Taxation of Salaried Employees

8/2/2019 Taxation of Salaried Employees

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PREFACE

Lack of awareness amongst taxpayers is often cited as the

main reason for low level of compliance towards tax laws. It hasbeen a constant endeavour of the Directorate of Income Tax (PR,

PP & OL) to increase the awareness of the taxpayers about the

provisions of tax laws and the steps taken by the government to

reduce the complexities of tax laws and improve Tax Payer Service.

The booklets published under the Tax Payers Information Series

have proved to be an effective and convenient tool to educate the

tax payers in discharging their tax liabilities relating to Direct Taxes.

Taxation of Salaried Employees, Pensioners and Senior

Citizens is one of the most popular booklets among the taxpayers.

Its last edition was brought out in the year 2008. The present edition

incorporates further amendments made upto the Finance Act, 2010?

This edition has been updated by Smt. Garima Bhagat, Add. CIT,

New Delhi.

It is hoped that this publication will prove to be more usefulfor the readers. The Directorate of Income Tax (Public Relations,

Printing & Publications and Official Language) would welcome

any suggestion to further improve this publication.

New Delhi

Dated : November 11, 2010

(Amitabh Kumar)

Director of Income Tax (PR, PP & OL)

This publication should not be construed as an

exhaustive statement of the Law. In case of doubt,

reference should always be made to the relevant

provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961, Income Tax

Rules, 1962, Wealth Tax Act, 1957 and Wealth TaxRules, 1957, and, wherever necessary, to Notifications

issued from time to time.


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CHAPTER 1

AN INTRODUCTION TO TAXATION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Income tax is an annual tax on income. The Indian Income

Tax Act (Section 4) provides that in respect of the total income of

the previous year of every person, income tax shall be charged

for the corresponding assessment year at the rates laid down by

the Finance Act for that assessment year. Section 14 of the Income-

tax Act further provides that for the purpose of charge of incometax and computation of total income all income shall be classified

under the following heads of income:

A. Salaries

B. Income from house property

C. Profits and gains of business or profession.

D. Capital gains

E. Income from other sources.

The total income from all the above heads of income is

calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Act as they

stand on the first day of April of any assessment year.

In this booklet an attempt is being made to discuss the various

provisions relevant to the salaried class of taxpayers as well as

pensioners and senior citizens.

1.2 FILING OF INCOME TAX RETURN

Section 139(1) of the Income-tax Act, 1961 provides that

every person whose total income during the previous year

exceeded the maximum amount not chargeable to tax shall furnish

a return of income. The Finance Act, 2003 has introduced Section

139(1B) which provides for furnishing of return of income on

computer readable media, such as floppy, diskette, magnetic

CONTENTS

Topic Page No.

Chapter 1 An Introduction to Taxation 1

Chapter 2 Salary Income, Perquisites & Allowances 13

Chapter 3 Overview of Income from House Property 27

Chapter 4 Overview of Capital Gains 30

Chapter 5 Deductions under Chapter VIA 36

Chapter 6 Tax Rebate & Relief 46

Chapter 7 Permanent Account Number 50

Chapter 8 Taxability of Retirement Benefits 52

Chapter 9 Pensioners & Senior Citizens 58

Chapter 10 Taxation of Expatriates 61

Chapter 11 Income tax on Fringe Benefits 67

Chapter 12 Some relevant Case laws 70


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one house property excluding b/f losses/

income from other sources excluding

winning from lottery or income from race

horses.ITR 2 ITR 2 For individuals and HUFs not having income

from Business or Profession.

ITR 3 ITR 3 For Individuals and HUFs being partners in

firms and not carrying out business or

profession under any proprietorship.

ITR 4 ITR 4 For individuals & HUFs having income from

a proprietary business or profession

ITR 5 ITR 5 For firms, AOPs and BOIs

ITR 6 ITR 6 For Companies other than companies

claiming exemption under section 11

ITR 7 ITR 7 For persons including companies required

to furnish return under Section 139 (4A) or

Section 139 (4B) or Section 139 (4C) or

Section 139 (4D).

ITR 8 N.A. Return for Fringe BenefitsITR V ITR V Where the data of the Return of Income/

Fringe Benefits in Form ITR-1, ITR-2,

ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5, ITR-6, ITR-7 &

ITR-8 is transmitted electronically without

digital signature.

Acknow Acknowl- Acknowledgement for e-Return and non

ledge ledge e-Return.

ment ment

CHALLAN FORMS:- The following are the new computerized

challan forms:-

Challan No. Nature of Payment

ITNS 280 (0020) Income Tax on Companies

(Corporation Tax)

(0021) Income Tax (Other than Companies)

ITNS 281 (0020) Tax Deducted/Collected at Source from

Company Deductees

(0021) Non-Company Deductees

ITNS 282 (0034) Securities Transaction Tax(0023) Hotel Receipts Tax

(0024) Interest Tax

(0028) Expenditure/other Tax

(0031) Estate Duty

(0032) Wealth Tax

(0033) Gift Tax

ITNS 283 (0036) Banking Cash Transaction Tax(0026) Fringe Benefits Tax

All the columns in the challan form should invariably be

filled in, details such as PAN, assessment year, Assessing Officer

and his code, status and full address of the assessee in capital

letters, the relevant columns of tax, interest etc., should also be

filled in properly.

1.5 RATES OF INCOME TAX :-(A) The rates for charging income tax for A.Y. 2010-11 shall

be as follows :-

I. In the case of every individual other than those covered under

II and III below:-

Rates of Income Tax

(1) Where the total income Nil

does not exceed

Rs. 1,60,000

(2) Where the total income 10 per cent of the amount by

exceeds Rs. 1,60,000 but which the total income

does not exceed exceeds Rs. 1,60,000/-.

Rs. 3,00,000

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(3) Where the total income Rs. 14,000 plus 20 per cent of

exceeds Rs. 3,00,000 but the amount by which the total

does not exceed income exceeds Rs. 3,00,000.

Rs. 5,00,000(4) Where the total income Rs. 54,000 plus 30 per cent of

exceeds Rs. 5,00,000 the amount by which the total

income exceeds Rs. 5,00,000.

II. In the case of every individual, being a woman resident of

India, and below the age of sixty five years at any time during the

previous year:-

Rates of Income Tax


does not exceed

Rs. 1,90,000


exceeds Rs. 1,90,000 but which the total income exceeds

does not exceed Rs. 1,90,000/-.

Rs. 3,00,000


exceeds Rs. 3,00,000 but the amount by which the total

does not exceed income exceeds Rs. 3,00,000.

Rs. 5,00,000




III. In the case of every individual, being a resident in India, who

is of the age of sixty-five years or more at any time during the

previous year:-

Rates of Income Tax


does not exceed

Rs.2,40,000


exceeds Rs. 2,40,000 which the total income

but does not exceed exceeds Rs. 2,40,000/-.

Rs. 3,00,000

(3) Where the total income Rs. 6,000 plus 20 percent of


but does not exceed income exceeds Rs. 3,00,000.Rs. 5,00,000

(4) Where the total income Rs. 46,000 plus 30 percent of



Further, No surcharge on income tax is now leviable in case

of individual/HUF. However, Education cess and higher education

cess is leviable @ 2% and 1% respectively on tax.

(B) The rates for charging income tax for F.Y. 2010-11 i.e.

A.Y. 2011-12 will be as follows:-

Upto Rs. 1,60,000/- NIL

Rs. 1,60,001/- to Rs. 5,00,000/- 10 per cent.

Rs. 5,00,001/- to Rs. 8,00,000/- 20 per cent.

Above Rs. 8,00,000/- 30 per cent.

In the case of every individual, being a woman resident in

India, and below the age of sixty-five years at any time during the

previous year, the new rates of income-tax on total income in such

cases shall be as under:-

Upto Rs. 1,90,000/- NIL

Rs. 1,90,001/- to Rs. 5,00,000/- 10 per cent.

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1.7.10 Interest on refunds u/s 244A: If the refund due to

the assessee is more than 10% of the tax payable

by him, he shall be entitled to receive simple

interest thereon at rate of 0.5% per month

(substituted in place of 0.67% per month w.e.f.

8.9.2003) or part thereof, from 1st April of the

assessment year to the date on which the refund is

granted.

1.7.11 Tax Return Preparers Scheme:- For enabling

specified classes of tax payers in preparing and

furnishing income tax returns, the Board has

notified the Tax Return Preparer Scheme underwhich specially trained and authorized Tax Return

Preparers will provide assistance to tax payers in

this regard. Details of the Scheme may be viewed

at www.incometaxindia.gov.in.

CHAPTER-2

SALARY INCOME, PERQUISITES

& ALLOWANCES

2.1 WHAT IS SALARY

Salary is the remuneration received by or accruing to an

individual, periodically, for service rendered as a result of an

express or implied contract. The actual receipt of salary in the

previous year is not material as far as its taxability is concerned.

The existence of employer-employee relationship is the sine-qua-non for taxing a particular receipt under the head salaries. For

instance, the salary received by a partner from his partnership

firm carrying on a business is not chargeable as Salaries but as

Profits & Gains from Business or Profession. Similarly, salary

received by a person as MP or MLA is taxable as Income from

other sources, but if a person received salary as Minister of State/

Central Government, the same shall be charged to tax under the

head Salaries. Pension received by an assessee from his former

employer is taxable as Salaries whereas pension received on

his death by members of his family (Family Pension) is taxed as

Income from other sources.

2.2 WHAT DOES SALARY INCLUDE

Section 17(1) of the Income tax Act gives an inclusive and

not exhaustive definition of Salaries including therein (i) Wages

(ii) Annuity or pension (iii) Gratuity (iv) Fees, Commission,perquisites or profits in lieu of salary (v) Advance of Salary (vi)

Amount transferred from unrecognized provident fund to

recognized provident fund (vii) Contribution of employer to a

Recognised Provident Fund in excess of the prescribed limit (viii)

Leave Encashment (ix) Compensation as a result of variation in

Service contract etc. (x) Contribution made by the Central

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Type of Allowance

(i) Special Compensatory

Allowance for hilly

areas or high altitudeallowance or climate

allowance.

(ii) Border area allowance

or remote areaallowance or a difficult

area allowance or

disturbed area

allowance.

(iii) Tribal area/Schedule

area/Agency area

allowance available in

M.P., Assam, U.P.,Karnataka, West

Bengal, Bihar, Orissa,

Tamilnadu, Tripura

(iv) Any allowance granted

to an employee

working in any

transport system tomeet his personal

expenditure during duty

performed in the course

of running of such

transport from one

place to another place.

Amount exempt

Rs.800 common for various

areas of North East, Hilly areas

of U.P., H.P. & J&K and Rs.7000 per month for Siachen area

of J&K and Rs.300 common

for all places at a height of 1000

mts or more other than the

above places.

Various amounts ranging from

Rs.200 per month to Rs.1300per month are exempt for

various areas specified in

Rule 2BB.

Rs.200 per month.

70% of such allowance upto a

maximum of Rs.6000 per

month.

(v) Children education

allowance.

(vi) Allowance granted to

meet hostel expenditureon employees child.

(vii) Compensatory fieldarea allowanceavailable in various

areas of ArunachalPradesh, ManipurSikkim, Nagaland,

H.P., U.P. & J&K.

(viii) Compensatory modified

field area allowanceavailable in specifiedareas of Punjab,

Rajsthan, Haryana,U.P., J&K, H.P., WestBengal & North East.

(ix) Counter insurgencyallowance to membersof Armed Forces.

(x) Transport Allowancegranted to an employeeto meet his expenditurefor the purpose of

commuting between theplace of residence &duty.

(xi) Transport allowancegranted to physically

disabled employee forthe purpose of

Rs.100 per month per child upto

a maximum 2 children.

Rs.300 per month per child upto

a maximum two children.

Rs.2600 per month.

Rs.1000 per month

Rs.3900 Per month

Rs.800 per month.

Rs.1600 per month.

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commuting betweenplace of duty and

residence.

(xii) Underground allowancegranted to an employeeworking in under ground

mines.

(xiii) Special allowance in the

nature of high altitudeallowance granted to

members of the armed

forces.

(xiv) Any special allowancegranted to the members

of the armed forces inthe nature of special

compensatory highly

active field areaallowance

(xv) Special allowance

granted to members of

armed forces in thenature of island duty

allowance.

(in Andaman & Nicobar

& Lakshadweep Group

of Islands)

Rs.800 per month.

Rs. 1060 p.m. (for altitude of9000-15000 ft.) Rs.1600 p.m.

(for altitude above 15000 ft.)

Rs. 4,200/- p.m.

Rs. 3,250/- p.m.

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CHAPTER-3

OVERVIEW OF INCOME FROM

HOUSE PROPERTY

3.1 INTRODUCTION

Under the Income Tax Act what is taxed under the head

Income from House Property is the inherent capacity of the

property to earn income called theAnnual Value of the property.

The above is taxed in the hands of the owner of the property.

3.2 COMPUTATION OF ANNUAL VALUE

(i) GROSS ANNUAL VALUE(G.A.V.) is the highest of

(a) Rent received or receivable

(b) Fair Market Value.

(c) Municipal valuation.

(If however, the Rent Control Act is applicable, the G.A.V.is the standard rent or rent received, whichever is higher).

It may be noted that if the let out property was vacant for

whole or any part of the previous year and owing to such vacancy

the actual rent received or receivable is less than the sum referred

to in clause(a) above, then the amount actually received/receivable

shall be taken into account while computing the G.A.V. If any

portion of the rent is unrealisable, (condition of unrealisability of

rent are laid down in Rule 4 of I.T. Rules) then the same shall notbe included in the actual rent received/receivable while computing

the G.A.V.

(ii) NET VALUE (N.A.V.) is the GAV less the municipal taxes

paid by the owner.

Provided that the taxes were paid during the year.


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shares forming part of an eligible issue of capital is made

within six months from the date of transfer, then exemption

would be available as computed in Sec. 54EB. As per the

Finance Act 2006 it has been provided that with effect from

assessment year 2007-08, no exemption under this Section

shall be available.

4.6 LOSS UNDER CAPITAL GAINS

Can not be set off against any income under any other head

but can be carried forward for 8 assessment years and be set off

against capital gains in those assessment years.

4.7 EXEMPT INCOMEThe Finance Act 2003 has introduced S.10(33) w.e.f.

01.04.2003 which provides that income arising from certain types

of transfer of capital assets shall be treated as exempt income.

S.10(33) provides for exemption of income arising from transfer

of units of the US 64 (Unit Scheme 1964). S.10(36) inserted by

the Finance Act, 2003 w.e.f. 1.4.2004 provides that income arising

from transfer of eligible equity shares held for a period of 12

months or more shall be exempt.

The Finance Act, 2004 has introduced section 10(38) of the

I.T. Act which provides that no capital gains shall arise in case of

transfer of equity shares held as a long term capital asset by an

individual or HUF w.e.f. 01.04.2005 provided such transaction is

chargeable to securities transaction tax.

COST INFLATION INDEX:

The Central Government has notified the Cost Inflation

Index for the purpose of long term Capital Gain as follows:

Financial Year Cost Inflation Index

1981-82 100

1982-83 109

1983-84 116

1984-85 125

1985-86 133

1986-87 140

1987-88 1501988-89 161

1989-90 172

1990-91 182

1991-92 199

1992-93 223

1993-94 244

1994-95 259

1995-96 2811996-97 305

1997-98 331

1998-99 351

1999-2000 389

2000-2001 406

2001-2002 426

2002-2003 447

2003-2004 4632004-2005 480

2005-2006 497

2006-2007 519

2007-2008 551

2008-2009 582

2009-2010 632

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CHAPTER-5

DEDUCTIONS UNDER CHAPTER VIA

5.1 INTRODUCTION

The Income Tax Act provides that on determination of the

gross total income of an assessee after considering income from

all the heads, certain deductions therefrom may be allowed. These

deductions detailed in chapter VIA of the Income Tax Act must

be distinguished from the exemptions provides in Section 10 of

the Act. While the former are to be reduced from the gross total

income, the latter do not form part of the income at all.

5.2 The chart given below describes the deductions allowable

under chapter VIA of the I.T. Act from the gross total income of

the assessees having income from salaries.

SECTION

80CCC

NATURE OF

DEDUCTION

Payment of premium forannunity plan of LIC or

any other insurer

Deduction is available

upto a maximum of

Rs.10,000/-

REMARKS

The premium must bedeposited to keep in

force a contract for an

annuity plan of the LIC

or any other insurer for

receiving pension from

the fund.The Finance

Act 2006 has enhanced

the ceiling of deductionunder Section 80CCC

from Rs.10,000 to

Rs.1,00,000 with effect

from 1.4.2007.

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80CCD

80CCF

80D

Deposit made by an

employee in his pension

account to the extent of

10% of his salary.

Subscription to long term

infrastructure bonds

Payment of medical

insurance premium.

Deduction is available

upto Rs.15,000/ for self/

family and also upto Rs.

15,000/- for insurance in

Where the Central

Government makes any

contribution to the

pension account,

deduction of such

contribution to the

extent of 10% of salary

shall be allowed.

Further, in any year

where any amount is

received from the

pension account such

amount shall be charged

to tax as income of that

previous year. The

Finance Act, 2009 has

extended benefit to any

individual assesse, not

being a Central

Government employee.Subscription made by

individual or HUF to the

extent of Rs. 20,000 to

notified long term

infrastructure bonds is

exempt from A.Y. 2011-

12 onwards.

The premium is to be

paid by any mode of

payment other than cash

and the insurance

scheme should be

framed by the General


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Insurance Corporation

of India & approved by

the Central Govt. or

Scheme framed by any

other insurer and

approved by the

Insurance Regulatory &

Development Authority.

The premium should be

paid in respect of health

insurance of the

assessee or his familymembers. The Finance

Act 2008 has also

provided deduction upto

Rs. 15,000/- in respect of

health insurance

premium paid by the

assessee towards his

parent/parents. W.e.f.01.04.2011, contributions

made to the Central

Government Health

Scheme is also covered

under this section.

The handicapped

dependant should be a

dependant relativesuffering from a

permanent disability

(including blindness) or

mentally retarded, as

certified by a specified

physician or psychiatrist.

respect of parent/

parents of the assessee.

Deduction of Rs.40,000/

- in respect of (a)

expenditure incurred onmedical treatment,

(including nursing),

training and

rehabilitation of

handicapped dependant

relative. (b) Payment or

80DD

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deposit to specified

scheme for maintenance

of dependant

handicapped relative.

W.e.f. 01.04.2004 the

deduction under this

section has been

enhanced to Rs.50,000/

-. Further, if the

dependant is a person

with severe disability a

deduction of

Rs.1,00,000/- shall be

available under this

section.

Deduction of Rs.40,000

in respect of medical

expenditure incurred.

W.e.f. 01.04.2004,

deduction under thissection shall be

available to the extent of

Rs.40,000/- or the

amount actually paid,

whichever is less. In

case of senior citizens, a

deduction upto

Rs.60,000/- shall beavailable under this

Section.

Deduction in respect of

payment in the previous

year of interest on loan

Note: A person with

severe disability means

a person with 80% or

more of one or more

disabilities as outlined in

section 56(4) of the

Persons with

Disabilities (Equal

opportunities, Protection

of Rights

and Full Participation)

Act.,

Expenditure must be

actually incurred by

resident assessee on

himself or dependent

relative for medicaltreatment of specified

disease or ailment. The

diseases have been

specified in Rule 11DD.

A certificate in form 10

I is to be furnished by

the assessee from a

specialist working in aGovernment hospital.

This provision has been

introduced to provide

relief to students taking

80DDB

80E


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loans for higher studies.

The payment of the

interest thereon will be

allowed as deduction

over a period of upto 8

years. Further, by

Finance Act, 2007

deduction under this

section shall be available

not only in respect of

loan for pursuing higher

education by self but

also by spouse or

children of the assessee.

W.e.f.01.04.2010 higher

education means any

course of study pursued

after passing the senior

secondary examination

or its equivalent from

any recognized school,

board or university.

The various donations

specified in Sec. 80G

are eligible for

deduction upto either

100% or 50% with or

without restriction asprovided in Sec. 80G

(1) Assessee or his

spouse or minor

child should not

own residential

taken from a financial

institution or approved

charitable institution for

higher studies.

Donation to certain

funds, charitable

institutions etc.

Deduction available is

the least of

(i) Rent paid less 10% of

total income

80G

80GG

4140

80U

80RRB

(ii) Rs.2000 per month

(iii) 25% of total income

Deduction of Rs.50,000/

- to an individual who

suffers from a physicaldisability (including

blindness) or mental

retardation.Further, if the

individual is a person

with severe disability,

deduction of Rs.75,000/

- shall be available u/s

80U. W.e.f. 01.04.2010this limit has been raised

to Rs. 1 lakh.


any income by way of

royalty in respect of a

patent registered on or

after 01.04.2003 under

the Patents Act 1970

shall be available as :-Rs.

3 lacs or the income

received, whichever is

less.

accommodation at the

place of employment.

(2) He should not be in

receipt of house rent

allowance.

(3) He should not have

a self occupied

residential premises in

any other place.

Certificate should be

obtained on prescribed

format from a notifiedMedical authority.

The assessee who is a

patentee must be an

individual resident in

India. The assessee must

furnish a certificate in

the prescribed form duly

signed by the prescribed

authority alongwith the

return of income.


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The following investments/payments are inter alia eligible

for deduction u/s 80C:-

NATURE OF

INVESTMENT

Life Insurance Premium

Sum paid under contract for

deferred annuity

Sum deducted from salary

payable to Govt. Servant for

securing deferred annuity for

self, spouse or child

Contribution made under

Employees Provident Fund

Scheme

Contribution to PPF

Contribution by employee to a

Recognised Provident Fund.

Subscription to any notified

securities/notified deposits

scheme.

REMARKS

For individual, policy must be

in the name of self or spouse or

any childs name. For HUF, it

may be on life of any member

of HUF.

For individual, on life of self,

spouse or any child of such

individual.

Payment limited to 20% of

salary.

For individual, can be in the

name of self/spouse, any child

& for HUF, it can be in the

name of any member of the

family.

4342

80QQB

80C


royalty or copyright

income received in

consideration for

authoring any book of

literary, artistic or

scientific nature other

than text book shall be

available to the extent

of Rs. 3 lacs or income

received, whichever is

less.

This section has been

introduced by the

Finance Act, 2005.

Broadly speaking, this

section provides

deduction from total

income in respect of

various investments/expenditures/payments

in respect of which tax

rebate u/s 88 was

earlier available. The

total deduction under

this section is limited to

Rs.1 lakh only.

The assessee must be

an individual resident in

India who receives

such income in

exercise of his

profession. To avail of

this deduction, the

assessee must furnish

a certificate in the

prescribed form along

with the return of

income.


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Tuition fees paid at the time of

admission or otherwise to any

school, college, university or

other educational institution

situated within India for the

purpose of full time education.

Any term deposit for a fixed

period of not less than five

years with the scheduled bank.

Subscription to notified bonds

issued by NABARD

Payment made into an account

under the Senior Citizens

Savings Scheme Rules, 2004

Payment made as five year time

deposit in an account under the

Post Office Time DepositRules, 1981

Available in respect of any two

children.

This has been included in

Section 80C by the Finance Act

2006.

This has been included in

Section 80C by the Finance Act

2007 and has come into effectfrom 1.4.2008.

This has been introduced by

Finance Act, 2008 and shall

come into effect from 1.4.2009.

This has been introduced by

Finance Act, 2008 and shall

come into effect from 1.4.2009.

It may be noted that the aggregate amount of deductions under

sections 80C, 80CCC and 80CCD are subject to an overall ceiling

of Rs.1 lakh.

4544


savings certificates.

Contribution to Unit Linked

Insurance Plan of LIC MutualFund

Contribution to notified deposit

scheme/Pension fund set up by

the National Housing Bank.

Certain payment made by way

of instalment or part payment

of loan taken for purchase/construction of residential

house property.

Subscription to units of aMutual Fund notified u/s

10(23D)

Subscription to deposit scheme

of a public sector company

engaged in providing housing

finance.

Subscription to equity shares/debentures forming part of any

approved eligible issue of

capital made by a public

company or public financial

institutions.

e.g. NSC VIII issue.

e.g. Dhanrakhsa 1989

Condition has been laid that in

case the property is transferred

before the expiry of 5 yearsfrom the end of the financial

year in which possession of

such property is obtained by

him, the aggregate amount of

deduction of income so allowed

for various years shall be liable

to tax in that year.


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Contribution by employee to a

Recognised Provident Fund.

Sum deposited in 10 year/

15year account of Post OfficeSavings Bank


securities/notified deposits

scheme.


savings certificates

Contribution to Unit LinkedInsurance Plan of LIC Mutual

Fund

Contribution to notified deposit

scheme/Pension fund set up by

the National Housing Bank.

Certain payment made by way

of instalment or part payment ofloan taken for purchase/

construction of residential

house property.

Contribution to notified annuity

Plan of LIC(e.g. Jeevan Dhara)

or Units of UTI/notified Mutual

Fund.

Subscription to units of a

Mutual Fund notified u/s

10(23D)

e.g. NSC VIII issue.

e.g. Dhanrakhsa 1989

Qualifying amount limited

to Rs.10,000. The limit hasbeen raised to Rs.20,000

w.e.f. assessment year

2001-2002.

If in respect of such

contribution, deduction u/s

80CCC has been availed of,

rebate u/s 88 would not be

allowable.

Subscription to deposit scheme

of a Public Sector Company/

Authorised Authority providing

long term house financing.

Subscription to equity shares/

debentures forming part of any

approved eligible issue of

capital made by a public

company or public financial

institutions.

(w.e.f. 01.04.2004) Tuition fees

paid at the time of admission orotherwise to any school,

college, university or other

educational institution situated

within India for the purpose of

full time education of any two

children.

In respect of it, a higher limit

of qualifying investment of

Rs.70,000 (Rs.80,000 w.e.f.

A.Y. 2001-2002) is available as

against Rs.60,000 in case of

other investments.

The qualifying amount limited

to Rs.12,000/- in respect ofeach child.

It is important to note that no tax rebate u/s 88 shall beavailable from A.Y.2006-07 onwards. Similarly, sections 88B and

88C providing special rebates to senior citizens and ladies, stand

omitted w.e.f. 01.04.2006.

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6.3 RELIEF UNDER SECTION 89 (1):-

It is available to an employee when he receives salary in

advance or in arrear or when in one financial year, he receives

salary of more than 12 months or receives profits in lieu of salary.

W.e.f. 1.6.89, relief u/s 89(1) can be granted at the time of TDS

from employees of all companies, co-operative societies,

universities or institutions as well as govt./public sector

undertakings, the relief should be claimed by the employee in

Form No. 10E and should be worked out as explained in Rule

21A of the Income Tax Rules.


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the above, the accumulated balance due and becoming payable to

an employee participating in a Recognised Provident Fund is also

exempt to the extent provided in Rule 8 of Part A of the Fourth

Schedule of the Income Tax Act.

8.8 PAYMENT FROM APPROVED SUPERANNUATION

FUND (Sec.10(13)):

Payment from an Approved Superannuation Fund will be

exempt provided the payment is made in the circumstances

specified in the section viz. death, retirement and incapacitation.

8.9 DEPOSIT SCHEME FOR RETIRED GOVT/PUBLIC

SECTOR COMPANY EMPLOYEES:

Section 10(15) of the Income Tax Act incorporates a number

of investments, the interest from which is totally exempt from

taxation. These investments may be considered as one of the

options for investing various benefits received on retirement. One

among them, notified u/s 10(15)(iv)(i), is the DEPOSIT SCHEME

FOR RETIRED GOVT/PUBLIC SECTOR COMPANY

EMPLOYEES which is a particularly attractive option for retiring

employees of Govt. and Public Sector Companies. W.e.f.assessment year 1990-91, the interest on deposits made under this

scheme by an employee of Central/State Govt. out of the various

retirement benefits received is exempt from Income-tax. This

exemption was subsequently extended to employees of Public

Sector companies from assessment year 1991-92 vide notification

No. 2/19/89-NS-II dated 12.12.1990. Salient features of the

scheme are discussed below:

Rate of Return Tax free interest @ 9% P.A. payable half

yearly on 30th June and 31st December

Limit of Investment Minimum Rs.1000.

Maximum not exceeding the total

retirement benefits.

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Liquidity Entire balance can be withdrawn after

expiry of 3 years from the date of

deposit. Premature encashment can be,

made after one year from the date of

deposit in which case interest on amountwithdrawn will be payable @ 4% from

the date of deposit to the date of

withdrawal.

Other considerations: Only 1 account can be opened in own

name or jointly with spouse. Account is

to be opened within 3 months of

receiving retirement benefits. Schemeis operated through branches of SBI and

its subsidiaries and selected branches of

nationalised banks.

[This scheme has been discontinued w.e.f. 10.07.2004 vide

notification F. No.15-01/2004-NS-2, dated 09.07.2004.]


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10.8 INCOME TAX CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE

An expatriate before leaving the territory of India is required

to obtain a tax clearance certificate from a competent authority

stating that he does not have any outstanding tax liability. Such a

certificate is necessary in case the continuous presence in India

exceeds 120 days. An application is to be made in a prescribed

form to the Income Tax Authority having jurisdiction for

assessment of the expatriate to grant a tax clearance certificate.

This is to be exchanged for final tax clearance certificate from the

foreign section of the Income Tax Department. Tax Clearance

certificate is valid for a period of 1 month from the date of issue

and is necessary to get a confirmed booking from an airline or

travel agency and may be required to be produced before the

customs authorities at the airport.

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CHAPTER- 11

INCOME TAX ON

FRINGE BENEFITS

11.1 INTRODUCTION :-

The Finance Act 2005 has introduced a new tax called

Income-tax on fringe benefits w.e.f. 01.04.2006. This shall be

in the form of additional income tax levied on fringe benefits

provided or deemed to have been provided by an employer to his

employees during the previous year.11.2 RATE OF TAX :-

The tax on fringe benefits shall be levied at the rate of 30%

on the value of fringe benefits provided.

11.3 LIABILITY TO PAY :-

The liability to pay this tax is to be borne by the employer

including

i) a company

ii) a firm

iii) an association of persons or body of individuals

excluding any fund or trust or institution eligible for

exemption u/s 10(23C) or 12AA.

iv) a local authority

v) an artificial juridical person

11.4 WHAT IS INCLUDED IN FRINGE BENEFITS :-

Fringe benefits have been defined as including any

consideration for employment provided by way of

a) any privilege, service, facility or amenity provided by an

employer directly or indirectly including reimbursements.


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b) any free or concessional ticket provided by the employer for

private journeys of his employees or their family members.

c) any contribution by the employer to an approved

superannuation fund for employees.

d) any specified security or sweat equity shares allotted/

transferred, directly or indirectly by the employers free of

cost or at concessional rate to his employees. The detailed

provisions in respect of this are included in Chapter XII H of

the I.T. Act.

Further, fringe benefits shall be deemed to have been

provided if the employer has incurred any expenses or made any

payments for various purposes namely, entertainment, provision

of hospitality, conference, sales promotion including publicity,

employees welfare, conveyance, tour & travel, use of hotel,

boarding & lodging etc.

Various provisions relating to income tax on fringe benefits

have been modified by the Finance Act, 2006. Exceptions in

respect of certain expenditures have been introduced including

expenditure incurred on distribution of free/concessional samplesand payments to any person of repute for promoting the sale of

goods or services of the business of the employer. Similarly, it

has been proposed that expenditure incurred on providing free or

subsidized transport or any such allowance provided by the

employer to his employees for journeys from residence to the place

of work shall not be part of fringe benefits. Another significant

amendment is regarding the contribution by an employer to an

approved superannuation fund to the extent of Rs.1 lakh peremployee which shall not be liable to fringe benefit tax. Further,

in the case of some other expenses incurred such as expenses

incurred on tour and travel, lower rates for valuation of fringe

benefits @ 5% have been provided for. The Finance Act 2008

has introduced further exemption in respect of certain expenditures

from the purview of Fringe Benefit Tax. These include payments

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through non-transferable electronic meal cards, provision of crche

facility, organizing sports events or sponsoring a sportsman being

an employee. These provisions shall come into effect from A.Y.

2009-10 onwards.

The Finance act, 2009 has withdrawn the Fringe Benefit Tax.

Thus, the FBT stands abolished w.e.f. A.Y. 2010-11 and now such

perquisites are taxable in hands of employees.


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CHAPTER- 12

SOME RELEVANT CASE-LAWS

12.1 EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP:

The nature and extent of control which is the basic requisite

to establish employer- employee relationship would vary from

business to business. The test which is uniformly applied in order

to determine the relationship is the existence of a right to control

in respect of the manner in which the work is to be done.

(Dharangadhra Commercial Works v State of Saurashtra 1957SCR 152)

12.2 LEAVE ENCASHMENT (S.10(10AA)):

Retirement includes resignation. What is relevant is

retirement: how it took place is immaterial for the purpose of this

clause. Therefore, even on resignation, if an employee gets any

amount by way of leave encashment, S.10(10AA) would

apply.(CIT v D.P. Malhotra (1997) 142 CTR 325(Bom)).(CIT v R.J. Shahney(1986) 159 ITR 160(Mad))

12.3 HOUSE RENT ALLOWANCE (S.10(13A)):

When commission is paid to a person based upon fixed

percentage of turnover achieved by the employee it would amount

to Salary for the purpose of Rule 2 (h) of part A of IV Schedule

(Gestetner Duplicators v CIT 117 ITR 1 (SC)).

12.4 PERQUISITE (S. 17):

12.4.1 One can not be said to allow a perquisite to an

employee if the employee has no vested right to

the same.

(CIT v L.W. Russel (1964) 531 ITR 91 (SC)).

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12.4.2 Reimbursement of expenses incurred by the

employee has been intended to be roped in the

definition of Salary by bringing it as part of

Profit in lieu of salary.

(I.E. I Ltd. v CIT (1993) 204 ITR 386(Cal)

12.5 RENT FREE ACCOMMODATION:

A rent free accommodation was provided to the assessee by

his employer but he never occupied it. Held that, unless the

employee expressly forgoes his right to occupying it, the perk

value would be taxable even though he never occupies it.

(CIT v B.S. Chauhan 150 ITR 8(Del)).12.6 DEDUCTION UNDER S.80G:

By the very nature of calculation required to be made u/s

80G(4) it is necessary that all deduction under chapter VIA be

first ascertained and deducted before granting deduction u/s 80G

(Scindia Steam Navigation Co v CIT (1994) 75 Taxman

495(Bom))

12.7 DEDUCTION U/S 80RRA:

Fees received by a consultant or technical for rendering

services abroad would also come within the purview of S. 80RRA

(CBDT v Aditya V. Birla (1988) 170 ITR 137(SC))

12.8 RELIEF U/S 89:

Where arrears of salary are paid under orders of court, the

employee would be entitled to relief u/s 89.

(K.C. Joshi v Union of India (1987) 163 ITR 597(SC).


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12.9 REVISED RETURN:

A belated return filed u/s 139(4) can not be revised u/s 139(5).

(Kumar J.C. Sinha v CIT (1996) (86 Taxman 122(SC)).

12.10 Return showing income below taxable limit is a valid return.

(CIT v Ranchhoddas Karosands (1959) (361 ITR 869 (SC)).

Taxation of Salaried Employees

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