FAQs On Section 44AE under Presumptive Taxation

FAQs On Section 44AE under Presumptive Taxation

To provide the relief to the small taxpayers, the government has issued the presumptive scheme. Because the maintaining the books of accounts is very tedious work for the small taxpayers. It consumes extra money to be efficient. So, section 44AE of the Income Tax Act provides the Presumptive taxation scheme for the business of plying, hiring or leasing of goods carriages. Let us know about the Section 44AE for presumptive Taxation through the FAQs on Section 44AE. Following are the FAQs on Section 44AE under Presumptive Taxation:

Applicability of the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE

The scheme of section 44AE is designed to give relief to small taxpayers engaged in the business of plying, hiring or leasing of goods carriages.

Eligible taxpayer and eligible business for the purpose of the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE

The provisions of section 44AE are applicable to every person (i.e., an individual, HUF, firm, company, etc.).

The presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE can be adopted by a person who is engaged in the business of plying, hiring or leasing of goods carriages and who does not own more than 10 goods vehicles at any time during the year.

A person who owns more than 10 goods vehicles cannot adopt the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE

The presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE can be adopted by a person who is engaged in the business of plying, hiring or leasing of goods carriages and who does not own more than 10 goods vehicles at any time during the year.

The important criterion of the scheme is the restriction on owning of not more than 10 goods vehicles at any time during the year. Thus, if a person owns more than 10 goods vehicles at any time during the year, then he cannot take advantage of this scheme.

The manner of computation of taxable business income in case of a person adopting the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE.

In the case of a person who is willing to opt for the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE, income will be computed on an estimated basis.

For Heavy Goods Vehicle, income will be computed at the rate of Rs. 1,000 per ton of gross vehicle weight for every month or part of a month during which the heavy goods vehicle is owned by the taxpayer. In case of vehicles other than heavy goods vehicle, income will be computed at the rate of 7,500 for every month or part of a month during which the goods carriage is owned by the taxpayer. Part of the month would be considered as the full month.

Note 1: If the actual income is higher than the presumptive rate, i.e., higher than Rs. 1,000/Rs. 7,500, then such a higher income can be declared.

Note 2: “Heavy Goods Vehicle” means any goods carriage having gross vehicle weight exceeding 12,000 kilograms.

The presumptive income computed at the rate of Rs. 1,000 per ton or Rs. 7,500 per goods vehicle per month is the final income and no further expenses will be allowed or disallowed

Under the normal provisions of the Income-tax Act, taxable business income will be computed after allowing deduction in respect of expenses which are deductible as per the Income-tax Act and after disallowing expenses which are not deductible as per the Income-tax Act.

In case of a person who is opting for the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE, the provisions of allowance/disallowances as provided for under the Income-tax Act, will not apply and income computed at the presumptive rate of Rs. 1,000/Rs. 7,500 will be the final income. In other words, the income computed at the rate of Rs. 1,000/Rs. 7,500 per goods vehicle per month will be the final taxable income of the business and no further expenses will be allowed or disallowed.

However, in the case of a taxpayer, being a partnership firm, opting for the presumptive taxation scheme, from the income computed at the presumptive rate of Rs. 7,500 per goods vehicle per month, the further deduction can be claimed on account of remuneration and interest paid to partner (computed as per the Income-tax Act).

While computing income as per the provisions of section 44AE, separate deduction on account of depreciation is not available, however, the written down value of any asset used in such business shall be calculated as if depreciation as per section 32 is claimed and has been actually allowed.

No need to maintain books of account as prescribed under section 44AA

Section 44AA of the Income-tax Act, 1961 has provisions relating to maintenance of books of account by a person engaged in business/profession. Thus, a person engaged in business/profession has to maintain books of account of his business/profession according to the provisions of section 44AA.

No need to maintain books of account as prescribed under section 44AA

In case of a person opting for the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE, the provisions of section 44AA relating to maintenance of books of account will not apply. In other words, if a person adopts the provisions of section 44AE and declares his income at the rate of Rs. 7,500 per goods vehicle per month, then he is not required to maintain the books of account as provided for under section 44AA in respect of business covered under the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE.

Applicability of the provisions relating to payment of advance tax

There is no concession as regards the payment of advance tax in case of a person who adopts the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE. Hence, he will be liable to pay advance tax even if he adopts the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE.

Provisions to be applied if a person does not opt for the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE and declares income at a lower rate, i.e., at less than Rs. 1,000 per ton or Rs. 7,500 per goods vehicle per month

A person can declare his income at the lower rate (i.e., at less than Rs. 1,000 per ton or Rs. 7,500 per goods vehicle per month). However, if he does so, then he is required to maintain the books of account as per the provisions of section 44AA and has to get his accounts audited under section 44AB.