Amounts not deductible in certain circumstances.
35 (1)
Irrespective of any other provision of ChapterIV-D, the following amounts shall not be allowed as deduction in computing the income chargeable under the head “Profits and gains of business or profession”:—
(a) any amount on account of––
- (i) tax paid on income; or
- (ii) tax paid by employer referred to in Schedule III (Table: Sl. No. 10); or
- (iii) tax paid in any other country for which relief is eligible under section 159 or 160, and shall include any surcharge or cess on such tax, by whatever name called;
(b) (i) 30% of any sum payable to a resident on which tax is deductible at source under Chapter XIX-B and during the tax year, such tax has not been deducted or after deduction, has not been paid up to the due date specified in section 263(1), where—
(A) tax is deducted and paid during any subsequent tax year, deduction of such sum shall be allowed as a deduction in computing the income in any subsequent tax year, in which such tax has been paid;
(B) the assessee is required to and fails to deduct whole or any part of the tax under Chapter XIX-B but he is not deemed to be an assessee in default under section 398(2), then for the purposes of this sub-clause, the assessee shall be deemed to have deducted and paid the tax on such sum on the date on which the return has been filed by the payee referred to in section 398(2);
(ii) any interest, royalty, fees for technical services or other sum chargeable under this Act which is payable––
- (A) outside India; or
- (B) in India to a non-resident (which is not a company) or to a foreign company, on which tax is deductible at source under Chapter XIX-B and during the tax year, such tax, has not been deducted or after deduction, has not been paid up to the due date specified in section 263(1), where––
(I) tax is deducted and paid during any subsequent tax year, deduction of such sum shall be allowed as a deduction in computing the income in any subsequent tax year, in which such tax has been paid;
(II) the assessee is required to and fails to deduct whole or any part of the tax under Chapter XIX-B but he is not deemed to be an assessee in default under section 398(2), then for the purposes of this sub-clause the assessee shall be deemed to have deducted and paid the tax on such sum on the date on which the return has been filed by the payee as referred to in section 398(2);
(iii) any payment to a provident or other fund established for the benefit of employees of the assessee, unless the assessee has made effective arrangements to secure that tax shall be deducted at source under Chapter XIX-B from any payments made from the fund which are chargeable to tax under the head “Salaries”;
(c) any payment chargeable under the head “Salaries”, payable outside India or to a non-resident on which tax is deductible at source under Chapter XIX-B and such tax has not been deducted or, after deduction, has not been paid;
(d)(i) any consideration paid or payable to a non-resident for a specified service on which equalisation levy is deductible under Chapter VIII of the Finance Act, 2016 and such levy has not been deducted or, after deduction, has not been paid up to the due date specified in section 263(1); (ii) deduction of such consideration shall be allowed in any subsequent tax year, in which such levy has been paid;
(e) any amount––
- (i) paid by way of royalty, licence fee, service fee, privilege fee, service charge or any other fee or charge, by whatever name called, which is levied exclusively on; or
- (ii) which is appropriated, directly or indirectly, from a State Government undertaking, by the State Government;
(f) the expenditure incurred by a firm, assessable as such––
(i) in the nature of salary, bonus, commission or remuneration, by whatever name called (herein referred as remuneration) to a partner, who is not a working partner; or
(ii) on the remuneration to a working partner and interest to any partner, if it is––
(A) not authorised by the partnership deed applicable for the period for which such remuneration or interest is paid; or
(B) authorised by and is as per the terms of partnership deed but relates to the period prior to the date of such partnership deed, or which was not authorised by the earlier partnership deed; or
(iii) on the aggregate remuneration to all working partners as authorised by the partnership deed, exceeding the amount computed as under:––
- (A) on the first six lakh rupees of the book profit or in case of a loss, three lakh rupees or 90% of the book profit, whichever is higher;
- (B) on the balance of the book profit at the rate of 60%; or
(iv) on interest to any partner as authorised by the partnership deed, exceeding 12% simple interest per annum, and where an individual is a partner in a firm, on behalf of or for the benefit of any other person, such partner and any other person shall be referred as a “representative partner” and the “person so represented”, respectively, then the provisions of sub-clause (ii) and this sub-clause––
- (A) shall not be applicable in respect of interest paid to such individual not as a representative partner;
- (B) shall be applicable in respect of interest paid to an individual as a representative partner and the person so represented;
- (C) shall not be applicable in respect of interest paid to a partner, otherwise than as a representative partner, on behalf of or for the benefit of any other person; or
(v) In this clause––
- (A) “book profit” means the net profit, as shown in the profit and loss account for the relevant tax year, computed as per Chapter IV-D as increased by the aggregate amount of the remuneration to all the partners of the firm, if such amount has been deducted while computing the net profit;
- (B) “working partner” means an individual who is actively engaged in conducting the affairs of the business or profession of the firm of which he is a partner
(g) the expenditure incurred by an association of persons or a body of individuals (other than a company, or a co-operative society or society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or under any law corresponding to that Act in force in any part of India)––
- (i) in the nature of interest, salary, bonus, commission or remuneration, by whatever name called, made to a member of such association or body;
- (ii) where the interest has been paid by the association or the body to its member and such member has also paid interest to the association or the body, then only such excess interest, if any, paid by the association or body shall not be allowed under sub-clause (i);
- (iii) where an individual is a member of an association or a body on behalf, or for benefit of any other person, such member and any other person shall be referred as “representative member” and “person so represented”, respectively, then, the provisions of this clause––
- (A) shall not be applicable in respect of interest paid to or received from such individual not being a representative member;
- (B) shall be applicable in respect of interest paid to or received from an individual as a representative member and the person so represented;
- (C) shall not be applicable in respect of interest paid to a member, otherwise than as representative member, on behalf of or for the benefit of any other person;
Section Summary:
Section 35(1) of the new income tax law outlines specific expenses that cannot be claimed as deductions while calculating taxable income under the head "Profits and gains of business or profession." This section ensures that certain payments, such as taxes, salaries, royalties, and other specified expenses, are not deducted unless specific conditions are met. The purpose is to prevent misuse of deductions and ensure compliance with tax deduction at source (TDS) and other tax-related obligations.
Key Changes:
Expanded Scope of Non-Deductible Expenses: The section now explicitly includes:
- Taxes paid on income (domestic or foreign).
- Payments to residents or non-residents where TDS has not been deducted or paid on time.
- Equalisation levy on specified services to non-residents.
- Payments to partners in firms or members of associations, with stricter limits on remuneration and interest.
Stricter TDS Compliance: Deductions are disallowed if TDS is not deducted or paid by the due date. However, deductions can be claimed in subsequent years if TDS is paid later.
New Limits on Partner Remuneration: For firms, deductions for partner remuneration and interest are now capped based on book profits, with specific formulas provided.
Equalisation Levy: Payments subject to equalisation levy (under Chapter VIII of the Finance Act, 2016) are disallowed as deductions unless the levy is paid.
Practical Implications:
For Businesses:
- Ensure timely TDS deduction and payment to avoid disallowance of expenses.
- Review partnership deeds to ensure remuneration and interest payments to partners comply with the new limits.
- For payments to non-residents, ensure compliance with equalisation levy provisions.
For Firms and Associations:
- Remuneration to partners and members must align with the prescribed limits based on book profits.
- Interest payments to partners are capped at 12% per annum, and any excess will not be deductible.
For Taxpayers with Foreign Transactions:
- Taxes paid in foreign countries (for which relief is claimed under Sections 159 or 160) are not deductible.
- Payments to non-residents must comply with TDS and equalisation levy requirements.
Critical Concepts:
Book Profit: For firms, book profit is the net profit shown in the profit and loss account, adjusted for partner remuneration. The formula for allowable remuneration is:
- On the first ₹6 lakh of book profit (or ₹3 lakh in case of loss, or 90% of book profit, whichever is higher).
- On the remaining book profit, 60% is allowed.
Working Partner: A partner actively engaged in the firm’s business or profession. Only remuneration to working partners is deductible, subject to limits.
Equalisation Levy: A tax on specified digital services provided by non-residents. If not deducted or paid, the related expense is disallowed.
TDS Compliance: Deductions are disallowed if TDS is not deducted or paid by the due date. However, deductions can be claimed in the year TDS is paid.
Compliance Steps:
For TDS Compliance:
- Deduct TDS on payments to residents and non-residents as per Chapter XIX-B.
- Ensure TDS is paid by the due date specified in Section 263(1).
For Partner Remuneration:
- Review partnership deeds to ensure remuneration and interest payments comply with the new limits.
- Calculate allowable remuneration based on book profit using the prescribed formula.
For Equalisation Levy:
- Deduct and pay equalisation levy on specified services to non-residents.
- Ensure compliance with Chapter VIII of the Finance Act, 2016.
Documentation:
- Maintain records of TDS deductions and payments.
- Keep partnership deeds and calculations of allowable remuneration and interest.
Examples:
TDS Disallowance:
- A business pays ₹1 lakh to a resident contractor but fails to deduct TDS. Under Section 35(1)(b)(i), 30% of ₹1 lakh (₹30,000) is disallowed as a deduction. If TDS is deducted and paid in the next year, ₹30,000 can be claimed as a deduction in that year.
Partner Remuneration:
- A firm has a book profit of ₹10 lakh. The allowable remuneration to working partners is calculated as:
- On the first ₹6 lakh: ₹6 lakh (or 90% of ₹10 lakh = ₹9 lakh, whichever is higher). Here, ₹6 lakh is higher.
- On the remaining ₹4 lakh: 60% of ₹4 lakh = ₹2.4 lakh.
- Total allowable remuneration: ₹6 lakh + ₹2.4 lakh = ₹8.4 lakh. Any amount paid above this is disallowed.
- A firm has a book profit of ₹10 lakh. The allowable remuneration to working partners is calculated as:
Equalisation Levy:
- A company pays ₹5 lakh to a non-resident for digital advertising services but fails to deduct equalisation levy. The entire ₹5 lakh is disallowed as a deduction. If the levy is paid later, the deduction can be claimed in the year of payment.
This section emphasizes strict compliance with TDS, equalisation levy, and limits on partner remuneration to prevent misuse of deductions. Taxpayers must ensure timely compliance and accurate calculations to avoid disallowances.