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Microlesson · 5-min read

Computation of PGBP from P&L Account — Section 29

# Computing PGBP Income from the P&L Account [Section 29]

Section 29 mandates that PGBP income shall be computed in accordance with Sections 30 to 43D. In practice, the starting point is the Profit & Loss Account prepared as per the books of account, which is then adjusted.

## The Standard Reconciliation Format

ParticularsAmount
Profit / (Loss) as per P&L A/cXX
Add:
Depreciation debited to P&L A/cXX
Expenses debited to P&L A/c but NOT allowed as deduction (disallowed)XX
Income NOT credited to P&L A/c but taxable under PGBPXX
SubtotalXX
Less:
Depreciation as per Income-tax Act (Section 32)(XX)
Expenses NOT debited to P&L A/c but allowed under PGBP(XX)
Income credited to P&L A/c but NOT taxable under PGBP (e.g., Capital Gain, IFOS, Agricultural Income, dividends)(XX)
Income from Business & Profession (PGBP)XX

## How to Use This Format

Step 1 — Add back book depreciation: Accounting depreciation is irrelevant for tax. Add it back, then deduct depreciation as per Section 32.

Step 2 — Add back disallowed expenses: These include personal expenses, expenses prohibited by law (e.g., bribes, penalties), expenses where TDS was not deducted (Section 40(a)(ia)), and many others as per Sections 36, 37, 40, 40A, 43B.

Step 3 — Add back PGBP incomes missed in books: Sometimes a receipt is taken directly to capital reserve in books — but is taxable under PGBP. Add back.

Step 4 — Deduct expenses allowed but not booked: Rare, but e.g., depreciation allowable but not booked, or items allowed first time on a payment basis.

Step 5 — Remove non-PGBP incomes from the figure: Rental income, dividends, capital gains, interest on FDR, agricultural income — these are taxable under their own respective heads, so they must be removed from P&L profit to avoid double counting.

Worked example

### Example 1

Question: Net Profit as per P&L A/c is ₹10,00,000. The following appear in the P&L:

  • Depreciation as per books: ₹1,50,000
  • Personal expenses of proprietor: ₹40,000 (debited)
  • Interest on FDR credited: ₹60,000
  • Agricultural income credited: ₹80,000

Depreciation as per IT Act = ₹2,00,000.

Compute PGBP.

Solution:

Particulars
Profit as per P&L A/c10,00,000
Add: Depreciation as per books1,50,000
Add: Personal expenses (disallowed)40,000
11,90,000
Less: Depreciation as per IT Act(2,00,000)
Less: Interest on FDR (IFOS, not PGBP)(60,000)
Less: Agricultural Income (Exempt)(80,000)
PGBP8,50,000

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Forgetting to add back book depreciation before deducting tax depreciation — leads to double deduction.
  • Not removing non-PGBP incomes (rent, capital gain, interest, dividend) credited to P&L — leads to double counting under both heads.
  • Treating personal expenses of proprietor as allowable — they must be added back as disallowed.
  • Allowing prior period expenses without examining accrual — only PY-related accruals are allowed.
Bare-Act text Section 29 · Income-tax Act, 1961 · click to expand
Section 29: The income referred to in section 28 shall be computed in accordance with the provisions contained in sections 30 to 43D.
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