Budget 2023: Special provision for taxation of capital gains in case of Market Linked Debentures
It has been noticed that a variety of hybrid securities that combine features of plain vanilla debt securities and exchange traded derivatives are being issued through private placements and listed on stock exchanges. It is seen that such securities differ from plain vanilla debt securities.
2. ‘Market Linked Debentures’ are listed securities. They are currently being taxed as long-term capital gain at the rate of 10% without indexation. However, these securities are in the nature of derivatives which are normally taxed at applicable rates. Further, they give variable interests as they are linked with the performance of the market.
3. In order to tax the capital gains arising from the transfer or redemption or maturity of these securities as short-term capital gains at the applicable rates, it is proposed to insert a new section 50AA in the Act to treat the full value of the consideration received or accruing as a result of the transfer or redemption or maturity of the “Market Linked Debentures” as reduced by the cost of acquisition of the debenture and the expenditure incurred wholly or exclusively in connection with transfer or redemption of such debenture, as capital gains arising from the transfer of a short term capital asset.
4. Further, it is also proposed to define the ‘Market linked Debenture’ as a security by whatever name called, which has an underlying principal component in the form of a debt security and where the returns are linked to market returns on other underlying securities or indices and include any securities classified or regulated as a Market Linked Debenture by Securities and Exchange Board of India.
5. This amendment will take effect from the 1st day of April, 2024 and shall accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2024-25 and subsequent assessment years.
[Clause 24]
Extract of relevant clause of Finance Bill 2023
Clause 24 of the Bill seeks to insert a new section 50AA in the Income-tax Act relating to special provision for taxation of Market Linked Debentures.
It is proposed to insert a new section 50AA in the Income-tax Act to treat the full value of the consideration received or accruing as a result of the transfer or redemption or maturity of the “Market Linked Debentures” as reduced by the cost of acquisition of the debenture and the expenditure incurred wholly or exclusively in connection with transfer or redemption of such debenture, as capital gains arising from the transfer of a short term capital asset.
It is further proposed to define the expression ‘Market linked Debenture’ to mean a security by whatever name called, which has an underlying principal component in the form of a debt security and where the returns are linked to market returns on other underlying securities or indices and includes any security classified or regulated as a Market Linked Debenture by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2024 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2024-2025 and subsequent assessment years.
Extract of Relevant Amendment Proposed by Finance Bill, 2023
24. Insertion of new section 50AA.
After section 50A the Income-tax Act, the following section shall be inserted with effect from the 1st day of April, 2024, namely:–
‘50AA. Special provision for computation of capital gains in case of Market Linked Debenture.
Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (42A) of section 2 or section 48, where the capital asset is a Market Linked Debenture, the full value of consideration received or accruing as a result of the transfer or redemption or maturity of such debenture as reduced by––
(i) the cost of acquisition of the debenture; and
(iii) the expenditure incurred wholly and exclusively in connection with such transfer or redemption or maturity,
shall be deemed to be the capital gains arising from the transfer of a short-term capital asset:
Provided that no deduction shall be allowed in computing the income chargeable under the head “Capital gains” in respect of any sum paid on account of securities transaction tax under the provisions of Chapter VII of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2004.
Explanation.–– For the purposes of this section “Market Linked Debenture” means a security by whatever name called, which has an underlying principal component in the form of a debt security and where the returns are linked to the market returns on other underlying securities or indices, and includes any security classified or regulated as a market linked debenture by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.’.
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