Union Budget 2018- Rationalisation of section 276CC relating to prosecution for failure to furnish return
Section 276CC of the Act provides that if a person willfully fails to furnish in due time the return of income which he is required to furnish, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term, as specified therein, with fine.
The sub-clause (b) of clause (ii) of proviso to the section 276CC further provides that a person shall not be proceeded against under the said section for failure to furnish return for any assessment year commencing on or after the 1st day of April, 1975, if the tax payable by him 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 three thousand rupees.
In order to prevent abuse of the said proviso by shell companies or by companies holding Benami properties, it is proposed to amend the provisions of the said sub-clause so as to provide that the said sub-clause shall not apply in respect of a company.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2018.
Extract of Clause 52 of Finance Bill 2018
Clause 52 of the Bill seeks to amend section 276CC of the Income-tax Act relating to failure to furnish returns of income.
Sub-clause (b) of clause (ii) of the proviso to the said section provides that a person shall not be proceeded against under the said section for any assessment year commencing on or after the 1st day of April, 1975, if the tax payable by him 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 three thousand rupees.
It is proposed to amend the provisions of the said sub-clause (b) so as to provide that the conditions specified therein shall not be applicable in respect of a company.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2018.