§ 56
Chapter IV — Computation Of Total Income
Special provision in case of interest income of specified financial institutions
Income-tax Act, 2025
Business owners of specified financial institutions should note that interest income from bad or doubtful debts is taxable under the head 'Profits and gains of business or profession'. This tax applies in the year the interest is either credited to the profit and loss account or actually received, whichever comes first. The specified financial institutions include
- public financial institutions
- scheduled banks
- certain co-operative banks
- State Financial Corporations
- State Industrial Investment Corporations
📜 Official text of the section +
56. (1) Irrespective of anything to the contrary contained in this Act, the
interest income in relation to bad or doubtful debts of a specified financial
institution shall be chargeable to tax under the head “Profits and gains of business
or profession” in the tax year in which such interest is—
( a) credited to the profit and loss account; or
( b) actually received,
whichever is earlier.
(2) For the purposes of this section,—
( a) “specified financial institution” means—
( i) a public financial institution; or
( ii) a scheduled bank; or
( iii) a co-operative bank, other than—
( A) a primary agricultural credit society; or
( B) a primary co-operative agricultural and rural development
bank; or
( iv) a State Financial Corporation; or
( v) a State Industrial Investment Corporation; or
( vi) any such class of non-banking financial companies, as may be
notified by the Central Government;
( b) “bad or doubtful debts” shall be such categories of debts, as may be pre-
scribed, having regard to the guidelines issued in relation to such debts
by the Reserve Bank of India.
Revenue recognition for construction and service contracts.
Plain-language summary — not the official text. Refer to the bare Act and confirm with a professional for your specific case.