Presumptive Taxation Scheme of Section 44AD

1.     Meaning – Sec. 44AD

To give relief to small taxpayers from the tedious job of maintenance of books of account and from getting the accounts audited, the Income-tax Act has framed the presumptive taxation scheme under sections 44AD, section 44ADA and section 44AE. In this part you can gain knowledge about various provisions of the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD, section 44ADA and section 44AE.

Meaning of presumptive taxation scheme

As per the Income-tax Act, a person engaged in business or profession is required to maintain regular books of account and further, he has to get his accounts audited. To give relief to small taxpayers from this tedious work, the Income-tax Act has framed the presumptive taxation scheme under sections 44AD, 44ADA and 44AE.

A person adopting the presumptive taxation scheme can declare income at a prescribed rate and, in turn, is relieved from tedious job of maintenance of books of account and also from getting the accounts audited.

Meaning of presumptive taxation scheme

For small taxpayers the Income-tax Act has framed two presumptive taxation schemes as given below:

1)         The presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD.

2)         The presumptive taxation scheme of section 44ADA.

3)         The presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AE.

2.     For whom the Presumptive Taxation Scheme of Section 44AD is designed?

The presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD is designed to give relief to small taxpayers engaged in any business (except the business of plying, hiring or leasing of goods carriages referred to in section 44AE).

The presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD can be adopted by following persons :

1)         Resident Individual

2)         Resident Hindu Undivided Family

3)         Resident Partnership Firm (not Limited Liability Partnership Firm)

In other words, the scheme cannot be adopted by a non-resident and by any person other than an individual, a HUF or a partnership firm (not Limited Liability Partnership Firm).

This scheme cannot be adopted by a person who has made any claim towards deductions under section 10A/10AA/10B/10BA or under sections 80HH to 80RRB in the relevant year.

3.     Businesses not covered under the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD

The scheme of section 44AD is designed to give relief to small taxpayers engaged in any business, except the following businesses:

 Business of plying, hiring or leasing of goods carriages referred to in section 44AE.

 A person who is carrying on any agency business.

 A person who is earning income in the nature of commission or brokerage

Apart from above discussed businesses, a person carrying on profession as referred to in section 44AA(1)is not eligible for presumptive taxation scheme.

4.     An insurance agent cannot adopt the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD

A person who is earning income in the nature of commission or brokerage cannot adopt the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD. Insurance agents earn income by way of commission and, hence, they cannot adopt the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD.

5.     A person engaged in a profession as prescribed under section 44AA(1) cannot adopt the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD

A person who is engaged in any profession as prescribed under section 44AA(1) cannot adopt the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD.

6.     A person whose total turnover or gross receipts for the year exceed Rs. 2,00,00,000 cannot adopt the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD

The presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD can be opted by the eligible persons, if the total turnover or gross receipts from the business do not exceed Rs. 2,00,00,000. In other words, if the total turnover or gross receipt of the business exceeds Rs. 2,00,00,000 then the scheme of section 44AD cannot be adopted.

7.     Manner of computation of taxable business income under the normal provisions of the Income-tax Act, i.e., in case of a person not adopting the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD

Generally, as per the Income-tax Act, the taxable business income of every person is computed as follows:

8.     Manner of computation of taxable business income under the normal  provisions of the Income-tax Act, i.e., in case of a person not adopting the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD

For the purpose of computing taxable business income in the above manner, the taxpayers have to maintain books of account of the business. Income will be computed on the basis of the information revealed in the books of account.

9.     The manner of computation of taxable business income in case of a person adopting the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD

In case of a person adopting the provisions of section 44AD, income will be computed on presumptive basis, i.e., @ 8% of the turnover or gross receipts of the eligible business for the year.

In other words, in case of a person adopting the provisions of section 44AD, income will not be computed in normal manner as discussed earlier (i.e., Turnover less Expenses) but will be computed @ 8% of the turnover.

10.   The manner of computation of taxable business income in case of a person adopting the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD

Income at higher rate, i.e., higher than 8% can be declared if the actual income is higher than 8%.

11.   The presumptive income computed @ 8% is the final income and no further expenses will be allowed or disallowed

Under the normal provisions of the Income-tax Act, taxable business income will be computed after allowing deduction in respect of expenses which are deductible as per the Income-tax Act and after disallowing expenses which are not deductible as per the Income-tax Act.

In case of a person who is opting for the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD, the provisions of allowance/disallowances as provided for under the Income-tax Act will not apply and income computed at the presumptive rate of 8% will be the final taxable income of the business covered under the presumptive taxation scheme. In other words, the income computed @ 8% will be the final taxable income of the business covered under the presumptive taxation scheme and no further expenses will be allowed or disallowed.

While computing income as per the provisions of section 44AD, separate deduction on account of depreciation is not available. However, the written down value of any asset used in such business shall be calculated as if depreciation as per section 32 is claimed and has been actually allowed.

12.   No need to maintain books of account as prescribed under section 44AA

Section 44AA deals with provisions relating to maintenance of books of account by a person engaged in business/profession. Thus, a person engaged in business/profession has to maintain books of account of his business/profession according to the provisions of section 44AA.

In case of a person engaged in a business and opting for the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD, the provisions of section 44AA relating to maintenance of books of account will not apply. In other words, if a person adopts the provisions of section 44AD and declares income @ 8% of the turnover, then he is not required to maintain the books of account as provided for under section 44AA in respect of business covered under the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD.

13.   Payment of advance tax in respect of income from business covered under section 44AD

Any person opting for the presumptive taxation scheme under section 44AD is liable to pay whole amount of advance tax on or before 15thMarch of the previous year. If he fails to pay the advance tax by 15th March of previous year, he shall be liable to pay interest as per section 234C.

Note: Any amount paid by way of advance tax on or before 31st day of March shall also be treated as advance tax paid during the financial year ending on that day.

14.   Provisions to be applied if a person does not opt for the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD and declares income at a lower rate, i.e., at less than 8%

A person can declare income at lower rate (i.e., at less than 8%), however, if he does so, and his income exceeds the maximum amount which is not chargeable to tax, then he is required to maintain the books of account as per the provisions of section 44AA and has to get his accounts audited as per section 44AB.

15.   Consequences if a person opts out from the presumptive taxation scheme of section 44AD

If a person opts for presumptive taxation scheme then he is also require to follow the same scheme for next 5 years. If he failed to do so, then presumptive taxation scheme will not be available for him for next 5 years. [For example, an assessee claims to be taxed on presumptive basis under Section 44AD for AY 2017-18. For AY 2018-19 and 2019-20 and he offers income on basis of presumptive taxation scheme. However, for AY 2020-21, he did not opt for presumptive taxation Scheme. In this case, he will not be eligible to claim benefit of presumptive taxation scheme for next five AYs, i.e. from AY 2021-22 to 2025-26.]

Further, he is required to keep and maintain books of account and he is also liable for tax audit as per section 44AB from the AY in which he opts out from the presumptive taxation scheme. [If his total income exceeds maximum amount not chargeable to tax]