Rationalization of taxation of income by way of dividend

By | March 4, 2016
(Last Updated On: March 4, 2016)

Finance Bill 2016

Rationalization of taxation of income by way of dividend

Under the existing provisions of clause (34) of section 10 of the Act, dividend which suffer dividend distribution tax (DDT) under section 115-O is exempt in the hands of the shareholder. Under section 115-O dividends are taxed only at the rate of fifteen percent at the time of distribution in the hands of company declaring dividends. This creates vertical inequity amongst the tax payers as those who have high dividend income are subjected to tax only at the rate of 15% whereas such income in their hands would have been chargeable to tax at the rate of 30%.

With a view to rationalise the tax treatment provided to income by way of dividend, it is proposed to amend the Income-tax Act so as to provide that any income by way of dividend in excess of Rs. 10 lakh shall be chargeable to tax in the case of an individual, Hindu undivided family (HUF) or a firm who is resident in India, at the rate of ten percent. The taxation of dividend income in excess of ten lakh rupees shall be on gross basis.

These amendments are proposed to be made effective from the 1st day of April, 2017 and shall accordingly apply in relation to assessment year 2017-18 and subsequent years.

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