SOME IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS BY FINANCE ACT, 2019 (Act No. 7 of 2019) & FINANCE (NO. 2) BILL, 2019
THE FINANCE ACT, 2019 (Act No.7 of 2019) (Interim Budget 2019.)
In February’s interim budget, the then acting finance minister Piyush Goyal had provided several income tax sops to the middle-class.
Following changes have been made by the Interim Budget,2019 which has been assented to by the President on February 21 thereby making it an Act.
(1). Rebate under section 87A
Presently, Section 87A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 provides for tax rebate (relief) of upto Rs. 2,500 to resident individuals having taxable income upto Rs. 3.5 lacs. In Budget 2019, the tax rebate u/s 87A has been increased to Rs. 12,500, i.e. for resident individuals having taxable income upto Rs. 5 lacs during FY 2019-20/ AY 2020-21.
Individual taxpayers with annual taxable income up to Rs 5 lakh will get full tax rebate, however no change has been made in the tax rates/ slabs applicable for Individuals for FY 2019-20/ AY 2020-21 in this Interim Budget.
(2). Standard Deduction for salaried persons,
For salaried persons, Standard Deduction has been raised from the current Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000. This will provide tax benefit to more than 3 crore salary earners and pensioners. Applicable with effect from the 1st day of April, 2020 (i.e. FY 2019-20/ AY 2020-21).
(3). Second Self-occupied House Property Exempted from Deemed Rental Income
Prior to this amendment if more than one self-occupied house property is owned by a taxpayer, only one was treated as a self-occupied property by choice of taxpayer and the other one is considered as let out and notional rent of such house property as deemed rental income under Section 23 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.As per amendment made now second self occupied property shall not be subjected to tax liability for deemed rental income.
Now an assessee can claim that he has two self-occupied house properties and hence deduction with respect to interest on borrowed capital for self occupied house property can be claimed with respect to both the houses. However, there is no change in the aggregate limit for the deduction on account of interest which remains the same, i.e., Rs. 2,00,000 as per Interim Budget. Applicable with effect from the 1st day of April, 2020 (i.e. FY 2019-20/ AY 2020-21).
(4). TDS on Interest u/s 194A: Limit Increased from Rs. 10,000 to 40,000 )
The threshold limit for TDS on Interest u/s 194A increased from Rs. 10,000 to 40,000 in respect of interest payments by banks/ post offices on term/ fixed/ recurring deposits from FY 2019-20/ AY 2020-21.
(5). TDS on Rent Payment u/s 194I: Limit Increased from Rs. 1,80,000 to 2,40,000.
The threshold limit of TDS on payment of rent u/s 194I increased from Rs. 1,80,000 to 2,40,000. Applicable with effect from the 1st day of April, 2020 (i.e. FY 2019-20/ AY 2020-21).
(6). Rollover of capital gains under section 54
Presently, long-term capital gains arising from sale of residential house property is exempted to the extent such capital gains are invested in purchase/ construction of another residential house property in India, by an Individual or HUF, i.e. Section 54 exemption is restricted to investment in one residential house only.
The scope of benefit of rollover of capital gains under section 54 of the Income Tax Act has been extended from investment in one residential house to two residential houses for a tax payer having capital gains up to Rs. 2 crore. This benefit can be availed once in a life time, i.e. once the assessee avails this option, he will not be eligible to exercise the option for any subsequent assessment year. Applicable with effect from the 1st day of April, 2020 (i.e. FY 2019-20/ AY 2020-21).
FINANCE ( NO. 2 ) BILL, 2019
Nirmala Sitharaman is the second lady finance minister after Indira Gandhi, to present the budget.
Some of the Important changes proposed in this Budget are discussed as under:-
(1). Section 9 Deemed accrual of gift made to a person outside India
Section 9 of the Act relates to Income deemed to accrue or arise in India. Under the Act, non residents are taxable in India in respect of income that accrues or arises in India or is received in India or is deemed to accrue or arise in India or is deemed to be received in India. Under the existing provisions of the Act, a gift of money or property is taxed in the hands of donee, except for certain exemptions provided in clause (x) of sub-section (2) of section 56. It has been reported that gifts are made by persons being residents in India to persons outside India and are claimed to be non-taxable in India as the income does not accrue or arise in India. To ensure that such gifts made by residents to persons outside India are subject to tax, it is proposed to provide that income of the nature referred to in sub-clause (xviia) of clause (24) of section 2, arising from any sum of money paid, or any property situate in India transferred, on or after 5th July, 2019 by a person resident in India to a person outside India shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India. However, the existing provision for exempting gifts as provided in proviso to clause (x) of sub-section (2) of section 56 will continue to apply for such gifts deemed to accrue or arise in India. In a treaty situation, the relevant article of applicable DTAA shall continue to apply for such gifts as well.
The gift received by NRI on or after 5th July 2019 exceeding INR 50,000 received from any resident Indian apart from specified relatives would be taxed in hands of NRIs. Also, NRI will have to file a tax return to disclose the gift income and pay the tax according to the slab rates. Since the gift is accrued in India, it is considered as taxable. Presently, the gifts were not considered as taxable as it was explicitly mentioned in the law.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment years.
(2). Section 10 Incentives to National Pension System (NPS) subscribers
(i) Under the existing provisions of section 10 of the Act, any payment from the NPS Trust to an assessee on closure of his account or on his opting out of the pension scheme, to the extent it does not exceed forty per cent of the total amount payable to him at the time of such closure or on his opting out of the scheme, is exempt from tax. With a view to enable the pensioner to have more disposable funds, it is proposed to amend the said section so as to increase the said exemption from forty per cent. to sixty per cent of the total amount payable to the person at the time of closure or his opting out of the scheme.
(ii) Under the existing provisions of section 80CCD of the Income-tax Act, in respect of any contribution by the Central Government or any other employer to the account of the employee referred to in the section, the assessee shall be allowed a deduction in the computation of his total income, of the whole of the amount contributed by the Central Government or any other employer, as does not exceed ten per cent of his salary in the previous year. In order to ensure that the Central Government employees get full deduction of the enhanced contribution, it is proposed to increase the limit from ten to fourteen per cent. of contribution made by the Central Government to the account of its employee.
(iii) To enable the Central Government employees to have more options of tax saving investments under National Pension System, it is proposed to amend the section 80C so as to provide that any amount paid or deposited by a Central Government employee as a contribution to his Tier-II account of the pension scheme shall be eligible for deduction under the said section.
These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment years.
(3). Section 12AA Cancellation of registration of the Trust or Institution
Section 12AA of the Act prescribes for manner of grating registration in case of trust or institution for the purpose of availing exemption in respect of its income under section 11 of the Act, subject to conditions contained under sections 11, 12, 12AA and 13. Section 12AA also provides for manner of cancellation of said registration. This section provides that cancellation of registration can be on two grounds:-
(a) the Principal Commissioner or the Commissioner is satisfied that activities of the exempt entity are not genuine or are not being carried out in accordance with its objects; and
(b) it is noticed that the activities of the exempt entity are being carried out in a manner that either whole or any part of its income would cease to be exempt.
In order to ensure that the trust or institution do not deviate from their objects, it is proposed to amend section 12AA of the Income-tax Act, so as to provide that,-
(i) at the time of granting the registration to a trust or institution, the Principal Commissioner or the Commissioner shall, inter alia, also satisfy himself about the compliance of the trust or institution to requirements of any other law which is material for the purpose of achieving its objects;
(ii) where a trust or an institution has been granted registration under clause (b) of sub-section (1) or has obtained registration at any time under section 12A and subsequently it is noticed that the trust or institution has violated requirements of any other law which was material for the purpose of achieving its objects, and the order, direction or decree, by whatever name called, holding that such violation has occurred, has either not been disputed or has attained finality, the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner may, by an order in writing, cancel the registration of such trust or institution after affording a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
These amendments shall be effective from 1st September, 2019.
(4). Prescription of electronic mode of payments
Section 13A, 35AD, 40A, 43, 43CA, 44AD, 80JJAA, 269SS, 269ST amended.
There are various provisions in the Act which prohibit cash transactions and allow/encourage payment or receipt only through account payee cheque, account payee draft or electronic clearing system through a bank account.
Section 13A of the Act requires a political party to receive donation exceeding rupees two thousand only through an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or using the electronic clearing system through a bank account, for the purpose of exemption of such donation.
Section 35AD of the Act provides that the term ‘any expenditure of capital nature’ shall not include any expenditure in respect of which the assessee makes payment (or an aggregate of payments) exceeding rupees ten thousand to a person in a day through any mode other than an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or using the electronic clearing system through a bank account.
Section 40A of the Act provides for disallowance of any expenditure for which the assessee makes payment (or an aggregate of payments) exceeding rupees ten thousand through any mode other than an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or using the electronic clearing system through a bank account.
Sub-section (1) to section 43 of the Act provides the definition of the term “actual cost”. The second proviso to the said section specifies that where the assessee incurs any expenditure for the acquisition of an asset or part thereof, and in respect of such acquisition, he makes a payment or aggregate of payments exceeding rupees ten thousand in a day to a person in any mode other than an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or using the electronic clearing system through a bank account, then such expenditure shall not be included in the determination of the actual cost.
Section 43CA of the Act provides that where the date of agreement fixing the value of consideration for the transfer of the asset and the date of registration of such transfer of asset are different, then the full value of consideration for transfer of such asset shall be the stamp duty value on the date of the agreement provided the amount of consideration or a part thereof has been received by way of an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or by use of electronic clearing system through a bank account on or before the date of agreement for transfer of the asset. Similar provision is made in the second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 50C and the second proviso to sub-clause (b) of clause (x) of sub-section (2) of section 56.
Section 44AD of the Act relates to presumptive taxation scheme for eligible businesses and provides that in case of an assessee engaged in an eligible business shall be eligible to avail the benefit of the presumptive taxation scheme if the profit from such business is declared at at the rate of eight per cent. or higher of the total turnover or gross receipts in the previous year from such business. The proviso to sub-section (1) of the said section provides that the eligible assessee can opt for the presumptive taxation scheme if he declares profit at the rate of six per cent. or higher of turnover received through an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or the use of electronic clearing system through a bank account.
Section 80JJAA of the Act provides for the deduction of an amount equal to at the rate of thirty per cent. of additional employee cost incurred by an assessee in the previous year in the course of a business covered under section 44AB, for three years including the year in which such additional employment is provided. Sub-clause (b) of clause (i) of the Explanation to this section specifies that the additional employee cost in case of an existing business shall be nil if the emoluments are paid otherwise than by an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or by use of electronic clearing system through a bank account.
In order to encourage other electronic modes of payment, it is proposed to amend all the above sections so as to include such other electronic mode as may be prescribed, in addition to the already existing permissible modes of payment in the form of an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or the electronic clearing system through a bank account.
These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly apply in relation to assessment year 2020-2021 and subsequent assessment years.
Similarly section 269SS of the Act prohibits a person from taking or accepting from a depositor any loan or deposit or any specified sum equal to rupees twenty thousand or more otherwise than by an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or by use of electronic clearing system through a bank account.
Section 269ST of the Act prohibits a person from receiving an amount of rupees two lakh or more in aggregate from a person in a day or in respect of a single transaction or in respect of transactions relating to one event or occasion from a person otherwise than by an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or by use of electronic clearing system through a bank account.
Section 269T of the Act prohibits a banking company or a co-operative bank and any other company or co-operative society and any firm or other person from repaying any loan or deposit made with it or any specified advance received by it, in any mode other than by an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or by use of electronic clearing system through a bank account, if the amount being repaid is rupees twenty thousand or more.
In order to encourage other electronic modes of payment, it is proposed to amend the above sections so as to include such other electronic mode as may be prescribed, in addition to the already existing permissible modes of payment/receipt in the form of an account payee cheque or an account payee bank draft or the electronic clearing system through a bank account.
These amendments will take effect from 1st September, 2019.
(5). Section 80EEA Tax incentive for affordable housing
In order to provide an encouragement to the ‘Housing for all’ objective of the Government and to enable the home buyer to have low-cost funds at his disposal, it is proposed to insert a new section 80EEA in the Act so as to provide a deduction in respect of interest up to one lakh fifty thousand rupees on loan taken for residential house property from any financial institution subject to the following conditions:
(i) loan has been sanctioned by a financial institution during the period beginning on the 1st April, 2019 to 31st March 2020.
(ii) the stamp duty value of house property does not exceed forty-five lakh rupees;
(iii) assessee does not own any residential house property on the date of sanction of loan.
It is also proposed that where a deduction under this section is allowed for any interest, deduction shall not be allowed in respect of such interest under any other provisions of the Act for the same or any other assessment year.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will accordingly apply in relation to assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment years.
(6). Section 80EEB Tax incentive for Electric Vehicles
With a view to improve environment and to reduce vehicular pollution, it is proposed to insert a new section 80EEB in the Act so as to provide for a deduction in respect of interest on loan taken for purchase of an electric vehicle from any financial institution up to one lakh fifty thousand rupees subject to the following conditions:
(i) the loan has been sanctioned by a financial institution including a non-banking financial company during the period beginning on the 1st April, 2019 to 31st March, 2023;
(ii) the assessee does not own any other electric vehicle on the date of sanction of loan.
It is also proposed that where a deduction under this section is allowed for any interest, deduction shall not be allowed in respect of such interest under any other provisions of the Act for the same or any other assessment year.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to assessment year 2020-2021 and subsequent assessment years.
(7). Section 80-IBA
The existing provisions of the section 80-IBA of the Act, inter alia, provide that where the gross total income of an assessee includes any profits and gains derived from the business of developing and building housing projects, there shall, subject to certain conditions, be allowed, a deduction of an amount equal to hundred per cent of the profits and gains derived from such business.
With a view to align the definition of “affordable housing” under section 80-IBA with the definition under GST Act, it is proposed to amend the said section so as to modify certain conditions regarding the housing project approved on or after 1st day of September, 2019. The modified conditions are as under:
(i) the assessee shall be eligible for deduction under the section, in respect of a housing project if a residential unit in the housing project have carpet area not exceeding 60 square meter in metropolitan cities or 90 square meter in cities or towns other than metropolitan cities of Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi National Capital Region (limited to Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Faridabad), Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai (whole of Mumbai Metropolitan Region); and
(ii) the stamp duty value of such residential unit in the housing project shall not exceed forty five lakh rupees;
These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment years.
(8). Provision of credit of relief provided under section 89
Section 89 of the Income-tax Act contains provisions for providing tax relief where salary, etc. is paid in arrears or in advance.
The existing provisions of section 140A, section 143, section 234A, section 234B and section 234C contain provisions relating to computation of tax liability after allowing credit for prepaid taxes and certain admissible reliefs, credits etc. However, the relief under section 89 is not specifically mentioned in these sections, which is resulting into genuine hardship in the case of taxpayers who are eligible for this relief.
In view of the above, it is proposed to amend section 140A, section 143, section 234A, section 234B and section 234C so as to provide that computation of tax liability shall be made after allowing relief under section 89.
These amendments will take effect retrospectively from 1st April, 2007 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2007-08 and subsequent assessment years.
(9). Section 139 Mandatory furnishing of Return of Income by certain persons
Currently, a person other than a company or a firm is required to furnish the return of income only if his total income exceeds the maximum amount not chargeable to tax, subject to certain exceptions. Therefore, a person entering into certain high value transactions is not necessarily required to furnish his return of income. In order to ensure that persons who enter into certain high value transactions do furnish their return of income, it is proposed to amend section 139 of the Act so as to provide that a person shall be mandatorily required to file his return of income, if during the previous year, he-
(i) has deposited an amount or aggregate of the amounts exceeding one crore rupees in one or more current account maintained with a banking company or a co-operative bank; or
(ii) has incurred expenditure of an amount or aggregate of the amounts exceeding two lakh rupees for himself or any other person for travel to a foreign country; or
(iii) has incurred expenditure of an amount or aggregate of the amounts exceeding one lakh rupees towards consumption of electricity; or
(iv) Currently, a person claiming rollover benefit of exemption from capital gains tax on investment in specified assets like house, bonds etc., is not required to furnish a return of income, if after claim of such rollover benefits, his total income is not more than the maximum amount not chargeable to tax . In order to make furnishing of return compulsory for such persons, it is proposed to amend the sixth proviso to section 139 of the Act to provide that a person who is claiming such rollover benefits on investment in a house or a bond or other assets, under sections 54, 54B, 54D, 54EC, 54F, 54G, 54GA and 54GB of the Act, shall necessarily be required to furnish a return, if before claim of the rollover benefits, his total income is more than the maximum amount not chargeable to tax.
(v) fulfills such other prescribed conditions, as may be prescribed.
These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly apply in relation to assessment year 2020-2021 and subsequent assessment years.
(10). Inter-changeability of PAN & Aadhaar and mandatory quoting in prescribed transactions.
Existing sub-section (1) of section 139A of the Act, inter alia, provides that every person specified therein, who has not been allotted a PAN, shall apply to the Assessing Officer for allotment of PAN.
It has been observed that in many cases persons entering into high value transactions, such as purchase of foreign currency or huge withdrawal from the banks, do not possess a PAN. In order to keep an audit trail of such transactions, for widening and deepening of the tax base, it is proposed to insert a new clause (vii) in the aforesaid sub-section so as to provide that every person, who intends to enter into certain prescribed transactions and has not been alloted a PAN, shall also apply for allotment of a PAN.
To ensure ease of compliance, it is also proposed to provide for inter-changeability of PAN with the Aadhaar number. Accordingly the provisions of section 139A are proposed to be amended so as to provide that,-
(i) every person who is required to furnish or intimate or quote his PAN under the Act, and who, has not been allotted a PAN but possesses the Aadhaar number, may furnish or intimate or quote his Aadhaar number in lieu of PAN, and such person shall be allotted a PAN in the prescribed manner;
(ii) every person who has been allotted a PAN, and who has linked his Aadhaar number under section 139AA, may furnish or intimate or quote his Aadhaar number in lieu of a PAN.
Section 139A, inter alia, provides that every person, receiving a document relating to a transaction for which PAN is required to be quoted shall ensure that the PAN has been duly quoted therein. It is proposed to provide that every person receiving such documents shall also ensure that the PAN or the Aadhaar number, as the case may be, has been duly quoted. A new sub-section (6A) is also proposed to be inserted to ensure quoting of PAN or Aadhaar number for entering into prescribed transactions and authontication thereof in the prescribed manner. Duty is also proposed to be cast upon the person receiving any document relating to such transactions, through newly proposed sub-section (6B), to ensure that PAN or Aadhaar number, as the case may be, is duly quoted, and authenticated.
In order to ensure proper compliance of the provisions relating to quoting and authentication of PAN or Aadhaar, the penalty provision contained in section 272B is proposed to be amended suitably.
These amendments will take effect from 1st September, 2019.
(11). Section 272B
Clause 64 of the Bill seeks to amend section 272B of the Income-tax Act relating to penalty for failure to comply with the provisions of section 139A.
The said section, inter alia, provides for penalty for failure to comply with the provisions of section 139A.
It is proposed to suitably amend the sub-section (2) of the said section, so that penalty may also be levied on false quoting or non-intimation of Aadhaar number.
It is further proposed that penalty of ten thousand rupees shall be levied for each such default.
It is also proposed to insert a new sub-section (2A) to provide that if a person, who is required to quote and also authenticate his permanent account number or Aadhaar number, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of section (6A), fails to do so, the Assessing Officer may direct that such person shall pay, by way of penalty, a sum of ten thousand rupees for each such default.
It is also proposed to insert a new sub-section (2B) to provide that if a person who is required to ensure that the permanent account number or the Aadhaar number, as the case may be, quote in the documents relating to transaction prescribed in clause (c) of sub-section (5) of section 139A or authenticate such number in respect of transactions prescribed under sub-section (6A) of that section, fails to do so, the Assessing Officer may direct that such person shall pay, by way of penalty, a sum of ten thousand rupees for each such default.
It is also proposed that before passing a penalty order under the proposed new sub-section (2A) and sub-section (2B), a person shall be heard.
These amendments will take effect from 1st September, 2019.
(12). Consequence of not linking PAN with Aadhaar
The existing proviso to the sub-section (2) of section 139AA, provides that the PAN allotted to a person shall be deemed to be invalid, in case the person fails to intimate the Aadhaar number, on or before the notified date.
In order to protect validity of transactions previously carried out through such PAN, it is proposed to amend the said proviso so as to provide that if a person fails to intimate the Aadhaar number, the PAN allotted to such person shall be made inoperative in the prescribed manner.
This amendment will take effect from 1st September, 2019.
(13). Section 194-IA TDS at the time of purchase of immovable property
Section 194-IA of the Act relates to payment on transfer of certain immovable property other than agricultural land and provides for levy of TDS at the rate of one per cent. on the amount of consideration paid or credited for transfer of such property. The term ‘consideration for immovable property’ is presently not defined for the purposes of this section. It is noted that in the transaction involving purchase of immovable property, there are other types of payments made besides the sales consideration and the buyer is contractually bound to make such payments to the builder/seller, either under the same agreement or under a different agreement. Some of such payments are those for rights to amenities like club membership fee, car parking fee, electricity and water facility fees, maintenance fee, advance fee etc. Accordingly, it is proposed to amend the Explanation to said section and provide that the term “consideration for immovable property” shall include all charges of the nature of club membership fee, car parking fee, electricity and water facility fees, maintenance fee, advance fee or any other charges of similar nature, which are incidental to transfer of the immovable property.
This amendment will take effect from 1st September, 2019.
(14). Section 194DA TDS on non exempt portion of life insurance pay-out on net basis.
Under section 194DA of the Act, a person is obliged to deduct tax at source, if it pays any sum to a resident under a life insurance policy, which is not exempt under sub-section (10D) of section 10. The present requirement is to deduct tax at the rate of one per cent. of such sum at the time of payment. Several concerns have been expressed that deducting tax on gross amount creates difficulties to an assesse who otherwise has to pay tax on net income (i.e after deducting the amount of insurance premium paid by him from the total sum received). From the point of views of tax administration as well, it is preferable to deduct tax on net income so that the income as per TDS return of the deductor can be matched automatically with the return of income filed by the assessee. The person who is paying a sum to a resident under a life insurance policy is aware of the amount of insurance premium paid by the assessee. Hence, it is proposed to provide for tax deduction at source at the rate of five per cent. on income component of the sum paid by the person.
This amendment shall be effective from 1st September, 2019.
(15). New Section 194-M Tax Deduction at Source on payment by Individual/HUF to contractors and professionals
At present there is no liability on an individual or Hindu undivided family (HUF) to deduct tax at source on any payment made to a resident contractor or professional when it is for personal use. Further, if the individual or HUF is carrying on business or profession which is not subjected to audit, there is no obligation to deduct tax at source on such payment to a resident, even if the payment is for the purpose of business or profession. Due to this exemption, substantial amount by way of payments made by individuals or HUFs in respect of contractual work or for professional service is escaping the levy of TDS, leaving a loophole for possible tax evasion. To plug this loophole, it is proposed to insert a new section 194M in the Act to provide for levy of TDS at the rate of five per cent. on the sum, or the aggregate of sums, paid or credited in a year on account of contractual work or professional fees by an individual or a Hindu undivided family, not required to deduct tax at source under section 194C and 194J of the Act, if such sum, or aggregate of such sums, exceeds fifty lakh rupees in a year. However, in order to reduce the compliance burden, it is proposed that such individuals or HUFs shall be able to deposit the tax deducted using their Permanent Account Number (PAN) and shall not be required to obtain Tax deduction Account Number (TAN).
This amendment will take effect from 1st September, 2019.
(16).Section 194-N TDS on cash withdrawal to discourage cash transactions
In order to further discourage cash transactions and move towards less cash economy, it is proposed to insert a new section 194N in the Act to provide for levy of TDS at the rate of two per cent on cash payments in excess of one crore rupees in aggregate made during the year, by a banking company or cooperative bank or post office, to any person from an account maintained by the recipient.
It is proposed to exempt payment made to certain recipients, such as the Government, banking company, cooperative society engaged in carrying on the business of banking, post office, banking correspondents and white label ATM operators, who are involved in the handling of substantial amounts of cash as a part of their business operation, from the application of this provision. It is proposed to empower the Central Government to exempt other recipients, through a notification in the official Gazette in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India.
This amendment will take effect from 1st September, 2019.
(17). Section 195 Online filing of application seeking determination of tax to be deducted at source on payment to non-residents
Under sub-section (2) of section 195 of the Act, if a person who is responsible for paying any sum to a non-resident which is chargeable to tax under the Act (other than salary) considers that the whole of such sum would not be income chargeable in the case of the recipient, he can make an application to the Assessing Officer to determine the appropriate proportion of such sum chargeable. This provision is used by a person making payment to a non-resident to obtain certificate/order from the Assessing Officer for lower or nil withholding-tax. However, the process is currently manual. In order to use technology to streamline the process, which will not only reduce the time for processing of such applications, but shall also help tax administration in monitoring such payments, it is proposed to amend the provisions of this section to allow for prescribing the form and manner of application to the Assessing Officer and also for the manner of determination of appropriate portion of sum chargeable to tax by the Assessing Officer.
Similar amendment is also proposed to be made in sub-section (7) of section 195 which are applicable to specified class of persons or cases.
These amendments will take effect from 1st November, 2019.
(18). Section 201 Relaxing the provisions of sections 201 and 40 of the Act in case of payments to non-residents
Section 201 of the Act provides that where any person, including the principal officer of a company or an employer (hereinafter called ‘the deductor’), who is required to deduct tax at source on any sum in accordance with the provisions of the Act, does not deduct or does not pay such tax or fails to pay such tax after making the deduction, then such person shall be deemed to be an assessee in default in respect of such tax.
The first proviso to sub-section (1) of section 201 specifies that the deductor shall not be deemed to be an assessee in default if he fails to deduct tax on a payment made to a resident, if such resident has furnished his return of income under section 139, disclosed such payment for computing his income in his return of income, paid the tax due on the income declared by him in his return of income and furnished an accountant’s certificate to this effect.
This relief in section 201 is available to the deductor, only in respect of payments made to a resident. In case of similar failure on payments made to a non-resident, such relief is not available to the deductor. To remove this anomaly, it is proposed to amend the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 201 to extend the benefit of this proviso to a deductor, even in respect of failure to deduct tax on payment to non-resident.
Consequent to this amendment, it is also proposed to amend the proviso to sub-section (1A) of section 201 to provide for levy of interest till the date of filing of return by the non-resident payee (as is the case at present with resident payee).
These amendments will take effect from 1st September, 2019.
For the same reason, it is also proposed to amend clause (a) of section 40 to provide that where an assessee fails to deduct tax in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XVII-B on any sum paid to a non-resident, but is not deemed to be an assessee in default under the first proviso to sub-section (1) of section 201, then it shall be deemed that the assessee has deducted and paid the tax on such sum on the date of furnishing of the return of income by the payee referred to in that proviso. Thus, there will be no disallowance under section 40 in respect of such payments.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment years.
(19). Section 206A Electronic filing of statement of transactions on which tax has not been deducted
Section 206A of the Act relates to furnishing of statement in respect of payment of certain income by way of interest to residents where no tax has been deducted at source.
At present, the section provides for filing of such statements on a floppy, diskette, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, or any other computer readable media. To enable online filing of such statements, it is proposed to substitute this section so as to provide for filing of statement (where tax has not been deducted on payment of interest to residents) in prescribed form in the prescribed manner.
It is also proposed to provide for correction of such statements for rectification of any mistake or to add, delete or update the information furnished.
It is also proposed to make a consequential amendment arising out of amendment carried out by Finance Act, 2019 whereby threshold for TDS on payment of interest by a banking company or cooperative society or public company was raised to forty thousand rupees.
These amendments will take effect from 1st September, 2019.
(20). Section 239 Rationalisation of provisions relating to claim of refund.
The existing provisions of section 239 of the Act provide inter alia that every claim of refund under Chapter XIX of the Act shall be made in the prescribed form and verified in the prescribed manner.
In order to simplify the procedure for claim of refund, it is proposed to amend the said section so as to provide that every claim for refund under Chapter XIX of the Act shall be made by furnishing return in accordance with the provisions of section 139 of the Act.
It is further proposed to omit sub-section (2) of section 239 which prescribes time limit for the claim of refund.
This amendment will take effect from 1st September, 2019.
(21). Section 269 SU Mandating acceptance of payments through prescribed electronic modes
In order to achieve the mission of the Government to move towards a less cash economy to reduce generation and circulation of black money and to promote digital economy, it is proposed to insert a new section 269SU in the Act so as to provide that every person, carrying on business, shall, provide facility for accepting payment through the prescribed electronic modes, in addition to the facility for other electronic modes of payment, if any, being provided by such person, if his total sales, turnover or gross receipts in business exceeds fifty crore rupees during the immediately preceding previous year.
This amendment will take effect from 1st November, 2019.
(22). New Section 27IDB
In order to ensure compliance of the aforesaid provisions of Section 269SU, it is further proposed to insert a new section 27IDB to provide that the failure to provide facility for electronic modes of payment prescribed under section 269SU shall attract penalty of a sum of five thousand rupees, for every day during which such failure continues. However, the penalty shall not be imposed if the person proves that there were good and sufficient reasons for such failure. Any such penalty shall be imposed by the Joint Commissioner.
This amendment will take effect from 1st November, 2019.
(23). Amendment in the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
Further, it is proposed to make a consequential amendment in the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 so as to provide that no bank or system provider shall impose any charge upon anyone, either directly or indirectly, for using the modes of electronic payment prescribed under section 269SU of the Income-tax Act.
This amendment will take effect from 1st November, 2019.
(24). Section 270A Rationalisation of penalty provisions relating to under-reported income
Section 270A contains provisions relating to penalty for under-reporting and misreporting of income. The existing provisions provide for various situations for the purposes of levy of penalty under this section. However, these provisions do not contain the mechanism for determining under-reporting of income and quantum of penalty to be levied in the case where the person has under-reported income and furnished the return of income for the first time under section 148 of the Act.
Sub-section (2) of the said section specifies the condition under which a person shall be considered to have under-reported his income.
Sub-section (3) of the said section provides for the manner in which under-reported income shall be determined.
It is proposed to amend clause (b) and clause (e) of the said sub-section (2) so as to provide that where return is furnished for the first time under section 148, a person shall be considered to have under-reported his income, if the income or deemed income assessed is greater than the maximum amount not chargeable to tax.
It is further proposed to amend sub-clause (b) of clause (i) of the said sub-section (3) so as to provide that where return is furnished for the first time under section 148 in the case of a company, firm or local authority, the amount of income assessed, and in any other case, the difference between the amount of income assessed and the maximum amount not chargeable to tax shall be the under-reported income.
It is also proposed to amend clause (a) of sub-section (10) of section 270A so as to provide that in a case where return is furnished for the first time under section 148, the tax payable in respect of under-reported income shall be the amount of tax calculated on the under-reported income as increased by the maximum amount not chargeable to tax as if it were the total income.
These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2017 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2017- 2018 and subsequent assessment years.
(25). Rationalisation of the provisions of section 276CC
The existing provisions of section 276CC of the Act, inter alia, provide that prosecution proceedings for failure to furnish returns of income against a person shall not proceeded against, for failure to furnish the return of income in due time, if the tax payable by such person, not being a company, on the total income determined on regular assessment does not exceed three thousand rupees. The existing provisions do not provide for taking into account tax collected at source and self-assessment tax for the purposes of determining the tax liability.
Since the intent of said provision has always been to take into account pre-paid taxes, while determining the tax payable, it is proposed to amend the said section so as to make the legislative intention clear and to include the self-assessment tax, if any, paid before the expiry of the assessment year, and tax collected at source for the purpose of determining tax liability.
Further, in order to rationalise the existing threshold limit of tax payable under said section, it is further proposed to amend the said section so as to increase the threshold of tax payable from the existing rupees three thousand to rupees ten thousand.
These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2020 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to assessment year 2020-21 and subsequent assessment years.
(26).Section 285BA Widening the scope of Statement of Financial Transactions (SFT)
Existing provisions of section 285BA of the Act, inter alia, provide for furnishing of statement of financial transaction (SFT) or reportable account by person specified therein.
In order to enable pre-filling of return of income, it is proposed to obtain information by widening the scope of furnishing of statement of financial transactions by mandating furnishing of statement by certain prescribed persons other than those who are currently furnishing the same. It is also proposed to remove the current threshold of rupees fifty thousand on aggregate value of transactions during a financial year, for furnishing of information, with a view to ensure pre-filling of information relating to small amount of transactions as well. In order to ensure proper compliance, it is also proposed to amend the provisions of sub-section (4) of aforesaid section so as provide that if the defect in the statement is not rectified within the time specified therein, the provisions of the Act shall apply as if such person had furnished inaccurate information in the statement.
Consequently, it is also proposed to amend the penalty provisions contained in section 271FAA so as to ensure correct furnishing of information in the SFT and widen the scope of penalty to cover all the reporting entities under section 285BA. (Amount of penalty Rs.5,0000/- already prescribed).
These amendments will take effect from 1st day of September, 2019.
(27). Pre-filled ITRs
The Hon’ble Finance Minister in her budget speech, has presented the provision of pre-filled ITRs as a taxpayer friendly initiative, and has stated as under,
“Pre-filled tax returns will be made available to taxpayers which will contain details of salary income, capital gains from securities, bank interests, and dividends etc. and tax deductions. Information regarding these incomes will be collected from the concerned sources such as Banks, Stock exchanges, mutual funds, EPFO, State Registration Departments etc. This will not only significantly reduce the time taken to file a tax return, but will also ensure accuracy of reporting of income and taxes.”
Existing provisions of section 285BA of the Act, inter alia, provide for furnishing of statement of financial transaction (SFT) or reportable account by person specified therein.
In order to enable pre-filling of return of income, it has been proposed to obtain information by widening the scope of furnishing of statement of financial transactions by mandating furnishing of statement by certain prescribed persons other than those who are currently furnishing the same. It has also been proposed to remove the current threshold of rupees fifty thousand on aggregate value of transactions during a financial year, for furnishing of information, with a view to ensure pre-filling of information relating to small amount of transactions as well.
At present, the pre-filling of columns in ITRs is limited to certain basic details only like address, email id, jurisdictional AO details etc. and not to details of salary income, capital gains from securities, bank interests, and dividends etc. and tax deductions, as has now been proposed.
(28). Faceless e-assessments
The Hon’ble Finance Minister, while emphasizing the significance and desirability of faceless e-assessments, in her budget speech has stated as under,
“The existing system of scrutiny assessments in the Income-tax Department involves a high level of personal interaction between the taxpayer and the Department, which leads to certain undesirable practices on the part of tax officials. To eliminate such instances, and to give shape to the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, a scheme of faceless assessment in electronic mode involving no human interface is being launched this year in a phased manner. To start with, such e-assessments shall be carried out in cases requiring verification of certain specified transactions or discrepancies.
Cases selected for scrutiny shall be allocated to assessment units in a random manner and notices shall be issued electronically by a Central Cell, without disclosing the name, designation or location of the Assessing Officer. The Central Cell shall be the single point of contact between the taxpayer and the Department. This new scheme of assessment will represent a paradigm shift in the functioning of the Income Tax Department.”
No doubt the introduction of faceless e-assessments, is a very novel and path-breaking initiative of the Government and is aimed at putting a curb on undesirable practices on the part of tax officials.
TARLOK BHALLA,B.COM,CA(INTERMEDIATE)
Tax Consultant.
EX-PRESIDENT TAXATION BAR ASSOCAITION,LUDHIANA
G.T. Road, Miller Ganj, Ludhiana.
Mob- 98140-21789
Disclaimer:
This is not a professional opinion or an advice to any specified person or in general, but simply an analysis and author will not be responsible for any loss caused to anyone who acts on the basis of this analysis. Budget proposals may change or may be different at the time the Budget is passed by the Parliament and notified by the Government.
Author Bio
Dear Bhalla Ji,
Thanks a Lot Sir !