INCOME FROM OTHER SOURCES

INTRODUCTION

Income from other sources is the fifth and last head of income under which the total is
computed and assessed. As the very name suggests. Income from Other Sources is a
residuary head of income. Any item of income chargeable to tax but does not fall within
the ambit of the other four specific heads of income shall be included under this head of
income.
Section 56 lays down what incomes are taxable under this head.
Section 57 and 58 lays down the deductions which are allowable and not allowable
respectively, while computing income under this head.
Section 59 deals with income chargeable to tax, corresponding to section 41, which falls
under the head of Profit and Gains of The Business.

(1) Chargeability Section 56

Income Chargeable only under this head

The following income shall be charged to tax only under the head Income from
Other Sources:
(1) Dividend income covered by sub-clause (a) to (e) of clause (22) of Section 2.
(2) Income by way of winnings from lotteries, cross word puzzles, races including horse
race, card games and other games of any sort, gambling, betting, etc. It requires
mention here that such winnings are chargeable to tax u/s 115BB at a flat rate of 30%.

(3) Any sum of money, the aggregate value of which exceeds Rs.50, 000 received from
any person without consideration by an individual or Hindu Undivided Family on or after
01.04.2006.
However, exemption is granted in respect of any sum of money received
(a) From any relative; or
(b) On the occasion of marriage of individual; or
(c) Under a Will or by way of inheritance; or
(d) In contemplation of death of the payer or
(e) From a local authority; or
(f) From any fund, foundation, university, other educational institution, hospital,
medical institution, any trust or institution referred to in Section 10(23C); or
(g) From charitable institutions registered u/s 12AA.
In respect of above gifts, there is no ceiling limit and therefore, entire amount is
exempt from chargeability.
The definition of the term relative for this purpose is as under :
(a) Husband or wife of individual;
(b) Brother or sister of the individual;
(c) Brother of husband of the individual;
(d) Brother of wife of the individual;
(e) Sister of husband of the individual;
(f) Sister of wife of the individual;
(g) Brother of father of the individual;
(h) Brother of mother of the individual;
(I) Sister of father of the individual;
(j) Sister of mother of the individual;
(k) Lineal ascendant of the individual (say, grandfather)
(l) Lineal descendant of the individual (say, son, grandson, daughter)
(m) Lineal ascendant of the husband of the individual
(n) Lineal descendant of the husband of the individual
(o) Lineal ascendant of the wife of the individual (say, wifes father)
(p) Lineal descendant of the wife of the individual;
(q) Wife or husband of the relatives listed at serial numbers (b) to (p)

Taxability of any sum received:

The objective of taxation of any sum received by an individual or HUF, without any
consideration is basically to bring into tax net the bogus transactions in the name of gifts
from unknown persons. Keeping this in mind, any gift received from non-relatives,
subject to exemptions listed above, has been subjected to tax u/s 56(2) (VI).
Accordingly, any sum of money received by an individual or HUF during the year, the
aggregate of which is exceeding Rs.50,000, shall be subject to tax in the hands of such
individual or HUF.
It needs mention that the aggregate limit of Rs.50, 000 as provided in the Section is not
in the nature of basic exemption or a threshold limit. Accordingly, in case an individual
or HUF receives any sum of money exceeding Rs.50, 000, which are not covered by
exemptions, the whole of such sum shall be subject to tax under the head Income from
Other Sources. For example, in case where Mr. A receives gift of Rs.75, 000 from 3 of
his friends, the entire amount of Rs.75, 000 shall be chargeable to tax. Assessee cannot
claim exemption of Rs.50, 000 as the aggregate sum of money received has exceeded
Rs.50, 000 and therefore, whole of such sum received as gift shall be brought to tax. On
the other hand, in case the aggregate amount of gift received is Rs.45, 000, the entire
sum shall be exempted as such aggregate amount does not exceed the limit of Rs.50,
000 prescribed under the law. Further, since the expression used in the laws is any
sum of money.
Therefore, it is to be understood that gifts-in-kind, movable and immovable, are not
liable to tax. They shall continue to be regarded as capital receipts not having the
character of income.
Though the law provides for chargeability of any gifts received by individual or HUF, all
the above clauses of the definition of the term relative is confined only with reference to
individuals. Therefore, an assessee, being a HUF, is not eligible to claim exemption
provided by clauses dealing with gifts received from relatives and gifts received on the
occasion of marriage as mentioned above.

INCOME CHARGEABLE UNDER THIS HEAD, ONLY IF NOT CHARGEABLE UNDER

THE HEAD PROFITS AND GAINS OF BUSINESS OR PROFESSION
The following income shall be chargeable to tax under this head of income only if it is
not taxable under the head Profits and Gains of Business or Profession:
(a) Interest on securities (State and Central Government securities and debentures);
(b) Any sum collected from employees towards their share of contribution to any
Welfare Fund Account:
(c) Income from letting of machinery, plant and furniture; and
(d) Income from letting of machinery, plant and Furniture together with building, if the
letting of the building is inseparable to the letting of other assets.

INCOME CHARGEABLE UNDER THIS HEAD ONLY IF NOT CHARGEABLE

UNDER THE HEAD PROFITS AND GAINS OF BUSINESS OR PROFESSION OR
UNDER THE HEAD SALARIES
Any sum received under a Key man insurance policy including bonus is chargeable
under this head when it is received by any person other than the employer who took the
policy and the employee in whose name the policy was taken.

Income not chargeable under other heads of income

All other income chargeable under Income Tax, Act, but not falling under any other
specific heads of income shall be chargeable to tax under the head Income from Other
Sources.

INCOMES EXEMPT FROM TAX [SECTION 10]:

Sec 10 Exempted Income Conditions/Remarks
(10BC) Compensation received or (a) Such compensation is received or
receivable by an individual or
receivable from the central/State
his legal heir on account of Government or a local authority.
(b) Exemption is not available to the
extent such amount has been allowed
a deduction on account of any loss or
damage caused by such disaster under
this act.
19 Sum received under life Following are not exempt-
insurance (1) sums u/s 80DD(3) and 80DDA(3)
policy included sum (2) sums under key man insurance
by way of bonus allocated on policy
it. (3) Sums received under insurance
policy issued on or after 1-4-2003 if in
any year the premium payable exceeds
20% of actual capital sum assured.
However sum received on death is
exempt.
26 Family pension received by Death of such member has occurred in
widow/children or nominated course of operational duties and in
 heir of member of Armed
Forces
34 Income by way of dividend
referred to in-section 115-O
35 Income from units of UTI or
notified mutual funds
prescribed conditions and
circumstances.
However, dividends under section
2(22)(e) and dividends from foreign
company are not exempt;
Income from transfer of these units is
not exempt.

DIVIDEND
(a) Any distribution by a company to its shareholders to the extent of accumulated
profits whether capitalized or not resulting in the release of all or any part of the assets
of the company,
(b) Any distribution to its shareholders by a company
(i) Of debentures, debenture-stock or deposit-certificates with or without interest;
(ii) Distribution of bonus shares to the preference shareholders by the company, to the
extent of accumulated profits, whether capitalized or not,
(c) Any distribution made to the shareholders by a company on its liquidation to the
extent to which the distribution is attributable to the accumulated profits of the company,
whether capitalized or not,

Note: Where the liquidation is consequent on the compulsory acquisition of the

undertaking of the company by the Government or by any Corporation owned or
controlled by the Government under any law in force, the accumulated profits shall not
include any profits of the company prior to three consecutive previous years
immediately preceding the previous year in which such acquisition took place.
(d) Any distribution by a company to its shareholders on account of reduction of share
capital to the extent of which the company possesses accumulated profits, whether
capitalized or not.
(e) Any payment to the extent of accumulated profits by a company, not being a
company in which public are substantially interested, of any sum by way of :
(i) Loan or advance to a shareholder who holds the beneficial ownership of equity
shares carrying not less than 10% voting power,
(ii) loan or advance to any concern (HUF, firm, AOP, Body of Individuals or a company)
in which such shareholder is a member or partner holding substantial interest (20% or
more beneficial interest at any time during the previous year),
(iii) Any payment on behalf of or for the individual benefit of any such
shareholder made to any person.
 Exceptions:

(1) Any advance or loan to a shareholder or the concern in which the shareholder has
substantial interest by a company will not be deemed as dividend, if the loan or advance
is given during the normal course of its business provided the lending of money is a
substantial part of the business of the company.
(2) Any payment made by a company on purchase of its own shares from a shareholder
in accordance with the provisions of Section 77A of the Companies
Act, 1956, shall not be regarded as dividend. Such buyback of shares attracts
capital gains tax liability in the hands of the shareholder u/s 46A.
(3) Any distribution of shares pursuant to a demerger by the resulting company to the
shareholders of the demerged company (whether or not there is a reduction of capital in
the demerged company) shall not be treated as dividend.

Explanation:

X Ltd. is a closely held company as it is not covered by Section 2(18) of the Income Tax
Act. Mr. A is a shareholder holding 10% voting rights in the company. He also holds
substantial interest in AB and Sons, a partnership firm, where his share of profit is not
less than 20%. In this background, Section 2(22) (e) may get attracted under 3
situations indicated above:
1 Loan or advance is given to Mr. A by the company. To the extent of accumulated
profits of the company such loan or advance shall be deemed to be dividend in the
hands of Mr. A.
2 Loan or advance is given to a concern (proprietary concern, firm, HUF company, etc.)
in which the shareholder holding 10% voting rights has substantial interest. Here, X Ltd.
gives loan to AB and Sons. A holds 10% voting rights in X Ltd. and 20% or more share
of profit in AB and Sons. As this nexus exists, the loan given by X Ltd. to AB and Sons
shall be deemed as dividend in the hands of Mr. A.
3 Where payment is made to any person for and on behalf of the shareholder holding
10% voting rights shall be deemed dividend. In this case, A owes payment to Z for any
benefit received or to be received towards which X Ltd. makes payment, such payment
shall be deemed to be dividend in the hands of Mr. A. In order to determine 10% of the
voting rights, only the interest owned by the assessee alone has to be considered.

Notes:

(i) If A holds 9% voting rights in X Ltd. and even 90% in AB and Sons, then 2(22)(e) will
not be attracted. Similarly, if A holds 90% voting rights in X Ltd. but 19% in AB and
Sons, then deemed dividend as per situation 2 above will not attract.
(ii) In order to determine 20% voting rights/share of profit of the shareholder in a firm or
AOP or company, etc., the interest held by the shareholder in such firm, AOP,
Company, etc. is alone relevant. Whenever there is a declaration of dividend or any
distribution in the nature of dividend covered by sub-clauses (a) to (d) of clause (22) of
Section 2, the company is liable to pay tax at 12.5% u/s 115-O. Such dividend income is
exempt in the hands of shareholders u/s 10(34). However, in the case of deemed
dividend covered by sub-clause (e) of Section 2(22) and dividend declared/distributed
by a foreign company, the shareholder is chargeable to tax under the head Income
from Other Sources as Section 115-O does not apply to such.

WINNINGS FROM LOTTERY, ETC. Section 115BB

Where the total income of an assessee includes any income by way of winnings from
any lottery or crossword puzzle or race including horse race or card game and other
game of any sort or from gabling or betting of any form, tax shall be calculated at the
rate of 30% of such income plus surcharge. The taxability of income in the nature of
winnings from any lotteries, crossword puzzles, race, etc. are subject to the following:
(a) No expenditure or allowance can be allowed against such income;
(b) No deduction under Chapter VI-A can be allowed;
(c) No benefit of carry forward and set off of loss/unabsorbed depreciation allowance is
available against such income; and
(d) No basic exemption limit is available.
This provision does not apply to income derived from owning and maintaining race
horses in respect of which normal rates of tax shall apply. Loss derived from this source
shall be governed by the provisions of Section 74A.
Lottery includes winnings from prizes awarded to any person by draw of lots or by
chance or in any other manner whatsoever, under any scheme or arrangement by
whatever name called.
Card game and other game of any sort includes any game show, an
Entertainment programme on television or electronic mode, in which people
compete to win prizes or any other similar game.

INADMISSIBLE EXPENSES Section 58

(i) Personal expenses

(ii) Interest and salary payable outside India, if tax has not been paid or deducted
at source
(iii) Wealth-tax
(iv) Expenses of the nature described in Section 10A
(v) No deduction shall be allowed in respect of winnings from lotteries, cross word
puzzles, card games, races including horse race, gambling, betting, etc. However, in
respect of the activity of owning and maintaining racehorses, expenses incurred shall be
allowed even in the absence of any stake money earned. Such loss shall be allowed to
be carried forward in accordance with the provisions of Section 74A.

Students may not that in addition to the above, section 14A read with the rule 8D
prescribes disallowance of any expenditure incurred in relation to exempt income. In a
case where dividend, interest or any other income which are exempt by virtue any of the
sub-sections of section 10 and whereas) the assessing officer, having regard to the
accounts, is not satisfied with the correctness of the claim of the assessee in respect of
expenditure in relation to
exempt income; or
b) The assessee claims that no expenditure has been incurred by him in relation to the
exempt income.
In the above circumstances, the assessing officer shall determine the correct amount of
expenditure incurred in relation to exempt income in accordance with the manner
prescribed under rule 8D for disallowance of such expenditure.

Illustration:

Mr. Jagdish is a chartered accountant in practice. The income & expenditure account for
the year ended March 31, 2009 read as follows:-
Expenses Rs. Income Rs.
To Employees cost 1,50,000 By Professional Earnings. 12,00,000
To Traveling and 50,000 By Dividend income from 1,00,000
Conveyance shares
To Administration & office 4,00,000
expenses
To Interest 1,50,000
To De-mat Charges 10,000
To Net Profit 7,40,000
Total 15,00,000 Total 15,00,000

Deemed Income Section 59:

Any amount received or benefit derived in respect of expenditure incurred or loss or
trading liability allowed as deduction shall be deemed as income in the year in which the
amount is received or the benefit is accrued. This provision is similar to that of Section
41(1) under the head Profits and Gains of Business or Profession.

.
 Method of Accounting Section 145
Income chargeable under the head Income from Other Sources shall be computed in
accordance with cash system of accounting or mercantile system of accounting
regularly employed by the assessee. The only exception to this general rule is deemed
dividend income covered by sub-clause (e) of clause (22) of Section 2 which is
chargeable to tax on payment basis as prescribed u/s 8 of the Income Tax Act and not
on the basis of method of accounting followed.

Income during construction period

Interest income earned on deposits made out of surplus funds before commencement
of business is taxable as income from other sources. The interest income so derived
from out of investment in the nature of deposit cannot be reduced from the cost of
construction as it has no nexus with the construction of the plants - Tuticorin Alkali
Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd. Vs. CIT (SC), 227 ITR 172; CIT vs. Coromandel cements
Ltd., (SC) 234 ITR 412; similarly, where loan is borrowed from bank and placed in short-
term deposits till the money is paid to supplier of plant and machinery, the interest
earned thereon cannot go to reduce the cost of plant and machinery but will be charged
under Income from other sources - CIT vs. Autokast Ltd., 248 ITR 110 (SC). On the
contrary, if the receipts during construction period have close nexus with such
construction, the amount shall go to reduce the construction cost of the plant. The
Supreme Court, in the case of CIT vs. Buckaroo Steel Ltd., 236 ITR 315, held that the
following income of the assessee-company derived during construction period is not
taxable:
i) Rent charged from its contractors for housing workers and staff employed by
contractor for construction work of assessee;
ii) hire charges for plant and machinery given to contractors for use in construction
work;
iii) Interest from advances made to contractors for the purpose of facilitating the work of
construction; and
iv) Royalty for excavation and use of stones lying on assessees land for construction
work.
Thus, the above items should go to reduce the cost of the plant. However, in the same
decision the Supreme Court held that interest on bank deposits is taxable under income
from other sources as the same has no nexus to the construction of the plant. It may be
appreciated that Buckaroo Steels Ltd. Decision affirms and distinguishes the decision in
Tuticorin Alkali case but does not over rule the same. Any amount deposited to open
letter of credit for purchase of plant and machinery required for setting up a plant,
interest of such amount is directly connected and incidental to construction of plant.
Therefore, interest receipt is capital in nature and it would go to reduce the cost of
asset. CIT vs. Karnal Co-operative Sugar Mills Ltd., 243 ITR 2 (SC). Similar view has
been upheld in CIT vs. Karnataka Power Corporation, 247 ITR 268 (SC) and
Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. vs. CIT 251 ITR 329 (SC).
 COMPUTATION SEQUENCE TO BE REMEMBERED
(1) Identify income chargeable under this head of income and include them. In respect
of dividend income, year of chargeability should be decided by applying Section 8.
(2) If net amount after tax deducted at source is given, include the gross amount.
(3) If the income so identified is eligible for exemption u/s 10, avail the exemption and
include only the balance amount. E.g. in respect of interest on certain notified securities,
deposits and bonds qualify for exemption u/s 10(15).
(4) If income is clubbed from minor children, claim exemption u/s 10(32) in respect of
such income up to a maximum of Rs.1, 500 per child.
(5) Expenses and deductions qualifying u/s 57 should be claimed.
(6) Claim deductions, if any, available under Chapter VI-A to the extent applicable after
arriving at the gross total income and not under this head of income. Deductions cannot
exceed the amount of such income included in the gross total income.
(7) If the total income includes winnings from lotteries, crossword puzzles, gambling,
betting, etc., apply flat rate of 30% for calculating the income tax payable on such
income

Illustration:
Shri Ratanlal, a businessman, presents to you the following statements of account
relating to the year ending 31.3.2007 for computation of his gross total income.
Capital Account
Particulars Rs. Particulars Rs.
To Entertainment Exps. 12000 By Balance b/f 32000
To Gift to Son 3000 By Profit 131200
To Shares purchased 50000 By Race Winnings 12000
To Drawings 130000 By LIC Policy matured 157920
To Balance c/f 193120 By Bad Debts recovered 5000
By Loan for Investment 50000
Total 388120 Total 388120
Profit & Loss A/c
Rs. Rs.
To Salaries 26000 By Gross Profit 193000
To Rent 10800 By Discounts received from
To Bonus 1200 wholesalers 2500
To Subscriptions 5000 By Interest on Deposits
To Drawings 11000 (TDS Rs.1,000) 9000
To Conveyance 7500 By Income Tax Refund
To Bad Debts 3000 By Interest on Income Tax 5000
To Advertisement 16000 Refund
To Travelling 15500 By Profit on Sale of Personal 1200
To Profit transferred to 131200 Motor car
Capital A/c
Total 227200 Total 227200
Additional Information:
(a) Entertainment Expenses relate to business.
(b) Bad Debts recovered relate to deduction allowed in 2003-04.
(c) The LIC policy is for a assured sum of Rs.1, 50,000. Annual premium @
Rs.47, 000 each for 3 years.

Ans: Computation of Gross Total Income for the assessment year

2007-08
Rs.
I. Profits and gains of business or profession Note 1 103500
II. Income from Other Sources Note 2 40120
Gross Total Income Rs. 143620

Note 1 : Computation of Business Income Rs. Rs.

Net Profit as per Profit & Loss A/c 131200
Add : 1. Inadmissible expenses Drawings 11000
2. Income not credited but taxable
- Bad Debts recovered 5000 16000
Less : 1. Income credited to be considered separately 147200
a) Interest on Deposits
b) Income-tax Refund (not an income) 9000
c) Interest on I.T. Refund 1200
d) Profit on sale of personal motor car (not taxable) 16500
2. Expenses deductible but not debited -
Entertainment Expenses 12000 43700
Taxable Business Income 103500

Note 2 : Income from Other Sources Rs.

(i) Interest (including TDS) on deposits 10000
(ii) Interest on I.T. Refund 1200
(iii) Race Winnings 12000
(iv) Maturity proceeds of LIC (Refer Note 4) 16920
Taxable Income from Other Sources 40120

Note 3:
out of the gross total income of Rs.1, 43,620, a sum of Rs.12, 000 being race winnings
is taxable at a flat rate of 30% u/s 115BB.

Note 4:
The exemption u/s 10(10D) is not available in respect of maturity of LIC policy where
the premium payable on such policy for any year exceeds 20% of the capital sum
assured. In the given case, premium payable for one year is Rs.47, 000 being 31% of
capital sum assured. Therefore, exemption u/s 10(10D) is not available. The amount
taxable under the head Income from Other Sources is Rs.16, 920 being maturity
proceeds of Rs.1, 57,920 less premium paid for 3 years Rs.1, 41,000.