§ 179
Chapter XI — General Anti-A Voidance Rule
Impermissible avoidance arrangement
Income-tax Act, 2025
Business owners should be aware that certain arrangements may be considered impermissible if their main purpose is to obtain a tax benefit. These arrangements may include those that
- create unusual rights or obligations
- misuse or abuse tax provisions
- lack commercial substance
- use unusual means or methods
📜 Official text of the section +
179. (1) An impermissible avoidance arrangement means an arrangement, the
main purpose of which is to obtain a tax benefit, and it—
( a) creates rights, or obligations, which are not ordinarily created between
persons dealing at arm’s length;
( b) results, directly or indirectly, in the misuse, or abuse, of the provisions
of this Act;
( c) lacks commercial substance or is deemed to lack commercial substance
under section 180, in whole or in part; or
( d) is entered into, or carried out, by means, or in a manner, which are not
ordinarily employed for bona fide purposes.
(2) An arrangement shall be presumed, unless it is proved to the contrary by the
assessee, to have been entered into, or carried out, for the main purpose of obtain-
ing a tax benefit, if the main purpose of a step in, or a part of, the arrangement is
to obtain a tax benefit, irrespective of the fact that the main purpose of the whole
arrangement is not to obtain a tax benefit.
Arrangement to lack commercial substance.
Plain-language summary — not the official text. Refer to the bare Act and confirm with a professional for your specific case.