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Income-tax Rules, 2026 | Rule 53 of 333

Income-tax Rule 53 — Fair-market value of capital assets for section 77

Reviewed by CA Nikhil Gupta · Last reviewed 28 August 2026

Finin2min legal explainer · Primary authority: CBDT Notification No. 22/2026 (G.S.R. 198(E))

Income-tax Rule 53 — archived legal extract

Archived extract or condensed summary for Rule 53 (fair-market value of capital assets for section 77); NOT authenticated Gazette text. Some tables have been flattened. Consult the official signed CBDT Gazette and later amendments.

53. Computation of fair market value of capital assets for purposes of section 77.– (1) For the purposes of section 77(3)(b), the fair market value of the capital assets shall be the FMV1 determined under sub-rule (2) or FMV2 determined under sub-rule (3), whichever is higher. (2) The FMV1 shall be the fair market value of the capital assets transferred by way of slump sale determined in accordance with the formula— A+B+C+D - L, Where, A = book value of all the assets (other than jewellery, artistic work, shares, securities and immovable property) as appearing in the books of accounts of the undertaking or the division transferred by way of slump sale as reduced by the following amount which relate to such undertaking or the division, — (i) any amount of income-tax paid, if any, as reduced by the amount of income-tax refund claimed, if any; and (ii) any amount shown as asset including the unamortised amount of deferred expenditure which does not represent the value of any asset; B = the price which the jewellery and artistic work would fetch if sold in the open market on the basis of the valuation report obtained from a registered valuer; C = fair market value of shares and securities as determined in the manner provided in rule 57; D = the value adopted or assessed or assessable by any authority of the Government for the purpose of payment of stamp duty in respect of the immovable property; and L= book value of liabilities as appearing in the books of account of the undertaking or the division transferred by way of slump sale, but not including the following amounts which relates to such undertaking or division, namely: — (i) the paid-up capital in respect of equity shares; (ii) the amount set apart for payment of dividends on preference shares and equity shares where such dividends have not been declared before the date of transfer at a general body meeting of the company; (iii) reserves and surplus, by whatever name called, even if the resulting figure is negative, other than those set apart towards depreciation; (iv) any amount representing provision for taxation, other than amount of income-tax paid, if any, as reduced by the amount of income-tax claimed as refund, if any, to the extent of the excess over the tax payable with reference to the book profits in accordance with the law applicable thereto; (v) any amount representing provisions made for meeting liabilities, other than ascertained liabilities; and (vi) any amount representing contingent liabilities other than arrears of dividends payable in respect of cumulative preference shares. (3) FMV2 shall be the fair market value of the consideration received or accruing as a result of transfer by way of slump sale determined in accordance with the formula— E+F+G+H, Where, E = value of the monetary consideration received or accruing as a result of the transfer; F = fair market value of non-monetary consideration received or accruing as a result of the transfer represented by property referred to in rule 57 [Table: Sl.Nos. 1 to 5] determined in the manner provided in the said rule for the said property; G = the price which the non-monetary consideration received or accruing as a result of the transfer represented by property, other than immovable property, which is not covered in rule 57 (Table: Sl.No. 1 to 5), would fetch if sold in the open market on the basis of the valuation report obtained from a registered valuer, in respect of property; and H = the value adopted or assessed or assessable by any authority of the Government for the purpose of payment of stamp duty in respect of the immovable property in case the non-monetary consideration received or accruing as a result of the transfer is represented by the immovable property. (4) The fair market value of the capital assets under sub-rules (2) and (3) shall be determined on the date of slump sale and for this purpose valuation date referred to in rule 57 shall also mean the date of slump sale. (5) For the purposes of this rule,– (a) "artistic work" means archaeological collections, drawings, paintings, sculptures or any work of art; and (b) the expressions "registered valuer" and "securities" shall have the meanings as respectively assigned to them in rule 56.

In two minutes: Fair-market value of capital assets for section 77

An asset-transfer event covered by section 77 requires a defensible FMV determination.

Select the relevant class of asset, valuation date and method in Rule 53; separately identify assets and liabilities included in the formula.

When Rule 53 applies — decision workflow

  1. Confirm that the transaction or taxpayer is governed by Rule 53 and its linked provision in the Income-tax Act, 2025.
  2. Select the relevant class of asset, valuation date and method in Rule 53; separately identify assets and liabilities included in the formula.
  3. For fair-market value of capital assets for section 77, test the specific exceptions, tax-year dates and cumulative restrictions in the linked provision.
  4. For Rule 53, document how fair-market value of capital assets for section 77 was resolved and the current rule version used for the relevant year.

Worked compliance example

For a basket of assets worth ₹14 crore subject to qualifying liabilities of ₹3 crore, ₹11 crore is only a conceptual net-asset illustration: the notified valuation rule may require substitutions or exclusions.

This fair-market value of capital assets for section 77 illustration demonstrates a test; it is not evidence that a claim or transaction actually qualifies.

Documents and calculation evidence

Maintain independent valuations, audited accounts and working papers reconciling book values to prescribed values.

  • For this fair-market value of capital assets for section 77 analysis, document the exact tax year and triggering transaction or reporting date.
  • Preserve calculations and a source-evidence trail specifically supporting fair-market value of capital assets for section 77, including prescribed certification.
  • Retain all required attachments and the filing acknowledgement for Rule 53; verify the current form against its notified instructions.
  • Reconcile fair-market value of capital assets for section 77 to the relevant ledger accounts, tax-return disclosures and counterparty confirmations.

Common error to avoid

Applying a general market appraisal without the statutory asset-class formula is unsafe.

For fair-market value of capital assets for section 77, confirm whether the Income-tax Act, 2025 or transition/savings provisions govern the period; old forms are not automatically accepted.

Frequently asked questions

Does Rule 53 create a benefit by itself?

No. For fair-market value of capital assets for section 77, entitlement depends on the linked Income-tax Act, 2025 section, the statutory conditions and the applicable notified version of Rule 53.

What is the first verification step?

Select the relevant class of asset, valuation date and method in Rule 53; separately identify assets and liabilities included in the formula.

What evidence would support this treatment?

Maintain independent valuations, audited accounts and working papers reconciling book values to prescribed values.

Official law and related guidance

Rule 53 source hierarchy: CBDT Notification No. 22/2026, G.S.R. 198(E) (20 March 2026; in force 1 April 2026), plus later Gazette amendments relevant to fair-market value of capital assets for section 77.

Rule map

Related sections

77; 77(3)

Related Forms

No Form link identified in the current crosswalk.