Thursday, February 28, 2013

Analysis- E&Y-DEFENSE BUDGET 2013

Posted by- Neelam Mathews
Feb 28, 2013

As part of the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2013-14, which was presented in the Parliament of India earlier in the day today, the budgetary allocation towards capital expenditure, which caters mostly towards fresh procurement programs of military hardware and platforms, has been kept at US$16.06 billion. The capital allocation has increased by 9 percentage points as compared to original planned capital expenditure of US$14.74 billion for the last fiscal year 2012-13. Against all expectations the defense budget was increased (though smaller) as compared to the previous year.
Overall, the budgetary allocation for India's defense forces has been raised to US$ 37.72 billion as compared to last fiscal year figure of US$35.82 billion, an increase of 5.31 percentage points.


% increase from 2012-13 (Budget): 9.00%
% increase from 2012-13 (Revised): 24.67%
 


    


% increase from 2012-13 (Budget): 2.70%
% increase from 2012-13 (Revised): 7.33%
 



UNION BUDGET IMPACT 2013

Direct tax impact:

►     Base rate of corporate tax to remain unchanged at 30% for domestic companies and 40% for foreign companies

►     For domestic Companies - Surcharge increased from 5% to 10% for Companies having total income exceeding INR 10 crores (USD 2 million appx).  Effective tax rate is now as under:

►     Total income upto INR 1 crore - 30.90%

►     Total income between INR 1 crore to INR 10 crores - 32.445%

►     Total income exceeding INR 10 crores - 33.99%

►     For Foreign Companies - Surcharge increased from 2.5% to 5% for Companies having total income exceeding INR 10 crores (USD 2 million appx).  Effective tax rate is now as under:

►     Total income upto INR 1 crore - 41.20%

►     Total income between INR 1 crore to INR 10 crores - 42.024%

►     Total income exceeding INR 10 crores - 43.26%

►     Increase in surcharge from 5% to 10% in all other cases such as dividend distribution tax or tax on distributed income

►     Withholding tax on Royalty & FTS rate payable to Non-residents increased from 10% to 25%, subject to DTAA provisions

►     Additional tax of 22.66% introduced on buy back of shares by unlisted Indian Companies from its shareholders.  Such tax will be payable by Indian Company on amount payable on buy back less amount received on such shares.  Gain on buy back of shares will be exempt from tax in the hands of shareholders (domestic or non resident).  This provision is applicable from 1 June 2013 i.e. additional tax will be applicable for buy back undertaken on or after 1 June 2013

►     Investment allowance at the rate of 15% to manufacturing companies that invest more than Rs. 100 crore in plant and machinery during the period 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2015

►     General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR) to be effective from 1 April 2016.  It is proposed to incorporate government acceptance of Shome committee recommendations on GAAR 

►     It is proposed that Transfer pricing Safe harbour rules will be issued soon

►     Sec 194LC amended to extend concessional rate of 5% of withholding tax in a case where a non-resident deposits foreign currency in a designated bank account and such money is converted in rupees and is utilized for subscription to a long term infrastructure bond issue of an Indian company

►     Government of India intends to provide more clarity on FDI/ FII investments. It has been provided that Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) is a necessary proof but not sufficient proof for claim of Tax treaty benefits

►     Work in relation to Direct Tax Code (DTC) is in progress and DTC is intended to be a new code in line with International best practices



Indirect tax impact:

Customs duty
►       Standard customs duty rates remain unchanged i.e. 10%
Changes effective from 1 March 2013
►       Exemption from 3% Cesses has been withdrawn on import of aeroplanes and parts of aeroplanes and helicopters.
►       Parts and testing equipment imported by a third party for maintenance, repair and overhauling of aircraft were exempt from payment of Customs duty vide Union Budget 2012. Following changes have been notified in this exemption:
►     The above exemption has been extended for maintenance, repair and overhauling of (i) aircraft parts, and (ii) private aircrafts;
►     One of the conditions to avail the benefit was that such parts and equipment were to be used/ installed within three months from date of importation. This period has been extended to one year
Excise duty
►       Standard Excise duty rates remain unchanged i.e. 12%
Changes effective from 1 April 2013
►       The facility of obtaining an Advance Ruling is extended to resident public limited companies.  Such provision is also applicable to Service Tax
Changes effective from date of enactment of Finance Bill 2013
►     Maximum ceiling for extension of stay by Tribunal has been extended from 180 days to 365 days from the date of order beyond which the stay order will stand vacated.  Such provision is also applicable to Service Tax.
►     Amendment in provisions governing offences:
     Imprisonment extending upto 7 years and fine in cases involving evasion of duty exceeding INR 50 lakhs as against earlier INR 30 lakhs
     Imprisonment extending upto 3 years and fine in cases involving evasion of duty not exceeding INR 50 lakhs as against earlier INR 30 lakhs

Service Tax
►       Standard Service Tax rates remain unchanged i.e. 12%
Changes effective from 1 April 2013
►       Exemption to services provided to government, local authority or governmental authority by way of repair or maintenance of aircraft has been withdrawn
►       Transportation of defence or military equipments by a goods transport agency would be exempt from payment of Service Tax.  This would reduce the input cost of defence and military equipments
            Changes effective from date of enactment of Finance Bill 2013
►       Notice for an extended period of limitation (i.e. 5 years) cannot be sustained (on charges of fraud, collusion, wilful misstatement or suppression on facts etc.), a shorter period of limitation of 18 months will apply
►       Penalty for not obtaining registration has been restricted to INR 10,000. Maximum penalty of INR 1 lakh on directors and officials of the Company for specified offences in case of wilful actions to be imposed.
►       Commissioner given the power to authorize an arrest of a person convicted of the above mentioned offences
►       Voluntary compliance encouragement scheme, 2013 introduced which would provide one-time amnesty by way of waiver of interest and penalty and immunity from prosecution to tax payers who have been non compliant towards filing of returns and payment of service tax

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