TDS Applicable on goverment grant

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Guest

Guest (Querist)

11 May 2011 The Grant is distributed to NGO from the state government (member of parlament) which is use only for goverment purpose. Is TDS deductible for such grant?

CA PARAS BAFNA

CA PARAS BAFNA (Expert)
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17 May 2011 State Government is not having any connection with Member of Parliament. I think it should be MLA. Further the query is
not worded clearly. Please clarify in more detail.

Guest

Guest (Querist)

17 May 2011 m having audit of MPLAD GRANT ..WHICH CAN BE UTILISED BY MLA....WITH AUTHORITY OF COLLECTOR...

THE MLA HAS USED THIS GRANT AS DONATION TO TRUST..(HE HAS NO AUTHORITY TO DONATE OR GIVE MONEY TO TRUST)...
IS TDS APPLICABLE...THERE IS NO SECTION FOR SUCH....

Aashok Kumar Sharma

Aashok Kumar Sharma (Expert)
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27 July 2025 Thanks for sharing the details regarding the **TDS applicability on government grants**, specifically on MPLAD (Member of Parliament Local Area Development) or similar grants given to NGOs or trusts.

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### Key points and clarifications:

1. **Nature of the grant**

* MPLAD grants or similar government grants are given to MPs/MLAs for developmental works in their constituencies.
* These grants are meant to be spent on **specific government/public purposes**.
* The funds are **not income**, but allocated for expenditure.

2. **Use of grant by MLA / MP**

* If the MLA or MP **directly utilizes** the grant for government/public works, no TDS applies.
* If the MLA **transfers the grant to a trust or NGO**, the situation changes depending on the nature of the transfer and agreement.

3. **TDS applicability on grant given to NGO or Trust**

* Generally, **grants given by the government or political representatives for public purposes are not taxable income** for the NGO.
* However, if the trust/NGO receives a grant as a **donation or corpus**, it is not a payment for services, so TDS is **not applicable**.
* If the payment is for **services rendered**, TDS provisions may apply.

4. **When is TDS NOT applicable?**

* If the funds are **pure grants/donations for charitable or public purposes** without consideration, TDS **does not apply**.
* No specific section mandates TDS deduction on such grants.

5. **Legal/official references**

* No explicit provision in Income Tax Act requiring TDS on government grants/donations to NGOs/trusts.
* As per CBDT Circulars, grants for charitable purposes are generally outside the scope of TDS.

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### **In your specific case:**

* **MPLAD grant used by MLA donated to trust without authority:**

* The MLA may not have the authority to donate funds to the trust; this is a misuse or misallocation issue.
* However, from TDS perspective, **no TDS section specifically applies** on such grants/donations.
* The NGO/trust receiving the grant **is not liable to deduct TDS**.
* The issue is more administrative/governance related, rather than tax deductibility.

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### **Summary Table**

| Transaction Type | TDS Applicability | Comments |
| ----------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Government grant to NGO/Trust | No TDS | Grant/donation for public purpose |
| Payment for services by NGO/Trust | Yes, TDS applicable as per section | If services rendered for consideration |
| Donation from MLA to Trust (misuse) | No TDS | No authority, no TDS section applies |

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If needed, I can help draft a formal note explaining the above for your audit or internal use.

Would that be helpful?

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