Set off of loss from one head against income from another
75 71. (1) Where in respect of any assessment year the net result of the computation under any head of income, other than "Capital gains" , is a loss and the assessee has no income under the head "Capital gains", he shall, subject to the provisions of this Chapter, be entitled to have the amount of such loss set off against his income, if any, assessable for that assessment year under any other head.
(2) Where in respect of any assessment year, the net result of the computation under any head of income, other than "Capital gains", is a loss and the assessee has income assessable under the head "Capital gains", such loss may, subject to the provisions of this Chapter, be set off against his income, if any, assessable for that assessment year under any head of income including the head "Capital gains" (whether relating to short-term capital assets or any other capital assets).
(3) Where in respect of any assessment year, the net result of the computation under the head "Capital gains" is a loss and the assessee has income assessable under any other head of income, the assessee shall not be entitled to have such loss set off against income under the other head.]
The following sub-section (4) shall be inserted by the Finance Act, 1992, w.e.f. 1-4-1993 :
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (1) and (2), where in respect of any assessment year the net result of the computation, in relation to any property [other than the property referred to in sub-clause (i) of clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 23], under the head "Income from house property" is a loss and the assessee has income assessable under any other head of income, the assessee shall not be entitled to have such loss set off against income under the other head.
The following section 71A shall be inserted by the Finance Act, 1992, w.e.f. 1-4-1993 :
Carry forward of losses under the head "Income from house property".
71A. Where in respect of any assessment year, the net result of the computation under the head "Income from house property "is a loss, the loss in so far as it relates to interest on borrowed capital referred to in clause (vi) of sub-section (1) of section 24 shall be carried forward by the assessee to the following assessment year or years against the income under that head.