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Interpretation of whether a sum of money derived from the sale of a standing crop constitutes agricultural income exempt from taxation under the Indian Income-tax Act. Analysis: The case involved a firm of merchants who purchased a standing crop of tobacco and sold it for a profit. The question was whether the profit of Rs. 7,500 derived from this transaction qualified as agricultural income exempt from taxation. The Income-tax Officer and the Appellate Assistant Commissioner considered a part of the profit as non-agricultural and taxable. However, the Appellate Tribunal deemed the entire profit as agricultural income exempt from tax under Section 4(3)(viii) of the Income-tax Act. The Commissioner of Income-tax challenged this decision, leading to the reference to the High Court. The burden of proof lies on the assessee to establish that the income qualifies as agricultural income under the Act. The exemption under Section 4(3)(viii) is specific to the type of income and not dependent on the recipient's character. Previous judicial decisions clarified that income derived from agricultural activities is exempt from tax, regardless of the recipient's identity. However, in this case, the key issue was whether the profit from the sale of the standing crop constituted income derived from land by agriculture. The Court analyzed the provisions of the Income-tax Act regarding agricultural income and the categories of individuals entitled to exemption. The argument presented by the assessee's counsel was that profits from purchasing a standing crop and selling it after harvest fall under income derived from land by agriculture. However, the Court disagreed, emphasizing that agricultural income accrues to individuals with a direct interest in the land and actively involved in agricultural operations on it. The Court referred to precedents and legal principles to establish that income derived from trading activities, such as buying and selling standing crops, does not qualify as agricultural income. The immediate source of income in such cases is the trading operation itself, not the land. The Court differentiated between income derived by landowners or tenants actively engaged in agricultural activities and profits made by traders through commercial transactions involving agricultural produce. In conclusion, the Court held that the profit of Rs. 7,500 from the sale of the standing crop was not exempt from income tax as agricultural income. The decision was against the assessee, emphasizing that the income was generated through trading operations rather than agricultural activities on the land. This comprehensive analysis of the judgment highlights the intricate legal interpretation regarding the classification of income derived from agricultural activities, providing clarity on the specific conditions under which such income is exempt from taxation under the Indian Income-tax Act.
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