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DT Alert - CBDT Issues Guidelines For Removal of Difficulties On New Withholding Provision On Payment of Business
DT Alert - CBDT Issues Guidelines For Removal of Difficulties On New Withholding Provision On Payment of Business
DT Alert - CBDT Issues Guidelines For Removal of Difficulties On New Withholding Provision On Payment of Business
EY Tax Alert
CBDT issues guidelines for removal
of difficulties on new withholding
provision on payment of business
perquisites to residents
Executive summary
Tax Alerts cover significant This Tax Alert explains Circular No. 12 dated 16 June 2022 (Circular) issued by
tax news, developments and the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)1 with a view to remove difficulties and
provide guidance on various issues on interpretation and application of a newly
changes in legislation that inserted withholding provision, Section (S.) 194R, under the Income Tax Act (ITA).
affect Indian businesses. They
S.194R, inserted in the ITA vide Finance Act, 2022 effective from 1 July 2022,
act as technical summaries to mandates a person providing benefit/perquisite to a resident to withhold tax at
keep you on top of the latest 10% on the value or aggregate value of such benefit or perquisite, subject to
certain conditions. Furthermore, S.194R contains a specific provision enabling the
tax issues. For more
CBDT to issue guidelines for the purposes of removal of any difficulty in giving
information, please contact effect to the provisions of S.194R.
your EY advisor.
Pursuant to representations made by the stakeholders, in exercise of the power to
issue guidelines to remove difficulties, the CBDT has issued the Circular to clarify
certain issues on interpretation or application of S.194R.
1
Apex administrative body for direct taxes in India
Background the payee, there is no such requirement to verify
whether the amount is chargeable to tax in the
hands of the recipient. Hence, the provider of
► Finance Act, 2022 introduced a new provision, benefit is not required to verify whether the
S.194R, in the ITA, which mandates a person benefit or perquisite is chargeable to tax and, if
responsible for providing any benefit or perquisite yes, the provision under which it is taxable. The
to a resident arising from the business or profession Circular compares withholding obligation under
carried on by such resident to deduct tax at the rate S.194R with specific withholding provision on
of 10% of the value or aggregate value of such payments to non-resident sportsmen at specific
benefit or perquisite, subject to certain conditions. rate where the Supreme Court (SC), in the case
It takes effect from 1 July 2022. of PILCOM v. CIT3 held that the payer has to
deduct taxes at the rate specified therein without
► The withholding does not apply where the value or considering treaty benefit.
aggregate of value of the benefits or perquisites
provided or likely to be provided during the tax year
EY Comments
do not exceed INR20,000. Furthermore, it also
does not apply to a provider, being an individual or
• The clarification considerably expands the
Hindu Undivided Family, whose total sales, gross
scope of withholding obligation under
receipts or turnover does not exceed INR10m in
S.194R.
case of business or INR5m in case of profession,
during the tax year immediately preceding the tax
year in which such benefit or perquisite is provided • Based on the explanatory memorandum
by such person. accompanying Finance Bill, 2022 which
introduced the provision and identity of the
► Subsequently, at enactment stage of Finance Bill, language with provisions of S.28(iv), it was
2022, a specific provision was inserted in S.194R to generally understood that the withholding
give power to the CBDT to issue guidelines for the obligation is restricted to benefits and
purposes of removal of any difficulty in giving effect perquisites which are taxable in the hands of
to S.194R. Such guidelines shall, as soon as may be the recipient under S.28(iv). But, the
after they are issued, be laid before the houses of Circular takes a contrary view. It will be
parliament and shall be binding on the tax interesting to see how courts will resolve this
authorities and on the person providing any such controversy.
benefit or perquisite.
• Practical implementation of the Circular will
► The industry stakeholders made various give rise to considerable challenges for
representations to the CBDT to clarify certain taxpayers. For instance, issues will arise
issues on interpretation or application of the new whether withholding is required in case of
withholding provision. bad debt write-off of trade debts settled with
debtors or compensation for termination of
► Accordingly, the CBDT has issued the Circular business contracts. Issue will also arise on
providing guidelines on various issues on overlap with other withholding provision – in
interpretation and application of S.194R this regard, reference may be made to past
Circular No. 720 dated 30 August 1995
which clarifies that all withholding provisions
► This Tax Alert discusses the guidelines on various are mutually exclusive.
issues provided by the Circular.
2. Withholding under S.194R applies to monetary
benefits
1. No nexus of withholding obligation under
S.194R with taxability under S.28(iv) S.194R provides that the withholding obligation
applies on provision of benefit or perquisite,
The Circular clarifies that withholding obligations whether convertible into money or not, which is
under S.194R of ITA applies on provision of any identical to the language of S.28(iv). But, unlike
benefit or perquisite to a resident arising from S.28(iv), it further contains a proviso which
carrying out of business or profession by such provides that in a case where the benefit is
resident. It also clarifies that the provider of provided fully in kind or partly in kind and partly
benefit is not required to verify whether the in cash, but the cash component is not sufficient
benefit or perquisite is taxable in the hands of the to meet the withholding obligation on whole of
recipient under S.28(iv) of ITA. The Circular the benefit, the provider of benefit is required to
suggests that the benefit or perquisite may be ensure that tax which is required to be deducted
taxable under S.28(iv) or 41(1) or any other is paid before providing the benefit or perquisite.
provision of ITA. The Circular further clarifies
that, unlike general withholding provision on The Circular clarifies that withholding under
payments to non-residents2 where the payer is S.194R covers even monetary benefits.
required to verify whether the amount paid to According to the Circular, the proviso indicates
non-resident is chargeable to tax in the hands of
2 3
S.195 of ITA [TS-219-SC-2020]
EY Tax Alert 2
the legislative intent of S.194R to cover EY Comments
monetary benefits.
• The clarification seems to be aligned with
EY Comments judicial thinking on the scope of S.28(iv)
which can cover benefits or perquisites, in
• As stated earlier, the explanatory the course of carrying on business or
memorandum to Finance Bill, 2022 and the profession, in the form of capital assets like
literal language of S.194R support that its car, land etc.
scope is restricted to benefits/perquisites
taxable under S.28(iv). It may be noted that • However, its practical application to
SC, in the case of Mahindra and Mahindra4, situations of any perceived benefit or
had held that the monetary benefits are not perquisite in the course of acquisition of
covered by S.28(iv). In that case, the SC had capital asset to be used for
held that waiver of loan, being monetary business/profession, is likely to pose
benefit for a debtor, is not taxable under challenges. In the case of Motor Machinery
S.28(iv). Tools5, subsidy provided by a manufacturer
to a dealer to acquire a delivery vehicle
• The clarification, which is contrary to the bearing manufacturer’s logo was held to be
ratio of the SC ruling on the scope of not taxable under S.28(iv) in the hands of
S.28(iv), raises controversy on the the dealer. The subsidy goes to reduce the
interpretation of the proviso – whether it “actual cost” of the asset in the hands of the
expands the scope of S.194R beyond dealer, resulting in lower depreciation
S.28(iv) to cover monetary benefits as allowance.
clarified in the Circular or whether it merely
clarifies the mechanism to ensure payment 4. Withholding does not apply on sales discount,
of tax on benefits provided in kind. This is cash discount and rebates
another contentious issue which will come up
before the courts. The Circular clarifies that withholding under
S.194R does not apply in the following situations:
• In a later FAQ, the Circular clarifies that
withholding under S.194R does not apply on • Sales discount, cash discount or rebates
sales discount, cash discount and rebates. granted to customers from the listed retail
price results in lesser realization of sale
• The practical application of withholding on price for the seller and lower purchase
monetary benefits will raise challenges of cost for the purchaser. The Circular
overlap between different withholding clarifies that though such discounts result
provisions. Reference may be made to past in a benefit related to sales/purchase,
Circular No. 720 dated 30 August 1995 applicability of S.194R would put the
which clarifies that all withholding provisions seller in a difficulty. Hence, with a view to
are mutually exclusive. Issue will arise remove such difficulty, the Circular
whether, in case of such overlap, the payer clarifies that no taxes are required to be
has to apply withholding under S.194 R if its deducted u/s 194R on sales discount,
rate (10%) is higher than other withholding cash discount or rebates allowed to
provisions. customers.
3. Withholding applies to benefit in the form of a • Free goods (stock) (say, two items) given
capital asset by a seller to a purchaser on purchase of a
specified quantity of stock (say, 10 items
The Circular clarifies that there is no requirement at INR12 each) amounts to sale of higher
to check whether the perquisite or benefit is quantity of goods (i.e., 12 items) at the
taxable in the hands of the recipient and the price of lesser quantity of goods (i.e., 10
section under which it is taxable. It provides items). The purchaser is also eligible to
illustrations of certain judicial precedents which, claim lower purchase cost (i.e., INR120
as per the Circular, support that asset given as for 12 items) on such goods. The Circular
benefit or perquisite may be capital asset in the states that levy of S.194R in such cases
general sense of the term, like car, land etc., but would create difficulty in application of
it constitutes a taxable benefit or perquisite in S.194R. Thus, with a view to remove the
the hands of the recipient. Hence, the Circular difficulty, the Circular clarifies that
clarifies that payer is required to withhold tax in withholding under S.194R will not apply to
all cases where benefit or perquisite (of whatever such transactions.
nature) is provided.
However, the Circular clarifies that the
exemption from S.194R in the above two cases is
4 5
Refer EY Alert on SC ruling titled “Supreme Court rules [(2021) 132 taxmann.com 69 (Kolkata - Trib.)]
waiver of loan is not taxable as business income” dated 4 May
2018
EY Tax Alert P a g e |3
a specific relaxation and such relaxation from or perquisite provided by the recipient entity to
applicability of S.194R does not extend to other the personnel and a corresponding deduction can
benefits provided by sellers in connection with its be claimed by the recipient entity in respect of
sale. The Circular lists some such benefits on an provision of such benefit.
illustrative basis, such as:
In addition, the recipient entity would be required
• Incentives (other than discount, rebate) to comply with the salary or business perquisite
given in the form of cash or kind, such as withholding having regard to the status of the
car, television, computer, gold coins etc. person (employee or non-employee) to whom
such benefit is passed on.
• Sponsoring of a trip for the recipient and
their relatives on achieving certain However, in case where the benefit is passed on
targets. by the recipient entity to a consultant, then the
Circular provides an option that the provider of
• Provision of free tickets for an event. benefit may directly undertake withholding under
S.194R in the name of the consultant as a
• Free medical samples given to medical recipient.
practitioners.
The Circular further clarifies that the threshold of
EY Comments INR20,000 for applicability of withholding under
S.194R is to be seen with respect to recipient
entity.
• The Circular acknowledges that sale
discounts are in the nature of lesser
realization of sale price6. Read with the The Circular illustrates the above principle by
ratio of the SC ruling in Mahindra & providing example of free medicine samples
Mahindra’s case, it was expected that the provided to employee-doctors and consultant
CBDT will clarify that it is not covered by doctors of a hospital. It states that, in substance,
withholding under S.194R. However, the the benefit/perquisite is provided to the hospital
clarification on non-applicability of and, hence, the payer is required to withhold tax
withholding is couched in the form of under S.194R in the name of the hospital.
exercise of removal of difficulties to Subsequently, where the free medicine sample is
convey that, but for such dispensation, it used by the employee-doctor, the hospital may
was otherwise liable to withholding. This treat it as salary perquisite, apply salary
approach is highly debatable. withholding and claim deduction as salary
expenditure. Thus, ultimately the benefit is taxed
in the hands of the employee and not in the
• Except for illustration of free medical
hands of recipient entity. The hospital can get
samples, other illustrations provided in
credit of tax withheld under S.194R by furnishing
the Circular align with the general
its tax return.
understanding of the scope of S.28(iv)
and withholding under S.194R.
Where the free medicine sample is provided to
consultant doctor, the payer may withhold in the
5. Withholding to be made in name of recipient
name of the hospital or, alternatively, directly in
entity where the benefit or perquisite is used by
the name of the consultant doctor. If the payer
owner/director/employee of the recipient entity
withholds in the name of hospital, the hospital
or relative of the recipient
may again withhold tax under S.194R for
providing the same benefit or perquisite to the
The Circular acknowledges that there are consultant doctor.
instances where the benefit or perquisite
provided are ultimately used by the personnel
EY Comments
(owner/director/employee or their relatives) of
the recipient entity. The personnel themselves
• The issue of withholding in the name of
may not carry on any business or profession.
recipient entity or actual beneficiary was a
contentious one. The clarification on the
The Circular clarifies that the personnel receive
approach to be adopted by payers and
such benefit or perquisite on account of their
recipient entity will be helpful in resolving
relationship with the recipient entity and, hence,
the practical difficulty faced in such cases.
withholding under S.194R is required to be made
It can apply to cases of clear benefits like
in the name of the recipient entity to whom, in
provision of motor car used for personal
substance, the benefit is provided.
purposes or gold coin or television
installed at residence of personnel, free
The Circular further clarifies that, subsequently,
when the benefit is “used” by the personnel of
the recipient entity, it would qualify as a benefit
6
This is a reiteration of the view expressed in past Circular No.
8/2005 in the context of erstwhile Fringe Benefits Tax (Refer
FAQ 60 thereof)
EY Tax Alert P a g e |4
tickets for entertainment or sports event the recipient, then the value of such
etc. benefit/perquisite would be equal to the
purchase price.
• However, the illustration of free medical
samples in the Circular is extremely b. In case where a manufacturer provides a
contentious and debatable. The free benefit/perquisite in the form of items
medicine samples are seldom used by the manufactured by it, then the price which
doctors themselves and are generally the manufacturer charges to its
dispensed to patients free of cost. There customers in respect of such items shall
are statutory and voluntary be the value of such benefit/perquisite.
regulations/guidelines governing the
provision of such free medicine samples. The Circular also clarifies that Goods and Service
The pharmaceutical industry had hoped Tax (GST) will not be included for determination
that the Circular will clarify that provision of “value” for the purposes of S.194R.
of free medicine samples will not be liable
to withholding under S.194R. The EY Comments
contrary clarification causes concern not
only to the pharmaceutical industry but • While the Circular clarifies FMV to be
also other industries where there is value for withholding purposes, the term
customary practice of providing free FMV is not defined in the Circular. Under
samples. the ITA, FMV is defined7 generally in
relation to a capital asset to mean the
6. Non-applicability of S.194R to recipient entities price such capital asset would fetch in the
not carrying on business open market or where such price is not
ascertainable, then the price as
S.194R applies to benefit or perquisite arising in determined in accordance with the rules
the course of carrying on business or profession. made under the ITA. It may be noted that
The Circular clarifies that government entities till date no rules have been prescribed
like government hospitals do not carry on under the ITA for determination of FMV
business or profession and, hence, any benefit or where it is not ascertainable.
perquisite provided to such entities will not be
subject to withholding under S.194R. • The first exception to the FMV rule is a
case where there is a “purchase” of a
EY Comments benefit/perquisite. While the term used in
the Circular is “purchase”, it may be
• It may be noted that the government as a reasonably interpreted to also cover cases
payee or recipient is, in any case, of procurement of facility or service such
protected from withholding under S.196 as hotel accommodation, travel facility
of the ITA, whether or not carrying on etc.
business.
The Circular provides guidance on the manner in The Circular clarifies that whether it is a benefit
which “value” is to be determined. The Circular or perquisite will depend upon facts of the case.
clarifies as follows: If such products (like car, mobile, outfit,
cosmetics etc.) are returned to the
The “value” for the purposes of S.194R means manufacturing company after using for the
the “fair market value” (FMV) of the benefit or purpose of rendering service, then it will not be
perquisite, except in the following cases: treated as a benefit/perquisite for the purposes
of S.194R. However, if the product is retained by
a. In case where the benefit/perquisite the social media influencer, it would qualify as a
provider has “purchased” the benefit or perquisite to which S.194R applies.
benefit/perquisite before providing it to
7
S.2(22B)
EY Tax Alert P a g e |5
EY Comments perquisite provided by X to the consultant
and, hence, X is required to withhold tax.
• The Circular seems to be aligned with the This is because the expenditure is the
ruling of the Mumbai Income Tax consultant’s business expenditure which is
Appellate Tribunal (Tribunal) in the case of met by X.
Priyanka Chopra8, where the Tribunal had b. But if the invoice is in the name of X, initially
held that motor car or watch given to the paid by the consultant and subsequently
actress for sales promotion is a benefit or reimbursed by X to the consultant, then such
perquisite taxable in her hands under reimbursement will not be considered as
S.28(iv). benefit/perquisite and, hence, not liable to
withholding under S.194R.
• The Circular extends the principle to social
media influencers where there can be
some debate whether they are carrying on EY Comments
business or profession (including a
vocation). The Circular places emphasis on the name in
which the invoice is raised by the travel vendor or
• But it raises an issue on provision of free hotel. If the invoice is raised in the name of the
use of assets to persons other than social consultant/service provider, then the Circular
media influencers, like distributors or clarifies that it is benefit/perquisite liable for
retailers. In many cases, the recipient of withholding.
the free-of-cost asset is allowed to use it
for its entire economic life for storage or On the other hand, if the invoice is raised in the
manufacturing/processing or promotion name of the client/service recipient, the Circular
of payer’s products. The Circular clarifies clarifies that if it is reimbursed by the client to
that if they are returned to payer, it does the consultant, it is not a benefit/perquisite liable
not constitute benefit or perquisite. But if for withholding. While the Circular is not so
they are not returned, it can qualify as explicit, similar conclusion may apply where the
benefit or perquisite. This raises issue on invoice is raised in the name of the client/service
applicability and timing of withholding recipient and paid directly by the client/service
(whether on initial provision or decision of recipient – it is not a benefit/perquisite liable for
non-return of asset). But the Circular does withholding.
clarify that the applicability of withholding
requires examination of facts of each The distinction based on raising of the invoice in
case. the name of service provider or service recipient
will pose practical challenges in implementation.
8
[(2018) (89 Taxmann.com 286) (Mumbai ITAT)] dealers/customers. (v) Addressing queries of the
9
(i) New product being launched. (ii) Discussion as to how the dealers/customers. (vi) Reconciliation of accounts with
product is better than others. (iii) Obtaining orders from dealers/customers
dealers/customers. (iv) Teaching sales techniques to
EY Tax Alert P a g e |6
• Expenditure incurred for family members under S.194R and pay to the government. In
accompanying the person attending such a case, the withholding should be made
dealer/business conference. after taking into account the fact that the tax
paid by the provider as withholding tax is also a
• Expenditure on participants of benefit for the purposes of S.194R. The provider
dealer/business conference for days will need to show it as tax withheld on benefit
which are on account of prior stay or provided in TDS forms.
overstay beyond the dates of such
conference. EY Comments
10
S.195A
EY Tax Alert P a g e |7
Conclusion
EY Tax Alert P a g e |8
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