To reduce the tax burden and to provide relief from tedious work to small tax assesses, the government of India has incorporated a scheme of presumptive taxation. Businesses adopting the presumptive taxation scheme are not required to maintain regular books of account. They can declare the income at a prescribed rate. The presumptive taxation scheme is framed under three sections- Section 44AD and Section 44ADA & 44AE of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Person adopting presumptive taxation schemes are exempt from getting their books of account audited
Eligibility Criteria to avail the Benefits of Presumptive Taxation Scheme under Section 44AD :
Following types of tax assesses can adopt the provisions of presumptive taxation scheme Under Section 44AD :
Section 44AD Limits :
For example, Mr. Y is running a stationary shop whose turnover is Rs. 80 lakh for the previous year. As per the provisions of Section 44AD, income will be computed on the basis of estimation at the rate of 8%/6% of gross receipts or total turnover of the eligible business for the previous year. In this case, his annual presumptive income will be Rs. 6.4 lakhs (i.e. 8% of 80 lakh) or Rs 4.8 lakhs (i.e 6% of 80 lakhs).
Opting in for the Scheme under Section 44AD :
Once a taxpayer opts for this scheme than it would be beneficial for him to file his next 5 year’s income tax return in the same scheme only.
Eligibility Criteria to avail the Benefits of Presumptive Taxation Scheme under Section 44AE :
The business of plying, hiring or leasing goods carriage vehicles are eligible for Presumptive Taxation Scheme provided the assesse do not owns more than 10 such carriage vehicles at any time during the previous year. So, there are only 2 important criteria for eligibility as mentioned above.
Section 44AE Limits
Income for such eligible assesse opting for Presumptive Taxation Scheme shall be calculated on estimated basis as explained below:.
For example: - Mr. X is engaged in the business of plying, hiring and leasing goods carriage vehicles. He owns 9 light goods vehicles for the purpose of transportation of goods.
Amendments to Section 44AE in Union Budget 2018 :
From 1st April, 2018, i.e. for financial year 18-19, the following provision for the calculation of taxable income under section 44AE shall be applicable.
For light goods vehicle (less than or equal to gross weight of 12MT) – ₹ 7,500/- per vehicle per month (part thereof shall be considered full month).
For heavy goods vehicle (more than gross weight of 12MT) – ₹ 1,000/- per ton per vehicle per month (part thereof shall be considered full month).
Eligibility Criteria to avail the Benefits of Presumptive Taxation Scheme under Section 44ADA. :
The following are the professionals, who are eligible to opt for Presumptive Taxation Scheme under Section 44ADA:
Note: This is applicable only to a resident who is an Individual, HUF or Partnership but not a Limited Liability Partnership Firm.
Section 44ADA Limits :
In case of a person adopting the provisions of section 44ADA, income will be computed on a presumptive basis, i.e. @ 50% of the total gross receipts of the profession. In other words, total gross receipts from profession should not exceed Rs 50 lakh for a financial year..
For example: - Mr. Y, a practicing chartered accountant has gross receipts of Rs. 38 lakhs. He has paid Rs. 250000 towards rent without deducting tax at source. He has unabsorbed depreciation of Rs. 3 lakhs. Since Mr. R is a practicing chartered accountant whose gross receipts are not more than Rs.50 lakhs, he is eligible to opt for Section 44ADA. Accordingly, 50% of his gross receipts or a higher sum shall be deemed to be the profits and gains of such profession. So 38 lakhs * 50% = 19 lakhs. This will be deemed to be his total income.
Opting out of the Scheme under Section 44ADA :
Unlike the restriction placed on businesses that have opted for the scheme under Section 44AD, the professionals under Section 44ADA can opt-in and opt-out at any time. They can do this without the five-year restriction.