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Past papers/ Taxation/ November 2015
Paper 15 Qs
Suggested Answers · November 2015

CA Inter Taxation

This page contains all 15 questions from the CA Inter Taxation Suggested Answers for the November 2015 attempt cycle, sourced from VSI Jaipur.

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Q.b 08 marks very hard Working Capital Management, Factoring, Cost Comparison ⚡ Try this Q →
Case: Receivables management and factoring scenario
A firm has a total sales of ₹ 200 lakhs of which 80% is on credit. It is offering credit terms of 2/40, net 120. Of the total, 50% of customers avail of discount and the balance pay in 120 days. Past experience indicates that bad debt losses are around 1% of credit sales. The firm spends about ₹ 2,40,000 per annum to administer its credit sales. These are avoidable as a factor is prepared to buy the firm's receivables. He will charge 2% commission. He will pay advance against receivables to the firm at an interest rate of 18% after withholding 10% as reserve.
CTTP

Worked Solution

✓ Verified

Sub-part (i): Effective Cost of Factoring

Step 1 – Establish basic figures:
Credit Sales = 80% × ₹200 lakhs = ₹160 lakhs
Average Collection Period = (50% × 40 days) + (50% × 120 days) = 20 + 60 = 80 days
Average Debtors = ₹160 × (80 ÷ 360) = ₹35.556 lakhs

Step 2 – Determine the factor's advance:
The factor retains 10% as reserve and charges 2% commission, so the net advance = (100% − 10% − 2%) = 88% of average debtors.
Factor's Advance = 88% × ₹35.556 lakhs = ₹31.289 lakhs

Step 3 – Compute annual costs of factoring:
- Commission = 2% × ₹160 lakhs = ₹3.200 lakhs
- Interest on advance = ₹31.289 × 18% = ₹5.632 lakhs
- Total annual factoring cost = ₹8.832 lakhs

Step 4 – Effective cost:
Effective Cost = (Total Annual Cost ÷ Advance) × 100
= (₹8.832 ÷ ₹31.289) × 100 = 28.23% p.a.

---

Sub-part (ii): Should the Firm Avail of Factoring?

A cost comparison is made between factoring and bank finance as the alternative source of working capital.

Total cost under Factoring:
- Commission = ₹3.200 lakhs
- Interest to factor = ₹5.632 lakhs
- Total = ₹8.832 lakhs
(Note: Bad debts and administration costs are borne by the factor under the factoring arrangement, so these are zero for the firm.)

Total cost under Bank Finance (14%):
- Interest on bank borrowing against debtors (₹35.556 × 14%) = ₹4.978 lakhs
- Bad debts (1% × ₹160 lakhs) = ₹1.600 lakhs
- Credit administration costs = ₹2.400 lakhs
- Total = ₹8.978 lakhs

Conclusion: The cost of factoring (₹8.832 lakhs) is lower than the cost of bank finance (₹8.978 lakhs) by ₹0.146 lakhs (≈ ₹14,600) per annum. Although the margin is narrow, the firm should avail of the factoring service as it results in a net saving.

PLAN

Write it like this

Time target 14 min 24 sec

1The skeleton

- Nail the credit sales and average debtor figure first — everything (commission, interest, bad debts) flows from these two numbers, so if you get them wrong in line 1, your entire answer cascades into wrong; write them clearly labelled before any cost table.
- Show the advance base explicitly: (100% − 10% reserve − 2% commission) = 88% — examiners want to see you consciously deduct BOTH reserve AND commission before applying the 18% rate; skipping this step loses the interest figure entirely.
- Split factoring costs into two lines: commission on total credit sales vs. interest on advance only — commission is charged on ₹160 lakhs (turnover base), interest is charged on ₹31.289 lakhs (advance base); mixing these bases is the #1 arithmetic trap.
- For Part (ii), build a two-column comparison table: Factoring vs. Bank Finance — examiner's eye goes straight to the final totals; a narrative paragraph buries the comparison and loses presentation marks even if the numbers are right.
- Explicitly state what FALLS AWAY under factoring — write 'bad debts = Nil (borne by factor)' and 'administration cost = Nil (avoidable)' in your bank-finance column as ₹0 counterparts; this signals you understand the conceptual shift, not just the arithmetic.
- End with a one-line verdict using the exact saving amount — 'Since cost of factoring (₹8.832 lakhs) < cost of bank finance (₹8.978 lakhs), the firm should avail of the factoring arrangement' with the ₹0.146 lakh saving stated; conclusions without a rupee figure score half marks.

2Examiner-rewarded phrases

“the firm should avail of the factoring arrangement as it results in a net saving of ₹...”“factor will advance against receivables after withholding reserve and deducting commission”“bad debts and credit administration costs are borne by the factor and hence not relevant to the firm”

3Common trap

Don't fall for this

Heads up — most students apply the 18% interest rate on the FULL average debtors (₹35.556 lakhs) instead of the NET advance after deducting both the 10% reserve AND the 2% commission. That single base error inflates your interest cost and makes the effective cost percentage completely wrong, even if your logic is perfect everywhere else.

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Q.1 00 marks easy Cost of Debt/Finance ⚡ Try this Q →
A company issues 25,000, 14% debentures of ₹ 1,000 each. The debentures are redeemable after the expiry period of 5 years. Tax rate applicable to the company is 35% (including surcharge and education cess). Calculate the cost of debt after tax if debentures are issued at 5% discount with 2% flotation cost.
CTTP

Worked Solution

✓ Verified

Cost of Debt After Tax — Debentures Issued at Discount with Flotation Cost

Given Information:
Face Value per debenture = ₹1,000 | Coupon Rate = 14% | Tenure = 5 years | Tax Rate = 35% | Discount = 5% | Flotation Cost = 2%

Step 1 — Net Proceeds (NP) per debenture:
Issue Price = ₹1,000 − 5% discount = ₹1,000 − ₹50 = ₹950
Flotation Cost = 2% × ₹950 = ₹19
Net Proceeds (NP) = ₹950 − ₹19 = ₹931

Step 2 — Redemption Value (RV):
Debentures are redeemable at par = ₹1,000

Step 3 — After-Tax Interest per annum:
Gross Interest = 14% × ₹1,000 = ₹140
After-Tax Interest = ₹140 × (1 − 0.35) = ₹91

Step 4 — Cost of Debt using Approximation Formula:

Kd = [I(1−t) + (RV − NP)/n] ÷ [(RV + NP)/2]

Kd = [91 + (1,000 − 931)/5] ÷ [(1,000 + 931)/2]
Kd = [91 + 13.8] ÷ [965.5]
Kd = 104.8 ÷ 965.5
Kd = 10.86%

The cost of debt after tax for the debentures issued at 5% discount with 2% flotation cost is 10.86% per annum.

PLAN

Write it like this

Time target 10 min 48 sec

1The skeleton

- Write NP in two sub-steps: discount first, then flotation on issue price (not face value) — examiners dock marks if you apply 2% on ₹1,000 instead of ₹950, so showing the chain explicitly protects you.
- State RV = ₹1,000 (at par) as a separate labelled line — never assume the examiner sees it in the formula; a one-liner 'Redeemable at par = ₹1,000' signals you know the distinction between issue price and redemption.
- Compute After-Tax Interest as its own step before plugging into formula — writing I(1−t) inside the formula without pre-computing it is where silly errors happen and where examiners can't award method marks if the final number is wrong.
- Write the approximation formula in variable form first, then substitute — this is the single biggest mark-saver; if your arithmetic slips, the examiner awards 1–2 marks for correct formula structure.
- Box or underline Kd = 10.86% and add 'per annum' — the answer line is what the examiner circles first; a bare decimal without the % sign or time unit is treated as incomplete in strict marking.

2Examiner-rewarded phrases

“Net Proceeds = Issue Price − Flotation Cost”“Kd = [I(1−t) + (RV − NP)/n] ÷ [(RV + NP)/2]”“Debentures are redeemable at par after the expiry of 5 years”

3Common trap

Don't fall for this

The classic kill-shot here is applying the 2% flotation cost to the face value (₹1,000) instead of the issue price (₹950) — that gives you NP = ₹930 instead of ₹931 and cascades the error through the whole formula. Also watch out: some students subtract the discount from NP again at the RV stage — RV stays ₹1,000 regardless of how it was issued.

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Q.2 08 marks very hard Cost Accounting/Overhead Recovery ⚡ Try this Q →
M.L. Auto Ltd. is a manufacturer of auto components. Expenses for 2014: Opening Stock of Material ₹1,50,000, Closing Stock of Material ₹2,00,000, Purchase of Material ₹18,50,000, Direct Labour ₹9,50,000, Factory Overhead ₹3,80,000, Administrative Overhead ₹2,50,400. During 2015, the company received an order from a car manufacturer estimating material cost ₹8,00,000 and labour cost ₹4,50,000. M.L. Auto Ltd. charges factory overhead as a percentage of direct labour and administrative overhead as a percentage of factory cost based on previous year's cost. Cost of delivery of the components at customer's premises is estimated at ₹45,000.
CTTP

Worked Solution

✓ Verified

(i) Overhead Recovery Rates (based on 2014 actuals)

Material Consumed (2014):
Opening Stock + Purchases − Closing Stock = ₹1,50,000 + ₹18,50,000 − ₹2,00,000 = ₹18,00,000

Prime Cost (2014):
Material Consumed + Direct Labour = ₹18,00,000 + ₹9,50,000 = ₹27,50,000

Factory Cost (2014):
Prime Cost + Factory Overhead = ₹27,50,000 + ₹3,80,000 = ₹31,30,000

Factory Overhead Recovery Rate (as % of Direct Labour):
= (₹3,80,000 ÷ ₹9,50,000) × 100 = 40% of Direct Labour

Administrative Overhead Recovery Rate (as % of Factory Cost):
= (₹2,50,400 ÷ ₹31,30,000) × 100 = 8% of Factory Cost

---

(ii) Cost Statement for 2015 Order

Particulars
Material Cost8,00,000
Direct Labour Cost4,50,000
Prime Cost12,50,000
Add: Factory Overhead (40% of ₹4,50,000)1,80,000
Factory Cost14,30,000
Add: Administrative Overhead (8% of ₹14,30,000)1,14,400
Cost of Production15,44,400
Add: Selling & Distribution Overhead (Delivery Cost)45,000
Total Cost of Sales (Cost of Order)15,89,400

Price to be Quoted (Profit = 10% on Sales):

Since profit is 10% on sales, cost represents 90% of sales price.

Quoted Sales Price = Total Cost ÷ 0.90 = ₹15,89,400 ÷ 0.90 = ₹17,66,000

Verification: Profit = 10% × ₹17,66,000 = ₹1,76,600; Cost = ₹17,66,000 − ₹1,76,600 = ₹15,89,400 ✓

The price to be quoted to the car manufacturer is ₹17,66,000.

PLAN

Write it like this

Time target 14 min 24 sec

1The skeleton

- Start with Part (i): compute both overhead rates first — examiners follow a two-part flow, so label it clearly as 'Overhead Recovery Rates (based on 2014 actuals)' before touching the 2015 order, or your rates look like they appeared from nowhere.
- Show Material Consumed as a standalone line — don't silently plug ₹18,00,000 into Prime Cost; write Opening + Purchases − Closing explicitly, because that one line can carry 1 mark by itself.
- Build the cost statement as a columnar table, not running prose — every sub-total (Prime Cost, Factory Cost, Cost of Production, Cost of Sales) must be bolded and on its own row; examiners tick sub-totals, not narrative.
- Apply rates in the right sequence — Factory Overhead on Direct Labour first, Admin Overhead on Factory Cost (not Prime Cost), then Selling overhead last; wrong sequence scrambles every figure below it even if your rates are perfect.
- Handle the profit-on-sales conversion with a visible formula — write 'Cost = 90% of Sales Price, therefore Quoted Price = Total Cost ÷ 0.90' as a separate line; an unmarked division with no reasoning will not get method marks.
- End with a one-line conclusion — 'The price to be quoted to the car manufacturer is ₹17,66,000' signals you've answered the actual question asked, not just done arithmetic.'

2Examiner-rewarded phrases

“Factory overhead is recovered as a percentage of direct labour cost based on previous year's actual data”“Administrative overhead recovery rate = (Administrative Overhead ÷ Factory Cost) × 100”“Since profit is 10% on sales, cost of order represents 90% of the quoted sales price”

3Common trap

Don't fall for this

The single killer mistake is applying Admin Overhead as a % of Prime Cost instead of Factory Cost — students mix up the base because both look similar in the statement. Double-check: the question says 'percentage of factory cost', so your Admin Overhead base must include Factory Overhead already added in.

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Q.3 08 marks hard Financial Accounting/Trading and P&L Account ⚡ Try this Q →
VRA Limited has provided the following information for the year ending 31st March, 2015: Debt Equity Ratio 2:1, 14% long term debt ₹50,00,000, Gross Profit Ratio 30%, Return on equity 50%, Income Tax Rate 35%, Capital Turnover Ratio 1.2 times, Opening Stock ₹4,50,000, Closing Stock 8% of sales. You are required to prepare Trading and Profit and Loss Account for the year ending 31st March, 2015.
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Q.3 08 marks very hard Sales Budget, RWA-H ⚡ Try this Q →
XY Co. Ltd manufactures two products viz., X and Y and sells them through two divisions, East and West. For the purpose of Sales Budget to the Budget Committee; following information has been made available for the year 2014-15: [Budgeted and Actual Sales table provided]. Adequate market studies reveal that product X is popular but under priced. It is expected that if the price of X is increased by ₹ 1, it will find a ready market. On the other hand, Y is overpriced and if the price of Y is reduced by ₹ 1, it will have more demand in the market. The company management has agreed for the aforesaid price changes. On the basis of these price changes and the reports of salesmen, following estimates have been prepared by the Divisional Managers: [Percentage increase table]. With the help of intensive advertisement campaign, following additional sales (over and above the above mentioned estimated sales by Divisional Mangers) are possible: [Additional sales table]. You are required to prepare Sales Budget for 2015-16 after incorporating above estimates and also show the Budgeted Sales and Actual Sales of 2014-15.
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Q.3 08 marks very hard Balance Sheet Analysis, RWA-H ⚡ Try this Q →
Balance Sheets of KAS Limited as on 31st March, 2014 and 31st March, 2015 are furnished below: [Balance sheet showing Equity Share Capital, General Reserve, Profit & Loss Account, 13% Debentures, Current Liabilities, Proposed Dividend, Provision for Income tax with amounts in Rupees for both years]
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Q.5 16 marks very hard Cost Accounting - Cost Methods and Cost Units for Different ⚡ Try this Q →
निम्नलिखित उद्योगों के लिए लागत बिधि एवं लागत की इकाई का उल्लेख कीजिए:
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Q.5 00 marks easy Cost Accounting - Fixed Capacity Accounting Treatment ⚡ Try this Q →
लागत लेखांकन में निश्चित क्षमता का लेखांकन व्यवहार कैसे किया जाएगा?
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Q.5 00 marks easy Capital Budgeting - NPV vs IRR ⚡ Try this Q →
परियोजनाओं के मूल्यांकन में शुद्ध वर्तमान मूल्य (NPV) तथा आंतरिक प्रत्यय दर (IRR) में अंतर स्पष्ट कीजिए।
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Q.5 00 marks easy Capital Structure - Equity Financing ⚡ Try this Q →
जोखिम-पूंजी वित्तीयन से क्या आशय है? इसकी विभिन्न विधियों को स्पष्ट कीजिए।
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Q.6 08 marks very hard Contract Costing ⚡ Try this Q →
PVK Constructions commenced a contract on 1st April, 2014. Total contract value was ₹ 100 lakhs. The contract is expected to be completed by 31st December, 2016. Actual expenditure during the period 1st April, 2014 to 31st March, 2015 and estimated expenditure for the period 1st April, 2015 to 31st December, 2016 are as follows: [Table with Material issued, Direct Wages paid, Direct Wages outstanding, Plant purchased, Expenses paid, Prepaid Expenses, Site office expenses for two periods]
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Q.6 08 marks very hard Contract Costing ⚡ Try this Q →
Case: P.B.K. Construction Limited received a contract on 1 April 2014 with value ₹100 lakh, to be completed by 31 December 2016. [Financial data table provided showing amounts from 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015 and 1 April 2015 to 31 December 2016]
P.B.K. Construction Limited | 1 अप्रैल, 2014 को एक ठेका प्राप्त किया। ठेके का मूल्य ₹100 लाख था। ठेके को 31 दिसंबर, 2016 को पूरा किया जाना है।
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Q.7 00 marks easy Cash Flow Statement ⚡ Try this Q →
Case: Balance sheet as at 31st March, 2014 and 2015 (Amount in Rupees): Assets | As at 31st March 2014 | As at 31st March 2015 Goodwill | ₹ 10,00,000 | ₹ 7,75,000 Land & Building | ₹ 68,00,000 | ₹ 61,20,000 Plant & Machinery | ₹ 75,12,000 | ₹ 1,07,95,000 Investment | ₹ 25,00,000 | ₹ 21,25,000 Stock | ₹ 33,00,000 | ₹ 27,50,000 Debtors | ₹ 24,45,000 | ₹ 36,20,000 Cash and Bank | ₹ 14,93,000 | ₹ 19,25,000 Total | ₹ 2,50,50,000 | ₹ 2,81,10,000 Following additional information is available: (i) During the financial year 2014-15 the company issued equity shares at par. (ii) Debentures were redeemed on 1s…
You are required to prepare a Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31st March, 2015.
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Q.7 16 marks very hard Cost Accounting, Cash Management, Asset Financing, Capital S ⚡ Try this Q →
Answer any four of the following:
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Q.11 00 marks hard Contract Accounting, Profit Recognition ⚡ Try this Q →
Case: Contract accounting scenario with material disposal, plant valuation, and work certification details
Part of the material procured for the contract was unsuitable and was sold for ₹ 2,40,000 (cost being ₹ 2,55,000) and a part of plant was scrapped and disposed of for ₹ 80,000. The value of plant at site on 31st March, 2015 was ₹ 2,50,000 and the value of material at site was ₹ 73,000. Cash received on account to date was ₹ 36,00,000, representing 80% of the work certified. The cost of work uncertified was valued at ₹ 5,40,000. Estimated further expenditure for completion of contract is as follows: • An additional amount of ₹ 4,62,500 would have to be spent on the plant and the residual value of the plant on the completion of the contract would be ₹ 67,500. • Site office expenses would be the same amount per month as charged in the previous year. • An amount of ₹ 1,57,500 would have to be incurred towards consultancy charges. Required: Prepare Contract Account and calculate estimated total profit on this contract.
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