Arjuna (Fictional Character): Krishna, Government has brought up with a scheme to convert 50:50% of the black money into white money which will be applicable from 17th December 2016, what is it? And what is the aim of this scheme?
Krishna (Fictional Character): Arjuna, after 8th November, Government has collected till the time approx. an amount of Rs. 13,400 lakhs Crore in form of old 500 and 1000 Rupee Notes which were deposited in banks. Our nation has plenty of black money, still huge cash is deposited in bank accounts, so the government has brought up this 50 Percent scheme to give one last chance to rich ones. People have used different ways to deposit their money in bank accounts. Now Income Tax department and Government are trying to catch them through many ways. It is expected that Income tax department will send notices to many who has deposited their money in the bank. This scheme has come up for those who have deposited incalculable amounts in their bank accounts. This scheme got the approval of President on 16th December 2016 and the due date of the same is kept from 17th December 16 to 31st March 17. It is said that the information provided under this scheme will be kept confidential. The Target of this Scheme set by Government is 2 Lakh Crore Rupees.
Arjuna (Fictional Character): Krishna, What are the main features of this scheme?
Krishna (Fictional Character): Arjuna, Government has named this scheme as “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna” 2016. The following are the features of this scheme-
- Any person can participate in this scheme only after considering the rules of the scheme. The person needs to give a declaration through Form-1 which is to be submitted to Income tax principal commissioner. In this Form-1 details of PAN, income declared, details of the bank in which deposit was made, challan details of tax paid and information relating to 25% deposit made is to be given before 31st March 2017.
- The Income tax department will give Form-2 as a receipt within 30 days of submitting Form-1 by the person.
- No deduction of expense will be given against the income declared under the scheme. Even any amount of loss will not be available as a set off against the income declared.
- The income declared in this year will be taxed in this year only even if the income is of any previous year.
- No assessment will be re-opened against the person participating in this scheme.
Arjuna (Fictional Character): Krishna, what are the taxes & penalties levied under this scheme?
Krishna (Fictional Character): Arjuna, the person participating in this scheme has to pay 30% tax; a surcharge will be levied @33% on the tax amount which is named as “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Cess”. The person is also liable for a penalty @10% thus the total amount of taxes and penalty goes to 50% of the income declared. For Example – the person is having 1 Crore of undisclosed income and he discloses under this scheme than the person is liable to pay 30 Lacks as tax amount, 9.9Lacks surcharge,10 Lacks as the penalty which comes to 49.9 Lakhs and 25 Lakhs as a deposit for the period of 4 years. Only after that, his declaration will be registered.
Arjuna (Fictional Character): Krishna, what are the rules relating to 25% deposit in this scheme?
Krishna (Fictional Character): Arjuna, RBI will open Bank Ledger Account. In that, a certificate will be given through Form-1. In Form-2 an application for deposit is to be made. It should be according to 25% of undisclosed income. The amount is to be deposited at a time by either cash or through the bank. The deposit amount will be linked through PAN number. The detail of Nomination is to be given in Form-3. If any changes required in Nomination information given in Form-3 than details are to be submitted in Form-4. The Form-1 deposit certificate cannot be transferred or sold to another person. No interest will be given on deposited amount. After 4 years the deposited money will be given back. This deposit certificate is to be attached to the declaration given in the Form-1.
Arjuna (Fictional Character): Krishna, what are the precautions to be taken of old 500 & 1000 rupee notes by the participating persons in this scheme?
Krishna (Fictional Character): Arjuna, even though the last date for participating in this scheme is 31st March 2017 but the last date for depositing old notes in the bank is 30th December 2016. The person who wants to participate in this scheme has to deposit old notes before 30th December 2016 and give declaration before 31st March 2017. If the person fails to deposit notes before 30th December 2016 than he has to deposit his money in reserve bank before 31st March 2017 also give declaration before 31st march 2017. The government has not provided clarity relating to above point. Even no information is provided if the person wants to participate in this scheme by depositing new notes. Further, those who have deposited already cash in bank accounts in the year 2016-17 are also eligible for not, etc. Clarification on this point may come afterward.
Arjuna (Fictional Character): Krishna, if any person has undisclosed income and he does not declare his income under this scheme than what will happen?
Krishna (Fictional Character): If the person now declares his income not under this scheme than the tax on such amount will be levied @60% and 25% surcharge on the tax amount will be levied i.e 75% is to be paid and return has to be filled. For example- If a person is having the undisclosed income of 1 crore and he does not opt for this scheme than he is liable to pay 60 lakhs as tax and 15 lakhs of surcharge approximately 75 lakhs. But if officers find out in Assessment, then on undisclosed income Taxpayer will be liable to pay tax @60% of the undisclosed income, 15% of surcharge on the tax amount and 10% as the penalty which come to 81% of the income. If the search or the survey is conducted and undisclosed income is found then, amount to be paid in form of taxes can go up to 135%.
Arjuna (Fictional Character): Krishna, what lesson we should learn?
Krishna (Fictional Character): Arjuna, the Government has provided a detailed description of this scheme through Notification dated 16th December 2016. Now under “Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna” the government will keep 50% of the income and 50% will be of the assessee. The other aspects of this scheme will be explained soon. It is last chance given to rich ones so they should take benefit of the scheme for their own welfare otherwise they may become poor. Don’t know how much welfare will be given to poor ones and how much welfare will be taken by rich ones. It is hope of True Taxpayers that through this scheme there will increase in not only the welfare of the people but the welfare of the country. Only at the end of the scheme, we can know whether it’s a “Garib” Kalyan Yojna, for “Kalyan” of Rich or Poor?
Suggested Read-
Taxation and Investment Regime for Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana Rules, 2016
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Deposit Scheme, 2016
Salient features of Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Act 2016
Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Act, 2016 get President’s assent
All about Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Deposit Scheme (PMGKDS), 2016
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Author Bio
An elegant essay on the PM Garib Kalyan Yojna. We need to support the PM for these measures. The tax administration must take the onus of handling the tasks with lot of skill and patience. Otherwise the potential assesses would be scared away.