GST Return Timelines

With the multiple notifications with regard to the due dates and the late fees on the GST returns, it’s been very confusing for the tax payer to know exactly where the deadlines stand.

Following is a summary of the due dates based on all the recent notifications up to 1 July 2020:

Return Type of tax payer Tax Period Return Due Date Last date without late fees^
GSTR 1 Turnover less than Rs. 1.5 crore in the preceding year (quarterly return) Jan 20 to March 20 30-Apr-20 17-Jul-20
April 20 to June 20 31-Jul-20 3-Aug-20
Turnover greater than Rs. 1.5 crore in the preceding year (monthly return) March 20 11-Apr-20 10-Jul-20
April 20 11-May-20 24-Jul-20
May 20 11-Jun-20 28-Jul-20
June 20 11-Jul-20 5-Aug-20
GSTR 3B Turnover greater than Rs. 5 crore in the preceding year February 20 20-Mar-20 24-Jun-20
March 20 20-Apr-20 24-Jun-20
April 20 20-May-20 24-Jun-20
May 20 20-Jun-20 27-Jun-20
June 20 20-Jul-20 20-Jul-20
July 20 20-Aug-20 20-Aug-20
August 20 20-Sep-20 20-Sep-20
Turnover less than Rs. 5 crore in the preceding year  and the principal place of business is in specified states* February 20 21-Mar-20 30-Jun-20
March 20 21-Apr-20 3-Jul-20
April 20 21-May-20 6-Jul-20
May 20 21-Jun-20 12-Sep-20
June 20 21-Jul-20 23-Sep-20
July 20 21-Aug-20 27-Sep-20
August 20 1-Oct-20 1-Oct-20
Turnover less than Rs. 5 crore in the preceding year  and the principal place of business is in specified states# February 20 24-Mar-20 30-Jun-20
March 20 24-Apr-20 5-Jul-20
April 20 24-May-20 9-Jul-20
May 20 24-Jun-20 15-Sep-20
June 20 24-Jul-20 25-Sep-20
July 20 24-Aug-20 29-Sep-20
August 20 3-Oct-20 3-Oct-20

^For the tax payers who fail to furnish the return by the stated due date, but furnish the said return by 30 September 2020, the late fees payable which is in excess of Rs 500, shall stand fully waived for the tax payers where the total amount of tax payable is Nil.

Interest on delayed payment of GST

Tax Payer Rate of interest
Taxpayers having an aggregate turnover of more than Rs 5 crores in the preceding financial year Feb 20, Mar 20, Apr 20 – Nil for the first 15 days and 9 % thereafter till 24 Jun 20
Turnover up to Rs. 5 crore in the preceding year  and the principal place of business is in specified states* Feb 20 – Nil till 30 Jun 20 and 9% thereafter till 30 Sept 20
Mar 20 – Nil till 3 Jul 20 and 9% thereafter till 30 Sept 20
April 20 – Nil till 6 Jul 20 and 9% thereafter till 30 Sept 20
May 20 – Nil till 12 Sept 20 and 9% thereafter till 30 Sept 20
June 20 – Nil till 23 Sept 20 and 9% thereafter till 30 Sept 20
July 20 – Nil till 27 Sept 20 and 9% thereafter till 30 Sept 20
Turnover less than Rs. 5 crore in the preceding year  and the principal place of business is in specified states# Feb 20 – Nil till 30 Jun 20 and 9% thereafter till 30 Sept 20
Mar 20 – Nil till 5 Jul 20 and 9% thereafter till 30 Sept 20
April 20 – Nil till 9 Jul 20 and 9% thereafter till 30 Sept 20
May 20 – Nil till 15 Sept 20 and 9% thereafter till 30 Sept 20
June 20 – Nil till 25 Sept 20 and 9% thereafter till 30 Sept 20
July 20 – Nil till 29 Sept 20 and 9% thereafter till 30 Sept 20

* States of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, the Union territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands or Lakshadweep

# States of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand or Odisha, the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Chandigarh or Delhi

The above summary is collated based on following Notifications:
54/2020- Central Tax ,dt. 24-06-2020
53/2020- Central Tax ,dt. 24-06-2020
51/2020- Central Tax ,dt. 24-06-2020
05/2020-Integrated Tax,dt. 24-06-2020
03/2020-Integrated Tax,dt. 08-04-2020

 

Changes in ITR – 1 (Sahaj) & ITR – 4 (Sugam) notified by CBDT

ITR-1 (Sahaj): For individuals being a resident (other than not ordinarily resident) having total income upto Rs.50 lakh, having Income from Salaries, one house property (single ownership), interest income, family pension income etc. and agricultural income upto Rs.5 thousand.

  • deposited more than Rs 1 crore in a current bank account or
  • have spent Rs 2 lakh on foreign travel or Rs 1 lakh on electric bills in the relevant financial year

 

ITR-4 (Sugam): For Individuals, HUFs and Firms (other than LLP) being a resident having total income upto Rs.50 lakh, one house property (single ownership), having income from business and profession which is computed under sections 44AD, 44ADA or 44AE or Interest Income, Family pension etc. and agricultural income upto Rs.5 thousand

Note: ITR Forms 1 and 4 are not for an individual who is:

  • either a Director in a company or has invested in unlisted equity shares or
  • has any brought forward / carry forward loss under the head

‘Income from House Property’

  • owns a house jointly with someone else

Changes to ITR Forms

  • Both ITR forms requires to provide the passport number if you have one.
  • ITR 4 form seeks details of your expenditure of Rs 2 lakh in foreign travel and asks you to specify the amount you spent. ITR 4 form also wants to know whether you spent over Rs 1 lakh during the year on electric bills.

New Disclosures

  • Valid Passport number has to be provided in both ITR-1 & ITR-4.
  • Amount or aggregate of amounts exceeding Rs 1 Crore in one or more current account, deposited during the previous year has to be disclosed in ITR-4
  • Amount or aggregate of amount exceeding Rs 2 lakhs for travel to a foreign country for yourself or for any other person

has to be disclosed in ITR-4.

  • Expenditure incurred of amount or aggregate of amount exceeding Rs 1 lakh on consumption of electricity during the previous year has to be disclosed in ITR-4.

 

Clarifications on post-sales Discounts under GST

Clarifications on treatment of sales promotion schemes and secondary or post-sales discounts under GST.

Section 15 of the Central Goods and Services Act, 2017 (“the Act”) provided that the value of a supply of goods or services or both shall be the transaction value, which is the price actually paid or payable for the said supply of goods or services or both where the supplier and the recipient of the supply are not related and the price is the sole consideration for the supply. The sub-section (3) further clarified that the value of supply shall not include any discount which is given –

  1. before or at the time of supply if such discount had been duly recorded in the invoice issued in respect of such supply; and
  2. after the supply has been effected, if –
  • such discount is established in terms of an agreement entered into at or before the time of such supply and specifically linked to relevant invoices; and
  • input tax credit as is attributable to the discount on the basis of document issued by the supplier has been reversed by the recipient of the supply.

Recently, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs ‘CBIC”) issued clarification on the treatment of sales promotions schemes under the GST vide Circular No. 92/11/2019-GST. The circular is intended to cover the several promotional schemes which are offered by taxable persons to increase sales volume and to attract new customers for their product, with regard to taxability, valuation, availability or otherwise of Input Tax Credit (“ITC”) in the hands of the supplier. The clarification is summarized as follows:

Scheme Clarification on Taxability Clarification on availability of ITC
Free Samples and Gifts Samples that are supplied free of cost, without any consideration, do not qualify as “supply” under GST, except where the activity falls within the ambit of Schedule I of the Act. ITC is not available to the supplier on the inputs, input services and capital goods to the extent they are used in relation to the gifts or free samples distributed without any consideration.

However, where the activity of distribution of gifts or free

samples falls within the scope of „supply‟ on account of the provisions contained in Schedule I of the said Act, the supplier would be eligible to avail of the ITC.

www.wsco.in Office No 309, Third Floor, Chokhani Square – Sector 18, Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 201301 Tel.: 0120-4975561

Scheme Clarification on Taxability Clarification on availability of ITC
Buy one get one free offer In case of buy one and get one offers, while it may seem that one items is being supplied free of cost, it is, in fact not an individual supply of free goods, but a case of two or more individual supplies where a single price is being charged for the entire supply. It can be best treated as supplying two goods for the price of one.

Taxability of such supply will be dependent upon as to whether the supply is a composite supply, or a mixed supply and the rate of tax shall be

determined as per the provisions of section 8 of the Act.

ITC shall be available to the supplier for the inputs, input services and capital goods used in relation to supply of goods or services or both as part of such offers.
Discounts including “Buy more, save more” offers – Suppliers often offer staggered discounts (increase in discount rate with increase in purchase volume). Such discounts are shown on the invoice itself. Suppliers also sometimes offer, periodic/ year end discounts based on annual sale volumes. Such invoices though are not shown on the invoices, they are established in terms of an agreement entered into at or before the time of supply. Such discounts are passed on by the suppliers through credit notes.

Discounts offered by suppliers to customers, including staggered discounts or the post-sale volume discounts established before or at the time of supply shall be excluded to determine the value of supply provided they satisfy the parameters laid down in section 15 (3), including the reversal of ITC by the recipient of the supply as is attributable

to the discount on the basis of document (s) issued by the supplier.

The supplier shall be entitled to avail the ITC for such inputs, input services and capital goods used in relation to the supply of goods or services or both on such discounts

 

Scheme Clarification on Taxability Clarification on availability of ITC
Secondary discounts These discounts are not known at the time of supply and are offered after the supply is already over.

It has been clarified that the financial/commercial credit note(s) can be issued by the supplier even if the conditions Section 15 (3), i.e. the discounts being established before the sale and being recorded on the invoice, are not satisfied.

It has been further clarified that the value of supply shall not exclude any such secondary discounts. In other words, the value of supply shall not exclude discounts issued by way of credit notes.

There is no impact on availability or otherwise of ITC in the hands of supplier in this case.

The above stated circular resulted in further queries being raised regarding the tax treatment in cases of the secondary discounts or post sale discounts. CBIC further issued Circular No. 105/24/2019-GST dated 28 June 2019 to provide clarification on these matters. The circular is further discussed as under:

For the purpose of value of supply, post sales discounts are governed by the provisions of 15 (3)(b) of the Act. It is crucial to examine the true nature of discount given by the supplier of goods to the dealer.

Type of secondary sale Clarification on Taxability
Post-sale discount by the supplier the dealer without any further obligation or action required at the dealer’s end The post sales discount will be related to the original supply of goods and it would not be included in the value of supply, in the hands of supplier of goods, subject to the fulfillment of provisions Section 15 (3) of the Act.
Additional discount given by supplier to the dealer, requiring the dealer to do some act like undertaking special sales

drive, advertisement campaign, exhibition etc.

This will be treated as separate transaction and the additional discount will be the consideration for undertaking such activity. The dealer, being supplier of services, would be required to charge applicable GST on the value of such additional discount and the supplier of goods, being recipient of services, will be eligible to claim input tax credit.

www.wsco.in Office No 309, Third Floor, Chokhani Square – Sector 18, Noida, Uttar Pradesh – 201301 Tel.: 0120-4975561

Type of secondary sale Clarification on Taxability
Additional discount is given by the supplier of goods to the dealer to offer a special reduced price by the dealer to the customer to augment the sales volume The additional discount would represent the consideration flowing from the Supplier of goods to the dealer for the supply made by dealer to the customer. This additional Discount is required to be added for the purpose of arriving Value of supply, in the hands of the dealer.

The customer, if registered, would be eligible to claim ITC of the tax charged by the dealer only to the extent of the tax paid by the said customer to the dealer in view of second proviso

to section 16 (2) of the Act.

Eligible ITC for the dealer on original invoice, if the discounts granted by the supplier of goods are not permitted to be excluded from the value of supply and the supplier issues financial / commercial credit notes The dealer will not be required to reverse ITC attributable to the tax already paid on such post-sale discount received by him through issuance of financial / commercial credit notes by the supplier of goods, as long as the dealer pays the value of the supply as reduced after adjusting the amount of post-sale discount in terms of financial / commercial credit notes received by him from the supplier of goods plus the amount of original tax charged by the supplier.

W S & Co

W S & Co. is a Chartered Accountancy firm, rendering comprehensive professional services which include Tax Consultancy – International and Domestic, Valuation, Advisory on issues covered under Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements, Expat Taxation, Audit, Management Consultancy, Accounting Services, Secretarial services etc.

W S & Co. is a professionally managed firm. The team consists of distinguished chartered accountants, corporate financial advisors and tax consultants. The firm represents a combination of specialized skills, which are geared to offer sound financial advice and personalized proactive services. Those associated with the firm have regular interaction with industry and other professionals which enables the firm to keep pace with contemporary developments and to meet the needs of its clients.

Branch Offices

  1. Mercantile Building 9/12 Lal Bazar Street Block “B”, Suite – 007 Kolkata – 700 001 Mob. : +91 9999328331
  2. Jai Guru Dev CHS, Shop No 4, Plot No 106B, sector 50E, Seawoods, Nerul West, Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) – 400706

 

 

Proposed Amendments in Finance Bill 2020

Direct Tax Chapter

Tax Rates under New Tax Regime

Individuals and HUF

Net income range Income tax rates Surcharge Health and Education Cess
Up to 2,50,000 Nil Nil Nil
Rs. 2,50,000-Rs. 5,00,000 5% of (total income minus Rs.2,50,000 Nil 4% of income -tax
Rs. 5,00,000-Rs. 7,50,000 Rs. 12,500+10% of (total income minus 5,00,000 Nil 4% of income-tax
Rs. 7,50,000-Rs. 10,00,000 Rs. 37,500+15% of (total income minus Rs. 7,50,000 Nil 4% of income-tax and surcharge
Rs. 10,00,000 – Rs 12,50,000 Rs. 75,000+20% of total income minus Rs 10,00,000 Nil 4% of income-tax and surcharge
Rs 12,50,000 – Rs 15,00,000 Rs. 1,25,000+25% of total income minus Rs 12,50,000 Nil 4% of income-tax and surcharge
R s 1 5 , 0 0 , 0 0 0 – R s

1,00,00,000

Rs. 1,87,500+30% of total income minus Rs 15,00,000 10% 4% of income-tax and surcharge
R s . 1 , 0 0 , 0 0 , 0 0 0 – R s

2,00,00,000

Rs. 27,37,500+30% of total income minus Rs 1,00,00,000 15% 4% of income-tax and surcharge
R s 2 0 0 , 0 0 , 0 0 0 – R s

500,00,000

Rs. 57,37,500+30% of total income minus Rs 2,00,00,000 25% 4% of income-tax and surcharge
Rs 500,00,000 – above Rs. 1,47,37,500+30% of total income minus Rs 5,00,00,000 37% 4% of income-tax and surcharge
  1.  New provisions are inserted for tax rates in respect of individual or HUF (section 115BAC of the Act)
  • The taxpayer is provided an option to choose before the due date of filing of income tax return, from the newly inserted slab provisions or Tax Slabs under old regime as for the previous year which continue with the exemption model. The tax exemption can be exercised from AY 2021-22.
  • Where the income includes income from business, the option once exercised cannot be withdrawn unless the business ceases to exist. Whereas in other cases i.e. income not including business income, the option is exercisable annually.
  • Rebate under section 87A- a resident individual including senior citizen (whose net income does not exceed Rs. 500,000) continues. It is deductible from income-tax before calculating education cess. The amount of rebate is 100 per cent of income-tax or Rs. 12,500, whichever is less.
  • Maximum surcharge where total income includes income under section 111A, 112A or 115AD is restricted to 15%.
  • No AMT will be chargeable where this provision is opted.
  • The different tax rates for senior citizen or super senior citizen are not applicable under new tax regime.
  • The following exemption cannot be claimed under new regime
Section Type of Exemption
10(5) Leave Travel Concession
10(13A) House Rent Allowance
10(14) Any Special allowance incurred for the purpose of business
10(17) Allowances to MPs/MLAs
10(32) Minor Child Income Inclusion
10(AA) Exemption for SEZ unit contained
16 Standard deduction, deduction for entertainment allowance and employment/ professional tax
24 Interest under section 24 in respect of self-occupied or vacant property referred to in sub-section (2) of section 23.
32(1)(iia) Additional deprecation
32AD Deductions under Investment in New Plant & Machinery in notified backward areas.
33AB Deductions under Tea development a/c, coffee development a/c & rubber development a/c
33ABA Deductions under Site restoration funds.
35 (2AA) Various deduction for donation for or expenditure on scientific research contained in sub-clause (ii) or sub-clause (iia) or sub-clause (iii) of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2AA) of section 35
35AD Deduction in respect of expenditure on specified businesses.
35 CCC Deduction on expenditure on agricultural extension project.
57(iia) Deduction from family pension
Chapter VIA Any deduction under chapter VIA (like section 80C, 80CCC, 80CCD, 80D, 80DD, 80DDB, 80E, 80EE, 80EEA, 80EEB, 80G, 80GG, 80GGA, 80GGC, 80IA, 80-IAB, 80- IAC, 80-IB, 80-IBA, etc).

Firms

 

  • However, deduction under sub-section (2) of section 80CCD (employer contribution on account of employee in notified pension scheme) and section 80JJAA (for new employment) can be claimed.
  • Conveyance Allowance and daily allowance during the performance of duty will be available
  1. A firm is taxable at the rate of 30 percent for the assessment year 2021-22. Surcharge is 12 per cent of income- tax if net income exceeds Rs 1 crore. Health and Education Cess – 4% of income tax inclusive of surcharge.
  2. Alternate minimum tax- Tax payable by firm cannot be less than 18.5 per cent [+SC + (EC+SHEC) or HEC] of “adjusted total income” as per section 115JC.

Corporates

Company AY 2021-22
Where total turnover or gross receipts of the FY 2018-19 does not exceed Rs 400 crore rupees 25%
Company undertaking manufacturing activity post 1 October 2019 under section 115BAA (subject to conditions) 15%
Company undertaking power generation 15%
Other domestic company under section 115BAB (subject to conditions) 22%
Other than domestic company 40%
  1. Corporate Tax Rate

(i) Health and Education Cess continues at 4% on both domestic as well as foreign company.

 

Cooperative society

5.

To extend the reduced tax rates to corporates of 15% or 22%, it is proposed to insert a new provision under section 115BAD to provide a co-operative society resident in India an option to pay tax at 22% for assessment

year 2021-22 onwards.

6.

The other conditions as provided under section 115BAA and section 115BAB will apply to cooperative society

as well.

7.

The surcharge of 10% will be applicable over and above the tax rate.

8.

The alternate minimum tax (“AMT”) payable under 115JC and credit of carry forward AMT under section 115JD will also not apply, if the provisions of 115BAD are opted. If it is not opted by the Cooperative society, the tax

rate of 30% with AMT payable @ 18.5% continue to apply.

Company If net income does not exceed Rs.1 Crore If net income is in the range of Rs.1 Crore – Rs 10 crore If net income exceeds Rs.10 Crore
Domestic Company other than 115BAA or section 115BAB 7%* 12%**
Domestic Company opting for lower rate of 15% or 22% 10%
Foreign Company 2%* 5%**
  1. No change in surcharge rate for corporates

In other cases (including sections 92CE(2) (primary adjustment under transfer pricing), 115-O (dividend distributed), 115QA (buy-back of shares), 115R (distributed income to unit holders), 115TA (distributed income to investors) or 115TD (tax on accreted income of trusts and institutions)), the surcharge shall be levied at the rate of twelve per cent.

*Marginal relief – In the case of a company having a net income of exceed Rs. 1 crore, the amount payable as income-tax and surcharge shall not exceed the total amount payable as income-tax on total income of Rs. 1 crore by more than the amount of income that exceeds Rs. 1 crore.

**Marginal relief – In the case of a company having a net income of exceeding Rs. 10 crore, the amount payable as income-tax and surcharge shall not exceed the total amount payable as income-tax and surcharge on total income of Rs. 10 crore by more than the amount of income that exceed Rs. 10 crore.

  1. Minimum Alternate Tax
If book profit does not exceed Rs. 1 crore If book is in the range of Rs. 1 crore – Rs. 10 crore If book profit exceed Rs. 10 crore
IT SC HEC Total IT SC HEC Total IT SC HEC Total
Domestic company 18.5 0.74 19.24 18.5 1.295 0.7918 20.5868 18.5 2.22 0.8288 21.5488
Foreign company 18.5 0.74 19.24 18.5 0.37 0.7548 19.6248 18.5 0.925 0.777 20.202

New Provisions Other than TDS

Expense in relation to Dividend Income

 

  1. Currently, clause (i) of section 57 of the Act provides that in respect of income from dividends other than dividend under section 115O or interest on securities, commission paid or remuneration to banker or any other person for releasing of dividend can be claimed as an expense.

However, from AY 2021-22 it is proposed to amend section that in respect of dividend income only interest expense upto 20% of the dividend will be allowed including the interest received from domestic company.

Reinstatement of section 80M

  1. Section 80M as it existed before its removal by the Finance Act, 2003 to remove the cascading effect on dividend distributed is reintroduced from AY 2020-21. It provides that where the gross total income of an assessee, being a domestic company, includes any income by way of dividends from a domestic company, a deduction will be available for the dividend received by any other domestic company.
  2. The deduction of the dividend received by the other company shall be restricted to the extent of the dividend

distributed by the domestic company. Further the domestic company claiming such set off shall only be restricted to dividend so received one month prior to the date of filing of return by the recipient domestic company.

  1. The deduction under section 80M shall also be available to the companies opting for the lower tax rate i.e. under section 115BAA @ 15% and section 115BAB @ 22%.

Dividend Distribution Tax Withdrawn

  1. Currently, as per the provisions of section 115O, any amount declared, distributed or paid by a domestic company by way of dividend shall be charged to additional tax. It is applicable whether the dividend is interim or otherwise. Further, the company (or the shareholders) cannot claim any deduction from taxable income in respect of dividend tax levied under section 115 –O. Also, the individual receiving the dividend in excess of 10,00,000 was liable to pay tax on the dividend received in the individual hands.
  2. 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.
  3. It is proposed to exempt the dividend declared, distributed or paid from or after 1 April 2020, which shall be taxable in the hands of the recipient of the dividend from the shares or units of mutual funds (resident or non- resident).

Residential Status

  1. The basic condition of being resident under sub-section 1 of section 6 provides that an individual is said to be a resident in India, if in the previous year individual is
    1. In India for more than 182 days or more or
    2.  60 days in previous year and 365 days or more during the four years immediately preceding the previous year

It is proposed to reduce the number of days from 182 to 120 days in previous year.

  1. Currently, a citizen of India, spending more than 182 days outside India in a previous year is not chargeable to tax in India. However, a proviso is proposed to be inserted under clause (1) of section 6 which intends to tax the citizens of India for the reason of number of days of their stay in India are non-resident in India and are also not liable to tax in any other country or territory by reason of his domicile or residence or any criteria of similar nature.

Thus, if a resident in India is out of India in previous year for more than 120 days (from AY 2021-22) and his income is not liable to tax outside India for any reason, he shall be liable to pay tax on such income in India, irrespective of his residential status in that year in India.

  1. Clause (6) of section 6 provides for the conditions as to when an Individual or HUF can be said to be a “not ordinarily resident” in India in any previous year. Currently, the sub-clause provides two conditions to become resident but not ordinarily resident. The conditions are:
    1. For Individual – He has been resident in India in at least 2 out of 10 years or 730 days in 7 preceding years
    2. For HUF – Manager of HUF has been resident in India in at least 2 out of 10 years or 730 days in 7 preceding years

It is proposed to amend the above two conditions from AY 2021-22 as under:

  • For Individual – Has been a resident in India in 7 out of 10 preceding years
  • For HUF – Manager of HUF has been resident in India in 7 out of 10 preceding years

Incentives to Sovereign Wealth fund or subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority

  1. In order to promote investment of sovereign wealth fund, including the wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), it is proposed to insert a new clause in section 10 to provide exemption 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

  1. The investment shall be required to be made on or before 31 March 2024. Further, there are certain conditions to be fulfilled to claim the exemption which includes that in case of sovereign wealth fund, the assets shall vest in the Government of the foreign country upon dissolution and Its earnings are credited either to the account of the Government of the foreign country or to any other account designated by that Government such that no portion of the earnings inures any benefit to any private person

Expanding the income under Salaries

  1. Currently, sub-clause (vii) of clause 2 of section 17 provides the definition of perquisites provided by the employer as part of salary. It provides that perquisites shall include any contribution to an approved superannuation fund by the employer more than Rs 1.5 lac.

 

  1. From AY 2021-22, it is proposed to amend the sub-clause to include any contribution made to the account of the assessee by the employer which exceeds Rs 7.5 lac instead of Rs 1.5 lac in
  2. a recognised provident fund;
  3. the scheme referred to in sub-section (1) of section 80CCD; and
  4. an approved superannuation fund,
  5. It is further proposed to tax any annual accretion by way of interest, dividend or any other amount on the above contributions as perquisite. The calculation thereof will be prescribed.

Income deemed to accrue or arise in India

Explanation 1 & 2

  1. As per the provisions of section 9 following income accruing or arising to the assessee in any place outside India, whether directly or indirectly would be deemed to accrue or arise in India-
  2. through or from any business connection in India
  3. through or from any property in India
  4. through or from any asset or source of income in India
  5. through the transfer of a capital asset situate in India.

The explanation 1 to the section provides the extent of income chargeable in India through that business connection.

  1. Through Finance Act 2018, the explanation 2A was inserted to define significant economic presence in India. It is proposed to amend explanation 2A the definition from AY 2022-23 as under:
Nature of Transaction Condition
transaction 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 aggregate of payments arising from such transaction or transactions during the previous year exceeds such amount as may be prescribed
systematic and continuous soliciting of business activities or engaging in interaction such number of users in India, as may be prescribed
  1. It is further proposed that the the transactions or activities shall constitute significant economic presence in India, whether or not—
  2. the agreement for such transactions or activities is entered in India; or
  3. the non-resident has a residence or place of business in India; or
  4. the non-resident renders services in India:
  5. The income chargeable in case of business having significant economic presence is proposed to be restricted to income as is attributable to the transactions or activities proposed.
  6. In furtherance to the proposed amendment in the definition of significant economic presence, the computation in explanation 1 is restricted to the business other than the business having significant economic presence

 

Explanation 3A

  1. A new explanation is proposed to be inserted from AY 2021-22 clarifying that income attributable to the operations carried out in India as referred in explanation 1 shall include income from –
    • advertisement which targets a customer who resides in India or a customer who accesses the advertisement through internet protocol address located in India
    • sale of data collected from a person who resides in India or from a person who uses internet protocol address located in India
    • sale of goods or services using data collected from a person who resides in India or from a person who uses internet protocol address located in India

Accordingly, the online giants like Goggle or Facebook which are earning from advertisement through cyber traffic originating from India either on advertisements or sale of data collected from IP used in India is proposed to be chargeable to tax in India.

Charitable or Religious Trust

  1. Continuing with a major compliance requirement, the Hon’ble Finance Minister has amongst a slew of other measures, realigned the benefit accorded to funds trusts, institutions, university, educational institution, hospital or medical institution to the grant of approval by the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner upon an application made in this behalf by the concerned fund or institution.
  2. A new section 12AB is proposed to be inserted specifying the procedure of registration of trusts & institutions. It provides that where the application is made for registration, upon successful passing of the order in writing will be registered for a period of five years. The application for registration shall be rejected only by an order in writing rejecting such application and also cancelling its registration after affording a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
  3. Section 11 with effect from 1 day of June 2020
    • Clause (7) of Section 11 has been proposed to be amended to include registration of trusts or institutions under either 12AA or under the newly inserted sec 12AB.
    • The trust/institutions whose registration has become inoperative under the 12AA, may apply to get its registration operative under section 12AB.
  4. Section 12A
    • The conditions for allowability of Section 11 & Section 12 are proposed to be amended. In sub – section (1), a new clause (ac) is inserted as follows:
  • where the trust or institution is registered under section 12A /12AA, within three months from the date on which the clauses has come into force;
  • where the trust or institution is registered under section 12AB and the period of the said registration is due to expire, at least six months prior to expiry of the said period;
  • where the trust or institution has been provisionally registered under section 12AB, at least six months prior to expiry of period of the provisional registration or within six months of commencement of its activities, whichever is earlier;
  • where registration of the trust or institution has become inoperative due to the first proviso to sub- section (7) of section 11, at least six months prior to the commencement of the assessment year from which the said registration is sought to be made operative;
  • within a period of 30 days from any modification / adoption of objects, where undertaken.
  •  in any other case, at least one month prior to the commencement of the previous year relevant to the assessment year from which the said registration is sought,
  1. Section 12AA of the Act which currently provides for procedure of registration is proposed to be omitted on or after the 1st day of June, 2020.”
  2. Filing of statement of donation by donee to cross-check claim of donation by donor.
    • At present, there is no reporting obligation by the exempt entity receiving donation/ any sum in respect of such donation/ sum. It is proposed the entities receiving donation/ sum may be made to furnish a statement in respect thereof, and to issue a certificate to the donor/ payer and the claim for deduction to the donor/ payer may be allowed on that basis only.
    • The entities receiving donation/ sum may be made to furnish a statement in respect thereof, and to issue a certificate to the donor/ payer and the claim for deduction to the donor/ payer may be allowed on that basis only. In order to ensure proper filing of the statement, levy of a fee and penalty may also be provided in cases where there is failure to furnish the statement
  3. An entity making fresh application for approval under clause (23C) of section 10, for registration under section 12AA, for approval under section 80G for receiving donations, shall be provisionally approved or registered for three years on the basis of application without detailed enquiry even in the cases where activities of the entity are yet to begin and then it has to apply again for approval or registration which, if granted, shall be valid from the date of such provisional registration. The application of registration subsequent to provisional registration should be at least six months prior to expiry of provisional registration or within six months of start of activities, whichever is earlier.

Proposed Amendments in Finance Bill – 2020 9

WS & Associates LLP

Certain Activities not to constitute business connection in India

  1. 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. Considering the initial hardships faced by the fund managers, it is proposed to amend as under:
  2. 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
  3. 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 month of its establishment or incorporation.

The above amendment is proposed from AY 2020-21 i.e applicable for FY 2019-20

Significant Economic Presence

  1. It is proposed to defer the applicability of SEP to AY 2022-23 “since discussion on this issue is still going on in G20-OECD BEPS project”, For the purposes of determining SEP of a non-resident in India, threshold for the aggregate amount of payments arising from the specified transactions and for the number of users were required to be prescribed in the Rules. As G20-OECD report is expected by the end of December 2020, “these numbers have not been notified yet.”;

 

  1. The amendment is proposed to be effective from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to AY 2021-22 and subsequent AYs. However, for attribution of income related to SEP transaction or activities the amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2022 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to AY 2022-23 and subsequent AYs.

Amendment of section 44AB

  1. To enable pre-filling of returns in case of persons having income from business or profession, it is required that the tax audit report may be furnished by the said assessees at least one month prior to the due date of filing of return of income
Clause Existing Proposed
44AB (a) (In case of Business turnover limit) 1 crore 5 crore
Condition of cash transaction Not Applicable
  1. Turnover or gross receipts during the previous year, in cash, does not exceed

five per cent.

  1. Payments made including amount incurred for expenditure, in cash, during the previous year does not exceed five per cent.

Aligning purpose of entering into Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) with Multilateral Instrument (MLI)

  1. India has signed the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (commonly referred to as MLI) along with representatives of many countries, which has since been ratified. India has since deposited the Instrument of Ratification to OECD, Paris along with its Final Position in terms of Covered Tax Agreements (CTAs), Reservations, Options and Notifications under the MLI, as a result of which MLI has entered into force for India on 1st October, 2019 and its provisions will be applicable on India’s DTAAs from FY 2020-21 onwards.
  2. In alignment of the above, it is proposed it is proposed to amend clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 90 and clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 90A of the Act so as to provide that the Central Government may enter into an agreement with the Government of any country outside India or specified territory outside India for, inter alia, the avoidance of double taxation of income under the Act and under the corresponding law in force in that country or specified territory, as the case may be, without creating opportunities for non- taxation or reduced taxation through tax evasion or avoidance (including through treaty-shopping arrangements aimed at obtaining reliefs provided in this agreement for the indirect benefit of residents of any other country or territory).

Carry forward and set off of accumulated loss and unabsorbed depreciation in case of amalgamation

  1. Section 72AA of the Act Section 72AA of the Act provides for carry forward of accumulated losses and unabsorbed depreciation allowance in the case of amalgamation of banking company with any other banking institution. However, the benefit is restricted to scheme sanctioned and brought into force by the Central Government under sub-section (7) of section 45 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

 

  1. It is proposed to extend the benefit of this section to amalgamation of,-
  2. One or more corresponding new bank or banks with any other corresponding new bank under a scheme brought into force by the Central Government under section 9 of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970 or under section 9 of the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1980, or both, as the case may be, or
  3. One or more Government company or companies with any other Government company under a scheme sanctioned and brought into force by the Central Government under section 16 of the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972.

Tax Deducted/collected at Source

  1. TDS on Salary – section 192

Currently ESOPs are taxed as perquisites under section 17(2) of the Act read with Rule 3(8)(iii) of the Rules.

Particulars Current Taxability
Tax on perquisite as income from salary at the time of exercise
Tax on income from capital gain at the time of sale.

It is proposed to insert a new Sub- section (1C) to provide a benefit to the ESOPs received from the eligible start-up under 80-IAC, to pay tax on income arising from ESOP within fourteen days of

  1. After expiry of 48 months from end of relevant assessment year or
  2. From the date of sale of Specified equity or sweat equity share or
  3. From the date where the person ceases to be the employees of the start-up

Similar amendments have been proposed in section 191 (for assessee to pay the tax direct in case of no TDS) and in section 156 (for notice of demand) and in section 140A (for calculating self-assessment).

  1. TDS on Dividends- section 194
    • Currently TDS on dividends is applicable where the dividend paid is more than Rs 2,500 at the rates in force. As the dividend was chargeable to tax in the hands of the domestic company declaring, distributing or paying, the rates in force for withholding tax on dividend was Nil.
    • The amendment is proposed to affix the tax rate @ 10% instead of rates in force considering that the dividend will be chargeable to tax in the hands of recipient. It is also proposed to amend the limit of Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000.
  2. TDS on Interest other than interest on securities – Section 194A
    •  Currently Individual or HUF whose Sales or turnover or gross receipts from business exceed 1 crore are liable to withhold taxes under section 194A. Pursuant to the amendment in section 44AB wherein the limit for the tax audit of the MSME is extended to 5 crore, it is proposed to include the following

as well, being liable for withholding taxes:

  • Professionals having sales or turnover of Rs 50 lakh during preceding financial year;
  • Co-Operative Society where the total sales, gross receipts or turnover of the co-operative society exceeds 50 crore rupees during preceding financial year in which interest paid or credited
  1. TDS on payments made by Contractors – Section 194C
    • Similar to the provisions of section 194A, currently Individual or HUF whose Sales or turnover or gross receipts from business exceed 1 crore are liable to withhold taxes under section 194C. Thus, Pursuant to the amendment in section 44AB wherein the limit for the tax audit of the MSME is extended to 5 crore, it is proposed to include the professionals where the gross total income is Rs 50 lakh from the profession during the immediately preceding financial year in which such sum is credited or paid to the account of the contractor.
    • Clause (iv) of the Explanation to section 194C defines “work”. Sub-clause (e) of this definition includes manufacturing or supplying a product according to the requirement or specification of a customer by using material purchased from such customer within the definition.
    • It is further proposed to extend the definition of work under section 194C to provide that in a contract manufacturing, the raw material provided by the assessee or its associate i.e. the related party as defined under section 40A(2b) shall also fall within the purview of the ‘work’ under section 194C. Thus, in case the raw material is provided by the assessee or any of its associates, it will be liable to withhold tax under section 194C of the Act.
  2. The amendment in relation to the change in definition of person liable to withhold tax, post proposed amendment in section 44AB for the limit of tax audit of MSME is also proposed in section 194H, 194I and 194J.
  3. TDS on payments made for Managerial or Consultancy Services

Currently, payment made as fees for technical services covered under section 194J of the Act is liable for withholding of tax @ 10% where the total payment made exceeds Rs 30,000. The term “fees for

technical services” is defined under section 9(1)(viib) of the Act and includes any services in the nature of technical, managerial or consultancy.

It is proposed to amend the tax rate for the payment made for managerial and consultancy services from 10% to 2%. The withholding tax rate for professional services continues at 10%.

  1. Newly Introduced sections for TDS
  2. Section 194K
    • A new section from AY 2021-22, for withholding of tax is proposed 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 10%.
    • Section 194A only covers for the dividend paid by the domestic company. In consonance with the proposed amendment under section 115O and taxing the dividend income in the hands of the recipient, the dividend paid on the Mutual Funds is also proposed to be liable for withholding of tax.

The threshold limit is proposed for Rs 5,000

  1. Section 194O

 

It is proposed to insert a new section 194-O from AY 2021-22 in the Act for withholding tax on payments made by e-commerce operator for sale of goods or provision of service facilitated by it

through its digital or electronic facility or platform.

The TDS is required to be withheld @ 1% of the gross amount of sale or services or both. However, where the amount is paid to Individual or HUF and the amount paid is less than Rs 5 lac and they have furnished their Permanent Account Number (PAN) or Aadhaar number to the e-commerce

operator, no TDS will be withheld.

Where the seller or service provider does not provide PAN, the maximum TDS rate under this

section 1ill be 5% instead of 20% as provided for other section under section 206AA.

Applicable TDS rates for ready reference for AY 2021-22

Section Nature of payment Threshold TDS (Sc:nil

EC nil Shec: nil

192 payment of salary As per slab rates As per slab rates
192A payment of taxable accumulated balance of provident fund 50,000 10
193

a.

b.

Interest on securities

Interest on (a) debentures/securities for money issued by on behalf of any local authority /statutory corporation, (b) listed debentures of a company [not being listed securities in demat form], (c) any security of the central or state Government [ie.8%saving (taxable ) bonds

,2003,and 7.75% Savings (taxable) Bonds ,2018 but not- any other Government security ]

10,000 10
Any other interest on securities (including interest on non listed debentures 10
Section Nature of payment Threshold TDS (Sc:nil

EC nil Shec: nil

194

a.

b.

Deemed dividend under section 2(22)(e) any other dividend

*Payment by any mode to be included

5,000 10

10

194A Interest other than interest on securities

  • Senior Citizen (paid by bank)
  • Any other person
50,000

40,000

10
194BB Winnings from lottery or crossword puzzle or card game or other game of any sort or winning from horse races 10,000 30
194C Payment or credit to a resident contractor/ sub- contractor-

  1. payment/ credit to an individual or a Hindu Undivided family
  2. payment/credit to any person other then an Individual or a Hindu Undivided family
30,000

Single transaction s

100,000

during the year

1

2

194D Insurance commission–

-if recipient as a resident (other then a company)

-if recipient as a domestic company

15,000 5

10

194DA payment in Respect of life insurance policy_

– From june 1,2016

100,000 1
194EE- payment in respect of deposits under National shavingScheme,1987-

-From 1,june 2016

2500 10
194F payment on account of repurchase of units of MF or UTI 20
194G Commission on sale of lottery tickets 15,000 5
194H Commission or brokerage

Now Individual or HUF – Sales or turnover or gross receipts from business exceed 1 crore or 50 lakh in case of profession during preceding financial year shall be liable to deduct income-tax.

15,000 5
194I Rent

a, rent of plant and machinery

b, rent of land or building or furniture or fitting

240,000 5
194IA Payment /credit of consideration to a resident transferor for transfer of any immovable property (other then rural agricultural land) 50,00000 1
194J Professional fees, technical fees, royalty or remuneration to a director or any sum referred to in clause (va) of section 28

  • Technical or consultancy services (not being professional services)
  • Any other case
30,000 2

10

194K Payment in respect on income in respect of –Units of Mutual fund/Administrator/Specified Company 5000 10
194LA Payment of compensation on acquisition of certain immovable property 2,50,000 10
194LBA(

1)

Payment of the nature referred to in section (23FC)(a) by business trust to resident unit holders 10

 

Section Nature of payment Threshold TDS (Sc:nil

EC nil Shec: nil

194LBB Payment in respect of units of investment fund specified in section 115UB 10
194LBC(

1)

Payment in respect of an investment in a securitization trust specified in clause (d) of the Explanation occurring after section 115TCA (with effect from june 1, 2016)-

-Individual or a Hindu undivided family

-Any other person

25

30

194LC
  1. interest paid to non-residents on the borrowings before 1st July, 2023 by way of issue of any long-term infrastructure bond
  2. interest payable to a non-resident on borrowings by way of long term bond or RDB before 1 July 2023
5

4

194O Payment of certain sums by e-commerce operator to e- commerce participants Rs 5,00,000 if

payment made to Individual or HUF

1
195 Payment/ credit of other sums As per relevant clause
196C Payment /credit of interest of foreign currency bonds or GDR 10
196D Payment /credit of income from securities (not being dividend, short term or long-term capital gain) to FII 20
  1.  Newly Introduced clauses for TCS – section 206C
  2. Clause 1G
    • In order to widen and deepen the tax net, it is proposed to insert a new sub-section (1G) in the said section 206C to levy TCS on
      • overseas remittance under the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (“LRS”) of the Reserve Bank of India from a buyer;
      • for sale of overseas tour package,
    • Under the LRS, all resident individuals, including minors, are allowed to freely remit up to USD 2,50,000 per financial year (April – March) for any permissible current or capital account transaction or a combination of both. It is proposed to collect TCS @ 5% where the payment exceeds seven lakh rupees or more, in a financial year for remittance out of India under the LRS of RBI. However, where the PAN/Aadhaar is not provided, the tax rate will be 10% instead of 5%.
    • Further, a seller of an overseas tour program package who receives any amount from any buyer of a tur package is also proposed to withhold TCS @ 5%.
    • However, no TCS is to be collected, if the buyer is liable to deduct TDS under any provision of the Act and has deducted such amount.
  3. Clause 1H
  • A new clause is proposed for withholding of TCS on the sale of goods above Rs 50 lakh, other than the goods covered in sub-section (1) or sub-section (1F) i.e. sale of motor vehicle exceeding 10 lac or (1G) i.e. tour packages or remittance under LRS above Rs 7 lac, section 206C to levy TCS on sale of goods, as under:
  • motor vehicle exceeding 10 lac or (1G) i.e. tour packages or remittance under LRS above Rs 7 lac, section 206C to levy TCS on sale of goods, as under:
Limits Percentage Applicable Non- PAN/Aadhaar Cases
Above Rs 50 Lacs. 0.1 per cent on consideration received 1% on consideration received
  • Only those sellers whose total sales, gross receipts or turnover from the business carried on by it exceed ten crore rupees during the financial year immediately preceding the financial year, shall be liable to collect such TCS.
  1. The amendment in relation to the change in definition of person liable to collect tax, post proposed amendment in section 44AB for the limit of tax audit of MSME is also proposed in section 206C.
  2. The section 203AA which provides for issuance of form 16 /16A post withholding and deposit of TDS by the deductor is proposed to be omitted from 1 June 2020. Thus, the deductor will not be liable to issue any certificate to the deductee. However, a new section 285BB is proposed to be inserted wherein the person authorized by the income tax authority shall upload such statement (to be prescribed) on the online portal.

Clarificatory Amendments and Others

  1. The definition of “Royalty” under section 9(1)(vi) of the Act is proposed to be amended to withdraw the exemption provided to the income from sale, distribution or exhibition of cinematographic films.

 

  1. Amendment in section 35AD is proposed to align with section 115ABA and 115ABB to provide an option to the assessee to opt for the benefit of 100% of the capital expenditure.
  2. 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. It is proposed to extend the period of period of sanctioning of loan by the financial institution is proposed to be extended to 31st March, 2021.
  3. 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. the period of approval of the project by the competent authority is proposed to be extended to 31st March, 2021
  4. The current provisions under section 80-IAC allows a start up exemption of 100% of its profits for 3 consecutive years out of 7 years from its incorporation where the eligible start-up is incorporated on or after 1 April 2016 but before 1 April 2021. The period of 7 years is proposed to be extended to 10 years provided the turnover of the start-up does not increase 100 crore rupees in any of the years since incorporation.
  5. It is proposed to amend section 92CB and section 92CC of the Act to cover determination of attribution to PE within the scope of Safe Harbor Rules and Advance Pricing Agreement. 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
  6. It is proposed to amend the due date for filing the return of income from 30 September (in case of no international transaction) to 31 October companies / other persons who are required to get their accounts audited.
  7. Provisions of section 10, section 10A, section 12A, section 32AB, section 33AB, section 33ABA, section 35D, section 35E, section 44AB, section 44DA, section 50B, section 80-IA, section 80-IB, section 80JJAA, section 92F, section 115JB, section 115JC and section 115VW of the Act are proposed to be amended for filing of audit reports before one month of filing of return.
  8. It is proposed to increase in safe harbour limit of 5% to 10% under section 43CA (Special provision for full value of consideration for transfer of assets other than capital assets), section 50C (Special provision for full value of consideration for transfer of Land & Building) and section 56 (income from other sources including income from immovable property) of the Act to 10 per cent
  9. The Provision of section 115A has been proposed to be amended, to exempt filling of return where taxes on Royalty and FTS are paid and has been deducted in India at a rate not less then prescribed in the section
  10. A new section 119A is proposed to be entered to empower the Central Board of Direct Taxes to adopt and declare a Taxpayer’s Charter and issue such orders, instructions, directions or guidelines to other income- tax authorities as it may deem fit for the administration of such Charter.
  11. The provisions of section 144C for filing application before Dispute Resolution panel are proposed to be amended to include non-resident assessee other company and foreign company. Further, it is also proposed to amend the provisions to increase the scope of section from variation in income or loss of the assessee, to any variation (including expenses as well).

 

  1. Similar to the introduction of e-assessment in previous finance Act, the proposals are made for e-appeal by introducing sub-section (6A) in section 250 of the Act to notify an e-appeal scheme for disposal of appeal.
  2. For the ease of the compliance it is proposed to amend section 140 (return by whom to be verified) and section 288 (appearance by authorized representative)
Company Company LLP LLP Section 288 Section 288
Existing Proposed Existing Proposed Existing Subsection 2
MD or MD is not able to verify for any unavoidable reason or where there is no MD, any director of the company. by the insolvency professional appointed by such AA It is proposed to amend above clause to enable any other person prescribed by the Board to verify the return of income. By the designated partner of the LLP or by any partner, in case there is no such designated partner It is proposed to amend above clause to enable any other person prescribed by the Board to verify the return of income.
  • Person related to assessee
  • Legal practitioner
  • Accountant
It is proposed to amend to enable any other person, as may be prescribed by the

Board, to appear as an authorized representative

Indirect Tax Chapter

Custom Act, 1962

As the finance minister indicated in her speech, the amendments to The Customs Act, 1962 (hereinafter referred as “the Customs Act”)are focused towards, restricting claims under free trade agreements posing threats to the domestic industry, strengthening provisions relating to the safeguard duties applied when surge in imports cause serious injury to domestic industry and strengthening the anti-dumping provisions . Following is a brief overview of the proposed amendments to the Customs Act:

  1. Proposed amendment to Section 11 (2) (f), to substitute the words “gold or silver” with the words “good, silver or any other goods”.

Section 11 deals with Central government’s power to prohibit import or export of goods and the clause (f) to sub-section (2) specifically deals with such prohibition with the purpose of prevention of serious injury to the economy of the country by uncontrolled import or export.

  1. Proposed substitution of the Explanation 4 to Section 28, by the following explanation with effect from 29 March 2018:

“For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any judgment, decree or order of the Appellate Tribunal or any Court or in any other provision of this Act or the rules or regulations made thereunder, or in any other law for the time being in force, in cases where notice has been issued for non-levy, short-levy, non-payment, short-payment or erroneous refund, prior to the 29th day of March, 2018, being the date of commencement of the Finance Act, 2018, such notice shall continue to be governed by the provisions of section 28 as it stood immediately before such date.”

The Explanation 4 currently reads as:

“For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that in cases where notice has been issued for non-levy, not paid, short-levy or short-paid or erroneous refund after the 14th day of May, 2015, but before the date on which the Finance Bill, 2018 receives the assent of the President, they shall continue to be governed by the provisions of section 28 as it stood immediately before the date on which such assent is received.”

  1. Following proposed amendments to In Section 28AAA (1):
  • Substitution of the words “by such person”, by “or any other law, or any scheme of the Central Government, for the time being in force, by such person”
  • Insertion of the after the words “or regulations” after the words “the rules”
  • Substitution of the words “with respect to”, by “or duty credit issued under section 51B, with respect to” in Explanation 1

Section 28AAA, deals with recovery of duties in cases, where an instrument issued to a person has been obtained by him by means of collusion, willful misstatement or suppression of facts and such instrument is utilized under the provisions of the Customs Act or rules made or notifications issued thereunder by a person other than the person to whom such instrument was issued. The duty relatable to such utilisation of instrument shall be deemed never to have been exempted or debited and such duty shall be recovered from the person to whom the said instrument was issued.

Further, the Explanation 1 defines instrument to mean any scrip or authorisation or licence or certificate or such other document, by whatever name called, issued under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, with respect to a reward or incentive scheme or duty exemption scheme or duty remission scheme or such other scheme bestowing financial or fiscal benefits, which may be utilised under the provisions of the Customs Act or the rules made or notifications issued thereunder.

  1. Proposed insertion of a new Chapter VAA dealing with “Administration Of Rules Of Origin Under Trade Agreement” in the Customs Act. The chapter prescribes the procedure to be followed for:
  • claiming preferential rate of duty under any trade agreement
  • verification of such claim by the proper officer, which may result in suspension or disallowance of such claim
  • refusal of preferential tariff treatment, without verification under specified circumstances
  1. The heading for the Chapter VIIA (Payments through electronic cash ledger) of the Customs Act has been proposed to be amended and read as “Payments through electronic cash ledger and electronic duty credit ledger
  2. Proposed insertion of a new Section 51B, under which the Central Government can issue notifications to specify the manner in which it shall issue duty credit,-
    1. in lieu of remission of any duty or tax or levy, chargeable on any material used in the manufacture or processing of goods or for carrying out any operation on such goods in India that are exported; or
    2. in lieu of such other financial benefit subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified therein.

Such duty credit shall be maintained in the customs automated system in the form of an electronic duty credit ledger of the person who is the recipient of such duty credit and may be used by the person to whom it is issued or the person to whom it is transferred, towards making payment of duties payable under the Customs Act or under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, subject to such prescribed conditions and restrictions.

  1. Proposed insertion of the following sub-clause under Section 111 of the Customs Act:

“(q) any goods imported on a claim of preferential rate of duty which contravenes any provision of Chapter VAA or any rule made thereunder.”

Section 111 deals with confiscation of goods and conveyances and imposition of penalties Chapter VAA is the newly proposed chapter for “Administration Of Rules Of Origin Under Trade Agreement”.

  1. Proposed insertion of the following sub-clause under Section 156 of the Customs Act:

“(i) the form, time limit, manner, circumstances, conditions, restrictions and such other matters for carrying out the provisions of Chapter VAA.”

Section 156 deals with the general powers to make rules and Chapter VAA is the newly proposed chapter for “Administration Of Rules Of Origin Under Trade Agreement”.

  1. Proposed insertion of the following sub-clause under Section 157 (2) of the Customs Act:

“(i) the form, time limit, manner, circumstances, conditions, restrictions and such other matters for carrying out the provisions of Chapter VAA.”

Section 157 deals with the general powers to make regulations and Chapter VAA is the newly proposed chapter for “Administration Of Rules Of Origin Under Trade Agreement”.

Customs Tariff Act, 1975

  1. Section 8B of The Customs Tariff Act, 1975 (hereinafter referred to as ‘CTA’) , which deals with the powers of the central government to impose safeguard duty has been proposed to be substituted, with a new section.

The current section allowed the Central government, if it was satisfied that an article is being imported into India in such increased quantities and under such conditions so as to cause or threaten to cause injury to domestic industry, to only impose safeguard duties.

The proposed amendment now grants additional powers to the Central Government to apply such safeguard measures, as it may deem fit, including application of tariff-rate quota or such other measure, as considered appropriate. The proposed section also provides guidance on the level of the tariff-rate quote and allocation thereof to the supplying countries.

  1.  The Standard rates of custom duty, as specified under the First Schedule of CTA, has been proposed to be amended as follows, with effect from 1 April 2020:
Tariff Item Description of goods Standard Rate of duty
Existing Proposed
0802 32 00 Almonds (Shelled and Chestnuts) 30% 100%
3824 99 00 Prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores; Chemical products and preparations of the Chemical or allied industries (including those Consisting of mixtures of natural products), Not elsewhere specified or included 10% 17.5%
6401 waterproof footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or of plastics, the uppers of which are neither fixed to the sole nor assembled by stitching, riveting, nailing, screwing, plugging or similar processes 25% 35%
6402 other footwear with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics 25% 35%
6403 footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of leather 25% 35%
6404 footwear with outer soles of rubber, plastics, leather or composition leather and uppers of textile material 25% 35%
6405 other footwear 25% 35%
6702 artificial flowers, foliage and fruit and parts thereof; articles made of artificial flowers, foliage or fruit 10% 20%
6911 10 11 Tableware of bone china and soft porcelain 10% 20%
6911 10 19 Tableware, others 10% 20%
6911 10 21 kitchenware, of bone china and soft porcelain 10% 20%
6911 10 29 kitchenware, others 10% 20%
6911 90 20 Water filters of a capacity not exceeding 40 litres 10% 20%
6911 90 90 tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles, of porcelain or china, others 10% 20%
Tariff Item Description of goods Standard Rate of duty
Existing Proposed
6912 00 10 Ceramic tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles, other than of porcelain or china : Tableware 10% 20%
6912 00 20 Ceramic tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles, other than of porcelain or china : Kitchenware 10% 20%
6912 00 40 Ceramic tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles, other than of porcelain or china:Clay articles 10% 20%
6912 00 90 Ceramic tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles, other than of porcelain or china: Others 10% 20%
7013 Glassware of a kind used for table, kitchen, toilet, office, indoor decoration or similar purposes (other than that of heading 7010 or 7018) 10% 20%
7018 10 20 Glass beads, imitation pearls, imitation precious or semi-precious stones and similar glass smallwares: Beads 10% 20%
7118 Coin 10% 12.5%
7323 table, kitchen or other household articles and parts thereof, of iron or steel; iron or steel wool; pot scourers and scouring or polishing pads, gloves and the like, of iron or steel 15% 20%
7418 10 Table, kitchen or other household articles and parts thereof; Pot scourers and scouring or polishing pads, gloves and the like: 10% 20%
7615 10 Table, kitchen or other household articles and parts thereof; pot scourers and scouring or polishing pads, gloves and the like: Pressure cookers, solar collectors: 10% 20%
8301 10 00 padlocks and locks (key, combination or electrically operated), of base metal; clasps and frames with clasps, incorporating locks, of base metal; keys for any of the foregoing articles, of base metal – padlocks 10% 20%
8301 30 00 padlocks and locks (key, combination or electrically operated), of base metal; clasps and frames with clasps, incorporating locks, of base metal; keys for any of the foregoing articles, of base metal – Locks of a kind used for furniture 10% 20%
8301 40 10 padlocks and locks (key, combination or electrically operated), of base metal; clasps and frames with clasps, incorporating locks, of base metal; keys for any of the foregoing articles, of base metal: Combination locks 10% 20%
8301 40 90 padlocks and locks (key, combination or electrically operated), of base metal; clasps and frames with clasps, incorporating locks, of base metal; keys for any of the foregoing articles, of base metal: Others 10% 20%
8301 50 00 padlocks and locks (key, combination or electrically operated), of base metal; clasps and frames with clasps, incorporating locks, of base metal; keys for any of the foregoing articles, of base metal: Clasps and frames with clasps, incorporating – locks 10% 20%
8301 60 00 padlocks and locks (key, combination or electrically operated), of base metal; clasps and frames with clasps, incorporating locks, of base metal; keys for any of the foregoing articles, of base metal: Parts 10% 20%
8301 70 00 padlocks and locks (key, combination or electrically operated), of base metal; clasps and frames with clasps, incorporating locks, of base metal; keys for any of the foregoing articles, of base metal: – Keys presented separately 10% 20%

 

Tariff Item Description of goods Standard Rate of duty
Existing Proposed
8304 00 00 filing, cabinets, card-index cabinets, paper – trays, paper rests, pen trays, office-stamp stands and similar office or desk equipment, of base metal, other than office furniture of heading 9403 10% 20%
8305 fittings for loose-leaf binders or files, letter clips, letter corners, paper clips, indexing tags and similar office articles, of base metal; staples in strips (for example, for offices, upholstery, packaging), of base metal 10% 20%
8306 bells, gongs and the like, non-electric, of base metal; statuettes and other ornaments, of base metal; photograph, picture or similar frames, of base metal; mirrors of base metal 10% 20%
8310 Sign-plates, name-plates, address-plates and Similar plates, numbers, letters and other Symbols, of base metal, excluding those of Heading 9405 10% 20%
8414 30 00 Compressors of a kind used in refrigerating equipment 10% 12.5%
8414 51 40 Table, floor, wall, window, ceiling or roof fans, with a self-contained electric motor of an output not exceeding 125 W: Railway carriage fans 7.5% 10%
8414 51 90 Table, floor, wall, window, ceiling or roof fans, with a self-contained electric motor of an output not exceeding 125 W: Other 7.5% 20%
8414 59 10 Air circulator 7.5% 10%
8414 59 30 Industrial fans and blowers 7.5% 10%
8414 59 90 Air or vacuum pumps, air or other gas compressors and fans; ventilating or recycling hoods incorporating a fan, whether or not fitted with filters : other 7.5% 10%
8414 59 20 Blowers, portable 7.5% 20%
8414 80 11 Table, floor, wall, window, ceiling or roof fans, with a self-contained electric motor of an output not exceeding 125 W: Gas compressors of a kind used in air-conditioning equipment 10% 12.5%
8418 10 10 Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or freezing equipment, electric or other; heat pumps other than air conditioning machines of heading 8412.5: Commercial type 7.5% 15%
8418 30 10 Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or freezing equipment, electric or other; heat pumps other than air conditioning machines of heading 8412.5: Commercial type electrical 7.5% 15%
8418 30 90 Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or freezing equipment, electric or other; heat pumps other than air conditioning machines of heading 8412.5: Other 10% 15%
8418 40 10 Freezers of the upright type, not exceeding 900 l capacity- Electrical 7.5% 15%
8418 40 90 Freezers of the upright type, not exceeding 900 l capacity- Other 7.5% 15%
8418 50 00 Other furniture (chests, cabinets, display counters, show-cases and the like) for storage and display, incorporating or freezing equipment – Other refrigerating or freezing equipment; heat pumps : 7.5% 15%
8418 61 00 Heat pumps other than air-conditioning machines of heading 8415 7.5% 15%
Tariff Item Description of goods Standard Rate of duty
Existing Proposed
8418 69 10 Ice making machinery 7.5% 15%
8418 69 20 Water cooler 10% 15%
8418 69 30 Vending machine, other than automatic vending machine 10% 15%
8418 69 40 Refrigeration equipment or devices specially used in leather industries for manufacturing of leather articles 7.5% 15%
8418 69 50 Refrigerated farm tanks, industrial ice cream freezer 7.5% 15%
8418 69 90 refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or freezing equipment, electric or other; heat pumps other than air conditioning machines of heading 8412.5: Others 7.5% 15%
8419 89 10 Pressure vessels, reactors, columns or towers or chemical storage tanks 7.5% 10%
8421 39 20 air purifiers or cleaners 10% 15%
8421 39 90 centrifuges, including centrifugal dryers; filtering or purifying machinery and apparatus, for liquids or gases: Others 10% 15%
8504 40 10 Electric inverter 15% 20%
8504 40 21 Dip bridge rectifier 10% 20%
8504 40 29 Static converters: Others 15% 20%
8504 40 30 Battery chargers 15% 20%
8504 40 40 Voltage regulator and stabilizers (other than automatic) 15% 20%
8504 40 90 Static converters: Others 15% 20%
8509 40 10 electro-mechanical domestic appliances, with self contained electric motor, other than vacuum cleaners of heading 8508 : Food grinders 10% 20%
8509 40 90 electro-mechanical domestic appliances, with self contained electric motor, other than vacuum cleaners of heading 8508 : Other 10% 20%
8509 80 00 electro-mechanical domestic appliances, with self contained electric motor, other than vacuum cleaners of heading 8508 : Other appliances 10% 20%
8510 10 00 shavers, hair clippers and hair-removing appliances, with self- contained electric motor: Shavers 10% 20%
8510 20 00 shavers, hair clippers and hair-removing appliances, with self- contained electric motor: Hair clippers 10% 20%
8510 30 00 Hair-removing appliances 10% 20%
8515 11 00 Soldering irons and guns 7.5% 10%
8515 19 00 electric (including electrically heated gas),laser or other light or photobeam, ultrasonic, electron beam, magnetic pulse or plasma arc soldering, brazing or welding machines and apparatus, whether or not capable of cutting; electric machines and apparatus for hot spraying of metals or cermets: Other 7.5% 10%
8515 21 10 Automatic spot welding machinery 7.5% 10%

 

Tariff Item Description of goods Standard Rate of duty
Existing Proposed
8515 21 20 Automatic butt welding machinery 7.5% 10%
8515 21 90 electric (including electrically heated gas),laser or other light or photobeam, ultrasonic, electron beam, magnetic pulse or plasma arc soldering, brazing or welding machines and apparatus, whether or not capable of cutting; electric machines and apparatus for hot spraying of metals or cermets: Other 7.5% 10%
8515 29 00 electric (including electrically heated gas),laser or other light or photobeam, ultrasonic, electron beam, magnetic pulse or plasma arc soldering, brazing or welding machines and apparatus, whether or not capable of cutting; electric machines and apparatus for hot spraying of metals or cermets: Other 7.5% 10%
8515 31 00 Fully or partly automatic 7.5% 10%
8515 39 10 AC arc welding machinery 7.5% 10%
8515 39 20 Argon arc welding machinery 7.5% 10%
8515 39 90 Machines and apparatus for arc (including plasma arc) welding of metals: Other 7.5% 10%
8515 80 10 High-frequency plastic welding machine 7.5% 10%
8515 80 90 Other machines and apparatus: 7.5% 10%
8516 10 00 Electric instantaneous or storage water heaters and immersion heaters 10% 20%
8516 21 00 Storage heating radiators 10% 20%
8516 29 00 Electric space heating apparatus and electric soil heating apparatus 10% 20%
8516 31 00 Hair dryers 10% 20%
8516 32 00 Other hair-dressing apparatus 10% 20%
8516 33 00 Hand-drying apparatus 10% 20%
8516 40 00 Electric smoothing irons 10% 20%
8516 60 00 Other ovens; cookers, cooking plates, boiling rings, grillers and roasters 10% 20%
8516 71 00 Coffee or tea makers 10% 20%
8516 72 00 Toasters 10% 20%
8516 79 10 Electro-thermic fluid heaters 10% 20%
8516 79 20 Electrical or electronic devices for repelling insects (for example, mosquitoes or other similar kind of insects) 10% 20%
8516 79 90 electric instantaneous or storage water heaters and immersion heaters; electric space heating apparatus and soil heating apparatus; electro-thermic hair-dressing apparatus (for example, hair dryers, hair curlers, curling tong heaters) and hand dryers; electric smoothing irons; other electro-thermic appliances of a kind used for domestic purposes; electric heating resistors, other than those of heading 8545 10% 20%
8516 80 00 Electric heating resistors 10% 20%

 

Tariff Item Description of goods Standard Rate of duty
Existing Proposed
8517 70 10 populated, loaded or stuffed printed circuit boards 10% 20%
9401 seats (other than those of heading 9402), whether or not convertible into beds, and parts thereof 20% 25%
9403 other furniture and parts thereof 20% 25%
9404 mattress supports; articles of bedding and similar furnishing (for example, mattresses, quilts, eiderdowns, cushions, pouffes and pillows) fitted with springs or stuffed or internally fitted with any material or of cellular rubber or plastics, whether or not covered 20% 25%
9405 lamps and lighting fittings including searchlights and spotlights and parts thereof, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated signs, illuminated name-plates and

the like, having a permanently fixed light source, and parts thereof not elsewhere specified or included

20% 25%
9503 tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls’ carriages; dolls; other toys; reduced-size (“scale”) models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds 20% 60%
9603 brooms, brushes (including brushes constituting parts of machines, appliances or vehicles), hand operated mechanical floor sweepers, not motorised, mops and feather dusters; prepared knots and tufts for broom or brush making; paint pads and rollers; squeegees (other than roller squeegees) 10% 20%
9604 00 00 hand sieves and hand riddles 10% 20%
9615 combs, hair-slides and the like, hairpins, curling pins, curling grips, hair-curlers and the like, other than those of heading 8516, and parts thereof 10% 20%
9617 vacuum flasks and other vacuum vessels, complete with cases; parts thereof other than glass inner 10% 20%
  • registered persons engaged in making any supply of services through an electronic commerce operator who is required to collect tax at source under the CGST Act

 

  1. Proposed amendment to Section 2 (14), the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as the CGST Act), which defines “Union Territory”. The proposed amendment seeks to include the new formed Union Territory of Ladakh within the purview of the CGST Act.
  2. Proposed amendment to the Section 10 (2)(b)/(c) and (d), of the CGST Act for insertion of words “or services” after the words “of goods”.

Section 10(2) deals with the eligibility conditions for the registered persons to opt for the Composition levy scheme. As per the proposed amendment, the following registered persons shall become ineligible to opt for the composition scheme:

    • registered persons engaged in making supply of services, which are not leviable to tax under the CGST Act
    • registered persons engaged in making any inter-state supply of services

Central Goods and Services Tax

Proposed Amendments in Finance Bill – 2020 25

WS & Associates LLP

  1. Proposed amendment to Section 16 (2) of the CGST Act, to omit the words “invoice relating to such”.

Section 16 (4) provides the time limit for availment of input tax credit (‘ITC’) in respect of any invoice or debit note for supply of goods or services or both. Under the current scenario, ITC in respect of a debit note could be not be availed after:

    • the due date of furnishing of the return under section 39 (GSTR3/3B) for the month of September following the end of financial year to which invoice relating to such debit note pertains to, or
    • furnishing of the relevant annual return, whichever is earlier.

As per the proposed amendment, the ITC for a debit note can be availed based on the financial year to which the debit note pertains to, instead of the financial year to which the invoice, for the debit note pertains to.

  1. Proposed amendments to the Section 29 (1) (c) of the CGST Act, to be substituted with the following:

“(c) the taxable person is no longer liable to be registered under section 22 or section 24 or intends to opt out of the registration voluntarily made under sub-section (3) of section 25:”

Section 29 deals with the cancellation of the registration and as per the proposed amendment, any registered person, who though was not liable to be registered under the provisions of the CGST Act, chose to register voluntarily, can apply to the proper officer for cancellation of such registration.

  1.  Proposed substitution of proviso to Section 30 (1), with the following:

“Provided that such period may, on sufficient cause being shown, and for reasons to be recorded in writing, be extended,–

  1. by the Additional Commissioner or the Joint Commissioner, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding thirty days;
  2. by the Commissioner, for a further period not exceeding thirty days, beyond the period specified in clause (a).”

Section 30(1) deals with revocation of cancellation of registration. Under the current scenario, an application for revocation of cancellation is required to be made within 30 days from the date of service of cancellation order. As per the proposed amendment, the Additional Commissioner or the Joint Commissioner can extend the due date for such application for a period not exceeding 30 days. In addition, the Commissioner may extend the due date for a further period not exceeding 30 days.

  1. Proposed substitution of proviso to Section 31 (2), with the following:

“Provided that the Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, by notification,–

  1. specify the categories of services or supplies in respect of which a tax invoice shall be issued, within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed;
  2. subject to the condition mentioned therein, specify the categories of services in respect of which–
    1. any other document issued in relation to the supply shall be deemed to be a tax invoice; or
    2. tax invoice may not be issued.”

Section 31 sub-section (2) deals with the issuance of tax invoices. While under the current provisions, the government could have specified a prescribed period for issuance of tax invoice in respect of the

registered persons, the proposed amendment seeks to allow the Government to specify the category of services or supplies and prescribe the time period for issuance of tax invoice in respect of such category. In effect, a different time period may now be prescribed for different categories of services or supplies.

  1. Proposed amendment to the Section 51 of the CGST Act, for substitution of sub-section (3) with “A certificate of tax deduction at source shall be issued in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed.” and omission of sub-section (4).

Section 51(3) dealt with issuance of certificate of tax deducted at source and Section 51 (4) prescribed late fees on delay in issuance of such certificate. While under the current scenario, the act specified the details to be included in such certificate, the proposed amendment omits such details from the act and also deletes the clause for the late fees. In effect, the form and manner in which the TDS certificate is to be issued shall be separately prescribed.

  1. Proposed amendment to the Section 109 (6), for omission of words “except for the State of Jammu and Kashmir” and omission of the proviso.

Section 109(6) deals with constitution of the Appellate Tribunal and benches thereof by the Central Government, which so far, excluded creation of Appellate tribunal in State of Jammu and Kashmir and provided for State Appellate Tribunal constituted under the Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017. The proposed amendment omits such exclusion, now that Jammu & Kashmir is a union territory.

  1.  Proposed insertion of new sub-section 1A to section 122, which reads as follows:

“(1A) Any person who retains the benefit of a transaction covered under clauses (i), (ii), (vii) or clause (ix) of sub-section (1)and at whose instance such transaction is conducted, shall be liable to a penalty of an amount equivalent to the tax evaded or input tax credit availed of or passed on.”

Section 122 deals with penalties for certain offences and provided for a penalty upto a maximum of Rs. 10,000. The proposed amendment, seeks to remove this cap and provides for a penalty equivalent to the tax evaded or input tax credit availed of or passed on. The specified offences are as follows:

    • supplies any goods or services or both without issue of any invoice or issues an incorrect or false invoice with regard to any such supply;
    • issues any invoice or bill without supply of goods or services or both in violation of the provisions of the CGST Act or the rules made thereunder;
    • takes or utilises input tax credit without actual receipt of goods or services or both either fully or partially, in contravention of the provisions of the CGST Act or the rules made thereunder
    • takes or distributes input tax credit in contravention of section 20, or the rules made thereunder
  1. Proposed amendment to Section 132 (1) of the CGST Act, for:
    • Substitution of the words “Whoever commits any of the following offences”, with the words “Whoever commits, or causes to commit and retain the benefits arising out of, any of the following offences’’
    • Substitution of clause (c), with “(c) avails input tax credit using the invoice or bill referred to in clause

(b) or fraudulently avails input tax credit without any invoice or bill

    • and omission of words “, fraudulently avails input tax credit” is sub-clause (e)

Section 132 (1) deals with punishment of certain offences. The proposed amendment seeks to expand the scope of this section and make the persons who cause to commit and retain the benefit of the offence to also be liable to such punishments, in addition to person committing such offence.

  1. Proposed amendments to Section 140 of the CGST Act, with effect from 1 July 2017, to include the words “within such time” in the various sub-sections.

Section 140, deals with the transitional arrangements for input tax credit and the proposed amendments seek to allow the Central Government to prescribe the time period within which the transitional credits may be availed.

  1. Proposed amendments to Section 168 (2), for substitution for the words, brackets and figures “sub-section
  2. of section 66, sub-section (1) of section 143”, the words, brackets and figures “sub-section (1) of section 143, except the second proviso thereof”

The Section 168 deals with the powers to issue instructions and directions and the sub-section provided that Commissioner as specified under various sections shall mean a Commissioner or Joint Secretary posted in the Board (Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs). The proposed amendment seeks to reduce the powers vested in the Commissioner or Joint secretary of the board to:

    • determine the expenses of examination and audit of records, including of remuneration of the chartered accountant or cost accountant, for the special audit
    • specify goods, which the principal may supply from the place of business of job worker, without declaring it as his additional place of business.
  1. Proposed amendment to the proviso of Section 172 (1), for substitution of the words “three years” with the words “five years”.

Section 172 authorises the Central government, on recommendation of the GST Council, to issue removal of difficulty orders with regard to any provisions relating to any provisions of the CGST Act. Such orders can, however, not be issued after the expiry of three years from the commencement of the CGST act.

It has now been proposed, to allow the Central Government to issue such orders upto the expiry of five years from the commencement of the CGST act.

  1. Proposed amendments to Schedule II of the CGST Act, for omission of the words “whether or not for a consideration” with effect from 1 July 2017.

The Schedule II deals with the “Activities to be treated as supply of goods and services”. In the current scenario, transfer of business assets, even if without a consideration, was treated as a supply of goods or services where:

    • goods forming part of the assets of a business are transferred or disposed of by or under the directions of the person carrying on the business so as no longer to form part of those assets
    • by or under the direction of a person carrying on a business, goods held or used for the purposes of the business are put to any private use or are used, or made available to any person for use, for any purpose other than a purpose of the business

The proposed amendment seeks to exclude the transfer of assets in the above state scenarios from the scope of Schedule II, when such transfers are made without a consideration. It is noteworthy, that as per Section 7 of the CGST Act, only the transactions specified in Schedule I are treated as supply even if made without consideration.

  1. Proposed retrospective exemption from, or levy or collection of, central tax in following cases:
Heading Description E x i s t i n g Rate R e v i s e d Rate Effective Date
2301 supply of fishmeal 2.5% Nil 1st day of July, 2017

and ending with the 30th day of September, 2019 (both days inclusive)

8483 supply of pulley, wheels and other parts 14% 6% 1st day of July, 2017 and ending with the 31stday of December, 2018 (both days inclusive).
8432, 8433

and 8436

used as

parts of agricul tural machinery

14% 6%

Further, it is proposed that no refund shall be provided which has been collected in respect of said goods.

  1. Proposed amendment to give retrospective effect to notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) number G.S.R. 708(E), dated the 30th September, 2019 issued under clause (ii) of proviso to subsection (3) of section 54 of the CGST Act.

The notification sought to disallow the refund of compensation cess in case of inverted duty structure for tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes. The proposed amendment seeks to give retrospective effect to the notification.

 

  1. Proposed amendment to the proviso of Section 25 (1), for substitution of the words “three years” with the words “five years”.

Section 25 authorises the Central government, on recommendation of the GST Council, to issue removal of difficulty orders with regard to any provisions relating to any provisions of the Integrated and Goods Services Tax Act (hereinafter referred toa as IGST Act). Such orders can, however, not be issued after the expiry of three years from the commencement of the IGST Act.

It has now been proposed, to allow the Central Government to issue such orders upto the expiry of five years from the commencement of the IGST act.

  1. Proposed retrospective exemption from, or levy or collection of, integrated tax in following cases:

Integrated Goods and Services Tax

Heading Description E x i s t i n g Rate R e v i s e d Rate Effective Date
2301 supply of fishmeal 5% Nil 1st day of July, 2017

and ending with the 30th day of September, 2019 (both days inclusive)

8483 supply of pulley, wheels and other parts 28% 12% 1st day of July, 2017 and ending with the 31stday of December, 2018 (both days inclusive).
8432, 8433

and 8436

used as

parts of agricul tural machinery

28% 12%

Further, it is proposed that no refund shall be provided which has been collected in respect of said goods.

Union Territory Goods and Services Tax

  1. Proposed amendment to the Section 1 (2) of the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the UTGST Act’) which defines the scope of this Act. The proposed amendment seeks to include the new formed Union Territory of Ladakh within the purview of the UTGST Act.
  2. Proposed amendment to the Section 2 (8) of the the UTGST Act, which defines “Union Territory”. The proposed amendment seeks to include the new formed Union Territory of Ladakh within the purview of the UTGST Act.
  3. Proposed amendment to the proviso of Section 26 (1), for substitution of the words “three years” with the words “five years”.

Section 26 authorises the Central government, on recommendation of the GST Council, to issue removal of difficulty orders with regard to any provisions relating to any provisions of the UTGST Act. Such orders can, however, not be issued after the expiry of three years from the commencement of the UTGST Act.

It has now been proposed, to allow the Central Government to issue such orders upto the expiry of five years from the commencement of the UTGST act.

  1. Proposed retrospective exemption from, or levy or collection of, integrated tax in following cases:

 

Further, it is proposed that no refund shall be provided which has been collected in respect of said goods.

Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act, 2017

103. As per the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act, 2017 law, the Centre compensates the states to ensure that their revenue during the transition period, is protected at the level of 14% over the base tax collection in 2015-16.

Section14 of this act, authorises the Central government, on recommendation of the GST Council, to issue removal of difficulty orders with regard to any provisions relating the compensation to states during the transition period. Such orders can, however, not be issued after the expiry of three years from the commencement of this act.

It has now been proposed, to allow the Central Government to issue such orders upto the expiry of five years from the commencement of this act.

Heading Description E x i s t i n g Rate R e v i s e d Rate Effective Date
2301 supply of fishmeal 2.5% Nil 1st day of July, 2017

and ending with the 30th day of September, 2019 (both days inclusive)

8483 supply of pulley, wheels and other parts 14% 6% 1st day of July, 2017 and ending with the 31stday of December, 2018 (both days inclusive).
8432, 8433

and 8436

used as

parts of agricul tural machinery

14% 6%
  1. Proposed levy of health cess @ 5% as duty of customs on import of medical equipment’s. The goods proposed to be in scope of this levy are:
  • Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, including scientigraphic apparatus, other electromedical apparatus and sight-testing instruments [Heading 9018 of the First Schedule to CTA]
  • Mechano-therapy appliances; massage apparatus; psychological aptitude-testing apparatus; ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, artificial respiration or other therapeutic respiration apparatus [Heading 9019 of the First Schedule to CTA]
  • Other breathing appliances and gas masks, excluding protective masks having neither mechanical parts and replaceable filters [Heading 9020 of the First Schedule to CTA]
  • Orthopaedic appliances, including crutches, surgical belts and trusses; splints and other fracture appliances; artificial parts of the body; hearing aids and other appliances which are worn or carried, or implanted in the body, to compensate for a defect or disability [Heading 9021 of the First Schedule to CTA]
  • Apparatus based on the use of X-rays or of alpha, beta or gamma radiations, whether or not for medical, surgical, dental or veterinary uses, including radiography or radiotherapy apparatus, X-ray tubes and other X- ray generators, high tension generators, control panels and desks, screens, examination or treatment tables, chairs and the like [Heading 9022 of the First Schedule to CTA]

The Indian Stamp Act, 1899

  1. Insertion of Proviso to sub-section 2 of section 9A of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 (hereafter in this referred to as ‘the Stamp Act’), which deals with “Instruments chargeable with duty for transactions in stock exchanges and depositories”.

 

Presently, any transaction in securities i.e. issue, sale or transfer of securities, whether through stock exchange or depository, is chargeable to stamp duty as per rate provided in Schedule I of the Stamp Act and such instruments needs not to be stamped.

The proposed amendment has been made to provide exemption from stamp duty in respect of instruments of transaction in stock exchanges and depositories established in any International Financial Services Centre set up under section 18 of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005.

  1. Proposed insertion of new Section 73B pertaining to “Power to issue directions and authorise certain authorities to issue instructions, circulars and guidelines”.

It has been proposed to give powers to the Central Government to issue directions and to authorise SEBI or RBI to issue instructions, circulars or guidelines for carrying out the provisions of Part AA of Chapter II of the act. i.e. instruments chargeable to stamp duty.

  1. The above stated amendments to the Stamp Act have been proposed to be effective 1 April 2020.

The Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988

  1. Proposed substitution of Section 9 (1) (b) which deals with the ‘Qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and Members’ of the adjudication authority under the act, effective 1 April 2020.

As per proposed amendment, a person, if he is qualified for appointment as District Judge, can also be appointed as Chairperson or Member of the adjudicating authority.

The Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991

  1. Proposed amendment to Section 8, which deals with ‘Other conditions of service’ for Election Commissioners, effective 1 April 2021.

Currently, the income-tax exemptions on the value of rent-free residence, conveyance facilities, sumptuary allowance, medical facilities and other such conditions of services, as are applicable to Judge of the Supreme Court under Chapter IV of the Supreme Court Judges (Conditions of Service) Act, 1958 and the rules made there under, are also extended to the Election Commissioners.

It has now been proposed to amend the said section so as to do away with this the income-tax exemption as applicable to the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.

First Schedule to the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985

  1.  Following is a summary of the proposed revised rates of Excise duty in respect of the tobacco and petroleum products:
Tariff Item Description of goods Unit Rate of duty
2402 20 10 Other than filter cigarettes, of length not exceeding 65 millimetres Tu R s . 2 0 0

thousand

p e r
2402 20 20 Other than filter cigarettes, of length exceeding 65 millimetres but not exceeding 70 millimetres Tu R s . 2 5 0

thousand

p e r
2402 20 30 Filter cigarettes of length (including the length of the filter, the length of filter being 11 millimetres or its actual length, whichever is more) not exceeding 65 millimetres Tu R s . 4 4 0

thousand

p e r
2402 20 40 Filter cigarettes of length (including the length of the filter, the length of filter being 11 millimetres or its actual length, whichever is more) exceeding 65 millimetres but not exceeding 70 millimetres Tu R s . 4 4 0

thousand

p e r
2402 20 50 Filter cigarettes of length (including the length of the filter, the length of filter being 11 millimetres or its actual length, whichever is more) exceeding 70 millimetres but not exceeding 75 millimetres Tu R s . 5 4 5

thousand

p e r
2402 20 90 Other Tu R s . 7 3 5

thousand

p e r
2402 90 10 Cigarettes of tobacco substitutes Tu R s . 6 0 0

thousand

p e r
2403 11 10 Hookah or gudaku tobacco Kg 25%
2403 19 10 Smoking mixtures for pipes and cigarettes Kg 60%
2403 19 21 Other than paper rolled biris, manufactured without the aid of machine Tu R s . 1 . 0 0

thousand

p e r
2403 19 29 Other Tu R s . 2 . 0 0

thousand

p e r
2403 19 90 Other kg. 25%
2403 91 00 “Homogenised” or “reconstituted” tobacco kg. 25%
2403 99 10 Chewing tobacco kg. 25%
Tariff Item Description of goods Unit Rate of duty
2403 99 20 Preparations containing chewing tobacco Kg. 25%
2403 99 30 Jarda scented tobacco kg. 25%
2403 99 40 Snuff kg. 25%
2403 99 50 Preparations containing snuff kg. 25%
2403 99 60 Tobacco extracts and essence kg. 25%
2403 99 90 Other kg. 25%
2709 20 00 Petroleum crude kg. Rs. 50 per tonne

 

 

W S & Associates LLP. is a Chartered Accountancy firm, rendering comprehensive professional services which include Tax Consultancy – International and Domestic, Valuation, Advisory on issues covered under Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements, Expat Taxation, Audit, Management Consultancy, Accounting Services, Secretarial services etc.

W S & Associates LLP. is a professionally managed firm. The team consists of distinguished chartered accountants, corporate financial advisors and tax consultants. The firm represents a combination of specialized skills, which are geared to offer sound financial advice and personalized proactive services. Those associated with the firm have regular interaction with industry and other professionals which enables the firm to keep pace with contemporary developments and to meet the needs of its clients.

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GST: AAAR on Canteen Services

As  per  the  recent  judgement  of  Appellate  Authority  for  Advance Ruling1, Kerala it has been clarified that recovery of food expenses from employees for the canteen exclusively for employees provided by company comes under the definition of outward supplies and is therefore, taxable under Goods and Service Tax Act.

Issue under Consideration: – Whether the recovery of food expenses from employees for the running and maintenance of canteen run exclusively for employees by company falls under the definition of outward supplies and is taxable under Goods and Service Tax Act.

Facts of the Case: –

  1. Applicant is a Private Limited Company engaged in manufacture and sale of foot wear
  2. Applicant is providing canteen services exclusively for their employees and recover the running and maintenance expenses from employees without any profit

Analysis

Applicant’s Plea: –

  1. Company is not carrying out any business activity and it is according to the requirement of law – Factories Act, 1948 I.e. company is only facilitating the supply of food to the employees, which is a statutory
  2. requirement, and is recovering only the actual expenditure incurred in connection with the food supply, without making any profit.
  3. Schedule III, Clause 1 of GST Act 2017, services by an employee to employer in the course of or in relation to his employment is neither a supply of goods, nor a supply of services and that any consideration received by the employee from his employer is outside the purview of GST.
  4.  In the erstwhile Service tax regime as well, Notification 25/2012- ST in relation to Mega Exemptions wherein services in relation to supply of food or beverages by a canteen maintained in a factory covered under the Factories Act, 1948 was exempted.
  5. Press release issued by CBIC(CBEC) regarding clarification of applicability of Reverse Charge under section 9(4) of the GST Act, 2017 on the purchase of ornaments by a jeweller from a customer – Jeweller will not be liable to pay tax under reverse charge mechanism on such purchases as the sale of jewellery does not paramount to be in the course of furtherance of business of the individual and hence, do not qualify as a supply perse. Relying on this, appellant contended that if an activity is not in the course or furtherance of one’s business, it does not constitute supply unless it is import of service as per Section 7(1) of GST Act, 2017. Additionally, contended that supply of subsidized food is not the business of the appellant, in the same manner as supply of gold jewellery was held not to be the business of the consumer
  6. The assessee has relied upon judicial pronouncement by the Hon’ble High Court of Telangana in the case of M/s. Bhimas Hotels – stating that subsidized food to employees and realization of cost of wages is an industrial obligation it does not amount to service. Additionally, Government of India issued a press release on 10-07-2017, stating that supply by employer to employee is in the course of furtherance of business and comes under Schedule III, which is not liable to

Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) and Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling
(AAAR): –

  1. Schedule II to GST Act – Activities to be treated as supply of goods or supply of services

Clause 6 – Following Composite Supply is declared as a supply of service

“Supply, by way of or as part of any service or in any other manner whatsoever, of goods, being food or any other article for human consumption or any drink (other than alcoholic liquor for human consumption), where such supply or service is for cash, deferred payment or other valuable consideration.”

Even  though  there  is  no  profit  as  claimed  by  the  applicant  on  the supply  of  food  to  its  employees,  there  is  ‘supply’  as  provided  in Section 7(1)(a) of the GST Act, 2017. Thus, the appellant would fall under the definition of ‘supplier’ under section 2(105)  of GST Act, 2017.

2. Consideration – Section 2(31) of GST Act, 2017 provides that any payment made or to be made, whether in money or otherwise, in respect of, in response to, or for the inducement of, the supply of goods or services or both, whether by the recipient or by other person but shall not include and subsidy given by the Central Government or a State Government

Since the applicant recovers the cost of food from its employees, there is a consideration.

3. The decision of the High Court in Bhimas Hotels case pertains to the erstwhile Service Tax Law, when Service Tax and Value Added Tax stood on separate and independent footing. It was held that

“……the petitioner has paid the value added tax on the value of the food supplied to its workers. In respect of some assessment years, they have even been imposed with a penalty under the Andhra Pradesh value Added Tax Act, 2005. Therefore, once the State Authorities have treated the supply of food to the workers of the petitioner as sale, it is not open to the respondents to treat the same as service and impose a liability……”

4. Hence, the Hon’ble Court had decided upon a matter where the issue of double taxation was a relevant fact. As there is no possibility of such double taxation in the GST It is evident that the facts of the Bhimas Hotels case cannot be considered to be in part- materia with the facts of this case.

Our Remarks

Many companies follow the policy of providing meals to employees and deduct a certain amount from their respective salaries. The said judgement could increase the compliance burden many folds on the such companies and also increase the cost of doing business.

A wide definition of consideration under the GST Act, 2017 has and will lead to many non- business activities to fall under the ambit of supply and many corporates among other assessee will have to bear the burden of the same.

This can also have impact on the salaries of employees, since now either the company will bear the GST liability or will recover from the employees.

Since, in the above transaction major limb of it is involving Business to Consumers (B2C) transactions.

Also,  it  is  still  not  clear  the  above  transaction  would  be  taxable  at what rate, 5% (as canteen) without input credit or 18% as outdoor caterer with ITC.

In view of the order passed by AAAR, we will have to look on each and every aspect of employee benefits (perquisites) offered by employer to determine whether they are falling under the definition of supply and consideration. Therein, determining the taxability of such benefits.

Although, the above judgement is binding only on the applicant and the judicial authority, but it can be referred in other cases as well.

GST Audit

INTRODUCTION TO GST AUDIT

While the GST regime emphasizes self-assessment processes, the complexities involved in it make one wary.
At this juncture, it is clear that the GST law is not presently simple enough for an assessee to compute his total and taxable turnovers and duly report the same.
Thus, in order to ensure effective compliance with the various GST provisions and to ensure performance of audits in a systematic, transparent and fair manner, audit provisions have been incorporated under the GST Acts/ Rules.

Definition of the term “Audit”

Section 2(13) of the CGST Act/SGST Act provides

“Audit” means the examination of records, returns and other documents maintained or furnished by the registered person under the GST Acts or the rules made there under or under any other law for the time being in force to verify the correctness of turnover declared, taxes paid, refund claimed and input tax credit availed, and to assess his compliance with the provisions of the GST Acts or the rules made there under.

Audit under GST

audit under gst

Audit by a Chartered Accountant

Section 35(5) of the CGST Act/ SGST Act read with Rule 80(3) of the CGST/SGST Rules, 2017

  • Registered person having turnover during a financial year s. 2 Crore or more shall get his accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant or a Cost Accountant
  • The term “aggregate turnover” has been defined as under vide Section 2(6) of the CGST Act/SGST Act:

“Aggregate Turnover” means the aggregate value of all taxable supplies (excluding the value of inward supplies on which tax is payable by a person on reverse charge basis), exempt supplies, exports of goods or services or both and inter-State supplies of persons having the same Permanent Account Number, to be computed on  all  India  basis but excludes central tax, State tax, Union territory tax, integrated tax and cess

An    exhaustive    definition under  Section  2(6)  of  the CGST Act/SGST Act

Inclusions

  • Taxable supply
  • Exempt/ Nil rate supply

An    exhaustive    definition under  Section  2(6)  of  the CGST Act/SGST Act

  • Non-taxable supply –

Alcoholic Liquor for Human Consumption and five specified Petroleum Products i.e. Petroleum Crude, Motor Spirit (Petrol), High Speed Diesel [HSD], Natural Gas and Aviation Turbine Fuel [ATF]

  • Export of goods or services
  • Supplies to branches in other states having same permanent account number

However, certain Exclusions shall be made while computing the Value of Aggregate Turnover

i) Value of Inward supplies on which tax is payable by a person on Reverse Charge basis.

Examples of supplies subject to Reverse Charge are- Services provided by way of Sponsorship to any Body Corporate or Partnership Firm, Services supplied by a Director of a Company or Body Corporate to the said company or Body Corporate

ii) Central Tax, State Tax, Union territory Tax, Integrated Tax and Cess

Statements and Documents

It shall be necessary for the registered person to submit to the proper officer the following Statements and Documents:

  • A copy of the Audited Annual Accounts;
  • Reconciliation Statement under Section 44(2) of the CGST Act/SGST Act e.

The aforesaid Reconciliation Statement shall be duly certified in FORM GSTR-9C, electronically through the common portal either directly or through a Facilitation Centre notified by the Commissioner.

  • Other prescribed documents in the prescribed form and prescribed

It is also to be borne in mind that the Government is yet to prescribe the format of the Audit Report and Annexures thereto. Further, it is also not yet clear, whether auditor is required to identify and report the discrepancies month-wise or annually.

Appointment & Removal

Appointing Authority of GST Auditor
  • In case of a company the appointment of the GST auditor shall be made by a resolution of the Board of Directors or by an officer of the company, if so authorized by the Board in this
  • In case of a partnership firm or proprietary concern, the appointment can be made by a partner or the proprietor or a person authorized by the assessee. The acceptance of appointment by the proposed GST Auditor shall also be communicated in writing to the
Removal of GST Auditor
  • Any resolution to remove a statutory auditor shall not be effective unless there are good and substantial grounds for the removal related to the conduct of the auditor with regard to the performance of his or her duties as auditor. However, the auditor cannot be removed on the ground that he has given an adverse or qualified Audit
  • In the event an auditor has been removed without any valid grounds, the Ethical Standards Board of ICAI or ICWAI, as the case may be, can intervene and it may direct the incoming auditor not to accept the audit

 

GST  has  been  implemented with  effect  from  01.07.2017.  As  a  consequence,  during the financial year 2017-18, GST remained in force only for a period of nine months from 01.07.2017 to 31.03.2018.

The point of consideration is whether the above-mentioned   annual  turnover   limit of  Rs.  2  crore  for  audit  purposes  shall apply  proportionately  in  the  given  case for  a  period  of  nine  months  or  whether the foregoing limit shall apply as it is for a period of nine months ?

A suitable and immediate clarification from the Government(s) is required in this regard. However, considering the old laws and the interpretation thereof the aggregate turnover shall be considered for the nine months only

It can be inferred that only for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the assessee who is required to get its accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant or a Cost Accountant, the all India based turnover shall be considered.

The   turnover   limit   of   Rs.   2   Crore   shall   be computed by including turnover in all the States or Union territories, as the case may be, i.e. on all India basis under same PAN

Furthermore,  the  foregoing  threshold  turnover limit of Rs. 2 Crore is same for assessee’s in all the States and Union Territories

Thus, it can be safely inferred that no separate threshold limit has been specified for Special Category States.

Since each of the State GST Acts also has the provisions relating to GST Audit, it appears that the GST audit shall be conducted state-wise

 

GST: Don’t miss the last chance to rectify errors of FY 2017-18

Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity A penny saved is a penny earned

Any  rectifications  in  the  details  already  furnished  in  returns  of  July  2017  to  March  2018  may  be corrected/added  in  the  return  to  be  filed  for  the  month  of  September  2018.  Details  of  outward supplies can be modified on or before 31.10.2018 – due date for filing GSTR 1 and details of inward supplies on or before 20.10.2018 – due date for filing GSTR 3B.

·         Outward Supplies: –

  1. Invoice pertaining to FY 2017-18 missed in GSTR 1 – The invoice may be added in GSTR 1 along with invoices of September 2018 in Table 4 with original date. If the tax pertaining to invoice is also not paid, the same may be added to taxable value and tax of the month of September 2018 respectively and, pay the tax along with interest from due date of payment of tax till date of actual payment. However, the Annual return format i.e. GSTR 9 does not provide the facility to add these types of missing invoices but the most suitable disclosures may be made in Point 10 of Form GSTR
  2. B2B Invoice details wrongly entered in GSTR 1 –Here is a case where the invoice details are entered in GSTR 1 but some fields are wrongly mentioned. Some of the situations are:-
  3. Error in GSTIN i.e. Invoice is in name of Mr. A but GSTR 1 is filed mentioning GSTIN of Mr. B,
  4. Error in taxable value,
  5. Error in tax rate, ,

These details may be modified in Table 9A, 9B, 9C of GSTR 1. The same may be disclosed in Part V, Point 10 or 11 in GSTR 9.

  1. B2C details wrongly entered in GSTR 1–There will be again 3 types of errors in B2C details.
  • B2B invoice entered as B2C – If an B2B invoice pertaining to month of January 2018 entered as B2C in GSTR 1 of January 2018, this error can be rectified by adding the invoice details in GSTR 1 of September 2018 along with September B2B invoices and amending the B2C supplies of January 2018 using Table 10 of GSTR 1.

If the invoice is already declared in GSTR 3B correctly, the liability is not affected and the same will not be disclosed anywhere in GSTR 9.

  • B2C Intra-state supplies entered as Inter-state – If B2C supplies of an assessee from the state of Delhi entered as B2C supplies of Uttar Pradesh i.e. Intra state entered as inter-state, the same may be rectified using Table 10 of GSTR 1. However, if the same error is also continued in GSTR 3B too, the liability may be affected since IGST is paid instead of CGST+SGST. This can be rectified by paying CGST+SGST and claiming refund of IGST. The same needs to be disclosed in Part V, Point 10 of GSTR
  • B2C Inter-State supplies wrongly entered as different state– If B2C supplies made to Uttar Pradesh was entered as B2C supplies to Punjab by a supplier registered in Delhi; the tax liability doesn’t change but the state mentioned is wrong. This also doesn’t affect the liability, but the wrong details need to be rectified for correct

·         Inward Supplies: –

  1. Failed to avail ITC– Did you miss claiming ITC on any invoice pertaining to FY 2017-18, the same can be claimed upto the month of September 201 Include the same in

 

GSTR 3B of September 2018 and the ITC can be availed and utilised. These details are to be declared in GSTR 9.

  1. GSTR 2A Vs GSTR 3B – Monthly data of GSTR 2A can be downloaded in Excel format now. Many assessee have been ignoring the reconciliation of ITC as per GSTR 3B with details available in GSTR 2 This reconciliation exercise should be a continuous process since it is a time consuming one, but major outcomes are as under:-
    • Any missed credits i.e. supply on which ITC is available but not availed will come under notice when the reconciliation is done. It is important to note that the ITC pertaining to FY 2017-18 cannot be availed after the return for the month of September 2018 is
    • There may be situations where ITC has been claimed as per Invoice issued by the supplier, but the supplier failed to file GSTR 1. If supplier doesn’t file GSTR 1, the invoice details doesn’t appear in GSTR 2 This exercise helps us to follow up with the supplier and intimating/educating them to file their GSTR 1.
  2. Excess ITC claimed – There may be situations where excess ITC would have been claimed due to error. For example, instead of entering only tax amount in ITC IGST column in GSTR 3B, amount of purchases may be entered which inflates IGST ITC. The same may be rectified now by reversing the excess ITC availed by entering the amount to be reversed in Table 4(B)(2) of GSTR 3B for the month of September 2018 and the same may be disclosed in Part V Point 12 of GSTR

The situations discussed above are the most common issues which are required to be addressed in this September  return.  Now,  one  may  agree  that  September  month  is  made  crucial  even  from  indirect taxes point of view and hence please be cautious and re visit all the returns filed, reconcile with books of accounts and GSTR 2A and claim the missed ITC and rectify any errors that were made while filing the returns for FY 2017-18.

Proposed Direct Tax Amendments in Finance Bill 2018

Individuals, HUF, AOP, BOI

  1. No change in Tax Rate
    a) For a resident senior citizen (who is 60 yrs or more at any time during the previous but less than 80 yrs on the last day of the previous year)
Net Income range Income tax rates Surcharge Health and Education Cess
Upto                Rs.

3,00,000

Nil Nil Nil
Rs. 3,00,000 – Rs. 5,00,000 5%    of    (total         income minus Rs. 3,00,000) Nil 4%    of    income         tax inclusive of surcharge
Rs. 5,00,000 – Rs. 10,00,000 Rs.   10,000   +   20%   of

(total income minus Rs. 5,00,000)

Nil 4%    of    income         tax inclusive of surcharge
Rs.   10,00,000   –

Rs. 50,00,000

Rs.  1,10,000  +  30%  of

(total income minus Rs. 10,00,000)

Nil 4%    of    income         tax inclusive of surcharge

 

Net Income range Income tax rates Surcharge Health  and Education Cess
Rs. 50,00,000 –

Rs. 1,00,00,000

Rs.  13,10,000  +  30%  of

(total income minus Rs. 50,00,000)

10%          of income tax 4%    of    income         tax inclusive of surcharge
Above                        Rs. 1,00,00,000 Rs. 28,10,000 + 30% of

(total income minus Rs. 100,00,000)

15%          of

income tax

4% of income tax and surcharge

b) For a resident super senior citizen (who is 80 yrs or more at any time during the previous year)

Net Income range Income tax rates Surcharge Health  and Education Cess
Upto  Rs. 5,00,000 Nil Nil Nil
Rs. 5,00,000 – Rs. 10,00,000 20%    of   (total  income minus Rs. 500,000) Nil 4% of income tax inclusive  of surcharge

 

Net  Income range Income tax rates Surcharge Health  and Education Cess
Rs.   10,00,000   –

Rs. 50,00,000

Rs.   100,000   +   30%   of

(total  income  minus  Rs. 10,00,000)

Nil 4% of income tax inclusive                 of

surcharge

Rs. 50,00,000 –

Rs. 100,00,000

Rs.13,00,000  +  30%  of

(total income minus Rs. 50,00,000)

10%          of income tax 4% of income tax inclusive                 of surcharge
Above                        Rs. 100,00,000 Rs.  28,00,000  +  30%  of

(total  income  minus  Rs. 100,00,000)

15%          of

income tax

4% of income tax inclusive                 of surcharge

 

c) For any other resident individual, any non-resident individual, every HUF / AOP / BOI / artificial juridical person–

Net  Income range Income tax rates Surcharge Health   and Education Cess
Upto Rs. 2,50,000 Nil Nil Nil
Rs.  2,50,000  –  Rs. 5,00,000 5%    of    (total         income minus Rs. 2,50,000) Nil 4%   of    income         tax inclusive of surcharge

 

Net  Income range Income tax rates Surcharge Health  and Education Cess
Rs.  500,000  –  Rs. 10,00,000 Rs.   12,500   +   20%   of

(total income minus Rs. 5,00,000)

Nil 4%   of    income         tax inclusive of surcharge
Rs. 10,00,000 – Rs. 50,00,000 Rs.  1,12,500  +  30%  of

(total    income             minus Rs.10,00,000)

Nil 4%   of    income         tax inclusive of surcharge
Rs.   50,00,000   –

Rs. 1,00,00,000

Rs.  13,12,500  +  30%  of

(total income minus Rs. 50,00,000)

10%           of

income tax if income exceeds Rs 50,00,000

4%   of    income         tax inclusive of surcharge
Above               Rs.

1,00,00,000

Rs.  28,12,500  +  30%  of

(total income minus Rs. 100,00,000)

15%           of

income tax

4%   of    income         tax inclusive of surcharge

 

  1. It is proposed to provide a standard deduction of Rs 40,000 for salaried employees irrespective of the salary However, benefit of transport allowance of Rs 19,200 (except in case of differently abled persons) and Medical Reimbursement of Rs 15,000 under Section 17(2) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (“the Act”) are being withdrawn.
  2. Any receipt whether capital or revenue in nature arising on account of any re- negotiation, termination or modification in the terms of any contract relating to employment shall be taxable as other income under section 56 of the
  3. Section 80D of the Act is proposed to be amended to raise the monetary limit of deduction from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 in respect of premium paid for health insurance premium and medical treatment. Further, where insurance policies having cover of more than one year, it is proposed that the deduction shall be allowed on proportionate basis for the number of years for which health insurance cover is provided. The proposed enhanced limit will apply from AY 2019-20.
  4. Section 80DDB of the Act provides enhanced deduction to senior citizens for medical treatment of specified diseases. It is proposed to amend the provisions of section 80DDB of the Act so as to raise this monetary limit of deduction to Rs 1,00,000 for both senior citizens and very senior citizens. The proposed enhanced limit will apply from AY 2019-1
  5. A new section 80TTB from AY 2019-20 is proposed to be inserted to provide exemption to senior citizens (exceeding 60 years of age) from deduction of TDS on interest received up to Rs 50,000 from banks, FD, Terms
  6. Limit for withholding tax under section 194A on the interest payable to senior citizen exceeded from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000. Thus, where interest income is received by a senior citizen, no tax will be withheld upto Rs 50,000. Further, where the senior citizen is earning that interest on behalf of HUF, firm or any other person, the limit of Rs10,000 will only

Firms:

  1. A firm is taxable at the rate of 30 percent for the assessment year 2019- Surcharge is 12 per cent of income-tax if net income exceeds Rs 1 crore. Health and Education Cess – 4% of income tax inclusive of surcharge

Income from property held for charitable or religious purposes:

  1. It is proposed to insert a new Explanation to the section 11 to provide that for the purposes of determining the application of income under the provisions of sub-section

(1) of the said section, the provisions of sub-clause (ia) of clause (a) of section 40, and of sub-sections (3)  and (3A) of section 40A, shall,  mutatis mutandis, apply as they apply  in  computing  the  income  chargeable  under  the  head  “Profits  and  gains  of business or profession

Accordingly, where a payment by an entity registered under section 11 is made in cash for more than Rs 10,000 as provided in sub-section 3 and (3A) of section 40, the cash so paid will be considered as a taxable income of such registered entity.

 

Likewise, where the payments made by an entity registered under section 11 requires withholding  of  tax  and  such  tax  is  not  withheld,  the  payment  so  made  will  not  be considered as accumulation of income as per the provisions of section 40(a) /(ia) and will be chargeable to tax.

Similar, explanation is proposed to be inserted in section 10(23C) of the Act.

The above provision is proposed to be applicable from assessment year 2019-20.

Corporates:

  1. Corporate Tax Rate
    i] Domestic Companies having total turnover or gross receipts not exceeding Rs. 250 crores in Financial year 2016-17 shall be liable to pay tax at 25% as against present ceiling of Rs. 50 crore in Financial year 2015-1
Company AY 2019-201
Where   its   total   turnover   or   gross   receipt   during   the previous year 2016-17 does not exceed Rs. 250 crores 25%
Where   its   total   turnover   or   gross   receipt   during   the previous year 2016-17 exceeds Rs. 250 crores 30%
any other domestic company 30%

 

ii] No proposed change in the tax rate of foreign company (i.e. 40% plus applicable surcharge and health & education cess).

 

11. No change in surcharge rate

Company If net income does             not

exceed       Rs.1

Crore

If net income is in the range of Rs.1 Crore – Rs

10 crore

If net income exceeds Rs.10 Crore
Domestic Company 7% 12%
Foreign Company 2% 5%

 

In other cases (including  sections 115-O (dividend distributed), 115QA (buy-back of shares),  115R  (distributed  income  to  unit  holders),  115TA  (distributed  income  to investors) or 115TD (tax on accreted income of trusts and institutions)), the surcharge shall be levied at the rate of twelve per cent.

 

12. Deemed dividend

 

  • Currently, deemed dividend under section 2(22)(e ) of the Act, is taxable in the hands of shareholders as per the applicable marginal rate. It is proposed to tax the deemed dividend in the hands of the company as part of divided distributed under section 115-O of the Act and is proposed to be taxed @ 30%. The proposed rate of 30% shall be the final rate and will not be further grossed up as is done in case of other dividend covered under the provisions of section 115-O of the

 

The above provisions are proposed to be applicable on transactions undertaken on or after 1 April 2018.

 

  • A new Explanation 2A proposed to be inserted under section 2(22) (e ) of the Act, to include the accumulated profit of the amalgamating company as on date of amalgamation as well to compute the total accumulated profit for taxing deemed dividend.

13. Business Connection

 

a) Section 9 of the Act provides the instances where income is deemed to accrue or arise in India. It includes the income which accrues or arise in India through a business connection in India. Explanation 2 to sub-section 1 of section 9 provides the inclusive definition of business connection. Clause (c ) of the explanation provides that any business activity carried out through a person who, acting on behalf of non-resident habitually exercises in India, an authority to conclude contracts on behalf of non-resident will be treated as a business connection in India. Accordingly, the income so derived from such business connection is taxable in

 

It is proposed to amend provide that “business connection” shall also include any business activities carried through a person who, acting on behalf of the non- resident, habitually concludes contracts or habitually plays the principal role leading to conclusion of contracts by the non-resident. However, the such contracts will be taxable in India only if the contracts should be-

i) in the name of the non-resident; or
ii) for the transfer of the ownership of, or for the granting of the right to use, property owned by that non-resident or that the non-resident has the right to use; or
iii) for the provision of services by that non-resident.

The above amendment is proposed to be in line with BEPS Action Plan 7 have now been included in Article 12 of Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures

b) Currently, section 9 of the Act provides for physical presence-based2nexus rule for taxation of business income of the non-resident in India. Therefore, it is always litigated that emerging business specially in digitized businesses, which do not require physical presence of itself or any agent in India, is not covered within the scope of clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 9 of the Act. Accordingly, there income even if generated from India, is not taxable in

 

To curb the above situation, it is proposed to introduce the concept of ‘significant economic presence’ in India.

The income of non-resident where the significant economic presence is established will be taxable in India only to the extent of the income attributed to such transaction (as falling in above two conditions) in India. Further, the significant economic presence will not be dependent upon the existence of residence or place of business of non-resident or the fact that no service is rendered in India.

The above amendment will not override the provisions of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements unless a specific amendment is made therein.

 

It is important to note that the government has already introduced the concept of equalization levy to withhold taxes on payment made for online advertisement, any provision for digital advertising space or any other facility or service for the purpose of online advertisement to non-residents not having any permanent establishment in India. The above step is in furtherance to it.

The above amendments are proposed to be applicable from Assessment year 2019- 20.

14. Section 10(48A) of the Act, subject to certain conditions, provides an exemption to non-resident companies where the income is accruing or arising in India on account of storage of crude oil in a facility in India and sale of crude oil in India. The exemption from tax is currently available only in completion of contract and thus in case of termination of contracts, the sale proceeds of leftover is taxable in India. The amendment is proposed to include the event of termination of contract also as eligible condition for allowing the exemption on the proceeds of leftover

15. Section 28 of the Act is proposed to be amended to include any compensation received or receivable, whether revenue or capital, in connection with the termination or the modification of the terms and conditions of any contract relating to the business of the assessee.

Accordingly, any receipt whether capital or revenue in nature arising on account of any re-negotiation, termination or modification in the terms of the business contract shall be taxable as business income.

16.It is further proposed to amend to include the fair market value of inventory on the date of conversion of such inventory into the capital asset as business income under newly  proposed  clause  (via)  to  section  28  of  the  Act.  The  fair  market  value  so considered as business income will be treated as cost of acquisition of inventory at the time of computing capital gain on sale of (converted inventory) capital asset.

Further, clause (42A) of section 2 of Act is also proposed to provide that the period of holding  of  such  capital  asset shall  be  reckoned  from  the  date  of  conversion  or treatment.

17.Section 43(5) of the Act provides the transactions from which the income is considered as speculative in nature. It also provides an exception list to consider various transactions as non-speculative nature even though the contracts are settled otherwise than by the actual delivery or transfer of the commodity or Clause (e) of section 45 of the Act provides that a transaction in respect of trading in commodity derivatives carried out in a recognized association which is chargeable to commodities transaction tax will not be considered as speculative transaction.

Currently, commodities transaction tax is payable only on non-agricultural commodity derivatives thereby leaving agricultural commodity products to be out of ambit of commodities transaction tax. Accordingly, the transactions in agricultural commodity products is treated as speculative transaction

It   is   proposed   to   include   agricultural   commodity   products   as   well   liable   for commodities transaction tax and thus to be considered as non-speculative transaction from Assessment Year 2019-20.

18.Section 79 of the Act provides for carry forward and set off of losses in case of certain companies. It provides that carry forward and set off of losses in a closely held company shall be allowed only if there is a continuity in the beneficial owner of the shares carrying not less than 51 of the voting power, on the last day of the year or years in which the loss was incurred.

The   Companies   undergoing   reconstruction   or  rehabilitation   undergo   change   in shareholding which extends to more than 51% of the voting power.   It is proposed to relax the rigors of section 79 in case of such companies, whose resolution plan has been approved   under   the   Insolvency   and   Bankruptcy   Code,   2016,   after   affording   a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the jurisdictional Principal Commissioner or Commissioner. The amendment will be applicable from Assessment Year 2018-19.

19.Section 80 JJA of the Act provides additional deduction of an amount equal to 30 percent of additional employee cost incurred for three assessment Additional

employee is defined to include an employee who has been employed during the previous year and whose employment has the effect of increasing the total number of employees employed by the employer as on the last day of the preceding year.

However, the following employee are not eligible to be considered for this benefit—

  • an employee whose total emoluments are more than twenty-five thousand rupees per month; or
  • an employee for whom the entire contribution is paid by the Government under the Employees’ Pension Scheme notified in accordance with the provisions of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (19 of 1952); or
  • an employee employed for a period of less than 240 days during the previous year; or
  • an employee who does not participate in the recognized provident fund

Further, the minimum number of employment period for apparel industry is 150 days instead of 240 days.   It is proposed to reduce the minimum number of employment period for footwear and leather industry as well from 240 days to 150 days.

There were instances where the minimum employment period of 240 days is not met by the employee in the year of employment. Thus, it is also proposed to extend benefit for a new employee who is employed for less  than the  240  days  during the year of employment but continues to remain employed for the minimum period in subsequent year.

20.Section 80P of the Act provides 100% deduction in respect of profit of cooperative society which provide assistance to its members engaged in primary agricultural activities.

The similar benefit is proposed to be extended to Farm Producer Companies (FPC). Accordingly, a new section 80PA is proposed to be inserted to provide deduction in respect of certain income of producer companies having a total turnover up to Rs. 100 Crore, whose gross total income includes any income from-

  • the marketing of agricultural produce grown by its members, or
  • the purchase of agricultural implements, seeds, livestock or other articles intended for agriculture for the purpose of supplying them to its members, or
  • the processing of the agricultural produce of its members

 

The benefit shall be available for a period of five years from the financial year 2018-19.

Presumptive Taxation

21.  Special Provision for Computing profits and gains of business of plying, hiring or leasing goods carriages.

Section 44AE of the Act provides special provisions for computing profits and gain of business of plying, hiring or leasing goods carriages. Currently, the profits and gains shall be deemed to be an amount equal to seven thousand five hundred rupees per month or part of a month for each goods carriage or the amount claimed to be actually earned by the assessee, whichever is higher.

The only condition for applicability of the benefit is that the assessee should not have owned more than 10 goods carriages at any time during the previous year.

It is proposed to amend section 44AE of the Act to provide that, in the case of heavy goods vehicle (more than 12MT gross vehicle weight), the income would deemed to be 1,000 rupees per ton of gross vehicle weight or unladen weight, as the case may be, per month or part of a month for each goods vehicle or the amount claimed to be actually earned  by  the  assessee,  whichever  is  higher.  The  vehicles  other  than  heavy  goods vehicle will continue to be taxed as per the existing rates.

For other than heavy goods vehicle, the existing value of 7,500 rupees for every month or part of a month during which the goods carriage is owned by the assessee in the previous year or an amount claimed to have been actually earned from the vehicle, whichever is higher will continue.

The expressions “goods carriage”, “gross vehicle weight”, “heavy goods vehicle” and “unladen weight” are also proposed to be defined to provide clarifications. The above amendment will be applicable from assessment year 2019-20.

 

Alternate Taxes

22. As per section 115JB of the Act, while computing book profit, a Company is allowed to claim a deduction in respect of the amount of loss brought forward or unabsorbed depreciation, whichever is less as per books of However, in case any of the two i.e. loss brought forward or unabsorbed depreciation is Nil, the deduction is also reduced to Nil.

Post implementation of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 many rehabilitating companies  are  seeking insolvency  resolution.  Thus,  it  is  proposed  to  allow  the Companies  which  have  filed  the  application  for corporate  insolvency  resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 and the application has been admitted by the Adjudicating Authority, deduction of sum total of loss brought forward and unabsorbed depreciation to the extent of book profit.  The proposed amendment is applicable from assessment year 2018-19.

23.There are special provisions enacted under the Act which provide for determination of income of foreign company or non-residents on particular basis. The income derived from the source covered by the respective provision and computed in accordance with such provision shall be deemed to be the Profit and Gains of such business chargeable to tax under the head “Profit and Gain of Business or

It was always litigated that profit calculated under presumptive income provision is nevertheless income computed in accordance with the provision of this Act under the head income from Business or Profession and thus tax payable on such presumptive income together with income under other heads shall be compared with tax payable under section 115JB of the Act and then the liability shall be determined.

A retrospective clarificatory amendment (applicable from assessment year 2001-02) is proposed in section 115JB of the Act to provide that the provisions of section 115JB of the Act shall not be applicable and shall be deemed never to have been applicable to an assessee, being a foreign company, if its total income comprises solely of profits and gains from business referred to in section 44B or section 44BB or section 44BBA or section 44BBB and such income has been offered to tax at the rates specified in the said sections.

24.Alternate Minimum Tax payable by a unit located in an International Financial Service Center under section 115JC of the Act, is proposed to be reduced to 9% as against current applicable rate of 18.5%.

Penal Provisions

25.Section 276CC of the Act provides penal provisions where a person willfully fails to furnish in due time the return of fringe benefits which he is required to furnish under sub-section (1) of section 115WD or by notice given under sub-section (2) of the said section or section 115WH or the return of income which he is required to furnish under sub-section (1) of section 139 or by notice given under clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 142 or section 148 or section 153A, he shall be punishable,

  • in a case where the amount of tax, which would have been evaded if the failure had not been discovered, exceeds 25 lac rupees, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 6 months, but which may extend to 7 years and with fine;
  • in any other case, with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 3 months, but which may extend to 2 years and with

The section provides an exception that where the tax payable by person on the total income determined on regular assessment, as reduced by the advance tax, if any, paid, and any tax deducted at source, does not exceed 3,000 rupees, the penal provisions will not be attracted.

It is proposed to withdraw the exception from Companies. Thus, in the case of willful default, the Companies may be subject to the liability as well as prosecution prescribed.

26. Section 271FA of the Act provides where a person fails to furnish a statement of financial transaction or reportable account under sub-section (1) of section 285BA of the Act, penalty of 100 rupees for every day during which such failure continues is leviable.

It is proposed to increase the penalty for non-filing financial return as required under section 285BA from Rs 100 per day to Rs. 500 per day.

27. A compliance amended has been proposed to allow assessee to file appeal before the Appellate tribunal against the order of CIT(A) under section 271J of the Act where any penalty is imposed for furnishing of inaccurate information in any report or certificate by an accountant, merchant banker or a registered

Benefit for Start-ups

28.  Special Provision in respect of specified business

Finance Act 2016 inserted Section 80-IAC which provides that deduction under this section shall be available to an eligible start-up for three consecutive assessment years out of seven years at the option of the assessee, if-

  • it is incorporated on or after the 1st day of April 2016 but before the 1st day of April 2019;
  • the total turnover of its business does not exceed twenty-five crore rupees in any of the previous years beginning on or after the 1st day of April 2016 and ending on the 31st day of March 2021; and
  • it is engaged in the eligible business which involves innovation, development, deployment or commercialization of new products, processes or services driven by technology or intellectual

It is proposed to extend the benefit to the to start ups incorporated on or after the 1st day of April 2019 but before the 1st day of April 2021. Further, the requirement of the turnover not exceeding Rs 25 Crore would apply to seven previous years commencing from the date of incorporation.

Currently, the term eligible business which can claim the benefit of section 80-IAC of the includes, business which involves innovation, development, deployment or commercialization of new products, processes or services driven by technology or intellectual property. It is proposed to extend the benefit and include the business engaged in innovation, development or improvement of products or processes or services, or a scalable business model with a high potential of employment generation or wealth creation as well.

 

The above amendment is proposed to be applicable from Assessment Year 2018-19.

Capital Gain

29.  Introduction of new section 112A to tax long term capital gain arising on sale of equity-oriented fund or a unit of a business trust

 

  • Section 10(38) of the Act provides exemption on long term capital gain arising on sale of equity shares. It is proposed to withdraw exemption under section 10(38) in respect of transfer listed Securities Transaction Tax (“STT”) paid equity shares or a unit of an equity-oriented fund or a unit of a business trust transferred on or after 1 April 201
  • A new section 112A is proposed to be introduced to tax long term capital gains arising from transfer of long term asset e. equity share in a company or a unit of an equity-oriented fund or a unit of a business trust.
  • The gain under section 112A shall be taxed at 10 per However, the tax will be computed on the capital gain exceeding one lakh rupees.
  • The concessional rate of 10 per cent will be available without providing the benefit of
  • Further, the equity shares sold or acquired shall be those on which the STT is already paid. Thus, the tax under section 112A shall be over and above STT paid/deducted.
  • The cost of acquisitions in respect of the long-term capital asset acquired by the assessee before the 1st day of February 2018 shall be deemed to be the higher of –
  1. the actual cost of acquisition of such asset; and
  2. the lower of –
  • the fair market value of such asset3; and
  • the full value of consideration received or accruing as a result of the transfer of the capital

 

3  (a) in a case where the capital asset is listed on any recognized stock exchange, the highest price of the capital asset quoted on such exchange on the 31st day of January 2018. However, where there is no trading in such asset on such exchange on the 31st day of January 2018, the highest price of such asset on such exchange on a date immediately preceding the 31st day of January 2018 when such asset was traded on such exchange shall be the fair market value; and

b) in a case where the capital asset is a unit and is not listed on recognized stock exchange, the net asset value of such asset as on the 31st day of January 2018.

30.STT at the time of transfer of long term capital asset, being a unit of equity -oriented fund or a unit of business trust, shall not apply if the transfer is undertaken on recognized stock exchange located in any International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and the consideration of such transfer is received or receivable in foreign currency.

31.It can be understood through an example:

 

Particulars Amount in INR
Shares sold on or before 31 March 2018 Nil Nil
Shares purchased before 31 January 2018 but sold after 31 March 2018
Purchase  Price  where  share  purchased before 31 January 2018 100 100
Highest price as on 31 January 2018 130 110
Sale Price as on 1 April 2018 110 130
Total LTCG as on 1 April 2018 20 20
Exempt LTCG 20 10
Taxable LTCG Nil 10 (tax @ 10%)

32.Tax on STT paid long term capital Gain will be 10% under Section 112 Further, where the total income comprises of long term capital gain taxable under section 112A and income under the other heads, the deduction under Chapter VIA4 will be restricted to the income under the other heads. Similarly, no rebate under section 87A of the Act will be available on such long-term capital gain income.

33.As per section 115R of the Act, income distributed by the specified company or a Mutual Fund to its unit holders of equity-oriented funds, is not chargeable to It is proposed that where dividend is distributed by a Mutual Fund being, an equity-oriented fund, the mutual fund shall be liable to pay additional income tax at the rate of ten per cent on income so distributed. The amendment is to bring all equity-oriented funds in line with the provisions of proposed section 112A of the Act.

34.Similarly, post introduction of section 112A, long term capital gain earned by FIIs on equity-oriented funds under currently exempt under section 115AD, will also be chargeable to tax at 10 per cent only in respect of amount of such gains exceeding one lakh rupees.

4 Section 80C, 80CCD, 80D, 80EE etc

35. It is proposed to amend section 47 of the Act to include the following transactions not to be considered as transfer by a non-resident for computing capital gain. However, the transaction shall be undertaken on a recognized stock exchange located in any International Financial Services Centre:

  • bond or Global Depository Receipt, as referred to in sub-section (1) of section 115AC; or
  • rupee denominated bond of an Indian company; or
  • derivative

Further, the consideration for the transfer shall be paid or payable in foreign currency.

36.Section 50C of the Act provides that where the consideration received or accruing as a result of the transfer by an assessee of a capital asset, being land or building or both, is less than the value adopted or assessed or assessable by any authority of a State Government (hereafter in this section referred to as the “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 purposes of computing capital gain, be deemed to be the full value of the consideration received or accruing as a result of such transfer.

Provision of Section 50C is also proposed to be amended to allow a variation up to 5% of sale consideration in comparison to stamp duty value.

However, where the variation between sale consideration and stamp duty value is more than 5% of the sale consideration, the taxability of differential sum will continue both in the hands of seller as well as buyer.

Particulars Pre Amendment Post Amendment
Sale Price 86,00,000 86,00,000
Stamp Duty Value 90,00,000 90,00,000
Fair Market Value as per valuer 75,00,000 75,00,000
Difference in Stamp Duty value and sale price 400,000 400,000
Variation % on sale price 4.65% 4.65%
Capital Gain as on 1 April 2018 400,000 Nil (variation being less than 5% of sale

price)

37.Section 54EC of the Act provides benefit of capital gain exemption if investment in specified Bonds is made. It is proposed to restrict the exemption only if Capital gain is arising from sale of land and building only. Further period of holding being increased from 3 years to 5 years. By means of this amendment it has been proposed is to withdraw exemption hitherto available in respect of all other capital assets such as shares, jewellery etc.

Method of Accounting 5

38.Section 145 of the Act empowers the Central government to notify Income Computation and Disclosure Standards (“ICDS”). In pursuance the central government has notified ten such standards effective from 1st April 2017 relating to Assessment year 2017-1These are applicable to all assesses (other than an individual or a Hindu undivided family who are not subject to tax audit under section 44AB of the said Act) for the purposes of computation of income chargeable to income-tax under the head “Profits and gains of business or profession” or “Income from other sources”.

 

In order to bring certainty in the wake of recent judicial pronouncements on the issue of applicability of ICDS, it is proposed to —

5 Taken as-it-is from Memorandum of Finance Act 2018.

  • amend section 36 of the Act to provide that marked to market loss or other expected loss as computed in the manner provided in income computation and disclosure standards notified under sub-section (2) of section 145, shall be allowed
  • amend 40A of the Act to provide that no deduction or allowance in respect of marked to market loss or other expected loss shall be allowed except as allowable under newly inserted clause (xviii) of sub-section(1) of section
  • insert a new section 43AA in the Act to provide that, subject to the provisions of section 43A, any gain or loss arising on account of effects of changes in foreign exchange rates in respect of specified foreign currency transactions shall be treated as income or loss, which shall be computed in the manner provided in ICDS as notified under sub-section (2) of section 1
  • insert a new section 43CB in the Act to provide that profits arising from a construction contract or a contract for providing services shall be determined on the basis of percentage of completion method except for certain service contracts, and that the contract revenue shall include retention money, and contract cost shall not be reduced by incidental interest, dividend and capital gains.
  • amend section 145A of the Act to provide that, for the purpose of determining the income chargeable under the head “Profits and gains of business or profession, —
  • the valuation of inventory shall be made at lower of actual cost or net realizable value computed in the manner provided in income computation and disclosure standards notified under (2) of section 1
  • the valuation of purchase and sale of goods or services and of inventory shall be adjusted to include the amount of any tax, duty, cess or fee actually paid or incurred by the assessee to bring the goods or services to the place of its location and condition as on the date of
  • inventory being securities not listed, or listed but not quoted, on a recognised stock exchange, shall be valued at actual cost initially recognised in the manner provided in income computation and disclosure standards notified under (2) of section 14
  • inventory being listed securities, shall be valued at lower of actual cost or net realizable value in the manner provided in income computation and disclosure standards notified under (2) of section 145 and for this purpose the comparison of actual cost and net realizable value shall be done category-wise.
  • insert a new section 145B in the Act to provide that
  • interest received by an assessee on compensation or on enhanced compensation, shall be deemed to be the income of the year in which it is received.
  • the claim for escalation of price in a contract or export incentives shall be deemed to be the income of the previous year in which reasonable certainty of its realisation is
  • income referred to in sub-clause (xviii) of clause (24) of section 2 shall be deemed to be the income of the previous year in which it is received, if not charged to income tax for any earlier previous

Country-by-Country Reporting

39. Section 286 of the Act contains provisions relating to specific reporting regime in the form of Country-by-Country Report (CbCR) in respect of an international group. 31 March 2018 will be the due date for filing of first CbCR for financial year 2016-1 Following clarificatory amendments to be in line with Rules already prescribed are proposed to be made so as to improve the effectiveness and reduce the compliance burden of such reporting

  • the time allowed for furnishing the Country-by-Country Report (CbCR), in the case of parent entity or Alternative Reporting Entity (ARE), resident in India, is proposed to be extended to twelve months from the end of reporting accounting year. Currently, the time prescribed is on or before due date of filing of
  • constituent entity resident in India, having a non-resident parent, shall also furnish CbCR in case its parent entity outside India has no obligation to file the report of the nature referred to in sub-section (2) in the latter’s country or territory;
  • the time allowed for furnishing the CbCR, in the case of constituent entity resident in India, having a non-resident parent, shall be twelve months from the end of reporting accounting year;
  • the due date for furnishing of CbCR by the ARE of an international group, the parent entity of which is outside India, with the tax authority of the country or territory of which it is resident, will be the due date specified by that country or territory;
  • Agreement would mean an agreement referred to in sub-section (1) of section 90 or sub-section (1) of section 90A, and also an agreement for exchange of the report referred to in sub-section (2) and sub-section (4) as may be notified by the Central Government;
  • “reporting accounting year” has been defined to mean the accounting year in respect of which the financial and operational results are required to be reflected in the report referred to in sub-section (2) and sub-section (4).

 

Assessment

40. Finance Act 2018 proposes a new procedure for scrutiny assessment under section 143(3) of the Act. It is also proposed to insert two new provisions under sub-section (3A) and (3B) of section 143 for enabling the government to prescribe the new scheme for scrutiny assessments or any modification therein, by way of notification in the Official

However, such modifications/directions shall be issued up to 31 March 2020.

41. Sub-clause (vi) of Sub-section (1) of section 143(1) provides for adjustment in respect of addition of income appearing in Form 26AS or Form 16A or Form 16 which has not been included in computing the total income in the

It is proposed to insert a new proviso to the said clause to provide that no adjustment under sub-clause (vi) of the said clause shall be made in respect of any return furnished on  or  after  the  assessment  year  commencing  on  the  first  day  of  April  2018.  The amendment will be applicable for Assessment Year 2018-19.

Others

42.PAN as (Unique Entity Number) to be obtained by all entities including HUF other than individuals in case aggregate of financial transaction in a year is Rs 2,50,000 or more. All directors, partners, members of such entities also to obtain

43. For AY 2019-20 – Education cess (2%) and Secondary Education cess (1%) discontinued. However, a new cess by the name of Health and Education cess levied @ 4% levied on tax inclusive of

44.Deductions in respect of certain incomes provided under Chapter VIA – Part C of the Act shall not be allowed unless the return of income is filed by the due Deduction under Chapter VIA includes specific deductions provided under section 80IA, 80IB, 80 IAC, 80JJA containing special benefits provided. The proposed amendment will be effective from assessment year 2018-19.

45.Under the existing provisions of the clause (12A) of section 10 of the Act, an employee contributing to the NPS is allowed an exemption in respect of 40% of the total amount payable to him on closure of his account or on his opting out. This exemption is not available to non-employee In order to provide a level playing field, it is proposed to amend clause (12A) of section 10 of the Act to extend the said benefit to all subscribers.

46.At present, similar to the provisions of section 50C of the Act, while taxing income from business profits (section 43CA) and other sources (section 56) arising out of transactions in immovable property, the sale consideration or stamp duty value, whichever is higher is adopted. The difference is taxed as income both in the hands of the purchaser and the seller. Provision of Section 43CA and 56(2)(x) is also proposed to be amended to allow a variation up to 5% of sale consideration in comparison to stamp duty

However, where the variation between sale consideration and stamp duty value is more than 5% of the sale consideration, the taxability of differential sum will continue both in the hands of seller as well as buyer.

47.Interest on compensation, enhanced compensation. Claim or enhancement claim and subsidy, incentives to be taxed in the year of receipt only as per new Section 14

48.National Technical Research Organization (“NTRO”) is proposed to be exempted from withholding on the payments in the nature of Royalty or fees for technical services covered under section 195. Accordingly, a new clause 6D is proposed to be inserted under section 10 of the Act exempting NTRO from withholding any tax.

49. Section 140 of the Act is proposed to be amended to provide that during the resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, the return shall be verified by an insolvency professional appointed by the Adjudicating Authority under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 201

50. New Rules – Rule 1 to Rule 11 for computing agricultural income referred in sub-clause

    • of Clause (1A) of Section 2 of the Act proposed. In consonance with the rules proposed, agricultural income proposed to be computed considering it as income chargeable to income-tax under the Act under the head “income from other sources” and deductions provided under section 57 to 59 shall

 

 

 

 

1  plus applicable surcharge and health & education cess

2  Either in the form of business connection, permanent establishment or place of effective management

Interest Rates Under GST

Through GST, Government has tried to digitize entire tax system to make it user friendly and easily accessible for everyone. As the system is automated, it will be calculating interest and late fee in case of any default.

If any registered person “fails to pay the taxes” to government or deposits the taxes after the due dates, then the registered person has to pay the interest as prescribed under different sections of GST Acts. Similarly, if the registered person has “claimed excess input credit” or “claimed input credit without their eligibility”, in such scenario also the registered person will be liable for interest payment.

There can  be  multiple reasons where  liability for  payment of  interest  can arise.  Defaults in  payment of output tax, excess credit availed & reversal of credit are some of the examples. Under GST regime, there are 2 rates have been prescribed for levy of interest. Section 50(1), which deals with late payment of output tax, interest rate chargeable will be 18% p.a, and under section 50(3) which deals with excess or undue input credit interest payable will be @ 24% p.a.

a) Situation covered under section 50(1) of CGST Act:

Tax Deposited after due date:

If     registered     person     has reported their correct  output tax liability in return but fails to pay on or before date, then taxpayer will be liable to  pay interest at the rate of 18% per annum. Such       period       of interest  calculation will  start from the next date of due date and  will  end  on  the  date  of payment.

Example: The        registered person  reported  tax  liability in      his      return      of      INR 10,00,000  for  the  month  of August  2017  for  which  due date was 20 September 2017 but made the payment of INR 10,00,000 on 1 October 2018, here   the   registered   person will be liable for interest for 11 days from 21  September to  1 October @18% per annum.

Output tax determined wrongly

If   the   registered   person   has under reported their output tax liability in return then they will be  liable  for  interest  @  18%, whenever   they   or  any   officer finds   that,   registered   person has  short  paid  tax  previously then  he  has  to  pay  taxes  along with interest of 18% per annum.

Example: Reason     for     such under reporting of liability can be  that  the  registered  person had  forgot  to  incorporate  one invoice  in  their  return  having tax   liability   of   2,00,000   and paid   the   tax   liability   as   per return only.

In  these  cases,  where  taxpayer under reported their output tax liability  then  they  have  to  pay interest @ 18% per annum1.

Input Credit wrongly availed

Whenever    registered    person availed   Input   credit   wrongly then  he  has  to  pay  interest  @ 18% per annum from the date of such excess claim to the date of payment.    Reasons    for    such excess   claim   can   be   Invoices received for having input credit of  200  (CGST+SGST)  but  the registered  person  claimed  400 (200+200) input credit.

Example: The registered person claimed input credit on food    and    beverage    services whereas  input  credit  on  such services  is  not  allowed  as  per section  17(5)  of  CGST  act.  In that  case  the registered person will be liable to pay interest @ 18% per annum from the date of input   credit   till   the   date   of payment.

b)  Situation covered under section 50(3) of CGST Act i.e. excess or undue Claim of Input Credit:

Whenever registered person availed excess Input credit on account of mismatch with actual inward supplies then he has to pay interest @ 24% per annum from the date of such excess claim to the

 

date  of  payment. Reasons  for  such  excess  claim  can  be  that  taxpayer  didn’t  receive  the  inward supplies but claimed input credit or supplies received in later months but claimed credit in current which is again will mis-match with vendors information for same month. Higher rate of interest is prescribed under that section is to avoid fake input credit without receiving actual supplies and to make the registered person disciplined to report their correct inwards supplies, which is match with vendors  records. Hence  whenever  input  credit  doesn’t  match  with  information  submitted  with vendor then higher rate of 24% per annum will be applicable.

 

Example: If recipient of supplies avails the input credit on the basis of actual supplies received but the supplier didn’t report such invoices in their GSTR 1, which results excess claim of input in the books of recipient, this case would be the case of Section 50(3), hence recipient will be liable for interest @24% per annum.

 

Other scenario where interest liability can arise and corresponding interest rate

  • Reversal of input tax credit in the case of non-payment of consideration to supplier within 180 days from the date of invoices, Interest rate will be 18% per annum, the Interest period will start from the date of availing credit on such supplies till the date when the amount added to the output tax liability
  • Inputs or capital goods that are not returned to the principal within year or 3 years respectively from the date of received by the Job worker, Interest rate will be 18% per annum, the Interest period will start from the date of delivery challan issued to the Job worker by the Principal till the date of reporting in output liability
  • Any other defaults for short payment/non-payment or erroneously refunded, Interest rate will be 18% per annum for default
  • If the registered person was required to pay IGST but wrongly paid CGST/SGST or vice versa then it will not be treated as default, hence interest liability will not

 

1 Basis for calculation of days will remain same as mentioned in above example.