TDS Applicability & Equilisation Levy On Advertisement Services Taken Through Facebook, Google And Instagram



Quick Summary
This article explains the tax implications for Indian businesses advertising on global digital platforms like Facebook, Google, and Instagram. It details when Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) applies, depending on whether the service provider has an establishment in India. It also covers the Equalisation Levy, a direct tax on payments to non-resident service providers for online advertisement services.

These days advertisement made through digital platform is quite popular and convenient for business enterprises. While thinking about digital platform, we go for Google, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Insta etc. As we all know these entities are global companies, they can have a global corporation based in India or global corporation outside India. This can be checked on the basis of Invoice/Bill generated by these entities.

While undertaking advertisement services through Facebook, Google, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram by any Indian entity, it is relevant to understand their scope of services and taxability in India.

TDS applicability on their services

TDS and Equalisation Levy on Digital Ads

Having establishment in India

If these entities have corporation/establishment in India and they are raising Invoices having Pan and registered address situated in India mentioning their GSTIN , then treatment of their advertisement services will be same as services taken from resident in India which is covered under sec 194C of the Income Tax Act, subject to the limit exceed Rs. 30,000 in case of one time payment or aggregate of payment exceed Rs. 1,00,000, then tax is deductible @ 2%.

For e.g

Facebook India Online Services Pvt. Ltd.
DLF Atria Block N, Jacaranda Marg
DLF City Phase II, Gurugram – 122002 Haryana
India

GSTIN:06AABCF5150G1ZZ
PAN: AABCF5150G

Doesn't have establishment in India

If these entities are not having any establishment /corporation in India, but they are providing only online platform / online space to make advertisement, then in such a case it will be considered as services taken from non-resident outside India and tax is deductible u/s 195 of the Income tax act @20% or DTAA rate whichever is applicable.

Applicability of Equalisation levy

Equalisation Levy is a direct tax, which is withheld at the time of payment by the service recipient. The two conditions to be met to be liable to equalisation levy:

  • The payment should be made to a non-resident service provider;
  • The annual payment made to one service provider exceeds Rs. 1,00,000 in one financial year.
 

Currently, the applicable rate of tax is 6% of the gross consideration to be paid. Due date of furnishing Equalisation Levy Statement (Form-1) is on or before 30th June of Financial Year ended

In case there is a delay in payment

Interest is charged at 1% of the outstanding levy for every month or part thereof is delayed.

 

In case there is non-compliance on behalf of the service recipient

The compliance procedure for the Equalisation Levy is the responsibility of the service recipient.

Further, service recipient is also liable to pay GST on reverse charge @ 18%.

FAQ :

TDS is applicable if the digital platform has an establishment in India and issues an invoice with Indian PAN and GSTIN. Tax is deductible at 2% if payments exceed Rs. 30,000 for a single transaction or Rs. 1,00,000 in aggregate annually.

If the digital platform has no establishment in India and only provides online advertising space, it's considered a service from a non-resident. Tax is deductible under Section 195 at 20% or the DTAA rate, whichever is lower.

Equalisation Levy is a direct tax withheld by the service recipient. It applies if payment is made to a non-resident service provider and the annual payment exceeds Rs. 1,00,000.

The current rate of Equalisation Levy is 6% of the gross consideration paid to the non-resident service provider.

The service recipient is responsible for complying with the Equalisation Levy procedures and is also liable to pay GST on a reverse charge basis at 18%.


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Practicing Chartered Accountant since November 2018

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