Under the Income Tax Act, depreciation is generally available only on assets that you own. Here's how this rule applies to a building taken on lease: Operating Lease:If you lease a building under an operating lease, the building remains the property of the lessor. Result: No depreciation can be claiRead more
Under the Income Tax Act, depreciation is generally available only on assets that you own. Here’s how this rule applies to a building taken on lease:
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Operating Lease:
If you lease a building under an operating lease, the building remains the property of the lessor.-
Result: No depreciation can be claimed on the building itself since you do not own it.
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Finance Lease:
In cases where the lease arrangement qualifies as a finance lease, the lessee is treated, for tax purposes, as the owner of the asset.-
Result: You may be eligible to claim depreciation on the leased building.
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Leasehold Improvements:
Even with an operating lease, if you incur expenses to improve the leased premises (and these improvements are capitalized as assets), you may claim depreciation on those improvements.
In simple terms, a block of assets is a grouping of similar assets that are used for the same business purpose, on which depreciation is calculated collectively rather than individually. This concept is crucial for ensuring a uniform method of depreciation and avoiding the cumbersome process of calcRead more
In simple terms, a block of assets is a grouping of similar assets that are used for the same business purpose, on which depreciation is calculated collectively rather than individually. This concept is crucial for ensuring a uniform method of depreciation and avoiding the cumbersome process of calculating depreciation for each asset separately.
Key Points:
Definition & Purpose:
The Income Tax Act, 1961 (particularly under Section 32) groups together assets that are similar in nature and use, such as all machinery, all computers, or all vehicles used in a business, into what is called a block of assets.
This approach simplifies the calculation of depreciation by applying the same depreciation rate to the entire group.
How It Works:
Cost Accumulation: The cost of all assets in a block is combined.
Depreciation Calculation: Depreciation is then computed on the entire block’s cost, and the written down value is carried forward from one year to the next for the entire block.
Adjustments: When new assets are added or old assets are disposed of, the block’s cost is adjusted accordingly.
Benefits:
Simplification: This method reduces administrative burden, especially for businesses with a large number of similar assets.
Uniformity: It ensures consistency in how depreciation is claimed over time.