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2022 (5) TMI 1083 - AT - Income Tax


Issues Involved:
1. Whether capital gain arose in A.Y. 2012-13 with reference to the Joint-Venture Agreement dated 28.09.2011.
2. Whether the land was converted into stock-in-trade and accordingly, capital gain is to be calculated as per section 45(2) of the Income Tax Act.
3. The issue of double taxation of capital gains.

Issue-Wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Capital Gain in A.Y. 2012-13:
The appellant-assessee, along with other co-owners, entered into a Joint Venture Agreement (JDA) dated 28.09.2011 with Venkatesh Developers. The JDA was duly registered, and the assessee offered Long Term Capital Gain (LTCG) in the return of income for A.Y. 2012-13 based on the stamp duty valuation of Rs. 4,21,38,000/-. The assessee's share was calculated as 1/3rd of this amount. However, the assessee later contended that no actual possession was given to the developer, and thus, no capital gain should be taxable in A.Y. 2012-13. The Tribunal observed that the JDA allowed the developer to enter the property only for development purposes and no other consideration was paid. The Tribunal concluded that there was no actual transfer of land, and the assessee had not received any consideration. The assessee had shown LTCG in subsequent years when consideration was received. Therefore, it was held that no capital gain was chargeable in A.Y. 2012-13 based on the JDA.

2. Conversion of Land into Stock-in-Trade:
The assessee claimed that the land was converted into stock-in-trade before entering the JDA, which should be considered under section 45(2) of the Income Tax Act. However, this issue was not raised before the Assessing Officer (AO), and the AO had no opportunity to verify this claim. The Tribunal specifically queried the assessee's Authorized Representative (AR) to demonstrate the conversion of land into stock-in-trade by showing relevant entries in the books of accounts. The AR admitted that no books of accounts were maintained, and no closing stock was shown in the profit and loss account for A.Y. 2012-13 and 2013-14. The Tribunal observed that the assessee did not file any evidence to substantiate the claim of conversion into stock-in-trade. Consequently, the Tribunal rejected the claim that the land was converted into stock-in-trade before entering the JDA, and section 45(2) was deemed inapplicable.

3. Double Taxation:
The assessee contended that taxing LTCG in A.Y. 2012-13 would result in double taxation, as the capital gains arising from the land given for development under the JDA were declared in A.Y. 2013-14 to 2017-18. The Tribunal examined the returns of income for these years and confirmed that the assessee had shown LTCG in subsequent years. However, since it was already held that LTCG does not arise in A.Y. 2012-13, this ground was considered academic in nature and dismissed.

Conclusion:
The appeal of the assessee was partly allowed. It was concluded that no capital gain was chargeable in A.Y. 2012-13 based on the JDA, and the claim of conversion of land into stock-in-trade was rejected due to lack of evidence. The issue of double taxation was dismissed as academic. The order was pronounced on 29th April, 2022.

 

 

 

 

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