The Income-Tax Act, 1961 (‘the Act’) presently provides for associate degree exemption to each public and personal sector workers with regards Leave Travel help (LTA) received from leader towards expenditure incurred on travel among Asian country.
The exemption is on the market upon satisfaction of prescribed conditions to the extent of amounts per the Income-Tax Rules, 1962.
The same exemption is provided just for travel among Asian country with the intention to market Indian commercial enterprise and also the conditions for claiming exemption have remained unchanged for several years.
Due to travel restrictions obligatory by the govt. on account of the continued pandemic, the workers couldn’t undertake travel. And therefore couldn’t avail the good thing about exemption beneath LTA for the past 1-2 years.
Therefore, so as to supply some relief to the salaried category, the govt. had proclaimed the LTC money voucher theme (‘scheme’) in October 2020, that was later notified vide Finance Act, 2021. The theme was valid solely till March thirty one, 2021, i.e., for FY 2020-21. However, no profit during this regard was extended in FY 2021-22.
Under the theme, workers may claim tax-exempt compensation for any merchandise purchased or services availed that incurred GST of twelve p.c or additional by submitting the invoice to the leader. The workers were needed to pay thrice of the deemed LTA fare (it is assumed that LTA is forming a part of their remuneration structure) to avail profit beneath this theme.
The revitalization of COVID-19 cases and up to date surge within the letter of the alphabet variant have diode to continued travel restrictions even in FY 2021-22 and will continue in some form or type in FY 2022-23 further. Hence, there’s a well-liked expectation that the govt. extends the theme for FY 2022-23 further.
Separately, once the case becomes comparatively traditional and folks begin to travel once more once such restrictions square measure raised, the govt. may additionally contemplate revisiting the exemption beneath LTA provisions to incorporate expenditure incurred by the workers towards accommodation (hotel, motel, homestay, guest homes, etc.) together with the presently allowed exemption for travel prices.
Such extension of exemption would supply a push to the workers to undertake travel because it would offer them a better tax exemption, which is able to eventually play a crucial role for the economic recovery of the commercial enterprise and cordial reception industries that are severely compact over the last few years because of the pandemic.
Bringing in such amendments are going to be welcome by the salaried category. And at constant time would additionally stimulate the economy compact by the pandemic.
The govt. ought to balance the revenue enhancement revenue departed because of this move and also the overall boost to the outlay within the economy that may produce resultant demand further.
Follow and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn & Twitter