Section 145 provides guidelines for determining the method of accounting for different types of businesses and professions. It ensures uniformity and consistency in the financial reporting process.
There are two main methods of accounting recognized under Section 145:
Under this method, income is recorded when it is actually received, and expenses are recorded when they are actually paid. It is a simple and straightforward method suitable for small businesses and individuals.
This method focuses on recording income when it is earned and expenses when they are incurred, regardless of when the actual cash transaction takes place. It provides a more accurate picture of the financial performance of a business or profession and is commonly used by larger organizations.
While both methods of accounting are acceptable, the Income Tax Act requires certain businesses and professions to follow the accrual basis of accounting. These include:
- Insurance companies
- Banking companies
- Non-banking financial companies
- Stockbrokers and sub-brokers
- Shipping and air cargo agents
- Professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and architects
For other businesses and professions, the choice of accounting method is left to the discretion of the taxpayer. However, once a method is chosen, it must be consistently followed in subsequent years unless there is a valid reason for changing it.
It is important to note that the method of accounting affects not only the timing of recording income and expenses but also the determination of taxable income. For businesses and professions following the accrual basis, income is taxable in the year it is earned, even if it has not been received. On the other hand, expenses are deductible in the year they are incurred, regardless of when they are paid.
Additionally, Section 145 also provides guidelines for the valuation of inventory, treatment of foreign currency transactions, and recognition of revenue from construction contracts.
(1) Income to be computed either on the basis of cash or mercantile system of accounting [Section 145(1)]
Income chargeable under the head "Profits and gains of business or profession" or "Income from other sources" shall, subject to the provisions of section 145(2), be computed in accordance with either cash or mercantile system of accounting regularly employed by the assessee.
(2) Central Government empowered to notify income computation and disclosure standards [Section 145(2)]
The Central Government may notify, in the Official Gazette from time to time, income computation and disclosure standards to be followed by any class of assessees or in respect of any class of income. The Central Government vide Notification No. 87/2016, dated 29.9.2016 has notified certain Income Computation and Disclosure Standards to be followed by all assessees.
(3) Assessing Officer empowered to make assessment in the manner provided under section 144 in certain cases [Section 145(3)]
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Where the Assessing Officer is not satisfied about the correctness or completeness of the accounts of the assessee, or
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Where the method of accounting provided in section 145(1) has not been regularly followed by the assessee, or
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Where income has not been computed in accordance with the standards notified under section 145(2), the Assessing Officer may make an assessment in the manner provided in section 144.
(4) Method of accounting in Certain Cases [Sec. 145A] –
For the purpose of determining the income chargeable under the head “Profits and gains of business or profession”, the following valuation rules are applicable with effect from the assessment year 2017-18 —
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The valuation of inventory shall be made at lower of actual cost or net realizable value computed in the manner provided in ICDS.
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The valuation of purchase and sale of goods or services and of inventory shall be adjusted to include the amount of any tax, duty, cess or fee actually paid or incurred by the assessee to bring the goods or services to the place of its location and condition as on the date of valuation.
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Inventory (being securities not listed, or listed but not quoted, on a recognised stock exchange) shall be valued at actual cost initially recognised in the manner provided in ICDS.
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Inventory (being securities held by a scheduled bank or financial institution) shall be valued in accordance with ICDS after taking into account extant guidelines issued by the RBI.
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Inventory (being listed securities) shall be valued at lower of actual cost or net realisable value in the manner provided in ICDS and for this purpose the comparison of actual cost and net realisable value shall be done category-wise.
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Any tax, duty, cess or fee, by whatever name called, under any law for the time being in force, shall include all such payment notwithstanding any right arising as a consequence of such payment for the purposes of the said section.
(5) Income Computation and Disclosure Standards (ICDS)
The Central Government has notified the following Income Computation and Disclosure Standards (ICDS) to be followed by all assesses (other than an individual or a Hindu undivided family who is not required to get his accounts of the previous year audited in accordance with the provisions of section 44AB), following mercantile system of accounting for the purposes of computation of income chargeable to tax under the head “profit and gains of business or profession” or “income from other sources”:
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Income Computation and Disclosure Standard I relating to accounting policies
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Income Computation and Disclosure Standard II relating to valuation of inventories
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Income Computation and Disclosure Standard III relating to construction contracts
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Income Computation and Disclosure Standard IV relating to revenue recognition
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Income Computation and Disclosure Standard V relating to tangible fixed assets
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Income Computation and Disclosure Standard VI relating to the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates
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Income Computation and Disclosure Standard VII relating to government grants
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Income Computation and Disclosure Standard VIII relating to securities
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Income Computation and Disclosure Standard IX relating to borrowing costs
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Income Computation and Disclosure Standard X relating to provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets.
The above notification shall apply to the assessment year 2017-18 and subsequent assessment years. |
