Section 115JB was inserted by the Finance Act, 2000, w.e.f. 01/04/2001. It had replaced Section 1 15JA, which was inserted by the Finance Act, 1996 w.e.f. 01/04/1997. Section 115JA was replacement of earlier Section 115J, which was inserted by the Finance Act, 1987 w.e.f. 01/04/1988. The objective and philosophy of the provisions of Section 1 [...]

Section 115JB, in fact, in no way either denies the benefit given under Section 80-IB or reduces the same. While the appellant-assessee can claim the benefit under Section 80-IB of the Act and it is not denied per se to the appellant-assessee, in the given case, the provisions of Section 115JB may be attracted or [...]

Section 115J/115JB targeted corporate entities for imposing a Minimum Alternate Tax on their book profit. It was noticed by the legislature that as a result of various tax concessions and incentives certain companies making huge profits and also declaring substantial dividends have been managing their affairs in such a way as to avoid payment of [...]

. Some of the participating CEOs raised tax related issues including non-applicability of MAT for non-life insurance sector at par with life insurance companies and zero rated service sector on crop insurance, tools, senior citizen policy, RSBY and other exempt categories.

Therefore, it emerges that MAT payable u/s 115JB is only income tax and does not include surcharge or education cess. Therefore, if only income tax is paid under the provisions of section 115JB it is natural that tax credit u/s 115JAA will only be of income tax and not of surcharge and education cess.

As per section 115JB, every company is required to prepare its accounts as per Schedule VI of the Companies Act, 1956. However, as per the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956, certain companies, e.g. insurance, banking or electricity company, are allowed to prepare their profit and loss account in accordance with the provisions specified in their regulatory Acts. In order to align the provisions of Income-tax Act with the Companies Act, 1956, it is proposed to amend section 115JB to provide that the companies which are not required under section 211 of the Companies Act to prepare their profit and loss account in accordance with the Schedule VI of the Companies Act, 1956, profit and loss account prepared in accordance with the provisions of their regulatory Acts shall be taken as a basis for computing the book profit under section 115JB.

It is, proposed to amend section 115JB to provide that the book profit for the purpose of section 115JB shall be increased by the amount standing in the revaluation reserve relating to the revalued asset which has been retired or disposed, if the same is not credited to the profit and loss account.

Under the existing provisions of the Income-tax Act, Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) and Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT) are levied on companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) respectively. However, no such tax is levied on the other form of business organisations such as partnership firms, sole proprietorship, association of persons, etc.

Minimum Alternate Tax :- Under the existing provisions of section 115JB(1), a company is required to pay a minimum alternate tax (MAT) on its book profit, if the income-tax payable on the total income, as computed under the Act in respect of any previous year relevant to the assessment year commencing on or after 1st April, 2011, is less than the MAT. The amount of tax paid under the said section is allowed to be carried forward and set off against tax payable up to the tenth assessment year immediately succeeding the assessment year in which the tax credit becomes allowable under the provisions of section 115JAA.

ADIT (Int. Tax) v. Bank International Indonesia – ITAT held that provision made for doubtful debts will be required to be added back to the net profit as per the profit and loss account while computing the Book Profit for the purpose of determination of Minimum Alternate Tax , subsequent to the amendment to Explanation 1 to section 115JB of the Income-tax Act, 1961 , with retrospective effect from 1 April, 2001.