Section 115VP Amended: Extended Deadline for Tonnage Tax Approvals Effective 2025

Last updated: 04 February 2025

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The time limit for approving tonnage tax scheme applications under Section 115VP of the Act has been extended. Previously, Joint Commissioners had only one month to approve or reject an application after it was received. This short timeframe often proved insufficient for necessary verification and hearings. From April 1, 2025, this will change, giving Joint Commissioners three months from the end of the quarter in which the application was received to pass an order.

Increasing time limit available to pass order under section 115VP

Section 115VP of the Act pertains to method and time of opting for tonnage tax scheme, under which the tonnage income of an assessee shall be computed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XII-G. Sub-section (1) of section 115VP of the Act provides that a qualifying company may opt for the tonnage tax scheme by making an application to the Joint Commissioner having jurisdiction over the company, as prescribed, for such scheme.

Tonnage Tax Approvals: Deadline Extended from 2025

2. Sub-section (3) of the said section requires that the Joint Commissioner on receipt of such application may call for information or documents from the company as deemed fit and after satisfying themselves about the eligibility of such company to make an option for tonnage tax scheme, pass an order in writing, approving the option for tonnage tax scheme or if not so satisfied, refuse such approval, after providing reasonable opportunity of being heard. Sub-section (4) of the said section requires for order under sub-section (3) of section 115VP of the Act, whether approving or rejecting the application to exercise option of tonnage tax scheme, to be passed before the expiry of one month from the end of the month in which the application was received under sub-section (1) of said section.

3. It is seen that very less time is available under sub-section (4) of section 115VP of the Act with the Joint Commissioner of Income-tax for verification of information and documents, including physical inspection of the ships if necessary, providing an opportunity of being heard and then passing a reasoned order approving or rejecting the application.

4. Accordingly, to address this issue, it is proposed to amend sub-section (4) of section 115VP to provide that for application received under sub-section (1) on or after the 1st day of April, 2025, order under sub-section (3) shall be passed before the expiry of three months from the end of the quarter in which such application was received.

5. This amendment will take effect from the 1st day of April, 2025.

[Clause 32]

FAQ :

Section 115VP of the Act relates to the method and time of opting for the tonnage tax scheme, where tonnage income is computed according to Chapter XII-G.

Previously, the Joint Commissioner had to pass an order approving or rejecting the tonnage tax application within one month from the end of the month the application was received.

The amendment was made because the previous one-month limit was considered too short for the Joint Commissioner to adequately verify information, conduct necessary inspections, provide a hearing, and issue a reasoned order.

From April 1, 2025, the Joint Commissioner will have three months from the end of the quarter in which the application was received to pass an order.

This amendment to Section 115VP will take effect from the 1st day of April, 2025.

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