<w0>スタートアップ・インディア制度のすべて｜認定基準｜所得税免除</w0>

Registration under the start-up India scheme is a very common point of discussion and every newly incorporated company or entity always have multiple questions related to the startup India scheme such as who is eligible to recognize under the Startup India Scheme, what tax benefits are available, whether government provides any grant or subsidy or funding to such entities, whether any loans are provided at a discounted rate to such entities etc.

India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems in the world, with a growing number of successful startups in areas such as e-commerce, fintech, health tech, and edtech. Some of the well-known Indian startups include Flipkart, Paytm, Ola, Zomato, and Byju'

Income tax forms a considerable part of costing as 25% of 30% of profits is given to the government as taxes. To promote entities to opt for the startup India Scheme, Various amendments are made in Income Tax Act to provide different tax exemptions to startup entities such as tax holidays for 3 years, exemption on the issuance of shares, exemption from capital gain, etc.

In this article a detailed discussion is made about what tax benefits are available to entities recognized under the Startup India Scheme:

1. A brief about startup India

• Startup India is a flagship program initiated by the government of India on 16th January 2016 to support entrepreneurs, building a robust startup ecosystem, and making India a job creator instead of job seekers.
• This program is managed and supported by DPIIT (Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion).
• An entity recognized by DPIIT as a startup entity, it shall have various benefits such as tax holidays, lower patent fee, relaxation in compliance of labour law and environment laws, fast-track services, Tax exemptions, funds/Loans, Credit guarantees etc. 
• Startups scheme is backed by following pillars:
  • Simplification & handholding: Easier compliance, easier exit process for failed startups, legal support, fast tracking of patent applications and a website to reduce information asymmetry.
  • Funding & Incentives: Exemptions on Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax for eligible startups; a fund of funds to infuse more capital into the startup ecosystem and a credit guarantee scheme
  • Incubation & Industry-Academia Partnerships: Creation of numerous incubators and innovation labs, events, competitions and grants.

2. Eligibility Criteria for Startup Recognition

Entities meeting the following criteria will be eligible to apply for recognition as Start-ups:

• Entities means:
  • Private Limited Company (Under Companies Act, 2013), 
  • Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) (Under LLP Act, 2008).
  • A registered Partnership firm (Under Indian Partnership Act).

• Period: The entity should not be more than 10 years old from the date of incorporation/registration.
• Annual turnover: The annual turnover of the entity should not exceed Rs 100 crore in any of the financial years since its incorporation.
• Area of Business:
  • The company should be working towards innovation, development, or improvement of products or processes or services; or
  • it is a scalable business model with a high potential of employment generation or wealth creation.

• Provided that an entity formed by splitting up or reconstruction of an existing business shall not be considered a ‘Startup’.

3. Process of obtaining recognition on DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade)

Startups are required to obtain recognition of Startups from DPIIT. For this purpose, the following process is required to be followed:

1. Recognition can be obtained on www.startupindia.gov.in.
2. New users can register using any of his social media accounts.
3. Post login, Entity is required to provide various details such as Type of user, name, stage of startup, etc.
4. After entering all the details, a message will pop up of profile creation.
5. On the portal, both existing or new users can check the tab of “DPIIT Recognition”.
6. The entity is required to provide the following information while filing form for DPIIT recognition:
   1. Incorporation/Registration Certificate
   2. Director details
   3. Patent and trademark details (Optional)
   4. PAN Number
   5. A proof of concept (website link/video/pitch deck) for startups in the Validation stage. For the early Traction and Scaling stage, it is necessary to provide a video or pitch deck in addition to a company website. Ideation-stage startups are not mandated to submit a proof of concept.
7. The entity is not required to have any of the following documents:
   1. Letter of Recommendation
   2. Sanction Letters
   3. Udyog Aadhar
   4. MSME Certificate
   5. GST Registration
8. After entering all the details, a user is required to click on the “Submit” button. The submitted application will get processed within 48-72 hours.

4. Benefits for recognized startups under Income Tax Act

Doors to many incentives get opened for entities recognized as startups by DPIIT. Startup entities are eligible for the following exemptions or benefits under Income Tax Act:

4.1 Income tax exemption for 3 consecutive years out of 10 years

• Section 80-IAC of the Income tax act provides for exemption to eligible startups wherein 100% of profits derived from eligible businesses is exempted for 3 consecutive years.
• Such exemption can be claimed for any 3 consecutive assessment years out of 10  years beginning from the year in which the startup is incorporated.
• Exemption under this section is available only to Companies or Limited Liability Partnerships.
• The entity must be incorporated between 1st April 2016 to 1st April 2023.
• For the purpose of obtaining this exemption, startups are required to obtain a certificate from an inter-ministerial Board which validates the innovative nature of the business for granting Income Tax Benefits.
• The application shall be filed in Form-1 along with documents specified therein and the Board may, after calling for such documents or information and making such enquires, as it may deem fit:
  • grant the certificate for claiming exemption under section 80- IAC of the Act; or
  • reject the application by providing reasons. 
• Inter-Ministerial Board is constituted by representatives from DPIIT, DBT, and DST
• So far, 448 startups are granted income tax exemption under Section 80-IAC of the Income Tax Act.

4.2 Exemption under Section 56(2)(viib) of Income Tax Act

• As per Section 56(2)(viib) of the Income Tax Act, where a private company receives from a resident, any consideration for the issue of shares where consideration exceeds the face value of such shares, the aggregate consideration received in case of fare market value shall be taxed as income from other sources.
• However, a startup shall be eligible to an exemption from Section 56(2)(viib) subject to the following conditions:

1. DPIITのパラグラフ2(iii)(a)または本件に関する以前の通知に基づき認定されていること
2. 株式の発行（発行予定を含む）後のスタートアップの払込資本金および株式プレミアムの合計額が25カロール・ルピーを超えないこと。

ただし、払込資本金25カロール・ルピーの合計額を算出する際、以下の者に発行された株式は含まれないものとする─

(a) 非居住者、または

(b) ベンチャーキャピタル企業またはベンチャーキャピタルファンド

さらに、当該スタートアップが特定企業に対して発行した、または発行予定の株式に対して受け取った対価も免除対象となり、25カロール・ルピーの基準額の算出には含まれないものとする。

• スタートアップは、以下の用途に資金を投資することはできない：
  • 賃貸目的または通常の事業過程における棚卸資産として保有される場合を除き、付随する建物または土地
  • 金銭の貸付が事業の大部分を占める場合を除き、通常の事業過程以外で行われる貸付および前払金
  • 他の事業体への資本拠出
  • 株式および証券
  • 通常の事業過程において、運行、賃貸、リース、または棚卸資産として保有される場合を除き、実際の取得原価が10ラック・ルピーを超える自動車、航空機、ヨット、またはその他の輸送手段
  • 通常の事業過程において棚卸資産として保有される場合を除き、宝石類

• スタートアップは、プレミアム付き株式が発行された直近の会計年度末から7年間は、上記の制限付き投資を行うことができない。
• 「特定企業」とは、SEBI規則に基づき頻繁に取引される株式を有し、かつ株式発行の前年度末時点の純資産が100カロール・ルピーを超えるか、または株式発行の前年度の売上高が250カロール・ルピーを超える企業を指す。
• 条件を満たすスタートアップは、要件を満たしている旨の署名済み申告書をフォーム2にてDIPPに提出しなければならない。当該申告書を受理次第、DPIITはこれをCBDTに転送するものとする。

4.3 住宅用不動産の譲渡によるキャピタルゲイン（第54GB条）

• 第54GB条は、不動産の譲渡による対価が適格企業の株式に投資されることを条件に、住宅用不動産（住宅または土地）の譲渡から生じるキャピタルゲインを免除する。
• 適格企業は、株式の引受日から1年以内に当該資金を新規資産の購入に使用しなければならない。
• 適格企業とは、以下の条件を満たす企業を指す：
  • キャピタルゲインが生じる期間（4月1日からアセッシーによる第139条(1)項に基づく所得申告期限まで）にインドで設立された企業であること
  • 物品の製造事業または適格事業に従事していること
  • 株式引受後に、アセッシーが25%を超える資本金または25%を超える議決権を保有していること
  • 適格MSMEまたは適格スタートアップであること

• 適格スタートアップとは、適格事業に従事し、かつ以下の条件を満たす企業またはLLPを指す：
  • 2016年4月1日以降、2023年4月1日以前に設立されていること
  • 当該前年度の事業総売上高が100カロール・ルピーを超えないこと
  • 中央政府が官報で通知する省庁間認証委員会から適格事業の証明書を取得していること
• 第54GB条の規定は、2022年3月31日以降に譲渡された住宅用不動産には適用されない。
• 引受から1年以内に企業が新規資産の取得に資金を使用しなかった場合、1年が経過した年度の当該アセッシーの所得として課税される。