Union government has announced the benefit of lower rate of Income-tax on digital turnover for small businesses up to a turnover of Rs.2,00,000,00 (Rupees Two Crore) under Section 44AD of the Income-tax Act, 1961.
It is a huge benefit given to businessmen for promoting digital/banking transactions. The benefits are explained as under:
If a trader makes his transactions in cash on a turnover of Rs.Two Crore, then his income under the presumptive scheme will then be presumed to be Rs. 16 lakhs @ 8% of turnover. After availing of Rs. 1.5 lakhs of deduction under Section 80C, his total tax liability will be Rs. 2,67,800/-. However, if he shifts to 100% digital transactions under the new announcement made, his profit will be presumed to be at Rs. 12 lakhs @ 6% of turnover, and after availing of Rs. 1.5 lakhs under Section 80C, his tax liability now will be only Rs.1,44,200/. Here, digital transaction includes payment received by Cheque or through any other digital means.
In the following example, the benefit obtained by traders and small businesses is explained in 3 different scenarios:
| Particulars | 100% Cash Turnover (Rs.) | 60% Digital Turnover (Rs.) | 100% Digital Turnover (Rs.) |
| Total Turnover | 2 Crore | 2 Core | 2 Crore |
| Cash Turnover | 2 Crore | 0.80 Crore | NIL |
| Digital Turnover | NIL | 1.2 Crore | 2 Crore |
| Profit on Cash Turnover @ 8% | 16 Lakh | 6.40 Lakh | NIL |
| Profit on Digital turnover @ 6% | NIL | 7.20 Lakh | 12 Lakh |
| Total Profit | 16 Lakh | 13.60 Lakh | 12 Lakh |
| Deduction u/s 80C | 1.5 Lakh | 1.5 Lakh | 1.5 Lakh |
| Taxable Income | 14.50 Lakh | 12.10 Lakh | 10.50 Lakh |
| Tax Payable | 2,67,800 | 1,93,640 | 1,44,200 |
| Tax Saving | NIL | 74,160 | 1,23,600 |
Apart from making a tax saving of almost 46% by migrating to banking mode, the small businesses would be able to build their books which may also help them get bank loans easily.
Also, if transactions are carried out through banking channels, then anybody having annual turnover up to Rs. 66 lakhs will have zero tax liability after availing the benefit of Section 80C, after amendment of this new rate structure.