Monday, 26 June 2023

Understand TCS on foreign remittances.


1)    TCS on foreign remittances is applicable only when foreign exchange is remitted abroad under the LRS scheme. 

2)    The rate of TCS applicable from July 1, 2023, is 20%

3)    Prior to the amendment by Finance Act, 2023, the applicable  TCS rate was 5%

4)    In case of the following transactions No change has been made, i.e. the existing rate of 5% prevails:

(i)    Education

(ii)  Medical treatment

5)    In case loan is taken for education purposes from  financial institutions defined u/s 80E, then rate of TCS will be 0.5%

6)    In case of the following transactions subject to limit TCS is not attracted

(i)    Payment from debit/credit card upto 7 Lakh per financial year

(ii)  Purchase of goods and services from foreign websites.

7)    Credit of TCS is allowed in the return of income.

8)    The purpose for remitting funds abroad can be travel expenditure, asset purchase, shopping and investment or any other.

9)    In order to clear the ambiguity regarding the application of the enhanced TCS rate for Business Travel abroad, CBDT has released a FAQ on May 18, 2023. And in Part B, Q6  on Page 5., it has been clarified that when an employee travels abroad for official purpose and the expense is borne by the Company, such expense is to be excluded in the hands of the employee subject to verification by AD Banker. In short, foreign business visits by employees are not covered under the Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) and hence are not subject to TCS.

10) The Employer is required to maintain sufficient documentation to demonstrate the fact that the foreign travel undertaken was for Bonafide Business Purpose only. Documentation in this regard would include, but not limited to the following:

(i)    Business Necessity of such travel along with appropriate approvals

(ii)  Itinerary of the Proposed travel along with approvals for such travel.

(iii)                  Details of work undertaken while travelling abroad.

(iv) Travel and Room Accommodation should be taken care of by the employer directly to ensure that the cost is directly booked by the employer.

11) Practical Challenge

(i)             Bank not able to identify which expense is for business & personal and as a matter of caution may collect TCS in the credit card statement.

(ii)           Corporate credit card in general issued in the name & pan of the employee and hence bank may consider TCS on entire foreign spending.

For Forex card, the limit of 7 Lakhs is not applicable & hence subject to TCS

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