Under the existing provisions of the Income-tax Act, dividend received from foreign companies is taxable in the hands of the resident shareholder at his applicable marginal rate of tax. Therefore, in case of Indian companies which receive foreign dividend, such dividend is taxable at the rate of thirty per cent. plus applicable surcharge and cess.
It is proposed to insert a new section 115BBD to provide that where total income of an Indian company for the previous year relevant to the assessment year 2012-13 includes any income by way of dividends received from a foreign subsidiary company, then such dividends shall be taxable at the rate of fifteen per cent. (plus applicable surcharge and cess) on the gross amount of dividends. No expenditure in respect of such dividends shall be allowed under the Act.
This amendment is proposed to take effect from 1st April, 2012 and will accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2012-13.
