Income Tax Changes from FY 2021-22

Income Tax Changes from FY 2021-22

In last article, we learned how Fuel Taxation is being used to increase the collection of tax to meet the fiscal deficit. In the Financial Budget 2021, the income tax rates are not increased and the Government projects to have collection from disinvestment, GST, and Fuel Taxation. 

No Change in Income Tax Slabs:

The rates of income tax are same as earlier in both old tax regime and new tax regime. No changes are made.

Relaxation for filing of ITR for senior citizens above age of 75:

The senior citizens who are above the age of 75 and receiving income only from pension and interest as a source of income, will not require to file income tax return. However, for such relaxation it is the condition that their interest income should be from the same bank in which the amount of pension is deposited. It is worth to mention here that in such circumstances; the bank will deduct the tax deduction at source (TDS) as per the taxable liability of the senior citizen after keeping in mind the deductions u/s 80C to 80U and rebate of 87A. It means the filing of ITR will not be required because the tax liability already be deducted at TDS by the bank.

Pre-filling of ITR forms:

Like earlier, the 26AS tax credit statement data automatically pre-filled by the web-portal of income tax india efiling dot gov dot in. From April 1, 2021; the details of dividend, interest, and capital gains will be pre-filled so that the same cannot be concealed by the taxpayers. Similarly, the details of salary incomes, tax payments, TDS etc. will also be pre-filled on the basis of the information available with the income tax department. It is worth to mention here that the deductors including employers, banks, financial institutions etc. normally communicated the amount of TDS to the income tax department on monthly and quarterly basis; the same will be considered to pre-fill the information.

Interest on part of PF contributions which are exceeding Rs. 2.5 Lacs in a year; will be taxable:

From 1^st April, 2021 if there is interest income earned on the portion of PF contributions which are exceeding Rs. 2.5 Lacs in a year; will be taxable in the hands of recipients. This provision is applicable on all the three PF contributions including GPF, EPF, and PPF. Due to this provision, the high income citizens would like to make investments in NPS instead of PF after the amount be invested up to Rs. 2.5 Lacs in their PF accounts. (How Money Grows in NPS)

No TDS on dividend payments to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs):

From the year 2020-21, the dividend distribution tax was abolished and the dividend income was made taxable in the hands of shareholders. From the year 2021-22, the dividend payments to REIT and InvITs will be exempt from TDS.

Incorporating Section 206AB for charging TDS on higher rate from the Non-filers of ITR:

The citizens who are still not filing income tax return (ITR), are required to pay more TDS on their incomes. The higher rate of TDS will be either 5% or twice the rate specified in the relevant provision of the Act. This is done to encourage citizens to file the income tax return (ITR).

Capital Gains Tax on returns of Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs):

The ULIPs issued on or after 01.02.2021 in which an individual is paying annual premium above Rs. 2.5 Lacs will be subject on Capital Gain Tax at the time of redemption.

Reduction in Last date for filing delayed ITR:

Up to 31st March, 2021; the last date for filing delayed ITR was 31^st March, on voluntarily basis; means the return of the FY 2019-20 can be filed up to 31^st March 2021 if delayed. But from FY 2021-22, the last date of filing delayed ITR will be 31^st December, on voluntary basis; means the return of FY 2020-21 can be filed up to 31^st December 2021 instead of 31^st March 2022. It is worth to mention here that u/s 234F, if an individual is filing ITR after the due date but before 31^st December; then maximum penalty is Rs. 5000 (Five Thousands). In case, anyone wants to revise the filed ITR, then it can be revised up to the end of Assessment Year.

How to know Income Tax Refund Status:

Now, it is very easy to view the income tax refund status, just login with your PAN Number and password on the website of incometax dot gov dot in and go to "My Account". Click the command "Refund/Demand Status". The portal will display the status with mode of payment by which it has been credited in your account. 

It is worth to mention here that the income tax refund comes within 20 - 45 days after processing of the income tax return (ITR) by Centralized Processing Centre (CPC), however, it is delayed in few circumstances:

If any query is raised by the Income Tax Department and the reply to that query took times from your side. In such cases, the refund is withheld by Income Tax Department for assessment and to clarify any mismatch between the details submitted by taxpayer and the details already available with the Income Tax Department. 

What can be done for getting delayed Income Tax Refund?

First of all, check your registered email whether there is any query pending from the Income Tax Department or not. If there is any query, then respond as per the directions provided in the email. 

In case, no such email is available, then check dashboard after logging into the account on incometax dot gov dot in. 

In case, the bank account details submitted by the taxpayer during filing ITR are wrong, then also the income tax refund is delayed. In such case, the taxpayer can update the banking details, to get the refund at the earliest. 

The income tax refund status can also be checked upon the website of NSDL. 

*Copyright © 2021 Dr. Lalit Kumar. 

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Utilization Certificates of Grants and Funds

Utilization Certificates of Grants and Funds

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and Accountant General (AG) offices of State Governments; are entrusted to verify and audit the works of Government keeping in view the proper utilization of financial resources. The Government organizations are allotted budget on the basis of their proposals from time to time; on various projects and programmes. After utilizing the budget, the organizations required to submit Utilization Certificates of the allocated budget which comprises the amount sanctioned, amount utilized, and work or functions performed with the amount spent, also the balance unutilized amount (if any).

Audit of Organizations failed to submit Utilization Certificates (UCs):

The organizations which failed to submit Utilization Certificates (UCs) are taken very seriously by the Government. The special audit of such organizations is done by the Accountant General (AG) Auditors from time to time.

Why Grants are provided by Government?

The grants are provided after taking a serious view upon the demand of the organizations keeping in view, their primary functions, policies, programmes of Government and their actual requirements to spend money upon the activities. The grants are provided for specific purposes and required to be spent upon the same. In case, the money provided through grants is utilized for other functions, the utilization certificates be difficult to produce by the government organizations. The transfer of grant from one head to another cannot be done arbitrarily. The sanction of competent authorities is must for such cases.

Financial and Administrative Irregularities

The pending Utilization Certificates are most of the times, symptoms of financial and administrative irregularities in the organizations. The impression of the organizations become negative and such organizations also try to keep the information secret by not providing the replies of RTI queries in their offices. The inefficiencies in financial and administrative functions started to grow and ultimately, the organizations seem to be non-functional as per their mandate, vision, goals etc.

Training is the ultimate solution

The organizations with pending utilization certificates require training from Administrative Training Institutions (ATIs) like Haryana Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) in Haryana where financial and administrative skills are sharpen to minimize the inefficiencies, irregularities and the organizations start functions to attain their ultimate goals.