Concessional tax rate option available and AMT is not applicable for resident co-operative societies
FM based on the representation from various stakeholders provided option for concessional tax rate of 22% to resident Co-operative Societies on similar line as given for domestic companies in Taxation Laws Ordinance 2019. I wish she could have listened to representations of various LLP’s and Partnership Firm. While the government has conferred a tax cut on corporates and manufacturing companies, the other forms of business enterprises still pay high tax at 30%. There are MSMEs consisting of partnership firms and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs). The FM could have reduced the tax rate for these business enterprises also to create a level playing field among MSMEs.
The Taxation Law Amendment Act, 2019 (TLAA), which replaced The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, sought to provide additional fiscal stimulus to attract investment, generate employment and boost the economy in the wake of economic developments post enactment of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019 and keeping in view the reduction of rate of corporate income tax by many countries world over. TLAA, inter alia, introduced section 115BAA in the Act so as to provide that an existing domestic company may opt to pay tax at 22 per cent., if it does not claim any incentive and deduction as provided in said section.
In case of the domestic company opting to pay tax at the rate of 22 per cent. under said section, it was provided that,-
(a) failure to satisfy specified conditions would disqualify it for the concessional rate and normal provisions of the Act shall apply.
(b) deemed loss or depreciation arising out of amalgamation attributable to any incentive, deduction or exemption, shall not be allowed in computation of income.
(c) for FY 2020-21, where there is unabsorbed depreciation allowance in respect of a block of asset which has not been given full effect to in earlier FYs, corresponding adjustment shall be made to the written down value of such block of assets as on 1st April, 2020.
(d) it shall be entitled to deduction under section 80LA of the Act, subject to fulfilment of conditions contained therein, in respect of a Unit in the International Financial Services Centre, if any.
It was also provided that such company shall not be subjected to Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) under section 115JB of the Act and that, the carry forward and set off of MAT credit, if any, under section 115JAA of the Act would not be allowed.
Representations have been received from the stakeholders requesting to provide for concessional rate of tax in case of resident co-operative society on similar lines. In view of the above, it is proposed to insert a new section (115BAD) in the Act to provide that,-
(i) notwithstanding anything contained in the Act but subject to the provisions of Chapter XII and satisfaction of certain conditions, a co-operative society resident in India shall have the option to pay tax at 22 per cent. for assessment year 2021-22 onwards in respect of its total income so however that if it fails to satisfy the conditions in any previous year, the option shall become invalid and other provisions of the Act shall apply;
(ii) the condition for concessional rate shall be that the total income of the co-operative society is computed,—
(a) without any deduction under the provisions of section 10AA or clause (iia) of sub-section (1) of section 32 or section 32AD or section 33AB or section 33ABA or sub-clause (ii) or sub-clause (iia) or sub-clause (iii) of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2AA) of section 35 or section 35AD or section 35CCC or under any provisions of Chapter VI-A;
(b) without set off of any loss carried forward or depreciation from any earlier assessment year, if such loss or depreciation is attributable to any of the deductions referred to in (a) above; and
(c) by claiming the depreciation, if any, under section 32, except clause (iia) of sub-section (1) thereof, determined in such manner as may be prescribed;
(iii) the loss and depreciation referred to in (ii)(b) above shall be deemed to have been given full effect to and no further deduction for such loss or depreciation shall be allowed for any subsequent year. However, where there is a depreciation allowance in respect of a block of asset which has not been given full effect to prior to the assessment year beginning on 1st April, 2021, corresponding adjustment shall be made to the written down value of such block of assets as on 1st April, 2020 in the prescribed manner, if the option is exercised for a previous year relevant to the assessment year beginning on 1st April, 2021;
(iv) the concessional rate shall not apply unless option is exercised by the co-operative society in the prescribed manner on or before the due date specified under sub-section (1) of section 139 of the Act for furnishing the returns of income for any previous year relevant to the assessment year commencing on or after 1st April, 2021 and such option once exercised shall apply to subsequent assessment years;
(v) if the person has a Unit in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), as referred to in sub-section (1A) of section 80LA, the deduction under section 80LA shall be available to such Unit subject to fulfilment of the conditions contained in that section; and
(vi) the option so exercised cannot be withdrawn;
(vii) The surcharge applicable to such co-operative society shall be levied at 10 per cent..
It is further proposed to amend section 115JC of the Act so as to provide that the provisions relating to Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT) shall not apply to such co-operative society.
It is also proposed to amend section 115JD of the Act so as to provide that the provisions relating to carry forward and set off of AMT credit, if any, shall not apply to such co-operative society.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2021-22 and subsequent assessment years.
[Clauses 53, 57 & 58]
Extract of Relevant Clauses of Finance Bill 2020
a) Clause 53
“Clause 53 of the Bill seeks to insert new sections 115BAD relating to tax on income of certain resident cooperative societies.
Sub-section (1) of the new section 115BAD provides that notwithstanding anything contained in that Act but subject to the provisions of Chapter XII, the income-tax payable in respect of the total income of a person, being a co-operative society resident in India, for any previous year relevant to the assessment year beginning on or after the 1st day of April, 2021, shall, at the option of such person, be computed at the rate of twenty-two per cent., if the conditions contained in sub-section (2) are satisfied.
Proviso to said sub-section provides that where the person fails to satisfy the conditions contained in sub-section (2) in computing its income in any previous year, the option shall become invalid in respect of the assessment year relevant to that previous year and subsequent assessment years and other provisions of the Act shall apply, as if the option had not been exercised for the assessment year relevant to that previous year and subsequent assessment years.
Sub-section (2) of the said section provides that for the purposes of sub-section (1), the total income of the co-operative society shall be computed,—
(i) without any deduction under the provisions of section 10AA or clause (iia) of sub-section (1) of section 32 or section 32AD or section 33AB or section 33ABA or sub-clause (ii) or sub-clause (iia) or sub-clause (iii) of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2AA) of section 35 or section 35AD or section 35CCC or under any of the provisions of Chapter VI-A other than the provisions of section 80JJAA;
(ii) without set off of any loss carried forward or depreciation from any earlier assessment year, if such loss or depreciation is attributable to any of the deductions referred to in clause (i); and
(iii)by claiming the depreciation, if any, under section 32, other than clause (iia) of sub-section (1) of the said section, determined in such manner as may be prescribed.
Sub-section (3) of the said section provides that the loss and depreciation referred to in clause (ii) of sub-section (2) shall be deemed to have been given full effect to and no further deduction for such loss or depreciation shall be allowed for any subsequent year.
Proviso to the said sub-section provides that where there is a depreciation allowance in respect of a block of asset which has not been given full effect prior to the assessment year beginning on the 1st day of April, 2021, corresponding adjustment shall be made to the written down value of such block of assets as on the 1st day of April, 2020 in the manner as may be provided by rules, if the option under sub-section (5) is exercised for a previous year relevant to the assessment year beginning on the 1st day of April, 2021.
Sub-section (4) of the said section provides that in case of a person, having a Unit in the International Financial Services Centre, as referred to in sub-section (1A) of section 80LA, which has exercised option under sub-section (5), the conditions contained in sub-section (2) shall be modified to the extent that the deduction under the said section shall be available to such Unit subject to fulfilment of the conditions contained in the said section.
Explanation to the said sub-section defines the term “Unit” to have the meaning assigned to it in clause (zc) of section 2 of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005.
Sub-section (5) of the said section provides that nothing contained in this section shall apply unless option is exercised by the person in the manner as may be provided by rules on or before the due date specified under subsection (1) of section 139 for furnishing the returns of income for any previous year relevant to the assessment year commencing on or after the 1st day of April, 2021 and such option once exercised shall apply to subsequent assessment years.
The proviso to the said sub-section provides that once the option has been exercised for any previous year, it cannot be subsequently withdrawn for the same or any other previous year.
These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2021-2022 and subsequent assessment years.”
b) Clause 57
“Clause 57 of the Bill seeks to amend section 115JC of the Income-tax Act relating to special provisions for payment of tax by certain persons other than a company.
Sub-section (1) of the said section provides that where the regular income-tax payable for a previous year by a person, other than a company, is less than the alternate minimum tax payable for such previous year, the adjusted total income shall be deemed to be the total income of that person for such previous year and he shall be liable to pay income-tax on such total income at the rate of eighteen and one-half per cent.
Sub-section (3) of the said section provides that every person to whom the said section applies shall obtain a report in such form as may be prescribed, from an accountant, certifying that the adjusted total income and the alternate minimum tax have been computed in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter and furnish such report on or before the due date for furnishing of return of income under sub-section (1) of section 139.
It is proposed to amend the said sub-section (3) so as to provide that every person to whom the said section applies shall obtain a report before the specified date referred to in section 44AB (i.e. one month prior to the due date for filing of return under sub-section (1) of section 139), in such form as may be prescribed, from an accountant, certifying that the adjusted total income and the alternate minimum tax have been computed in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter and furnish such report by that date.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-2021 and subsequent assessment years.
It is proposed to consequentially insert a new subsection (5) in the said section so as to provide that the provisions contained therein shall not apply to a person who has exercised the option referred to in section 115BAC or section 115BAD.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2021-2022 and subsequent assessment years.”
c) Clause 58
“Clause 58 of the Bill seeks to amend section 115JD of the Income-tax Act relating to tax credit for alternate minimum tax.
It is proposed consequentially to insert a new sub-section (7) in said section so as to provide that the provisions contained therein shall not apply to a person who has exercised the option referred to in section 115BAC or section 115BAD.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2021 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2021-2022 and subsequent assessment years.”
Extract of Relevant Amendment Proposed by Finance Bill, 2020
53. Insertion of new sections 115BAC and 115BAD.
After section 115BAB of the Income-tax Act, the following sections shall be inserted with effect from the 1st day of April, 2021, namely:–
Tax on income of individuals and Hindu undivided family.
‘115BAC. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act but subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the income-tax payable in respect of the total income of a person, being an individual or a Hindu undivided family, for any previous year relevant to the assessment year beginning on or after the 1st day of April, 2021, shall, at the option of such person, be computed at the rate of tax given in the following Table, if the conditions contained in sub-section (2) are satisfied, namely:—
| Sl. No. | Total income | Rate of tax |
| (1) | (2) | (3) |
| 1. | Upto Rs 2,50,000 | Nil |
| 2. | From Rs 2,50,001 to Rs 5,00,000 | 5 per cent. |
| 3. | From Rs 5,00,001 to Rs 7,50,000 | 10 per cent. |
| 4. | From Rs 7,50,001 to Rs 10,00,000 | 15 per cent. |
| 5. | From Rs 10,00,001 to Rs 12,50,000 | 20 per cent. |
| 6. | From Rs 12,50,001 to Rs 15,00,000 | 25 per cent. |
| 7. | Above Rs 15,00,000 | 30 per cent.: |
Provided that where the person fails to satisfy the conditions contained in sub-section (2) in any previous year, the option shall become invalid in respect of the assessment year relevant to that previous year and other provisions of this Act shall apply, as if the option had not been exercised for the assessment year relevant to that previous year:
Provided further that where the option is exercised under clause (i) of sub-section (5), in the event of failure to satisfy the conditions contained in sub-section (2), it shall become invalid for subsequent assessment years also and other provisions of this Act shall apply for those years accordingly.
(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the total income of the individual or Hindu undivided family shall be computed,—
(i) without any exemption or deduction under the provisions of clause (5) or clause (13A) or prescribed under clause (14) (other than those as may be prescribed for this purpose) or clause (17) or clause (32), of section 10 or section 10AA or section 16 or clause (b) of section 24 (in respect of the property referred to in sub-section (2) of section 23) or clause (iia) of sub-section (1) of section 32 or section 32AD or section 33AB or section 33ABA or sub-clause (ii) or sub-clause (iia) or sub-clause (iii), of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2AA), of section 35 or section 35AD or section 35CCC or clause (iia) of section 57 or under any of the provisions of Chapter VI-A other than the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 80CCD or section 80JJAA;
(ii) without set off of any loss,—
(a) carried forward or depreciation from any earlier assessment year, if such loss or depreciation is attributable to any of the deductions referred to in clause (i);
(b) under the head “Income from house property” with any other head of income;
(iii) by claiming the depreciation, if any, under any provision of section 32, except clause (iia) of sub-section (1) of the said section, determined in such manner as may be prescribed; and
(iv) without any exemption or deduction for allowances or perquisite, by whatever name called, provided under any other law for the time being in force.
(3) The loss and depreciation referred to in clause (ii) of sub-section (2) shall be deemed to have been given full effect to and no further deduction for such loss or depreciation shall be allowed for any subsequent year:
Provided that where there is a depreciation allowance in respect of a block of assets which has not been given full effect to prior to the assessment year beginning on the 1st day of April, 2021, corresponding adjustment shall be made to the written down value of such block of assets as on the 1st day of April, 2020 in the prescribed manner, if the option under sub-section (5) is exercised for a previous year relevant to the assessment year beginning on the 1st day of April, 2021.
(4) In case of a person, having a Unit in the International Financial Services Centre, as referred to in sub-section (1A) of section 80LA, which has exercised option under sub-section (5), the conditions contained in sub-section (2) shall be modified to the extent that the deduction under section 80LA shall be available to such Unit subject to fulfillment of the conditions contained in the said section.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, the term “Unit” shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (zc) of section 2 of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005.
(5) Nothing contained in this section shall apply unless option is exercised in the prescribed manner by the person,—
(i) having business income, on or before the due date specified under sub-section (1) of section 139 for furnishing the returns of income for any previous year relevant to the assessment year commencing on or after the 1st day of April, 2021, and such option once exercised shall apply to subsequent assessment years;
(ii) having no business income, alongwith the return of income to be furnished under sub-section (1) of section 139 for a previous year relevant to the assessment year:
Provided that the option under clause (i), once exercised for any previous year can be withdrawn only once for a previous year other than the year in which it was exercised and thereafter, the person shall never be eligible to exercise option under this section, except where such person ceases to have any business income in which case, option under clause (ii) shall be available.
Tax on income of certain resident co-operative societies.
115BAD. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act but subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the income-tax payable in respect of the total income of a person, being a co-operative society resident in India, for any previous year relevant to the assessment year beginning on or after the 1st day of April, 2021, shall, at the option of such person, be computed at the rate of twenty-two per cent., if the conditions contained in sub-section (2) are satisfied:
Provided that where the person fails to satisfy the conditions contained in sub-section (2) in computing its income in any previous year, the option shall become invalid in respect of the assessment year relevant to that previous year and subsequent assessment years and other provisions of the Act shall apply, as if the option had not been exercised for the assessment year relevant to that previous year and subsequent assessment years.
(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the total income of the co-operative society shall be computed,—
(i) without any deduction under the provisions of section 10AA or clause (iia) of sub-section (1) of section 32 or section 32AD or section 33AB or section 33ABA or sub-clause (ii) or sub-clause (iia) or sub-clause (iii) of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2AA) of section 35 or section 35AD or section 35CCC or under any of the provisions of Chapter VI-A other than the provisions of section 80JJAA;
(ii) without set off of any loss carried forward or depreciation from any earlier assessment year, if such loss or depreciation is attributable to any of the deductions referred to in clause (i); and
(iii) by claiming the depreciation, if any, under section 32, other than clause (iia) of sub-section (1) of the said section, determined in such manner as may be prescribed.
(3) The loss and depreciation referred to in clause (ii) of sub-section (2) shall be deemed to have been given full effect to and no further deduction for such loss or depreciation shall be allowed for any subsequent year:
Provided that where there is a depreciation allowance in respect of a block of asset which has not been given full effect to prior to the assessment year beginning on the 1st day of April, 2021, corresponding adjustment shall be made to the written down value of such block of assets as on the 1st day of April, 2020 in such manner as may be prescribed, if the option under sub-section (5) is exercised for a previous year relevant to the assessment year beginning on the 1st day of April, 2021.
(4) In case of a person, having a Unit in the International Financial Services Centre, as referred to in sub-section (1A) of section 80LA, which has exercised option under sub-section (5), the conditions contained in sub-section (2) shall be modified to the extent that the deduction under the said section shall be available to such Unit subject to fulfilment of the conditions contained in that section. Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, the term “Unit” shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (zc) of section 2 of the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005.
(5) Nothing contained in this section shall apply unless option is exercised by the person in such manner as may be prescribed on or before the due date specified under sub-section (1) of section 139 for furnishing the return of income for any previous year relevant to the assessment year commencing on or after the 1st day of April, 2021 and such option once exercised shall apply to subsequent assessment years:
Provided that once the option has been exercised for any previous year, it cannot be subsequently withdrawn for the same or any other previous year.’.
57. Amendment of section 115JC.
In section 115JC of the Income-tax Act,–
(i) in sub-section (3), for the portion beginning with the words “in such form” and ending with the word and figures “section 139”, the words, figures and letters “before the specified date referred to in section 44AB, in such form as may be prescribed, from an accountant referred to in the Explanation below sub-section (2) of section 288, certifying that the adjusted total income and the alternate minimum tax have been computed in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter and furnish such report by that date” shall be substituted;
(ii) after sub-section (4), the following sub-section shall be inserted, with effect from the 1st day of April, 2021, namely:––
“(5) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a person who has exercised the option referred to in section 115BAC or section 115BAD.”.
58. Amendment of section 115JD.
In section 115JD of the Income-tax Act, after sub-section (6), the following sub-section shall be inserted, with effect from the 1st day of April, 2021, namely:–
“(7) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a person who has exercised the option referred to in section 115BAC or section 115BAD.”.
Source- Finance Bill 2020 / Union Budget 2020-21
Budget 2020- Demystifying hidden elements behind Budget Speech
