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The Income Tax Act grants total or partial exemption under Section 54, 54B, 54D, 54EC, 54F, 54G, 54GA and 54H.

♣ Capital Gains Arising from Transfer of Residential Property – Section 54

Section 54 provides exemption on capital gains arising from the transfer of a residential house, being building or lands appurtenant (belonging) thereto, and the income of which is chargeable under the head Income from House Property; provided certain conditions are satisfied:

  • The House property is transferred by an individual or Hindu Undivided Family.
  • The house property (either self-occupied, let out or deemed let out) is a long term capital asset (i.e. is held for a period of more than 24 Months* before sale or transfer)

*36 Months if transfer takes place before 1.4.2017

  • To avail the benefit the assessee will have to purchase or construct one residential house*. The new residential house shall be purchased one year before or within two years after, the date of transfer of the residential property. Alternatively the assessee can construct a new residential property, construction of which should be completed within three years from the date of transfer of asset (Commencement date of construction is irrelevant, it can be started even before the date of transfer)

*If the amount of Capital Gain does not exceed Rs 2 Cr, the assessee can purchase/construct two residential house properties (applicable from assessment year 2020-2021). This concession can be availed once in a life time.

Word writing text Capital Gains with Open red marker

  • The house property purchased or constructed shall be situated in India.
  • The house property so purchased or constructed is not transferred within the period of 3 years from date of purchase or construction. If the same is sold within the period of 3 years, the cost of acquisition of new house sold shall be reduced by the exemption so claimed for the previous house transferred.
  • Amount of Exemption:

The amount of exemption is equal:

i. Amount of capital gain generated on transfer of residential house property, or

ii. Amount invested in purchase or construction of new residential house property

Whichever is lower.

  • Deposit of the capital gain amount in Capital Gains Account Scheme,1988 Where the amount of capital gain is not appropriated or utilized by the assessee for purchase or construction of new residential house property before the due date of furnishing the return of income under section 139 (1) , it shall be deposited by him on or before the due date of furnishing return of income, in the Deposit Account in any branch of a public sector bank . The amount so utilized for purchase or construction along with the amount deposited in Deposit Account shall be deemed to be the amount utilized for the purchase of new house under section 54.

Provided that the amount so deposited is not utilized fully for purchase or construction of new house within the stipulated time period, then the amount so not utilized shall be treated as long term capital gain of the previous year in which the period of three years from the date of original transfer expires.

Questions and supporting Judgments

1. Whether Construction of new house can precede the sale of old house? Suppose Mr. A started construction of his new house on 31.05.2019, while the date of actual transfer of property 31.12.2019. Under this when shall the period of 3 years end?

Ans.

As per my opinion, the date of commencement of construction does not matter. Under any circumstances, the construction of house shall be completed by 31.12.2022.

The above opinion is supported by judgments from the

  • Allahabad High Court in the case of CIT vs K.Kapoor [1998] 150 CTR (All.) 128
  • Karnataka High Court in the case of CIT vs J.R.Subramanya Bhat [1987] 165 ITR 571 (Kar.)

2. An individual sold his residential house property and later purchased two adjacent flats. Will he be allowed the capital gain exemption?

Ans.

Yes, if a taxpayer invests long term capital gains in acquisition of two residential flats (situated side by side). He can avail the benefit.

Even if the said flats are purchased by two separate sale deeds and have separate electricity meters, the assessee cannot be denied the benefit of exemption.

Further, if the assesse purchases one flat on Ground Floor and one on second floor, but maintains one common kitchen only, the same has been held to qualify as one residential house.

The above opinion is supported by judgments from the

  • ACIT v. Leela P. Nanda [2006] 286 ITR (AT) 113 (Mum.)
  • CIT v. D.Ananda Basappa [2009] 309 itr 329 (Kar.)
  • ITO v. P.C. Ramakrishna (HUF) [2007] 107 TTJ (Chennai) 351

3. Can Expenses Incurred for selling the residential house property be considered while calculating the capital gain amount?

Ans.

Yes, one can deduct the expenses incurred for selling the residential house property from the net consideration received. Expenses such as advertisement, legal expenses, brokerage or commission paid to agent, can be deducted from the net consideration received for the residential house property.

4. If an individual or HUF sells multiple residential house property and later invests the capital gain amount in one residential house property, will the assessee allowed to claim the benefit under section 54?

Ans.

Yes, if an assessee sells multiple house property and invests the money to buy one residential house property, then one can claim the exemption benefit under section 54.

The above opinion is supported by judgments from the

In the above two cases, assessee had sold multiple residential house property and invested the amount received for purchase of one residential house property.

Even if the assessee sold residential house property in two different years but purchased the new residential house property within time limit, he/she cannot be denied the exemption benefit under section 54.

5. I have sold flat in 2017 and deposited balance capital gain amount in Capital Gain Account and got exemption from Capital Gains. Next two years I have neither purchased new house nor constructed new house. In third year, will the exemption be continued and can be availed if I invest in new ready to occupy house or invest in under construction property?

Ans.

As per clear reading of the section, an assessee has to either purchase a residential house property within two years, or construct a house within 3 years from the date of transfer.

In the above case since the time period of two years has already elapsed, it is advisable to invest the money in under construction property. Also the construction shall be completed within the time limit of 3 years from the date of transfer. {A related judgment is available where the construction could not be completed by the builder due to unavoidable circumstances – CIT v. Dilip Ranjrekar [2019] 260 Taxmann 317 (Kar.)}

6. Is it Necessary to have link between the capital gain and investment made?

Ans.

There is nothing in the provisions of Section 54, to establish a direct link between the amount of capital gain and the cost of new asset. For instance if the assessee utilizes the amount of capital gain to create an FD for a short duration and then he either purchases the residential house property or deposit the same in Capital Gain Deposit Scheme account before the prescribed due dates, then he is qualified to take the exemption under section 54.

In one such case the assessee utilized the capital gain amount for purchasing and selling shares in between before depositing the same in Capital gains Deposit Account scheme and subsequently utilized the same for purchasing house, he is entitled to claim the benefir under the said section. Ajit Vaswanti v. CIT [2001] 123 (Delhi)

7. Will the assessee be denied Exemption if the new house property is registered in the name of wife or son/daughter?

Ans.

There are two contradicting judgments related to the above question.

While the Honorable Delhi High court & the Honorable Karnataka High court have given the decision in favor of the assesse, whereby they have held that an Individual or assessee cannot be denied a claim of exemption on investing the capital gain amount in the name of his/her spouse or children.

Though the Honorable Bombay High Court gave a ruling in favor if the revenue and the assesse was not allowed to claim the capital gain benefit exemption.

The above opinion is supported by judgments (in favor of the individual or HUF) from the

  • CIT v. Ravinder Kumar Arora
  • CIT v. Suresh Verma [2012] 135 ITD 102 (Delhi)

The above opinion is supported by judgments (against the individual or HUF) from the

  • Prakash v ITO Ward 1(5), Nagpur

Article By. CA Dhaval Bhanushali – cadhavalb@gmail.com

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21 Comments

  1. Jagmohan Singh says:

    I have two residential properties one in a single name and another in joint name. If I sell the property in a single name and invest the capital gains in a fresh Residential property can exemption from capital gains be claimed ??

  2. R KUMAR says:

    My parantel house was sold and entitre sale proced ‘A” was given to me by other siblings and parent ( as per duly moerised family setrllment). I calculated capital gain which comes to “X”. I
    In the same financial year I purchased a flat in my
    joint name of me and my wife. The cost new flat is ore than ‘X” i.e more than capital gain but less than ‘A” .i.e total sale procede.
    Shoud any income tax payble? if yes what will be amount.

  3. ranjith says:

    hi i have sold a property in april 2021 for an amount of 39 lakhs, i had purcharsed it for 14 lakhs in 2013 my question should i need to deposit the gross amount or net profit amount (post indexation) and what would be my profit amount in this case

  4. vijay says:

    I have purchase a Residencial property Jointly with spouse for Rs 1.48 Cr on 04 Nov 2019. I have paid money from my retirement benefit and fixed deposits. I could not able to sell my old flat during the purchase. Later after 10 month I sold my old flat for Rs 48 Lakhs lesser than Stamp duty value of 60 Lakhs since flat was 20 year old and I am able to get any purchaser. Indexed cost of old flat is 8 lakh * 3 = 27 Lakhs and LTCG is 60-27=33 lakhs. I am sure this is case sale of property with LTCG 33 lakhs and save taxation by purchasing new property 10 months earlier. I want to file ITR2 in AY 2020-21 . please comment and suggest regarding this case.

  5. Charanjit Singh says:

    I sold a property in April, 19 for Rs.34 lakh and purchased a house for Rs.1.60 Cr in Nov.20 by availing capital gains exemption of Rs.34 lakh (whole amount received for sale of old property). For purchasing the new house, I took a loan of Rs.60 lakh from my Spouse.
    Now should I get the house demolished & construct 4 floors through a builder and transfer 2 floors to the builder or else raise further loans from relatives/friends to construct 4 floors and sell 2 floors to repay the loans.
    What would be the best option for me, keeping in view the capital gains tax rules ?

  6. Logan.k says:

    I have two residential properties one in a single name and another in joint name. If I sell the property in a single name and invest the capital gains in a fresh Residential property can exemption from capital gains be claimed ??

  7. AMITABHA BAJPAYEE says:

    I wish to know if a house sold in June 2020, capital gain invested in FD (capital gain acccount scheme of SBI) in March 2021 will be able to qualify exmption ? Secondly, what is the Full Consideration Value means in computing Capital Gain ?

  8. Anjan M Chemburkar says:

    My grandfather purchased room in chawl at Dadar ( pagdi system) ..may be 80 yrs ago. After grandfather landlord transferred it in my grandmother’s name. After grandmother it is transferred in my mother’s name. Now the building is under redevelopment since last 14 yrs. My mother is 87 & alive, but since the work is held up we sold it to builder @ 39 L. What would be the capital gain if we did not purchase another property if we distribute amount among myself & mother & sister.
    Orelse do we need to buy another property & within how much time to avoid capital gain. Property sold in Nov 2020, somebody said buy property before March end orelse tax will be liable. We never know at what rate this room was purchased 80 yrs ago.
    Please advise. Currently we r staying on rent in Kalwa – Thane
    Anjan Chemburkar
    9930951202/9137323574

  9. kisanbilla says:

    Sir, I have Sold my house property in march 2021, but before selling I have constructed new House and completed in the month of Dec2019.Can I eligible capital gain exemption on my old house property sold out.

  10. Ramandeep Jindal says:

    In order to save tax on capital gain, Do i need to invest only capital gain to buy a new property or the entire sale amount. I also purchased an under construction property 1.5 years prior to the sale of property under capital gain, however made major payments in last 1 year as this is construction linked and still have to make pending payments in next 1 year. Can I adjust the capital gain against the payments made in last 1 year or upcoming installments. Sale deed of the under construction property will be executed in 2022. Pls advice.

  11. Ramandeep Jindal says:

    I purchased an under construction property and made all payments between 2010 and 2012. Possession was taken in 2012. Possession letter dated 2012 available, however sale deed was executed in 2018. Now I am selling this property, how should i calculate capital gains – from the date of payments made or from the date of sale deed execution? Pls. guide.

  12. Deepak Bhandari says:

    Can a person register a land from his own money, and then claim capital gain once the person sells his existing residential property? And the whole transaction happens 1 year before the sale of the existing residential property to 2 years from the sale of the existing residential property!

  13. Mussaddi Lal Gupta says:

    Please guide me as to whether the property sold on 31-05-2019, the capital gain accrued thereon was invested in Nationalised bank by opening a bank account.
    This amount along with interest exclusively used in purchasing of aflat in my name and balance amount in separate flat along with with wife and children can qualify the full amount

  14. Rakesh Malik says:

    A residential house has been sold by me and earned Rs 15.00 lakhs Long Term Capital Gain. Can I get a deduction from income tax if I will utilize this Rs 15 lakhs for repayment of a residential house loan taken from State Bank of India in the year 2012. Please guide. Thanks.

  15. K. MURALIDHARAN says:

    Sir, I have deposited some money in Capital Gains Account Scheme by selling a small piece of land. Understand that this deposited amount should be utilised for either purchasing a new house or construction of a new house. I have another house too where we are now staying. Kindly advise what will happen to the money deposited by me in Capital Gains Account if I don’t purchase another house ? Can I withdraw this amount and deposit as Fixed Deposit Account ! Kindly advise a way out of this issue.

  16. m karibasaiah tax consultant says:

    sales of residential property and purchase of commercial shop ,in tha same value of property is exempt from capital gain 23/11/2020

  17. vikrambe says:

    There are many confusions and doubts going on regarding the utilization of the Capital Gain amount utilization, hence I need clarity on the same.

    Long Term Capital Gain Amount – Less than 2CR

    Clarification required:-

    1) Can I buy land from one party and house construction from another party (building contractor)?.

    2) Can I utilize the capital gain amount to pay stamp duty, registration fee and cess for the land? (DD/Cheque to Sub-Registrar)

    3) Can I utilize the capital gain amount to pay the cost of interior works like kitchen cabinets and wardrobes? (Rajat-B-Mehta-Vs.-ITO-ITAT-Ahmedabad)

    Option 2 – Purchase of 2 apartments/flats (same building or different area) if the land and construction does not work out for me.

    Request you to clary the above doubts.

  18. rohanmmore says:

    While computing long term capital gain on sale of house property, do we consider from booking date or registration date ? in case booked while property under construction.

  19. Rajesh Kisanrao Zingade says:

    Sold agri land in 2019 which was inherited by father to me in 2018. Land comes under city limits.If i invest by taking new property in city what will be the tax role i have to pay.

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