What is Form 27Q

Introduction

Non-Resident Indian (NRI) is determined by the residential status of the person under the income tax. We need to check the basic and additional conditions and other criteria’s prescribed u/s 6. In this section, only Non-residents are covered not the RNOR (Resident but Not Ordinary Resident). Form 27Q is for the TDS on Non-resident payments.

What is Form 27Q?

• This is a Certificate under section 206C of the Income tax Act, 1961 for tax that is collected at source.
• TCS is basically the tax that is collected by Seller from Buyer of certain goods when debiting the amount payable to the account of buyer by buyer or when receiving the amount from the buyer in the form of cheque, cash, demand draft or other modes of payment for selling certain prescribed goods as per the Section 206C (1) for the purpose of business and not for personal use.
• TCS is chargeable, as mentioned in the form for:
• Alcoholic Liquor that is meant to be consumed by humans.
• Tendu leaves
• Timber obtained from a forest which is under a lease
• Timber that is obtained from any other forest that is not on lease.
• Any other forest produces other than timber and tendu leaves, and Scrap
• There are certain exemptions for TCS based on goods, buyer and seller definitions as per the section in the form.
• TCS Amount is paid and filed in Challan 281 within a week from the final day of the month in which tax is supposed to be collected. TCS Certificate in Form 27D is issued to Buyer.

Who are applicable as Payer and Payee under this section?

• The payer (irrespective of their status like individual, HUF, Firm etc.) are responsible for deducting TDS if payment is made to a non-resident.
• The payee is a non-resident whose residential status is according to Section 6 of the Act.

What are the Payments and expenses?

Any interest or any other sum chargeable under the provisions of this Act is included as payments or expenses.

Payments that are excluded:

• Interest referred under sections 195LB/LC/LD
• Salary payment
• Dividend payment u/s 115-O
• Payments against import do not come under the purview of TDS which is reported in Form 27Q.

Does Salary & Dividend payment to Non-resident falls under this form?

This form excludes Salary and dividend payment. Salary payment to non-resident is covered u/s 192 not under section 195.  Tax on the dividend is not in the hands of the recipient as dividend distribution tax is paid by the declaring company.

What is the procedure to deduct the TDS under this form?

• TDS must be deducted at the time of making the payment to the NRI. The information about the TDS deducted and rate should be mentioned in the sale deed between the NRI seller and the buyer.
• TDS deducted by the buyer should be deposited by challan (for TDS payment) on or before the 7thof next month in which the TDS is deducted. The deposit has to be made by the buyer.
• After the TDS is deposited:
  • The buyer has to file TDS return (online) by submitting Form 27Q.
  • TDS returns are filed quarterly usually within 15 days (next month of quarter end), for e.g. first quarter from 1st April to 30th June then it is filed on 15th
• After the TDS returns are filed in Form 27Q, the buyer can issue TDS certificate (Form 16A to NRI seller). This certificate should be issued within 15 days to the seller from the due date of TDS returns for the quarter.

What are the TDS rate?

The rates are as follows:

Particulars	TDS rates
Income in respect of investment made by a NRI	20%
Income by the way of long term capital gains in Section 115E in case of a NRI	10%
Income by way of long-term capital gains	10%
Short Term Capital gains under section 111A	15%
Any other income by way of long-term capital gains	20%
Interest payable on money borrowed in Foreign Currency	20%
Income by way of royalty payable by Government or an Indian concern	10%
Income by way of royalty, not being royalty of the nature referred to be payable by Government or an Indian concern	10%
Income by way of fees for technical services payable by Government or an Indian concern	10%
Any other income	30%
Education Cess (For both NR and foreign companies)	3%

What are the Documents required for DTAA benefits?

Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) is an agreement between two countries with an objective to avoid taxation on same income in both countries. Presently, India has the comprehensive DTAA with more than 80 countries.

Documents required:

• Tax Residency Certificate (TRC): This certificate is verified and issued by the Government of the country in which NR claims to be a resident for tax purposes. The TRC certificate can be obtained from the Government or Tax authorities of the particular country of NR.
• PAN card copy
• Self-declaration
• Passport & Visa copy (if any)
• Deductor annual basis

IS there a Eligibility for getting a Nil Deduction Certificate?

As per section 195 (3) & Rule 29B, a non-resident can make the application to income tax department for a nil deduction certificate, if fulfills the following conditions:

• If the assessee filed all the returns timely.
• The assessee is not a defaulter in respect of tax, interest, penalty etc.
• Not subject to penalty u/s 271(1)(iii).
• Business in India for at least 5 years. The value of the fixed assets in India exceeds Rs. 50Lakhs.

The validity of nil deduction certificate is valid until the expiry or is not canceled by the Assessing Officer (whichever is earlier).

What are the consequences of non-complying?

• If the TDS is deducted but not paid within the time limit, then interest @ 1.50 % per month is applied. Also, a penalty equivalent to TDS amount u/s 221.
• TDS deducted is less than the amount to be deducted then, a penalty equivalent to the difference.
• It is important to file Form 27Q online that involves a detail of TDS.

Find Your 27Q For here:Form_27Q