Circular No. 13 of 2015
F. No. 142/18/2015-TPL
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Direct Taxes
(TPL Division)
Dated 6th of July, 2015
Clarifications on Tax Compliance for Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets
The Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’) has introduced a tax compliance provision under Chapter VI of the Act. The Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Rules, 2015 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Rules’) have beennotified. In regard to the scheme queries have been received from the public about the scope of the scheme and the procedure to be followed. The Board has considered the same and decided to clarify the points raised by issue of a circular in the form of questions and answers as follows.-
Question No.1: If firm has undisclosed foreign assets, can the partner file declaration in respect of such asset?
Answer: The declaration can be made by the firm which shall be signed by the person specified in sub-section (2) of section 62 of the Act. The partner cannot make a declaration in his name. However, the partner may file a declaration in respect of an undisclosed asset held by him.
Question No.2: Where a company has undisclosed foreign assets, can it file a declaration under Chapter VI of the Act? If yes, then whether immunity would be granted to Directors of the company?
Answer: Yes, the company can file a declaration under Chapter VI of the Act. The Directors of the company shall not be liable for any offence under the Income-tax Act, Wealth-tax Act, FEMA, Companies Act and the Customs Act in respect of declaration made in the name of the company.
Question No.3: Whether immunity in respect of declaration made under the scheme is provided in respect of Acts other than those mentioned in section 67 of the Act?
Answer: Section 67 provides immunity from prosecution under the five Acts viz. the Income-tax Act, Wealth-tax Act, FEMA, Companies Act and the Customs Act. It does not provide immunity from prosecution under any other Act. For example- if the undisclosed asset has been acquired out of the proceeds of sale of protected animals the person will not be eligible for immunity under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Question No.4: Whether the person making the declaration will be provided immunity from the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002?
Answer: The offence under the PMLA arises while laundering money generated from the process or activity connected with the offences specified in the schedule to the PMLA. Therefore, the primary requirement under PMLA is commission of a scheduled offence. With the enactment of the Act, the offence of wilful attempt to evade tax under section 51 of the Act has become a scheduled offence under PMLA. However, where a declaration of an asset has been duly made under section 59 of the Act the provisions of section 51 will not be applicable in respect of that asset. Therefore, PMLA will not be applicable in respect of the scheduled offence of wilful attempt to evade tax under section 51 of the Act in respect of assets for which declaration is made under section 59 of the Act.
Question No.5: Where an undisclosed foreign asset is declared under Chapter VI of the Act and tax and penalty is paid on its fair market value then will the declarant be liable for capital gains on sale of such asset in the future? If yes, then how will the capital gains in such case be computed?
Answer: Yes, the declarant will be liable for capital gains under the Income-tax Act on sale of such asset in future. As per the current provisions of the Income-tax Act, the capital gains is computed by deducting cost of acquisition from the sale price. However, since the asset will be taxed at its fair market value the cost of acquisition for the purpose of Capital Gains shall be the said fair market value and the period of holding shall start from the date of declaration of such asset under Chapter VI of the Act.
Please refer to the attached file for more details
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