Freebies to associations of doctors is in violation of the IMC Act regulations.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) issued a circular for the inadmissibility of expenses incurred in providing freebies by Phamaceutical and Allied Health Sector industry.

CBDT circular No.: 5/2012 [F. NO. 225/142/2012-ITA.II], dated 1-8-2012

1. “Section 37(1) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 - business expenditure - allowability of - inadmissibility of expenses incurred in providing freebies to medical practitioner by pharmaceutical and allied health sector industry. It has been brought to the notice of the Board that some pharmaceutical and allied health sector industries are providing freebies to medical practitioners and their professional associations in violation of the regulations issued by Medical Council of India (the ‘Council’) which is a regulatory body constituted under the Medical Council Act, 1956.
2. The Council in exercise of its statutory powers amended the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 (the regulations) on 10-12-2009 imposing a prohibition on the medical practitioner and their professional associations from taking any Gift, Travel facility, Hospitality, Cash or monetary grant from the pharmaceutical and allied health sector industries.
3. Section 37(1) of Income Tax Act provides for deduction of any revenue expenditure (other than those failing under Sections 30 to 36) from the business Income if such expense is laid out/expended wholly or exclusively for the purpose of business or profession. However, the explanation appended to this subsection denies claim of any such expense, if the same has been incurred for a purpose which is either an offence or prohibited by law.
4. Thus, the claim of any expense incurred in providing above mentioned or similar freebies in violation of the provisions of Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 shall be inadmissible under Section 37(1) of the Income Tax Act being an expense prohibited by the law. This disallowance shall be made in the hands of such pharmaceutical or allied health sector Industries or other assessee which has provided aforesaid freebees and claimed it as a deductable expense in its accounts against income. It is also clarified that the sum equivalent to value of freebees enjoyed by the aforesaid medical practitioner or professional associations is also taxable as business income or income from other sources as the case may be depending on the facts of each case. The Assessing Officers of such medical practitioner or professional associations should examine the same and take an appropriate action. This may be brought to the notice of all the officers of the charge for necessary action.”