Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) is entered between two countries to avoid double taxation, i.e., same income is being taxed in both countries, maintaining mutual economic relations, trade and investments. DTAA are entered in accordance with power granted under Section 90 and 90A of Income tax Act.
As per Section 90 and 90A of Income Tax Act, A non-resident Indian can avoid taxability liability in India on income generated in India by furnishing a Form 10F and Tax Residency Certificate from another country. But what about if a Resident Indian pays Income Tax in another country and is liable to pay income tax on that income in India as well?
In such a situation, a resident Indian is entitled to claim credit for tax paid in foreign country while filing his Income tax return in India in accordance with provisions of Section 90, 90A and 91 of Income Tax act read with Rule 128 of Income Tax Rules. This article contains a detailed discussion of how to claim Foreign Tax Credit while filing ITR.
1. What is Foreign Tax Credit
- Foreign tax Credit is a given when a resident Indian offers the same income to tax in India and as well as another country.
- In that case, he is entitled to claim credit of Income tax paid in another country from his Income tax liability arising in India subject to certain compliances.
- E.g.,
- An Assessee is an Indian Resident and has provided his services to the Singapore Client.
- While remitting funds, The Singapore client deducted TDS on his remittance even though such person is not liable to file ITR in Singapore.
- However, such a person is liable to pay Income Tax on such income in India.
- Therefore, as per DTAA between India and Singapore, Such person shall be entitled to claim deduction of tax withholding deducted in Singapore from his Income Tax liability arising in India subject to conditions given under Income Tax Act.
2. Foreign Tax Credit (“FTC”) under Income Tax Act
- Provisions related to FTC are given under Section 90, 90A and 91 of Income Tax Act read with Rule 128 of Income Tax Rules.
- FTC is claimed under Section 90 where India has entered in to a DTAA with another country. However, FTC for other countries is claimed under Section 91.
- Relief is provided in following 2 manners:
あわせて読みたい: 外国企業によるPAN取得および所得税申告(ITR)の要件
- Relief to Non-residents:
- Non-residents, who are not entitled to pay Income Tax in India can get their income without deduction of any withholding tax in India.
- However, for this purpose a non-resident is required to file Form 10F in India alongwith a Tax residency Certificate.
- Relief to Residents:
- As per Rule 128 of Income Tax Rules, A resident shall be allowed a credit for the amount of any foreign tax paid by him in a country outside India.
- However, for this purpose, Assessee is required to furnish Form 67 alongwith specified certificates and statements.
3. Conditions of Claiming FTC
An Assessee is entitled to claim benefit of FTC subject to fulfillment of following conditions:
- Credit shall be allowed in the year in which Income, on which withholding tax is deducted or tax has been paid in another country, is offered to tax in India.
- However, In case, income is offered to tax in multiple year then credit shall also be allowed across all years on proportionate basis.
- Foreign Tax shall means:
- Countries with which India has entered into a DTAA, tax covered under the agreement;
- With respect to other countries, the tax payable under the law in force in that country
- Such credit can be used against Tax, Surcharges and cess payable under Income Tax Act. No credit shall be allowed against interest, Fee or penalties.
- No Credit shall be allowed for tax under dispute unless assessee furnishes an evidence of settlement of dispute and an evidence that the liability for payment of such foreign tax has been discharged by him.
- FTC shall be allowed for lower of the following amount:
- Tax Payable under Income Tax Act on such foreign income; or
- Foreign tax paid on such foreign income
- In case, Foreign tax paid is in excess of Income Tax payable in India on such income then such excess Foreign Tax shall be ignored and shall not be carried forward to next Assessment year.
- Credit of Foreign Tax shall be allowed on furnishing of following documents:
- Statement of Income earned outside India on which foreign tax is deducted or paid in Form 67;
- A Statement or certificate specifying the nature of Income and amount of tax deducted or paid from:
- Tax Authority of such country; or
- Person responsible for deduction of TDS
- However, if no certificate or statement is available from Tax authority or transferor, Assessee can furnish a self signed statement or certificate. However, same is required to be accompanied with:
- In case of tax payment, an acknowledgement of online payment or bank counterfoil or challan for payment of tax;
- In case of tax deduction, proof of deduction where the tax has been deducted.
4. Information to be furnished in Form 67
Assessee is required to furnish following information in Form 67:
PART-A
- Name, Address and Permanent Accounting Number;
- Head-wise following details of income from a country or specified territory outside India and Foreign Tax Credit claimed:
- Name of the Country/Specified Territory;
- Source of Income, i.e., Salary, House Property, Business/Professional Income, capital Gains, Interest, Dividend, etc.
- Income from Outside India;
- Rate and amount of Tax paid outside India;
- Tax payable on such income under normal provisions in India
- Tax payable on such income under section 115JB/JC
- Credit claimed under section 90/90A
- Article No. of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements
- Rate of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements Rate of tax as per Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements
- Amount
- Credit claimed under section 91 Amount
- Total foreign tax credit claimed
あわせて読みたい: 確定申告で外国税額控除を申請する方法
パートB
- 損失の繰り戻しにより、過去の会計年度において外国税の還付を申請したことがあるか(はい/いいえ)
- 「はい」の場合、以下の詳細を記載すること:
- 当該損失が帰属する会計年度
- 損失の繰り戻しによる相殺が行われた会計年度
- 当該会計年度について申請した還付額
- (iii)で言及した還付に関連する前年度
- 係争中の外国税について税額控除を申請しているか(はい/いいえ)
- 「はい」の場合、以下の情報を記載すること:
5. 様式67(Form 67)の提出期限
- 様式67は、証明書または明細書を添えて、当該評価年度の確定申告書が12月31日までに提出されることを条件として、当該評価年度の末日までに提出しなければならない。
- ただし、納税者がITR-U(更新申告書)を提出する場合、様式67は証明書または明細書を添えて、当該申告書の提出日より前に提出しなければならない。
6. 様式67の提出手続き
- 様式67は、所得税ポータルサイトからオンラインで提出できる。
- 納税者は、所得税電子申告ポータルにユーザーIDとパスワードでログインする必要がある。
- ログイン後、以下のパスから様式67にアクセスできる:
e-file > Income Tax Forms > File Income tax forms > “Others (sources of Income not relevant) > Miscellaneous Form 67
- 様式67は、納税者の電子署名(DSC)または電子認証コード(EVC)を使用して提出できる。