Capital gains exemption in case of investment in a residential houseproperty
The provisions contained in sub-section (1) of section 54 of the Income-tax Act,before its amendment by the Act, inter alia, provided that where capital gain arises from the transfer of a long-term capital asset, being buildings or lands appurtenant thereto, and being a residential house, and the assessee within a period of one year before or two years after the date of transfer, purchases, or within a period of three years after the date of transfer constructs, a residential house, then, the amount of capital gains to the extent invested in the new residential house is not chargeable to
tax under section 45 of the Income-tax Act.
The provisions contained in sub-section (1) of section 54F of the Income-tax Act, before its amendment by the Act, inter-alia, provided that where capital gains arises from transfer of a long-term capital asset, not being a residential house, and the assessee within a period of one year before or two years after the date of transfer, purchases, or within a period of three years after the date of transferconstructs, a residential house, then, the portion of capital gains in the ratio of cost of new asset to the net consideration received on transfer is not chargeable to tax.
Certain courts had interpreted that the exemption is also available if investment is made in more than one residential house. The benefit was intended for investmentm in one residential house within India. Accordingly, sub-section (1) of section 54 of the Income-tax Act has been amended to provide that the rollover relief under the said section is available if the investment is made in one residential house situated in India.
Similarly, sub-section (1) of section 54F of the Income-tax Act has been amended to provide that the exemption is available if the investment is made in one residential house situated in India.
Applicability: - These amendments take effect from 1st April, 2015 and will accordingly apply in relation to assessment year 2015-16 and subsequent assessment years.
