Amnesty Scheme for Customs, easier tax compliance on India Inc’s Budget wishlist

An amnesty scheme for customs, discount in tax charges for people and Restricted Legal responsibility Partnership companies, simpler tax compliance, quick monitoring of faceless appeals and a devoted dispute resolution mechanism prime India Inc’s wishlist for the following Price range submitted to the federal government. Representatives from all 4 key trade our bodies, CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM and PHDCCI, have put forth detailed suggestions with regard to the Price range, to be offered on February 1, 2025, in separate conferences held with prime Finance Ministry officers.

Trade physique FICCI sought the introduction of an “Amnesty Scheme below Customs” as a one-time settlement scheme to clear previous dues, arguing that it’ll assist the trade to cut back the luggage of litigation.

Equally, Assocham has additionally pitched for the introduction of a complete Tax Amnesty Scheme below Customs.

“A one-time settlement scheme to clear previous litigations could be thought of by the Authorities, on the strains much like Sabka Vishwas Legacy Dispute Decision Scheme, 2019 for pre-GST period oblique taxes and Vivad Se Vishwas for Earnings tax,” Assocham acknowledged.

It prompt that the Authorities can present aid to importers towards all of the disputes associated to the Customs Act; Partial waiver of the obligation in dispute relying on the quantum concerned; and Full waiver of curiosity and penalty. Trade chambers have additionally demanded simplified compliance with respect to TDS (tax deducted at supply) and the introduction of a brand new unbiased Dispute Decision discussion board for efficient and time-bound dispute decision. To boost women-led improvement, FICCI urged the federal government to exempt reimbursement of daycare bills from perquisite taxation.

PHDCCI submitted strategies associated to a discount in charges of taxation for People and Restricted Legal responsibility Partnership companies, quick monitoring of faceless appeals by introducing a statutory interval; enhance within the restrict of presumptive tax scheme for professionals; enlargement of the PLI scheme past the 14 sectors; change in classification norms of MSMEs for NPAs and curiosity equalization scheme on pre and submit cargo export credit score for MSMEs providers exports.

“PHDCCI expects a big enhance within the measurement of Union Price range from Rs 48.2 lakh crore for the 12 months 2024-25 to greater than Rs 51 lakh crore for the 12 months 2025-26 and continued capital expenditure enlargement from Rs 11.11 lakh crore for the 12 months 2024-25 to greater than Rs 13 lakh crore for the 12 months 2025-26,” mentioned Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI.

Furthermore, Assocham sought decriminalisation of sure TDS defaults below Part 276B which supplies for imprisonment for as much as seven years if an individual fails to adjust to sure tax deduction at supply (TDS) provisions.

“The Authorities ought to contemplate amending this to exclude from its ambit any failure to pay tax or guarantee cost of tax required,” Assocham mentioned.

The chamber argued that Prison proceedings ought to apply solely when the taxpayer has enriched himself on the expense of the federal government, and to not circumstances the place sure funds / advantages are made or supplied with out making use of TDS. Regular penalty and curiosity penalties can proceed to use.

In addition to, CII referred to as upon the federal government to extend the capex by 25 per cent over 2024-25 (BE) with a pointy give attention to infrastructure associated to rural areas, agriculture, and the social sector.

CII additionally made a powerful pitch for additional reforms within the tax system, together with via simplification of taxes, growing India’s tax competitiveness, broadening of tax base and lowering tax litigation to construct a globally aggressive Indian financial system..

The Price range for 2025-26 is about to be offered on February 1, 2025.