In order to promote cashless payments, the government has said that small traders and businesses with a turnover of up to Rs 2 crore will pay less tax if they accept payments through digital mode such as Debit/Credit Cards, Mobile Wallets and Prepaid Loyalty Cards.
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has said that under section 44AD of the Income-Tax Act, 1961, it has been decided to reduce the existing rate of deemed profit of 8% to 6% in respect of the amount of total turnover or gross receipts received through digital mode for the financial year 2016-17. However, it added that the existing rate of deemed profit of 8% as stated in section 44AD of the I-T Act, shall continue to apply if total turnover or gross receipts are received in cash. The tax body also said that legislative amendment in this regard would be carried out through the Finance Bill, 2017.
Under the existing provisions of Section 44AD of the Income-Tax Act, in case of certain assesses (an individual, HUF or a partnership firm other than LLP) carrying on any business having a turnover of Rs 2 crore or less, the profit is deemed to be 8% of the total turnover for taxation. The decision has been taken to achieve the government’s mission of moving towards a less-cash economy and to incentivise small traders/businesses to proactively accept payments through digital modes.
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