New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday proposed to slash corporate tax for domestic companies and new local manufacturing companies through an ordinance. She said that total revenue foregone for reduction in corporate tax rate is estimated at Rs 1.45 lakh crore per year.
“Any domestic company gets an option to pay income tax at a rate of 22% subject to condition that they will not avail any incentive. Enhanced surcharge introduced in Budget shall not apply on capital gain arising on sale of equity shares in a company liable for Securities Transaction Tax,” the finance minister said at a press conference in Goa.
As Sitharaman made the big announcements, Sensex zoomed over 900 points to 37,042.59, while Nifty rallies 254 points to 10,959.10. Rupee also rallied 66 paise to 70.68 against US dollar.
The announcement comes amid demand for rate cut, keeping in mind the revenue position and the need to boost sagging economic growth. The GST (Goods and Services Tax) Council, headed by Sitharaman, held a crucial meeting to decide on tax moderation.
The 37th meeting of the GST Council, which also comprises of representatives of all states and Union Territories, will take place in Goa amid fall in economic growth, which has hit a six-year low of 5% for the first quarter of the current fiscal.
MAT for companies that want to use tax exemptions cut to 15% from 18.5%. New tax rate will be applicable from the current fiscal which began on April 1.Companies can opt for lower tax rate after expiry of tax holidays and concessions that they are availing now.
There have been demands pouring in from various sectors — from biscuits to automobiles and FMCG to hotels — to reduce tax rates in the wake of economic slowdown. The argument propagated has been to boost the consumption and domestic demand by reducing GST rates further.
However, many of the states are of the view that it would not be tax prudent to allow GST rate reduction at this stage as the compensation cess fund, utilised to compensate the states under the GST Act in case the revenue is below the targeted growth rate, has turned negative.
Meanwhile, sources said the GST Council’s Fitment Committee, which comprises revenue officials of both Centre and States, has rejected demands for a cut in tax rate on items ranging from biscuits to car, owing to tight revenue position.
The GST Council may consider introduction of a special composition scheme for taxpayers supplying brick kilns, sand mining activities and stone crushers with an increased rate, sources said.
It is expected to discuss amendments in GST Laws to accommodate creation of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh as UTs and will also discuss the proposal moved by Kerala on introducing e-way bill system for movement of gold and precious stones, sources said. It is likely to deliberate on the proposal of linking new GST registration with Aadhar and take the quarterly review of cases at National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAA), sources added.
Fitment panel in its report, which will be placed before the GST Council, has some good news for hotel industry as it has recommended raising tariff ceiling to up to Rs 12,000 per night under 18% GST slab. At present, 18% GST rate is applicable for hotel tariff up to Rs 7,500 per night.
The committee also rejected the telecom ministry’s proposal to reduce GST rate for telecom services from the present 18% to 12% , the sources said.
It was also decided not to tinker with the present GST structure for biscuits, bakery products, breakfast cereals, fruits and vegetables, mineral water, ready-to-eat packaged items, and several other food products.
The committee rejected the proposal of reduction in GST rate on sale of cruise tickets, which attracts GST of 18 percent, the sources added.
