incurred at clubs being cost for club services and facilities
used, entrance fees and subscriptions:
30.13 The amount of payments made to clubs by the assessee during the
year being cost for club services and facilities used should be indicated
under this clause. The payments may be for entrance fees as well as
membership subscription and for catering and other services by the club,
both in respect of directors and other employees in case of companies and
for partners or proprietors in other cases. The fact whether such expenses
are incurred in the course of business or whether they are of personal nature
should be ascertained. If they are personal in nature, they are to be shown
separately under Clause 21(a) referred to earlier.
30.14 Details of payments made to clubs are also required by tax authorities
for the purpose of determining whether any portion of club expenses could
be treated as perquisite in the hands of the person concerned. All payments
made to credit card agencies should be carefully scrutinised. Credit card
agency is nothing but credit/collecting agency. In order to determine whether
the payments have been made to a club, one has to look into the substantive
activity of the institution concerned.
30.15 This clause requires reporting of particulars and the amount of such
expenses incurred in the respective fields. However, the following particulars
may be maintained as working papers by the auditor for the purpose of
reporting in the format provided in the e-filing utility:
Sr.
No.
(1)
Name of
the Club
(2)
Subscripti
on
expenses
Cost of Club
Services and
facilities
used
Remarks
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
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Expenditure by way of penalty or fine for violation of any law for the
time being in force; Expenditure by way of penalty or fine not covered
above; Expenditure incurred for any other purpose which is an offence
or is prohibited by law:
30.16 This clause requires separate reporting of penalty or fine for violation
of any law for the time being in force, and any other penalty or fine. The tax
auditor should obtain in writing from the assessee the details of all payments
by way of penalty or fine for violation of any laws have been made and paid
or incurred during the relevant previous year and how such amounts have
been dealt with in the books of accounts produced for audit.
30.17 The tax auditor may not be an expert to decide the nature of payment
(as to whether it is prohibited by law or not) and may not be aware of the
intricacies of all the laws of the land. He can rely on the expert opinion. It
must be borne in mind that the tax auditor while reporting under this clause is
not required to express any opinion as to the allowability or otherwise of the
amount of penalty or fine for violation of law. He is only required to give the
details of such items as have been charged in the books of accounts. This
clause covers only penalty or fine for violation of law and not the payment for
contractual breach or liquidator damages. The tax auditor should keep in
mind the difference between the amount prohibited by law and the amount
paid which is compulsory in nature under the relevant statue. While stating
the particulars under this clause, the tax auditor should also take into
consideration the concept of materiality.
30.18 In order to ascertain the facts whether the sum debited in the profit
and loss account is by way of penalty or fine for any violation of law, the tax
auditor will have to refer to the relevant law under which the amount has
been paid or incurred and ascertain whether such amount is in the nature of
penalty or fine. He should also ascertain all the facts by having recourse to
the order of the jurisdictional authority which has levied the penalty or fine.
Even if the assessee is contesting against such order before higher
authorities, the same will not be relevant and the mere point for ascertaining
is whether such sum is debited to the profit and loss account and if yes, the
same has to be disclosed.
30.19 The courts have laid down that any penalty or fine for violation of law
is not admissible as expenditure. It is in this context the requirement
stipulated by clause 21(a) is to be answered.
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30.20 The following Explanation to section 37(1) of the Act has been
inserted by Finance Act (No.2) Act, 1998 with effect from assessment year
1962-63.
"For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that any expenditure
incurred by an assessee for any purpose which is offence or which is
prohibited by law shall not be deemed to have been incurred for the purpose
of business or profession and no deduction or allowance shall be made in
respect of such expenditure".
30.21 Under this sub-clause, any expenditure incurred by an assessee for
any purpose which is an offence or which is prohibited by law is to be stated.
30.22 Any expenditure in consequence of violation of law like penalty or fine
levied for evading provisions of the Act, FEMA, Excise and Customs law etc.,
cannot be claimed as deduction under the Act. A penalty imposed for
violation of any law during the course of trade cannot be described as a
commercial loss. Even if the need for making payments has arisen out of
trading operations, the payments are not wholly and exclusively for the
purpose of the trade. Violation of law is not a normal incidence of business.
This principle was laid down by Hon'ble Supreme Court in case of CIT v.
Maddi Venkataratnam & Co. (P) Ltd [1998] 96 Taxman 643 and in the case
of Hazi Aziz Shekoor Bros v. CIT [1961] 41 ITR 350. In both the cases it was
held that one can carry business or his trade without violating the law.
30.23 In Prakash Cotton Mills (P) Ltd. v CIT [1993] 201 ITR 684 (SC) it has
been held that whenever any statutory impost paid by an assessee by way of
damages or penalty or interest is claimed as an allowable expenditure under
section 37(1) of the Act, the assessing authority is required to examine the
scheme of the provisions of the relevant statute providing for payment of
such impost notwithstanding the nomenclature of the impost as given by the
statute, to find whether it is compensatory or penal in nature.
30.24 The authority has to allow deduction under section 37(1) wherever
such examination reveals the concerned impost to be purely compensatory
in nature. Wherever such impost is found to be of a composite nature, that is,
partly of compensatory nature and partly of penal nature, the authority would
have to bifurcate the two components of the impost and give deduction of
that component which is compensatory in nature and refuse to give
deduction of that component which is penal in nature. The above principle
was reiterated in the case of Swadeshi Cotton Mills (1998) 233 ITR 199.
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30.25 Further, in CIT v Ahmedabad Cotton Mfg. Co. Ltd. [1993] 205 ITR
163(SC), the Supreme Court held that what needs to be done by an
Assessing Authority under the Act, in examining the claim of an assessee
that the payment made by such assessee was a deductible expenditure
under section 37 although called a penalty, is to see whether the law or
scheme under which the amount was paid, required such payment to be
made, as penalty or as something akin to penalty, that is, imposed by way of
punishment for breach for infraction of the law or the statutory scheme. If the
amount so paid is found to be not a penalty or something akin to penalty due
to the fact that the amount paid by the assessee was in exercise of the
option conferred upon him under the levy, law or scheme concerned, then
one has to regard such payment as business expenditure of the assessee,
allowable under section 37 as incidental to business laid out and expended
wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the business.
30.26 In case of Malwa Vanaspati & Chemical Co. v. CIT [1997] 225 ITR
383(SC), it was held that where the assessee is required to pay an amount
comprising both the elements of compensation and penalty, the
compensation is allowable as business expenditure, but not the penalty.
30.27 Where the penalty or fine is in the nature of penalty or fine only, the
entire amount thereof will have to be stated. As discussed above, with
reference to certain penalty/penal interest courts have held that it is partially
compensatory payment and partially in the nature of penalty. In such a case,
on the basis of appropriate criteria, the amount charged will have to be
bifurcated and only the amount relating to penalty may be stated.
31.
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Provided that where in respect of any such sum, tax has been
deducted in any subsequent year or, has been deducted in the
previous year but paid in any subsequent year after the expiry of the
time prescribed under sub-section (1) of section 200, such sum shall
be allowed as a deduction in computing the income of the previous
year in which such tax has been paid.
Finance Act, 2014 has amended section 40(a)(i) to provide that if the
tax deducted is paid during the previous year or in the subsequent
year before the expiry of time prescribed for filling the tax return u/s.
139(1), the same shall be allowed as deduction in the previous year in
which the tax is deducted.
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
The Finance Act, 2013 inserted a sub-clause (iib) in section 40(a) with
effect from A.Y. 2014-15. Accordingly, any amount paid by way of a
Royalty, License Fees, Service Fees, Privilege Fees, Service Charges
or any other fees or charge by whatever name called, which is levied
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exclusively on or which is appropriated directly or indirectly from a
State Government undertaking by the State Government shall not be
allowed as a deduction from the income under the head profit and
gains from business or profession.
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
31.2 The Finance (No.2) Act, 2014 has amended the provisions of section
40(a)(ia) w.e.f. AY 2015-16 to disallow only 30% of any sum payable to a
resident on which tax is deductible at source under Chapter XVII-B and such
tax has not been deducted or after deduction has not been paid on or before
the due date specified under section 139(1). The first proviso to section
40(a)(ia) has also been amended to provide that where any sum on which
tax has been deducted in any subsequent year, or has been deducted
during the previous year but paid after the due date specified in sub-section
(1) of section 139, thirty percent of such sum shall be allowed as a deduction
in computing the income of the previous year in which such tax has been
paid.
31.3 In respect of item (i) and (vi) above, the tax auditor should obtain in
writing from the assessee the details of all payments debited to the profit and
loss account. Where an actual remittance overseas has been made by the
assessee during the relevant previous year without deducting any tax at
source, the tax auditor may rely upon the legal opinion and/or certificates
from chartered accountants based upon which remittances have been made
without deduction of tax at source.. The tax auditor may refer SA 620, Using
the work of an auditors expert issued by ICAI for reliance on certificates /
legal opinion. In this connection the tax auditor is advised to refer the
applicable Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). Where no
remittances have been made during the relevant year, the tax auditor may
examine the relevant provisions vis--vis the agreement or correspondence
in pursuant to which the liability is provided by the assessee in his books of
account in order to determine whether any amount so provided is at all
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chargeable to tax under the Act. The tax auditor may use his professional
judgement in these matters based upon decided cases and he may rely upon
a legal opinion obtained by the assessee where no tax is required to be
deducted in respect of the amount so provided. In case he disagrees with the
stand taken by the assessee, he should give both the views in his report.
31.4 Under clause 21(b)(i)(A), the auditor is required to report payments to
non residents on which tax is required to be deducted but not deducted in
respect of interest, royalty, fees for technical services and other such
chargeable amount under the Income tax Act. The Auditor is advised to give
details under this clause for each individual payee.
31.5 Similarly under clause 21(b)(i)(B), the auditor is required to report
payments on which tax is deducted but is not deposited within the time
prescribed during the previous year or in subsequent year. Such details are
also required to be given for each individual payee prescribed under Section
40(a)(i).
31.6 Under this sub-clause the tax auditor is required to report the details
of payment on which tax is not deducted at source and also the details of
payment on which tax has been deducted but not paid during the previous
year or in the subsequent year before the expiry of time prescribed under
section 200(1)/139(1). The tax auditor should maintain the following data in
his working papers for the purpose of reporting under this sub-clause:
(a)
Sr.
No
Date
of
payment
Amount of
payment
Nature of
payment
Name
and
address
of
the
payee
5
PAN of
the
payee, if
available
6
(b)
Details of payment on which tax has been deducted but has not been
paid during the previous year or in the subsequent year before the expiry of
time prescribed under section 200(1)/139(1):
Sr.
No.
Date of
payment
Amount
of
payment
Nature
of
payment
4
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Name
and
address
of the
payee
5
PAN of
the
payee, if
available
Amount
of
tax
deducted
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
31.7 With the introduction of clause (ia) in section 40(a), the scope of
disallowance of the expenditure has been widened to include interest,
commission, brokerage, rent, royalty, fees for professional services or fees
for technical services payable to a resident or amounts payable to a
contractor or subcontractor, being resident for carrying out any work
including supply of labour for carrying out any work. Under this sub-clause
any payment of the expenses, specified therein on which tax is deductible
under Chapter XVIIB and such tax has not been deducted or after deduction
has not been paid on or before the date of filing of return specified under
section 139(1), is not eligible for deduction while computing income
chargeable under the head profits and gains of business or profession.
Accordingly, such amount will be inadmissible and will be required to be
disclosed under this clause. For this purpose the tax auditor will be required
to examine whether the provisions relating to tax deduction at source have
been complied with in respect of payments specified under the clause. For
this purpose the tax auditor may examine the books of accounts and tax
deduction returns pertaining to these payments.
31.8 Where the auditee claims deduction under the second proviso to subsection (ia) it is deemed that he has deducted and paid the tax and hence
such sum on which tax is so deemed to be deducted and paid is not
inadmissible, the tax auditor should verify compliance with the requirements
of section 201. He should also obtain and keep in his record a copy of
certificate in Form 26A as required by section 201 read with section
40(a)(ia).
31.9 Under clause 21(b)(ii)(A), auditor is required to report payments to
residents on which tax is required to be deducted but not deducted in respect
of interest, royalty, fees for technical services and other such chargeable
under Chapter XVII-B of the Income Tax Act. The auditor is advised to give
details under this clause for each individual payee.
31.10 Similarly under clause 21(b)(ii)(B), auditor is required to report
payments on which tax is deducted but is not deposited within the time
prescribed during the previous year or in subsequent year. Such details are
also required to be given for each individual payee prescribed under section
40(a)(ia).
31.11 Tax auditor should also verify that the particulars given under this
clause do not differ from the particulars given under clause 34 of Form no.
3CD to the extent applicable. Under this sub-clause, the tax auditor is
required to report the details of payment on which tax is not deducted at
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source and also the details of payment on which tax has been deducted but
not paid on or before the due date specified in section 139(1). The tax
auditor should maintain the following data in his working papers for the
purpose of reporting under this sub-clause:
(a)
Sr.
No
Date
of
payment
Amount of
payment
Nature of
payment
Name
and
address
of
the
payee
5
PAN of
the
payee, if
available
6
(b)
Details of payment on which tax has been deducted but has not been
paid on or before the due date specified under section 139(1):
Sr.
No.
Date of
payment
Amount
of
payment
Nature of
payment
Name
and
address
of the
payee
PAN of Amount of
Amount
the payee,
tax
out of (5)
deducted deposited,
if
available
if any
6
31.12 The Item no. (iii) of clause 21(b) requires reporting of any sum paid on
account of fringe benefit tax under Chapter XIIH, wherever applicable. Since
Fringe benefit tax was abolished by the Finance (No.2) Act, 2009 with effect
from 1-04-2009, the tax auditor will be required to furnish information under
this item only if the audit report relates to an assessment year to which the
provisions of chapter XII H were applicable. For all other cases, the tax
auditor may report NIL or Not Applicable as per the requirement of the
format of e-filing utility. The provision relating to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT)
has been omitted from A.Y. 2010-11. If any such tax is paid during the year,
the same is not allowed as deduction u/s. 40(a)(i)(c). The auditor is required
to report such amount of tax paid under clause 21(b)(iii), if any libabilty has
been incurred due to any order of any authority up to AY 2010-11 .
31.13 The amount of Wealth Tax paid is not allowed as a deduction u/s.
40(a)(iia) and thus is required to be reported under clause 21(b)(iv).
31.14 Finance Act, 2013 inserted new sub clause 40(a)(iib) w.e.f. A.Y. 201415 to provide that (a) any amount paid by way of a royalty, license fees,
service fees, privilege fees, service charge or any other fees or charge by
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
whatever name called, which is levied exclusively on; or (b) which is
appropriated, directly or indirectly from, a State Government undertaking by
the State Government is inadmissible expenditure. The explanation to this
sub clause (iib) also defines a State Government undertaking. The Tax
auditor should verify any such payment made by State Government
undertaking to the State Government and should report under clause
21(b)(v).
31.15 The amount of salary which is paid outside India or to a non-resident
in respect of which tax has not been deducted but which is required to be
deducted under the applicable provisions of the Income Tax Act or tax has
not been paid after deduction, the same is not allowed as a deduction u/s.
40(a)(iii) and the same is required to be reported under clause 21(b)(vi). This
information is required to be given for each individual payee. The tax auditor
should also furnish the date of payment along with the name and address of
the payee. The tax auditor should maintain the following information in his
working papers for the purpose of reporting in the format provided in the efiling utility:
Sr No.
Date of
payment
Amount
of
payment
Name of
payee
PAN of
the
payee, if
available
5
Address
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
section 40, the tax auditor may exercise his judgement in the light of the
applicable laws and report accordingly about the compliance of this
provision. The tax auditor may rely upon the judicial pronouncements while
taking any particular view. In case of difference of opinion between the tax
auditor and the assessee, the tax auditor should state both the view points.
In case of voluminous nature of the information, the tax auditor can apply
materiality principles, tests checks and compliance tests for verifying the
information required to be provided under this clause.
32. Clause 21(c)- Amount debited to profit and loss account being,
interest, salary, bonus, commission or remuneration inadmissible
under section 40(b)/40(ba) and computation thereof;
32.1 The tax auditor is required to state the inadmissible amount under
section 40(b)/40(ba) and such information is also required to be given in
respect of interest/ remuneration paid to a member of an Association of
persons (AOP)/Body of individuals (BOI). By Finance Act (No.2) 2009, w.e.f.
1.4.2010, the term firm includes LLP (as registered under the provisions of
LLP Act, 2008) The word "inadmissible" implies that the tax auditor will have
to examine the facts, apply the conditions for allowance or disallowance and
accordingly determine the prima facie inadmissibility of the deduction and
also quantify the same.
32.2 Salary, bonus, commission or remuneration or interest are not
admissible, unless the following conditions are satisfied:
(a)
(b)
(c)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
deducting interest allowable to partners as per the provisions of section
40(b). According to Explanation 4, working partner means an individual who
is actively engaged in conducting the affairs of the business or profession of
the firm of which he is a partner. It is advisable for the auditor to obtain from
the assessee a detailed working of the inadmissible remuneration, salary,
bonus or commission under section 40(b). He has to verify the computation
from the instrument or agreement or any other document evidencing
partnership including any supplementary documents or other documents
effecting changes which would affect the computation of the inadmissible
amounts under section 40(b).
32.4 Under section 40(b)(iv), any payment of interest to any partner which
is authorised by, and is in accordance with, the terms of the partnership deed
and relates to any period falling after the date of such partnership deed in so
far as such amount exceeds the amount calculated at the rate specified
under the Income-tax Act from time to time will not be admissible as a
deduction.
32.5 Section 40(ba) lays down that any interest or remuneration paid by an
AOP to its member shall not be allowed as a deduction to the AOP. It may
also be noted that in computing such disallowance:
(a)
where interest is paid by AOP / BOI to a member who has also paid
interest to AOP/ BOI, only net amount of interest, if any, shall be
disallowed;
(b)
(c)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Sr.
No.
(a)
32.9 The tax auditor may note that the information required to be reported
is the amount of inadmissible expenditure as per section 40(b) or 40(ba) and
not the total amount debited to profit and loss account.
33. Clause 21(d) Disallowance/deemed income under section
40A(3):
(A) On the basis of the examination of books of account and other
relevant documents/evidence, whether the expenditure covered under
section 40A(3) read with rule 6DD were made by account payee cheque
drawn on a bank or account payee bank draft. If not, please furnish the
details:
Serial
Number
Date
of
Payment
Nature of
Payment
Amount
Name
and
Permanent
Account Number
of the payee, if
available
Date
of
Payment
Nature of
Payment
Amount
Name
and
Permanent
Account Number
of the payee, if
available
[Clause 21(d)]
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33.1 (a) As per the provisions of the sub-section (3) of section 40A where
the assessee incurs any expenditure in respect of a payment or aggregate of
payments made to a person in a day, otherwise than by an account payee
cheque drawn on a bank or account payee bank draft, exceeding rupees
twenty thousand, no deduction would be allowed in respect of such
expenditure. In case of payment made for plying, hiring or leasing of goods
carriage, limit is Rs.35,000/- instead of Rs.20,000/-.
(b) Further, as per the provisions of section 40A(3A) where any allowance
has been made in the assessment for any year in respect of any liability
incurred by the assessee for any expenditure and subsequently during the
previous year the assessee makes payment in respect thereof, otherwise
than an account payee cheque drawn on a bank or account payee bank draft
exceeding Rs.20,000, the payment so made shall be deemed to be the
profits and gains of business or profession and accordingly chargeable to
income tax with respect to that previous year. In case of payment made for
plying, hiring or leasing of goods carriage, limit is Rs.35,000/- instead of
Rs.20,000/-.
(c) Further, no disallowance would be made if the payment or aggregate
of payments, exceeding Rs. 20,000 (Rs. 35000 in case of plying, hiring or
leasing of goods carriage) is made to a person in a day otherwise than by an
account payee cheque drawn on a bank or account payee bank draft in
respect of cases and circumstances prescribed under Rule 6DD having
regard to the nature and extent of banking facilities available, considerations
of business expediency and other relevant factors. Notification No.97/2008
dated 10.10.2008 has amended Rule 6DD w.e.f. A.Y. 2008-09
33.2 For the purpose of furnishing the above particulars, the tax auditor
should obtain a list of all cash payments in respect of expenditure exceeding
Rs.20,000 (Rs.35000/- in case of plying, hiring or leasing goods carriages
w.e.f. 1.10.2009) made by the assessee during the relevant year which
should include the list of payments exempted in terms of Rule 6DD with
reasons. This list should be verified by the tax auditor with the books of
account in order to ascertain whether the conditions for specific exemption
granted under clauses (a) to (l) of Rule 6DD are satisfied. Details of
payments which do not satisfy the above conditions should be stated under
this clause.
33.3 The tax auditor has to take into account the technological
advancements in the field of banking and information technology where
payments have been taken other than through an account payee cheque or
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
bank draft. Rule 6DD of the Rule specifically exempts the cases where the
payment is made by any letter of credit arrangements through a bank; a mail
or telegraphic transfer through a bank; a book adjustment from any account
in a bank to any other account in that or any other bank; a bill of exchange
made payable only to a bank; the use of electronic clearing system through a
bank account; a credit card; a debit card. 33.4 Practically, it may not be
possible to verify each payment, reflected in the bank statement, as to
whether the payment has been made through account payee cheque,
demand draft, pay order or not, it is thus desirable that the tax auditor should
obtain suitable certificate from the assessee to the effect that the payments
for expenditure referred to in section 40A(3) and section 40A(3A) were
made by account payee cheque drawn on a bank or account payee bank
draft, as the case may be. Where the reporting has been done on the basis
of the certificate of the assessee, the fact shall be reported as an
observation in clause (3) of Form No. 3CA and clause (5) of Form No.3CB,
as the case may be.
33.4 The tax auditor should maintain the following particulars in his audit
working papers file for the purpose of reporting in the format provided in the
e-filing utility:
Sl. Nature and Date of
No. particulars payment
of
expenditure
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
possible to give individual items of inadmissible amounts, the tax auditor may
furnish such details under broad heads of accounts.
33.6 Items of expenditure in respect of which specific exemption has been
given under Clauses (a) to (l) of Rule 6DD are not required to be stated
under this clause.
34. Clause 21(e) - provision for payment of gratuity not allowable
under section 40A(7);
34.1 As per section 40A(7), the deduction shall be allowed in relation to any
provision made by the assessee for the purpose of payment of a sum by way
of any contribution towards an approved gratuity fund, or for the purpose of
payment of any gratuity, that has become payable during the previous year.
34.2 The tax auditor should call for the order of the Commissioner of
Income-tax granting approval to the gratuity fund, verify the date from which
it is effective and also verify whether the provision has been made as
provided in the trust deed.
34.3 In case the provision made for payment of gratuity is not allowable
under section 40A(7), the same is to be stated under this sub-clause.
35. Clause 21(f) - any sum paid by the assessee as an employer not
allowable under section 40A(9);
35.1 Under section 40A(9) any payment made by an employer towards the
setting up or formation of or as contribution to any fund, trust, company,
association of persons, body of individuals, society registered under the
Societies Registration Act, 1860, or other institutions (other than
contributions to recognised provident fund or approved superannuation fund
or notified pension scheme or approved gratuity fund) is not allowable. The
tax auditor should furnish the details of payments which are not allowable
under this section.
35.2 It may be noted that section 40A(9) allows deduction of any
contributions made as an employer towards recognized provident fund or
approved superannuation fund or notified pension scheme or approved
gratuity fund or as required by or under any other law for the time being in
force. Thus, any contribution made to Employees Welfare Co-op Society will
not be allowed as a deduction in the case of the employer company under
section 40A(9), unless such contribution is required by or under any other
law for the time being in force. Instruction: No. 1799, dated 3-10-1988.
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36.
Amount
2
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
37.2 As per sub-section (2), the Assessing Officer shall determine the
amount of expenditure incurred in relation to such income, which does not
form part of the total income under the Act. Such determination should be in
accordance with the method as may be prescribed. Such power of the
Assessing Officer can be exercised only when he, having regard to the
accounts of the assessee, is not satisfied with the correctness of the claim of
the assessee.
37.3 Sub-section (3) provides that the provisions of subsection (2) shall
also apply in relation to a case where an assessee claims that no
expenditure has been incurred by him in relation to income which does not
form part of the total income under this Act.
37.4 The expenditure which is relatable to the income which does not form
part of the total income is not allowed as a deduction in terms of section 14A
of the Act. Such income are dealt with in Part III- Incomes Which Do Not
Form Part Of Total Income. Section 10 deals with Incomes not included in
total income. Sections 10A to 10C deals with the special provisions in
respect of the specified undertakings. In general, an assessee may have
besides his business income, income from agriculture which is exempt under
sub-section (1), share of profit in a partnership firm which is exempt under
sub-section (2A), income from dividends referred to in section 115-O which is
exempt under sub-section (34), long term capital gains on the transfer of
equity shares which is exempt under sub-section (38) etc. In all such cases,
the expenditure relating to the income which is not included in total income is
inadmissible under section 14A. In case of an investment in a partnership
firm, while the interest and the salary received by the partner are taxable, the
share of profit is exempt. The amount of inadmissible expenditure depends
on the facts and circumstances of each case.
37.5 The Central Board of Direct Taxes, had through Income-tax (Fifth
Amendment) Rules, 2008 inserted a new Rule 8D which lays down the
method for determining the amount of expenditure in relation to income not
includible in total income. Sub-rule (1) of Rule 8D provides that having regard
to the accounts of the assessee of a previous year, if the Assessing Officer is
not satisfied with the correctness of the claim of expenditure made by the
assessee or with the claim made by the assessee that no expenditure has
been incurred, in relation to income which does not form part of the total
income under the Act for such previous year, he shall determine the amount
of such inadmissible expenditure in accordance with the method of
computation laid down in sub-rule (2) of Rule 8D.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
37.6 Sub-rule (2) of Rule 8D provides for the method of computation of the
expenditure in relation to income not forming part of the total income. The
disallowance shall be the aggregate of the following:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Where A =
B=
C=
Total Assets for the purpose of Rule 8D shall mean, total assets as
appearing in the balance sheet excluding the increase on account of
revaluation of assets but including the decrease on account of revaluation of
assets.
37.7 The method prescribed under sub-rule (2) of Rule 8D is applicable
when the Assessing Officer is not satisfied with the correctness of the claim
of expenditure made by the assessee or with the claim made by the
assessee that no expenditure has been incurred. Normally this situation
would arise at the time of assessment i.e. after the tax audit has been
completed and the return has been filed. Therefore, at the time of tax audit
the tax auditor will have to verify the amount of inadmissible expenditure as
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
determined by the assessee. The method under sub-rule (2) of Rule 8D is to
be adopted by the Assessing Officer when he is not satisfied with the amount
as determined by the assessee. Rule 8D does not mandate that the
assessee should necessarily compute the disallowance as per the method
prescribed under sub rule (2). Therefore, the assessee may or may not adopt
the same.
37.8 It is primarily the responsibility of the assessee to furnish the details of
amount of deduction inadmissible in terms of section 14A i.e. in respect of
the expenditure incurred in relation to income, which does not form part of
the total income. The tax auditor shall examine the details of amount of
inadmissible expenditure as furnished by the assessee. While carrying out
such examination the tax auditor is entitled to rely on the management
representation. However, Standard on Auditing (SA) 580, Written
representations may be referred to.
37.9 The tax auditor will verify the amount of inadmissible expenditure as
estimated by the assessee with reference to established principles of
allocation of expenditure based on logical parameters like proportion of
exempt and taxable income recorded, turnover, man hours spent to earn the
relevant income etc. For allocation of interest between taxable and nontaxable income, the quantum of investment, the period and the rate of
interest are generally the relevant factors to be considered. This requires
proper estimates to be made by the assessee. The tax auditor is required to
audit such estimates. Attention is invited to Standard on Auditing - 540 Audit
of Accounting Estimates.
37.10 An assessee may claim that no expenditure has been incurred by him
in relation to income which does not form part of the total income under the
Act. Even in such a case the provisions of section 14A will apply.
Accordingly, the tax auditor is required to verify such contention of the
assessee.
37.11 As stated before the method prescribed under sub-rule (2) of Rule 8D
is to be adopted by the Assessing Officer when he is not satisfied with the
correctness of claim made by the assessee. As per clause (i) of sub-rule (2)
the expenditure which is directly relatable to income which does not form part
of total income is inadmissible expenditure. Besides such expenditure there
may be expenditure such as interest, which is relatable to both taxable and
non-taxable income which needs to be properly allocated while calculating
the inadmissible amount. Interest which, can be directly attributable to any
particular income or receipt chargeable to tax needs to be excluded while
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determining the inadmissible amount. Clause (ii) of sub-rule (2) of rule 8D
deals with allocation of interest which, is not directly attributable to any
particular income or receipt. However the variable A used in the formula in
clause (ii) of sub- rule (2) is said to be equal to the amount of expenditure by
way of interest other than the amount of interest included in clause (i)
incurred during the previous year. It may be seen that what is proposed to be
allocated as per clause (ii) is interest which is not directly attributable to any
particular income or receipt. Therefore, variable A is the amount of
expenditure by way of interest other than the amount of interest directly
attributable to any non taxable income as per clause (i) and also interest
which may be directly attributable to any taxable income. Interest on term
loan may be an example of such interest which is generally related to taxable
income and is therefore excluded.
37.12 The broad principles enunciated in para 16.3 may be kept in mind
while verifying the amount of inadmissible expenditure. After verifying the
amount of inadmissible expenditure, if the tax auditor:
(a)
(b)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
38. Clause 21(i)- amount inadmissible under the proviso to section
36(1)(iii).
38.1 The provisions of section 36(1)(iii) provide that the amount of the
interest paid in respect of capital borrowed for the purposes of the business
or profession would be allowed as a deduction in computing the income
referred to in section 28 of the Act.
38.2 The proviso thereunder (inserted by the Finance Act, 2003 w.e.f. A.Y.
2004-05) provides that any amount of the interest paid, in respect of capital
borrowed for acquisition of an asset for extension of existing business or
profession (whether capitalized in the books or account or not) for any period
beginning from the date on which the capital was borrowed for acquisition of
the asset till the date on which such asset was put to use, shall not be
allowed as a deduction.
38.3 The extension of an existing business or profession is a fact based
exercise and the tax auditor should apply the professional judgment in
determining the applicability of the proviso. The tax auditor is also advised to
verify the treatment given for such asset under other provision of the Act like
Chapter VI A deductions or under other statutes.
38.4 The requirements of sub-clause (i) are applicable in respect of capital
borrowed for acquisition of an asset for extension of the existing business or
profession. The assessee has to furnish the details of amount inadmissible
under the proviso to section 36(1)(iii). The tax auditor has to verify the
correctness of the particulars furnished by the assessee with the
documentary evidence.
38.5 The Tax Auditor while determining the admissible/inadmissible amount
under section 36(1)(iii) should also keep in mind the requirements of
Accounting Standards 16 of Indian GAAP Borrowing Cost.
38.6 The Explanation provides that recurring subscription paid periodically
by shareholders or subscribers in Mutual Benefit Society which fulfill such
conditions as may be prescribed, shall be deemed to be capital borrowed
within the meaning of section 36(1)(iii).
38.7 The Explanation becomes applicable only where the computation of
the income of such mutual benefit society is to be made under section 28
read with section 44A.
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39. Clause 22- Amount inadmissible under section 23 of the Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006
[Clause (22)]
39.1 This clause was inserted by the Central Board of Direct Taxes through
its Notification No. 36/2009 dated 13-4-2009, in the Form No.3CD in
Appendix II of the Income-tax Rules, 1962.
39.2 The tax auditor is required to state the amount of interest inadmissible
under section 23 of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development
Act, 2006. The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006
(MSME Act) is an Act to provide for facilitating the promotion and
development and enhancing the competitiveness of micro, small and medium
enterprises and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
39.3 Section 23 of the MSME Act lays down that an interest payable or
paid by the buyer, under or in accordance with the provisions of this Act,
shall not for the purposes of the computation of income under the Income-tax
Act,1961 be allowed as a deduction.
39.4 The inadmissible interest has to be determined on the basis of the
provisions of the MSME Act. Section 16 of the MSME Act provides for the
date from which and the rate at which the interest is payable. Accordingly,
where a buyer fails to make payment of the amount to the supplier, as
required under section 15, the buyer shall, notwithstanding anything
contained in any agreement between the buyer and the supplier or any law
for the time being in force, be liable to pay compound interest with monthly
rests to the supplier on that amount from the appointed date or, as the case
may be, from the date immediately following the date agreed upon, at three
times of the bank rate notified by the Reserve Bank.
39.5 Section 15 of the MSME Act, requires the buyer to make payment on
or before the date agreed upon in writing, or where there is no agreement in
this behalf, before the appointed day. It also provides that the period agreed
upon in writing shall not exceed forty five days from the day of acceptance or
the day of deemed acceptance.
39.6 Section 22 of the MSME Act provides that where any buyer is required
to get his annual accounts audited under any law for the time being in force,
such buyer shall furnish the following additional information in his annual
statement of accounts, namely:(i)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(ii)
(iii)
The amount of interest due and payable for the delay in making
payment (which have been paid but beyond the appointed day
during the year) but without adding the interest specified under
this Act;
(iv)
(v)
39.7 Where the tax auditor is issuing his report in Form No.3CB, he should
verify that the financial statements audited by him contain the information as
prescribed under section 22 of the MSME Act. If no disclosure is made by
the auditee in the financial statements he should give an appropriate
qualification in Form No.3CB, in addition to the reporting requirement in
clause 22 of Form No. 3CD.
39.8 The tax auditor while reporting in respect of clause 22 should take the
following steps:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Obtain a full list of suppliers of the assessee which fall within the
purview of the definition of Supplier under section 2(n) of the Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006. It is the
responsibility of the auditee to classify and identify those suppliers
who are covered by this Act.
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(d)
(e)
Verify from the books of account whether any interest payable or paid
to the buyer in terms of section 16 of the MSME Act has been debited
or provided for in the books of account.
(f)
(g)
(h)
39.9 Where the tax auditor, upon due verification, finds that the auditee has
neither provided for nor paid any interest payable under the MSME Act, the
no amount is inadmissible under section 23 of MSME Act. In such a case,
appropriate reporting should be made against this clause in the format
provided in the e-filing utility.
39.10 A question may come up, as to what would be disallowance, in case
the auditee is liable to pay any interest under MSME Act, but he has not
provided the interest in his accounts. In such a case, there can be no
disallowance, as he has not claimed the same in his accounts. But whenever
he pays and claim such interest, the same will be disallowable in year of
payment. In case the auditee has adopted mercantile system of accounting,
the non-provision may affect true and fair view and the auditor should give
suitable qualification.
39.11 The relevant extracts of the MSME Act are given in Appendix XII
(Page no 271).
40. Particulars of payments made to persons specified under section
40A(2)(b).
[Clause 23]
40.1 Section 40(A)(2) provides that expenditure for which payment has
been or is to be made to certain specified persons listed in the section- Refer
Appendix XIII (Page no. 273) may be disallowed if, in the opinion of the
Assessing Officer, such expenditure is excessive or unreasonable having
regard to:
(i)
the fair market value of the goods, services or facilities for which the
payment is made; or
(ii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(iii)
(b)
(c)
(d)
It may be difficult to locate all such payments and it may also involve a
time consuming effort. It is, however, possible to localise the area of
enquiry by ascertaining the following:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
tax auditor can rely upon the list of persons covered under
Section 13(3) as given by the managing trustee of a Public
Trust. (Refer Appendix `B of A Guide to Audit of Public Trusts
under the Income-tax Act published by the Institute). Where the
tax auditor relies upon the information in this regard furnished to
him by the assessee it would be advisable to make an
appropriate disclosure.
40.3 The tax auditor should maintain the following information in his
working papers for the purpose of reporting in the format provided in the efiling utility: :
Name of
the related
party
1
PAN of
related
person
2
Relation
Date
Payment
made
(Amount)
5
40.4 The Finance Act, 2012 had amended Section 40A(2)(a) to provide that
the transactions referred to in Section 92BA (called Specified Domestic
Transactions) with persons referred to in 40A(2)(b) shall be at Arms Length
Price. The tax auditor is advised to refer the Guidance Note on Report
under section 92E of the Income tax Act, 1961 issued by ICAI for
compliance of these provisions.
41. Amounts deemed to be profits and gains under section 32AC,
33AB or 33ABA or 33AC.
[Clause 24]
41.1 Section 32AC allows deduction @ 15% in respect of Investment in
new Plant & Machinery to a company who is engaged in the business of
manufacture or production of any article or thing and who acquires and
installs new asset after the 31st day of March,2013 but before the 1st day of
April,2015 and the aggregate actual cost of such new assets exceeds one
hundred crore rupees. The Finance Act, 2014 has amended section 32AC
w.e.f. financial year 2014-15. The investment limit in the plant and machinery
has been reduced to Rs. 25 crores from Rs. 100 crores. The auditor is
required to report the deemed income chargeable as profits and gains of
business under the circumstances specified in sub sections (2) of section
32AC. Only because section 32AC(2) provides for chargeability of deemed
income under the head profit and gains from business or profession in
addition to taxability of capital gains, the auditor is not required to report any
capital gains/losses arising on transfer on the said asset. The tax auditor will
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
be required to verify the compliance to the conditions of the provisions of
section 32AC and report the claim of deduction accordingly.
41.2 Section 33AB allows deduction in respect of Tea Development
Account, Coffee Development Account and Rubber Development Account.
The auditor is required to report the deemed income chargeable as profits
and gains of business under the circumstances specified in sub sections [4],
[5], [7] and [8] of section 33AB.
41.3 Section 33ABA allows deduction in respect of Site Restoration Fund.
The auditor is required to report the deemed income chargeable as profits
and gains of business under the circumstances specified in sub sections [5],
[7] and [8] of section 33ABA. Where deduction has been claimed with
respect to interest credited in Special Account or the Site Restoration
Account, utilization of withdrawal thereof for purposes other than those
specified shall be deemed to be income from business.
41.4 Likewise, section 33AC allows deduction in respect of reserve created
out of the profit of the assessee engaged in shipping business to be utilized
in accordance with the provision of sub section (2) of section 33AC. The tax
auditor is required to report the deemed income chargeable as profits and
gains of business under the circumstances specified in sub-sections (3) and
(4) of section 33AC for the amount of reserves created on or before 31st
March, 2004. However, consequent to the amendment made by the Finance
(No.2) Act, 2004, no deduction shall be allowed under section 33AC for any
assessment year commencing on or after 1st day of April, 2005.
41.5 The tax auditor should maintain the following information in his
working papers for the purpose of reporting in the format provided in the efiling utility:
Section
1
Description
2
Amount
3
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
benefits in respect of trading liability by way of remission or cessation
thereof, the amount obtained by him or the value of benefit accruing to him is
chargeable to tax as business income.
(ii) Where the assessee who has suffered loss or has incurred
expenditure for which deduction has been allowed or by whom the trading
liability has been incurred is succeeded in his business either because of
amalgamation of companies or demerger or on account of the constitution of
new firm or the business if continued by some other person when the
assessee ceases to carry on the business, then the successor in the
business will be chargeable to tax on any amount received in respect of such
loss, expenditure or trading liability.
(iii) Explanation (1) to section 41(1) provides that the expression loss or
expenditure or some benefit in respect of any such trading liability by way of
remission or cession thereof shall include the remission or cession of any
liability by a unilateral act of the assessee or successor in the business by
way of writing off such liability in his accounts.
(iv) Liability of assessee does not cease merely because liability has
become barred by limitation. Liability ceases when it has become barred by
limitation and the assessee has unequivocally expressed its intention not to
honour the liability, when demanded. This is a question of fact whether or not
assessee has expressed unequivocally his intentions {CIT Vs Chase Bright
Steel Ltd 177 ITR 128 (BOM)}. When a liability is shown outstanding for more
than 4 years, in case of an assessee company, this amounted to
acknowledging the debt in favour of creditors for the purposes of section 18
of the Limitation Act, 1963. The assessees liability to the creditors thus
subsisted and did not cease nor was it remitted by the creditors. The liability
was enforceable in the court of Law .The amount was not assessable under
section 41(1).This was so held by Delhi High Court in the case of CIT V/s
Shri Vardhman Overseas Ltd(2012) 343 ITR 408(Del). [SLP has been
dismissed by the Supreme Court against this decision.]
42.2 Section 41(2) provides for chargeability to income-tax as income of the
business of the previous year in which the moneys payable for the building,
machinery, plant or furniture of an undertaking engaged in generation or
generation and distribution of power is sold, discarded, demolished or
destroyed. Such undertakings are allowed depreciation on such percentage
on the actual cost as are prescribed. The depreciation rate are prescribed
vide Rule 5(IA) in Appendix IA. Depreciation is to be calculated on Straight
Line Method (SLM) on individual asset and not on block of assets, under
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 32. Where the moneys payable in
respect of such building, machinery, plant or furniture, as the case may be,
together with the amount of scrap value, if any, exceeds the written down
value, so much of the excess as does not exceed the difference between the
actual cost and the written down value shall be chargeable to income-tax as
income of the business of the previous year in which the moneys payable for
the building, machinery, plant or furniture become due. Where the moneys
payable in respect of the building, machinery, plant or furniture become due
in a previous year in which the business, for the purpose of which the
building, machinery, plant or furniture was being used, is no longer in
existence, the above provision shall apply as if the business is in existence
in that previous year. To ascertain capital gain, if any, provisions of section
50A are relevant.
42.3 Section 41(3) provides that where any capital asset used in scientific
research is sold without having been used for other purposes and the sale
proceeds together with the amount of deduction allowed under section 35
exceeds the amount of capital expenditure, such surplus or the amount of
deduction allowed, whichever is less, is chargeable to tax as business
income in the year in which the sale took place. This is irrespective of
whether the business of the assessee is in existence or not during the
previous year in which the capital asset is sold.
42.4 It may be noted that section 41(3) is applicable only if an asset is sold
without having been used for other purposes. In other words, if an asset
which is initially purchased for the purpose of scientific research is utilised
for business purposes on completion of scientific research and later on is
sold or transferred, then section 41(3) is not applicable but in such case
section 50 would apply.
42.5 Section 41(4) provides where any bad debt has been allowed as
deduction under section 36(1) (vii) and the amount subsequently recovered
on such debt is greater than the difference between the debt and the
deduction so allowed, the excess realisation is chargeable to tax as business
income of the year in which debt is recovered. For this purpose, it is
immaterial whether the business of the assessee is in existence or not during
the previous year in which recovery is made.
42.6 Section 41(4A) provides that if any amount is withdrawn from the
special reserve created under section 36(1)(viii), then it will be chargeable to
tax in the year in which the amount is withdrawn, regardless of the fact
whether the business is in existence in that year or not.
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42.7 Section 41(5) provides that where the business or profession referred
to in section 41 is no longer in existence and there is income chargeable to
tax under sub-section (1), sub-section (3), sub-section (4) or sub-section
(4A) in respect of that business or profession, any loss, not being a loss
sustained in speculation business which arose in that business or profession
during the previous year in which it ceased to exist and which could not be
set off against any other income of that previous year shall, so far as may be,
be set off against the income chargeable to tax under the sub-sections
aforesaid. This is irrespective of the number of years that may have elapsed
from the year in which the loss has been suffered.
42.8 The tax auditor should obtain a list containing all the amounts
chargeable under section 41 with the accompanying evidence,
correspondence, etc. He should in all relevant cases examine the past
records to satisfy himself about the correctness of the information provided
by the assessee. The tax auditor has to state the profit chargeable to tax
under this section. This information has to be given irrespective of the fact
whether the relevant amount has been credited to the profit and loss account
or not. The computation of the profit chargeable under this clause is also to
be stated.
42.9 The tax auditor should maintain the following in his working papers for
the purpose of furnishing details required in the format provided in the e-filing
utility:
Sr. No.
Name of
person
Amount of
income
Section
Description
of
transaction
Computation
if any
43.
In respect of any sum referred to in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) or
(f) of section 43B, the liability for which:(A)
(B)
(b)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(b)
(State whether sales tax, customs duty, excise duty or any other
indirect tax, levy, cess, impost etc. is passed through the profit and
loss account.)
[Clause 26]
43.1 In the case of an assessee maintaining its accounts on the mercantile
system, the tax auditor should verify the aforesaid particulars of section 43B
from the books of account for the year under audit as well as from the books
of account, vouchers and documents of the immediately succeeding
assessment year as well as return of income for the earlier assessment
years so that the information about the aforesaid payments made in the
subsequent year can be furnished.
43.2 Section 43B provides that notwithstanding anything contained in any
other provisions of the Act, the following amounts shall be allowed as
deduction in computing the business income of an assessee in the previous
year in which such amounts are actually paid:
(a)
any tax, duty (sales tax, value added tax, service tax, excise duty,
municipal/property tax, etc.), cess or fee, by whatever name called,
payable by the assessee under any law for the time being in force.
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
43.3 All the payments referred in clause (a) to (f) above whether preexisted on the first day of previous year but not allowed in assessment of any
preceding previous years or incurred in the previous year are to be reckoned.
In respect of the liability which pre-existed on the first day of the previous
year is allowable as deduction if paid during the previous year. This is
required to be reported in clause 26(A)(a). In respect of the liability which is
incurred in the previous year is allowable to the extent it is paid on or before
the due date for furnishing the return of the income under section 139(1).
Such items are to be disclosed in clause 26(B)(a).
43.4 The tax auditor, in his tax audit report, should, therefore, clearly
distinguish the liability incurred during the previous year in respect of all the
specified sums referred to in clauses (a) to (f) from the liability that preexisted on the first day of the relevant previous year.
43.5 If the assessee is following the cash basis of accounting, sums
referred to in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of section 43B which are
debited to the profit and loss account will be allowable as they would have
been actually paid during the year.
43.6 Under the first proviso to section 43B, deduction is available in respect
of any sum which is actually paid by the assessee on or before the due date
applicable in his case for furnishing the return of income under sub-section
(1) of section 139. Since the due date of filing of the return would usually be
subsequent to the signing of the tax audit report the tax auditor would be
able to give information in respect of matters only upto the date of signing of
the tax audit report. The payment made subsequent to that date but before
the date of filing of the return, will still be eligible for deduction under section
43B. Where due date for filing of return of income is extended, payments
made upto the extended due date also qualify for deduction.
43.7 The provision made in the accounts for excise duty payable on
finished goods in the bonded warehouse will also have to be disclosed under
this clause. For enabling the assessee to claim this amount as a deduction
the tax auditor may have to verify that the said goods have been cleared and
that excise duty thereon has been paid or adjusted against CENVAT credits
before the due date applicable in his case for furnishing the return of income
under section 139 (1).
43.8 Under section 43B(a), sales-tax when paid is allowed as a deduction.
Although under clause (a) of section 43B items that have been debited to the
profit and loss account but not paid during the previous year, are to be
specified, where it is the practice of the company to maintain a separate
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sales-tax/service tax/excise duty account and treat the sales tax/excise duty
collected as a liability, it would be necessary to show by way of note under
this clause, the amount of sales tax/excise duty collected but not paid. In
case, any sum has been paid before the due date of filing the return, the
date and the amount of payment along with the amount paid should also be
disclosed.
43.9 There are different legal decisions with respect to allowability of
employees contribution towards PF, EPF, etc not paid within due date.
Bombay High Court in the case CIT vs Pamwi Tissues Ltd (2008)215 CTR
(Bom)150 and Gujarat High Court in the case of CIT vs. Gujarat State Road
Transport Corp. (2014) 223 taxmann 398 (Guj.) held that employees
contribution not paid within the due dates prescribed in Explanation to
section 36(1)(va) was disallowable under section 43B. On the other hand
Delhi High Court in the following cases has held in the favour of assessees.
CIT vs Dharmendra Sharma 297 ITR 320
CIT vs P.M. Electronics Ltd 313 ITR 161
CIT vs AIMIL Ltd and others 321 ITR 508
43.10 It may be noted that emoluments in the nature of good work reward,
incentives or ex-gratia are not bonus or commission as contemplated under
section 36(1)(ii) but are deductible under section 37 of the Act as held by
Delhi High Court in Shri Ram Pistons and Rings Ltd. 307 ITR 363 and
Autopins (India) Ltd. 192ITR161.
43.11 The Explanations 3C and 3D to section 43B clarify that a deduction of
any sum being interest payable under clause (d) and clause (e) of section
43B shall be allowed, if such interest has been actually paid and any interest
referred to in that clause which has been converted into a loan or advance
shall not be deemed to have been actually paid. Circular No.7/2006 dated
17th July, 2006 observes that the clarificatory Explanations only reiterate the
rationale that conversion of interest into a loan or borrowing or advance does
not amount to actual payment. The circular clarifies that the unpaid interest
whenever actually paid to the bank or financial institution will be in the nature
of revenue expenditure deserving deduction in the computation of income.
Therefore, the converted interest, by whatever name called, in the wake of
its conversion into a loan or borrowing or advance, will be eligible for
deduction in the computation of income of the previous year in which the
converted interest is actually paid. In other words, nomenclature of the sum
of converted interest will make no difference as the sum of converted interest
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
whenever is actually paid will not represent repayment of the principal. The
circular clarifies that the fundamental principle remains that once an amount
has been determined as interest payable to the banks or financial
institutions, any subsequent change of nomenclature of interest will not affect
its allowability and deduction in terms of section 43B will have to be allowed
on its actual payment. The Assessing Officer would therefore be justified in
seeking a certificate from the assessee to be obtained by the assessee from
the lender bank or financial institution etc. as evidence of actual payment of
interest to banks or financial institutions.
43.12 As per clause (f) sum payable by the assessee as an employer in lieu
of any leave at the credit of his employees will be disallowed if not paid
before the due date of filling of the return under section 139 (1).
43.13 The above particulars are required to be given irrespective of the fact
whether they have been debited to profit and loss account or not and such a
fact should be stated under this clause. For example, where excise, sales
tax, etc. collected is accounted for as a Balance Sheet item.
43.14 In some cases the tax auditor may find amounts of the nature referred
to in section 43B being credited to the profit and loss account although the
relevant provisions for such liability had not been allowed as a deduction in
any previous year in view of the specific provisions of section 43B requiring
actual payment as a condition precedent to allowance. The amounts so
credited to the profit and loss account are not chargeable to tax since the
conditions referred to in section 41(1) have not been satisfied. The tax
auditor should identify such items and maintain the same in his working
papers.
43.15 The tax auditor should maintain the following information in his
working papers for the purpose of reporting in the format provided in the efiling utility;
S.No.
Section
1
44.
(a)
Nature
liability
Amount
4
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of
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
45.
(b)
44.1 Sub-clause (a) requires the factual reporting about the amount of
CENVAT credits availed of or utilised during the year as well as its treatment
in profit and loss account and treatment of outstanding CENVAT credits in
the accounts. CENVAT credit Rules, 2002 were first introduced in place of
MODVAT credit and thereafter, effective 10 September 2004, CENVAT
Credit Rules, 2004 have now become applicable. CENVAT credit is available
on eligible inputs, input services and capital goods. Such credits are utilized
for the payment of the excise duty and service tax liability. Accordingly the
tax auditor should check relevant statutory records maintained under the
Central Excise Rules,2002 and the records maintained under CENVAT
Credit Rules, 2004 and ascertain therefrom the amount of credit on eligible
inputs, input services and the capital goods and the amount utilised during
the previous year. Records maintained in RG-23, wherever available should
also be verified.
44.2. The tax auditor should verify that there is a proper reconciliation
between balance of CENVAT credit in the accounts and relevant excise and
service tax records. The tax auditor should report the amount of CENVAT
availed and utilised under this sub-clause. In a given case CENVAT availed
may be lesser than the CENVAT credit utilised during the year on account of
opening balance in CENVAT account or vice-versa and as such it would be
advisable, in order to avoid any misleading conclusion and inferences, to
report the opening and closing balances of CENVAT. Further the sub-clause
requires reporting of the credits availed of or utilized during the previous
year, it is desirable to report both the credits availed and the credits utilized.
44.3 In so far as the reporting of accounting treatment of CENVAT credit is
concerned the clause requires that its treatment in profit and loss account
and the treatment of outstanding CENVAT credit in the account have to be
reported upon.
44.4 Where the assessee follows exclusive method of accounting, the
excise duty paid on purchase of raw material, capital goods and service tax
paid on input services is debited to the CENVAT/ Service Tax Credit
Receivable Account and not as part of the purchase cost of raw material,
capital goods or cost of input services. The credit utilized is debited to the
Excise Duty/ Service Tax Payable A/c and credited to CENVAT/ Service Tax
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Credit Receivable Account. Thus, the credit availed and utilized will not have
any impact on the profit and loss account.
44.5 The reporting requirement under clause 14(b) of Form No.3CD is a
requirement distinct and separate from the reporting requirement under this
clause. The tax auditor should verify that information furnished under this
sub-clause is compatible with the information furnished under clause 14(b).
44.6 The tax auditor should consider the above guidance while reporting in
the format provided in the e-filing utility with respect of this clause.
44.7 With regard to reporting of the amount of CENVAT credits availed or
utilized during the previous year and its treatment in the profit and loss
account wherever possible, it is advisable to give the details of the credit
availed and utilized as separate line items.
44.8 With regard to reporting of the treatment of outstanding CENVAT
Credits in the account,it is desirable to mention the opening and the closing
outstanding balances in the CENVAT Credits accounts as separate line
items. The account in which the outstanding amount is appearing should also
be mentioned appropriately..
44.9 The tax auditor should maintain the following information in his
working papers for the purpose of reporting in the format provided in the efiling utility:
CENVAT
Amount
Treatment in Profit
& Loss /Accounts
Opening balance
CENVAT Availed
CENVAT utilized
Closing/outstanding
Balance
45.
Clause 27(b)
45.1 It may be noted that information under this clause would be relevant
only in those cases where the assessee follows mercantile system of
accounting. Under cash system of accounting, expenses debited/ income
credited to the profit and loss account would be current years
expenses/income even though they may relate to earlier years. The tax
auditor should obtain the particulars of expenditure or income of any earlier
year debited or credited to the profit and loss account of the relevant
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
previous year when mercantile system of accounting is followed. In the case
of a person whose accounts of the business or profession have been audited
under any other law, the information may be available from annual accounts.
In the case of a person who carries on business or profession but who is not
required by or under any other law to get his accounts audited, however, a
close scrutiny of the ledger in regard to the period for which expenditure or
income is entered in the account books may be necessary.
45.2 It may be noted that there is a difference between expenditure of any
earlier year debited to the profit and loss account and the expenditure
relating to any earlier year, which has crystallised during the relevant year.
Material adjustments necessitated by circumstances which though related to
previous periods but determined in the current period, will not be considered
as prior period items.
45.3 In such cases, though the expenditure may relate to the earlier year, it
can be considered as arising during the year on the basis that the liability
materialised or crystallised during the year and such cases will not be
reported under this clause. Similar consideration will apply in relation to
income also.
45.4 In AS - 5 as also in AS II notified by the Government under section
145, it has been explained that material charges (expenses) or credits
(income) which arise in the current year as a result of errors or omissions in
the accounts of the earlier years will be considered as prior period items. In
view of this, the statutory auditor would normally take into consideration all
items of prior period income and expenditure while giving his report on the
financial statements. It would, therefore, be advisable for the tax auditor to
ascertain the circumstances under which a particular expenditure has not
been considered as a prior period expenditure. If, on making the enquiries he
comes to the conclusion that a particular item has to be treated as prior
period expenditure, he should disclose the same against this sub-clause.
45.5 The tax auditor should maintain the following information in his
working papers file for the purpose of reporting in the format provided in the
e-filing utility:
Sr.
No.
Type
Particulars
Amount
4
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Prior Period
to which it
relates (Year
in yyyy-yy
format)
5
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
46. Whether during the previous year the assessee has received any
property, being share of a company not being a company in which the
public are substantially interested, without consideration or for
inadequate consideration as referred to in section 56(2)(viia), if yes,
please furnish the details of the same.
[Clause 28]
46.1 Section 56(2)(viia) provides that where a firm or a company not being
a company in which the public are substantially interested, receives, in any
previous year any property being shares of a company (not being a company
in which the public is substantially interested,
(i)
(ii)
from other
46.2 Section 56(2)(viia) does not apply to the property received by way of a
transaction not regarded as transfer under section 47(via), 47(vic), 47(vicb),
47(vid) and 47(vii). The fair market value of shares means the value
determined in accordance with the method prescribed in rule 11UA of the
Income-tax Rules, 1962.
46.3 Since section 56(2)(viia) is applicable to firms and companies in which
public is not substantially interested, reporting under this clause is required
only for them and not for other assessees The auditor should obtain from
the auditee, a list containing the details of shares received, if any, by him
from any other company and verify the same from the books of accounts and
other relevant documents. Such shares, if received will be reflected in the
books of accounts either as investments or as stock in trade. In case such
shares are received without consideration, the same may not be reflected in
the books of accounts. Such shares may be verified from the relevant
documents such as share certificates issued, if any, demat account
statement etc. In either case, the same have to be reported under this
clause. Attention is invited to the provisions of section 2(18) which defines
the company in which public are substantially interested.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
46.4 For reporting under this clause, the auditor has to consider the
provisions of Rule 11UA(1)(c) which provides for manner of determining:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
fair market value of unquoted shares and securities other than equity
shares in a company which are not listed in any recognized stock
exchange
46.5 Where for determining the fair market value of unquoted shares and
securities other than equity shares in a company which are not listed in any
recognized stock exchange, a valuation report has been obtained by the
assessee from a merchant banker or an accountant, the auditor should
obtain a copy of the same. Here, attention is invited to the Standard on
Auditing-620 Using the work of an Auditors expert.
46.6 The auditor should maintain the following information in his working
paper file for the purpose of reporting in the format provided in the e-filing
utility:Sr. Name of PAN of Nature of Name of CIN of the No. of
Fair Consid Amount Remark
shares
company
the
the
the
Shares
Market
eration taxable s, if any
No.
Received value as paid
person person, (Quoted Company
under
from
if
whose
in RSE/
whom available Quoted
shares
shares
in URSE/ received
have
unquoted
been
received
shares
etc)
per
section
Rule
56(2)(vii
a)
11UA(1)
(c)
(if the
differen
ce (e)-(f)
exceeds
Rs.50,00
0)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
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(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
47. Whether during the previous year the assessee received any
consideration for issue of shares which exceeds the fair market value
of the shares as referred to in section 56(2)(viib), if yes, please furnish
the details of the same.
[Clause 29]
47.1 Section 56(2)(viib) provides that where a company, not being a
company in which the public are substantially interested, receives, in any
previous year, from any person being a resident, any consideration for issue
of shares that exceeds the face value of such shares, the aggregate
consideration received for such shares as exceeds the fair market value of
the shares shall be chargeable to income-tax under the head Income from
other sources.
47.2 The provisions of this clause are not applicable where the
consideration is received
(a)
(b)
47.3 As per the explanation to section 56(2)(viib), the fair market value
shall be the value as may be determined in accordance with such method as
prescribed under Rule 11UA or as may be substantiated by the company to
the satisfaction of the Assessing Officer, based on the value, on the date of
issue of shares, of its assets, including intangible assets being goodwill,
know-how, patents, copyrights, trademarks, licences, franchises or any other
business or commercial rights of similar nature, whichever is higher.
47.4 Since section 56(2)(viib) is applicable to companies in which public is
not substantially interested, reporting under this clause is to be done only for
corporate assessees. The auditor should obtain from the auditee, a list
containing the details of shares issued , if any, by him to any person being a
resident and verify the same from the books of accounts and other relevant
documents.Attention is invited to the provisions of section 2(18) which
defines the company in which public are substantially interested.
47.5 For reporting under this clause with respect to quoted shares, the
auditor has to consider the provisions of Rule 11UA(1)(c)(a) which provides
for manner of determining:
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(a)
(b)
47.6 For reporting under this clause with respect to unquoted equity shares,
the auditor has to consider the provisions of Rule 11UA(2) which provides for
manner of determining the fair market value of unquoted equity shares.
47.7 Where for determining the fair market value of unquoted equity
shares, a valuation report has been obtained by the assessee from a
merchant banker or an accountant, the auditor should obtain a copy of the
same. Here, attention is invited to the Standard on Auditing-620 Using the
work of an Auditors expert.
47.8 The auditor should maintain the following information in his working
paper file for the purpose of reporting in the format provided in the e-filing
utility:Sr
Name
No
and
Nature of
No. of
status
shares
person, if
available (Quoted in
PAN of
Shares
issued
of the
RSE/Quote
person
d in URSE/
(c)/11UA (2)
to
unquoted
(Report the
whom
equity
difference
shares
shares
etc.)
ONLY if (e)
have
Face
Amount
taxable
under
section
56(2)(viib)
(e)-(f),
been
issued
is greater
than (g),
else report
Not
Applicable)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
payee cheque, are required to be indicated under this clause. In this context,
a reference may also be made to Circular No.208 dated 15th November,
1976 and Circular No. 221 dated 6th June,1977 issued by Board explaining
the provisions of section 69D - vide Appendix XIV (Page no. 275).
48.2 For this purpose, the tax auditor should obtain a complete list of
borrowings and repayments of hundi loans otherwise than by account payee
cheques and verify the same with the books of account.
48.3 There will be practical difficulties in verifying the loan taken or repaid
on hundi by account payee cheque. In such cases, the tax auditor should
verify the borrowing/repayments with reference to such evidence which may
be available and in the absence of conclusive or satisfactory evidence or the
auditor may obtain suitable certificate/ management representation in this
regard.
48.4 The tax auditor should maintain the following information in his
working papers for the purpose of reporting against the said clause in the
format provided in the e-filing utility:
Sr.
No.
Name of
(a)
(b)
49.
(a)*
(c)
(d)
(e)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
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(f)
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
*(These particulars need not be given in the case of a
Government company, a banking company or a corporation
established by a Central, State or Provincial Act.)
50.
51.
(b)
(c)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(The particulars (i) to (iv) at (b) and comment at (c) above need
not be given in the case of a repayment of any loan or deposit
taken or accepted from Government, Government company,
banking company or a corporation established by a Central,
State or Provincial Act.)
[Clause 31 (a), (b) and (c)]
49.
Clause 31(a)
(b)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(c)
49.2 For the purposes of section 269SS "loan or deposit" means loan or
deposit of money.
49.3 Particulars of each loan or deposit falling within the scope of this
section as mentioned above taken or accepted during the previous year have
to be stated under this sub-clause. This sub-clause requires five specific
particulars in respect of each loan or deposit including the permanent
account number of the lender, if available.
49.4 The tax auditor should obtain the above details from the assessee in
respect of each loan or deposit and verify the same from the records
maintained by him.
49.5 If the total of all loans/deposits from a person exceed Rs.20,000/- but
each individual item is less than Rs.20,000/-, the information will still be
required to be given in respect of all such entries starting from the entry
when the balance reaches Rs.20,000/- or more and until the balance goes
down below Rs.20,000/. As such the tax auditor should verify all
loans/deposits taken or accepted where balance has reached Rs.20,000 or
more during the year for the purpose of reporting under this clause.
49.6 There will be practical difficulties in verifying the loan or deposit taken
or accepted by account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft. In
such cases, the tax auditor should verify the transactions with reference to
such evidence which may be available. In the absence of satisfactory
evidence, the guidance given by the Council of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of India to the tax auditors has been to make a suitable
comment in his report as suggested below.
It is not possible for me/us to verify whether loans or deposits have
been taken or accepted otherwise than by an account payee cheque
or account payee bank draft, as the necessary evidence is not in the
possession of the assessee.
49.7 The tax auditor has to take into account the technological
advancements in the field of banking and information technology where
loans have been taken other than through an account payee cheque or bank
draft which are capable of being tracked such as bank transactions made
electronically through the internet or through mail transfer or telegraphic
transfer. These types of payments, though not made by account payee
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
cheques in the conventional manner are capable of being tracked. In order to
judicially apply the provisions of section 269SS, the tax auditor need not
report such cases under this clause. The Finance (No.2) Act, 2014 has
acknowledged the fact and allowed the use of electronic clearing system
through a bank account as a permissible mode for the purposes of section
269SS .
49.8 For the purposes of this clause, the tax auditor may keep in mind the
following typical situations:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
Even if the loans are taken free of interest the information will still
have to be given.
(vii)
(viii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
otherwise than by account payee cheques. Hence, such entries have
to be reported under this clause. The entries that relate to
transactions with a supplier and customer on account of purchase or
sale of goods/services will not be treated as loans or deposits
accepted.
(ix)
49.9 As per the proviso to section 269SS, the provisions of section 269SS
shall not apply to any loan or deposit taken or accepted from, or any loan or
deposit taken or accepted by,(a)
Government;
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
49.10 The footnote in clause 31(a) states that the particulars required under
this sub-clause need not be given in the case of a Government company, a
banking company or a corporation established by a Central, State or
Provincial Act. This is in accordance with the proviso to section 269SS
mentioned above. As such, information about loans or deposits taken or
accepted from or any loan or deposit taken or accepted by Government,
banking company, etc. need not be reported under this sub-clause.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
49.11 The auditor should maintain the following information in his working
papers for the purpose of reporting against this clause in the format provided
in the e-filing utility:
Sr. Name of Address
PAN of
No.
the
of the
the lender
lender or lender or
or
depositor depositor depositor,
if
available
Amount
of loan
or
deposit
taken or
accepted
Whether the
loan/deposit
was
squared up
during the
previous
year
Maximum
amount
outstanding
in the
account at
any time
during the
Previous
year
Whether
the loan/
deposit
was
taken or
accepted
otherwise
than by
an
account
payee
bank
cheque
or
account
bank
draft
Clause 31(b)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
person where the loan or deposit along with interest is Rs.20,000 or more
are to be reported under this sub-clause, even though the amount of
repayment may be less than Rs.20,000. The tax auditor should verify such
repayments and report accordingly.
50.2 The second proviso to section 269T inserted by the Finance Act, 2003
w.e.f. 1.6.2002 excludes repayments of loans taken from Government,
Government company, Banking company, Corporation established by a
Central, State or Provincial Act etc from the scope of the above section and
therefore the tax auditor need not report such repayments in his report.
However, section 269T does not exclude Government companies, banking
companies from the scope of its applicability. As such, details of repayment
are to be shown in the case of these entities also.
50.3 In the case of company assessee loan or deposit is defined to mean
deposit repayable after notice or loan or deposit repayable after a period.
Therefore, in case of a company loan or deposit repayable on demand will
not be considered for the purpose of this section as loan or deposit.
50.4 However, in the case of non-company assessee loan or deposit is
defined to mean loan or deposit of any nature. This distinction will have to be
kept in mind while giving information under this sub-clause.
50.5 Loan or deposits discharged by means of transfer entries in the books
of account constitute repayment of loan or deposits otherwise than by
account payee cheques or account payee bank drafts. Hence, such entries
have to be reported under this clause.
50.6 The tax auditor has to take into account the technological
advancements in the field of banking and information technology where
loans have been repaid other than through an account payee cheque of bank
draft which are capable of being tracked such as bank transactions made
electronically through the internet or through mail transfer or telegraphic
transfer. These types of payments, though not made by account payee
cheques in the conventional manner, are capable of being tracked. In order
to judicially apply the provisions of section 269T, the tax auditor need not
report such cases under this clause. The Finance (No.2) Act, 2014 has
acknowledged the fact and allowed the use of electronic clearing system
through a bank account as a permissible mode for the purposes of section
269T.The entries that relate to transactions with a supplier and customer on
account of purchase or sale of goods /services will not be treated as loans or
deposits repaid.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
50.7 The monetary limit of Rs. 20,000 or more is applicable in respect of a
banking company or a cooperative bank with reference to each branch and in
all other cases assessee as a whole.
50.8 The auditor should maintain the following information in his working
papers for the purpose of reporting against this clause in the format provided
in the e-filing utility:
Sr.
Name
Address
PAN of
Amount
Amount of
Maximum
Whether
No.
of the
of the
the
of loan
the
amount
the
payee
payee
payee, if
or
repayment
outstanding
repayment
available
deposit
in the
was made
taken or
account at
otherwise
accepted
any time
than by an
during the
account
Previous
payee
year
bank
cheque or
account
bank draft
51
Clause 31(c)
51.1 Under this sub clause the tax auditor has to comment as to whether
the taking or accepting loan or deposit, or repayment of the same through an
account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft based on the
examination of books of accounts & other relevant documents. .
51.2 In the case of a repayment of any loan or deposit taken or accepted
from Government, Government company, banking company or a corporation
established by a Central, State or Provincial Act, the particulars (i) to (iv)
mentioned in sub-clause (b) of clause 31 and also the comment mentioned
above need not be given.
51.3 However, section 269T does not exclude loans repaid by Government
companies, banking companies, corporation established by a Central, State
or Provincial Act from the scope of its applicability. As such, details of
repayment made by such entities are to be shown.
51.4 It may be noted that the new requirement should be made applicable
for the loans and the advances which are in excess of Rs 20,000/-. This is
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
evident from a harmonious reading of the clause (c) with the clauses (a) and
(b).
51.5 Practically, it may not possible to verify each payment, reflected in the
bank statement, as to whether the payment/ acceptance of deposits or loans
has been made through account payee cheque, demand draft, pay order or
not, it is thus desirable that the tax auditor should obtain suitable certificate
from the assessee to the effect that the payments/ receipts referred to in
section 269SS and 269T were made by account payee cheque drawn on a
bank or account payee bank draft as the case may be. Where the reporting
has been done on the basis of the certificate of the assessee, the same shall
be reported as an observation in clause (3) of Form No. 3CA and clause (5)
of Form No.3CB, as the case may be.
51.6 The tax auditor has to consider the above guidance while reporting
against this clause in the format provided in the e-filing utility.
52. (a) Details of brought forward loss or depreciation allowance, in the
following manner, to the extent available:
Sl
No.
Assessment
year
Nature of
loss /
allowance
(in rupees)
Amount
as
returned
(in
rupees)
Amount as
assessed
(give
reference to
relevant
order)
Remarks
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
52. Clause 32(a)- Details of brought forward loss or depreciation
allowance
52.1 The amount of brought forward loss or depreciation allowance is
required to be quantified as per return and assessment orders.
52.2 A reporting format is prescribed for the sake of standardization.
52.3 At times while the particular claim for loss/allowance pertains to a
particular assessment year as per the return of income, the same may relate
to another assessment year as per the assessment order, e.g, Depreciation
claim in respect of assets capitalized at the end of the financial year. In those
cases, once the assessment order is received, the particulars have to be restated with reference to the assessment year to which they relate as per the
assessment order. This should be accompanied by suitable explanation in
the remarks column.
52.4 Brought forward losses may relate to different heads of income such
as property income, profits and gains of business or profession, speculation
business or capital gains. Different provisions are contained in sections 32
and 70 to 79 of the Income-tax Act with regard to loss/depreciation under
different heads. In the remarks column information about the pending
assessment or appellate proceedings or about delay in filing loss returns
should be given. For giving the above information, the auditors should study
the assessment records i.e. income-tax returns filed, assessment orders,
appellate orders and rectification/ revisional orders for the earlier years and
ascertain if the figures given in the above clause are correct. Attention of the
members is invited to provisions of section 80 read with section 139(3) of the
Income-tax Act, 1961. Section 80 provides that notwithstanding anything
contained in Chapter VI of the Act, no loss which has not been determined in
pursuance of a return filed in accordance with the provisions of sub-section
(3) of section 139 shall be carried forward and set off under sub-section (1)
of section 72 or sub-section (2) of section 73 or sub-sections (1) or (3) of
section 74 or sub-section (3) of section 74A. Besides these, the tax auditor
should keep in mind the provisions of section 71B regarding Carry Forward
and Set Off of Loss From House Property, section 73A regarding Carry
Forward and Set Off of Losses by Specified Business and also section 78
regarding Carry Forward and Set Off of Losses in case of Change in
Constitution of Firm or on Succession.
52.5 Any assessment, rectification, revision or appeal proceedings pending
at the time of tax audit have to be disclosed in the remarks column by way of
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
information. If consequential orders for any revision/appellate order is yet to
be passed, the same can be disclosed along with the impact thereof if
material.
52.6 The e filing utility may require additional information regarding the
relevant order. The information is required to be disclosed to the extent
available. The tax auditor should consider the above guidance for the
purpose of reporting under this clause in the format provided in the e-filing
utility.
53.
(b)
(c)
53.3 However, the overriding provisions of section 79 do not affect the set
off of unabsorbed depreciation which is governed by section 32(2). [CIT v
Concord Industries Ltd. (1979) 119 ITR 458 (Mad)], CIT v. Shri Subbulaxmi
Mills Ltd. 249 ITR 795 (SC).
53.4 Sub-clause 32(b) requires a statement whether a change in
shareholding of the company has taken place in the previous year due to
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
which the losses incurred prior to the previous year cannot be allowed to be
carried forward in terms of section 79.
53.5 The comparison of the composition of the shareholding is to be done
with reference to the last day of the current previous year and the last day of
every previous year in which the loss was incurred. The carry forward of the
loss incurred in respect of different previous years is to be determined with
respect to the individual previous years. Such comparison of the
shareholding can be done by referring to the Register of Members.
54. Clause 32(c) Speculation Loss under section 73 of the Income
Tax Act:
54.1 Section 73 of the Act provides for the treatment of losses in
speculation business. Section 73(1) provides that any loss, computed in
respect of a speculation business carried on by the assessee, shall not be
set off except against profits and gains, if any, of another speculation
business.
54.2 Section 73(2) further provides that where for any assessment year any
loss computed in respect of a speculation business has not been wholly set
off under section 73(1), so much of the loss as is not so set off or the whole
loss where the assessee had no income from any other speculation
business, shall, subject to the other provisions of Chapter VI, be carried
forward to the following assessment year, and(i)
it shall be set off against the profits and gains, if any, of any
speculation business carried on by him assessable for that
assessment year; and
(ii)
if the loss cannot be wholly so set off, the amount of loss not so
set off shall be carried forward to the following assessment year
and so on.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
the business (hereinafter referred to as "speculation business") shall be
deemed to be distinct and separate from any other business.
54.6 As per section 43(5) speculative transaction" means a transaction in
which a contract for the purchase or sale of any commodity, including stocks
and shares, is periodically or ultimately settled otherwise than by the actual
delivery or transfer of the commodity or scrips :
Provided that for the purposes of this clause
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
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54.8 The tax auditor should maintain the following information in his
working papers for the purpose of reporting against this clause in the format
provided in the e-filing utility:
S.
No.
Nature Amount
of loss of loss
Brought
forward
Total loss
to
for the
current
year
loss of
the
earlier
year(s)
be carried
forward to
the
subsequent
year
Break- up of
the
speculation
loss in
terms of the
number of
years for
which it has
been carried
forward
Whether
the
speculation
loss has
been set
off against
any other
income
other than
profit &
loss, if any,
of
speculation
business
it shall be set off against the profits and gains, if any, of any specified
business carried on by him assessable for that assessment year; and
(ii)
if the loss cannot be wholly so set off, the amount of loss not so set off
shall be carried forward to the following assessment year and so on.]
55.3 Under clause 32(d), the tax auditor has to verify from the books of
accounts and other relevant documents as to whether the assessee is
carrying on specified business as referred to under section 35AD. In case the
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auditor is of the opinion that the assessee is carrying on such specified
business, he has to furnish the details of the loss incurred, if any, in respect
of any specified business during the previous year. In case the assessee
carries on more than one specified businesses and loss has been incurred in
both the business, the details of the loss incurred with respect of each
business is to be specified separately.
55.4 The tax auditor should maintain the following information in his
working papers for the purpose of reporting against this clause in the format
provided in the e-filing utility:
Sr.
No.
(a)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Amount of
loss being
carried
forward to
the next
assessme
nt year
((c) (d))
Whether
loss set
off against
any other
income
other than
from
specified
business
as per
sec. 35AD
of the Act.
(g)
(h)
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56.2 Under this clause, the tax auditor has to furnish the details regarding
the speculation losses incurred, if any, as referred in explanation to section
73. The auditor may obtain information in the following format from the
assessee and verify the same from the books of account, income tax returns
of earlier years and other relevant documents:
Sr
No
Applicable
section
Nature
of
loss
AY of
incurring
loss
Amount
of Loss
Amount
set off
during
current
AY
6
Amount
to be
carried
forward
7
56.3 The above information so maintained may be used by the tax auditor
for the purpose of reporting against this clause in the format provided in the
e-filing utility.
57. Section-wise details of deductions, if any, admissible under
Chapter VIA or Chapter III (Section 10A, Section 10AA).
Section under which deduction is
claimed
57.1 Chapter VIA of the Act deals with various deductions which have to be
given effect to by way of allowance from gross total Income of the assessee
and they have been categorised under the Act as follows:
A.
B.
C.
Other Deductions.
While Chapter III relates to Income which do not form part of total income,
the reporting under this clause is required only with respect to exemptions
claimed under section 10A (Special provisions in respect of newly
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established undertakings in free trade Zone etc) and section 10AA (Special
provisions in respect of newly established units in Special Economic Zones)
57.2 As stated earlier, the tax audit report in Form No.3CA/3CB relates to
business or professional activity of the assessee covered by section 44AB.
Form No.3CD is an annexure to this Form giving particulars relating to the
business/profession covered by the tax audit report. Therefore, the
requirement under clause 33 relating to the deductions admissible under
Chapter VIA, section 10A and section 10AA will have to be with reference to
the items appearing in the books of accounts audited by the tax auditor. If
the tax auditor is issuing tax audit report in respect of the accounts of a
specific branch or a specific unit he will have to examine the particulars
relating to deduction admissible under Chapter VIA and exemption relating to
section 10A/10AA, as the case may be, with reference to the books of
account of that branch or that unit which is audited by him. Similarly when
the tax auditor is issuing report regarding tax audit of the head office he will
have to take into consideration the tax audit reports of the branches as well
as other units of the assessee which may have been audited by the other tax
auditors. He will have to consider the particulars of deductions admissible
under Chapter VIA and exemption relating to section 10A/10AA, as the case
may be with reference to the particulars given by the tax auditor of other
branches/units and also particulars of such deductions from books of the
head office.
57.3 In the case of a sole proprietor being an individual or HUF it may so
happen that the tax auditor is auditing the accounts of the
business/profession and the sole proprietor is having other activities and
other sources of income in respect of which tax audit is not mandatory. In
such cases the particulars of deductions admissible under Chapter VIA will
have to be given with reference to the items appearing in the books of
accounts of the business/profession which is subject to audit under section
44AB.
57.4 The admissibility of the aforesaid deductions/exemptions is dependent
upon various conditions laid down in the section under which
deduction/exemption is admissible. It is, therefore, advised that while
working out the amount of admissible deduction the tax auditor has to
ascertain that those condition stand fulfilled or not. For ascertaining this, the
tax auditor has to obtain all necessary evidence which would enable him to
express the opinion regarding the admissibility of deductions. For example,
under section 80IA one of the conditions is that the new Industrial
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undertaking which qualifies for deduction thereunder should not have been
formed by splitting up or by the reconstitution of a business already in
existence or by transfer to a new business of machinery or plant previously
used for any purpose. In order to ascertain the fulfillment of this condition the
tax auditor may have to check all documentary evidence in respect of plant
and machinery installed in the industrial undertaking to arrive at the
conclusion that plant and machinery is new and has not been used
previously for any other purpose. Likewise if there is any condition which
qualifies the admissibility of the amount of deduction, the tax auditor has to
see and ascertain that those qualifying conditions are fulfilled on the basis of
documentary evidence available with the assessee. There may be cases
where there is difference between the amount claimed by the assessee and
the amount computed out by the tax auditor. In such cases it is quite
possible that the client's claim is based on some judicial pronouncement on
the subject. In such case it may be advisable for the tax auditor to report the
amount admissible. The amount claimed and the background behind and the
basis of the claim of the assessee may form part of the working papers. If the
claim of the assessee is well-founded and settled by judicial pronouncement
the tax auditor may accept the claim but he has to record in his working
papers that admissible amount has been reported on the basis of such
judicial pronouncement.
57.5 It may be noted that there are certain sections under Chapter VIA like
section 80-IA, 80-IB, 80-JJA etc. where separate audit report or certificate is
required to be issued. Under the said sections, a non-corporate assessee
who has income from industrial undertaking covered under the above
sections has also to obtain audit report with reference to the accounts of
these undertakings. While giving information with regard to the deduction
allowable under these sections the tax auditor should refer to separate audit
reports/ certificates obtained by the assessee. These audit reports/
certificates may have been given by the tax auditor or by any other auditor.
The figures given in this separate audit reports/certificates should be taken
into consideration while giving information with regard to income covered by
these sections.
57.6 Since the details of exemptions admissible under sections 10A and
10AA are also to be reported in the desired format, the said information can
be verified from the certificate issued by the chartered accountant in this
regard. In case, a report under section 10A and 10AA has been issued by
any other chartered accountant, then the same may be taken into
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consideration while reporting under this clause. Here attention is invited to
SA-600, Using the work of another auditor.
57.7 Some sections in Chapter VIA such as section 80-G (donations),
Section 80-GGB/80-GGC (contributions to political parties), section 80-JJAA
(wages of new workmen) etc. relate to the expenditure incurred by an
assessee. There are other sections such as section 80-P (income of cooperative societies), 80-JJA (certain specified business relating treatment of
biodegradable waste) etc. which relate to income of the assessee. In respect
of all these sections the tax auditor should ascertain whether there is any
expenditure or income covered by the above sections recorded in the books
of accounts audited by him. Information with regard to such
expenditure/income in respect of deduction allowable under Chapter VIA
should be given on the basis of the examination of the books of account and
other records under clause 33.
58.
(a)
Tax
deduction
and
collection
Account
Number
(TAN)
Section
(1)
(2)
Nature of
Total
payment amount of
payment
or receipt
of the
nature
specified
in column
(3)
(3)
(4)
Total
amount on
which tax
was
required
to be
deducted
or
collected
out of (4)
Total
amount on
which tax
was
deducted
or
collected
at
specified
rate out of
(5)
(5)
(6)
Amount of
Total
Amount of
tax
amount on
tax
deducted which tax deducted
or
was
or
collected deducted collected
or
out of (6)
on (8)
collected
at less
than
specified
rate out of
(7)*
(7)
(8)
(9)
Amount of
tax deducted
or collected
not
deposited to
the credit of
the Central
Government
out of **(6)
and ***(8)
(10)
[Clause 34(a)]
*Should be read as (5) for proper reporting
** Should be read as (7) for proper reporting
*** Should be read as (9) for proper reporting
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
59.
(b)
Tax
deduction
and
collection
Account
Number
(TAN)
60.
(c)
Date of
furnishing,
if furnished
Whether the
statement of
tax
deducted or
collected
contains
information
about all
transactions
which are
required to
be reported
Clause 34(a)
58.1 While reporting under this clause the tax auditor may exercise his
judgement in the light of the applicable laws and report accordingly about the
applicability of the provisions of Chapter XVII-B or XVII-BB with regard to the
auditee. The tax auditor may rely upon the judicial pronouncements while
taking any particular view. While answering the issue of applicability of the
provisions of Chapter XVII-B and/or XVII-BB, a number of debatable issues
may arise before the assessee as well as the tax auditor. Where it is not
possible to say yes/no, the answer to the question may have to be qualified
depending upon the facts and circumstances of each case. Having verified
the applicability of the provisions of Chapter XVII-B and Chapter XVII-BB, the
tax auditor should answer the question as Yes and thereafter provide
further details. Where the tax auditor is of the opinion that provisions of
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Chapter XVII-B and Chapter XVII-BB are not applicable he should answer
the question as No.
58.2 Once the tax auditor gives his affirmation with regard to applicability of
the provisions of Chapter XVII-B and/ or Chapter XVII-BB, he is required to
furnish further details in Clause 34(a). The auditor should obtain a copy of
the TDS/TCS returns filed by the assessee which shall form the basis of
reporting under this clause, to the extent possible. Further, in view of the
voluminous nature of the transactions, the tax auditor can apply test checks
and compliance tests on the transactions reported in the TDS return by the
assessee for verifying the information required to be provided under this
clause.
58.3 Column (1) of Clause 34(a) requires reporting of each Tax deduction
and collection Account number with regard to which tax has been deducted
or collected at source.
58.4 In column (2), the tax auditor is required to furnish the details of the
applicable section in respect to which tax has been deducted or collected at
source
58.5 In column (3), the tax auditor is required to furnish the details
regarding the nature of payment.
58.6 In column (4), the auditor is required to furnish the details of the total
amount of payment or receipt of the nature specified in column (3). The
details in the said column may be drawn from the TDS/TCS statements
furnished by the assessee to the Department along with the books of
accounts and other relevant documents which include aggregate of
payments on which tax is liable to be deducted as well as not liable to be
deducted. Auditor may maintain working paper giving reconciliation of
amount as per books of accounts and amount on which is TDS/TCS is
required to be deducted/collected.
58.7 Column (5) casts an onerous responsibility on the auditor, wherein he
is required to furnish the details of total amount on which the tax was
required to be deducted or collected out of the amount mentioned in column
(4) having regard to the nature of payments/ receipts under the relevant
sections of Chapter XVII-B / XVII-BB. Since the reporting under column (4) is
required to be made with regard to the nature of payments made or amount
received, there may be a difference in the amounts reported under column
(4) and column (5). The reasons for difference may be applicability of
certificates issued under section 195/197 or threshold limits provided in
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specific sections or difference of opinion with regard to applicability of a
particular section and the like.
58.8 While answering the issue of applicability of the provisions of Chapter
XVII-B and/or XVII-BB, a number of debatable issues may arise before the
assessee as well as the tax auditor. The auditor may have a difference of
opinion with regard to the applicability of the provisions of TDS/TCS on a
particular payment. In such a case, the tax auditor has to bring the difference
of opinion appropriately as an observation in the clause (3) of Form No. 3CA
or clause (5) of Form No.3CB as the case may be.
58.9 It is essential to note that it is the primary responsibility of the
assessee to prepare the information in such a manner that the tax auditor
can verify the compliance as required in the new clause. The tax auditor is
required to verify that no items have been omitted in the information
furnished to him and reasonable test checks would reveal whether or not the
information furnished is correct. The extent of check undertaken would have
to be indicated by the tax auditor in his working papers and audit notes. The
tax auditor would be well advised to so design his tax audit programme as
would reveal the extent of checking and to ensure adequate documentation
in support of the information being certified.
58.10 In column (6) the tax auditor is required to furnish the total amount out
of the amount deductible or collectible as mentioned in column (5) at which
the tax was deducted or collected at the specified rate. The auditor has to
consider the rates of deduction as per the law relevant to the previous year.
Further, as per the provisions of sections 195/ 197 certificate can be issued
for no deduction or lower deduction of tax at source. The tax auditor should
refer to the relevant provisions, rules, circulars, notifications and such
certificates obtained from the auditee to verify the cases where tax has been
short deducted at source. In case the payer deducts/recipient collects tax at
source at a rate lower than the specified rate on the basis of certificate
issued under section 195 or 197, the lower rate or nil rate, as the case may
be will be considered as the specified rate for the purpose of reporting under
this clause. In the case of payment to non-residents the applicable rate of tax
deduction at source is to be read along with the Double Taxation Avoidance
Agreement. Column (7) requires furnishing of total amount of tax
deducted/collected out of the amount furnished in column (6).
58.11 Similarly, column (8) requires the tax auditor to furnish the total
amount out of the amount deductible or collectible as mentioned in column
(5) at which the tax was deducted or collected at the rate less than the
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specified rate. The lesser deduction is required to be reported in this clause.
This will include deduction at a lower rate than what is prescribed,
application of wrong section for deduction of tax at source, etc. For example
section 194C requires deduction @2% in case payment is made to a person
other than individual or HUF, but the deductor deducts only 1%, the same
has to be reported under this clause. In case there is difference of opinion
with regard to rate of deduction or applicability of a particular section, the
auditor may appropriately report the difference of opinion in the clause (3) of
Form No. 3CA or clause (5) of Form No.3CB as the case may be giving both
the views. Further, column (9) requires furnishing of total amount of tax
deducted/collected out of the amount furnished in column (8).
58.12 Column (10) requires the auditor to furnish the details of the amount
of tax deducted or collected but not deposited to the credit of the Central
Government. As such the tax auditor should verify the cases where the tax
has been deducted at source but not paid to the credit of the Central
Government till the date of the audit. It may be seen that tax deducted but
deposited late will not be required to be reported in this clause.
58.13 The details in the column (6), (7), (8), (9) and (10) may be drawn from
the TDS/TCS returns furnished by the assessee to the Department and be
verified from the books of accounts and other relevant documents.
59.
Clause 34(b)
59.1 Under clause 34(b),the tax auditor has to ascertain and report as to
whether the assessee has furnished the statement of tax deducted or tax
collected at source within the prescribed time. If all the TDS/TCS
statement(s) relating to the previous year have been filed within the
prescribed time, the auditor has to mention yes. In case the assessee has
not filed any of the quarterly TDS/TCS statement(s) within the prescribed
time, the auditor has to mention No in this clause. In such a case, the
auditor shall provide further details in Clause 34(b) only with regard to the
statement not filed within the prescribed time. Clause 34(b) requires the
auditor to report the transactions with regard to each TAN for which tax has
been deducted but the return has either not been filed or has been filed after
the expiry of the prescribed time. With regard to each TAN, the auditor is
required to mention the Type of form that was applicable like Form 24, 24G,
24Q, 26, 26A, 26B, 26Q etc, due date of furnishing such statement and the
actual date of furnishing, if the statement(s) has been furnished. Lastly, the
auditor is required to state as to whether the statement of tax deducted or
collected, which has been furnished beyond prescribed time contains
information about all the transactions which are required to be reported. As
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stated earlier, . it is extremely difficult for the tax auditor to verify each and
every transaction in this regard. Therefore, while verifying such transactions,
the tax auditor can apply the concepts of materiality and audit sampling. The
reporting requirement in clause (b) arises only where the assessee has
either not furnished or furnished the statement of tax deducted or tax
collected after the expiry of prescribed time.
59.2 In regard to clause 34(b) , the tax auditor has to verify the particulars
regarding tax deductible and tax collectible from the information furnished by
the assessee. The various provisions of Chapter XVII-B and XVII-BB require
different classes of assessees to deduct/collect tax at source on various
nature of payments. The tax auditor should consider the applicability of the
different provisions relating to tax deduction at source taking into
consideration the status of the assessee and the applicability of the relevant
provision. As regards the applicability of the provisions the tax auditor should
take into consideration the relevant sections, rules, notifications, circulars
and various judicial pronouncements in relation to transactions of relevant
payments or collections. There may be occasions when the tax auditor may
not agree with the interpretation/view taken by the auditee. In such cases the
tax auditor may report both the views as an observation in clause (3) of Form
No. 3CA or clause (5) of Form No. 3CB, as the case may be
59.3 The information given in clause 34 should tally with the disallowances
reported u/s 40(a) in clause 21(b) to the extent applicable.
60.
Clause 34(c)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
No.26AS, the auditor may re-calculate the amount of interest under section
201(1A) or section 206C(7) up to the date of audit report for reporting under
this clause and also mention the fact in his observations paragraph provided
in Form No.3CA or Form No.3CB, as the case may be.
61.
62.
(a)
(b)
Opening stock;
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
Closing stock;
(v)
Raw materials:
(i)
opening stock;
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
closing stock;
(vi)
(vii)
percentage of yield;
Finished products/By-products:
(i)
opening stock;
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
closing stock;
(vi)
shortage/excess, if any.
[Clause 35 (a) and (b)]
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61.
Clause 35(a)
61.1 The tax auditor should obtain certificates from the assessee in respect
of the principal items of goods traded, the balance of the opening stock,
purchases, sales and closing stock and the extent of shortage/
excess/damage and the reasons thereof.
62.
Clause 35(b)
62.1 This information should be given only in respect of those items where
it is practicable to do so, having regard to the records maintained by the
assessee.
62.2 In a large concern it may be difficult for tax auditor to verify each and
every item of purchase, consumption and production. In such cases, he may
verify the figures on a sampling method and satisfy himself as to the
correctness of the figures furnished. This clause requires that quantitative
details of principal items of raw materials and finished goods should be
given. Therefore, information about petty items need not be given. What
would constitute principal items will depend on the facts of each case.
Normally, items which constitute more than 10% of the aggregate value of
purchases, consumption or turnover may be classified as principal items.
62.3 The information about yield, percentage of yield, and shortages/
excess is also required to be given.
62.4 In respect of assessees other than companies and those whose
accounts have not been audited under any other law, the tax auditor should
obtain the following certified documents for the principal items of raw
materials, finished goods and by-products:
(a)
(b)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
63. In the case of a domestic company, details of tax on distributed
profits under section 115-O in the following form:(a)
(b)
(c )
(d)
(e)
63.1 Section 115-O provides for a special levy at the prescribed rate, on the
amount of dividend declared, distributed or paid by such company whether
such dividend is out of current profit or accumulated profits. Vide this clause
the tax auditor has to report on profit distributed during the financial year and
therefore, the amount of tax worked and paid out on such distributed profit at
the prescribed rate plus surcharge at the applicable rate on the tax along
with the education cess thereon has to be reported against this clause. The
amount of the dividend referred to in sub-section (1) is to be reduced by the
amount referred to in sub-section (1A). Since the tax is payable on such
reduced amount, the gross amount may be reported in the sub-clause (a)
and the amount of reduction as referred to in section 115-O(1A)(i) and 115O(1A)(ii) shall be reported in sub-clause (b) and (c) separately. The tax
auditor should keep the working papers to reveal how the net amount has
been arrived at.
63.2 It may be noted that for the purposes of chapter XII-D containing
special provisions relating to tax on distributed profits of domestic companies
the expression dividends shall have the same meaning as is given to
dividend in clause (22) of section 2 but shall not include sub-clause (e)
thereof. However, the tax auditor need not go into the question of how the
total amount of distributed profits has been arrived at.
63.3 The next requirement is to report the tax paid thereon and the date of
payment. The date of payment of tax can be ascertained by the tax auditor
from the duly received challan and books of account etc.
63.4 In this clause, the total amount of profits distributed in the previous
year, tax paid thereon and the date of payment of tax is required to be given.
Information about the date of declaration/distribution of dividend or payment
of dividend is not required to be given.
63.5 The tax auditor should maintain the information in the following format
for the purpose of reporting in the format provided in the e-filing utility:
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S.
No.
Total
Amount of
distributed
profits
Amount
of
reduction
as
referred
to in
section
115O(1A)(i)
Amount
of
reduction
as
referred
to in
section
115O(1A)(ii)
Total
tax
paid
Date of payments
with Amount
Date of
Payment
6
Amount
7
64. Whether any cost audit was carried out, if yes, give the details, if
any, of disqualification or disagreement on any matter/item/value/
quantity as may be reported/identified by the cost auditor
[Clause 37]
64.1 The tax auditor should ascertain from the management whether cost
audit was carried out and if yes, a copy of the same should be obtained from
the assessee. Even though the tax auditor is not required to make any
detailed study of such report, he has to take note of the details of
disqualification or disagreement on any matter/item/value/quantity as may be
reported/identified by the cost auditor. The tax auditor need not express any
opinion in a case where such audit has been ordered but the same has not
been carried out.
64.2 In cases where cost audit which might have been ordered is not
completed by the time the tax auditor issues his report, he has to report
appropriately in this report stating that since cost audit is not completed and
the cost audit report is not available with the assessee.
64.3 The tax auditor should examine the time period for which the cost
audit if any has been required to be carried out. Information is required to be
given only in respect of such cost audit report the time period of which falls
within the relevant previous year. In effect the information is required to be
given in respect of that cost audit report which is received upto the date of
tax audit report.
65. Whether any audit was conducted under the Central Excise Act,
1944, if yes, give the details, if any, of disqualification or disagreement
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on any matter/item/value/quantity as may be reported/ identified by the
auditor
[Clause 38]
65.1 The tax auditor should ascertain from the management whether any
audit was conducted under the Central Excise Act, 1944 and if such audit
was carried out, obtain a copy of the report. Even though the tax auditor is
not required to make any detailed study of such report, he has to take note of
the details if any, of disqualification or disagreement on any
matter/item/value/quantity as may be reported/identified by the auditor. The
tax auditor need not express any opinion in a case where such audit has
been ordered but the same has not been carried out.
65.2 In cases where excise audit which might have been ordered is not
completed by the time the tax auditor gives his report, he has to report
appropriately in this report stating that since excise audit is not completed
and the excise audit report is not available with the assessee.
65.3 The tax auditor should examine the time period for which the excise
audit, if any, has been required to be carried out. Information is required to
be given only in respect of such excise audit report the time period of which
falls within the relevant previous year. In effect the information is required to
be given in respect of that excise audit report which is received upto the date
of tax audit report.
66. Whether any audit was conducted under section 72A of the
Finance Act, 1994 in relation to valuation of taxable services, if yes,
give the details, if any, of disqualification or disagreement on any
matter/item/value/quantity as may be reported/ identified by the auditor.
[Clause 39]
66.1 The tax auditor should ascertain from the management whether any
audit was conducted under section 72A of the Finance Act, 1994 and if such
audit was carried out, obtain a copy of the report. Even though the tax
auditor is not required to make any detailed study of such report, he has to
take note of the details of disqualification or disagreement on any
matter/item/value/quantity as may be reported/identified by the auditor.. The
tax auditor need not express any opinion in a case where such audit has
been ordered but the same has not been carried out.
66.2 In cases where service tax audit, which might have been ordered is
not completed by the time the tax auditor gives his report, he has to report
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
appropriately in this report stating that since service tax audit is not
completed and the service tax audit report is not available with the assessee.
66.3 The tax auditor should examine the time period for which the service
tax audit, if any, has been required to be carried out. Information is required
to be given only in respect of such service tax audit report the time period of
which falls within the relevant previous year. In effect the information is
required to be given in respect of that service tax audit report which is
received upto the date of tax audit report.
67. Details regarding turnover, gross profit, etc., for the previous
year and preceding previous year:
Serial
number
Particulars
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Previous
year
Preceding
previous year
Gross Profit: The excess of the proceeds of goods sold and services
rendered during a period over their cost, before taking into account
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administration, selling, distribution and financing expenses. When the
result of this computation is negative it is referred to as gross loss.
(b)
(c)
It may be noted that the net profit to be shown here in this clause is net profit
before tax.
67.4 For the purpose of calculating the ratio mentioned in (4), only closing
stock is to be considered. The term `stock-in-trade' used therein does not
include stores and spare parts or loose tools. The term stock-in-trade would
include only finished goods and would not include the stock of raw material
and work-in-progress since the objective here is to compute the stockturnover ratio.
67.5 Material consumed would, apart from raw material consumed, include
stores, spare parts and loose tools.
67.6 The value of finished goods produced may be arrived at by using the
following formula:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Wages
(d)
Sub total
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
have been worked out is required to be stated under this clause. However, if
any of the above component is stated in the financial statements themselves,
a reference to the same may be made, to the extent possible.
67.8 There should be consistency between the numerator and the
denominator while calculating the above ratios. Any significant deviation
thereof should be pointed out.
67.9 The relevant previous year figures are to be taken from last previous
year audit report. In case the preceding previous year is not subject to audit,
nothing should be mentioned in the relevant column.
68. Please furnish the details of demand raised or refund issued
during the previous year under any tax laws other than Income Tax Act,
1961 and Wealth tax Act, 1957 along with details of relevant
proceedings.
[Clause 41]
68.1 The auditee may be assessed under various tax laws other than
Income-tax Act, 1961 and Wealth-tax Act, 1956 resulting into a demand
order or a refund order. The tax auditor should obtain a copy of all the
demand/ refund orders issued by the governmental authorities during the
previous year under any tax laws other than Income Tax Act and Wealth Tax
Act. Normally, the Indirect tax laws such as Central Excise Duty, Service
Tax, Customs Duty, Value Added Tax, CST, Professional Tax etc would be
covered as other tax laws. Hence, the cess or duty like Marketing Cess,
Cess on Royalty, Octroi Duty, Entry Tax etc. would not be covered as other
tax laws. However, the auditor should excercise his professional judgment in
determining the applicability to relevant tax laws for reporting under this
clause.
68.2 It may be noted that even though the demand/refund order is issued
during the previous year, it may pertain to a period other than the relevant
previous year. In such cases also, reporting has to be done under this
clause. . The tax auditor should verify the books of account and the orders
passed by the respective Department for ascertaining whether any such
demand has been raised or refund order has been issued under any other
tax law and accordingly report the same. If there is any adjustment of refund
against any demand, the auditor shall also report the same under this
clause.
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68.3 The tax auditor should maintain the following information in his
working papers for the purpose of reporting against this clause in the format
provided in the e-filing utility.
S.
Name of Demand/
Date of
the
Refund
Demand
No.
applicable Order No., raised/
Act
if any
refund
issued
1
69.
69.1 Form 3CD has to be signed by the person competent to sign Form No.
3CA or Form No.3CB as the case may be. He has also to give his full name,
address, membership number, firm registration number, wherever applicable,
place and date. Further, the e-filing portal requires the tax auditor to affix his
Digital Signature while registering himself. He is also required to put his
stamp/Seal as well.
70.
70.1 Some of the issues which are commonly raised in regard to different
aspects of tax audit vis--vis the liability/ obligations of the tax auditor are
considered hereunder.
70.2 The liability of the tax auditor in respect of tax audit will be the same
as in any other audit assignment. It may be noted that when any question
relating to the audit conducted by a tax auditor arises, he is answerable to
the Council of the Institute under the Chartered Accountants Act. In all
matters concerning tax audit, ICAIs disciplinary jurisdiction will prevail.
70.3 In case the assessee is found guilty of having concealed the
particulars of his income it would not ipso facto mean that the tax auditor is
also responsible. If the Assessing Officer comes to the conclusion that the
tax auditor was grossly negligent in the performance of his duties, he can
refer the matter to the ICAI so that appropriate action can be taken against
the tax auditor under the Chartered Accountants Act.
70.4 The Assessing Officer or any other authority who is authorised to
issue summons and to call for evidence or documents, can call upon the tax
auditor who has audited the accounts to give any evidence or produce
documents. For this purpose notice under section 131 can be issued by the
Assessing Officer or other tax authority mentioned in the said section.
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70.5 If the actual work relating to examination of books and records is done
by a qualified assistant in a firm of chartered accountants and the partner of
the firm signing the audit report has relied upon this work, action, if any, for
professional negligence can be initiated against the member who has signed
the report and in such an event, it would be open for the member concerned
to prove that he has taken due care and diligence in the performance of his
duties and is not aware of any reason to believe that he should not have so
relied.
70.6 If the qualified assistant (whether or not holding the certificate of
practice) is found to be grossly negligent in the performance of his duties,
the Council of the Institute can take disciplinary action against him.
70.7 A tax auditor can accept the assignment of tax representation.
70.8 Under the Code of Ethics, no tax auditor can charge professional fees
by way of percentage of profits or which are contingent upon findings, or
results of such employment, except as permitted under any regulation made
under this Act. In this connection, reference is invited to Clause (10) of Part I
of the First Schedule to the Chartered Accountants Act and the commentary
on the subject at page 210 of the Code of Ethics (2009 Edition). Certain
exceptions are made in Regulation 192, but these exceptions do not apply
for charging of fees for tax audit.
70.9 Since the figures in Form No. 3CD are duly verified by a chartered
accountant, they should normally be accepted by tax authorities. If, however,
there is a specific reason for differing from the view taken by tax auditor, the
Assessing Officer may compute the income of the assessee by adopting
different figures.
70.10 The opinion expressed by the tax auditor is not binding on the
assessee. If the tax auditor has qualified his report and expressed an opinion
on a particular item, the assessee may take a different view while preparing
his return of income. In such cases, it is advisable for the assessee to state
his viewpoint and support the same by any judicial pronouncements on which
he wants to rely.
71.
71.1 The tax auditor of a person who carries on business or profession but
who is not required by or under any other law to get his accounts audited has
to give his report in Forms No. 3CB/3CD and will have to ensure that the
financial statements i.e. balance sheet and profit and loss account/ income
and expenditure statement, are prepared in such a manner that adequate
information which is necessary to convey a true and fair view of the state of
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affairs of the assessee is given. So far as a person whose accounts of the
business or profession have been audited under any other law is concerned,
the information to be given in the financial statements is normally provided in
the particular statute by which the assessee is governed. Since there is no
such legislation in respect of a person who carries on business or profession
but who is not required by or under any other law to get his accounts
audited, it is necessary to achieve some uniformity in respect of information
to be provided in the financial statements.
71.2 It should be noted that the responsibility for maintenance of books and
records and that for preparation of financial statements is that of the
assessee. It is, therefore, desirable that guidance is given to a person who
carries on business or profession but who is not required by or under any
other law to get his accounts audited about the maintenance of books of
accounts and records as well as about the requirements of auditing.
Similarly, guidance is also required to be given about the preparation of
financial statements and the information to be provided in such statements.
(See Monograph on Compulsory Maintenance of Accounts published by
ICAI)
71.3 Two separate sets of forms of balance sheet and profit and loss
account have, therefore, been prepared and given as Appendices to this
Guidance Note. Appendix XV (Page no. 278) gives the recommended
format of the balance sheet and also the information to be provided in the
profit and loss account, in case of an assessee engaged in trading business.
This format can be used in the case of an assessee, who is engaged in
profession and other service activities, by making such changes as may be
considered to suit the circumstances. Appendix XVI (Page no. 286) gives
the recommended format of the balance sheet and the requirements of the
profit and loss account in the case of an assessee engaged in the
manufacturing activities. It is suggested that the balance sheet and the profit
and loss account can be prepared either in the vertical or in the horizontal
form according to the circumstances of each case. If the information required
to be given in any item or sub-item of the financial statements cannot
conveniently be given on the face of the financial statements, the same may
be given by way of footnotes/ annexures to and forming part of such financial
statements. Since the formats are designed also for accounts of noncorporate borrowers form banks, they may be modified so as to exclude the
information, which may not be relevant for accounts for tax audit. For
presentation and disclosure requirements, applicable AS and AS (IT) should
be kept in mind.
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APPENDICES
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
NOTE
The appendices published hereinafter do not form part of the Statement.
These are intended for the ease of reference to the readers.
These appendices, among other things, also contain reproduction of
texts of various sections of relevant statutes and notifications issued by
the Government of India. While every effort has been made to avoid
errors or omissions in reproduction, some errors are likely to creep in. It
is, therefore, suggested that to avoid any doubt, the reader should crosscheck all the facts, law and contents of the publication with original
Government publication or notifications.
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APPENDIX I
[PARA 5.12]
CIRCULAR NO. 452, DATED 17.3.1986
Subject: Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961- Clarification
regarding applicability in the cases of Commission
Agents, arahtias etc. (Para 5.12).
1.
2.
3.
4.
Board are advised that so far as kachha arhatias are concerned, the
turnover does not include the sales effected on behalf of the principals
and only the gross commission has to be considered for the purpose
of Section 44AB. But the position is different with regard to pacca
arhatia. A pacca arhatia is not, in the proper sense of the word, an
agent or even del credre agent. The relation between him and his
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constituent is substantially that between the two principals. On the
basis of various Court pronouncements, following principles of
distinction can be laid down between a kachha arhatia and a pacca
arhatia:
5.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
The kaccha arhatia, unlike the pacca arhatia does not have any
dominion over the goods.
(6)
(7)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
in cases of other type of agents. In the case of agents whose position
is similar to that of kachha arhatia, the turnover is only the
commission and does not include the sales on behalf of the principals.
In the case of agents of the type of pacca arahtia, on the other hand,
the total sales/turnover of the business should be taken into
consideration for determining the applicability of the provisions of
Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act.
Circular No. 452 [F.No.201/3/85-IT(A-II) dated 17th March 1986.
JUDICIAL ANALYSIS
EXPLAINED IN - In Jeyar Consultant & Investment (P.) Ltd. v. Assistant
Commissioner [1993] 46 ITD 71 (Mad.-Trib.), it was observed that it is ex
facie clear from the CBDT Circular No. 452 of 17-3-1986 which came to be
issued in relation to kacha and pacca arhatias, who are an integral part of
the trading sector, that instructions issued by the Board as
respects kacha and pacca arhatias could not be applied to the case of the
assessee who has arranged finances for other for a fee. The assessee may
choose to label the fee as brokerage or even as commission. But the fee or
to use a generic expression receipt could not be regarded as turnover
proper.
RELIED ON IN - The above circular was relied on in ITO v. Shantilal Chunilal
& Co. [1993] 45 ITD 581 (Pune - Trib.), with the following observations:
. . . Further, reference was made by assessee to pages 52 to 54 which
contains Boards Circular No. 452, dated 17-3-1986 which has been
issued in connection with section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961.
Reliance was placed on para 4 of the said circular according to which
the Board were advised that so far as kachha arahatias were
concerned, the turnover did not include sales effected on behalf of the
principals and only gross commission has to be considered for the
purpose of section 44AB. The submission of the learned counsel for
the assessee was that the case of the assessee is one of kachha
arahatia and not a pucca arahatia and, therefore, only gross
commission has to be considered for the purpose of section 44AB of
the Income-tax Act, 1961. . . The CIT (Appeals) has excluded the adat
receipt as well as interest receipt from the purview of turnover for the
purpose of section 44AB. Relying on the clarifications given by the
Board in its Circular No. 452, dated 17-3-1986, he has categorised the
assessee as kachha arahatia and he has charged expenses incurred
on such business which resulted in gross profit rate of 1.09 per cent.
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Therefore, it is very much relevant to clinch the issue whether the
assessee is a kachha arahatia or not. Going by the clarification issued
by the Board in the aforesaid Circular No. 452, dated 17-3-1986 the
case of the assessee fits in with the kachha arahatia vis-a-vis case
of pucca arahatia. . . . (pp. 585-586).
REFERRED TO IN - Manish Textiles v. ACIT [1991] 38 ITD 365
(Bom.).
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APPENDIX II
[PARA 5.15]
Circular No. 4/2007, dated 15th June, 2007
F.No.149/287/2005-TPL
Distinction between shares held as stock-in-trade and shares held as
investment - tests for such a distinction
1.
The Income-tax Act, 1961 makes a distinction between a capital
asset and a trading asset.
2.
Capital asset is defined in Section 2(14) of the Act. Long-term capital
assets and gains are dealt with under Section 2(29A) and Section 2(29B).
Short-term capital assets and gains are dealt with under Section 2(42A) and
Section 2(42B).
3.
4.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) through Instruction
No.1827 dated August 31, 1989 had brought to the notice of the assessing
officers that there is a distinction between shares held as investment (capital
asset) and shares held as stock-in-trade (trading asset). In the light of a
number of judicial decisions pronounced after the issue of the above
instructions, it is proposed to update the above instructions for the
information of assessees as well as for guidance of the assessing officers.
5.
In the case of Commissioner of Income Tax (Central), Calcutta Vs
Associated Industrial Development Company (P) Ltd (82 ITR 586), the
Supreme Court observed that:
Whether a particular holding of shares is by way of investment or
forms part of the stock-in-trade is a matter which is within the
knowledge of the assessee who holds the shares and it should, in
normal circumstances, be in a position to produce evidence from its
records as to whether it has maintained any distinction between those
shares which are its stock-in-trade and those which are held by way of
investment.
6.
In the case of Commissioner of Income Tax, Bombay Vs H. Holck
Larsen (160 ITR 67), the Supreme Court observed :
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The High Court, in our opinion, made a mistake in observing whether
transactions of sale and purchase of shares were trading transactions
or whether these were in the nature of investment was a question of
law. This was a mixed question of law and fact.
7.
The principles laid down by the Supreme Court in the above two cases
afford adequate guidance to the assessing officers.
8.
The Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR) (288 ITR 641), referring to
the decisions of the Supreme Court in several cases, has culled out the
following principles:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
ordinarily the purchase and sale of shares with the motive of earning a
profit, would result in the transaction being in the nature of
trade/adventure in the nature of trade; but where the object of the
investment in shares of a company is to derive income by way of
dividend etc. then the profits accruing by change in such investment
(by sale of shares) will yield capital gain and not revenue receipt.
9.
Dealing with the above three principles, the AAR has observed in the
case of Fidelity group as under:We shall revert to the aforementioned principles. The first principle
requires us to ascertain whether the purchase of shares by a FII in
exercise of the power in the memorandum of association/trust deed
was as stock-in-trade as the mere existence of the power to purchase
and sell shares will not by itself be decisive of the nature of
transaction. We have to verify as to how the shares were valued/held
in the books of account i.e. whether they were valued as stock-in-trade
at the end of the financial year for the purpose of arriving at business
income or held as investment in capital assets. The second principle
furnishes a guide for determining the nature of transaction by verifying
whether there are substantial transactions, their magnitude, etc.,
maintenance of books of account and finding the ratio between
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purchases and sales. It will not be out of place to mention that
regulation 18 of the SEBI Regulations enjoins upon every FII to keep
and maintain books of account containing true and fair accounts
relating to remittance of initial corpus of buying and selling and
realizing capital gains on investments and accounts of remittance to
India for investment in India and realizing capital gains on investment
from such remittances. The third principle suggests that ordinarily
purchases and sales of shares with the motive of realizing profit would
lead to inference of trade/adventure in the nature of trade; where the
object of the investment in shares of companies is to derive income by
way of dividends etc., the transactions of purchases and sales of
shares would yield capital gains and not business profits.
10. CBDT also wishes to emphasise that it is possible for a tax payer to
have two portfolios, i.e., an investment portfolio comprising of securities
which are to be treated as capital assets and a trading portfolio comprising of
stock-in-trade which are to be treated as trading assets. Where an assessee
has two portfolios, the assessee may have income under both heads i.e.,
capital gains as well as business income.
11. Assessing officers are advised that the above principles should guide
them in determining whether, in a given case, the shares are held by the
assessee as investment (and therefore giving rise to capital gains) or as
stock-in-trade (and therefore giving rise to business profits). The assessing
officers are further advised that no single principle would be decisive and the
total effect of all the principles should be considered to determine whether, in
a given case, the shares are held by the assessee as investment or stock-intrade.
12. These instructions shall supplement the earlier Instruction no. 1827
dated August 31, 1989.
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APPENDIX III
[PARA 9.8]
Mandatory Communication - Relevant Extracts from the Code of Ethics
(In view of the fact that with effect from 01.04.2014.the Companies Act, 1956
has been replaced with Companies Act, 2013, the Code of Ethics issued by
ICAI is under revision. The members may refer the revised Code of Ethics
as and when published.)
(11th Edition - January, 2009)
(Pages 163 to 168)
Clause (8): accepts a position as auditor previously held by another
chartered accountant or a certified auditor who has been
issued certificate under the Restricted Certificate Rules,1932
without first communicating with him in writing;
It must be pointed out that professional courtesy alone is not the major
reason for requiring a member to communicate with the existing accountant
who is a member of the Institute or a certified auditor. The underlying
objective is that the member may have an opportunity to know the reasons
for the change in order to be able to safeguard his own interest, the
legitimate interest of the public and the independence of the existing
accountant. It is not intended, in any way, to prevent or obstruct the change.
When making the enquiry from the retiring auditor, the one proposed to be
appointed or already appointed should primarily find out whether there are
any professional or other reasons why he should not accept the appointment.
It is important to remember that every client has an inherent right to choose
his accountant; also that he may, subject to compliance with the statutory
requirements in the case of limited Companies, make a change whenever he
chooses, whether or not the reasons which had impelled him to do so are
good and valid. The change normally occurs where there has been a change
of venue of business and a local accountant is preferred or where the partner
who has been dealing with the clients affairs retires or dies; or where
temperaments clash or the client has some good reasons to feel dissatisfied.
In such cases, the retiring auditor should always accept the situation with
good grace.
The existence of a dispute as regards the fees may be root cause of an
auditor being changed. This would not constitute valid professional reasons
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on account of which an audit should not be accepted by the member to
whom it is offered. However, in the case of an undisputed audit fees for
carrying out the statutory audit under the Companies Act, 1956 or various
other statutes having not been paid, the incoming auditor should not accept
the appointment unless such fees are paid. In respect of other dues, the
incoming auditor should in appropriate circumstances use his influence in
favour of his predecessor to have the dispute as regards the fees settled.
The professional reasons for not accepting an audit would be:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
In the first two cases, an auditor who accepts the audit would be guilty of
professional misconduct. In this connection, attention of members is invited
to the Council Guidelines No. 1-CA/(7)/02/2008 dated 08.08.08 appearing in
Chapter-3 of the book and also published at page 686 of October, 2008
issue of the Journal. In the said guidelines, Council has explained that the
provision for audit fee in accounts signed by both the auditee or the auditor
shall be considered as undisputed audit fee and sick unit shall mean
where the net worth is negative.
In the last case, however, he may accept the audit if he is satisfied that the
attitude of the retiring auditor was not proper and justified. If, on the other
hand, he feels that the retiring auditor had qualified the report for good and
valid reasons, he should refuse to accept the audit. There is no rule, written
or unwritten, which would prevent an auditor from accepting the appointment
offered to him in these circumstances. However, before accepting the audit,
he should ascertain the full facts of the case. For nothing will bring the
profession to disrepute so much as the knowledge amongst the public that if
an auditor is found to be inconvenient by the client, he could readily be
replaced by another who would not displease the client and this point cannot
be too over-emphasised.
What should be the correct procedure to adopt when a prospective client
tells you that he wants to change his auditor and wants you to take up his
work? There being two persons involved, the Company and the old auditor,
the former should be asked whether the retiring auditor had been informed of
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the intention to change. If the answer is in the affirmative, then a
communication should be addressed to the retiring auditor. If, however, it is
learnt that the old auditor has not been informed, and the client is not willing
to make the first move, it would be necessary to ask him the reason for the
proposed change. If there is no valid reason for a change, it would be
healthy practice not to accept the audit. If he decides to accept the audit he
should address a communication to the retiring auditor.
As stated earlier, the object of the incoming auditor, in communicating with
the retiring auditor is to ascertain from him whether there are any
circumstances which warrant him not to accept the appointment. For
example, whether the previous auditor has been changed on account of
having qualified his report or he had expressed a wish not to continue on
account of something inherently wrong with the administration of the
business. The retiring auditor may even give out information regarding the
condition of the accounts of the client or the reason that impelled him to
qualify his report. In all these cases it would be essential for the incoming
auditor to carefully consider the facts before deciding whether or not he
should accept the audit, and should he do so, he must also take into account
the information while discharging his duties and responsibilities.
Sometimes, the retiring auditor fails without justifiable cause except a feeling
of hurt because of the change, to respond to the communication of the
incoming auditor. So that it may not create a deadlock, the auditor appointed
can act, after waiting for a reasonable time for a reply.
The Council has taken the view that a mere posting of a letter under
certificate of posting is not sufficient to establish communication with the
retiring auditor unless there is some evidence to show that the letter has in
fact reached the person communicated with. A Chartered Accountant who
relies solely upon a letter posted under certificate of posting therefore does
so at his own risk.
The view taken by the Council has been confirmed in a decision by the
Rajasthan High Court in J.S. Bhati vs. The Council of the Institute of the
Chartered Accountants of India and another. (Pages 72-79 of Vol. V of
Disciplinary Cases published by the Institute - Judgement delivered on 29th
August, 1975). The following observations of the Court are relevant in this
context:Mere obtaining a certificate of posting in my opinion does not fulfill the
requirements of clause (8) of Schedule I as the presumption under Section
114 of the Evidence Act that the letter in due course reached the addressee
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cannot replace that positive degree of proof of the delivery of the letter to the
addressee which the letters of the law in this case require. The expression in
communication with when read in the light of the instructions contained in
the booklet Code of Conduct cannot be interpreted in any other manner but
to mean that there should be positive evidence of the fact that the
communication addressed to the outgoing auditor by the incoming auditor
reached his hands. Certificate of posting of a letter cannot, in the
circumstances, be taken as positive evidence of its delivery to the
addressee.
Members should therefore communicate with a retiring auditor in such a
manner as to retain in their hands positive evidence of the delivery of the
communication to the addressee. In the opinion of the Council,
communication by a letter sent Registered Acknowledgement due or by
hand against a written acknowledgement would in the normal course provide
such evidence.
The Council is of the opinion that it would be a healthy practice to
communicate with the member who had done the work previously in every
case where a Chartered Accountant is required to give a certificate or in
respect of a verification of the books of account for special purpose as well
as in cases where he is appointed as a Liquidator, Trustee, or Receiver and
his predecessor was a Chartered Accountant.
As a matter of professional courtesy and professional obligation it is
necessary for the new auditor appointed to act jointly with the earlier auditor
and to communicate with such earlier auditor.
It would also be a healthy practice if a tax auditor appointed for conducting
special audit under the Income-tax Act, communicates with the member who
has conducted the statutory audit.
It is desirable that a member, on receiving communication from the auditor
who has been appointed in his place, should send a reply to him as soon as
possible setting out in detail the reasons, which according to him had given
rise to the change and other attendant circumstances but without disclosing
any information as regards the affairs of the client which he is not competent
to do.
The Council has taken the view that it is not obligatory for the auditor
appointed to conduct a Special Audit under Section 233A of Companies Act,
1956 to communicate with the previous auditor who had conducted the
regular audit for the period covered by the Special Audit.
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The Council has also laid down the detailed guidelines on the subject as
under:1.
2.
Various doubts have been raised by the members about the terms
audit, previous auditor, Certificate and report, normally while
interpreting the aforesaid Clause (8). These terms need to be clarified.
3.
4.
5.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
factual data, that his opinion is in due accordance with facts, and that
it is arrived at by the application of due care and skill.
6.
7.
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APPENDIX IV
[PARA 9.8, 9.9, 9.10, 9.23]
Council Guidelines No.1-CA(7)/02/2008, dated 8th August,2008
GUIDELINES FOR THE MEMBERS OF ICAI
(Issued under the provisions of The Chartered Accountants Act, 1949)
Chapter I
Preliminary
1.0
(a)
(b)
1.1
Definitions.
1.1.1 For the purpose of these Guidelines:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
1.1.2 All other words and expressions used but not defined herein
have the same meaning as assigned to them within the
Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 and the Rules, Regulations
and Guidelines made there under.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
1.2
(i)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(ii)
3.1 A member of the Institute in practice shall not accept the appointment
as auditor of a Company under Section 224 of the Companies Act, 1956,
while he is an employee of the cost auditor of the Company appointed under
Section 233B of the Companies Act, 1956.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Chapter IV
Opinion on financial statements when there is substantial interest
4.0 A member of the Institute shall not express his opinion on financial
statements of any business or enterprise in which one or more persons who
are his relatives within the meaning of Section 6 of the Companies Act,
1956 have, either by themselves or in conjunction with such member, a
substantial interest in the said business or enterprise.
Explanation: For this purpose and for the purpose of compliance of Clause
(4) of Part I of the Second Schedule to the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949,
the expression substantial interest shall have the same meaning as is
assigned thereto under Appendix (9) to the Chartered Accountants
Regulations, 1988.
Chapter V
Maintenance of books of accounts
5.0 A member of the Institute in practice or the firm of Chartered
Accountants of which he is a partner, shall maintain and keep in respect of
his / its professional practice, proper books of account including the
following:(i)
a Cash Book;
(ii)
a Ledger.
Chapter VI
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Provided further that where any partner of a firm of Chartered Accountants in
practice accepts one or more tax audit assignments in his individual
capacity, the total number of such assignments which may be accepted by
him shall not exceed the specified number of tax audit assignments in the
aggregate.
Provided also that the audits conducted under Section 44AD, 44AE and
44AF of the Income-tax Act, 1961 shall not be taken into account for the
purpose of reckoning the specified number of tax audit assignments.
6.1
Explanation:
For the above purpose, the specified number of tax audit assignments
means (a)
(b)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
6.1.6 A Chartered Accountant in practice shall maintain a record of the tax
audit assignments accepted by him relating to each assessment year in the
format as may be prescribed by the Council.
Chapter VII
Appointment of an Auditor in case of non-payment of undisputed fees
7.0 A member of the Institute in practice shall not accept the appointment
as auditor of an entity in case the undisputed audit fee of another Chartered
Accountant for carrying out the statutory audit under the Companies Act,
1956 or various other statutes has not been paid:
Provided that in the case of sick unit, the above prohibition of
acceptance shall not apply.
7.1
Explanation 1:
For this purpose, the provision for audit fee in accounts signed by both - the
auditee and the auditor shall be considered as undisputed audit fee.
7.2
Explanation 2:
For this purpose, sick unit shall mean where the net worth is negative.
Chapter VIII
Specified number of audit assignments
8.0 A member of the Institute in practice shall not hold at any time
appointment of more than the specified number of audit assignments of
Companies under Section 224 and/or Section 228 of the Companies Act,
1956.
Provided that in the case of a firm of Chartered Accountants in practice, the
specified number of audit assignments shall be construed as the specific
number of audit assignments for every partner of the firm.
Provided further that where any partner of the firm of Chartered Accountants
in practice is also a partner of any other firm or firms of Chartered
Accountants in practice, the number of audit assignments which may be
taken for all the firms together in relation to such partner shall not exceed the
specified number of audit assignments in the aggregate.
Provided further where any partner of a firm or firms of Chartered
Accountants in practice accepts one or more audit of Companies in his
individual capacity, or in the name of his proprietary firm, the total number of
such assignments which may be accepted by all firms in relation to such
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Chartered Accountant and by him shall not exceed the specified number of
audit assignments in the aggregate.
8.1
Explanation:
For the above purpose, the specified number of audit assignments means
a.
b.
8.2
b.
c.
d.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
8.4 A Chartered Accountant being a part time practicing partner of a firm
shall not be taken into account for the purpose of reckoning the audit
assignments of the firm.
8.5 A Chartered Accountant in practice as well as firm of Chartered
Accountants in practice shall maintain a record of the audit assignments
accepted by him or by the firm of Chartered Accountants, or by any of the
partners of the firm in his individual name or as a partner of any other firm,
as far as possible, in the following format:
S.
No
Name of
the
Company
Registration
Number
Date of
Date of
Date on
Appointment Acceptance which Form
23-B filed
with the
Registrar of
Companies
4
5
6
Chapter IX
(i)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(a)
(b)
(c)
(ii)
(iii)
the terms relative and substantial interest shall have the same
meaning as are assigned thereto under Appendix (9) to the Chartered
Accountants Regulations, 1988.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Chapter XII
Minimum Audit Fee in respect of Audit
12.0 A member of the Institute in practice shall not, on behalf of the firm of
chartered accountants in which he is a partner, accept or carry out any audit
work involving receipt of audit fees (excluding reimbursement of expenses, if
any) for such work of an amount less than what is specified hereunder:(a)
(b)
(i)
(ii)
Practising firm
having 10 or
more partners
Rs. 12000/-p.a.
Rs. 3500/-p.a.
Rs. 8000/-p.a.
Provided that such restriction shall not apply in respect of the following: (i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
Chapter XII Minimum Audit fee in respect of Audit was repealed by the Council
at its 306th meeting held on 7th & 8th June, 2011.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
12.1 Explanation:
For the purpose of these Guidelines, the expression statutory auditor means
and includes a chartered accountant appointed as an auditor under a
Central/State or Provincial Act as well as an auditor appointed under any
agreement.
The Council has clarified that for the above purpose the audit of Provident
Fund Trust, Gratuity Fund etc. carried out by the statutory auditor are to be
considered as separate and distinct audit so that the above restrictions are
applicable to it.
Chapter XIII
Repeal and Saving
13.0 The Notifications as specified in the Schedule hereto, issued under
erstwhile Clause (ii) of Part II of the Second Schedule to the Chartered
Accountants Act, 1949 by the Council from time to time shall stand repealed
from the date herein.
13.1 Notwithstanding such repeal:(a)
(b)
2.
3.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
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APPENDIX V
[PARA 9.18]
Relevant extracts from the Code of Ethics, 11th Edition, January 2009
pages 239- 243 (In view of the fact that with effect from 01.04.2014.the
Companies Act, 1956 has been replaced with Companies Act, 2013, the
Code of Ethics issued by ICAI is under revision. The members may refer
the revised Code of Ethics as and when published.)
Clause (4): expresses his opinion on financial statements of any business
or any enterprise in which he, his firm or a partner in his firm
has a substantial interest;
If the opinion of auditors are to command respect and the confidence of the
public, it is essential that it must be free of any interest which is likely to
affect their independence. Since financial interest in the business can be a
substantial interest and one of the important factors which may disturb
independence, the existence of such an interest direct or indirect affects the
opinion of the auditors. As per this clause, an auditor should not express his
opinion on financial statements of any business or enterprise wherein he has
a substantial interest. This is intended to assure the public as regards the
faith and confidences that could be reposed on the independent opinion
expressed by the auditors.
In this connection attention of members is also invited to Chapter IV of
Council Guidelines No. 1-CA(7)/02/2008 dated 8th August, 2008. The said
guidelines state that a member of the Institute shall not express his opinion
on financial statements of any business or enterprise in which one or more
persons, who are his relatives within the meaning of AS-18, have either by
themselves or in conjunction with such members, a substantial interest in the
said business or enterprise. For the purpose of said guideline and aforesaid
clause, the expression substantial interest shall have meaning as is
assigned thereto, under Appendix (9) of the Chartered Accountants
Regulations, 1988. (see Appendix-F).
The words financial statements used in this clause would cover both
reports and certificates usually given after an examination of the accounts or
the financial statement or any attest function under any statutory enactment
or for purposes of income-tax assessments. This would not, however, apply
to cases where such statements are prepared by members in employment
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
purely for the information of their respective employers in the normal course
of their duties and not meant to be submitted to any outside authority.
Public conscience is expected to be ahead of the law. Members, therefore,
are expected to interpret the requirement as regards independence much
more strictly than what the law requires and should not place themselves in
positions which would either compromise or jeopardise their independence.
Member must take care to see that they do not land themselves in situations
where there could be conflict of interest and duty. For example, where a
Chartered Accountant is appointed the Liquidator of a Company, he should
not qua a Chartered Accountant himself, audit the Statement of Accounts to
be filed under Section 551(1) of the Companies Act, 1956. The audit in such
circumstances should be done by a chartered Accountant other than the one
who is the Liquidator of the Company.
In this connection, the Council has decided not to permit a Chartered
Accountant in employment to certify the financial statements of the concern
in which he is employed, or of a concern under the same management as the
concern in which he is employed, even though he holds certificate of practice
and that such certification can be done by any Chartered Accountant in
practice. This restriction would not however apply where the certification is
permitted by any law, e.g. Section 228(iv) of the Companies Act, 1956 and
the Companies (Branch Audit Exemption) Rules, 1961 made thereunder. The
Council has also decided that a Chartered Accountant should not by himself
or in his firm name:(i)
(ii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
institutions, audit of stock exchange, brokers etc. The Council wishes to
emphasize that the aforesaid requirement of Clause (4) are equally
applicable while performing all types of attest functions by the members.
Some of the situations which may arise in the applicability of Clause (4) are
discussed below for the guidance of members:1.
Where the member, his firm or his partner or his relative has
substantial interest in the business or enterprise.
The independence of mind is a fundamental concept of audit and/or
expression of opinion on the financial statements in any form and, therefore,
must always be maintained. Nothing can substitute for the essential and
fundamental requirements of independence. Therefore, the Councils views
are clarified in the following circumstances.
(i)
An enterprise/concern of which a member is either an owner or a
partner
The holding of interest in the business or enterprise by a member himself
whether as sole-proprietor or partner in a firm, in the opinion of the Council,
would affect his independence of mind in the performance of professional
duties in conducting the audit and/or expressing an opinion on financial
statements of such enterprise. Therefore, a member should not audit
financial statements of such business or enterprise.
(ii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(i)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
called he should ensure that his appointment is duly made by a resolution
passed of such Managing Committee or Board of Trustees or Board of
Governors. Even in case of partnership or sole proprietory concerns, the
member must ensure that a letter of appointment/engagement is given by the
firm/sole proprietor before he accepts the appointment/ engagement.
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APPENDIX VI
[PARA 9.26]
FORM OF TAX AUDIT PARTICULARS TO BE FURNISHED BY
MEMBERS/FIRM
Record of Tax Audit Assignments
1.
2.
Membership No.
3.
4.
Name and Registration No. of the firm/ firms of which the member is a
proprietor or partner.
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APPENDIX VII
[PARA 9.27]
Revised Minimum recommended scale of fees chargeable for the
professional assignments done by Chartered Accountants - An
announcement hosted by Committee for Capacity Building of CA Firms and
Small and Medium Practitioners-Last updated on 18th July,2014:
PARTICULARS
I)
ADVISING ON DRAFTING OF
DEEDS/AGREEMENTS
(a) i) Partnership Deed
(b)
(c)
II)
Rates
For Class A For Class B
Cities
Cities
Revised
Revised
Minimum
Minimum
Recommend Recommende
ed scale of d scale of
Fees
Fees
INCOME TAX
A. Filing of Return of Income
I)
For Individuals/ HUFs etc.
(a) Filing of Return of Income
with
Salary/Other
Sources/Share of Profit
(b) Filing of Return of Income
with detailed Capital Gain
working
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Rs. 7,000/Above
Rs. 10,000/Above
Rs. 3,000/Above
Per Form
Rs. 6,000/Above
&
&
&
&
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
II)
(Quarterly
Fees)
(Quarterly
Fees)
B.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(b) Filing of Form No. 15-H/G
( per Set)
(c) Form No. 49-A/49-B
C.
D.
E.
Certificate
Obtaining Certificate from
Income Tax Department
See Note 1
Rs. 30,000/& Above
Rs. 9,000/- &
Above
Per Visit
Rs. 6,000/- &
Above
Per Visit
Rs. 75,000/& Above
Rs. 45,000/& Above
See Note 1
See Note 1
Rs. 20,000/Above
Rs. 6,000/Above
Per Visit
Rs. 4,000/Above
Per Visit
Rs. 50,000/Above
Rs. 30,000/Above
See Note 1
Assessments Etc.
(a)
Attending
Scrutiny
Assessment/Appeal
(i) Corporate
(ii) Non Corporate
(b)
Attending
Authorities
before
(c)
Attending
for
Rectifications/Refunds/Appeal
effects Etc.
(d) Income Tax Survey
(e) T.D.S. Survey
(f) Income Tax Search and
Seizure
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&
&
&
&
&
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(g) Any other Consultancy
III)
CHARITABLE TRUST
(a) (i) Registration Under Local
Act
(ii) Societies Registration Act
(b)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(c)
(d)
(h)
IV)
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See Note 1
See Note 1
Rs. 15,000/Above
Rs. 20,000/Above
Rs. 15,000/Above
Rs. 12,000/Above
Rs. 6,000/Above
Rs. 6,000/Above
Rs. 6,000/Above
Rs. 5,000/Above
per visit
Rs. 20,000/Above
Rs. 5,000/Above
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
&
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(ii)
Certification
Certificate)
(f)
(g)
Increase
Capital
See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
Rs. 15,000/& Above
See Note 1
Rs. 10,000/- &
Above
Tax
(c)
Professional
Tax
Enrollment (per Application)
in
Authorised
Filing
of
F-5,
F-23,
preparation
of
Revised
Memorandum
of
Association/Article
of
Association/LLP Agreement
DPIN/DIN per Application
(i)
(j)
(k)
Registration Work
(a) Registration Under V.A.T.
& C.S.T. Corporate Non
Corporate
(b)
Professional
Registration (PTR)
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(e)
(h)
V)
(Per
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
B.
C.
D.
Composition
Assessments/Appeals
(a)
Attending
V.A.T./Commercial
Tax
Assessments
(b)
Attending
V.A.T./Commercial
Tax
Appeals
Filing of Appeal/Appeals
Drafting
(a) First Appeal (AC/DC)
(b) Second Appeal
E.
Miscellaneous Work
(a) Professional Tax Returns
& Assessment
(b) Obtaining C/F/H Forms
under V.A.T./Commercial Tax
(i) First Time
(ii) Renewal
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Rs. 3,000 +
(Per Month)
Rs. 4,500 +
(Per Quarter)
Rs. 6,000 +
(Per
6
Months)
Rs. 9,000/- &
Above
Rs. 2,000/- +
(Per Month)
Rs. 3,000/- +
(Per Quarter)
Rs. 4,000/- +
(Per 6 Months)
Rs. 10,000/- +
5,000/-(Per
Visit)
Rs. 10,000/- +
6,000/-(Per
Visit)
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
VI)
AUDIT
AND
ASSIGNMENTS
OTHER
Principal
(a)
Small Pvt. Ltd. Co.
(Turnover up to Rs. 2 Crore)
(c)
Large Size Pvt. Ltd.
Co./Public Ltd. Co.
(iii) V.A.T. Audit
See Note 1
See Note 1
(iv)
Review
Compliance
See Note 1
See Note 1
of
TDS
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
VII)
INVESTIGATION, MANAGEMENT
SERVICES
OR
SPECIAL
ASSIGNMENTS
Rate per day would depend
on the complexity of the work
and the number of days spent
by each person
(a) Principal
VIII)
IX)
CERIFICATION WORK
(a) Issuing Certificates under the
Income Tax Act i.e. U/s
80IA/80IB/10 A/10B & other
Certificates
(b) Other Certificates
For
LIC/Passport/Credit
Card/Etc.
Other Attestation (True Copy)
(c)
(d) Net worth Certificate for
person going abroad
WEALTH TAX
(a) Per statement
(b)
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See Note 1
See Note 1
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
X)
CONSULTATION
&
ARBITRATION
Rate per hour would depend
on the complexity of the work
and the number of hours
agent by each person.
(a) Principal
XI)
XII)
NBFC/RBI MATTERS
(a) NBFC Registration with RBI
(b) Other Returns
SERVICE TAX
(a) Registration
(b)
(c)
(d)
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Rs. 30,000/&
Above(initial
fees)
+
additional
fees @ Rs.
7,500/&
Above
per
hour
Rs. 5,300/- &
Above
per
hour
Rs. 2,300/- &
Above
per
hour
See Note 1
Rs. 15,000/& Above
See Note 1
Rs. 10,000/- &
Above
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
XIII)
XIV)
(e)
(f)
Adjudication
(g)
FEMA MATTERS
1
Filing Declaration with RBI in
relation to transaction by
NRIs/OCBs
2
Obtaining Prior Permissions
from RBI for Transaction with
NRIs/OCBs
3
Technical Collaboration:
Advising,
obtaining
RBI
permission, drafting and
preparing
technical
collaboration agreement and
incidental matters
4
Foreign Collaboration:
Advising,
obtaining
RBI
permission, drafting and
preparing
technical
collaboration agreement and
incidental
matters
(incl.
Shareholders Agreement)
5
Advising on non Resident
Taxation Matters including
Double
Tax
Avoidance
Agreements including FEMA
PROJECT FINANCING
(a) Preparation of CMA Data
(b) Services relating to Financial
sector
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See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
See Note 1
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Notes:
1)
Fees to be charged depending on the complexity and the time spent
on the particular assignment.
2)
The above recommended minimum scale of fees is as recommended
by the Committee for Capacity Building of CA Firms & Small and Medium
Practitioners (CCBCAF&SMP) of ICAI and duly considered by the council.
3)
The aforesaid table states recommendatory minimum scale of fees
works out by taking into account average time required to complete such
assignments. However, members are free to charge varying rates depending
upon the nature and complexity of assignment and time involved in
completing the same.
4)
Office time spent in travelling & out-of-pocket expenses would be
chargeable. The Committee issues for general information the above
recommended scale of fees which it considers reasonable under present
conditions. It will be appreciated that the actual fees charged in individual
cases will be matter of agreement between the member and the client.
5)
6)
The Committee also recommends that the bill for each service should
be raised separately and immediately after the services are rendered.
7)
"Class A Cities here includes Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Pune,
Hyderabad, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.
Class B Cities includes all other cities not included in ""Class A""."
8)
The amount charged will be based on the location of the service
provider.
Please note the above mentioned rates are as per the data available on ICAI
website at below link:
http://www.icai.org/new_post.html?post_id=7252
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APPENDIX VIII
[PARA 10.3 & 10.8]
I.
Entities whose equity or debt securities are listed or are in the process
of listing on any stock exchange, whether in India or outside India.
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(ii)
(iii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Level III Entities (SMEs)
Non-corporate entities which are not covered under Level I and Level II are
considered as Level III entities.
Additional requirements
(1) An SME which does not disclose certain information pursuant to the
exemptions or relaxations given to it should disclose (by way of a note to its
financial statements) the fact that it is an SME and has complied with the
Accounting Standards insofar as they are applicable to entities falling in
Level II or Level III, as the case may be.
(2) Where an entity, being covered in Level II or Level III, had qualified for
any exemption or relaxation previously but no longer qualifies for the relevant
exemption or relaxation in the current accounting period, the relevant
standards or requirements become applicable from the current period and
the figures for the corresponding period of the previous accounting period
need not be revised merely by reason of its having ceased to be covered in
Level II or Level III, as the case may be. The fact that the entity was covered
in Level II or Level III, as the case may be, in the previous period and it had
availed of the exemptions or relaxations available to that Level of entities
should be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
(3) Where an entity has been covered in Level I and subsequently,
ceases to be so covered, the entity will not qualify for exemption/relaxation
available to Level II entities, until the entity ceases to be covered in Level I
for two consecutive years. Similar is the case in respect of an entity, which
has been covered in Level I or Level II and subsequently, gets covered under
Level III.
(4) If an entity covered in Level II or Level III opts not to avail of the
exemptions or relaxations available to that Level of entities in respect of any
but not all of the Accounting Standards, it should disclose the Standard(s) in
respect of which it has availed the exemption or relaxation.
(5) If an entity covered in Level II or Level III desires to disclose the
information not required to be disclosed pursuant to the exemptions or
relaxations available to that Level of entities, it should disclose that
information in compliance with the relevant Accounting Standard.
(6) An entity covered in Level II or Level III may opt for availing certain
exemptions or relaxations from compliance with the requirements prescribed
in an Accounting Standard:
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Provided that such a partial exemption or relaxation and disclosure should
not be permitted to mislead any person or public.
(7) In respect of Accounting Standard (AS) 15, Employee Benefits,
exemptions/ relaxations are available to Level II and Level III entities, under
two sub-classifications, viz., (i) entities whose average number of persons
employed during the year is 50 or more, and (ii) entities whose average
number of persons employed during the year is less than 50. The
requirements stated in paragraphs (1) to (6) above, mutatis mutandis, apply
to these sub-classifications.
(2) Criteria for classification of companies under the Companies
(Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006
Small and Medium-Sized Company (SMC) as defined in Clause 2(f) of
the Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006:
(f)
whose equity or debt securities are not listed or are not in the
process of listing on any stock exchange, whether in India or
outside India;
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Instructions
A.
General Instructions
1.
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Provided that such a partial exemption or relaxation and disclosure
shall not be permitted to mislead any person or public.
B.
Other Instructions
AS 2
Valuation of Inventories
AS 4
AS 5
Net Profit or Loss for the Period, Prior Period Items and
Changes in Accounting Policies
AS 6
Depreciation Accounting
AS 7
AS 9
Revenue Recognition
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
AS 24 Discontinuing Operations
AS 26 Intangible Assets
(II)
(A)
AS 17 Segment Reporting
(B)
(C)
(ii)
(iii)
(b)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
more than 12 months after the balance sheet
date;
(ii)
(c)
(d)
AS 19, Leases
Paragraphs 22 (c),(e) and (f); 25 (a), (b) and (e); 37 (a)
and (f); and 46 (b) and (d) relating to disclosures are
not applicable to SMCs.
(iii)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(iv)
(v)
AS 29, Provisions,
Contingent Assets
Contingent
Liabilities
and
III.
AS 2
Valuation of Inventories
AS 4
AS 5
Net Profit or Loss for the Period, Prior Period Items and
Changes in Accounting Policies
AS 6
Depreciation Accounting
AS 7
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
AS 9
Revenue Recognition
(A)
AS 17 Segment Reporting
(B)
AS 17 Segment Reporting
AS 18 Related Party Disclosures
AS 24 Discontinuing Operations
(C)
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(ii)
(iii)
(D)
(i)
(1)
(b)
(c)
(d)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
However, such entities should actuarially determine and
provide for the accrued liability in respect of other longterm employee benefits by using the Projected Unit Credit
Method and the discount rate used should be determined
by reference to market yields at the balance sheet date
on government bonds as per paragraph 78 of the
Standard.
(2)
(b)
(c)
(d)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(ii)
AS 19, Leases
Paragraphs 22 (c),(e) and (f); 25 (a), (b) and (e); 37 (a) and (f);
and 46 (b) and (d) relating to disclosures are not applicable to
non-corporate entities falling in Level II .
Paragraphs 22 (c),(e) and (f); 25 (a), (b) and (e); 37 (a), (f) and
(g); and 46 (b), (d) and (e) relating to disclosures are not
applicable to Level III entities.
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(E)
AS 25, Interim Financial Reporting, does not require a noncorporate entity to present interim financial report. It is
applicable only if a non-corporate entity is required or elects to
prepare and present an interim financial report. Only certain
Level I non-corporate entities are required by the concerned
regulators to present interim financial results, e.g., quarterly
financial results required by the SEBI. Therefore, the
recognition and measurement requirements contained in this
Standard are applicable to those Level I non-corporate entities
for preparation of interim financial results.
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APPENDIX IX
[PARA 11.11]
APPLICABILITY OF SA 700, FORMING AN OPINION AND REPORTING
ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, TO FORMATS OF AUDITOR'S REPORTS
PRESCRIBED UNDER VARIOUS LAWS AND/ OR REGULATIONS
(22.08.2013)
1.
The Council of ICAI, at its 326th meeting held from 27th to 29th July
2013 considered the issue relating to application of Standard on Auditing
(SA) 700 Forming An Opinion And Reporting on Financial Statements to
such cases where the format of the auditor's report is prescribed under the
relevant law or the regulation thereunder and are per se not in line with the
requirements of SA 700. The Council noted that in many cases such
prescribed auditor's report were required to be filed online in a preset form
and, hence, it was not possible for the auditors to make necessary changes
in these reports to bring them in line with the SA 700. Similarly, many a
times, even where the auditor's report were to be submitted in a physical
form and not filed online, the concerned regulatory/ government agencies
may not accept such audit reports which contained any changes made by the
auditors to the prescribed formats to bring them in line with SA 700.
2.
In view of the above, the Council decided that while the matter was
being taken up by the Institute with the relevant regulatory authorities/
Government agencies, etc., to change the prescribed formats for bringing the
same in line with the requirements of SA 700, the members may, in the
situations described in paragraph 1 above, submit the auditor's report in the
format/s prescribed under the relevant law or regulation until announcement
of necessary change is made by the appropriate authority. In such cases the
members would not be viewed as having not complied with the provisions of
SA 700.
3.
In this context, it may also be noted that paragraph A55 of the SA
200, Overall Objectives of the Independent Auditor and the Conduct of An
Audit in Accordance With Standards on Auditing clearly states as follows:
"A55. In performing an audit, the auditor may be required to comply
with legal or regulatory requirements in addition to the SAs. The SAs
do not override laws and regulations that govern an audit of financial
statements."
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4.
Further, paragraph 43 of SA 700 requires that if the auditor is required
by any law or regulation to use a specific layout or wording of the auditor's
report, the auditor shall refer to Standards on Auditing only if the auditor's
report includes, at minimum, each of the elements as prescribed in the said
paragraph.
5.
On a perusal of a cross section of the formats of the auditor's report
prescribed under various laws, specially, the Income-tax Act, 1961 and the
Value Added Tax Acts of various States, it is clear that these prescribed
formats do not contain all the elements of the auditor's report as required in
paragraph 43 of SA 700. In the background of the difficulties mentioned in
paragraph 1 above, it may also not be possible for the auditors to suitably
modify the prescribed format. Accordingly, it would not per se be possible for
the auditors to state in their audit reports that the audit has been carried out
in accordance with the Standards on Auditing. However, the auditors would
be required to carry out the audits in accordance with the Standards on
Auditing issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
The same can also be downloaded from the link below:
http://www.icai.org/new_post.html?post_id=9835
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APPENDIX X
[PARA 13.13]
Circular No.561, dated 22nd May, 1990
Subject: Tax audit under section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961, in
the case of companies having accounting year other than
financial year - Regarding
1.
The Board have received representations regarding difficulties faced
in complying with the provisions of section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961,
in the case of companies which follow an accounting period other than
financial year.
2.
Section 3 of the Income-tax Act, inter alia, provides that with effect
from 1st April, 1989, previous year for the purposes of that Act means
financial year immediately preceding the assessment year. In spite of the
introduction of a uniform previous year for purposes of income-tax, some
companies may adopt an accounting period other than the financial year, say
the calendar year, under the Companies Act for other purposes.
3.
In such cases, a question has arisen as to whether, under section
44AB of the Income-tax Act, the tax auditor can audit and certify the
accounts for the period for which accounts have been maintained under the
Companies Act (i.e., in this case the calendar year) or whether the tax
auditor will have to certify the accounts for the relevant financial year which
is the uniform accounting year for tax purposes.
4.
The Board have considered the matter and are of opinion that as the
income of the previous year is chargeable to tax and, for the purposes of
Income-tax Act, the previous year is the financial year, the tax auditor would
have to carry out the audit under section 44AB in respect of the period
covered by the previous year, i.e., the relevant financial year. The proviso to
the aforesaid section 44AB, therefore, covers only the cases where the
accounts are audited under any other law in respect of the financial year.
Where the accounting year is different from the financial year, the proviso to
section 44AB will not apply. Consequently, the tax auditors would have to
carry out the tax audit in respect of the period covered by the relevant
financial year and submit his report in Form 3CB as required in rule 6G(1)(b)
of the Income-tax Rules.
Sd/Nishi Nair
Under Secretary to the Government of India.
[F.No.205/4/90-ITA-II]
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APPENDIX XI
[PARA 18.1, 32.7]
Circular No.739 dated 25-3-1996
Whether for assessment years subsequent to assessment year 1996-97,
no deduction under section 40(b)(v) will be admissible unless
partnership deed either specifies amount of remuneration payable to
each individual working partner or lays down manner of quantifying
such remuneration
1.
The Board have received representations seeking clarification
regarding disallowance of remuneration paid to the working partners as
provided under section 40(b)(v) of the Income-tax Act. In particular, the
representations have referred to two types of clauses which are generally
incorporated in the partnership deeds.
These are:
(i)
(ii)
It has been represented that the Assessing Officers are not allowing
deduction on the basis of these and similar clauses in the course of scrutiny
assessments for the reason that they neither specify the amount of
remuneration to each individual nor lay down the manner of quantifying such
remuneration.
2.
The Board have considered the representations. Since the amended
provisions of section 40(b) have been introduced only with effect from the
assessment year 1993-94 and these may not have been understood
correctly, the Board are of the view that a liberal approach may be taken for
the initial years. It has been decided that for the assessment years 1993-94
to 1996-97 deduction for remuneration to a working partner may be allowed
on the basis of the clauses of the type mentioned at 1(i) above.
3.
In cases where neither the amount has been quantified nor even the
limit of total remuneration has been specified but the same has been left to
be determined by the partners at the end of the accounting period, in such
cases payment of remuneration to partners cannot be allowed as deduction
in the computation of firms income.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
4.
It is clarified that for the assessment years subsequent to the
assessment year 1996-97, no deduction under section 40(b)(v) will be
admissible unless the partnership deed either specifies the amount of
remuneration payable to each individual working partner or lays down the
manner of quantifying such remuneration.
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APPENDIX XII
[PARA 39.11]
THE RELEVANT EXTRACTS OF THE MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM
ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT ACT, 2006
Appointed day means the day following immediately after the expiry of the
period of fifteen days from the day of acceptance or the day of deemed
acceptance of any goods or any services by a buyer from a supplier.
Day of acceptance means the day of actual delivery of the goods or the
rendering of service or where any objection is made in writing by the buyer
regarding the acceptance of goods or services within 15 days from the day of
delivery of goods or rendering of services, the day on which the objection is
removed by the supplier.
Day of deemed acceptance means , where no objection is made in writing
by the buyer regarding acceptance of goods or services within fifteen days
from the day of deliver of the goods or rendering of services, the day of the
actual delivery of goods or the rendering of services.
Buyer means who so ever buys any goods or receives any services from
the supplier for a consideration.
Supplier means a micro or small enterprise, which has filed a memorandum
with the authority referred to in section 7(1)(a).
Micro Enterprise means:
(a)
(b)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
where the investment in plant and machinery is more than twenty five
lakh rupees but does not exceed five crore rupees;
(b)
(b)
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Appendix XIII
[Para 40.1]
Chart of persons specified in Section 40A(2)(b)- (Refer Paragraph 40.1)
Part-I
Individual
Firm
Association
of persons
HUF
Company
His
relatives
Its partners
Its
Its members
Its
directors
Their
relatives
Their
relatives
members
Their
relatives
Their
relatives
Part-II
His relatives
Association
of persons
HUF
Company
Its
members
Their relatives
Its members
Its directors
Their relatives
Their relatives
any
other
company
carrying on business or
profession in which the
first mentioned company
has substantial interest
Note: Where one or more of the persons falling in any of the above
categories (i.e. individual and his relatives, firm, its partners and their
relatives, etc.) have substantial interest in the business or profession carried
on by any person that person is also covered under section 40A(2)(b).
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
PART III
Director
Partner
Member
HUF
Firms in which
he is a partner
Member
of
AOP
AOP of which
he is a member
Companies
in
which he is a
Director
of
All
other
partners of such
firms
All
other
members
of
such AOP
All
other
members of
such HUF
Their relatives
Their relatives
Their relatives
Their
relatives
Notes:
1.
Relative is defined in section 2(41) as in relation to an individual
including husband, wife, brother, sister or any lineal ascendant or
descendent of that individual.
2.
"Person having a substantial interest" is explained in section 40A as
under:
i.
ii.
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APPENDIX XIV
[PARA 48.1]
Circular No. 208, dated 15th November, 1976
F.No. 208/7/76-ITA-II
Section 69D of the Income-tax Act, 1961 - Clarification Regarding
Whether payment on or after April 1, 1977 of amount borrowed on hundi
is to comply with the section regardless of whether hundi was executed
prior to the said date or on or after that date
1.
The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Act, 1975, has added a new section
69D in Income-tax Act, 1961, with effect from 1st April, 1977, which provides
that if any amount is borrowed from any person on a hundi or any amount
due on it is repaid to any person, otherwise than through an account-payee
cheque drawn on a bank, the amount so borrowed or repaid shall be
assessed as the income of the tax-payer borrowing or repaying the said
amount, for the previous year in which the amount is borrowed or repaid.
This will also apply to the amount of interest paid on the amount borrowed on
hundies. This provision is applicable only in respect of hundies and does not
cover other types of loans, such as, repayment of loan by employees to
employers, repayment of loan to banks, co-operative societies etc.
2.
The term "hundi" has not been defined in the Income-tax Act, 1961. In
common commercial parlance, it denotes an indigenous instrument in
vernacular language which can be used by the holder thereof to collect
money due thereon without using the medium of currency. It may also be
regarded as an indigenous form of a bill of exchange expressed in
vernacular language which has been in use in the mercantile community in
India for the purpose of collecting dues. There are numerous varieties of
hundies, for example Darshani Hundi, Muddati Hundi, Shaha Jogi Hundi,
Jokhmi Hundi, Nam Jog Hundi, Dhani Jog Hundi, Jawabi Hundi and Zickri
chit. The characteristics of hundies differ according to the varieties of the
same. The following characteristics are found in most of the hundies:
1.
2.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
3.
4.
3.
This provision will come into force with effect from 1st April, 1977.
Accordingly, any payment on or after 1st April, 1977, in respect of an amount
borrowed on a hundi will have to comply with the requirements of this
provision regardless of whether the hundi was executed prior to the said date
or on or after that date.
Circular No. 221, dated 6-6-1977
[F. No. 208/25/76-IT(A-II)],
Whether provisions of the section are applicable to darshani hundi
transactions
1.
Reference is invited to Boards Circular No. 208 [F. No. 208/7/76-IT(AII)], dated 15-11-1976 [printed at Sl. No. 478 ] in which the provisions of
section 69D were explained.
2.
A hundi in common commercial parlance denotes an indigenous form
of bill of exchange, by and large in vernacular language, which is being used
by the mercantile community in India. The hundis can be broadly classified
as (i) darshani hundis (sight or demand hundis), and (ii) muddati hundis
(usance hundis payable after a stipulated period of time mentioned therein).
Darshani hundis are of different varieties, viz, (i) shahjog hundis, (ii) dhanijog
hundis, (iii) namjog hundis, (iv) dekharanarjog hundis, (v) farmanijog hundis,
and (vi) jokhmi hundis.
3.
It has been represented to the Board that a darshani hundi created
solely for the purpose of remittances of funds or financing inland trade or for
operating accounts through indigenous banking channels does not involve
borrowal of amounts and as such does not fall within the scope of section
69D. There are more than two parties in a darshani hundi. Normally four
parties are involved in the case of a darshani hundi, viz, (i) the rakhya (the
holder or purchaser), (ii) the drawer (an indigenous banker or a vyapari), (iii)
the drawee (normally an indigenous banker but can also be a vyapari), and
(iv) the payee. If the payee is also the rakhya, the parties will be three.
Darshani hundi is payable at sight, i.e, immediately on presentation. A
muddati (usance) hundi generally involving two parties, is payable after a
stipulated period of time mentioned in the hundi.
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4.
The matter has been considered by the Board. We have been advised
that the provisions of section 69D are not applicable to darshani hundi
transactions mentioned hereinafter :
1.(a) A, who is the rakhya obtains on payment from B, the drawer, a
hundi drawn on C, the drawee, in favour of D, the payee.
(b)
3.
5.
Normally, borrowal on hundi arises when a person gets money by
execution of a hundi but in the instances cited above the hundi is given in the
nature of a security and there is no borrowal on such hundis. Thus in cases
of transactions referred to at (1), (2) and (3) of para 4, section 69D is not
applicable. The settlement of account between any of the parties to such a
darshani hundi can, thus, be otherwise than through an account payee
cheque within the meaning of section 69D.
6.
This circular covers darshani hundi transactions of the types referred
to at (1), (2) and (3) of para 4 above. However, it could not be said that there
could be no borrowal on darshani hundi. The transactions not of the type
referred to above, on darshani hundis have to be examined with reference to
the facts and circumstances of such cases so as to determine whether or not
there is a borrowal on such hundis.
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APPENDIX XV
[PARA 13.9 & 71.3]
RECOMMENDED FORM OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR NON-CORPORATE ENTITIES
FORM OF BALANCE SHEET
(FOR NON CORPORATE MANUFACTURING ENTITIES)
NAME OF ENTITY
BALANCE SHEET AS AT
Figure
s for
Previo
us
year
Figur
es for
Curre
nt
year
I. CAPITAL
I. FIXED ASSETS
(In
case
of
partnership,
these
particulars to be given
separately for each
partner and if possible
the
fixed
capital
accounts may be
segregated from the
current accounts) as at
the beginning of the
year.
Add/Deduct
Net
Profit/Net Loss during
the year
Interest on capital
Drawings
Any other items (give
details)
II. RESERVES
(Give
details
under
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Figure
s for
Previo
us
year
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
each head)
1. Capital reserves (if
any)
2. Other Reserves
(including restrained
profits to the extent not
already added to the
capital, give details)
3. Distinguishing as
far as possible
between
expenditure upon:
a)
Goodwill
b)
Land
III.
LOANS
AND
BORROWINGS
c)
Buildings
d)
Leaseholds
e)
Railway
sidings
f)
Plant
and
Machinery
2. In the case of
secured loans the
nature of security to be
specified.
g)
Furniture
Fittings
h)
Development
of property
i)
Patents,
Trademarks
and designs
j)
Livestock
k)
Vehicles etc.
1. Cost
2.
depreciation
A.
CURRENT
LIABILITIES
3.
III. INVESTMENTS
creditors
Advances
(attach details of
investment
showing in each
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Less:
&
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
case nature of
investment
and
mode of valuation
e.g. cost or market
value)
Progress
Payments
from
customers
/deposits from dealers,
selling agents etc.
4. Interest and other
charges accrued but
not due for payment.
1. Investment in
shares, debentures
or bonds (Note:
Investments
in
concern
wherein
proprietor, partner
or their relative are
interested to be
shown separately)
5. Bills Payable
6. Statutory liabilities
(Overdue amounts to
be shown separately)
7.
Other
current
liabilities
and
provisions
(Major
items to be shown
separately).
2.
Immovable
properties
3. Investments in
the
capital
of
partnership firms
B. PROVISIONS :
1. For taxation
Less advance tax paid
2. For Provident Fund
4.
Other
investments.
3. For Contingencies
IV. LOANS
4. Other provisions.
1. The nature of
security (if any) and
amount of each type
of loan to be
specified.
2. Amounts due
within one year to
be
shown
separately.
3.
Loans
to
proprietors, partners
or
associated
concern (to be
shown separately)
2. Uncalled liability on
shares partly paid
3. Estimated amount
of contracts remaining
to be executed to
capital account and
4. Loans considered
bad or doubtful to
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
be
separately.
shown
V. CURRENT
ASSETS
A-INVENTORIES)
6. Aggregate amount
of
arrears
of
depreciation, if any.
(The
mode
of
valuation to be
shown separately)
1. Raw materials
(including
stores
and other items
used in the process
of manufacture)
2. Work in process.
3. Finished goods.
4.
Consumable
stores and spare
parts.
5. Loose Tools.
6. Others
B. RECEIVABLES
1. Debts due and
outstanding for a
period exceeding six
months
(to
be
shown separately).
2. Instalments of
deferred receivables
due within one year
to
be
shown
separately.
3. Debts considered
bad or doubtful to
be
shown
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
separately.
4. Amount due from
proprietors, partners
or
associated
concerns to be
shown separately.
i) On account of
sales on deferred
payments basis.
ii) On account of
exports
iii) Others
iv) Total receivables
v) Less: provision
for bad and doubtful
debts.
C.
BILLS
EXCHANGE
OF
(Same information to
be given as for
`Receivables')
D. ADVANCE ON
CURRENT
ACCOUNT
(Same information to
be given as for
loans).
1.
Advance
to
suppliers
of
merchandise
supplies
and
sundries etc. and
stores
/spares/consumable
s.
2. Advance payment
of taxes (in excess
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
of tax payable)
3.
Pre-paid
expenses.
4. Others
E.
CASH
AND
BANK BALANCES
1. Fixed
account
deposit
2.
Current
and
savings account
3. Cash on hand
VI.
MISCELLANEOUS
EXPENDITURE
To the extent not
written
off
or
adjusted (specify the
nature and amount
of each item).
VII.
ACCUMULATED
Losses: if any
i) before
depreciation
ii) depreciation.
TOTAL RUPEES
TOTAL RUPEES
2.
Unless otherwise indicated, the terms used herein have the same
meaning as they have in Schedule VI to the Companies Act, 1956.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
PRO FORMA OF PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
FOR A NON-CORPORATE MANUFACTURING ENTITY
Name of the entity _________________________________
Profit and Loss Account for the year ending ______________________ (000's
omitted)
Previous Year
(actuals)
1.
Sales
(Income from services may be
shown separately)
2.
3.
Net Sales
(Item No.1 minus Item No.2)
4.
Add/Deduct/Increase /Decrease
in Finished Goods
Closing Stock
Less: Opening Stock
5.
Cost of Production
(a) Rawmaterial consumption.
Add: Purchases
Less: Closing Stock
(b) Stores and spare consumption
(c) Salaries and wages
(d) Other manufacturing expenses,
excluding depreciation
Sub-total
Add: Opening stocks-in-process
Deduct: Closing stock-in-process
Cost of production
Gross profit/loss (Item No.3 minus Item No.4)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Depreciation
11.
12.
Taxation
13.
Note:
1.
2.
If audited accounts for the previous year are not available, the fact should be
stated.
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APPENDIX XVI
[PARA 13.9 & 71.3]
RECOMMENDED FORM OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR NON-CORPORATE TRADING ENTITIES
NAME OF ENTITY
BALANCE SHEET AS AT
Figure
s for
Previo
us
year
Figur
es for
Curre
nt
year
I. CAPITAL
I. FIXED ASSETS
(In
case
of
partnership,
these
particulars to be given
separately for each
partner and if possible
the
fixed
capital
accounts may be
segregated from the
current accounts) as at
the beginning of the
year.
Add/Deduct
Net
Profit/Net Loss during
the year
Interest on capital
Drawings
Any other items (give
details)
II. RESERVES
(Give details
each head)
under
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Figure
s for
Previo
us
year
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
any)
3. Distinguishing as
far as possible
between
expenditure upon:
2. Other Reserves
(including restrained
profits to the extent not
already added to the
capital, give details)
a)
Goodwill
b)
Land
III.
LOANS
BORROWINGS
c)
Buildings
d)
Leaseholds
e)
Railway
sidings
f)
Plant
and
Machinery
2. In the case of
secured loans the
nature of security to be
specified.
g)
Furniture
Fittings
h)
Development
of property
i)
Patents,
Trademarks
and designs
j)
Livestock
k)
Vehicles etc.
1.
Cost
2.
Less:
depreciation
AND
b)
Loans
and
borrowings from banks
(Specify the name of
the bank, the relevant
amount and the nature
of the borrowing e.g.
cash credit, term-
III. INVESTMENTS
(attach details of
investment showing
in each case nature
of investment and
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&
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
loans,
overdraft,
packing credit etc.
(separately)
mode of valuation
e.g. cost or market
value)
1. Investment in
shares, debentures
or bonds (Note:
Investments
in
concern
wherein
proprietor, partner
or their relative are
interested to be
shown separately)
2.
Immovable
properties
A.
CURRENT
LIABILITIES
3. Investments in
the
capital
of
partnership firms
4.
Other
investments.
2. Sundry
(Others)
IV. LOANS
creditors
1.
The
nature,
security (if any) and
amount of each type
of loan to be
specified.
3.
Advances
/
Progress
Payments
from
customers/
deposits from dealers,
selling agents etc.
2. Amounts due
within one year to
be
shown
separately.
3.
Loans
to
proprietors, partners
or
associated
concern (to be
shown separately)
6. Statutory liabilities
(Overdue amounts to
be shown separately)
7.
Other
current
liabilities
and
provisions
(Major
items to be shown
4. Loans considered
bad or doubtful to
be
stated
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
separately).
separately.
B. PROVISIONS :
1. For taxation
Less advance tax paid
V.
CURRENT
ASSETS
A-INVENTORIES
(The
mode
of
valuation to be
shown separately)
4. Other provisions.
(A foot note to the
balance sheet may be
added
to
show
separately)
1. Stock in Trade
2. Supplies and
sundries (If the
trading organization
is also involved in
any
processing
activity ties other
categories
of
inventories,
e.g.,
raw material, and
work-in-progress,
should
be
separately
disclosed.
B. RECEIVABLES
1. Debts due and
outstanding for a
period exceeding six
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
months
(to
be
shown separately).
2. Instalments of
deferred receivables
due within one year
to
be
shown
separately.
3. Debts considered
bad or doubtful to
be
shown
separately.
4. Amount due from
proprietors, partners
or
associated
concerns to be
shown separately.
i) On account of
sales on deferred
payments basis.
ii) On account of
exports
iii) Others
iv) Total receivables
v) Less: provision
for bad and doubtful
debts.
C.
BILLS
EXCHANGE
OF
(Same information to
be given as for
`Receivables')
D. ADVANCE ON
CURRENT
ACCOUNT
(Same information to
be given as for
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
loans).
1. rawmaterials and
stores/
spares/consumable.
2. Advance payment
of taxes (in excess
of tax payable)
3.
Pre-paid
expenses.
4. Others
E.
CASH
AND
BANK BALANCES
1. Fixed
account
deposit
2.
Current
and
savings account
3. Cash on hand
VI.
MISCELLANEOUS
EXPENDITURE
To the extent not
written
off
or
adjusted (specify the
nature and amount
of each item).
VII.
ACCUMULATED
Losses: if any
i) before depreciation
ii) depreciation
TOTAL RUPEES
TOTAL RUPEES
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
2.
Unless otherwise indicated, the terms used herein have the same
meaning as they have in Schedule VI to the Companies Act, 1956.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
PROFORMA OF PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
FOR A TRADING ENTITY
Name of the entity _________________________________
Profit and Loss Account for the year ending __________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Last Year
Rs.
1.
This Year
Rs.
2.
3.
Gross Profit (1 - 2)
4.
5.
6.
Interest
7.
8.
Depreciation
9.
10.
Note:
*
**
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APPENDIX XVII
FORM NO.3CA
[See rule 6G(1)(a)]
Audit report under section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961,
in a case where the accounts of the business or profession of a person
have been audited under any other law
*I / we report that the statutory audit of M/s. _________________ ( Name
and address of the asseessee with Permanent Account Number) was
conducted
by
*me
/
us
/
M/s.
____________________________________________________
in
pursuance of the provisions of the___________________________Act,
and*I/we annex hereto a copy of *my / our / their audit report dated
_______________________along with a copy of each of :(a)
(b)
(c)
2.
The statement of particulars required to be furnished under section
44AB is annexed herewith in Form No. 3CD.
3.
In *my / our opinion and to the best of *my / our information and
according to examination of books of account including other relevant
documents and explanations given to *me / us, the particulars given in the
said Form No.3 CD are true and correct subject to the following
observations/qualifications, if any:
a.
b.
c.
.................................................
**(Signature and stamp/Seal of the signatory)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Place : ______________
Date : ______________
Full address .
Notes :
1. * Delete whichever is not applicable
2. **This report has to be signed by a person eligible to sign the report as per
the provisions of section 44AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
3. Where any of the requirements in this Form is answered in the negative or
with qualification, give reasons therefore.
4. The person who signs this audit report shall indicate reference of his
membership number / certificate of practice / authority under which he is
entitled to sign this report.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
FORM NO.3CB
[See rule 6G(1)(b)]
Audit report under section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961,
in the case of a person referred to in clause (b) of sub-rule (1) of rule 6G
1.
*I / we have examined the balance sheet as on, ____, and the *profit
and loss account / income and expenditure account for the period beginning
from ----------------------to ending on -----------------., attached herewith, of
______________________________( Name ), _______________(Address),
____________(Permanent Account Number).
2.
*I / we certify that the balance sheet and the *profit and loss / income
and expenditure account are in agreement with the books of account
maintained at the head office at _____________ and ** ___________
branches.
3.(a) *I / we report the following observations / comments / discrepancies /
inconsistencies; if any:
(b) Subject to above, (A) *I / we have obtained all the information and explanations which,
to the best of *my / our knowledge and belief, were necessary for the
purpose of the audit.
(B) In *my / our opinion, proper books of account have been kept by
the head office and branches of the assessee so far as appears
from*my / our examination of the books.
(C) In *my / our opinion and to the best of *my / our information and
according to the explanations given to *me / us, the said accounts,
read with notes thereon, if any, give a true and fair view :(i)
in the case of the balance sheet, of the state of the affairs of the
assessee as at 31st March, ;and
(ii)
4.
The statement of particulars required to be furnished under section
44AB is annexed herewith in Form No.3CD.
5.
In *my/our opinion and to the best of *my / our information and
according to explanations given to *me / us, the particulars given in the said
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Form No.3 CD are true and
observations/qualifications, if any:
correct
subject
to
following
a.
b.
c.
.................................................
***(Signature and stamp/seal of the signatory)
Place : ______________
Date : ______________
Full address .
Notes :
1. *Delete whichever is not applicable.
2. **Mention the total number of branches.
3. ***This report has to be signed by person eligible to sign the report as per
the provisions of section 44AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
4. The person, who signs this audit report, shall indicate reference of his
membership number / certificate of practice number / authority under which
he is entitled to sign this report.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
FORM NO.3CD
[See rule 6G(2)]
Statement of particulars required to be furnished under
section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
PART A
1.
_______________________
2.
Address
_______________________
3.
_______________________
4.
_______________________
5.
Status
_______________________
6.
Previous year
7.
Assessment year
_______________________
8.
_______________________
PART - B
9.(a) If firm or association of persons, indicate names of partners/members
and their profit sharing ratios.
(b) If there is any change in the partners or members or in their profit
sharing ratio since the last date of the preceding year, the particulars of such
change
10.(a) Nature of business or profession (if more than one business or
profession is carried on during the previous year, nature of every business or
profession)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(b) If there is any change in the nature of business or profession, the
particulars of such change.
11.(a) Whether books of account are prescribed under section 44AA, if yes,
list of books so prescribed.
(b) List of books of account maintained and the address at which the
books of accounts are kept.
(In case books of account are maintained in a computer system, mention the
books of account generated by such computer system. If the books of
accounts are not kept at one location, please furnish the addresses of
locations along with the details of books of accounts maintained at each
location.)
(c)
12. Whether the profit and loss account includes any profits and gains
assessable on presumptive basis, if yes, indicate the amount and the
relevant section (44AD, 44AE, 44AF, 44B, 44BB, 44BBA, 44BBB, Chapter
XII-G, First Schedule or any other relevant section.)
13.(a) Method of accounting employed in the previous year
(b) Whether there had been any change in the method of accounting
employed vis-a-vis the method employed in the immediately preceding
previous year.
(c) If answer to (b) above is in the affirmative, give details of such change,
and the effect thereof on the profit or loss.
Serial
number
Particulars
Increase in
profit (Rs.)
Decrease in
profit (Rs.)
Particulars
Increase in
profit (Rs.)
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Decrease in
profit (Rs.)
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
15. Give the following particulars of the capital asset converted into stockin trade: (a)
(b)
Date of acquisition;
(c)
Cost of acquisition;
(d)
16.
(a)
(d)
(e)
17. Where any land or building or both is transferred during the previous
year for a consideration less than value adopted or assessed or assessable
by any authority of a State Government referred to in section 43CA or 50C,
please furnish:
Details of
property
Consideration
received or accrued
Value adopted or
assessed or assessable
18. Particulars of depreciation allowable as per the Income Tax Act, 1961
in respect of each asset or block of assets, as the case may be, in the
following form :(a)
(b)
Rate of depreciation.
(c)
(d) Additions/deductions during the year with dates; in the case of any
addition of an asset, date put to use; including adjustments on account of
(i)
Central Value Added Tax credits claimed and allowed under the
Central Excise Rules, 1944, in respect of assets acquired on or
after 1st March, 1994,
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(ii)
(iii)
(e)
Depreciation allowable.
(f)
19.
Section
Amount
debited to
profit and
loss
account
32AC
33AB
33ABA
35(1)(i)
35(1)(ii)
35(1)(iia)
35(1)(iii)
35(1)(iv)
35(2AA)
35(2AB)
35ABB
35AC
35AD
35CCA
35CCB
35CCC
35CCD
35D
35DD
35DDA
35E
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
20.(a) Any sum paid to an employee as bonus or commission for services
rendered, where such sum was otherwise payable to him as profits or
dividend. [Section 36(1)(ii)]
(b) Details of contributions received from employees for various funds as
referred to in section 36(1)(va):
Serial
number
Nature
of
fund
Sum
received
from
employees
Due
date for
payment
The
actual
amount
paid
The actual
date
of
payment
to
the
concerned
authorities
21.(a) Please furnish the details of amounts debited to the profit and loss
account, being in the nature of capital, personal, advertisement expenditure
etc
Nature
Serial
number
Capital expenditure
Personal expenditure
Advertisement expenditure in
any souvenir, brochure, tract,
pamphlet or the like published
by a political party
Expenditure incurred at clubs
being entrance fees and
subscriptions
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Particulars
Amount
in Rs.
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Expenditure incurred at clubs
being cost for club services
and facilities used.
(i)
(A)
(B)
(I)
date of payment
(II)
amount of payment
(III)
nature of payment
(IV)
Details of payment on which tax has been deducted but has not been
paid during the previous year or in the subsequent year before the
expiry of time prescribed under section 200(1)
(I)
date of payment
(II)
amount of payment
(III)
nature of payment
(IV)
(V)
(ii)
(A)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(B)
(I)
date of payment
(II)
amount of payment
(III)
nature of payment
(IV)
Details of payment on which tax has been deducted but has not been
paid on or before the due date specified in sub- section (1) of section
139.
(I)
date of payment
(II)
amount of payment
(III)
nature of payment
(IV)
(V)
(VI)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(A)
date of payment
(B)
amount of payment
(C)
(A)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Serial
number
(B)
Nature of
payment
Amount
Name
and
Permanent
Account Number
of the payee, if
available
(e)
Date of
payment
Date of
payment
Nature of
payment
Amount
Name
and
Permanent
Account Number
of the payee, if
available
(f)
any sum paid by the assessee as an employer not allowable under
section 40A(9);
(g)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
26. In respect of any sum referred to in clause (a),(b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of
section 43B, the liability for which:(A)
(B)
pre-existed on the first day of the previous year but was not allowed in
the assessment of any preceding previous year and was
(a)
(b)
(State whether sales tax, customs duty, excise duty or any other indirect tax,
levy, cess, impost, etc., is passed through the profit and loss account.)
27.(a) Amount of Central Value Added Tax credits availed of or utilised
during the previous year and its treatment in the profit and loss account and
treatment of outstanding Central Value Added Tax credits in the accounts.
(b) Particulars of income or expenditure of prior period credited or debited
to the profit and loss account.
28. Whether during the previous year the assessee has received any
property, being share of a company not being a company in which the public
are substantially interested, without consideration or for inadequate
consideration as referred to in section 56(2)(viia), if yes, please furnish the
details of the same.
29. Whether during the previous year the assessee received any
consideration for issue of shares which exceeds the fair market value of the
shares as referred to in section 56(2)(viib), if yes, please furnish the details
of the same.
30. Details of any amount borrowed on hundi or any amount due thereon
(including interest on the amount borrowed) repaid, otherwise than through
an account payee cheque. [Section 69D]
31.*(a) Particulars of each loan or deposit in an amount exceeding the limit
specified in section 269SS taken or accepted during the previous year :(i)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Serial
Number
Assessment
Year
Nature of
loss
/
allowance
(in
rupees)
Amount
as
returned
(in
rupees)
Amounts
as
assessed
(give
reference
to
relevant
order)
Remarks
34.(a) Whether the assessee is required to deduct or collect tax as per the
provisions of Chapter XVII-B or Chapter XVII-BB, if yes please furnish:
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Tax
Sectio Nature of
deduction
Total
Total
Total
and
Amount
Total
of tax
amount on
Amount of Amount of
tax
tax
payment which tax which tax deducted which tax deducted deducted
collection
or receipt
Account
of the
Number
nature
(TAN)
was
was
or
to be
or
out of (6)
was
or
or
or
or
on (8)
collected
at
not
deposited
at less
to the
collected specified
than
credit of
specified
the
(5)
rate out of
Central
(7)
Governme
nt out of
(6) and (8)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(b) whether the assessee has furnished the statement of tax deducted or
tax collected within the prescribed time. If not, please furnish the details:
Tax
deduction
and
collection
Account
Number
(TAN)
Type
of
Form
Due date
for
furnishing
Date
of
furnishing,
if
furnished
Whether
the
statement of tax
deducted
or
collected
contains
information about
all transactions
which
are
required to be
reported
(c) whether the assessee is liable to pay interest under section 201(1A) or
section 206C(7). If yes, please furnish:
Tax
deduction
and
collection
Account Number
(TAN)
Amount of interest
under
section
201(1A)/206C(7)
is
payable
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
35. (a) In the case of a trading concern, give quantitative details of principal
items of goods traded :
(i)
Opening Stock;
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
closing stock;
(v)
shortage/excess, if any
Raw Materials :
(i)
opening stock;
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
closing stock;
(vi)
(vii)
percentage of yield;
opening stock;
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
closing stock;
(vi)
shortage/excess, if any.
(b)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(c)
(d)
(e)
37. Whether any cost audit was carried out, if yes, give the details, if any,
of disqualification or disagreement on any matter/item/value/quantity as may
be reported/identified by the cost auditor.
38. Whether any audit was conducted under the Central Excise Act, 1944,
if yes, give the details, if any, of disqualification or disagreement on any
matter/item/value/quantity as may be reported/identified by the auditor.
39. Whether any audit was conducted under section 72A of the Finance
Act,1994 in relation to valuation of taxable services, if yes, give the details, if
any, of disqualification or disagreement on any matter/item/value/quantity as
may be reported/identified by the auditor.
40. Details regarding turnover, gross profit, etc., for the previous year and
preceding previous year:
S.
No
Particulars
Previous
year
1.
2.
Gross profit/turnover
3.
Net profit/turnover
4.
Stock-in-trade/turnover
5.
Preceding
previous
year
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Place:______________
Date:______________
Full address
Notes:
1.
*This Form has to be signed by the person competent to sign Form
No. 3CA or Form No. 3CB, as the case may be.
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APPENDIX XVIII
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OLD AND NEW FORM NOS. 3CA/3CB/3CD
Comparative Statement of Old and New Form No. 3CA
Old Form No. 3CA
Audit report under section 44AB of the Income - tax Act, 1961, in a case
where the accounts of the business or profession of a person have been
audited under any other law
*I / we report that the statutory audit of M/s.. (Name and address of the
assessee with Permanent Account Number) was conducted by *me / us /
M/s..in pursuance of the provisions of the. Act, and *I/we annex hereto
a copy of * my / our / their audit report dated .along with a copy of each
of :-
(a) the audited *profit and loss account / income and expenditure account
for the period beginning from .to ending on ....
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(c) documents declared by the said Act to be part of, or annexed to, the *
profit and loss
account / income and expenditure account and balance
sheet.
** Signed
Place.
Name :.
Place.
Date.
Address.
Date.
Full Address.
Notes:
Notes:
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
4. The person, who signs this audit report, shall indicate reference of his
membership number/certificate of practice number/ authority under which
he is entitled to sign this report.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Audit report under section 44AB of the Income - tax Act 1961, in the case of
a person referred to in clause (b) of sub - rule (1) of rule 6G
1. *I / we have examined the balance sheet as on, ., and the *profit and
loss account / income and expenditure account for the period beginning
from . to ending on., attached herewith, of .
(Name), .
(Address), . (Permanent Account Number).
2. *I / we certify that the balance sheet and the *profit and loss / income and
expenditure account are in agreement with the books of account maintained
at the head office at . and **. branches.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(A) *I / we have obtained all the information and explanations which, to the
best of *my / our knowledge and belief, were necessary for the purpose of
the audit..
(B) In *my / our opinion, proper books of account have been kept by the
head office and branches of the assessee so far as appears from*my / our
examination of the books.
(C) In *my / our opinion and to the best of *my / our information and
according to the explanations given to *me /us, the said accounts, read with
notes thereon, if any, give a true and fair view:-
(ii) in the case of the *profit and loss account / income and expenditure
account of the *profit / loss or *surplus / deficit of the assessee for the year
ended on that date.
4. The statement of particulars required to be furnished under section 44AB
is annexed herewith in Form No.3CD.
(i) in the case of the balance sheet, of the state of the affairs of the
assessee as at 31st March,. ;and
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
*** Signed
Place.
Name :.
Place.
Date.
Address.
Date.
Full Address.
Notes:
Notes:
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
4. The person, who signs this audit report, shall indicate reference of his
membership number / certificate of practice number / authority under which
he is entitled to sign this report.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
2. Address
2. Address
4. Status
5. Status
6. Assessment year
7. Assessment year
8. Indicate the relevant clause of section 44AB under which the audit has
been conducted
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
11. (a) Whether books of account are prescribed under section 44AA, if yes,
list of books so prescribed.
(b) List of books of account maintained and the address at which the books
of accounts are kept.
(In case books of account are maintained in a computer system, mention the
books of account generated by such computer system. If the books of
accounts are not kept at one location, please furnish the addresses of
(b) If there is any change in the partners or members or in their profit sharing
ratio since the last date of the preceding year, the particulars of such change
10. (a) Nature of business or profession (if more than one business or
profession is carried on during the previous year, nature of every business or
profession)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
18. Particulars of depreciation allowable as per the Income Tax Act, 1961 in
respect of each asset or block of assets, as the case may be, in the following
form :-
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
35D
35DD
35DDA
35E:-
(a)
debited to the Profit and Loss Account
(showing the amount debited and deduction allowable
under each section separately);
(b)
not debited to the Profit and Loss Account
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
21. (a) Please furnish the details of amounts debited to the profit and loss
account, being in the nature of capital, personal, advertisement expenditure
etc
Nature
Capital expenditure
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Serial
number
The
actual
amoun
t paid
Particulars
The actual
date
of
payment to
the
concerned
authorities
Amount in Rs.
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Personal expenditure
Advertisement expenditure
in any souvenir, brochure,
tract, pamphlet or the like
published by a political party
Expenditure incurred at
clubs being entrance fees
and subscriptions
Expenditure incurred at
clubs being cost for club
services and facilities used.
Expenditure by way of
penalty or fine for violation
of any law for the time being
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
date of payment
(II)
amount of payment
(III)
nature of payment
(IV)
(B) Details of payment on which tax has been deducted but has not been
paid during the previous year or in the subsequent year before the
expiry of time prescribed under section 200(1)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(ii)
(I)
date of payment
(II)
amount of payment
(III)
nature of payment
(IV)
(V)
date of payment
(II)
amount of payment
(III)
nature of payment
(IV)
(B) Details of payment on which tax has been deducted but has not been
paid on or before the due date specified in sub- section (1) of section
139.
(I)
date of payment
(II)
amount of payment
(III)
nature of payment
(IV)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(VI)
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Serial
number
Name and
Permanent
Account
Number of
the payee, if
available
(B) On the basis of the examination of books of account and other relevant
documents/evidence, whether the payment referred to in section 40A(3A)
read with rule 6DD were made by account payee cheque drawn on a bank or
account payee bank draft If not, please furnish the details of amount deemed
to be the profits and gains of business or profession under section 40A(3A);
Serial
Date
of Nature of Amount
Name
and
number
payment
payment
Permanent Account
Number of the payee,
if available
(i) provision for payment of gratuity not allowable
under Section 40A(7);
(j) any sum paid by the Assessee as an employer not
allowable under section 40A(9);
(e)
provision for payment of gratuity not allowable under section 40A(7);
(f)
any sum paid by the assessee as an employer not allowable under
section 40A(9);
(g)
particulars of any liability of a contingent nature;
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
24. Amounts deemed to be profits and gains under section 32AC or 33AB or
33ABA or 33AC.
25. Any amount of profit chargeable to tax under section 41 and computation
thereof.
26. In respect of any sum referred to in clause (a),(b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of
section 43B, the liability for which:-
22. Amount of interest inadmissible under section 23 of the Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.
23. Particulars of payments made to persons specified under section
40A(2)(b).
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
which:
(A) preexisted on the first day of the previous year
but was not allowed in the assessment of any
preceding previous year and was
(a) paid during the previous year;
(b) not paid during the previous year;
(B) was incurred in the previous year and was
(a) paid on or before the due date for furnishing the
return of income of the previous year under section
139(1);
(b) not paid on or before the aforesaid date.
(A) pre-existed on the first day of the previous year but was not allowed in
the assessment of any preceding previous year and was
(a) paid during the previous year;
(b) not paid during the previous year;
(B) was incurred in the previous year and was
(a) paid on or before the due date for furnishing the return of income of the
previous year under section 139(1);
(b) not paid on or before the aforesaid date.
(State whether sales tax, customs duty, excise duty or any other indirect tax,
levy, cess, impost, etc., is passed through the profit and loss account.)
(ii) [***]
* State whether Sales Tax, Customs Duty, Excise
Duty or any other Indirect Tax, Cess, Import, etc. is
passed through the Profit and Loss Account.
22. (a) Amount of Modified Value Added Tax credits
availed of or utilised during the previous year and its
treatment in the Profit and Loss Account and
treatment of outstanding Modified Value Added Tax
credits in the accounts.
27. (a) Amount of Central Value Added Tax credits availed of or utilised
during the previous year and its treatment in the profit and loss account and
treatment of outstanding Central Value Added Tax credits in the accounts.
(b) Particulars of income or expenditure of prior period credited or debited to
the profit and loss account.
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
28. Whether during the previous year the assessee has received any
property, being share of a company not being a company in which the public
are substantially interested, without consideration or for inadequate
consideration as referred to in section 56(2)(viia), if yes, please furnish the
details of the same.
29. Whether during the previous year the assessee received any
consideration for issue of shares which exceeds the fair market value of the
shares as referred to in section 56(2)(viib), if yes, please furnish the details of
the same.
30. Details of any amount borrowed on hundi or any amount due thereon
(including interest on the amount borrowed) repaid, otherwise than through
an account payee cheque. [Section 69D]
31. * (a) Particulars of each loan or deposit in an amount exceeding the limit
specified in section 269SS taken or accepted during the previous year :(i) name, address and permanent account number (if available with the
assessee) of the lender or depositor;
(ii) amount of loan or deposit taken or accepted;
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
Assess
ment
year
Nature
of loss/
allowan
ce (in
rupees)
Amount
as
returned
(in
rupees)
Amount
as
assessed
(give
reference
to
relevant
order)
Remarks
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(b) Whether a change in shareholding of the company has taken place in the
previous year due to which the losses incurred prior to the previous year
cannot be allowed to be carried forward in terms of section 79.
(c) Whether the assessee has incurred any speculation loss referred to in
section 73 during the previous year, If yes, please furnish the details of the
same.
(d) whether the assessee has incurred any loss referred to in section 73A in
respect of any specified business during the previous year, if yes, please
furnish details of the same.
(e) In case of a company, please state that whether the company is deemed
to be carrying on a speculation business as referred in explanation to section
73, if yes, please furnish the details of speculation loss if any incurred during
the previous year.
33. Section-wise details of deductions, if any, admissible under Chapter VIA
or Chapter III (Section 10A, Section 10AA).
Section
under
which Amounts admissible as per the provision
deduction is claimed
of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and fulfils
the conditions, if any, specified under
the relevant provisions of Income Tax
Act, 1961 or Income Tax Rules,1962 or
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Secti
on
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Natur
e of
paym
ent
Total
amou
nt of
paym
ent or
recei
pt of
the
natur
e
speci
fied
in
colu
mn
(3)
Total
amou
nt on
which
tax
was
requir
ed to
be
dedu
cted
or
collec
ted
out of
(4)
Total
amou
nt on
which
tax
was
dedu
cted
or
collec
ted at
speci
fied
rate
out of
(5)
Amo
unt of
tax
dedu
cted
or
collec
ted
out of
(6)
Total
amou
nt on
which
tax
was
dedu
cted
or
collec
ted at
less
than
speci
fied
rate
out of
(7)
Amo
unt of
tax
dedu
cted
or
collec
ted
on
(8)
Amo
unt of
tax
dedu
cted
or
collec
ted
not
depo
sited
to the
credit
of the
Centr
al
Gove
rnme
nt out
Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
of (6)
and
(8)
(10)
(b) whether the assessee has furnished the statement of tax deducted or tax
collected within the prescribed time. If not, please furnish the details:
Tax
deduction
and
collection
Account
Number
(TAN)
Type of Form
Date
of
furnishing, if
furnished
Whether the
statement of
tax deducted
or collected
contains
information
about
all
transactions
which
are
required to
be reported
(c) whether the assessee is liable to pay interest under section 201(1A) or
section 206C(7). If yes, please furnish:
Tax deduction and Amount of interest Amount paid out of
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
35. (a) In the case of a trading concern, give quantitative details of principal
items of goods traded :
(i) Opening Stock;
(ii) Purchases during the previous year;
(iii) Sales during the previous year
(iv) Closing Stock;
(v) Shortage/excess, if any
(b) In the case of a Manufacturing Concern, give quantitative details of the
principal items of Raw Materials, Finished Products and ByProducts :
A. Raw Materials:
(i) Opening Stock;
(ii) Purchases during the previous year;
(iii) Consumption during the previous year;
(iv) Sales during the previous year;
(v) Closing stock;
(vi) Yield of Finished Products;
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
40. Details regarding turnover, gross profit, etc., for the previous year and
preceding previous year:
Serial
Particulars
Previous year
Preceding
number
previous year
1.
Total turnover of the
assessee
2.
Gross profit/turnover
3.
Net profit/turnover
4.
Stock-intrade/turnover
5.
Material
consumed/finished
goods produced
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Guidance Note on Tax Audit under Section 44AB of the Income-tax Act, 1961
*Signed
Place :
Name:.. ..
Place: ______________
Date:...
Address:
Date: ______________
Full address
Notes:
1. The Annexure to this Form must be filled up failing
which the Form will be considered as incomplete.
2. This Form and the Annexure have to be signed by
the person competent to sign Form No.3CA or Form
No.3CB, as the case may be.
Notes:
1. *This Form has to be signed by the person competent to sign Form
No. 3CA or Form No. 3CB, as the case may be.
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