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Computation of Income from Business – Problems

The Profit & Loss Account prepared by an accountant follows Accounting Standards. For Tax, we need to adjust it to follow the Income Tax Act. The "Add Back" and "Deduct" method is the key!


The Formula for Computation

Instead of preparing a new P&L, we start with the Net Profit as per P&L A/c and make adjustments.

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Problem 1: General Business

Mr. X gives the following P&L for FY 2024-25:

Debit SideAmountCredit SideAmount
Salaries3,00,000Gross Profit8,00,000
Rent50,000Rent from House1,20,000
Income Tax20,000Bad Debts Recovered (Allowed earlier)30,000
Charity5,000
Life Insurance (Self)10,000
Depreciation (Books)40,000
Net Profit5,25,000Total9,50,000

Additional Information:

  1. Depreciation allowable as per IT Act is ₹35,000.
  2. Salary includes ₹20,000 paid to domestic servant.
  3. Bad Debts recovered were allowed in 2021.

Solution:

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Notes:

  • Bad Debts Recovered (Allowed earlier) is Business Income (Section 41(1)), so it remains part of profit (no adjustment needed).
  • Book Depreciation is added back fully; Tax Depreciation is deducted.

Problem 2: Partnership Firm (Salary/Interest to Partners)

M/s ABC & Co. (Partnership Firm) P&L:

  • Net Profit: ₹2,00,000
  • Debited:
    • Interest to Partners @ 20%: ₹40,000
    • Salary to Partners: ₹3,00,000
    • Donation to Political Party: ₹10,000

Solution:

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Problem 3: Cash Payments and 43B Dues

Mr. Raj P&L Net Profit: ₹8,00,000 Adjustments required:

  1. Purchase of goods ₹25,000 paid in Cash.
  2. GST Liability ₹40,000 unpaid till due date of filing return.
  3. Audit Fees ₹10,000 unpaid (but allowed on accrual generally).
  4. Opening Stock Overvalued by 10% (Amount ₹1,10,000).

Solution:

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Summary of Common Adjustments

Item in P&LTreatmentReason
Rent to House PropertyDeductTaxed under HP head
Dividend IncomeDeductTaxed under Other Sources
Income Tax / Wealth TaxAdd BackPersonal nature disallowed
GST / Customs DutyAdd Back if UnpaidSection 43B (Payment basis)
Provision for Bad DebtsAdd BackDisallowed (only actual write-off allowed)
Donations / CharityAdd BackApplication of income, not expense
Capital ExpenditureAdd BackClaim Depreciation instead

Quiz Time! 🎯

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