Treatment of Income on Sale of Shares in ESOP Scheme – Perquisite or Capital Gain?
Legislative Background:
As per Section 15(1) of Income Tax Act, 1961 (Act) any salary due from employer or former employer to an assessee in the previous year, whether paid or not, is chargeable to tax under the head ‘Income from Salaries’. As per Section 17(1)(iv) of the Act, ‘salary’ includes ‘perquisites’ or ‘profit in lieu of salary or wages’.
Section 17(2)(vi) of the Act, the term ‘perquisite’ includes the value of specified securities which were granted under ESOP or sweat equity shares allotted or transferred, directly or indirectly, by employer or former employer, free of cost or at concessional rate to the assessee.
