Amendment in the definition of Capital Asset wef A.Y. 2014-15

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Amendment in the definition ofCapital Asset

1 The provisions contained in clause (14) of section 2 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, before amendment by the Finance Act, 2013 define the term “capital asset” as property of any kind held by an assessee, whether or not connected with his business or profession. Certain categories of properties including agricultural land have been excluded from this definition. Sub-clause (iii) of clause (14) of section 2 provides that (a) agricultural land situated in any area within the jurisdiction of a municipality or cantonment board having population of not less than ten thousand according to last preceding census, or (b) agricultural land situated in any area within such distance not exceeding eight kilometers from the local limits of any municipality or cantonment board as notified by the Central Government having regard to the extent and scope of urbanization and other relevant factors, forms part of capital asset.

2 Item (b) of sub-clause (iii) of clause (14) of section 2 has been amended so as to provide that the land situated in any area within the distance, measured aerially (shortest aerial distance), (I) not being more than two kilometers, from the local limits of any municipality or cantonment board referred to in item (a) and which has a population of more than ten thousand but not exceeding one lakh; or (II) not being more than six kilometers, from the local limits of any municipality or cantonment board referred to in item (a) and which has a population of more than one lakh but not exceeding ten lakh; or (III) not being more than eight kilometers, from the local limits of any municipality or cantonment board referred to in item (a) and which has a population of more than ten lakh, shall form part of capital asset.

3 The expression “population” has also been defined to mean population according to the last preceding census of which the relevant figures have been published before the first day of the previous year.

4 Similar amendments are also carried out in clause (IA) of section 2 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 relating to the definition of “agricultural income” and in respect of the definition of “urban land” in the Wealth-tax Act, 1957.

5 Applicability – These amendments take effect from 1st April, 2014 and accordingly, apply in relation to Assessment year 2014-15 and subsequent assessment years.