Advanced Tax Laws and Practice Direct Tax
Advanced Tax Laws and Practice Direct Tax
Advanced Tax Laws and Practice Direct Tax
(OLD SYLLABUS)
SUPPLEMENT
FOR
MODULE 3 - PAPER 7
Note:
Students appearing in December, 2021 Examination shall note the following:
Students are also required to update themselves on all the relevant Rules, Notifications, Circulars,
Clarifications, etc. issued by the CBDT, CBIC & Central Government, on or before 31st May, 2021.
1
TABLE OF CONTENT
2
Sr. Lesson No. Income Tax Act, 1961 & Rules 1962 Weblink
No. CIRCULAR (For Details)
1. Lesson 1-3 Circular No. 2/2018 dated: 15th February, 2018 https://www.inco
Explanatory notes to the provisions of the Finance Act, 2017 metaxindia.gov.i
n/communicatio
ns/circular/circul
The Finance Act, 2017 as passed by the Parliament, received the ar2_2018.pdf
assent of the President on the 31st day of March, 2017 and has been
enacted as Act No. 7 of 2017. This circular explains the substance of
the provisions of the Act relating to direct taxes and amendments at a
glance.
2. Lesson 1 Circular No. 2 dated 4th January 2019 https://www.inc
Income From Other Sources (Section 56) withdrawal of Circular ometaxindia.go
No. 10/2018 dated 31.12.2018 regarding applicability of Section v.in/communic
56(2)(viia) for issue of shares by a company in which public are ations/circular/
circular_2_201
not substantially interested
9.pdf
It has been brought to the notice of the Board that the matter
relating to interpretation of the term "receives" used in section
56(2)(viia) of the Income- tax Act, 1961 is subjudice in
certain higher judicial forums. Further, representations have
been received from stakeholders seeking clarification on other
similar provisions in section 56 of the Act.
10
14. Lesson 1 Residential status of certain individuals under Income-tax Act, https://www.in
1961 (Circular No. 2 Dated March 3, 2021) cometaxindia.g
ov.in/communi
Section 6 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (the Act) contains provisions cations/circular
relating to determination of residency of a person. The status of an /residency-
individual, as to whether he is resident in India or a non-resident or circular-02-of-
not ordinarily resident, is dependent, inter-alia, on the period for 2021.pdf
which the person is in India during a previous year or years preceding
the previous year.
Thus, it can be seen that OECD as well as most of the countries have
clarified that in view of the provisions of the domestic income tax law
read with the DTAAs, there does not appear a possibility of the
double taxation of the income for PY 2020-21. The possibility of
double taxation does not exist as per the provisions of the Income-tax
Act, 1961 read with the DTAAs. However, in order to understand the
possible situations in which a particular taxpayer is facing double
taxation due to the forced stay in India, it would be in the fitness of
things to obtain relevant information from such individuals. After
understanding the possible situations of double taxation, the Board
shall examine that,
12
Sr. Lesson No. Income Tax Act, 1961 & Rules 1962 Weblink
No. NOTIFICATION (For Details)
1. Lesson 1 Notification No. 9/2018 dated 16th February, 2018 https://www.inco
The Central Government hereby notifies the Contributory Health metaxindia.gov.i
n/communicatio
Service Scheme of the Department of Atomic Energy for the ns/notification/n
purposes of the clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 80D of the otification9_201
Income-tax Act, 1961 for the assessment year 2018-2019 and 8.pdf
subsequent years.
2. Lesson 1 NOTIFICATION NO. 23/2018 DATED 24TH MAY, 2018 https://www.inco
metaxindia.gov.i
n/communicatio
The Central Government hereby makes the Income-tax (6th ns/notification/n
Amendment), Rules, 2018 further to amend the Income-tax Rules, otification23_20
1962. They shall come into force from the date of their publication 18.pdf
in the Official Gazette.
Accordingly, the Cost Inflation Index “280” for the Financial Year
2018-19 i.e. Assessment Year 2019-20 is to be considered while
computing long term capital gains.
6. Lesson 1 NOTIFICATION NO. 27 & 28 /2018 DATED 18TH JUNE, 2018 https://www.inco
metaxindia.gov.i
n/communicatio
The Central Government hereby specifies the “Power Finance ns/notification/n
Corporation Limited 54EC Capital Gains Bond” & “Indian otification27-
Railway Finance Corporation Limited 54EC Capital Gains Bond” 2018.pdf
issued by respective organization for the purpose of clause (iib) of
the proviso to section 193 of the Income-tax Act, 1961. Provided https://www.inco
that the benefit under the said proviso shall be admissible in the metaxindia.gov.i
n/communicatio
case of transfer of such bonds by endorsement or delivery, only if ns/notification/n
the transferee informs the respective organization by registered post otification28-
within a period of sixty days of such transfer. 2018.pdf
8. Lesson 1 NOTIFICATION NO. 29/2018 DATED 22ND JUNE, 2018 https://www.inco
metaxindia.gov.i
n/communicatio
In a case where a foreign company is said to be resident in India on ns/notification/n
account of its Place of Effective Management “PoEM” being in otification29_20
India under sub-section (3) of section 6 of the Act in any previous 18.pdf
year and such foreign company has not been resident in India in
any of the previous years preceding the said previous year, then,
notwithstanding anything contained in the Act, the provisions of
the Act relating to the computation of total income, treatment of
unabsorbed depreciation, set off or carry forward and set off of
losses, collection and recovery and special provisions relating to
avoidance of tax shall apply to the foreign company for the said
previous year with certain exceptions, modifications and
adaptations specified in the notification.
(b) after rule 11UAA, the following rule shall be inserted, namely:
15
10. Lesson 1 NOTIFICATION NO. 54/2018 DATED 18TH SEPTEMBER, https://www.inco
2018 metaxindia.gov.i
n/communicatio
The organization M/s Indian Council of Medical Research (PAN:- ns/notification/n
AAEAT4818Q) has been approved by the Central Government for otification54_20
the purpose of clause (ii) of sub- section (1) of section 35 of the 18.pdf
Income-tax Act, 1961 (said Act), read with Rules 5C and 5E of the
Income-tax Rules, 1962 (said Rules), from Assessment year 2019-
2020 and onwards under the category of “Other Institution” engaged
in research activities subject to the certain conditions.
Accordingly, sum paid to M/s Centre for Brain Research has been
allowed as deduction while computing income under PGBP.
14. Lesson 1 NOTIFICATION NO. 84/2018 DATED 26TH NOV, 2018 https://www.inco
metaxindia.gov.i
n/communicatio
The organization M/s Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Society (PAN ns/notification/n
AAATR4038K) has been approved by the Central Government for otification84_20
the purpose of clause (ii) of sub-section (1) of section 35 of the 18.pdf
Income-tax Act, 1961 (said Act), read with Rules 5C and 5D of the
Income-tax Rules, 1962, from Assessment year 2018-2019 onwards
in the category of ' Scientific Research Association', subject to the
certain conditions.
17. Lesson 1 NOTIFICATION NO. 9/2019 DATED 31ST JANUARY, 2019 https://www.inc
ometaxindia.go
The Central Government hereby makes following v.in/communic
amendment to the notification number S.O. 2088(E) dated the ations/notificati
24th May, 2018 under clause (ii) of the proviso to clause (viib) of on/notification_
9_2019.pdf
sub-section (2) of section 56 of the Income-tax Act, 1961:
22. Lesson 1 Notification No. 48/2019 Dated 26th June 2019 https://www.inc
The organization M/s. Manipal Academy of Higher ometaxindia.go
Education, Manipal, Karnataka (PAN: AAAJN0078Q) has v.in/communic
19
been approved by the Central Government for the purpose of ations/notificati
clause (ii) of sub-section (1) of section 35 of the Income-tax Act, on/notification_
1961 (said Act), read with Rules 5C and 5E of the Income-tax 48_2019.p df
Rules, 1962 (said Rules), from Assessment year 2015-16 and
onwards in the category of ‘University, College or other
Institution’, subject to the certain conditions.
23. Lesson 2 Notification No. 63/2019/Dated 12th September, 2019 https://www.inc
The Central Government vide this notification hereby notifies ometaxindia.go
the Cost Inflation Index for the FY 2019-20 as “289” This v.in/communic
notification shall come into force with effect from the 1St day of ations/notificati
April, 2020 and shall accordingly apply to the Assessment Year on/notification_
2020-2021 and subsequent years. 63_2019.p df
24. Lesson 2 Notification No. 64/2019 Dated 13th September, 2019 https://www.inc
The Central Government hereby notifies that where the variation ometaxindia.go
between the arm’s length price determined under section 92C of v.in/communic
the said Act and the price at which the international transaction ations/notificati
or specified domestic transaction has actually been undertaken on/notification_
does not exceed 1% of the latter in respect of wholesale 64_2019.p df
trading and 3% of the latter in all other cases, the price at
which the international transaction or specified domestic
transaction has actually been undertaken shall be deemed to be
the arm’s length price for assessment year 2019-2020.
25. Lesson 1 Notification No. 76 /2019/ Dated 30th September, 2019 https://www.inc
Amendment in Rule 10CB in respect of computation of ometaxindia.go
interest pursuant to secondary adjustment u/s 92CE of the v.in/communic
Income Tax Act, 1961 ations/notificati
on/notification_
The Central Board of Direct Taxes hereby Income-tax (11th 76_2016.p df
Amendment) Rules, 2019 which shall come into force with
effect from the date of the publication in the Official Gazette.
In the Income-tax Rules, 1962, in rule 10CB
(I) for the words “excess money” occurring at both the
places, the words “excess money or part thereof” shall
20
be substituted;
(II) in sub-rule (1), —
(A) for clause (iii), the following clause shall be substituted,
namely: —
“(iii) in a case where primary adjustment to
transfer price is determined by an advance pricing
agreement entered into by the assessee under section
92CC of the Act in respect of a previous year, -
i from the date of filing of return under sub-section
(1) of section 139 of the Act ifthe advance pricing
agreement has been entered into on or before the
due date of filing of return for the relevant
previous year;
30. Lesson 1 Notification No, 99/2019 Dated 27th November, 2019 https://www.inc
M/s International Centre for Research in Agroforestry, South ometaxindia.go
v.in/communic
Asia Regional Programme, NASC Complex, Delhi (ICRAF)
ations/notificati
(PAN:- AAATI4803K) has been approved by the Central on/notification_
Government for the purpose of clause (ii) of sub- section (I) of no_99_2 019.
pdf
section 35 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (said Act), read with Rules
5C and 5D of the Income-tax Rules, 1962 (said Rules), from
Assessment year 2019-2020 onwards in the category of
'Scientific Research Association' , subject to the certain
conditions.
Accordingly, sum paid to M/s International Centre for Research in
Agroforestry has been allowed as deduction while computing
income under PGBP.
31. Lesson 1 Notification No.100 Dated 27th November, 2019 https://www.inc
ometaxindia.go
The Central Government hereby notifies M/s National Stock v.in/communic
Exchange of India Limited, Mumbai (PAN: ations/notificati
AAACN1797L) as a 'recognized association' for the purpose on/notification_
of clause (iii) in the Explanation of clause (e) of the proiso to sub- no_100_ 201
section (5) of Section 43 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 9.pdf
1961) read with sub-rule (4) of Rule 6DDD of the Income-tax
Rules. 1962, subject to fulfilment of certain conditions in respect of
trading in derivatives.
24
32. Lesson 1 Notification No.105/2019 Dated 30th December, 2019
https://www.in
cometaxindia.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes hereby makes the
gov.in/commu
Income-tax (16th Amendment) Rules, 2019 which shall come into
nications/notif
force from 1st day of January, 2020. ication/notific
ation_105_20
In the Income-tax Rules, 1962, after rule 119A, the following 19. pd
rule shall be inserted, namely: f
25
34. Lesson 1 Notification No. 10/2020 Dated 12th February, 2020 https://www.inc
The Central Board of Direct Taxes hereby makes the Income-tax (4thometaxindia.gov
Amendment) Rules, 2020 which shall come into force on the 1st day of
.in/communicati
April, 2020. ons/notification/
notification_10_
In the Income-tax Rules, 1962, after rule 21AD, the rule 21AE and 20 20.pdf
21AF has been inserted, namely:
35. Lesson 1 Notification No. 12/2020 Dated 17th February, 2020 https://www.inc
ometaxindia.gov
The Central Government, hereby makes the Income tax Amendment (6th .in/communicati
Amendment), Rules, 2020 which shall come into force from the 1st day of ons/notification/
April, 2020. notification_12_
2020.pdf
In the Income-tax Rules, 1962, in rule 11UAC, in the Explanation, for
clause (b), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:
26
36. Lesson 1 NOTIFICATION NO. 32/2020 [DATED JUNE 12, 2020] https://www.inc
ometaxindia.gov
The Central Government has notified the Cost Inflation Index .in/communicati
“301” for the Financial Year 2020-21 i.e. Assessment Year 2021- ons/notification/
22. notification_32_
20 20.pdf
Accordingly, the Cost Inflation Index “301” for the 2020-21 i.e.
Assessment Year 2021-22 is to be considered while computing
long term capital gains.
37. Lesson 1 Income-tax (14th Amendment) Rules, 2020 [Notification No. https://www.inc
40/2020 Dated June 29, 2020] ometaxindia.gov
.in/communicati
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) notify the Income Tax (14th ons/notification/
Amendment) Rules, 2020, to further amend the Income Tax Rules, 1962 as notification_40_
per which Rule 11UAC has been substituted, which relates to the right of 20 20.pdf
ownership for the purpose of mortgage along with all the documents,
certain class of persons shall be excluded from the provision for sub-
section (2) the government regularised the transactions of such
immovable property.
38. Lesson 1 Notification under proviso to section 9A(3) of the Income-tax Act, https://www.inc
1961 [Notification No. 41/2020 Dated June 30, 2020] ometaxindia.gov
The Central Government hereby notifies that the conditions specified in .in/communicati
clauses (e), (f) and (g) of the sub-section (3) of section 9A of the Income- ons/notification/
tax Act, 1961 shall not apply in case of an investment fund set up by a notification_41_
Category-I foreign portfolio investor registered under the Securities and 20 20.pdf
Exchange Board of India (Foreign Portfolio Investors) Regulations,
2019, made under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992
39. Lesson 1 Income-tax (15th Amendment) Rules, 2020 [Notification No. https://www.inc
42/2020 Dated June 30, 2020] ometaxindia.gov
.in/communicati
Section 50CA provides that consideration received for transfer of an ons/notification/
unquoted share computed in prescribed manner shall be full consideration notification_42_
even if it is less than fair market value. 20 20.pdf
The Central Board of Direct Taxes has issued the Income-tax (15th
Amendment) Rules, 2020 to add Rule 11UAD which provides that the
provisions of Section 50CA shall not apply to transfer of any movable
property, being unquoted shares, of a company and its subsidiary and the
subsidiary of such subsidiary in certain situation.
This notification shall come into force from the 1st day of April, 2021 and
shall be applicable for assessment year 2021-22 and subsequent assessment
years.
41. Lesson 1 Notification No. 49/2020 [Dated July 17, 2020] https://www.inc
ometaxindia.gov
The Central Government hereby notifies for the purposes of clause (46) of .in/communicati
section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, ‘Real Estate Regulatory Authority’ ons/notification/
in respect of the specified income arising to that Authority subject to certain notification_49_
conditions. 2020.pdf
Accordingly, the Real Estate Regulatory Authority is notified for the
purpose of claiming exemption under section 10(46) of the Income tax Act,
1961 subject to certain conditions.
42. Lesson 1 Notification of Sovereign Wealth Fund ‘SWF’ under section 10(23FE) https://www.inc
of the Income-tax Act, 1961 [Circular No. 15/2020 Dated July 22, 2020] ometaxindia.gov
.in/communicati
In order to facilitate the process of notification of the SWF, the CBDT ons/circular/circ
specifies that the SWF shall file application in the Form I with the Member ular_15_2020.p
(Legislation), (CBDT), during the financial year 2020-21 and thereafter to df
the Member, CBDT having supervision and control over the work of
Foreign Tax and Tax Research Division. Further, the SWF shall be required
to file return of income along with audit report and also be required to file a
quarterly statement within one month from the end of the quarter
electronically in Form II in respect of each investment made during the
quarter.
43. Lesson 1 Notification No. 50/2020 [Dated July 21, 2020] https://www.inc
ometaxindia.gov
The Central Government hereby notifies for the purposes of clause (46) of .in/communicati
section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, ‘Tamil Nadu e-Governance ons/notification/
Agency’ in respect of the specified income arising to that Agency subject to notification_50_
certain conditions. 2020.pdf
Accordingly, the ‘Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency’ is notified for the
purpose of claiming exemption under section 10(46) of the Income tax Act,
1961 subject to certain conditions.
44. Lesson 1 Income Tax 20th Amendment Rules 2020 [Notification No. 67/2020 https://www.inc
Dated August 17, 2020] ometaxindia.gov
.in/communicati
The Central Board of Direct Taxes hereby makes the Income-tax (20th ons/notification/
Amendment) Rules, 2020 which shall come into force from the date of their notification_67_
publication in the Official Gazette. In the Income-tax Rules, 1962: 2020.pdf
after rule 2DA, the rules “2DB” shall be inserted which specify
Other conditions to be satisfied by the pension fund.
After rule 2DA, the rules “2DC” shall be inserted which specifies the
Guidelines for notification under clause (23FE) of section 10 of the
Income Tax Act, 1961.
28
45. Lesson 1 Notification No. 73/2020 [Dated September 10, 2020] https://www.inc
ometaxindia.gov
The Central Government hereby notifies for the purposes of the clause .in/communicati
(46) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, ‘District Mineral ons/notification/
Foundation Trust’ in respect of the certain specified income arising to that notification_73_
Authority subject to certain conditions. 2020.pdf
The conditions listed out by the CBDT for availing the tax exemption
under the LTC cash voucher scheme require the employee to spend a
sum equal to three times of the value of the deemed LTC fare on
purchase of goods / services which carry a GST rate of 12% or more
from GST registered vendors / service providers through digital mode
between October 12, 2020 to March 31, 2021 and obtains a voucher
indicating the GST number and the amount of GST paid. The employees
have to exercise an option for the deemed LTC fare in lieu of the
applicable LTC in the Block year 2018-2021.
50. Lesson 1 Notification No. 8 (Dated February 22, 2021) https://incomet
axindia.gov.in/
The Central Government hereby notifies for the purposes of the communication
clause (46) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961, ‘Haryana State s/notification/n
Pollution Control Board’ (PAN AAAJH0446F), a Board constituted otification_8_2
by the State Government of Haryana under the Water (Prevention 021.pdf
and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 in respect of the following
30
specified income arising to the Board subject to certain conditions.
In the Income-tax Rules, 1962, in rule 10V, in sub-rule (12), after the
second proviso and before the Explanation, the two provisos shall be
inserted.
54. Lesson 1 New reporting requirements in Form 3CD & Revision http://egazette.
(Notification No. 28 Dated April 1, 2021) nic.in/WriteRe
adData/2021/2
CBDT has vide Notification No. 28 inserted new clauses in Form 26351.pdf
3CD (Tax Audit Report) and also notified that Tax Audit Report
under Rule 6G can be revised if there is payment by Assessee after
furnishing of report which necessitates recalculation of disallowance
under section 40 or section 43B of the Income tax Act, 1961.
55. Lesson 1 CBDT notifies ‘Norfund, Government of Norway’ as sovereign https://www.in
wealth fund [Notification No. 33 Dated April 19, 2021] cometaxindia.g
ov.in/communi
The Central Government specifies the sovereign wealth fund, namely, cations/notifica
the Norfund, Government of Norway, (hereinafter referred to as “the tion/notificatio
assessee”) as the specified person for the purposes of sub-clause (vi) n_33_2021.pdf
of clause (b) of the Explanation 1 to clause (23FE) of section 10 of
the Income-tax Act, 1961, in respect of the investment made by it in
India on or after the date of publication of this notification in the
Official Gazette but on or before the 31st day of March, 2024 subject
to the fulfillment of the certain conditions.
56. Lesson 1 CBDT notifies ‘Canada Pension Plan Investment Board’ u/s https://www.in
10(23FE) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 [Notification No. 34 Dated cometaxindia.g
April 22, 2021] ov.in/communi
cations/notifica
The Central Government hereby specifies the pension fund, namely, tion/notificatio
the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, (hereinafter referred to as n_34_2021.pdf
32
“the assessee”) as the specified person for the purposes of sub-clause
(iv) of clause © of the Explanation 1 to clause (23FE) of section 10 of
the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of the eligible investment made
by it in India on or after the date of publication of this notification in
the Official Gazette but on or before the 31st day of March, 2024
(hereinafter referred to as “said investments”) subject to the
fulfillment of the certain conditions.
57. Lesson 1 CBDT notifies ‘Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Private https://www.in
Holdings (4) Inc’ u/s 10(23FE) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 cometaxindia.g
[Notification No. 35 Dated April 22, 2021] ov.in/communi
cations/notifica
The Central Government hereby specifies ‘Canada Pension Plan tion/notificatio
Investment Board Private Holdings (4) Inc’, as the specified person n_35_2021.pdf
for the purposes of sub-clause (iv) of clause © of the Explanation 1 to
clause (23FE) of section 10 of Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of the
eligible investment made by it in India on or after 22nd April 2021 but
on or before the 31st day of March, 2024 (hereinafter referred to as
“said investments”) subject to the fulfillment of the certain
conditions.
58. Lesson 1 CBDT notifies Income-tax (11th Amendment) Rules, 2021 [Dated https://incomet
April 26, 2021] axindia.gov.in/
communication
The Central Board of Direct Taxes ‘CBDT’ vide Notification No. s/notification/n
37/2021 issued the Income-tax (11th Amendment) Rules, 2021 to otification_37_
further amend the Income-tax Rules, 1962 (“Income-tax Rules”) with 2021.pdf
regard to conditions to be satisfied by the Pension Fund, in a
following manner:
i. Inserted a proviso to Rule 2DB(ii) with respect to condition of
assets being administered or invested by Pension Fund as
mention in clause (ii) shall deemed to be satisfied if certain
condition specified therein are satisfied.
ii. Inserted a second proviso to Rule 2DB(iii) of the Income-tax
Rules stating that provisions of clause (iii) shall not apply to
earnings from assets referred in clause (ii), if the earning are
credited either to the account of the Government of foreign
country or to any other account designated by such
Government so that no portion of the earnings inures any
benefit to any private person.
iii. Substituted Form No. 10BBA (Application for notification
under Explanation 1(c)(iv) to Section 10(23FE) of the
Income-tax Act, 1961)
59. Lesson 1 Thresholds for the purposes of Significant Economic Presence - https://www.inc
Rule 11UD [Notification No. 41 Dated May 3, 2021] ometaxindia.go
33
v.in/communic
The Central Board of Direct Taxes has notified the Income-tax (13th ations/notificati
Amendment) Rules, 2021 which shall come into force from 1st April on/notification_
2022. Through this amendment a new rule 11UD has been inserted 41_2021.pdf
which notifies the threshold for significant economic presence.
As per the new rule, for the thresholds “the amount of aggregate of
payments arising from transaction or transactions in respect of any
goods, services or property carried out by a non-resident with any
person in India, including provision of download of data or software
in India during the previous year, shall be two crore rupees.”
Further, the number of users with whom systematic and continuous
business activities are solicited or who are engaged in interaction
shall be three lakhs.
60. Lesson 1 Government notifies "Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec" https://www.in
as Pension Fund Section 10(23EE) [Notification No. 43 Dated cometaxindia.g
May 4, 2021] ov.in/communi
CBDT notifies pension fund, namely, the Caisse de dépôt et cations/notifica
placement du Québec under sub-clause (iv) of clause (c) of the tion/notificatio
Explanation 1 to clause (23FE) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, n_43_2021.pdf
1961 in respect of the eligible investment made by it in India on or
after 4th May 2021 but on or before the 31st day of March, 2024
subject to the fulfillment of the certain conditions.
61. Lesson 1 Government notifies "CDPQ Infrastructures Asia III Inc." as https://www.eg
Pension Fund Section 10(23EE) [Notification No. 44 Dated May azette.nic.in/W
4, 2021] riteReadData/2
CBDT notifies pension fund, namely, ‘CDPQ Infrastructures Asia III 021/226839.pd
Inc’. under sub-clause (iv) of clause (c) of the Explanation 1 to clause f
(23FE) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of the
eligible investment made by it in India on or after 4th May 2021 but
on or before the 31st day of March, 2024 subject to the fulfillment of
the certain conditions.
62. Lesson 1 Government notifies "Ivanhoe Logistics India Inc." as Pension https://www.in
Fund Section 10(23EE) [Notification No. 45 Dated May 4, 2021] cometaxindia.g
CBDT notifies pension fund, namely, ‘Ivanhoe Logistics India Inc.’ ov.in/communi
under sub-clause (iv) of clause (c) of the Explanation 1 to clause cations/notifica
(23FE) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of the tion/notificatio
eligible investment made by it in India on or after 4th May 2021 but n_45_2021.pdf
on or before the 31st day of March, 2024 subject to the fulfillment of
the certain conditions.
34
63. Lesson 1 Government notifies ‘CDPQ Fixed Income XI Inc.’ as pension https://www.in
fund Section 10(23EE) [Notification No. 46 Dated May 4, 2021] cometaxindia.g
CBDT notifies pension fund, namely, ‘Ivanhoe Logistics India Inc.’ ov.in/communi
under sub-clause (iv) of clause (c) of the Explanation 1 to clause cations/notifica
(23FE) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of the tion/notificatio
eligible investment made by it in India on or after 4th May 2021 but n_46_2021.pdf
on or before the 31st day of March, 2024 subject to the fulfillment of
the certain conditions.
64. Lesson 1 CBDT notifies rules for LTC Cash Voucher Scheme [Notification https://www.eg
No. 50 Dated May 5, 2021] azette.nic.in/W
CBDT notifies rules for LTC (Leave Travel Concession) Cash riteReadData/2
Voucher Scheme [Section 10(5)] vide which LTC Exemption of Rs. 021/226843.pd
36000 per family member For FY 2020-21 available to Employees of f
Both Private & Government Sector. Rules are notified by inserting
Sub-Rule 1A & IB in Rule 2B of Income Tax Rules as follows:
Sub-Rule 1A: For the assessment year beginning on the 1st day of
April, 2021, where the individual avails any cash allowance from his
employer in lieu of any travel concession or assistance, the amount
exempted shall be the amount, not exceeding thirty-six thousand
rupees per person, for the individual and the member of his family, or
one-third of the specified expenditure, whichever is less, subject to
fulfilment of the certain conditions.
Sub-Rule 1B: Where an exemption is claimed and allowed, shall
have effect as if for the words “two journeys” , the words “one
journey” has been substituted.”
65. Lesson 1 CBDT notifies "the Bricklayers Investment Pte. Ltd" as https://www.eg
Sovereign Wealth Fund [Notification No. 51 Dated May 5, 2021] azette.nic.in/W
riteReadData/2
The Central Government hereby specifies the Sovereign Wealth 021/226850.pd
Fund, namely, the Bricklayers Investment Pte. Ltd., (hereinafter f
referred to as “the assessee”) as the specified person for the purposes
of the sub-clause (vi) of clause (b) of the Explanation 1 to clause
(23FE) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of the
investment made by it in India on or after the date of publication of
this notification in the Official Gazette but on or before the 31st day
of March, 2024 (hereinafter referred to as “said investments”) subject
to the fulfilment of the certain conditions.
66. Lesson 1 CBDT notifies "the Anahera Investment Pte. Ltd." as Sovereign https://www.eg
Wealth Fund [Notification No. 52 Dated May 5, 2021] azette.nic.in/W
35
riteReadData/2
The Central Government hereby specifies the Sovereign Wealth 021/226851.pd
Fund, namely, the Anahera Investment Pte. Ltd., (hereinafter referred f
to as “the assessee”) as the specified person for the purposes of the
sub-clause (vi) of clause (b) of the Explanation 1 to clause (23FE) of
section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of the investment
made by it in India on or after the date of publication of this
notification in the Official Gazette but on or before the 31st day of
March, 2024 (hereinafter referred to as “said investments”) subject to
the fulfilment of the certain conditions.
67. Lesson 1 CBDT notifies "the Dagenham Investment Pte. Ltd." as https://www.eg
Sovereign Wealth Fund [Notification No. 53 Dated May 5, 2021] azette.nic.in/W
riteReadData/2
The Central Government hereby specifies the Sovereign Wealth 021/226852.pd
Fund, namely, the Dagenham Investment Pte. Ltd., (hereinafter f
referred to as “the assessee”) as the specified person for the purposes
of the sub-clause (vi) of clause (b) of the Explanation 1 to clause
(23FE) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of the
investment made by it in India on or after the date of publication of
this notification in the Official Gazette but on or before the 31st day
of March, 2024 (hereinafter referred to as “said investments”) subject
to the fulfilment of the certain conditions.
68. Lesson 1 CBDT notifies "the Stretford Investment Pte. Ltd" as Sovereign https://www.eg
Wealth Fund [Notification No. 54 Dated May 5, 2021] azette.nic.in/W
riteReadData/2
The Central Government hereby specifies the Sovereign Wealth 021/226853.pd
Fund, namely, the Stretford Investment Pte. Ltd, (hereinafter referred f
to as “the assessee”) as the specified person for the purposes of the
sub-clause (vi) of clause (b) of the Explanation 1 to clause (23FE) of
section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of the investment
made by it in India on or after the date of publication of this
notification in the Official Gazette but on or before the 31st day of
March, 2024 (hereinafter referred to as “said investments”) subject to
the fulfilment of the certain conditions.
69. Lesson 1 CBDT notifies "Chiswick Investment Pte. Ltd." as Sovereign https://www.eg
Wealth Fund [Notification No. 55 Dated May 5, 2021] azette.nic.in/W
riteReadData/2
The Central Government hereby specifies the Sovereign Wealth 021/226854.pd
Fund, namely, the Chiswick Investment Pte. Ltd., (hereinafter f
referred to as “the assessee”) as the specified person for the purposes
of the sub-clause (vi) of clause (b) of the Explanation 1 to clause
36
(23FE) of section 10 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of the
investment made by it in India on or after the date of publication of
this notification in the Official Gazette but on or before the 31st day
of March, 2024 (hereinafter referred to as “said investments”) subject
to the fulfilment of the certain conditions.
70. Lesson 1 Notification No. 62 [Dated May 13, 2021] https://incomet
axindia.gov.in/
The Central Government hereby specifies the sovereign wealth fund, communication
namely, the CDC Group Plc., (hereinafter referred to as “the s/notification/n
assessee”) as the specified person for the purposes of the sub-clause otification_62_
(vi) of clause (b) of the Explanation 1 to clause (23FE) of section 10 2021.pdf
of the Income-tax Act, 1961 in respect of the investment made by it
in India on or after the date of publication of this notification in the
Official Gazette but on or before the 31st day of March, 2024
(hereinafter referred to as “said investments”) subject to the
fulfilment of the certain conditions.
38
TAX RATES FY 2020-21, AY 2021-22
Tax Rates for Different types of person depending upon various parameters:
1. For:
Resident Individual of the age below 60 years
Non Residents Individual
Hindu undivided family
Association of Persons
Body of Individuals (other than Co-operative society)
Artificial Juridical Person
2. Applicable for Resident individual of the age of 60 years or more but less than eighty years
at any time during the previous year
39
CBDT has clarified vide Circular No. 28/2016 27.07.2016, that a person born on 1ST
April would be considered to have attained a particular age on 31St March, the day
preceding the anniversary of his birthday.
Therefore a resident individual, whose 60th / 80th birthday falls on 1ST April, 2021 would be
treated as having attained the age of 60 years/80 years in the P. Yr. 2020-21.
Note: Entity or individual other than a company whose adjusted total income exceeds Rs. 20
lakhs is liable to pay Alternate Minimum tax @18.5%.
5. For Companies
Assessment
Domestic Company
Year 2021-22
Where it opted for Section 115BA 25%
[Tax on income of certain manufacturing domestic companies]
Where it opted for Section 115BAA
[This benefit shall be available when total income of the company is
computed without claiming specified deductions, incentives, 22%
Exemptions and additional depreciation available under the Income- tax
Act.]
Where it opted for Section 115BAB
[This regime shall be available only for the manufacturing companies 15%
incorporated in India on or after 01-10-2019. Hence, old companies
will not be able to take the benefit of this section.]
Where it has not opted for Section 115BAA and the Total Turnover or
Gross receipts of the company in the previous year 2018-19 does not 25%
exceeds 400 crore rupees
Any other domestic company 30%
Foreign Company 40%
Surcharge
Types of Income Slab Surcharge Rates
person
i. Individuals, If Income exceeds Rs. 50 lakhs but does not 10% of income tax
HUF, AOP, BOI exceed Rs. 1 crore
If income exceeds Rs. 1 crore but does not 15% of income tax
exceed Rs. 2 crore
If income exceeds Rs. 2 crore but does not 25% of income tax
exceed Rs. 5 crore
If total income exceeds Rs. 5 crore 37% of income tax
ii Firm / Local If income exceeds Rs. 1 crore 12% of income tax
Authority / Co-
operative
Society
iii. Domestic If income exceeds Rs. 1 crore but does not 7% of income tax
Companies* exceed Rs. 10 crores
If income exceeds Rs. 10 crore 12% of income tax
iv. Foreign If income exceeds Rs. 1 crore but does not 2% of income tax
company exceed Rs. 10 crores
If income exceeds Rs. 10 crore 5% of income tax
*Note:
The rate of surcharge in case of a company opting for taxability under Section 115BAA or
Section 115BAB shall be 10% irrespective of amount of total income.
The domestic company who has opted for special taxation regime under Section
115BAA & 115BAB is exempted from provision of MAT. However, no exemption is
available in case where section 115BA has been opted.
The enhanced surcharge of 25% & 37%, as the case may be, is not levied, from income
chargeable to tax under sections 111A, 112A and 115AD. Hence, the maximum rate of
surcharge on tax payable on such incomes shall be 15%.
41
Rebate under section 87A
An assessee, being an individual resident in India, whose total income does not exceed Rs. 5,00,000
shall be entitled to a deduction, from the amount of income-tax (as computed before allowing the
deductions under this Chapter) on his total income with which he is chargeable for any assessment year, of
an amount equal to 100% of such income-tax or an amount of Rs. 12,500, whichever is less.
Up to 2,50,000 Nil
Surcharge: Surcharge is levied on the amount of income-tax at following rates if total income of an
assessee exceeds specified limits:
Rs. 50 Lakhs to Rs. 1 Crore to Rs. 2 Crores to Rs. 5 crores to Exceeding Rs. 10
Rs. 1 Crore Rs.2 Crores Rs. 5 Crores Rs. 10 Crores Crores
10% 15% 25% 37% 37%
Health and Education Cess: Health and Education Cess is levied at the rate of 4% on the amount of
income-tax plus surcharge.
Alternate Minimum Tax: The assessee opting for this scheme have been kept out of the purview of
Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT). Further the provision relating to the computation, carry forward and set
off of AMT credit shall not apply to these assessees.
Conditions to be satisfied:
1. The option to pay tax at lower rates shall be available only if the total income of Individual or HUFs
is computed without claiming following exemptions or deductions:
42
a) Leave Travel concession [Section 10(5)]
b) House Rent Allowance [Section 10(13A)]
c) Official and personal allowances (other than those as may be prescribed) [Section 10(14)]
d) Allowances to MPs/MLAs [Section 10(17)]
e) Allowances for income of minor [Section 10(32)]
f) Deduction for units established in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) [Section 10AA];
g) Standard Deduction [Section 16(ia)]
h) Entertainment Allowance [Section 16((ii)]
i) Professional Tax [Section 16(iii)]
j) Interest on housing loan [Section 24(b)]
k) Additional depreciation in respect of new plant and machinery [Section 32(1)(iia)];
l) Deduction for investment in new plant and machinery in notified backward areas [Section 32AD];
m) Deduction in respect of tea, coffee or rubber business [Section 33AB];
n) Deduction in respect of business consisting of prospecting or extraction or production of petroleum
or natural gas in India [Section 33ABA];
o) Deduction for donation made to approved scientific research association, university college or other
institutes for doing scientific research which may or may not be related to business [Section 35(1)
(ii)];
p) Deduction for payment made to an Indian company for doing scientific research which may or may
not be related to business [Section 35(1)(iia)];
q) Deduction for donation made to university, college, or other institution for doing research in social
science or statistical research [Section 35(1) (iii)];
r) Deduction for donation made for or expenditure on scientific research [Section 35(2AA)];
s) Deduction in respect of capital expenditure incurred in respect of certain specified businesses, i.e.,
cold chain facility, warehousing facility, etc. [Section 35AD];
t) Deduction for expenditure on agriculture extension project [Section 35CCC];
u) Deduction for family Pension [Section 57(iia)]
v) Deduction in respect of certain incomes other than specified under Section 80JJAA, 80CCD(2) and
deduction under section 80LA for Unit located in IFSC [Part C of Chapter VI-A].
2. Total income of the assessee is calculated after claiming depreciation under section 32, other than
additional depreciation, and without adjusting brought forward losses and depreciation from any
earlier year (if such loss or depreciation pertains to any deduction under the aforesaid sections).
Further, loss under the head house property can’t be set off against other heads of Income.
Moreover, such loss and depreciation will not be carried forward.
3. If the assessee has any unabsorbed depreciation, relating to additional depreciation, which has not
43
been given full effect, the corresponding adjustment shall be made to WDV of the block of assets in
the prescribed manner.
4. In case the assessee has business or professional income, this option shall be exercised on or before
the due date for furnishing the returns of income.
5. Once the assessee has exercised the option for any previous year, it cannot be subsequently
withdrawn for the same or any other previous year. The option once exercised for any previous year
can be withdrawn only once in subsequent previous year (other than the year in which it was
exercised) and thereafter, he shall never be eligible to exercise this option again except where such
person ceases to have any business income.
6. If assessee does not have business or professional income, the option must be exercised along with
the return of income for every previous year. If an assessee, after opting for Section 115BAC,
claims any of prescribed deduction or allowance in any previous year, then the option to pay tax at
concessional rate shall become invalid for that year.
If the new regime of Section 115BAD is opted by a co-operative society, its income shall be computed
without providing for specified exemption, deduction or incentive available under the Act. The societies
opting for this section have been kept out of the purview of Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT). Further, the
provision relating to computation, carry forward and set-off of AMT credit shall not apply to these
assessees.
The option to pay tax at lower rates shall be available only if the total income of cooperative society is
computed without claiming following exemptions or deductions:
a) Deduction for units established in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) [Section 10AA];
b) Additional depreciation in respect of new plant and machinery [Section 32(1)(iia)];
c) Deduction for investment in new plant and machinery in notified backward areas [Section 32AD];
d) Deduction in respect of tea, coffee or rubber business [Section 33AB];
e) Deduction in respect of business consisting of prospecting or extraction or production of petroleum
or natural gas in India [Section 33ABA];
f) Deduction for donation made to approved scientific research association, university college or other
institutes for doing scientific research which may or may not be related to business [Section 35(1)
(ii)];
g) Deduction for payment made to an Indian company for doing scientific research which may or may
not be related to business [Section 35(1)(iia)];
44
h) Deduction for donation made to university, college, or other institution for doing research in social
science or statistical research [Section 35(1) (iii)];
i) Deduction for donation made to National Laboratory or IITs, etc. for doing scientific research which
may or may not be related to business [Section 35(2AA)];
j) Deduction in respect of capital expenditure incurred in respect of certain specified businesses, i.e.,
cold chain facility, warehousing facility, etc. [Section 35AD];
k) Deduction for expenditure on agriculture extension project [Section 35CCC];
l) Deduction in respect of certain incomes other than specified under Section 80JJAA [Part C of
Chapter VI-A].
Where a co-operative society exercises option for availing benefit of lower tax rate under section 115BAD,
it shall not be allowed to claim set-off of any brought forward losses or depreciation attributable to any
restricted exemption or deduction in the Assessment Year for which the option has been exercised and for
any subsequent Assessment Year.
45
AMENDMENTS MADE BY FINANCE ACT, 2018
Important Points: Producer Company means a body corporate having objects or activities in relation to
production, marketing, selling, export of agriculture produce of member, providing machinery, education,
consultancy to members in relation to production activities.
1. Amendments made under the head Salaries [Section 16 and Section 17]: Finance Act, 2018 has
introduced Standard Deduction amounting to INR 40,000 from Gross Salary as a benefit to the Salaried
Employees. Now, total three deductions are available under the head Salaries:
It has further withdrawn the benefit of medical reimbursement which was earlier available to the
extent of INR 15,000. Further, Exemption upto INR 19,200 w.r.t. transportation allowance for
commuting between office and residence has also been withdrawn. The above amendments will apply
for Salary Income earned from F.Y. 2018-19 onwards.
2. Enhancement of quantum of deduction of Medical Insurance: Section 80D of the Act has been
amended in order to provide that the deduction in respect of Senior Citizen will now be available with
a new cap of INR 50,000 instead of INR 30,000. Further, the benefit of deduction in respect of medical
expenditure is also available in case of Senior Citizen having age > = 60 years.
♦ For HUF also, the deduction has been increased from INR 30,000 to INR 50,000. However, the limit
of INR 25,000 is intact for Individuals and family members in case the age is < 60 years.
♦ Post Amendment, the maximum deduction which can be allowed under this section can be INR
1,00,000 if all the insured persons are Senior Citizens. Further, amount paid for insurance taken for
more than one year will now be allowed proportionately.
4. Interest Income of Senior Citizens: Section 80TTA of the Act provides that deduction amounting
to INR 10,000 (maximum) is allowed to an Individual or HUF for Interest Income earned on saving
47
account. Section 80TTA is not applicable on Interest Income earned on Fixed Deposits/ Time
Deposits.
Now, Finance Act, 2018 has inserted a new Section 80TTB in order to provide that Senior Citizens
are allowed a deduction of upto INR 50,000 in respect of Income earned by such Senior Citizens
from Deposits (Saving Account, Fixed Deposits and Time Deposits). Further, in case of Senior
Citizens, TDS will be deducted if the Income exceeds INR 50,000. (Amendment made in Section
194A). No deduction under Section 80TTA shall be allowed to such Senior Citizens. Only those
deposits are covered which are held with Banking Company, Post Office or Cooperative Societies.
OTHER AMENDMENTS
1. Introduction of LTCG tax on Sale of Listed Securities: Before amendment, Section 10(38) of the
Act provides that LTCG arising on transfer of listed equity shares or units of equity oriented fund is
exempt from tax provided:
STT has been paid; and
transaction of both purchase and sale has been taken on recognized stock exchange.
In order to take the same under tax net, Finance Act, 2018 has introduced Section 112A of the
Act in order to provide that:
49
Tax @ 10% of the LTCG shall be charged.
The tax will be charged only if LTCG of such nature exceeds Rs. 1 lakh.
No Benefit of indexation shall be allowed on such gains.
No tax will be levied if the sale has been made till March 31, 2018 since the budget is applicable from
April 01, 2018. If the asset is acquired on or after February 01, 2018, actual cost will be considered for
the purpose of calculation.
If the asset is acquired on or before January 31, 2018, then cost of acquisition shall be
Actual Cost of Acquisition; OR
Lower of Sale Value or Fair Market Value;
Whichever is higher.
The restriction upto “lower of sale value” is provided so that no long term capital loss shall arise on
such computation.
Example:
Investment Amount Investment Date Redemption Redemption Date Taxability
Amount
2. Incentives for Employment Generation: Deduction is allowed @ 30% of the additional employee
cost incurred during the previous year for 3 consecutive years i.e. total 90% deduction will be allowed
under this Section. Deduction is allowed only if the following conditions are satisfied:
There should be an increase in number of employees in current year vis-à-vis preceding
financial year.
Salary or wage shall be paid other than cash mode.
Only those employees will be treated as additional employees whose salary is upto INR
25,000; AND Contributing in provident fund; AND Employed for 240 days or more in the year
(150 days or more for apparel industry).
Finance Act, 2018 has made an amendment to Section 80JJAA of the Act in order to provide that
benefit of 150 days or more will also be available to shoes and leather industry. Further, Employed
days (240/150) can be completed subsequent to joining year also.
50
3. Rationalization of Section 43CA, Section 50C and Section 56
♦ Section 43CA: It provides that in case the consideration for transfer of stock in trade, being land or
building, is less than the stamp duty value, then Stamp Duty Value shall be deemed to be the sale price
of such stock – Section for PGBP.
♦ Section 50C: It provides that in case the consideration received or receivable from transfer of a
capital asset, being land or building, is less than the stamp duty value, then Stamp Duty Value shall be
deemed to be the full value of consideration – Section for Capital Gains.
♦ Section 56(2)(x): It provides that in case a person receives any immovable property at a value less
than the stamp duty value by INR 50,000, then the balance shall be treated as Income from other
sources – Section for Other Sources.
Finance Act, 2018 has made an amendment under the above sections in order to provide that
difference upto 5% between actual consideration and stamp duty value shall be ignored. The
amendments are effective from F.Y. 2018-19 onwards.
4. Provisions relating to conversion of stock into capital asset: Income tax law currently
provides provisions for conversion of capital asset into stock in trade. The taxability in such cases shall
be as under:
Fair Market Value on the date of conversion shall be the full value of consideration to be taken
for capital gains purpose.
Actual Cost of capital asset shall be taken as the cost of acquisition of such stock.
Period of holding will be the period starting from acquisition date to conversion date.
The Capital Gains are taxable in the year in which stock will be sold.
New Provisions have been introduced for the vice-versa cases of conversion of stock-in-trade into
capital assets. The taxability in such cases shall be the Fair Market Value on the date of conversion
shall be deemed to be the Sale price under the head PGBP. Cost will be considered as actual cost of
purchase of stock-in trade.
5. Amendment under presumptive taxation scheme in case of Goods Carriage –
Section 44AE: Section 44AE of the Act provides a presumptive taxation scheme for the transporters
having upto ten (10) vehicles at any time during the previous year. It provides that such transporters
have an option to declare Income @ 7,500 per month or part thereof per vehicle.
Finance Act, 2018 has made an amendment in Section 44AE of the Act in order to provide that for
vehicles having more than 12MT gross weight, then instead of INR 7,500 per month per vehicle,
INR 1,000 per tonne capacity per month per vehicle shall be deemed as Income.
6. Measures to Promote Start-ups: Section 80-IAC of the Income tax Act, 1961 provides
100% deduction to start-ups for 3 consecutive years out of seven years if it is incorporated between
01.04.2016 to 31.03.2018 and the turnover is upto INR 25 crores per year between 01.04.2016 to
31.03.2021.
Finance Act, 2018 has made an amendment in order to provide that start-ups incorporated between
01.04.2019 to 31.03.2021 can also avail the benefit of this Section. Further, turnover limit of INR 25
crores is applicable for first seven years from start date. Start-up can be of such type which can
generate employment or create wealth substantially.
51
7. Trading in Agriculture Commodities: Amendment has been made under Section 43(5) of
the Act in order to provide that trading in agriculture commodities will also be considered as non-
speculative transaction instead of speculative transaction. Post Amendment, loss from trading in
agricultural commodities can also be set off from other non-speculative business losses. Further, such
loss can now be carried forward for 8 AYs instead of 4 AYs.
Note: Copy of the Amendments made by the Finance Act, 2018 is available at following weblink:
http://egazette.nic.in/writereaddata/2018/184302.pdf. Students are advised to go through the
detailed amendment made by Finance Act, 2018.
52
AMENDMENTS MADE BY FINANCE ACT, 2019
Income under the Head Salary
i. Standard Deduction [Section 16(ia)]: There is an amendment u/s 16(ia) where standard
deduction is enhanced to Rs. 50,000 from Rs. 40,000. The benefit of increased standard
deduction shall be available to salaries persons and pensioner.
ii. Deduction of up to 10% of salary is allowed under Section 80CCD in respect of contribution
made by an employer to NPS. The limit has been proposed to be increased to 14% of salary in
case of Central Government’s employees.
Income from house property: There is an amendment in section 23 where tax payer is allowed to opt
two house as a self occupied house (earlier it was allowed only one house) and balance he has to offer
as let out. U/s 24, the tax payer, can now claim interest for both the house. However, the aggregate
monetary limit for the deduction would remain the same i.e. Rs. 2,00,000.
Capital Gains:
i. There is an amendment u/s 54 where any capital gain arising on sale of long term residential
house and capital gain does not exceed Rs. 2 crore, tax payer is allowed to invest in two
residential house in India (earlier it was allowed in one house) and capital gain will be taxed
accordingly. This option is given once in life time to tax payer.
ii. The sunset date for transfer of residential house property, for claiming exemption under
Section 54GB in respect of investment made in eligible start-ups, has been extended from
31st March, 2019 to 31st March, 2021. Further, the conditions of minimum shareholding or
voting rights has been relaxed from 50% to 25%.
Deduction:
i. A new Section 80EEA has been inserted to provide for deduction of up to Rs. 1.50 lakhs
for interest on loan taken from any financial institution for acquisition of a residential
house property whose stamp duty value does not exceed Rs. 45 lakhs.
ii. A new section 80EEB has been inserted to provide for a deduction of Rs. 1.5 lakhs in
respect of interest on loan taken for purchase of an electric vehicle from any financial
institution.
Transfer Pricing: Constituent entity of an International group shall now be required to keep and
maintain information and document under Section 92D and file required form even when there is no
international transaction is undertaken by such constituent entity.
Other Amendments:
i. A taxpayer has been allowed to withdraw 60% of total amount from NPS as tax free. Currently,
the exemption is allowed only up to 40% of the total corpus amount.
53
ii. Relief under Section 89 shall be considered while computing the tax liability under Section
140A, section 143, section 234A, section 234B, and section 234C to avoid genuine hardships to
the taxpayers who are claiming such relief.
Every person, carrying on business, shall, provide facility for accepting payment through
electronic modes if his turnover or gross receipts exceeds Rs. 50 crores. The Payment and
Settlement Systems Act, 2007 is proposed to be amended to provide that no bank or system
provider shall impose any charge upon anyone, either directly or indirectly, for using the
electronic modes of payment.
iii. Section 115QA which requires payment tax on distributed income in case of buy-back of shares
has proposed to be extended to listed companies as well.
iv. Any sum of money paid, or any property situated in India transferred, on or after July 5, 2019
by a person resident in India to a person outside India shall be deemed to accrue or arise in
India under Section 9.
Note: Copy of the Amendments made by the Finance Act, 2019 is available at following
weblink: http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2019/209695.pdf. Students are advised to go
through the detailed amendment made by Finance Act, 2019.
54
AMENDMENTS MADE BY FINANCE ACT, 2020
Income from fund or trust or institution or university or other educational institution or hospital or
other medical institution [Section 10(23C)]
Any income received by any person on behalf of fund or trust or institution or university or other
educational institution or hospital or other medical institution specified in Section 10(23C) of the Income
Tax Act, 1961 is exempt from tax subject to certain condition.
Exemption in respect of certain income of wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Investment
Authority and Sovereign Wealth Fund [Section 10(23FE)]
In order to promote investment of sovereign wealth fund, including the wholly owned subsidiary of Abu
Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), An exemption has been provided to any income of a specified person
in the nature of dividend, interest or long-term capital gains arising from an investment made by it in India,
whether in the form of debt or equity, in a company or enterprise carrying on the business of developing, or
operating and maintaining, or developing, operating or maintaining any infrastructure facility as defined in
Explanation to clause (i) of sub-section (4) of section 80-IA of the Act or such other business as may be
notified by the Central Government in this behalf. In order to be eligible for exemption, the investment is
required to be made on or before 31st March, 2024 and is required to be held for at least three years.
For the purpose of this exemption, “specified person” is proposed to be defined to mean,-
(a) a wholly owned subsidiary of the ADIA, which is a resident of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and
which makes investment, directly or indirectly, out of the fund owned by the Government of the United
Arab Emirates; and
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the
assessment year 2021-22 and subsequent assessment years.
55
Exemption of income of foreign company from sale of leftover stock of crude oil on termination of
agreement or arrangement [Section 10(48B)]
Any income of foreign company on account of sale of leftover stock of crude oil from the facility in India
after the expiry or on termination of the agreement or the arrangement shall be exempt, in accordance
with the terms mentioned therein.
Income accruing or arising to Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) [Section
10(48C)]
Any income accruing or arising to Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), being a wholly
owned subsidiary of Oil Industry Development Board under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, as
a result of an arrangement for replenishment of crude oil stored in its storage facility in pursuance to
directions of the Central Government in this behalf.
This exemption shall be subject to the condition that the crude oil is replenished in the storage facility
within three years from the end of the financial year in which the crude oil was removed from the storage
facility for the first time.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the
assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment years.
Modification of concessional tax schemes for domestic companies under section 115BAA and
115BAB
Section 115BAA and section 115BAB has been inserted in the Act to provide domestic companies an
option to be taxed at concessional tax rates provided they do not avail specified deductions and incentives.
Some of the deductions prohibited are deductions under any provisions of Chapter VI-A under the heading
“C. Deduction in respect of certain incomes” other than the provisions of section 80JJAA.
An Amendment has been made vide Finance Act, 2020 to provide in section 115BAA and section 115BAB
to not allow deduction under any provisions of Chapter VI-A other than section 80JJAA or section 80M, in
case of domestic companies opting for taxation under these sections. These amendments will take effect
from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent
assessment years.
In order to further rationalise the provisions relating to start-ups, an Amendment has been made vide
Finance Act, 2020 to section 80-IAC of the Act so as to provide that-
(i) the deduction under the said section 80-IAC shall be available to an eligible start-up for a period of three
consecutive assessment years out of ten years beginning from the year in which it is incorporated;
(ii) the deduction under the said section shall be available to an eligible start-up, if the total turnover of its
business does not exceed one hundred crore rupees in any of the previous years beginning from the year in
which it is incorporated.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the
assessment year 2021-22 and subsequent assessment years.
Extending time limit for approval of affordable housing project for availing deduction under
section 80-IBA of the Act
The existing provisions of section 80-IBA of the Act, inter alia, provide that where the gross total income
of an assessee includes any profits and gains derived from the business of developing and building
affordable housing projects, there shall, subject to certain conditions specified therein, be allowed a
deduction of an amount equal to one hundred per cent of the profits and gains derived from such
business. The conditions contained in the section, inter alia, prescribe that the project is approved by the
competent authority during the period from 1st June, 2016 to 31st March, 2020. In order to incentivise
building affordable housing to boost the supply of such houses, the period of approval of the project by
the competent authority is proposed to be extended to 31st March, 2021.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the
assessment year 2021-22 and subsequent assessment years.
Extending time limit for sanctioning of loan for affordable housing for availing deduction under
section 80EEA of the Act
The existing provisions of section 80EEA of the Act provide for a deduction in respect of interest on loan
taken from any financial institution for acquisition of an affordable residential house property. The
deduction allowed is up to one lakh fifty thousand rupees and is subject to certain conditions. One of the
conditions is that loan has been sanctioned by the financial institution during the period from 1st April,
2019 to 31st March, 2020. The said deduction is aimed to incentivise first time buyers to invest in
residential house property whose stamp duty does not exceed forty-five lakh rupees.
57
In order to continue promoting purchase of affordable housing, the period of sanctioning of loan by the
financial institution is amended by Finance Act, 2020 extended to 31st March, 2021. This amendment
will take effect from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2021-
22 and subsequent assessment years.
Section 9A of the Act provides for a special regime in respect of offshore funds by providing them exemption from
creating a “business connection” in India on fulfilment of certain conditions. It provides that in the case of an
eligible investment fund, the fund management activity carried out through an eligible fund manager acting on
behalf of such fund shall not constitute business connection in India of the said fund. Further, an eligible
investment fund shall not be said to be resident in India merely because the eligible fund manager undertaking
fund management activities on its behalf is located in India. The benefit under section 9A is available subject to the
conditions as provided in sub-sections (3), (4) and (5) thereof. Sub-section (3) of section 9A provides the
conditions for eligibility of the fund.
One of the conditions for eligibility of the fund provided under clause (c) of said sub-section (3) requires that the
aggregate participation or investment in the fund, directly or indirectly, by persons resident in India does not
exceed five per cent of the corpus of the fund. Representations have been received in this regard stating that this
condition is difficult to comply with in the initial years for the reason that eligible fund manager, who is resident in
India, is required to invest his money as “skin in the game” to create reputation to attract investment.
One other condition for eligibility of the fund provided under clause (j) of said sub-section (3) requires that the
monthly average of the corpus of the fund shall not be less than one hundred crore rupees except where the fund
has been established or incorporated in the previous year in which case, the corpus of fund shall not be less than
one hundred crore rupees at the end of a period of six months from the last day of the month of its establishment or
incorporation, or at the end of such previous year, whichever is later. This condition does not apply in a case where
the fund has been wound up.
Representations have been received in this regard stating that as per this condition, the period for fulfilling the
requirement of monthly average of the corpus of one hundred crore rupees ranges from six months to eighteen
months, in so far as the fund established or incorporated on last day of the financial year would get six months and
the fund established or incorporated on first day of the financial year would get eighteen months. It has been stated
that this results in anomaly as certain funds due to its date of establishment and incorporation get favoured or
discriminated against.
Accordingly, an amendment has been made vide Finance Act, 2020 in section 9A of the Act to relax these two
conditions so as to provide that,-
(i) for the purpose of calculation of the aggregate participation or investment in the fund, directly or indirectly, by
Indian resident, contribution of the eligible fund manager during first three years up to twenty-five crore rupees
shall not be accounted for; and
(ii) if the fund has been established or incorporated in the previous year, the condition of monthly average of the
corpus of the fund to be at one hundred crore rupees shall be fulfilled within twelve months from the last day of the
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month of its establishment or incorporation. This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will,
accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment years.
The newly inserted section 115BAB provides that new manufacturing domestic companies set up on or after 1st
October, 2019, which commence manufacturing or production by 31st March, 2023 and do not avail of any
specified incentives or deductions, may opt to pay tax at a concessional rate of 15 per cent. Further, Explanation to
clause (b) of sub-section (2) thereof provides that for the purposes of the said section, businesses engaged in
development of computer software, mining, conversion of marble blocks or similar items into slabs, bottling of gas
into cylinder, printing of books or production of cinematograph film or any other business as may be notified by
the Central Government will not be considered as manufacturing or production.
Representations have been received from various stakeholders requesting to provide that the benefit of the
concessional rate under section 115BAB of the Act may also be extended to business of generation of electricity,
which otherwise may not amount to manufacturing or production of an article or thing.
Accordingly, an amendment has been made to explain that, for the purposes of this section, manufacturing or
production of an article or thing shall include generation of electricity. This amendment will take effect from 1st
April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment
years.
Providing an option to the assessee for not availing deduction under section 35AD
Section 35AD of the Act, relating to deduction in respect of expenditure on specified business, provides for 100
per cent. deduction on capital expenditure (other than expenditure on land, goodwill and financial assets) incurred
by the assessee on certain specified businesses. Under sub-section (1) of section 35AD, the said deduction of 100
per cent. of the capital expenditure is allowable during the previous year in which such expenditure has been
incurred. Further, sub-section (4) provides that no deduction is allowable under any other section in respect to the
expenditure referred to in sub-section (1). At present, an assessee does not have any option of not availing the
incentive under said section.
Due to this, a legal interpretation can be made that a domestic company opting for concessional tax rate under
section 115BAA or section 115BAB of the Act, which does not claim deduction under section 35AD, would also
be denied normal depreciation under section 32 due to operation of sub-section (4) of section 35AD. This has not
been the intention of the statute.
Therefore, an amendment has been made in sub-section (1) of section 35AD to make the deduction thereunder
optional. It is further proposed to amend sub-section (4) of section 35AD to provide that no deduction will be
allowed in respect of expenditure incurred under sub-section (1) in any other section in any previous year or under
this section in any other previous year, if the deduction has been claimed by the assessee and allowed to him under
this section. This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the
assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment years.
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Increase in safe harbour limit of 5 percent under section 43CA, 50C and 56 of the Act to 10 percent
Section 43CA of the Act, inter alia, provides that where the consideration declared to be received or accruing as a
result of the transfer of land or building or both, is less than the value adopted or assessed or assessable by any
authority of a State Government (i.e. “stamp valuation authority”) for the purpose of payment of stamp duty in
respect of such transfer, the value so adopted or assessed or assessable shall for the purpose of computing profits
and gains from transfer of such assets, be deemed to be the full value of consideration. The said section also
provide that where the value adopted or assessed or assessable by the authority for the purpose of payment of
stamp duty does not exceed one hundred and five per cent of the consideration received or accruing as a result of
the transfer, the consideration so received or accruing as a result of the transfer shall, for the purposes of
computing profits and gains from transfer of such asset, be deemed to be the full value of the consideration.
Section 50C of the Act provides that where the consideration declared to be received or accruing as a result of the
transfer of land or building or both, is less than the value adopted or assessed or assessable by stamp valuation
authority for the purpose of payment of stamp duty in respect of such transfer, the value so adopted or assessed or
assessable shall be deemed to be the full value of the consideration and capital gains shall be computed on the
basis of such consideration under section 48 of the Act. The said section also provides that where the value
adopted or assessed or assessable by the stamp valuation authority does not exceed one hundred and five per cent
of the consideration received or accruing as a result of the transfer, the consideration so received or accruing as a
result of the transfer shall, for the purposes of section 48, be deemed to be the full value of the consideration.
Clause (x) of sub-section (2) of section 56 of the Act, inter alia, provides that where any person receives, in any
previous year, from any person or persons on or after 1st April, 2017, any immovable property, for a consideration
which is less than the stamp duty value of the property by an amount exceeding fifty thousand rupees, the stamp
duty value of such property as exceeds such consideration shall be charged to tax under the head “income from
other sources”. It also provide that where the assessee receives any immovable property for a consideration and the
stamp duty value of such property exceeds five per cent of the consideration or fifty thousand rupees, whichever is
higher, the stamp duty value of such property as exceeds such consideration shall be charged to tax under the head
“Income from other sources”.
Thus, the present provisions of section 43CA, 50C and 56 of the Act provide for safe harbour of five per cent.
Representations have been received in this regard requesting that the said safe harbour of five per cent may be
increased. It is, therefore, an amendment has been made vide Finance Act, 2020 to increase the limit to ten per
cent. This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the
assessment year 2021-22 and subsequent assessment years.
Amendment for providing attribution of profit to Permanent Establishment in Safe Harbour Rules
under section 92CB and in Advance Pricing Agreement under section 92CC
Section 92CB of the Act empowers the Central Board of Direct Taxes (Board) for making safe harbour rules
(SHR) to which the determination of the arm's length price (ALP) under section 92C or section 92CA of the Act
shall be subject to. As per Explanation to said section the term “safe harbour” means circumstances in which the
Income-tax Authority shall accept the transfer price declared by the assessee. This section was inserted in the Act
to reduce the number of transfer pricing audits and prolonged disputes especially in case of relatively smaller
assessees. Besides reduction of disputes, the SHR provides certainty as well.
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Further, section 92CC of the Act empowers the Board to enter into an advance pricing agreement (APA) with any
person, determining the ALP or specifying the manner in which the ALP is to be determined, in relation to an
international transaction to be entered into by that person. APA provides tax certainty in determination of ALP for
five future years as well as for four earlier years (Rollback).
SHR provides tax certainty for relatively smaller cases for future years on general terms, while APA provides tax
certainty on case to case basis not only for future years but also Rollback years. Both SHR and the APA have been
successful in reducing litigation in determination of the ALP.
It has been represented that the attribution of profits to the PE of a non-resident under clause (i) of sub-section (1)
of section 9 of the Act in accordance with rule 10 of the Rules also results in avoidable disputes in a number of
cases. In order to provide certainty, the attribution of income in case of a non-resident person to the PE is also
required to be clearly covered under the provisions of the SHR and the APA.
In view of the above, An amendment has been made vide Finance Act, 2020 in section 92CB and section 92CC of
the Act to cover determination of attribution to PE within the scope of SHR and APA. With respect to section
92CB, the amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the
assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment years. With respect to section 92CC, the amendment will take
effect from 1st April, 2020 and therefore will apply to an APA entered into on or after 1st April, 2020.
Allowing deduction for amount disallowed under section 43B, to insurance companies on payment
basis
Section 44 of the Act provides that computation of profits and gains of any business of insurance, including any
such business carried on by a mutual insurance company or a co-operative society shall be computed in accordance
with the rules contained in the First Schedule to the Act.
Section 43B of the Act provides for allowance of certain deductions, irrespective of the previous year in which the
liability to pay such sum was incurred by the assessee according to the method of accounting regularly employed
by the assessee, only in the previous year in which such sum is actually paid.
Rule 5 of the said Schedule provides for computation of profits and gains of other insurance business. It states that
profits and gains of any business of insurance other than life insurance shall be taken to be the profit before tax and
appropriations as disclosed in the profit and loss account prepared in accordance with the provisions of the
Insurance Act, 1938 or the rule made thereunder or the provisions of the Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority Act, 1999 or the regulations made thereunder, subject to the condition that any expenditure debited to
the profit and loss account which is not admissible under the provisions of sections 30 to 43B shall be added back;
any gain or loss on realisation of investment shall be added or deducted, as the case may be, if the same is not
credited or debited to the profit and loss account; any provision for diminution in the value of investment debited
to the profit and loss account shall be added back. Thus, there is no specific provision, in this rule, in the case of
other insurance companies, to allow deduction for any payment of certain expenses specified in section 43B if they
are paid in subsequent previous year. There is a possibility that such sum may not be allowed as deduction in the
previous year in which the payment is made. This has not been the intention of the legislature.
Therefore, An amendment has been made vide Finance Act, 2020 to insert a proviso after clause (c) of the said rule
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5 to provide that any sum payable by the assessee which is added back under section 43B in accordance with
clause (a) of the said rule shall be allowed as deduction in computing the income under the rule in the previous
year in which such sum is actually paid. This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will,
accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment years.
Under the existing provisions of the Act, the contribution by the employer to the account of an employee in a
recognized provident fund exceeding twelve per cent. of salary is taxable. Further, the amount of any contribution
to an approved superannuation fund by the employer exceeding one lakh fifty thousand rupees is treated as
perquisite in the hands of the employee. Similarly, the assessee is allowed a deduction under National Pension
Scheme (NPS) for the fourteen per cent. of the salary contributed by the Central Government and ten per cent. of
the salary contributed by any other employer. However, there is no combined upper limit for the purpose of
deduction on the amount of contribution made by the employer. This is giving undue benefit to employees earning
high salary income. While an employee with low salary income is not able to let employer contribute a large part
of his salary to all these three funds, employees with high salary income are able to design their salary package in a
manner where a large part of their salary is paid by the employer in these three funds. Thus, this portion of salary
does not suffer taxation at any point of time, since Exempt-Exempt-Exempt (EEE) regime is followed for these
three funds. Thus, not having a combined upper cap is iniquitous and hence, not desirable.
Therefore, An amendment has been made vide Finance Act, 2020 to provide a combined upper limit of seven lakh
and fifty thousand rupee in respect of employer's contribution in a year to NPS, superannuation fund and
recognised provident fund and any excess contribution is proposed to be taxable. Consequently, it is also proposed
that any annual accretion by way of interest, dividend or any other amount of similar nature during the previous
year to the balance at the credit of the fund or scheme may be treated as perquisite to the extent it relates to the
employer’s contribution which is included in total income. This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2021
and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2021-22 and subsequent assessment years.
Sub-section (1) of section 6 of the Act provide for situations in which an individual shall be resident in India in a
previous year. Clause (c) thereof provides that the individual shall be Indian resident in a year, if he,-
(i) has been in India for an overall period of 365 days or more within four years preceding that year, and
(ii) is in India for an overall period of 60 days or more in that year.
Clause (b) of Explanation 1 of said sub-section provides that an Indian citizen or a person of Indian origin shall be
Indian resident if he is in India for 182 days instead of 60 days in that year. This provision provides relaxation to
an Indian citizen or a person of Indian origin allowing them to visit India for longer duration without becoming
resident of India.
Instances have come to notice where period of 182 days specified in respect of an Indian citizen or person of
Indian origin visiting India during the year, is being misused. Individuals, who are actually carrying out substantial
economic activities from India, manage their period of stay in India, so as to remain a non-resident in perpetuity
62
and not be required to declare their global income in India.
Sub-section (6) of the said section provides for situations in which a person shall be “not ordinarily resident” in a
previous year. Clause (a) thereof provides that if the person is an individual who has been non-resident in nine out
of the ten previous years preceding that year, or has during the seven previous years preceding that year been in
India for an overall period of 729 days or less. Clause (b) thereof contains similar provision for the HUF.
This category of persons has been carved out essentially to ensure that a non-resident is not suddenly faced with
the compliance requirement of a resident, merely because he spends more than specified number of days in India
during a particular year. The conditions specified in the present law in respect of this carve out have been the
subject matter of disputes, amendments and further disputes. Further, due to reduction in number of days, as
proposed, for visiting Indian citizen or person of Indian origin, there would be need for relaxation in the
conditions.
The issue of stateless persons has been bothering the tax world for quite some time. It is entirely possible for an
individual to arrange his affairs in such a fashion that he is not liable to tax in any country or jurisdiction during a
year. This arrangement is typically employed by high net worth individuals (HNWI) to avoid paying taxes to any
country/ jurisdiction on income they earn. Tax laws should not encourage a situation where a person is not liable to
tax in any country. The current rules governing tax residence make it possible for HNWIs and other individuals,
who may be Indian citizen to not to be liable for tax anywhere in the world. Such a circumstance is certainly not
desirable; particularly in the light of current development in the global tax environment where avenues for double
non-taxation are being systematically closed.
In the light of above, An amendment has been made vide Finance Act, 2020 as follows:
i. the exception provided in clause (b) of Explanation 1 of sub-section (1) to section 6 for visiting India in
that year be decreased to 120 days from existing 182 days.
ii. an individual or an HUF shall be said to be “not ordinarily resident” in India in a previous year, if the
individual or the manager of the HUF has been a non-resident in India in seven out of ten previous years
preceding that year. This new condition to replace the existing conditions in clauses (a) and (b) of sub-
section (6) of section 6.
iii. an Indian citizen who is not liable to tax in any other country or territory shall be deemed to be resident in
India.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment
year 2021-22 and subsequent assessment years.
Removing dividend distribution tax (DDT) and moving to classical system of taxing dividend in the
hands of shareholders/unit holders.
Section 115-O provides that, in addition to the income-tax chargeable in respect of the total income of a domestic
company, any amount declared, distributed or paid by way of dividends shall be charged to additional income-tax
at the rate of 15 per cent. The tax so paid by the company (called DDT) is treated as the final payment of tax in
respect of the amount declared, distributed or paid by way of dividend. Such dividend referred to in section 115-O
is exempt in the hands of shareholders under clause (34) of section 10. In case of business trust, specific exemption
63
is provided under sub-section (7) of section 115-O, subject to certain conditions. Similarly, exemption is provided
for distributed profits of a unit of an International Financial Service Centre, on fulfilment of certain conditions,
under sub-section (8) of section 115-O.
Similarly under section 115R, specified companies and Mutual Funds are liable to pay additional income-tax at the
specified rate on any amount of income distributed by them to its unit holders. Such income is then exempt in the
hands of unit holders under clause (35) of section 10. The incidence of tax is, thus, on the payer company/Mutual
Fund and not on the recipient, where it should normally be. The dividend is income in the hands of the
shareholders and not in the hands of the company.
The incidence of the tax should therefore, be on the recipient. Moreover, the present provisions levy tax at a flat
rate on the distributed profits, across the board irrespective of the marginal rate at which the recipient is otherwise
taxed. The provisions are hence, considered, iniquitous and regressive. The present system of taxation of dividend
in the hands of company/ mutual funds was reintroduced by the Finance Act, 2003 (with effect from the
assessment year 2004-05) since it was easier to collect tax at a single point and the new system was leading to
increase in compliance burden. However, with the advent of technology and easy tracking system available, the
justification for current system of taxation of dividend has outlived itself.
In view of above, an amendment has been made so that dividend or income from units are taxable in the hands of
shareholders or unit holders at the applicable rate and the domestic company or specified company or mutual funds
are not required to pay any DDT. It is also provided that the deduction for expense under section 57 of the Act
shall be maximum 20 per cent of the dividend or income from units.
(i) amend section 115-O to provide that dividend declared, distributed or paid after 1st April, 2003, but on or
before 31st March, 2020 shall be covered under the provision of this section.
(ii) amend clause (34) of section 10 to provide that the provision of this clause shall not apply to any income, by
way of dividend, received on or after 1st April, 2020.
(iii) amend section 115R to provide that the income distributed on or before 31st March, 2020 shall only be
covered under the provision of this section.
(iv) amend clause (35) of section 10 to provide that the provision of this clause shall not apply to any income, in
respect of units, received on or after 1st April, 2020.
(v) amend clause (23FC) of section 10 so that all dividends received or receivable by business trust from a special
purpose vehicle is exempt income under this clause.
(vi) amend clause (23FD) of section 10 to exclude dividend income received by a unit holder from business trust
from the exemption so that the dividend income is taxable in the hand of unit holder of the business trust.
(vii) amend sub-section (3) of section 115UA to delete reference to sub-clause (a) so that distributed income of the
nature as referred to in clause (23FC) or clause (23FCA) of section 10 shall be deemed to be income of the unit
holder and shall be charged to tax as income of the previous year. Thus dividend income distributed by a special
purpose vehicle to business trust would be taxed in the hands of unit holder.
(viii) remove reference of section 115-O dividend income in various sections like section 57, section 115A, section
115AC, section 115ACA, section 115AD and section 115C.
(ix) remove the opening line of clause (23D) of section 10, as mutual fund no longer required to pay additional tax.
(x) insert new section 80M as it existed before it removal by the Finance Act, 2003 to remove the cascading affect,
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with a change that set off will be allowed only for dividend distributed by the company one month prior to the due
date of filing of return, in place of due date of filing return earlier.
(xi) amend section 115BBDA which taxes dividend income in excess of ten lakh rupee in the hands of shareholder
at ten per cent., to only dividend declared, distributed or paid by a domestic company on or before the 31st day of
March, 2020.
(xii) amend section 57 to provide that no deduction shall be allowed from dividend income, or income in respect of
units of mutual fund or specified company, other than deduction on account of interest expense and in any previous
year such deduction shall not exceed twenty per cent. of the dividend income or income from units included in the
total income for that year without deduction under section 57.
(xiii) amend section 194 to include dividend for tax deduction. At the same time the rates of ten per cent. is
proposed to be prescribed and threshold is proposed to be increased from Rs 2,500/- to Rs 5,000/- for dividend
paid other than cash. Further, at present the mode of payment is given as “an account payee cheque or warrant”. It
is proposed to change this to any mode.
(xiv) amend section 194LBA to provide for tax deduction by business trust on dividend income paid to unit holder,
at the rate of ten per cent. for resident. For non-resident, it would be 5 per cent for interest and ten per cent. for
dividend.
(xv) insert a new section 194K to provide that any person responsible for paying to a resident any income in
respect of units of a Mutual Fund specified under clause (23D) of section 10 or units from the administrator of the
specified undertaking or units from the specified company shall at the time of credit of such income to the account
of the payee or at the time of payment thereof by any mode, whichever is earlier, deduct income-tax there on at the
rate of ten per cent. It may also be provided for threshold limit of Rs 5,000/- so that income below this amount
does not suffer tax deduction. It is also proposed to defined “Administrator”, “specified company”, as already
defined in clause (35) of section 10. It is also proposed to define “specified undertaking” as in clause (i) of section
2 of the Unit Trust of India (Transfer of Undertaking and Repeal) Act, 2002. It is also proposed to provide that
where any income is credited to any account like suspense account, in the books of account of the person liable to
pay such income, the liability for tax deduction under this section would arise at that time.
(xvi) amend section 195 to delete exemption provided to dividend referred to in section 115-O.
(xvii) amend section 196A to revive its applicability on TDS on income in respect of units of a Mutual Fund. It is
also proposed to substitute “of the Unit Trust of India” with “from the specified company defined in Explanation to
clause (35) of section 10”and “in cash or by the issue of a cheque or draft or by any other mode” with “by any
mode”.
(xviii) amend section 196C to remove exclusion provided to dividend under section 115-O. It is also proposed to
substitute “in cash or by the issue of a cheque or draft or by any other mode” with “by any mode”.
(xix) amend section 196D to remove exclusion provided to dividend under section 115-O. It is also proposed to
substitute “in cash or by the issue of a cheque or draft or by any other mode” with “by any mode”.
Amendments at clause (i) to (xii) above will take effect from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly, apply in
relation to the assessment year 2021-22 and subsequent assessment years. Amendments at clause (xiii) to (xix) will
take effect from 1st April, 2020.
The existing provisions of section 55 of the Act provide that for computation of capital gains, an assessee shall be
allowed deduction for cost of acquisition of the asset and also cost of improvement, if any. However, for
computing capital gains in respect of an asset acquired before 1st April, 2001, the assessee has been allowed an
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option of either to take the fair market value of the asset as on 1st April, 2001 or the actual cost of the asset as cost
of acquisition.
An amendment has been made to rationalise the provision and to insert a proviso below sub-clause (ii) of clause
(b) of Explanation under clause (ac) of sub-section (2) of the said section to provide that in case of a capital asset,
being land or building or both, the fair market value of such an asset on 1st April, 2001 shall not exceed the stamp
duty value of such asset as on 1st April, 2001 where such stamp duty value is available.
An Explanation has also been inserted to provide that for the purposes of sub-clause (i) and (ii), "stamp duty value"
shall mean the value adopted or assessed or assessable by any authority of the Central Government or a State
Government for the purpose of payment of stamp duty in respect of an immovable property. These amendments
will take effect from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2021-22 and
subsequent assessment years.
Note: Copy of the Amendments made by the Finance Act, 2020 is available at following weblink:
https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/memo.pdf. Students are advised to go through the detailed
amendment made by Finance Act, 2020.
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