Understanding Association of Persons (AOP): Formation, Benefits, and Tax Implications

It would be difficult to find a definition for Association of Persons (AOP) in the Indian Laws. Although there may be no direct definitions, the General Clauses Act of 1897 has defined an association while defining a person. An AOP comes into existence by the relationship formed between parties. It may be a consortium or a joint venture that may be registered or unregistered. The meaning assigned to the term AOP can be understood from a Supreme Court case (CIT v. Indira Balkrishna (1960) 39 ITR 546(SC)) that defines it as an association consisting of two or more persons where individuals join together for a common purpose or a collective action. An association must be one where the objective must be to produce income, profits or gains. This article talks about the Association of Persons (AOP) in detail.

AOP in Income Tax - AOP full form in income tax

The term AOP stands for "Association of Persons" and is commonly used in the context of Indian income tax. The AOP full form in income tax is crucial for understanding how income is assessed for groups of individuals or entities who come together for a common purpose. The AOP full form indicates a collective entity that can include individuals, companies, or other associations. Understanding the AOP meaning helps in comprehending how the income and tax liabilities are calculated for such associations. An AOP in income tax is treated as a separate taxable entity, and the income earned by the association is subject to tax as per the provisions of the Income Tax Act.

AOP Definition

In one of its cases, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has laid down AOP Meaning and the principles governing an AOP. It clearly states that an association of persons does not necessarily mean any and every combination of persons. It is only applicable when individuals involved associate themselves with an income-producing activity. Persons must combine to engage in such a business, and the engagement must be under the combined voluntary will of the persons constituting the association. Therefore, there are apparent differences between Association of Persons and a Body of Individuals. In a nutshell, an Association of Persons may apply to the association of persons that exists under the following conditions.

When there are two or more individuals as part of the association.
Voluntary participation by the involved persons.
A collective purpose with the objective to produce profit or gains.
Combining for a joint enterprise.
Creating a specific kind of scheme for collective management.

It can be seen that an AOP is formed and not created. An AOP may either choose to get association of persons registration or stay unregistered. Association of Persons generally mean two or some individuals coming together and forming an association where the goal is to achieve the same object. It should be noted that the word 'person' includes any person be it a HUF, Individuals and so on.

Exclusions from AOP

AOP does not include the following for determination of tax liability (taxation).

Company
Cooperative Society (as specific rates of tax have been prescribed for it)
Societies formed under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 or under any other law corresponding to that Act in force in part of India.

Taxation of Association of Persons

The imposition of tax on AOP in income tax occurs mainly in two phases. One at the AOP level and the other at the members' level. At the first level, income taxation depends on whether the share of income is determined. When the shares are confirmed, and the income of the AOP is assessed concerning every member's share at their applicable rate, then the member's income will be taxed on their respective share with the credit of taxes paid by the AOP. The provisions of Section 167B and Section 86 have been condensed into the table given below.

Nature of AOP	AOP – assessed	Member – assessed
Share Determined – Income assessment	The income of AOP is assessed at the Maximum Marginal Rate	Exempt from the hands of the members
Share Determined – Income assessment	NIL rate/ other than Maximum Marginal Rate – when individuals are members	Chargeable in the hands of the assessee with credit of taxes, if any.
Share Undetermined – Income assessment	Income is assessed at the Maximum Marginal Rate. Any member is assessed at a higher than the Maximum Marginal Rate, and Income is assessed at such a higher rate.	The share of Income is exempt in the hands of the member.

Computation of Taxable Income of AOP

The total income of an AOP is taxable, either at the rates applicable:

To an individual.
At the maximum marginal rate.
At the rate that is higher than the applicable maximum marginal rate.

The tax incidence on AOP depends upon whether or not the individual shares of members in a whole or any part of the income of the AOP are determined. There are two steps to compute the total taxable income of the Association of Persons.

Step 1

Total income is computed under different heads such as income from house property, profits or gains of business or professions, capital gains, and other sources, ignoring the prescribed income exemptions. Therefore, the total gross income is obtained.

Step 2

The prescribed deductions under Section 80A of Chapter VIA are taken from the total gross income. The balance is the taxable income.

Interest paid by the AOP to a member is not permitted as a deduction from the income of the AOP under Section 40 (BA) of the Act.
Any salary, bonus, commission, or remuneration paid by the AOP or the BOI to a member is not permitted as a deduction from the AOP's income.

Tax calculation of AOP

There are two situations where the tax can be calculated in two different ways. They are listed below.

Section 167B(1): Where the Members' Shares are unknown.

Where the individual shares of the members of the AOP, in whole or part, of its income are indeterminate or unknown, tax shall be charged on the Total Income of the AOP at the maximum marginal rate. For example, a 30 per cent surcharge plus Health and Education Cess at a rate of 4 per cent shall be levied on the amount of tax computed, inclusive of the surcharge. However, if the income of any member of the AOP is chargeable at a rate higher than 30 per cent, the tax will be charged on the Total Income of the AOP also at such a higher rate.

Section 167B(2): Where the Share of the Members is known

In a case where one of the members has a total income exceeding the maximum exemption limit. Where the total income of any of the members of an AOP, without including his income from AOP, exceeds the Maximum Exemption Limit, then such an AOP will be charged to tax at a rate higher than 30 per cent plus surcharge, plus Education Cess plus Secondary and Higher Education Cess as applicable on its total income. However, in this case, if the income of one or more members of the AOP is chargeable at a rate higher than 30 per cent plus surcharge and Education Cess plus Secondary and Higher Education Cess as applicable, tax shall be charged on that portion or on the part of income of AOP which is relatable to the share of such a member(s) at such a higher rate and the balance of the revenue is taxable at the maximum marginal rate of tax. In a case where none of the members has a total income exceeding the maximum exemption limit. Two situations may emerge from a case like this. They are listed in the table below for your reference.

Serial Number	Situation	Liability of Tax
1	None of the members' total income exceeds the maximum exemption limit, and none of the members is taxable at a rate more than the maximum marginal rate.	The AOP, in this case, will pay income tax on its total income at the rates which apply to an individual, and the benefit of a basic exemption of INR 2.5 Lakhs for the assessment year 2019-2020 shall be available to such AOP.
2	Although none of the members has a total income exceeding the maximum exemption limit, one or more members is/ are liable to tax at the rate of more than the maximum limit (i.e. taxable at a rate higher than 30 per cent) which is possible only if the foreign company is also a member.	On that portion of the income of AOP which is relatable to the member, i.e. foreign company, the tax rate applicable shall be the rate of income tax which applies to such member and the total balance income of the AOP shall be charged at the maximum marginal rate.

Taxation rates on capital gains

The taxation rates on long-term capital gain and short-term capital gain are different and are listed below.

Long-term capital gains of an AOP shall be taxable at a special rate of 20 per cent or 10 per cent, as the case may be, as stated in Section 112. It shall not be taxable at the rate mentioned above.
Similarly, short-term capital gains covered under Section 111A shall be taxable at the special rate of 15 per cent.

Section 86: Assessment of Share of AOP members

The share of a member in the total income of an AOP will be treated as follows.

If an AOP has paid an amount as tax at the maximum marginal rate or a rate that is higher, the member's share in the total income of the AOP will not be included in his total revenue and will be exempt.
If an AOP has paid an amount as tax at regular rates that apply to an individual, then the member's share in the income of the AOP will be included in his total revenue, and he will be allowed rebate at the average rate of tax in respect of such a share.

Association of Persons Registration

The AOP registration process involves several steps to establish an AOP under Indian law formally.

The Association of Persons Registration process begins with drafting a detailed agreement or deed that outlines the AOP's objectives, members, and structure.
The deed must be signed by all members and witnessed to ensure its legality. Once the agreement is finalized, the AOP must apply for a Permanent Account Number (PAN) from the Income Tax Department, as it is mandatory for tax purposes.
The AOP registration process also requires the submission of relevant documents such as proof of address, identification of members, and the deed itself to the Registrar of Companies or the appropriate authority.
After submitting the application and required documents, the AOP is officially recognized upon approval, allowing it to operate legally and fulfil its tax obligations.

Ensure to comply with all legal requirements and guidelines specific to the AOP registration process to facilitate smooth and lawful operations.