1968 (12) TMI 5 - HC - Income Tax

Reference on an application by the department, arises out of an order of the Tribunal which accepted, the contention of the assessee, that the share of profits received by him as partner of the firm, was not his real income, but was income which he was bound to share with other persons under an agreement therefor

Summary

Issues:
Interpretation of income under Indian Income-tax Act, 1922 regarding share of profits in a partnership firm and obligations to share profits with third parties.

Analysis:
The judgment pertains to a reference under section 66(1) of the Indian Income-tax Act, 1922, arising from a dispute over the treatment of a partner's share of profits in a firm. The assessee was a partner in two firms, one of which advanced funds to the other. An agreement between the partners of the first firm stipulated that the profits earned by the assessee in the second firm were to be shared among all partners of the first firm. The revenue department contested this arrangement, arguing that the entire share income of the assessee should be taxed, disregarding the internal agreement among the partners.

The crux of the issue revolved around whether the share income of the assessee in the second firm should be considered his real income for taxation purposes or whether the obligation to share it with other partners of the first firm altered its taxability. The revenue department contended that the assessee earned the profits as a partner in the second firm, and any internal agreement should not affect the taxation of the entire share income. On the contrary, the assessee argued that only the portion of the share income retained by him after the obligation to share with other partners should be taxed as his real income.

The court delved into the concept of "real income" for taxation, emphasizing that only income earned in reality, after considering any overriding obligations or arrangements, should be subject to tax. It cited precedents to support the view that the actual profits retained by the assessee, after accounting for any diversion or sharing obligations, constitute the real income for taxation purposes. The judgment underscored the importance of distinguishing between notional income and actual income earned by the assessee.

Ultimately, the court upheld the assessee's position, ruling that only one-third of the share income should be included in the assessment as the real income of the assessee. It highlighted the genuineness of the agreement between the partners and the legitimate diversion of profits as per the agreed terms. The judgment concluded that the agreement effectively created an overriding title to the profits, justifying the exclusion of the shared portion from the assessee's taxable income.

In summary, the judgment clarifies the principles governing the taxation of partnership income, emphasizing the significance of determining the real income earned by a partner after considering any overriding obligations or agreements to share profits with third parties.