Section 115A of the Income-tax Act provides for determination of tax in case of a non-resident taxpayer where the total income includes any income by way of Royalty and Fees for technical services (FTS) received under an agreement entered after 31.03.1976 and which are not effectively connected with permanent establishment, if any, of the non-resident in India. The tax is payable on the gross amount of income at the rate of
(i) 30% if income by way of royalty or FTS is received in pursuance of an agreement entered on or before 31 .05.1997;
(ii) 20% if income by way of royalty or FTS is received in pursuance of an agreement entered after 31.05.1997 but before 01 .06.2005; and
(iii) 10% if income by way of royalty or FTS is received in pursuance of an agreement entered on or after 01.06.2005.
India has tax treaties with 84 countries, majority of tax treaties allow India to levy tax on gross amount of royalty at rates ranging from 10% to 25%, whereas the tax rate as per section 115A is 10%. In some cases, this has resulted in taxation at a lower rate of 10% even if the treaty allows the income to be taxed at a higher rate.
In order to correct this anomaly, the tax rate in case of non-resident taxpayer, in respect of income by way of royalty and fees for technical services as provided under section 115A, is proposed to be increased from 10% to 25%. This rate of 25% shall be applicable to any income by way of royalty and fees for technical services received by a non-resident, under an agreement entered after 31.03.1976, which is taxable under section 115A.
This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2014 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2014-15 and subsequent assessment years.
What comes under the purview of the word ‘agreement’ & ‘industrial policy’ as per the Act. Does purchase order form a part of either of the two??