This is one of the finest budgets this country has witnessed. The budget aligns with the macro economic scenario and takes care of the impact of COVID. In this budget edition, we discuss the various proposals segment and tax wise. Hope this effort of ours is useful for understanding the proposals. Let me also allow to summarise the various proposals before our detailed analysis.
On the direct tax front, there are certain amendments which have tried to put an end to decade long litigations. Hope they do not open a new round of litigation. The changes in partnership taxation trying to put an end to abusive strategies and the removal of goodwill from the block of assets to put end to settled views are two extreme hues of the budget.
Undoubtedly, the tax avenues (leakages looked from the perspective of tax authorities) available high networth individuals are being closed budget by budget. The taxation of ULIPs and interest on provident fund contributions exceeding certain limits are steps in the above direction. The introduction of safe harbour for sale of residential units considering the COVID periods is a thoughtful move putting an end to litigation on this front. Finally, the definition of ‘liable to tax’ has been brought into the domestic tax provisions putting concrete end to so many aspects. The clarification of the dis-allowability on employee share in a way puts end to disputes but a bit harsher on the employer.
