Chapter 4: Income of Other Persons Included in the Assessee's Total Income for Income Tax Law

Chapter 4: Income of Other Persons Included in the Assessee's Total Income 

1. Explain the concept of "Clubbing of Income" under the Income Tax Act.

Introduction: The concept of Clubbing of Income refers to the inclusion of income earned by another person in the assessee's total income. The Income Tax Act has specific provisions under Section 60 to Section 64 that require the inclusion of income in the hands of the taxpayer when it is transferred or diverted in certain ways. This is done to prevent tax avoidance where income is diverted to family members to escape tax.

Body:

  1. Section 60 - Transfer of Income without Transfer of Asset:
    • Section 60 deals with income that is transferred without transferring the asset. If an individual transfers income arising from an asset (e.g., rents, dividends) to another person but retains the asset’s ownership, the income will be clubbed with the income of the transferor.
    • Example: A person transfers the income from a property to their spouse but continues to own the property. The income will still be taxed in the hands of the person transferring the income.
  2. Section 61 - Transfer of Capital Asset or Stock-in-Trade:
    • If an individual transfers a capital asset or stock-in-trade and the income from that asset is derived by another person, it will be clubbed with the income of the transferor if the transfer is made with the intention of avoiding tax.
    • Example: A transfer of an asset to a relative or close family member with the aim to reduce taxable income is subject to clubbing provisions.
  3. Section 64 - Income of Spouse, Minor Child, and Other Relatives:
    • Income of Spouse: If a taxpayer transfers property or income-generating assets to their spouse, the income from such property is included in the income of the taxpayer under certain conditions. However, income transferred to a spouse for the purpose of earning income through an independent business is not clubbed.
    • Income of Minor Children: The income of minor children (except for income earned through manual work) is included in the income of the parents, with certain exceptions, such as the income from a minor’s talent or skills.
    • Income of Son’s Wife or Minor's Income: In certain cases, the income of a son’s wife or the minor child can be clubbed with the assessee's income.

Conclusion: Clubbing of Income ensures that individuals cannot evade tax by transferring income-producing assets to others while still controlling the asset. It prevents the diversion of income to family members to reduce tax liability.


2. Explain the clubbing of income provisions for the income of a minor child.

Introduction: Under Section 64(1A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, the income of a minor child (except for income arising from the child’s manual work or skill), is clubbed with the income of the parent. This provision aims to prevent tax avoidance where parents transfer their income-producing assets to minor children.

Body:

  1. Income of Minor Child:
    • Any income arising to a minor child, other than income earned from manual work or skills, is clubbed with the income of the parents. The parent with the higher income is considered to include the minor's income in their total income.
    • Example: If a minor child receives an income of ₹50,000 from a property gifted by a parent, this ₹50,000 will be included in the parent’s income for tax purposes.
  2. Exceptions to Clubbing:
    • Income from Manual Work or Skill: Income earned from a minor child’s manual work or skills is not clubbed with the parent's income.
      • Example: If a child runs a small business or earns from drawing or singing, this income is not clubbed with the parent’s income.
    • Income of Minor for Work Related to Business or Profession of Parent: If the income is earned by a minor in a business or profession in which one of the parents is involved, the income may be clubbed with the parent’s income.
    • Application of Exceptions: If the minor child earns through their personal skill or talent (e.g., a child actor), the income would not be subject to clubbing provisions.
  3. Taxation:
    • Once the income of the minor is clubbed with the parent's income, it is taxed according to the parent's applicable tax slab.
    • Example: If the parent’s income is ₹5,00,000 and the minor child earns ₹50,000 from an asset, the total income of the parent for taxation will be ₹5,50,000.

Conclusion: The income of a minor child, except income from manual work or skill, is clubbed with the parent’s income. This provision aims to prevent parents from reducing their taxable income by transferring assets to their children.


3. Discuss the taxability of income transferred to a spouse under Section 64(1)(iv) of the Income Tax Act.

Introduction: Under Section 64(1)(iv) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, the income arising from assets transferred by an individual to their spouse is included in the transferor’s total income. The objective is to prevent income splitting and tax avoidance by transferring income-generating assets to a spouse.

Body:

  1. Income Transferred to Spouse:
    • If an individual transfers an asset (such as a property or investments) to their spouse, the income arising from that asset is included in the transferor's total income.
    • Example: A person transfers a rental property to their spouse, and the rental income generated from that property is included in the transferor's income.
  2. Exceptions:
    • The provisions of Section 64(1)(iv) do not apply if the income is transferred to the spouse as a result of a gift in the course of a legitimate business transaction or if the transfer is made in the course of a business operated independently by the spouse.
    • Example: If the spouse runs their own business or independently earns income, the income generated through such business is not clubbed with the transferor’s income.
  3. Remuneration for Professional Services:
    • If a transfer of assets to a spouse results in the spouse earning remuneration for professional services, such remuneration will not be clubbed with the transferor's income.
    • Example: If a spouse is employed or engaged in independent professional work, any income from such work will be treated as the spouse’s income.

Conclusion: Income transferred to a spouse is generally clubbed with the transferor’s income, unless the income is from the spouse’s independent business or profession, in which case it is treated as the spouse’s income.


4. Explain the tax treatment of income of a spouse, where the transferor has made a gift or transfer to avoid tax.

Introduction: When a taxpayer transfers assets to their spouse with the intention to avoid tax, Section 64(1)(iv) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 ensures that the income from such assets is still included in the transferor’s total income.

Body:

  1. Tax Treatment of Income Transferred to Spouse:
    • If an individual makes a gift or transfer to their spouse with the intention of avoiding tax, the income generated from that asset is included in the transferor’s income. The section applies even if the gift or transfer is made with the intention to avoid paying taxes.
    • Example: A person transfers income-generating assets, such as stocks or property, to their spouse to reduce their own taxable income. The income from such assets will still be taxed in the hands of the transferor.
  2. Income from Assets in the Form of Gifts:
    • Gifts to spouses are subject to clubbing provisions if the transferor retains control over the asset or if the transfer is made to avoid tax.
    • Example: If an individual gifts stocks or other assets to their spouse, and the income generated from these assets is diverted to the spouse to reduce their tax liability, the income will still be taxed in the hands of the individual making the gift.

Conclusion: Income transferred to a spouse to avoid taxes is included in the transferor’s total income, ensuring that the provisions prevent tax avoidance through such transfers.


5. What is the impact of the clubbing provisions on the total income of an individual?

Introduction: Clubbing provisions ensure that income diverted to others is not used to avoid taxation. The total income of an individual is affected by these provisions, as income earned by certain relatives or through specific transfers is clubbed with the individual’s income for tax purposes.

Body:

  1. Spouse and Minor Children:
    • Income earned by a spouse or minor children is clubbed with the income of the individual making the transfer or earning the income.
    • Example: If a person transfers assets to a spouse or minor child, the income from these assets is taxed in the individual’s hands.
  2. Impact on Tax Liability:
    • Since the transferred income is taxed in the transferor’s hands, the total taxable income of the transferor increases, potentially pushing them into a higher tax bracket.
    • Example: If a person’s total income is ₹5,00,000 and they transfer income-generating assets to their spouse, and the spouse earns ₹1,00,000 from those assets, the total income of the transferor will be ₹6,00,000, increasing their tax liability.

Conclusion: The clubbing provisions increase the total taxable income of the individual who has transferred assets to others, leading to higher tax liability, thereby preventing tax avoidance through the diversion of income.

 


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