Tax Alert: Latest COVID-19 Related Relaxations and Exemptions Issued by the Government

In view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country, resulting in hardship and difficulty vis-à-vis complying with various due dates under the Indian Income tax Act, 1961 (‘the Act’) and causing severe impact on the cash flows, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (‘CBDT’) has time and again issued relevant Notifications, Circulars and Press Releases extending the due date w.r.t  various direct tax compliances.

 

Updated as on 13th July 2021

 

In the table below, we have summarized the key Notifications and Circulars issued by the CBDT, which has extended the due dates of various direct tax compliances under the Act:

Sr No

Compliance Particulars

Original Due Date

Extended Due Date[1]

1

Objections to Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) and Assessing officer under section 144C

01 June 2021

31 August 2021 (note 1)

2

Statement of Deduction of Tax for the last quarter of the Financial Year 2020-21

31 May 2021

15 July 2021

3

Certificate of Tax Deducted at Source in Form 16

15 June 2021

31 July 2021

4

Statement of income paid or credited in Form 64D by Investment Fund to its unit holders for Financial Year 2020-2021

15 June 2021

15 July 2021

5

Statement of income paid or credited in Form 64C by Investment Fund to its unit holders for Financial Year 2020-2021

30 June 2021

31 July 2021

6

The application under Section 10(23C), 12AB, 35(1)(i i)/(iia)/(iii) and 80G of the Act in Form No. 10Af Form No.10AB. for registration/ provisional registration/ intimation/ approval/ provisional approval of Trusts/ Institutions/ Research Associations

30 June 2021

31 August 2021

7

Compliances for claiming exemption under provisions contained in sections 54 to 54GB

01 April 2021 to 29 September 2021

01 April 2021 to 30 September 2021

8

Quarterly Statement in Form 15CC to be furnished by Authorized Dealer in respect of foreign remittances made for quarter ended 30th June 2021

15 July 2021

31 July 2021

9

Equalization Levy Statement in Form 1 for Financial Year 2020-21

30 June 2021

31 July 2021

10

Time Limit for processing Equalization Levy return

–

30 September 2021

11

Annual Statement in Form 3CEK to be furnished under section 9A(5) by Eligible Investment Fund

29 June 2021

31 July 2021

12

Uploading declaration received from recipients in Form No 15G / 15H for quarter ended 30th June 2021

15 July 2021

31 August 2021

13

Exercising of option under section 245M(1) in Form No. 34BB for withdrawing application before Settlement Commission

27 June 2021

31 July 2021

14

Last date of linking of Aadhar with PAN under section 139AA

31 March 2021

30 September 2021

15

Last date of payment under Vivad se Vishwas (without additional amount)

–

31 August 2021

16

Last date of payment under Vivad se Vishwas (with additional amount)

–

31 October 2021

17

Time Limit for passing assessment / reassessment order

31 March 2021

30 September 2021

18

Time Limit for passing penalty order

–

30 September 2021

19

Due date for furnishing Return of Income – Non Audit Case

31 July 2021

30 September 2021

20

Due date for furnishing Tax Audit Report

30 September 2021

31 October 2021

21

Due date for furnishing Transfer Pricing Audit

31 October 2021

30 November 2021

22

Due date for furnishing Return of Income – Audit case

31 October 2021

30 November 2021

23

Due date for furnishing Return of Income where Transfer Pricing is applicable

30 November 2021

31 December 2021

24

Belated / Revised return for Assessment Year 2021-22

31 December 2021

31 January 2022

Note:

1) If the last date allowed u/s. 144C is later than 31 August 2021 then such a later date shall prevail.

 

References:

[1] Notification No 74/2021 & 75/2021 and Circular No 9/2021 dated 20 May 2021 and 12/2021 dated 25 June 2021

Image Credits: Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich from Pexels

We have summarized the key notifications and circulars issued by the CBDT, extending the due dates of various direct tax compliances under the Act.

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Tax Alert: New Rules for Determining Taxability on Reconstitution of Firms

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), vide notification[1] dated 2nd July 2021, has inserted a new sub-rule 5 under Rule 8AA of the Income-tax Rules, 1962 (Rules) which deals with the characterisation of capital gains under section 45(4) of the Act. The CBDT has also notified Rule 8AB, which deals with the attribution of income taxable under section 45(4) of the Act to the capital assets remaining with the specified entity. Additionally, the CBDT, vide circular[2] dated 2nd July 2021, has also issued guidelines for practical application of provisions under section 9B and section 45(4) of the Act.
Background
Finance Act, 2021 had inserted a new section 9B under the Income-tax Act, 1961 (Act) which provides that where a specified person[3] receives any capital asset or stock in trade or both from a specified entity [4] on dissolution or reconstitution of such specified entity, then such specified entity shall be deemed to have transferred such capital asset or stock in trade, or both, in the year in which such capital asset or stock in trade or both are received by the specified person and shall be chargeable to tax as income of the specified entity in that year, under the head “Profits and gains of business or profession” or under the head “Capital gains”, as the case may be. It is also provided that fair market value (FMV) of such capital asset or stock in trade, shall be deemed to be the full value of consideration as a result of such deemed transfer. Further, Finance Act, 2021 had also substituted the provisions of section 45(4) of the Act, which now provides that where a specified person receives any money or capital asset or both from a specified entity in connection with the reconstitution of such specified entity, then any profits or gains arising from such receipt by the specified person shall be chargeable to tax as income of the specified entity under the head “Capital gains” in that year. The amount chargeable to tax under section 45(4) of the Act shall be calculated as per the below-mentioned formula. A = B + C – D where, A = Income chargeable to tax under section 45(4) of the Act B = Value of any money received by the specified person C = Amount of FMV of the capital asset received by the specified person D = Amount of balance in the capital account [represented in any manner (excluding increase due to revaluation of any asset or due to self-generated goodwill or any other self-generated asset)] of the specified person in the books of account of the specified entity at the time of reconstitution. It is also clarified that the provisions of section 45(4) shall operate in addition to the provisions of section 9B and accordingly the taxation under these provisions need to be worked out independently. The Finance Act, 2021 has also inserted a new clause (iii) under section 48 of the Act (deduction from the full value of consideration) which provides that the amount of income chargeable to tax under section 45(4) which is attributable to the capital asset being transferred by the specified entity shall be calculated in the prescribed manner. It may be noted that the above-mentioned provisions are applicable w.r.e.f 1 April 2021 i.e. from the tax year 2020-21 onwards.
Notification/Circular
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), vide notification[1] dated 2nd July 2021, has inserted a new sub-rule 5 under Rule 8AA of the Income-tax Rules, 1962 (Rules) which deals with the characterisation of capital gains under section 45(4) of the Act. The CBDT has also notified Rule 8AB, which deals with the attribution of income taxable under section 45(4) of the Act to the capital assets remaining with the specified entity. Additionally, the CBDT, vide circular[2] dated 2nd July 2021, has also issued guidelines for practical application of provisions under section 9B and section 45(4) of the Act. This tax alert summarizes the notification and guidelines issued by the CBDT as under: In order to avoid double taxation of the same amount, the provisions of section 45(4) r.w.s 48(iii) of the Act requires that the amount taxed under section 45(4) of the Act should be attributed to the remaining capital asset(s) of the specified entity, such that when these capital asset(s) get transferred in the future, the amount attributed to such capital asset(s) gets reduced from the full value of consideration.
Capital Gains Charged under Section 45(4)

It is further clarified that the revaluation of an asset or valuation of self-generated asset or goodwill does not entitle the specified entity for deprecation on such increased value. 

The specified entity is required to furnish, electronically, the details of the amount attributed to the capital asset remaining with the specified entity in Form No 5C on or before the due date as prescribed under section 139(1) of the Act.

 
Applicability of Attribution Rule (Rule 8AB) to Capital Assets Forming Part of Block of Assets

 

It was observed that the current provisions provide attribution of capital gains under section 45(4) of the Act only for the purpose of section 48 of the Act. It may be noted that provisions of section 48 apply to capital assets that do not form part of block of assets.

Accordingly, in order to provide clarity and remove the difficulty, the CBDT has stated that the attribution rule i.e. Rule 8AB of the Rules shall also apply in relation to capital assets forming part of the block of assets.

It is further clarified that the amount attributed under Rule 8AB of the Rules shall be reduced from the full value of the consideration received or accruing as a result of the subsequent transfer and accordingly net consideration shall be reduced from the written-down value (WDV) of the block of assets under section 43(6)(c) of the Act or for the purpose of calculating capital gains under section 50 of the Act.

 
Characterization of capital gains under section 45(4) of the Act

 

The CBDT has notified Rule 8AA(5) under the Rules which provides for characterization of the nature of capital gains (i.e. long term or short term) under section 45(4) of the Act. It provides that where the amount of capital gains chargeable under section 45(4) is attributed to short term capital asset, capital asset forming part of a block of assets or capital asset, being self-generated asset or goodwill, then the capital gains under section 45(4) shall be deemed to be from the transfer of short-term capital asset; otherwise, it shall be deemed to be transferred from long term capital asset.

 
Examples under the Guidelines

 

In order to better understand the provisions, few examples have been given in the guidelines:

 
Example 1

 

Facts

There are three equal partners A, B and C in a Firm ‘FR’ having a capital balance of INR 10 lacs each. The details of capital assets held by the firm are as under.

Partner ‘A’ wishes to exit and accordingly the firm decides to give him INR 11 lacs of money and Land ‘U’ to settle his capital balance.

 

Tax Implications

A. Under section 9B of the Act

It shall be deemed that the Firm ‘FR’ has transferred the Land ‘U’ to Partner ‘A’ and accordingly an amount of INR 35 lakhs (50 – 15) shall be chargeable to tax in the hands of ‘FR’ under the head capital gains as long-term capital gains and a tax liability of INR 7 lakhs (assuming no surcharge or cess) shall be payable.

For Partner ‘A’, the cost of acquisition Land ‘U’ would thus be INR 50 lakhs.

B. Accounting in the books of Firm ‘FR’

The net book profit after tax of INR 33 lakhs (computed as amount of capital gains without indexation INR 40 lakhs less tax of INR 7 lakhs) shall be credited to each Partner’s capital account i.e. INR 11 lakhs each.

Pursuant to the above, the capital balance of Partner ‘A’ would increase to INR 21 lakhs (10+11).

C. Under section 45(4) of the Act

Capital gains in the hands of the firm shall be calculated as per the afore-mentioned formula.

Capital Gains under Section 45(4)

The capital gains of INR 40 lakhs shall be chargeable to tax in the hands of Firm ‘FR’ in addition to INR 35 lakhs chargeable under section 9B of the Act.

D. Attribution of capital gains as per Rule 8AB of the Rules to the remaining capital assets

Characterization of capital gains under section 45(4) of the Act

Subsequently, when the Land ‘S’ or Land ‘T’ would be transferred by the Firm ‘FR’, the amount of attribution would get reduced from the full value of consideration as per the provisions of section 48(iii) of the Act.

E. Characterization of capital gains

Since the amount of INR 40 lakhs charged to tax under section 45(4) of the Act has been attributed to Land ‘S’ and Land ‘T’, being long term capital assets, such amount shall be chargeable as long term capital gains as per Rule 8AA(5) of the Rules.

 

Example 2

 

Facts

The facts of Example 2 are the same as in Example 1 with a modification that the Firm ‘FR’ sells the Land ‘U’ at FMV of INR 50 lakhs to an outsider and on the exit of Partner ‘A’, the Firm decides to give him INR 61 lakhs to settle his capital balance.

 

Tax Implications

A. Under section 9B and section 45 of the Act

Since neither ‘capital asset’ nor ‘stock in trade’ have been distributed to Partner ‘A’, the provisions of section 9B of the Act do not get triggered. However, the Firm would be liable to normal capital gains tax on the sale of Land ‘U’. Accordingly, an amount of INR 35 lakhs (50 – 15) shall be chargeable to tax in the hands of ‘FR’ under the head capital gains as long-term capital gains and tax liability of INR 7 lakhs (assuming no surcharge or cess) shall be payable.

B. Under section 45(4) of the Act

Capital gains in the hands of the firm shall be calculated as per the afore-mentioned formula.

Characterization of capital gains under section 45(4) of the Act

The capital gains of INR 40 lakhs shall be chargeable to tax in the hands of Firm ‘FR’ under section 45(4) of the Act.

C. Attribution of capital gains as per Rule 8AB of the Rules to the remaining capital assets

Characterization of capital gains under section 45(4) of the Act

Subsequently, when the Land ‘S’ or Land ‘T’ would be transferred by the Firm ‘FR’, the amount of attribution would get reduced from full value of consideration as per the provisions of section 48(iii) of the Act.

D. Characterization of capital gains

Since the amount of INR 40 lakhs charged to tax under section 45(4) of the Act has been attributed to Land ‘S’ and Land ‘T’, being long term capital assets, such amount shall be chargeable as long term capital gains as per Rule 8AA(5) of the Rules.

In effect, the final result in both Example 1 and 2 would be same due to operation of section 9B of the Act.

 

Example 3

 

Facts

There are three equal partners A, B and C in a Firm ‘FR’ having capital balance of INR 100 lacs each. The details of capital assets held by the firm are as under.

Characterization of capital gains under section 45(4) of the Act

Partner ‘A’ wishes to exit and accordingly the firm decides to give him INR 75 lacs in money and Land ‘S’ to settle his capital balance.

 

Tax Implications

A. Under section 9B of the Act

It shall be deemed that the Firm ‘FR’ has transferred the Land ‘S’ to Partner ‘A’. However, since the full value of consideration is equal to indexed cost of acquisition, there would be no capital gain tax in the hands of the Firm.

For Partner ‘A’, the cost of acquisition would be INR 45 lakhs.

B. Accounting in the books of Firm ‘FR’

The net book profit after tax of INR 15 lakhs (computed as amount of capital gains without indexation) shall be credited to each Partners capital account i.e. INR 5 lakhs each.

Pursuant to above, the capital balance of Partner ‘A’ would increase to INR 105 lakhs (100+5).

C. Under section 45(4) of the Act

Capital gains in the hands of the firm shall be calculated as per afore-mentioned formula.

Characterization of Capital Gain - Circular No. 14 of 2021 - Tax Circular - CBDT

The capital gains of INR 15 lakhs shall be chargeable to tax in the hands of Firm ‘FR’. 

D. Attribution of capital gains as per Rule 8AB of the Rules to the remaining capital assets

d) Attribution of capital gains as per Rule 8AB of the Rules to the remaining capital assets

Subsequently, when the Firm transfers ‘Patent’ or ‘Goodwill’, the amount of attribution would get reduced from full value of consideration as per the provisions of section 48(iii) or section 43(6)(c) or section 50 of the Act, as the case may be.

It may also be noted that for the purpose of computing depreciation under section 32 of the Act, the WDV of the block of asset of which ‘Patent’ is a part, shall remain INR 45 lakhs only and should not be increased to INR 60 Lakhs. Similarly, no depreciation would be allowed on self-generated ‘Goodwill’.

E. Characterization of capital gains

Since the amount of INR 15 lakhs charged to tax under section 45(4) of the Act has been attributed to asset forming block of asset i.e. Patent and to self-generated Goodwill, such amount shall be chargeable as short term capital gains as per Rule 8AA(5) of the Rules.

 
FM Comments

 

The detailed guidelines and notification issued by the CBDT is indeed a welcome move and shall certainly help in addressing various concerns of the taxpayers. However, beyond the 3 specific Examples illustrated, in our view, there would be certain other issues which may require similar deliberation and clarification.

It is pertinent to note that the substituted provisions 45(4) and section 9B of the Act are applicable w.r.e.f. 1 April 2021 (i.e. from tax year 2020-21 onwards), whereas the rules for attribution of income and its characterization have been notified on 2 July 2021. The notification is silent with respect to the date of its applicability.

Generally, such notifications come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, unless the effective date of its applicability is already provided in the notification itself. CBDT, while notifying Rule 8AA(5) and Rule 8AB, has not provided any ‘effective applicable date’ for the same and accordingly it may be inferred that such Rules are to be made effective from 2 July 2021. Thus, the question which may arise is whether Rule 8AA(5) and Rule 8AB would be applicable to the reconstitution of specified entities that have already been undertaken between 1 April 2020 to 1 July 2021.

It may further be noted that the earlier provisions of section 45(4) provided that the transfer of a capital asset on the dissolution of a firm was made chargeable to tax as the income of the firm. But the distribution of money on dissolution was neither chargeable to tax in the hands of the firm nor in the hands of the recipient Partner.

However, the new provisions of section 45(4) state that distribution of money or capital asset exceeding the balance in the capital account of Partner would now be chargeable to tax under the head “capital gains”. Accordingly, the new provisions create a charge of capital tax on the distribution of money. It may be noted that, generally, ‘money’ or ‘currency’ is not considered as a ‘capital asset’ and accordingly the issue which may arise is that whether the distribution of money could be taxed under the head ‘capital gains’ as there is no transfer of capital asset.

It is also pertinent to note that the attribution rules under Rule 8AB of the Rules would lead to a premature collection of the taxes by the Government, the benefit of which may or may not be obtained by the specified entity.

The specified entity would get the benefit of attribution only when they transfer the remaining capital assets subsequently, which is a contingent event, that may or may not happen. Further, in a case where the excess payment chargeable to tax under section 45(4) of the Act, relates to the valuation of self-generated goodwill, then the entity may not be able to claim the benefit of attribution unless the entity hives off its business undertaking, which is highly unlikely. Another interesting question that would arise is how the specified entity would be eligible to claim the benefit of attribution where remaining capital assets are transferred under tax-neutral arrangements.

Moreover, in a scenario, where the aggregate value of money received by the specified person exceeds the balance in his capital account and it does not relate to the revaluation of any capital assets, then the following issues may arise:

  • Characterization of capital gains as ‘Short-term’ or Long-term’ as no attribution of income would be made by the specified entity to the remaining capital assets under Rule 8AB.
  • Such excess payment may have been made by a specified entity due to other business reasons such as payment for non-compete, etc. Accordingly, the deductibility of such excess amount while computing the taxable income of the specified person, would be a challenge.

Going forward, it would be imperative for specified entities to carefully assess the impact of the above provisions while carrying out any reconstitution activity in order to avoid double taxation.

References: [1] “specified person” means a person, who is a partner of a firm or member of other association of persons or body of individuals (not being a company or a co-operative society) in any previous year. [2] “specified entity” means a firm or other association of persons or body of individuals (not being a company or a co-operative society). [3] Notification No. 76/2021 [4] Circular No. 14 of 2021 Image Credits: Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich from Pexels

It is pertinent to note that the substituted provisions 45(4) and section 9B of the Act are applicable w.r.e.f. 1 April 2021 (i.e. from tax year 2020-21 onwards), whereas the rules for attribution of income and its characterization have been notified on 2 July 2021. The notification is silent with respect to the date of its applicability.

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Tax Alert: Clarifications on Section 194Q-TDS on Purchase of Goods

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) introduced a new Section 194Q in Finance Act, 2021, which is effective from 01st July 2021, for withholding tax at source on payments made for the purchase of goods.

The provision of Section 194Q states that:

  • Any person, being a Buyer, having a turnover or gross receipts exceeding INR 10 crores during the preceding financial year;
  • While making payment of any sum to any resident (Seller) for purchase of any goods of the value, where the aggregate of such value exceeds INR 50 lakhs in the previous year
  • Shall at the time of credit of such sum to the account of the Seller or at the time of payment, whichever is earlier, deduct an amount equal to 0.1% percent as income tax.

The above provision is not applicable, where:

  • Tax is deductible under any other provision of the Act; or
  • Tax is collectible under the provision of section 206C of the Act, other than transactions covered u/s. 206C(1H) therein.

The CBDT has received several representations with respect to practical challenges that may arise in the implementation of section 194Q. To address the difficulties that may arise, the CBDT has issued Circular No 13[1] of 2021 providing various clarifications regarding section 194Q.

194Q is not applicable in the following situations:

As per the Circular, ambiguity is removed on the applicability of section 194Q in a number of cases. CBDT has clarified that section 194Q is not applicable in the following situations:

  • Transactions relating to securities and commodities, which are carried through recognized stock exchanges, including exchanges that are located in the International Financial Service Centre.
  • Transactions in electricity, renewable energy certificates, or energy certificates traded through registered power exchanges.
  • Payments by non-resident Buyers unless if the purchase of goods is not effectively connected with the Permanent Establishment / fixed place of business of such non-resident in India.
  • On purchase of goods from a Seller whose income is exempt from tax. Similarly, it is clarified that tax collection at source (TCS) provisions under section 206C (1H) of the Act would not be applicable if the Buyer’s income is exempt from tax. However, these exemptions would not be applicable if only part of the Seller’s/Buyer’s income is exempt.
  • In the year of incorporation of the Buyer, the threshold of INR 10 crore would not be satisfied.
  • Transactions, where either payment or credit for the transaction happened before 1st July 2021.
  • TDS would not be applicable on the GST amount if the GST amount is separately indicated in the invoice. However, in the case of advance payments, the TDS under section 194Q will have to be discharged on the entire amount, as it is not possible to identify the GST component.

Calculation related clarifications

  • It has been clarified that for calculating the threshold of INR 50 lakhs in respect of a particular Seller, the transaction for the whole FY 2021-22 shall be considered, starting from 1st April 2021 and not from 1st July 2021.
  • For computing threshold of INR 10 crore in respect of the Buyer, only business turnover or gross receipts from business activities is to be considered. As such, turnover or gross receipts from non-business activities would not require to be taken into consideration.
  • In case of purchase returns, the TDS deducted on such purchases under section 194Q shall need to be adjusted against subsequent purchases from the same Seller, if the money is refunded by the Seller to the Buyer. However, no adjustment will be required in cases where the purchase return is replaced by goods by the Seller.

The interplay between sections 194O, 194Q, and 206C(1H) of the Act:

  • If Section 194O is applicable on any particular transaction, then Section 194Q shall not be applicable;
  • If both section 194O and section 194Q are applicable, then section 194O will prevail;
  • Section 206C(1H) is not applicable if TDS is deductible u/s. 194O or Sec 194Q;
  • If both sections 194O and 206C(1H) are applicable, then 194O shall prevail. Even if TCS is collected by the Seller still tax deduction responsibility of the E-commerce operator under section 194O cannot be condoned; this is because the prescribed tax rate under section 194O is higher than the prescribed tax rate u/s. 206C(1H);
  • If both sections 194Q and 206C(1H) are applicable, then section 194Q shall prevail. However, for ease of business, if TCS under section 206C(1H) has already been collected by the Seller then section 194Q would not be applicable; this is because the prescribed tax rate for deduction under section 194O and the prescribed tax rate for collection under section 206C(1H) are the same.

Comments:

This Circular is an extremely welcome one and has several important clarifications that have been issued by the CBDT before the enactment of the provisions of sections 194Q and 206C(1H). The Circular provides clarity vis-à-vis the scope of the relevant provisions, calculation of thresholds, interplay between overlapping provisions etc.

However, there are still some niggling doubts that prevail, requiring further clarity. For instance, while calculating the threshold of turnover or gross receipts of INR 10 crore w.r.t the Buyer, whether the amount considered should include or exclude the GST component.  

Also, it would help if it is prescribed for the Seller to obtain a “no deduction” declaration from the Buyer w.r.t TDS under section 194Q, in a situation where both sections 194Q and section 206C(1H) are jointly applicable on the same transaction and tax has already been collected and paid under section 206C(1H) by the Seller.

References

[1] Circular No 13 of 2021 dated 30th June 2021 (F No. 370142/26/2021 – TPL

 

Image Credits: Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

This Circular is an extremely welcome one and has several important clarifications that have been issued by the CBDT before the enactment of the provisions of sections 194Q and 206C(1H). The Circular provides clarity vis-à-vis the scope of the relevant provisions, calculation of thresholds, interplay between overlapping provisions etc.

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