M&A costs to go up after Budget 2021 axes tax depreciation on goodwill

The merger and acquisitions (M&A) transactions are set to become costlier after the Budget announced on Monday proposed that goodwill (including existing goodwill) will not be eligible for tax depreciation.
 

The amendments on goodwill are retrospective as depreciation on any past goodwill, partly claimed in the past, would not be available going forward. Therefore, while the amendment is prospective, it would adversely impact any goodwill created before March 31, 2021, say tax experts. The amendment is retrospective from April 1, 1998 and will also impact internal corporate restructuring where goodwill was claimed. ‘’This may lead to more litigation,” said a