Self-generated assets under Cost of Acquisition [Section 55] :

There are circumstances where it is not possible to visualise cost of acquisition. For example, suppose a doctor starts his profession. With the passage of time, the doctor acquires lot of reputation. He opens a clinic and runs it for 5 years. After 5 years he sells the clinic to another doctor for Rs 10 lacs which includes Rs 2 lacs for his reputation or goodwill. Now a question arises as to how to find out the profit in respect of goodwill. It is obvious that the goodwill is self-generated and hence it is difficult to calculate the cost of its acquisition. However, it is certainly a capital asset. The Supreme Court in CIT v. B.C. Srinivasa Shetty [1981] 128 ITR 294 (SC) held that in order to bring the gains on sale of capital assets to charge under section 45, it is necessary that the provisions dealing with the levy of capital gains tax must be read as a whole. Section 48 deals with the mode of computing the capital gains. Unless the cost of acquisition is correctly ascertainable, it is not possible to apply the provisions of section 48. Self-generated goodwill is such a type of capital asset where it is not possible to visualise cost of acquisition. Once section 48 cannot be applied, the gains thereon cannot be brought to charge.

This decision of the Supreme Court was applicable not only to self-generated goodwill of a business but also to other self-generated assets like tenancy rights, stage carriage permits, loom hours etc. In order to supersede the decision of the Supreme Court cited above, section 55 was amended. Accordingly, in case of self-generated assets namely, goodwill of a business or a trademark or brand name associated with a business or a right to manufacture, produce or process any article or thing, or right to carry on any business, tenancy rights, stage carriage permits, or loom hours, the cost of acquisition will be taken to be nil. However, it is significant to note that the above amendment does not cover self-generated goodwill of a profession. So, in respect of self-generated goodwill of a profession and other self-generated assets not specifically covered by the amended provisions of section 55, the decision of the Supreme Court in B. C. Srinivasa Setty’s case will still apply.