Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her maiden budget speech announced some income tax-related changes which will come into effect from September 1, 2019. Cash withdrawals exceeding INR 1 crore in aggregate in a year from finance institutions will attract TDS while in case of property transactions, the definition of immovable property has been broadened to include charges like club membership fee and car parking fee for TDS levy. Also, in another income tax rule change, a higher TDS will be levied if life insurance maturity proceeds received are taxable in your hands. Here is a 5-point explainer of new tax-related changes that have come into effect in India from September 1.
TDS on additional payment made when purchasing immovable property The government had amended 194-IA of Income Tax Act during the budget announcement in July stating that if any person purchases an immovable property of INR 50 lakh or more than that (excluding agricultural land), is required to deduct TDS at the rate of 1 % from September 1, 2019, onward. The amendment included 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 the transfer of immovable property.
TDS on cash withdrawals from bank accounts The government has included a new section 194N in the Act. With this new inclusion, the TDS can be levied at the rate of 2 % on cash payments worth more than INR 1 crore in aggregate made within the year, by a cooperative bank, a banking company, or post office to any individual from an account, which is maintained by the recipient.
TDS on payments made by HUF / Individual to professionals and contractors Under this provision announced in the Budget, if the payment made to a contractor or a professional or a brokerage exceeds INR 50 lakh in a year, an individual or HUF (Hindu Undivided Family) is required to deduct 5% TDS at the time of crediting such amount. This will help check evasion but may lead to a higher burden of compliance for the payer. This means that individuals making payments of over INR 50 lakh, For example, house renovation, wedding functions or any other purpose to a single professional in a year would be required to deduct tax at the time of making the payment.
TDS on life insurance Under the new TDS (Tax deducted at source) rule the maturity proceeds in a life insurance policy is tax-free only if the sum assured is at least ten times of the premium. For example, if the premium value stands at INR 1 lakh, the sum assured needs to be at least INR 10 lakh for the maturity value to be tax-free. Earlier, the TDS on a life insurance policy, whenever sum assured, use to be 1 per cent of the maturity value, but under the new rule it will be 5% on the net maturity amount (maturity amount minus the premium paid).
Interchangeability of Pan and Aadhaar Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech had announced that taxpayers who don’t own a PAN card (Permanent Account Number) can now file Income Tax returns with their Aadhaar Card also. The FM allowed the interchangeability of PAN and Aadhaar card for filing tax returns.
TDS deduction for professional services Earlier, one was not required to deduct any TDS on any kind of payment made to professional (Architect, designer, etc.) when their services were used for any personal use. But under the new rule, one has to deduct TDS before making payment. The TDS is to be deposited with the government using PAN of the professional.
This amendment is a part of the exchequer’s efforts to widen and deepen the income tax base and to pluck the loophole for possible tax evasion.
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