Saturday, 16 May 2020

Atma Nirbhar Bharat – is same actually helping?


 The  Hon’ble PM announced a big relief package for people of India during this pandemic and the middle class of India start cheering that for the first time, middle class, expecting some financial relief from the government.  The next day finance minister makes few announcements which according to them will reduce difficulties of citizens but we unable to understand how these steps will reduce the hardship caused by people of India especially the middle class.

 

First, let us analyse the three direct tax steps and try to understand how this help entrepreneurs of India.

 

·         The rate of TDS has been decreased by 25%. Thus this will decrease the quantum of TDS and increase the cash flow for the business  especially service sector. However, there will be no reduction in the quantum of tax payable by entrepreneurs and thus they have an increasing burden of advance tax liability. Further, the decline in tax rate is in the middle of a month and hence different rates being applicable in a quarter. This already bring confusion among deductor and also they will find difficult to file TDS return.  We should be hopeful that deductors should not slap with tax demand and penalty due to small errors in TDS compliances.

 

·         Income tax refund to be sanctioned at the earliest other than the corporate taxpayer.  I am unable to understand how the grant of refund is financial assistance from the government.  A tax refund is an eligible right of the taxpayer and there is an already delay made by the government to issue the refund to the taxpayers.  Further, unable to understand why the government wants to defer a tax refund of the corporate taxpayer.

 

·         Extending all Income tax due dates to November 30, 2020.   Frankly speaking during this lockdown phase I exactly don’t know due dates of any compliances as almost all due dates are extended again & again and there is no one place in government portal where all information is updated.   Further again here unable to understand how extending due dates will provide financial assistance to entrepreneurs. Now full-year compliances are due during festivals months and it will be an challenge for professionals to do that.  Also, an extension of due dates will defer the invoicing of professionals and they may have cash flow issue due to this.

 

·         The government also extended the due date of Vivid se scheme scheme till December 31, 2020.  Now, this also creates confusion. According to me due date of filing application is December 31, 2020 and according to tax officials, the last date of making application is June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2020 is the last date of disposal of the application.

 

·         The government also extended due dates of task to be done by tax department like completion of assessments etc. Now government can hold the refund of the companies till the time assessment gets completed.

 

Thus, from above it can be concluded that captioned three direct tax measures is not providing any financials assistance to entrepreneurs.

 

Also, the rate of PF contributions by employers and employee is reduced from 12 % to 10%. Now let understand the impact of the same. Now employee will take home salary will increase but this will also increase tax liability of the employees. Further, there will be less contribution in the PF account of the employees and ultimately this action of government is making a loss to all employees of the nation.

 

The MSME now can avail the additional loan without any collateral. The quantum of collateral-free loan is 20% of the existing credit limit.  From the following can be concluded.

·         This facility available to MSME and not to others.

·         The MSME must have an existing loan. If there is no existing loan then MSME cannot opt for any loan without security.

·         There is no relief in interest or payment schedule of loan repayment.

·         Over leveraged Businesses get more loans than prudent Businesses.

 

Further, I am also unable to understand how a change in the definition of MSME can be considered as financial assistance to the entrepreneurs.

 

We must say that steps like equity infusion,  restrictions of global tenders are appreciating steps as same will help small entrepreneurs of the country. The government should take more such kind of steps which actually help entrepreneurs.

 

 

 

           

 

 


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