Venture capital
This query is : Resolved
09 February 2014
Sir,
My query is regarding the long term capital gain earned on Venture capital. We know that the dividend earned by venture capitalist is not taxable for venture capitalist because of section 115 O . However,who pays the tax on the capital gain(selling his share of the undertaking) of the venture capitalist? And what happens when the venture capitalist sells his shares to an outsider/back to the company within 1 year? Is any penalty thus attracted?
Kindly help resolve my doubt. Thankyou.
My query is regarding the long term capital gain earned on Venture capital. We know that the dividend earned by venture capitalist is not taxable for venture capitalist because of section 115 O . However,who pays the tax on the capital gain(selling his share of the undertaking) of the venture capitalist? And what happens when the venture capitalist sells his shares to an outsider/back to the company within 1 year? Is any penalty thus attracted?
Kindly help resolve my doubt. Thankyou.
09 February 2014
You should understand that the Venture capital invest only in the shares of Pvt. ltd companies and these shares are not quoted so the tax payable will be normal capital gain and is to be paid by the venture capital depending on number of months holding. If it is less than 36 months then it is STCG but no rebate u/s 112 is available
Message likes :
1 times
09 February 2014
Thank you for your reply sir. I was unaware of the fact that venture capitalists invest only in pvt ltd companies. Now, a few facts do make sense to me!
However, what about section 10(23FA)& 10(23FB)? They grant exemption on the dividend amount and long term capital gain, as per my understanding. Isn't it?
Hence my query regarding these two sections are:
1) Who are these exemptions for? The venture capitalist or the person receiving the money?
2) What are the amounts that are exempt? (capital gain/ dividend)
However, what about section 10(23FA)& 10(23FB)? They grant exemption on the dividend amount and long term capital gain, as per my understanding. Isn't it?
Hence my query regarding these two sections are:
1) Who are these exemptions for? The venture capitalist or the person receiving the money?
2) What are the amounts that are exempt? (capital gain/ dividend)
11 February 2014
It is not automatically allowed. The venture capitalist must be a registered VC with SEBI & IT Department. Deduction is allowed to VCF.
5.0. TAX PASS THROUGH FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS
5.1 Internationally, VCFs being dedicated pools of capital, operate in fiscal neutrality and are treated as pass through vehicles. In any case, the investors of VCFs and VCUs are subject to income tax. Through a series of changes in the Tax Laws, a distinct fiscal frame work has already been created over the last decade, for taxation of Mutual Funds. The fiscal regime for mutual funds quite simply eliminated the tax at the pool level while maintaining taxation at the investor level. Thereby it avoided double taxation of the same stream of income of an unincorporated pool and concomitantly maintained single tax at investor level. The objective behind is to provide fiscal neutrality as the income is taxed in the hands of final recipient and intermediary body is considered a pass through entity. Drawing the same analogy, a Venture Capital Fund is also a pool of funds of investors and income of the fund should be taxed in the hands of the investor and the fund should be considered a pass through entity and exempt under the income tax. Under the present regime, income of a VCF is taxable at fund level, (except for the exemption provided under section 10(23 FA) of the Income tax act for the income by the way of dividend and capital gains) and also taxable in the hands of investors when distributed by VCF. Pre-empting dual level (pool, as well as investor level) taxation has been a hallmark of Indian Income Tax Legislation for decades. It is therefore recommended that the present Section 10(23FA) be reenacted such that it provides complete exemption from income tax at fund level on the basis of SEBI Registration (like in the case of mutual funds). Exempting the VCF from income tax does not necessarily cause the loss of revenue as these are pass through entities and income distributed by VCF would be taxed in the hand of investors. Further, such pass through income would not just include dividends only, but also capital gains and interest income. In most of the cases, the bulk of income pass through would be in the nature of capital gains which attract tax in contrast to the income passed through as dividend. This would therefore increase the country's tax base without any negative effect on the revenues.
5.2 In addition, venture capital activities aid to the growth of industrial activity, which would indirectly add to the tax payers base. Global experience shows that venture funded enterprises have created more wealth and consequent tax revenues. It is certainly believed that in India also, with the active venture capital funding, there would be a very large number of successful enterprises which would add to the national wealth creation including the tax revenues.
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
In the above background, following recommendations are proposed :
a. The existing section 10(23FA) of Income Tax Act needs to be re-enacted to provide for automatic income tax exemption to VCFs registered with SEBI (like in the case of mutual funds) which will eliminate the taxation at the pool level while maintaining the same at investor level. The new Income tax Section 10(23FA) would then read as under :
"Any income of a registered venture capital fund under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act 1992 or Regulations made thereunder".
Consequently, no separate rules as in 2D would be needed.
5.0. TAX PASS THROUGH FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS
5.1 Internationally, VCFs being dedicated pools of capital, operate in fiscal neutrality and are treated as pass through vehicles. In any case, the investors of VCFs and VCUs are subject to income tax. Through a series of changes in the Tax Laws, a distinct fiscal frame work has already been created over the last decade, for taxation of Mutual Funds. The fiscal regime for mutual funds quite simply eliminated the tax at the pool level while maintaining taxation at the investor level. Thereby it avoided double taxation of the same stream of income of an unincorporated pool and concomitantly maintained single tax at investor level. The objective behind is to provide fiscal neutrality as the income is taxed in the hands of final recipient and intermediary body is considered a pass through entity. Drawing the same analogy, a Venture Capital Fund is also a pool of funds of investors and income of the fund should be taxed in the hands of the investor and the fund should be considered a pass through entity and exempt under the income tax. Under the present regime, income of a VCF is taxable at fund level, (except for the exemption provided under section 10(23 FA) of the Income tax act for the income by the way of dividend and capital gains) and also taxable in the hands of investors when distributed by VCF. Pre-empting dual level (pool, as well as investor level) taxation has been a hallmark of Indian Income Tax Legislation for decades. It is therefore recommended that the present Section 10(23FA) be reenacted such that it provides complete exemption from income tax at fund level on the basis of SEBI Registration (like in the case of mutual funds). Exempting the VCF from income tax does not necessarily cause the loss of revenue as these are pass through entities and income distributed by VCF would be taxed in the hand of investors. Further, such pass through income would not just include dividends only, but also capital gains and interest income. In most of the cases, the bulk of income pass through would be in the nature of capital gains which attract tax in contrast to the income passed through as dividend. This would therefore increase the country's tax base without any negative effect on the revenues.
5.2 In addition, venture capital activities aid to the growth of industrial activity, which would indirectly add to the tax payers base. Global experience shows that venture funded enterprises have created more wealth and consequent tax revenues. It is certainly believed that in India also, with the active venture capital funding, there would be a very large number of successful enterprises which would add to the national wealth creation including the tax revenues.
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
In the above background, following recommendations are proposed :
a. The existing section 10(23FA) of Income Tax Act needs to be re-enacted to provide for automatic income tax exemption to VCFs registered with SEBI (like in the case of mutual funds) which will eliminate the taxation at the pool level while maintaining the same at investor level. The new Income tax Section 10(23FA) would then read as under :
"Any income of a registered venture capital fund under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act 1992 or Regulations made thereunder".
Consequently, no separate rules as in 2D would be needed.
11 February 2014
It is not automatically allowed. The venture capitalist must be a registered VC with SEBI & IT Department. Deduction is allowed to VCF.
TAX PASS THROUGH FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS
5.1 Internationally, VCFs being dedicated pools of capital, operate in fiscal neutrality and are treated as pass through vehicles. In any case, the investors of VCFs and VCUs are subject to income tax. Through a series of changes in the Tax Laws, a distinct fiscal frame work has already been created over the last decade, for taxation of Mutual Funds. The fiscal regime for mutual funds quite simply eliminated the tax at the pool level while maintaining taxation at the investor level. Thereby it avoided double taxation of the same stream of income of an unincorporated pool and concomitantly maintained single tax at investor level. The objective behind is to provide fiscal neutrality as the income is taxed in the hands of final recipient and intermediary body is considered a pass through entity. Drawing the same analogy, a Venture Capital Fund is also a pool of funds of investors and income of the fund should be taxed in the hands of the investor and the fund should be considered a pass through entity and exempt under the income tax. Under the present regime, income of a VCF is taxable at fund level, (except for the exemption provided under section 10(23 FA) of the Income tax act for the income by the way of dividend and capital gains) and also taxable in the hands of investors when distributed by VCF. Pre-empting dual level (pool, as well as investor level) taxation has been a hallmark of Indian Income Tax Legislation for decades. It is therefore recommended that the present Section 10(23FA) be reenacted such that it provides complete exemption from income tax at fund level on the basis of SEBI Registration (like in the case of mutual funds). Exempting the VCF from income tax does not necessarily cause the loss of revenue as these are pass through entities and income distributed by VCF would be taxed in the hand of investors. Further, such pass through income would not just include dividends only, but also capital gains and interest income. In most of the cases, the bulk of income pass through would be in the nature of capital gains which attract tax in contrast to the income passed through as dividend. This would therefore increase the country's tax base without any negative effect on the revenues.
In addition, venture capital activities aid to the growth of industrial activity, which would indirectly add to the tax payers base. Global experience shows that venture funded enterprises have created more wealth and consequent tax revenues. It is certainly believed that in India also, with the active venture capital funding, there would be a very large number of successful enterprises which would add to the national wealth creation including the tax revenues.
de thereunder".
Consequently, no separate rules as in 2D would be needed.
TAX PASS THROUGH FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS
5.1 Internationally, VCFs being dedicated pools of capital, operate in fiscal neutrality and are treated as pass through vehicles. In any case, the investors of VCFs and VCUs are subject to income tax. Through a series of changes in the Tax Laws, a distinct fiscal frame work has already been created over the last decade, for taxation of Mutual Funds. The fiscal regime for mutual funds quite simply eliminated the tax at the pool level while maintaining taxation at the investor level. Thereby it avoided double taxation of the same stream of income of an unincorporated pool and concomitantly maintained single tax at investor level. The objective behind is to provide fiscal neutrality as the income is taxed in the hands of final recipient and intermediary body is considered a pass through entity. Drawing the same analogy, a Venture Capital Fund is also a pool of funds of investors and income of the fund should be taxed in the hands of the investor and the fund should be considered a pass through entity and exempt under the income tax. Under the present regime, income of a VCF is taxable at fund level, (except for the exemption provided under section 10(23 FA) of the Income tax act for the income by the way of dividend and capital gains) and also taxable in the hands of investors when distributed by VCF. Pre-empting dual level (pool, as well as investor level) taxation has been a hallmark of Indian Income Tax Legislation for decades. It is therefore recommended that the present Section 10(23FA) be reenacted such that it provides complete exemption from income tax at fund level on the basis of SEBI Registration (like in the case of mutual funds). Exempting the VCF from income tax does not necessarily cause the loss of revenue as these are pass through entities and income distributed by VCF would be taxed in the hand of investors. Further, such pass through income would not just include dividends only, but also capital gains and interest income. In most of the cases, the bulk of income pass through would be in the nature of capital gains which attract tax in contrast to the income passed through as dividend. This would therefore increase the country's tax base without any negative effect on the revenues.
In addition, venture capital activities aid to the growth of industrial activity, which would indirectly add to the tax payers base. Global experience shows that venture funded enterprises have created more wealth and consequent tax revenues. It is certainly believed that in India also, with the active venture capital funding, there would be a very large number of successful enterprises which would add to the national wealth creation including the tax revenues.
de thereunder".
Consequently, no separate rules as in 2D would be needed.
11 February 2014
It is not automatically allowed. The venture capitalist must be a registered VC with SEBI & IT Department. Deduction is allowed to VCF.
TAX PASS THROUGH FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS
5.1 Internationally, VCFs being dedicated pools of capital, operate in fiscal neutrality and are treated as pass through vehicles. In any case, the investors of VCFs and VCUs are subject to income tax. Through a series of changes in the Tax Laws, a distinct fiscal frame work has already been created over the last decade, for taxation of Mutual Funds. The fiscal regime for mutual funds quite simply eliminated the tax at the pool level while maintaining taxation at the investor level. Thereby it avoided double taxation of the same stream of income of an unincorporated pool and concomitantly maintained single tax at investor level. The objective behind is to provide fiscal neutrality as the income is taxed in the hands of final recipient and intermediary body is considered a pass through entity. Drawing the same analogy, a Venture Capital Fund is also a pool of funds of investors and income of the fund should be taxed in the hands of the investor and the fund should be considered a pass through entity and exempt under the income tax. Under the present regime, income of a VCF is taxable at fund level, (except for the exemption provided under section 10(23 FA) of the Income tax act for the income by the way of dividend and capital gains) and also taxable in the hands of investors when distributed by VCF. Pre-empting dual level (pool, as well as investor level) taxation has been a hallmark of Indian Income Tax Legislation for decades. It is therefore recommended that the present Section 10(23FA) be reenacted such that it provides complete exemption from income tax at fund level on the basis of SEBI Registration (like in the case of mutual funds). Exempting the VCF from income tax does not necessarily cause the loss of revenue as these are pass through entities and income distributed by VCF would be taxed in the hand of investors. Further, such pass through income would not just include dividends only, but also capital gains and interest income. In most of the cases, the bulk of income pass through would be in the nature of capital gains which attract tax in contrast to the income passed through as dividend. This would therefore increase the country's tax base without any negative effect on the revenues.
In addition, venture capital activities aid to the growth of industrial activity, which would indirectly add to the tax payers base. Global experience shows that venture funded enterprises have created more wealth and consequent tax revenues. It is certainly believed that in India also, with the active venture capital funding, there would be a very large number of successful enterprises which would add to the national wealth creation including the tax revenues.
de thereunder".
Consequently, no separate rules as in 2D would be needed.
TAX PASS THROUGH FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS
5.1 Internationally, VCFs being dedicated pools of capital, operate in fiscal neutrality and are treated as pass through vehicles. In any case, the investors of VCFs and VCUs are subject to income tax. Through a series of changes in the Tax Laws, a distinct fiscal frame work has already been created over the last decade, for taxation of Mutual Funds. The fiscal regime for mutual funds quite simply eliminated the tax at the pool level while maintaining taxation at the investor level. Thereby it avoided double taxation of the same stream of income of an unincorporated pool and concomitantly maintained single tax at investor level. The objective behind is to provide fiscal neutrality as the income is taxed in the hands of final recipient and intermediary body is considered a pass through entity. Drawing the same analogy, a Venture Capital Fund is also a pool of funds of investors and income of the fund should be taxed in the hands of the investor and the fund should be considered a pass through entity and exempt under the income tax. Under the present regime, income of a VCF is taxable at fund level, (except for the exemption provided under section 10(23 FA) of the Income tax act for the income by the way of dividend and capital gains) and also taxable in the hands of investors when distributed by VCF. Pre-empting dual level (pool, as well as investor level) taxation has been a hallmark of Indian Income Tax Legislation for decades. It is therefore recommended that the present Section 10(23FA) be reenacted such that it provides complete exemption from income tax at fund level on the basis of SEBI Registration (like in the case of mutual funds). Exempting the VCF from income tax does not necessarily cause the loss of revenue as these are pass through entities and income distributed by VCF would be taxed in the hand of investors. Further, such pass through income would not just include dividends only, but also capital gains and interest income. In most of the cases, the bulk of income pass through would be in the nature of capital gains which attract tax in contrast to the income passed through as dividend. This would therefore increase the country's tax base without any negative effect on the revenues.
In addition, venture capital activities aid to the growth of industrial activity, which would indirectly add to the tax payers base. Global experience shows that venture funded enterprises have created more wealth and consequent tax revenues. It is certainly believed that in India also, with the active venture capital funding, there would be a very large number of successful enterprises which would add to the national wealth creation including the tax revenues.
de thereunder".
Consequently, no separate rules as in 2D would be needed.
Message likes :
1 times
11 February 2014
It is not automatically allowed. The venture capitalist must be a registered VC with SEBI & IT Department. Deduction is allowed to VCF.
TAX PASS THROUGH FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS
Internationally, VCFs being dedicated pools of capital, operate in fiscal neutrality and are treated as pass through vehicles. In any case, the investors of VCFs and VCUs are subject to income tax. Through a series of changes in the Tax Laws, a distinct fiscal frame work has already been created over the last decade, for taxation of Mutual Funds. The fiscal regime for mutual funds quite simply eliminated the tax at the pool level while maintaining taxation at the investor level. Thereby it avoided double taxation of the same stream of income of an unincorporated pool and concomitantly maintained single tax at investor level. The objective behind is to provide fiscal neutrality as the income is taxed in the hands of final recipient and intermediary body is considered a pass through entity. Drawing the same analogy, a Venture Capital Fund is also a pool of funds of investors and income of the fund should be taxed in the hands of the investor and the fund should be considered a pass through entity and exempt under the income tax. Under the present regime, income of a VCF is taxable at fund level, (except for the exemption provided under section 10(23 FA) of the Income tax act for the income by the way of dividend and capital gains) and also taxable in the hands of investors when distributed by VCF. Pre-empting dual level (pool, as well as investor level) taxation has been a hallmark of Indian Income Tax Legislation for decades. It is therefore recommended that the present Section 10(23FA) be reenacted such that it provides complete exemption from income tax at fund level on the basis of SEBI Registration (like in the case of mutual funds). Exempting the VCF from income tax does not necessarily cause the loss of revenue as these are pass through entities and income distributed by VCF would be taxed in the hand of investors. Further, such pass through income would not just include dividends only, but also capital gains and interest income. In most of the cases, the bulk of income pass through would be in the nature of capital gains which attract tax in contrast to the income passed through as dividend. This would therefore increase the country's tax base without any negative effect on the revenues.
In addition, venture capital activities aid to the growth of industrial activity, which would indirectly add to the tax payers base. Global experience shows that venture funded enterprises have created more wealth and consequent tax revenues. It is certainly believed that in India also, with the active venture capital funding, there would be a very large number of successful enterprises which would add to the national wealth creation including the tax revenues.
de thereunder".
Consequently, no separate rules as in 2D would be needed.
TAX PASS THROUGH FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS
Internationally, VCFs being dedicated pools of capital, operate in fiscal neutrality and are treated as pass through vehicles. In any case, the investors of VCFs and VCUs are subject to income tax. Through a series of changes in the Tax Laws, a distinct fiscal frame work has already been created over the last decade, for taxation of Mutual Funds. The fiscal regime for mutual funds quite simply eliminated the tax at the pool level while maintaining taxation at the investor level. Thereby it avoided double taxation of the same stream of income of an unincorporated pool and concomitantly maintained single tax at investor level. The objective behind is to provide fiscal neutrality as the income is taxed in the hands of final recipient and intermediary body is considered a pass through entity. Drawing the same analogy, a Venture Capital Fund is also a pool of funds of investors and income of the fund should be taxed in the hands of the investor and the fund should be considered a pass through entity and exempt under the income tax. Under the present regime, income of a VCF is taxable at fund level, (except for the exemption provided under section 10(23 FA) of the Income tax act for the income by the way of dividend and capital gains) and also taxable in the hands of investors when distributed by VCF. Pre-empting dual level (pool, as well as investor level) taxation has been a hallmark of Indian Income Tax Legislation for decades. It is therefore recommended that the present Section 10(23FA) be reenacted such that it provides complete exemption from income tax at fund level on the basis of SEBI Registration (like in the case of mutual funds). Exempting the VCF from income tax does not necessarily cause the loss of revenue as these are pass through entities and income distributed by VCF would be taxed in the hand of investors. Further, such pass through income would not just include dividends only, but also capital gains and interest income. In most of the cases, the bulk of income pass through would be in the nature of capital gains which attract tax in contrast to the income passed through as dividend. This would therefore increase the country's tax base without any negative effect on the revenues.
In addition, venture capital activities aid to the growth of industrial activity, which would indirectly add to the tax payers base. Global experience shows that venture funded enterprises have created more wealth and consequent tax revenues. It is certainly believed that in India also, with the active venture capital funding, there would be a very large number of successful enterprises which would add to the national wealth creation including the tax revenues.
de thereunder".
Consequently, no separate rules as in 2D would be needed.
11 February 2014
It is not automatically allowed. The venture capitalist must be a registered VC with SEBI & IT Department. Deduction is allowed to VCF.
TAX PASS THROUGH FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS
5.1 Internationally, VCFs being dedicated pools of capital, operate in fiscal neutrality and are treated as pass through vehicles. In any case, the investors of VCFs and VCUs are subject to income tax. Through a series of changes in the Tax Laws, a distinct fiscal frame work has already been created over the last decade, for taxation of Mutual Funds. The fiscal regime for mutual funds quite simply eliminated the tax at the pool level while maintaining taxation at the investor level. Thereby it avoided double taxation of the same stream of income of an unincorporated pool and concomitantly maintained single tax at investor level. The objective behind is to provide fiscal neutrality as the income is taxed in the hands of final recipient and intermediary body is considered a pass through entity. Drawing the same analogy, a Venture Capital Fund is also a pool of funds of investors and income of the fund should be taxed in the hands of the investor and the fund should be considered a pass through entity and exempt under the income tax. Under the present regime, income of a VCF is taxable at fund level, (except for the exemption provided under section 10(23 FA) of the Income tax act for the income by the way of dividend and capital gains) and also taxable in the hands of investors when distributed by VCF. Pre-empting dual level (pool, as well as investor level) taxation has been a hallmark of Indian Income Tax Legislation for decades. It is therefore recommended that the present Section 10(23FA) be reenacted such that it provides complete exemption from income tax at fund level on the basis of SEBI Registration (like in the case of mutual funds). Exempting the VCF from income tax does not necessarily cause the loss of revenue as these are pass through entities and income distributed by VCF would be taxed in the hand of investors. Further, such pass through income would not just include dividends only, but also capital gains and interest income. In most of the cases, the bulk of income pass through would be in the nature of capital gains which attract tax in contrast to the income passed through as dividend. This would therefore increase the country's tax base without any negative effect on the revenues.
In addition, venture capital activities aid to the growth of industrial activity, which would indirectly add to the tax payers base. Global experience shows that venture funded enterprises have created more wealth and consequent tax revenues. It is certainly believed that in India also, with the active venture capital funding, there would be a very large number of successful enterprises which would add to the national wealth creation including the tax revenues.
TAX PASS THROUGH FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS
5.1 Internationally, VCFs being dedicated pools of capital, operate in fiscal neutrality and are treated as pass through vehicles. In any case, the investors of VCFs and VCUs are subject to income tax. Through a series of changes in the Tax Laws, a distinct fiscal frame work has already been created over the last decade, for taxation of Mutual Funds. The fiscal regime for mutual funds quite simply eliminated the tax at the pool level while maintaining taxation at the investor level. Thereby it avoided double taxation of the same stream of income of an unincorporated pool and concomitantly maintained single tax at investor level. The objective behind is to provide fiscal neutrality as the income is taxed in the hands of final recipient and intermediary body is considered a pass through entity. Drawing the same analogy, a Venture Capital Fund is also a pool of funds of investors and income of the fund should be taxed in the hands of the investor and the fund should be considered a pass through entity and exempt under the income tax. Under the present regime, income of a VCF is taxable at fund level, (except for the exemption provided under section 10(23 FA) of the Income tax act for the income by the way of dividend and capital gains) and also taxable in the hands of investors when distributed by VCF. Pre-empting dual level (pool, as well as investor level) taxation has been a hallmark of Indian Income Tax Legislation for decades. It is therefore recommended that the present Section 10(23FA) be reenacted such that it provides complete exemption from income tax at fund level on the basis of SEBI Registration (like in the case of mutual funds). Exempting the VCF from income tax does not necessarily cause the loss of revenue as these are pass through entities and income distributed by VCF would be taxed in the hand of investors. Further, such pass through income would not just include dividends only, but also capital gains and interest income. In most of the cases, the bulk of income pass through would be in the nature of capital gains which attract tax in contrast to the income passed through as dividend. This would therefore increase the country's tax base without any negative effect on the revenues.
In addition, venture capital activities aid to the growth of industrial activity, which would indirectly add to the tax payers base. Global experience shows that venture funded enterprises have created more wealth and consequent tax revenues. It is certainly believed that in India also, with the active venture capital funding, there would be a very large number of successful enterprises which would add to the national wealth creation including the tax revenues.
Message likes :
1 times
11 February 2014
It is not automatically allowed. The venture capitalist must be a registered VC with SEBI & IT Department. Deduction is allowed to VCF.
TAX PASS THROUGH FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS
5.1 Internationally, VCFs being dedicated pools of capital, operate in fiscal neutrality and are treated as pass through vehicles. In any case, the investors of VCFs and VCUs are subject to income tax. Through a series of changes in the Tax Laws, a distinct fiscal frame work has already been created over the last decade, for taxation of Mutual Funds. The fiscal regime for mutual funds quite simply eliminated the tax at the pool level while maintaining taxation at the investor level. Thereby it avoided double taxation of the same stream of income of an unincorporated pool and concomitantly maintained single tax at investor level. The objective behind is to provide fiscal neutrality as the income is taxed in the hands of final recipient and intermediary body is considered a pass through entity. Drawing the same analogy, a Venture Capital Fund is also a pool of funds of investors and income of the fund should be taxed in the hands of the investor and the fund should be considered a pass through entity and exempt under the income tax. Under the present regime, income of a VCF is taxable at fund level, (except for the exemption provided under section 10(23 FA) of the Income tax act for the income by the way of dividend and capital gains) and also taxable in the hands of investors when distributed by VCF. Pre-empting dual level (pool, as well as investor level) taxation has been a hallmark of Indian Income Tax Legislation for decades. It is therefore recommended that the present Section 10(23FA) be reenacted such that it provides complete exemption from income tax at fund level on the basis of SEBI Registration (like in the case of mutual funds). Exempting the VCF from income tax does not necessarily cause the loss of revenue as these are pass through entities and income distributed by VCF would be taxed in the hand of investors. Further, such pass through income would not just include dividends only, but also capital gains and interest income. In most of the cases, the bulk of income pass through would be in the nature of capital gains which attract tax in contrast to the income passed through as dividend. This would therefore increase the country's tax base without any negative effect on the revenues.
In addition, venture capital activities aid to the growth of industrial activity, which would indirectly add to the tax payers base. Global experience shows that venture funded enterprises have created more wealth and consequent tax revenues. It is certainly believed that in India also, with the active venture capital funding, there would be a very large number of successful enterprises which would add to the national wealth creation including the tax revenues.
TAX PASS THROUGH FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS
5.1 Internationally, VCFs being dedicated pools of capital, operate in fiscal neutrality and are treated as pass through vehicles. In any case, the investors of VCFs and VCUs are subject to income tax. Through a series of changes in the Tax Laws, a distinct fiscal frame work has already been created over the last decade, for taxation of Mutual Funds. The fiscal regime for mutual funds quite simply eliminated the tax at the pool level while maintaining taxation at the investor level. Thereby it avoided double taxation of the same stream of income of an unincorporated pool and concomitantly maintained single tax at investor level. The objective behind is to provide fiscal neutrality as the income is taxed in the hands of final recipient and intermediary body is considered a pass through entity. Drawing the same analogy, a Venture Capital Fund is also a pool of funds of investors and income of the fund should be taxed in the hands of the investor and the fund should be considered a pass through entity and exempt under the income tax. Under the present regime, income of a VCF is taxable at fund level, (except for the exemption provided under section 10(23 FA) of the Income tax act for the income by the way of dividend and capital gains) and also taxable in the hands of investors when distributed by VCF. Pre-empting dual level (pool, as well as investor level) taxation has been a hallmark of Indian Income Tax Legislation for decades. It is therefore recommended that the present Section 10(23FA) be reenacted such that it provides complete exemption from income tax at fund level on the basis of SEBI Registration (like in the case of mutual funds). Exempting the VCF from income tax does not necessarily cause the loss of revenue as these are pass through entities and income distributed by VCF would be taxed in the hand of investors. Further, such pass through income would not just include dividends only, but also capital gains and interest income. In most of the cases, the bulk of income pass through would be in the nature of capital gains which attract tax in contrast to the income passed through as dividend. This would therefore increase the country's tax base without any negative effect on the revenues.
In addition, venture capital activities aid to the growth of industrial activity, which would indirectly add to the tax payers base. Global experience shows that venture funded enterprises have created more wealth and consequent tax revenues. It is certainly believed that in India also, with the active venture capital funding, there would be a very large number of successful enterprises which would add to the national wealth creation including the tax revenues.
11 February 2014
Thankyou so much sir! My doubt has been solved completely :)
You need to be the querist or approved CAclub expert to take part in this query .
Click here to login now
Click here to login now
Similar Resolved Queries
Unanswered Queries
- Is this income indian or foreign income?
- RCM applicability on Rent Paid by Registered Person to Unregistered Landlord for Residental Building
- GST on export of services and Input Credit
- ITC temporary reversal and reclaim
- Inventory of finished goods
- Applicable TDS rate for sale of property in Nov 2024
- Tds on building rent monthly
- RCM INVOICING FROM NOV-2024
- Should I report my US salary for January, February, March in Schedule FA?
- GST ON EXPORT COMMISSION
- Confusion around Form 26QB fields
- Adjustment entry in the case of Individual and HUF on 31st March
- Stock difference tax applicable on composite rate or normal rate
- LAST YEAR 2022-23 ITC IN NEXT YEAR 2023-24 REPORITNG IN GSTR-9
- MIS MATCH OF INVOICE NUMBER
- IGST Credit-Show cause notice issued-confusion
- Issue of gst e invoice
- How to adjusted advances given or receipt
- Foreign vendor without PAN unable to to register due to non receipt of OTP on foreign number ?
- 133(6) DIN INVALID format error - ->WHERE TO REPLY 133(6) notice?
Trending Online Classes
CAclubindia
