Union Budget 2025-26

The Union Budget 2025, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, introduces several key measures aimed at stimulating economic growth, providing tax relief to the middle class, and bolstering various sectors.

Taxation Reforms:

  • Increased Tax Exemption Limit: The income tax exemption threshold has been raised to ₹12 lakh under the new tax regime, offering significant relief to middle-class taxpayers.
  • Revised Tax Slabs: Income above ₹12 lakh will be taxed according to the revamped tax slabs, while the old tax regime’s rates remain unchanged.
  • TDS and TCS Adjustments: The limit for Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on interest for senior citizens has been doubled from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh. Additionally, the annual limit for TDS on rent has increased from ₹2.4 lakh to ₹6 lakh.

Note:

  • Threshold Increase: The exemption limit has been raised from ₹7 lakh to ₹12 lakh under the new tax regime.
  • Simplification: The number of slabs has been reduced for better compliance.
  • Default Regime: The new tax regime continues as the default, but taxpayers can opt for the old regime if preferred.

Agriculture and Rural Development:

  • Enhanced Agricultural Spending: The government plans to increase agricultural spending by over 15%, marking the largest increase in six years. This boost aims to develop high-yielding variety seeds, improve storage and supply infrastructure, and enhance the production of pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, and dairy products.
  • Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana: A new scheme introduced to support farmers, including enhanced credit through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC), facilitating short-term loans of up to ₹5 lakh for 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers

Science, Innovation, and Research:

  • Research and Development Allocation: An allocation of ₹20,000 crore has been made to implement a private sector-driven research, development, and innovation initiative.
  • PM Research Fellowship: The government will provide 10,000 fellowships for technological research in IITs and IISc to foster innovation and research excellence.

Export Promotion and Industry Support:

  • Incentives for Electronics and EVs: Exemptions will be granted for open cells used in LED/LCD TVs, looms for textiles, and capital goods for lithium-ion batteries used in mobile phones and electric vehicles, aiming to boost manufacturing and exports.
  • Leather Goods Promotion: Wet blue leather will be fully exempted from basic customs duties to promote domestic consumption and enhance exports.

Fiscal Management:

  • Fiscal Deficit Target: The government targets a fiscal deficit of 4.4% of GDP for the fiscal year 2025-26, down from the revised 4.8% for the current year. This move aims to balance fiscal prudence with economic support.

These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth, supporting various sectors, and providing relief to taxpayers.

What is Form AOC-4 & How to File Form AOC-4?

  1. Purpose:
    • To file the financial statements (including balance sheet, profit and loss account, and other relevant documents) with the RoC.
    • This ensures transparency and keeps the company’s financial data accessible for stakeholders and authorities.
  2. Applicability:
    • All companies registered under the Companies Act, 2013, except for those specifically exempted (e.g., One Person Companies and Small Companies with relaxed filing requirements).
  3. Legal Basis:
    • Section 137 of the Companies Act, 2013, along with Rule 12 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014.
  4. Due Date:
    • AOC-4 must be filed within 30 days of the Annual General Meeting (AGM). For companies not required to hold an AGM, it should be filed within 30 days from the due date of the AGM.
  5. Penalty for Non-Filing:
    • ₹100 per day of default until filing is completed.

How to File Form AOC-4?

1. Prerequisites for Filing:

  • Audited Financial Statements:
    • Balance sheet, profit and loss account, cash flow statement, notes to accounts, etc.
  • Board’s Report.
  • Auditor’s Report.
  • Details of CSR Activities (if applicable).
  • Digital Signature Certificate (DSC):
    • DSC of a director, company secretary, or authorized signatory.

2. Steps to File AOC-4:

Step 1: Download the Form

  • Visit the MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs) website: mca.gov.in.
  • Download the latest version of Form AOC-4.

Step 2: Fill in the Form

  • CIN (Corporate Identification Number): Enter the company’s CIN and auto-fetch details.
  • General Details: Name, address, and financial year of the company.
  • Financial Details: Provide details of the balance sheet, profit and loss account, and other disclosures.
  • CSR Details (if applicable): Mention contributions under Corporate Social Responsibility.
  • Auditor’s Details: Include the name, membership number, and firm registration number of the auditor.
  • Other Attachments: Attach supporting documents (e.g., Board’s Report, Auditor’s Report, financial statements).

Step 3: Attach Necessary Documents

  • Board Report and Auditor’s Report.
  • Consolidated financial statements (if applicable).
  • Details of subsidiaries or associates (if any).
  • Other optional attachments, if necessary.

Step 4: Affix Digital Signatures

  • The form must be digitally signed by:
    • A director or manager.
    • A practicing Chartered Accountant/Cost Accountant/Company Secretary (if applicable).

Step 5: Pre-Scrutiny and Upload

  • Use the MCA portal to upload the completed form.
  • Ensure all details are correct and pass the pre-scrutiny process.

Step 6: Pay the Filing Fee

  • Pay the applicable fee as per the company’s share capital and category.

Step 7: SRN Generation

  • After successful submission, an SRN (Service Request Number) is generated for tracking the status of the form.

Step 8: Verification

  • The MCA will verify the form, and once approved, it will be reflected in the company’s public records.

Key Points to Note:

  • XBRL Filing: Companies required to file financial statements in XBRL format must file AOC-4 XBRL instead.
  • Exemptions: Companies like One Person Companies and small companies can use simplified forms like AOC-4 CFS.
  • Revised Filing: If mistakes are made, the form can be re-filed with additional fees.

Compliance Calendar For The Month of January-2025

GST Returns Due Date in the month of Jan-2025

Form to be filedDue datePeriod
13.01.2025GSTR 5 & 5ADecember 2024
13.01.2025GSTR 6December 2024
13.01.2025GSTR 1(Taxpayers under the QRMP scheme)October-December 2024
18.01.2025CMP-08 (Composition taxpayers.)October-December 2024
20.01.2025GSTR 3B (Taxpayers with an annual turnover exceeding ₹ 5 Crores)December 2024
22.01.2025GSTR 3B (Taxpayers in South India under the QRMP scheme)October-December 2024
24.01.2025GSTR 3B (Taxpayers in North India under the QRMP scheme)October-December 2024

Income Tax Compliance / PF / ESI Due Date in the month of Jan-2025

Due DateFormPeriod
14.01.2025TDS Certificate(Issue of TDS Certificate under Section 194M )November 2024
14.01.2025TDS Certificate ( Issue of TDS Certificate under Section 194S)November 2024
14.01.2025TDS Certificate(Issue of TDS Certificate under Section 194IB)November 2024
14.01.2025TDS Certificate(Issue of TDS Certificate under Section 194IA)November 2024
15.01.2025Form No. 49BADecember 2024
15.01.2025Form 15G/15HDecember 2024
15.01.2025Form 15CCDecember 2024
15.01.2025Form 24G by the GovernmentDecember 2024
15.01.2025PF & ESI PaymentDecember 2024
15.01.2025TCS Certificate (Issue of TCS Certificates in Form 27EQ)December 2024
15.01.2025Professional TaxOctober-December 2024
30.01.2025TDS Certificate (Issue of TDS Certificate under Section 194S)December 2024
30.01.2025TCS Certificate (Issue of TCS Certificates in Form 27D.)December 2024
30.01.2025TDS Payment (TDS payment for December 2024 under Forms 26QB, 26QC, and 26QD)December 2024
30.01.2025TDS Challan-cum-statementOctober-December 2024
31.01.2025TDS Return PaymentOctober-December 2024

Compliance Calendar for the month of Dec-24

GST Returns in December 2024

Due DatePeriodForm to be Filed
11.12.2024Nov – 2024GSTR 1
13.12.2024Nov – 2024GSTR 1 (IFF)
20.12.2024Nov – 2024GSTR 3B
25.12.2024Nov – 2024GST Challan Payment(Input Tax Credit (ITC) for November 2024)
31.12.2024FY 2023-24GSTR 9 & 9C

Income Tax Compliance / PF / ESI in the Month of Mar – 24

Due DatePeriodForm to be Filed
07.12.2024November 2024
Challan No. ITNS-281(Payment of TDS/TCS was deducted /collected Nov-24)
15.12.2024November 2024Professional Tax on salaries for November 2024
15.12.2024October 2024TDS Certificate for tax deducted under Section 194IA
15.12.2024October 2024TDS Certificate for tax deducted under Section 194IB
15.12.2024October 2024TDS Certificate for tax deducted under Section 194M
15.12.2024FY 2024-25Advance Tax Installment (Third installment of advance tax for FY 2024-25)
15.12.2024November 2024Form 24G for TDS/TCS paid without a challan in government offices
15.12.2024November 2024Payment of Provident Fund & ESI contributions for November 2024
15.12.2024November 2024Form No. 3BB
30.12.2024November 2024TDS Payment
30.12.2024November 2024TDS Certificate (Section 194S)
31.12.2024FY 2023-24Return of Income (Filing of revised or belated income tax return for FY 2023-24)

COMPLIANCE CALENDAR FOR THE COMPANY ANNUAL FILING AND LLP ANNUAL FILING IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2024

Due datePeriodForm to be filed
28.11.2024FY 2023-24MGT 7A (One Person Company does not require to hold AGM, yet the due date for filing Form MGT 7A shall be 60 days from the completion of the 6 Months from the end of financial year )
28.11.2024FY 2023-24MGT 7 (Form MGT-7 must be filed with the Registrar of Companies (ROC) by all the Private Limited Companies and Public Limited Companies)

GST COMPLIANCE CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER-2024

The GST Returns in the Month of Nov- 2024

Due datePeriodForm to be filed
10.11.2024Oct- 2024GSTR 8
10.11.2024Oct- 2024GSTR 7
11.11.2024Oct- 2024GSTR 1
13.11.2024Oct- 2024GSTR 6 (Input Service Distributors)
13.11.2024Oct- 2024GSTR 1 (QRMP)
20.11.2024Oct- 2024GSTR 3B
20.11.2024Oct- 2024GSTR 5 & 5A
25.11.2024Oct- 2024GST Challan Payment

Income Tax Compliance: PF / ESI in the Month of Nov- 2024

Due datePeriodForm to be filed
07.11.2024Oct- 2024Challan No. ITNS-281
14.11.2024Sep- 2024TDS Certificate (Section 194IB in the month of Sep-2024)
14.11.2024Sep- 2024TDS Certificate (Section 194S in the month of Sep- 2024)
14.11.2024Sep- 2024TDS Certificate ( Section 194M in the month of Sep- 2024)
14.11.2024Sep- 2024TDS Certificate (Section 194IA in the month of Sep-2024)
15.11.2024Oct- 2024TDS Certificate( Quarterly TDS Certificate for the quarter ending Sep- 30, 2024)
15.11.2024Oct- 2024ESI Challan
15.11.2024Oct- 2024Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) (PF)
30.11.2024FY 2023-24Form ITR-7
30.11.2024FY 2023-24Form No. 64D
30.11.2024FY 2023-24Return of Income
30.11.2024FY 2023-24Form No. 64A
30.11.2024FY 2023-24Form No. 3CEAA
30.11.2024FY 2023-24Form No. 64
30.11.2024Oct- 2024TDS Certificate (section 194S in the month of Oct- 2024)

Section 10AA Deduction

Section 10AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961, provides a tax deduction for businesses operating in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in India. This incentive aims to encourage exports and boost foreign exchange earnings by offering a phased tax deduction based on the profits derived from export activities. Here’s a breakdown of how the deduction works:

Eligibility for Section 10AA Deduction

To qualify for the Section 10AA deduction, a business must:

  1. Operate in a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and engage in the manufacture, production, or provision of services.
  2. Commence operations after April 1, 2006.
  3. Ensure the income is derived from export activities of goods or services.
  4. Maintain separate books of accounts for the SEZ unit to calculate the profit attributable to exports.

Deduction Phases

The deduction is available for a total of 15 consecutive years, divided into three phases:

  • First 5 years: 100% deduction on the profits derived from exports.
  • Next 5 years: 50% deduction on export profits.
  • Last 5 years: 50% deduction is allowed, provided the business transfers an equivalent amount to the Special Economic Zone Re-investment Reserve Account and reinvests it in assets within the specified timeframe.

Conditions and Limitations

  • Transfer of Goods to DTA: Profits from sales in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) are not eligible.
  • SEZ Re-investment Reserve Account: For the third phase (last 5 years), reinvested funds must remain in the account for three years and be used to acquire plant or machinery for business use.
  • Losses and Unabsorbed Depreciation: Losses can be carried forward, but the deduction is available only for the eligible SEZ profits.

Points to Note

  • MAT and AMT Applicability: SEZ units are subject to Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) under Section 115JB and Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT) under Section 115JC.
  • Sunset Clause: Section 10AA benefits are gradually being phased out, and new SEZ units may have restricted eligibility based on recent tax amendments and government policies.

This deduction under Section 10AA is beneficial for businesses looking to reduce taxable income by leveraging their export profits, as long as they meet the eligibility and operational requirements.