Showing posts with label Tax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tax. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Old V/s New Tax Regime (FY 2020-21)- Choose Right Option ???


New section 115BAC is inserted in Income Tax Act by the Finance Act 2020 and it is applicable w.e.f 1st April 2020 and will be applicable on Individuals and HUFs for assessment year 2021-22 and subsequent assessment years. 

Under this section taxpayers i.e Individuals and HUFs has an option to pay the tax on the basis of concessional slab rates subject to some conditions. 

The new income tax slab rates as per section 115BAC are as follows: 


So, it is pretty evident that while the old regime had different tax slabs for different age groups, new tax does not provide the varied tax slabs on basis the age groups. 

Conditions to opt new tax scheme - 
In order to avail the benefit of section 115BAC, an individual/HUF assessee has to forgo the ‘specified Exemptions and Deductions’ under various chapters and sections of the Income Tax Act which are as follows:

· Leave travel concession as contained in clause (5) of section 10; 

· House rent allowance as contained in clause (13A) of section 10; 

· Some of the allowance as contained in clause (14) of section 10; 

· Allowances to MPs/MLAs as contained in clause (17) of section 10; 

· Allowance for income of minor as contained in clause (32) of section 10; 

· Exemption for SEZ unit contained in section 10AA; 

· Standard deduction, deduction for entertainment allowance and employment/professional tax as contained in section 16; 

· Interest under section 24 in respect of self-occupied or vacant property referred to in sub-section (2) of section 23. (Loss under the head income from house property for rented house shall not be allowed to be set off under any other head and would be allowed to be carried forward as per extant law); 

· Additional deprecation under clause (iia) of sub-section (1) of section 32; 

· Deductions under section 32AD, 33AB, 33ABA; 

· Various deduction for donation for or expenditure on scientific research contained in sub-clause (ii) or sub-clause (iia) or sub-clause (iii) of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2AA) of section 35; 

· Deduction under section 35AD or section 35CCC; 

· Deduction from family pension under clause (iia) of section 57; 

· Any deduction under chapter VIA (like section 80C, 80CCC, 80CCD, 80D, 80DD, 80DDB, 80E, 80EE, 80EEA, 80EEB, 80G, 80GG, 80GGA, 80GGC, 80IA, 80-IAB, 80-IAC, 80-IB, 80-IBA, etc). 

However, deduction under sub-section (2) of section 80CCD (employer contribution on account of employee in notified pension scheme) and section 80JJAA (for new employment) can be claimed. 

Examples for Comparative analysis of Old Vs New Tax regime: 

-Assume 60 years of age group- 

-Deductions Applicable: Rs 1.5 Lakh u/s 80C; Rs. 50,000 standard deduction; Rs. 25,000 u/s 80D; Rs. 2 Lakh home loan interest u/s 24. Total of Rs 425000/- 

-Total Tax Calculated is including Tax+ Edu Cess ( Surcharge is not Calculated) 

Income: Rs. 10 Lakh (with 4.25 Lakh Deduction)
                                               
Particular
Old Regime with Deductions(in Rs.)
New Regime (in Rs.)
Income 
10.00 Lakh
10.00 Lakh
Exemptions/ Deductions
4.25 Lakh
Nil
Taxable Income 
5.75 Lakh
10.00 Lakh
Total Tax
28,600
78,000

Income: Rs. 10 Lakh (with 1.00 Lakh Deduction)

Particular
Old Regime with Deductions (in Rs.)
New Regime (in Rs.)
Income 
10.00 Lakh
10.00 Lakh
Exemptions/ Deductions
1.00 Lakh
Nil
Taxable Income 
9.00 Lakh
10.00 Lakh
Total Tax
96,200
78,000

Income: Rs. 25 Lakh (with 4.25 Lakh Deduction)
                                              
Particular
Old Regime with Deductions (in Rs.)
New Regime (in Rs.)
Income 
25.00 Lakh
25.00 Lakh
Exemptions/ Deductions
4.25 Lakh
Nil
Taxable Income 
20.75 Lakh
25.00 Lakh
Total Tax
4,52,400
5,07,000

Income: Rs. 25 Lakh (with 1.00 Lakh Deduction)

Particular
Old Regime with Deductions (in Rs.)
New Regime (in Rs.)
Income 
25.00 Lakh
25.00 Lakh
Exemptions/ Deductions
1.00 Lakh
Nil
Taxable Income 
24.00 Lakh
25.00 Lakh
Total Tax
5,53,800
5,07,000

Selection of New or Old Tax Regime depends upon some factors which are explained as follows: 

1. Nature of Income:- Whether assesse’s of Income is only from the “Salary” or it will include income from other heads later in the current financial year i.e between 01.04.2020 to 31.03.2021. If assessee is expecting his income from other heads for which amount can’t be determined in the beginning of financial year or any time before the end of relevant financial year then assessee should not make hurry to opting the tax regime old or 

For example generally a salaried employee receive some incomes from his employer in the mid or by the end of financial year like Bonus, Performance related pay etc. for which employee don’t know the exact amount which is expected to be received in the mid or by the end of relevant financial year. 

So income is a variable factor while opting old or new Tax Regime and must be considered & properly analyzed by the assessee. 

2. Exemptions/Deductions to be availed:- Before opting the old or new Tax Regime assessee must review all the exemptions/deductions which are to be availed by him like number of exemptions/deductions, quantum/amount of exemptions/deductions and their impact on taxable income i.e whether is there any change in slab of his income such due to exemptions/deductions. 

For example sometimes assessee has less number of exemptions/deductions with very low impact on taxable income like an assessee may or may not have interest on housing loan which is available for deduction U/S 24(b) of Income Tax Act 1961 or if assessee has the same but amount is not as much as it will change the slab of Income after considering the same. 

Hence it is advice to all the taxpayers covers u/s 115BAC that make proper analysis of your Tax liability before opting old or new Tax Regime, even this section also provided that assessee can opt old or new Tax Regime before filing his return of income. 

So it is advised to all taxpayers that they should opt the old or new Tax Regime only while file your income tax return. 

Note: 

To calculate/access your tax liability under both old and new Tax Regime you may refer income tax calculator F.Y 2020-21 which is available at incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in 


What are the conditions to avail the new regime and who can opt it? 

1) Any Individual can opt the new tax regime, meaning to say that the new regime is an optional regime and Individual taxpayers can choose between the old & new tax regime. 

2) Further, where the taxpayer earning income from business has opted for the new regime for any year and withdraws it in any subsequent year, cannot opt for the new regime again and has to follow the old tax slabs only. However, other Individual taxpayers can choose between the regimes every year. 

3) CBDT circular issued on April 13, 2020 has directed all the employers to obtain a declaration from employees, if they wish to opt for the new tax regime. However, employees will still continue to have the right to choose between the tax regimes at the time of filing the return. 
Individuals opting for the new regime has to forego certain exemptions and deductions which were available with the old regime. 

CBDT has issued a circular C1 of 2020 dated 13th April on clarification of TDS under section 115BAC . 

Main points which are clarified by CBDT through this circular are as follows: 

1. If an employee having Income from other than Income under the head “ Profits & Gains of Business or Profession” and willing to opt new Tax Regime U/S 115BAC may intimate the duductor being his employer of such intention on each financial year and upon such intimation the deductor shall compute his total income and deduct TDS accordingly. 

If such intimation is not made by employee the employer shall make TDS without considering the provisions of section 115BAC. 

2. It is also clarified that if intimation made by employee to opt new Tax Regime U/S 115 BAC and willing to deduct TDS accordingly during the financial year in such case the employee can’t modify his option during financial year to opt old Tax Regime. 

However at the time of filing of return of income the option could be different from the intimation that made by such employee to the employer for that financial year.

For Query Reach at - unificonsultancy@gmail.com

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Govt Action on Pending Income Tax Refunds


Govt immediate action on income tax refunds up to Rs 5 lakh due to covid_ 19 impact

      The Income Tax Department, on its official Twitter handle, announced that it will issue all pending income tax refunds up to Rs 5 lakh immediately to individuals and business entities. The decision has come in the due to the coronavirus lockdown in the country. According to press note of the department, this decision would benefit around 14 lakh taxpayers.


The decision will come as relief for individuals who are facing cash crunch due to pay cuts or job loss or waiting for their salaries or wages to be released by their employers.

According to the announcement made, "In context of COVID-19 situation and to grant immediate relief to taxpayers, GOI has decided to issue all pending income tax refunds up to Rs 5 lakh & GST custom refunds with immediate effect.

The income tax refund issued by the department will help people get their money which is stuck with the department. An income tax refund is due to an individual when the tax deducted from an individual's income in a particular financial year is higher than his/her total income tax liability.

To get the excess tax as refund, an individual is required to file income tax return. The refund is given if in a financial year total income claim made by an individual via his/her tax return matches with that of tax-department's calculations. The refund will be credited to his/her bank account (as opted while filing tax return) once the tax department has processed the tax return.

So check your pending income tax refund for earlier years.Remember your bank account must be validated on the income tax e-filing website to receive the credit of ITR refund in your bank account.

Link to check the refund status-


Monday, March 30, 2020

Statutory and Regulatory compliance- COVID-19


Ministry of Finance
Finance Minister announces several relief measures relating to Statutory and Regulatory compliance matters across Sectors in view of COVID-19 outbreak



The Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Niramla Sitharaman on 24 March 2020 announced several important relief measures taken by the Government of India in view of COVID-19 outbreak, especially on statutory and regulatory compliance matters related to several sectors. While addressing the press conference through video conferencing, Smt. Sitharaman announced much-needed relief measures in areas of Income Tax, GST, Customs & Central Excise, Corporate Affairs, Banking Sector and Commerce.

Following are the decisions with respect to statutory and regulatory compliance matters related to various sectors: —
Direct Tax Department-(Income Tax)
1. Extend last date for income tax returns for (FY 18-19) from 31st March, 2020 to 30th June, 2020.
2. Aadhaar-PAN linking date to be extended from 31st March, 2020 to 30th June, 2020
3. Vivad se Vishwas scheme – No additional 10% amount, if payment made by June 30, 2020.
4. Due dates for issue of notice, intimation, notification, approval order, sanction order, filing of appeal, furnishing of return, statements, applications, reports, any other documents and time limit for completion of proceedings by the authority and any compliance by the taxpayer including investment in saving instruments or investments for roll over benefit of capital gains under Income Tax Act, Wealth Tax Act, Prohibition of Benami Property Transaction Act, Black Money Act, STT law, CTT Law, Equalization Levy law, Vivad Se Vishwas law where the time limit is expiring between 20th March 2020 to 29th June 2020 shall be extended to 30th June 2020.
5. For delayed payments of advanced tax, self-assessment tax, regular tax, TDS, TCS, equalization levy, STT, CTT made between 20th March 2020 and 30th June 2020, reduced interest rate at 9% instead of 12 %/18 % per annum ( i.e. 0.75% per month instead of 1/1.5 percent per month) will be charged for this period. No late fee/penalty shall be charged for delay relating to this period.

Indirect Tax Department- (GST & other)
1. Last date for filing GSTR-3B in March, April and May 2020 will be extended till the last week of 30th June, 2020 for those having aggregate annual turnover less than Rs. 5 Crore. No interest, late fee, and penalty to be charged.
2. For any delayed payment made between 20th March 2020 and 30th June 2020 reduced rate of interest @9 % per annum (current interest rate is 18 % per annum) will be charged. No late fee and penalty to be charged, if complied before till 30th June 2020.
3. Date for opting for composition scheme is extended till the last week of June, 2020. Further, the last date for making payments for the quarter ending 31st March, 2020 and filing of return for 2019-20 by the composition dealers will be extended till the last week of June, 2020.
4. Date for filing GST annual returns of FY 18-19, which is due on 31st March, 2020 is extended till the last week of June 2020.
5. Due date for issue of notice, notification, approval order, sanction order, filing of appeal, furnishing of return, statements, applications, reports, any other documents, time limit for any compliance under the GST laws where the time limit is expiring between 20th March 2020 to 29th June 2020 shall be extended to 30th June 2020.
6. Payment date under Sabka Vishwas Scheme shall be extended to 30th June, 2020. No interest for this period shall be charged if paid by 30th June, 2020.

Customs
7. 24X7 Custom clearance till end of 30th June, 2020
8. Due date for issue of notice, notification, approval order, sanction order, filing of appeal, furnishing applications, reports, any other documents etc., time limit for any compliance under the Customs Act and other allied Laws where the time limit is expiring between 20th March 2020 to 29th June 2020 shall be extended to 30th June.

Financial Services
·         Relaxations for 3 months
-       Debit cardholders to withdraw cash for free from any other banks’ ATM for 3 months,
-       Waiver of minimum balance fee,
-       Reduced bank charges for digital trade transactions for all trade finance consumers.


Corporate Affairs
1. No additional fees shall be charged for late filing during a moratorium period from 01st April to 30th September 2020, in respect of any document, return, statement etc., required to be filed in the MCA-21 Registry, irrespective of its due date, which will not only reduce the compliance burden, including financial burden of companies/ LLPs at large, but also enable long-standing non-­compliant companies/ LLPs to make a ‘fresh start’͖
2. The mandatory requirement of holding meetings of the Board of the companies within prescribed interval provided in the Companies Act (120 days), 2013, shall be extended by a period of 60 days till next two quarters i.e., till 30th September;
3. Applicability of Companies (Auditor’s Report) Order, 2020 shall be made applicable from the financial year 2020-2021 instead of from 2019-2020 notified earlier. This will significantly ease the burden on companies & their auditors for the year 2019-20.
4. As per Schedule 4 to the Companies Act, 2013, Independent Directors are required to hold at least one meeting without the attendance of Non-independent directors and members of For the year 2019-20, if the IDs of a company have not been able to hold even one meeting, the same shall not be viewed as a violation.
5. Newly incorporated companies are required to file a declaration for Commencement of Business within 6 months of incorporation. An additional time of 6 more months shall be allowed.
6. Non-compliance of minimum residency in India for a period of at least 182 days by at least one director of every company, under Section 149 of the Companies Act, shall not be treated as a default violation.
7. Spending of CSR funds for COVID- 19 is eligible CSR Activity. Funds may be spent for various activities related to COVID- 19 related to health care including preventive health care and sanitation, and, disaster management.





Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on March 27, 2020 announced a Regulatory Package on COVID-19 to tackle the impact of deadly Corona virus on Indian Economy. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das announced several measures while addressing the media after the release of Seventh Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement 2019-20. RBI’s Regulatory Package is addressed to all the commercial banks, co-operative banks, financial institutions and Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. The financial package aims to mitigate the impact of Coronavirus on debt markets, infuse liquidity and ensure the functioning of possible businesses.

Key announcements made by Reserve Bank of India on March-27,2020 :-

Indicator

Current Rate
Existing Rate
Impact
CRR
3%
4%
Higher the CRR, lower the amount of money banks can lend out or invest. So, when the CRR is higher, lower would be the liquidity and vice versa. It is not necessary that a hike in the CRR would lead to a hike in home loan interest rate. But, as a reduce in rate in the CRR increase the supply of credit, when the RBI reduce the CRR, banks would reduce home loan interest rates if the demand for credit does not fall proportionately.
SLR
18.50%
19.50%
When the SLR is high, banks have less money for commercial operations and hence less money to lend out. When this happens, home loan interest rates often rise. When the SLR is low, similarly, home loan interest rates are likely to fall
Repo Rate
4.40%
5.15%
·         Increase in funds for loans,
·         Reduce in Loan EMI

Reverse Repo Rate
4%
4.90%
The purpose of this measure, relating to reverse repo is to make it relatively unattractive for the banks to passively deposit the funds with the RBI and instead to use these funds to lending to the productive sectors of the economy.
Let’s have a look at the measures announced by the RBI:
1)    3-Months Moratorium on Term Loans
All the lending institutions including commercial banks, RRBs, co-operative banks, NBFCs and Financial Institutions have been asked to grant 3-months moratorium on the payment of installments under all term loans outstanding as on March 1, 2020.
What does it imply? – Now, the installments of term loans which were due on March 1, 2020 can be paid until May 31, 2020. The extension of payment is valid on installment as well as interest. The Interest will continue to add on the outstanding amount during the moratorium period.
2)    Type of Payments covered under Moratorium: Principal , Interest, EMIs and Credit Card dues
3)    Which loans are included under Term Loans?- Retail Loans, Agricultural Term And Crop Loans
Note: Retail Loans cover home loans, auto loans, personal loans, education loans and EMIs on purchase of mobiles, fridge, TV and gadgets, etc.
4)    Deferment of interest payments for Business loans
The central bank has deferred the payment of interest for all business loans or working capital loans outstanding as on March 1, 2020 up to May 31, 2020. Businesses will be required to pay off the entire accumulated interest after the expiry of moratorium or deferment period.
5)    Working Capital facilities: Loans granted in the form of cash credit or overdraft
Easing of Working Capital funding through recalculation of Drawing Power
Borrowers facing stress on repayment of working capital loans granted in the form of cash credit and overdraft due to Coronavirus outbreak will now be allowed to recalculate their drawing power. The drawing power can be reassessed by reducing the profit margins or working capital cycle. This relief will be granted until May 31, 2020.
Businesses which will be granted relief under this package will be placed under supervisory review to ensure that the economic fallout is due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
6)    Moratorium & Recalculation of Drawing Power will not result in Asset Classification downgrade
As the central bank is granting the moratorium or deferment or recalculation of drawing power facility due to economic slowdown cased by COVID-19 pandemic, this would not lead to reclassification of asset or asset classification downgrade. As this relief will not be considered as a concession or change in terms of loan agreements.
7)    Asset Classification as NPA & SMA
The asset classification as Non-Performing Asset (NPA) and Special Mention Account (SMA) of term loans granted moratorium will be done on the basis of revised payment schedule of installments. On the other hand, the asset classification of working capital loans will be carried out on the basis of total accumulated interest. 


8)    Reschedule of loan repayment to not impact credit score
The revised schedule of payment of installments and interest will not be considered as a default. This will not adversely impact the credit score or history of the borrowers.

Now, Have a look at these questions and answers to clarify your doubts related to the relief granted under the package:
Q1. When will RBI’s COVID-19 regulatory package come into effect?
Answer: RBI’S rescue package to contain the economic slowdown caused by COVID-19 comes into effect from March 27, 2020 itself.
Q2. Who all will be able to enjoy moratorium under the RBI’s regulatory package?
Answer: Home loan borrowers, car loan borrowers, personal loan borrowers, education loan borrowers, agricultural loan borrowers, crop loan borrowers
Q3. Does Moratorium apply to EMIs and Credit Card dues?
Answer: Yes, the 3-month moratorium applies to Equated Monthly Installments (EMIs) and Credit Card dues.
Q4. Is the RBI’s regulatory package applicable to all private and public sector banks?
Answer: Yes, the package applies to all the commercial banks including the private and public sector banks. However, each bank has to frame its own policy in regard with the package.

Employees' Provident Fund (EPF)

FM: Govt of India will pay the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) contribution, both of employer and employee, put together it will be 24%, this will be for next 3 months. This is for those establishments which have up to 100 employees and 90% of them earn less that 15,000
.
Govt ready to amend the regulation of EPF due to this pandemic so that workers can draw upto 75% non-refundable advance from credit in PF account or 3 months salary, whichever is lower.


Old V/s New Tax Regime (FY 2020-21)- Choose Right Option ???

New section 115BAC is inserted in Income Tax Act by the Finance Act 2020 and it is applicable w.e.f 1st April 2020 and will be applicable...