How to Maintain Safe Distance from Income Tax Department?

In day to day transaction, we do some transaction which may attract Income Tax Department to serve you a notice ask about. But we always want to keep an Arm’s Length Distance from the Income Tax Department!

But the question here is HOW???

Here are lists of expenses/ investments, which at any point of time performed by you may invite undue attention from the Income tax Personnel.

1) Depositing Cash aggregating to Rs.10 Lacs p.a. in your Savings Bank Account.

2) Making Credit Card Payments of more than Rs.2 Lacs p.a.

3) Investment in Mutual Fund Units worth more than Rs. 2 Lacs.

4) Investment in Debentures/ Bonds, amounting more than Rs. 5 Lacs

5) Investment in Shares worth more than Rs. 1 Lakh.

6) Investment in Gold ETF worth more than Rs. 1 Lakh.

7) Investment in RBI Bonds worth more than Rs. 5 Lacs.

8) Purchase / Sale of any Immovable Property exceeding Rs.30 Lacs.

9) Receipt of Cash Payment exceeding Rs.2 Lacs for sale of any goods/ services.

10) Cash deposits or withdrawals aggregating to Rs 50 lakh or more in a financial year in one or more Current Account.

The Next question which may strike us is how does the Income tax Personnel get to know about all these activities.

To keep an eye on such high value transactions of the tax payers, the IT Department has developed a statement of financial transactions called Annual Information Report (AIR).

On the basis of this AIR, the department shortlists their targets and further sends them a notice.

What do you mean by a Annual Information Report (AIR).

Annual Information Return (AIR) of ‘high value financial transactions’ is required to be furnished under section 285 BA of the Income-tax Act, 1961 by ‘specified persons’ in respect of ‘specified transactions’ registered or recorded by them during the financial year.

Who provides the high value transaction information to prepare the AIR?

     Banks

       Mutual Fund Companies

     Companies Issuing Bonds/ Debentures

     Companies issuing shares

     Credit Card Companies

     Sub- registrar offices on real estate deals.

How can I trace my High Value Transactions reported under AIR?

The assessee can trace his/ her high value transactions reported under AIR, in their 26AS Report under AIR section. Any transaction of the assessee which has been categorized as a High Value Transaction will be reflected therein.

In the end, one last question which everyone might have. 

How to avoid receiving a notice from the IT department?

The most important step is to file your Income Tax returns on time and file them correctly.

Always re-check your Tax Credit with the 26AS statement.

Disclose all your Taxable as well as Exempt income under the right head.

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GST Returns - Types of Forms and Due Dates

'Change is only Constant' because Change in one thing that ends up impacting the other. Goods and Services Tax, popularly known as GST, is a reform for our economy's indirect tax plan. On 8th August 2016, GST Bill (Which was long pending) was passed in Lok Sabha. It was possible after a very long journey flooded with challenges, Confrontations. As last, the GST Bill has entered the phase of implementation, which will come into effect from July 1, 2017. GST would make changes in the tax structure between the Center and the State.

GST is like Value Added Tax (VAT) that will eradicate the cascade effect/double taxation from the price of goods and services down the value chain. It would surely affect the incidence, structure and calculation of the indirect taxes, which will lead to a comprehensive refurbishment of the current tax system in India.

Here are the list of GST Returns :

Sl. No.	Return Form	Particulars
1	GSTR-1	Details of Outward Supplies of Taxable Goods or Services or Both effected
2	GSTR-2	Details of Inward Supplies of Taxable Goods or Services or Both claiming Input Tax Credit
3	GSTR-3	Monthly Return on the Basis of Finalization of Details of Outward Supplies and Inward Supplies along with the payment of amount of Tax
4	GSTR-4	Quarterly Return for Compounding Taxable Persons
5	GSTR-5	Return for Non-Resident Foreign Taxable Persons
6	GSTR-6	Input Service Distributor Return
7	GSTR-7	Return for Authorities Deducting Tax At Source
8	GSTR-8	Details of Supplies effected through e-Commerce Operator and the amount of tax collected as required under sub-Section (52)
9	GSTR-9	Annual Return
10	GSTR-9A	Simplified Annual Return by Compounding Taxable persons registered under Section 10

Due Dates of GST Return:

Sl. No.	Return Form	Due Dates
1	GSTR-1	10th of Next Month
2	GSTR-2	After the 10th But before 15th of Next Month
3	GSTR-3	20th of Next Month
4	GSTR-4	18th from end of the Quarter
5	GSTR-5	20th from end of the month or within 7 days after the last day of validity of registration whichever is earlier.
6	GSTR-6	13th of Next Month
7	GSTR-7	10th of Next Month
8	GSTR-8	10th of Next Month
9	GSTR-9	31st December of Next Financial Year
10	GSTR-9A	31st December of Next Financial Year

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Difference Between Wife And Girlfriend

Friends its fun time again. Add some laugh in your busy life. As an LIC agent or customer we always prefer to do compare among insurance company and their products etc.

Here we shall compare between Wife and Girlfriend. Everybody love to have both at a time but which is better. Let's have some comparison.

What is the Difference between Wife and Girlfriend?

Great Thought in Modified Version....

Wife is like a TV 

Girlfriend is like a MOBILE.

At home  you watch TV,

but when you go out you take your MOBILE.

Sometimes you enjoy TV.

But most of the time, you play with your MOBILE.

TV is (as good as) free for life.

But for the MOBILE, if you don't pay, the services will be terminated.

TV is big, bulky and most of the time old.

But the MOBILE is cute, slim, curvy, replaceable and portable.

Operational costs for TV is often acceptable.

But for the MOBILE, it is often high and demanding.

TV has a remote.

But MOBILE doesn't.

Most importantly, MOBILE is a two-way communication (you talk and listen)

But with the TV, you MUST only listen (whether you want to or not)!!!!

Last but not least....!

Yet TVs are superior because

TVs don't have viruses,

but MOBILE often do....!!!!

And mobiles can be easily hacked or stolen.

Take Care.

Stick to TV only..

Issued in Public interest!

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Can I Change My LIC Agent ?

One of my client ask me that their LIC agent is not cooperating / assisting to them if he is in need of any query of help, so transfer my policy under your agency name. I told them it is not possible right now because LIC has not provided Agent Portability. So if you are in need of any assistant tel me if I can do so.

During the time of buying the policy, all insurance agent claims big promises like they always take care of your policy, any other services related issue or ready to serve you in case of sudden demise of a policyholder. But the reality is little different. There are many reasons for that. One of them are mostly agent do this profession as part time job. Hence all agent not committing full time to their service. And this may be possibly that policy holder may not get proper service from their agent. 

Majority of Insurance agents does not care for after sales service however, few of them take care of their clients with a hope for further policy or references. 

LIC agent is a salesman who just acts as an intermediate between the customer and LIC of India. Once the plan is sold by the agent to the customer, then you are only a customer of LIC of India and the agent has no liability towards you. So, if your agent is not assisting you in depositing LIC Premium, or some other help then you can not do any thing. 

The only exception is being that if a plan is sold to you with improper information you can withdraw your insurance policy within 15 days.

As of now there are no such rules set either by Insurance Companies or from IRDA regarding change / port of Agent.

But if your agent has died then you can write an application to the branch and ask them to assign your policies in the name of your new agent. But it is possible only if your policy becomes an Orphan Policy. 

The policy (ies) initially effected by an Individual Agent whose services were subsequently terminated or removed from LIC are qualified as Orphan Policy (ies) and are qualified as Orphan Policy for the purpose of Agent Portability Rules. Except the policies whose effecting agent is entitled to renewal commission under section 44 of the Insurance Act , 1938 and The policies falling under proviso of Rule 10 (4) of LIC of India (Agents) Rules, 1972.

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Procedure To Change LIC Service Branch

Many of my clients says that I am from Bihar / Bengal, can i change my policy from Delhi to Bengal / Bihar at my nearest LIC branch. I say yes to them. Person who has taken LIC insurance policy (/ies) can change their policy (/ies)  service branch. Service Branch means the branch from where LIC Policy bond has been issued. We all know that LIC of India is India's biggest life insurance company operating  since 1956 and having more than 2000 branches across the country. Mostly people who has taken LIC insurance policy and then if they have to shift to some other city or state, and if they feel need to shift their LIC service branch they can do so. For example Ram is doing job in Delhi and he hails from Patna and has taken LIC's Life insurance policy (/ies). Now Ram is thinking to shift to their home town (Patna, Bihar). One thing to remember all LIC insurance policy taker that they have to visit their home branch if it comes some critical matter pertaining to policy. But maximum work can be done at any LIC branch so, don't worry. Now Ram is thinking to transfer their LIC Policy to their nearest branch situated at Patna (home town). 

There are three methods to change / port LIC Branch. So, Ram can opt any one procedure to change LIC Branch. 

1. By Visiting Current Policy Servicing Branch :

You can go directly go to your current Policy Servicing Branch with an application and photocopy of LIC policy (/ies) about to transfer your policy from current servicing branch to your nearest branch. Remember to get receiving of your application submitted at branch.

2. By Sending Request Through Email :

You can send an email to the branch manage of your current LIC policy serving branch regarding the change of serving branch of your policy. You need to attach scan copy of all your policy you wants to transfer with your ID proof and address proof with valid reason. Email id of the branch is clearly written on your First Premium Receipts (FPR) and on your Policy Bond in Service Branch Column.

3. By Sending Request Through Post :

Write a letter to your LIC Branch about to change the new service branch of your policy ( you must provide them Branch Code and complete address). Attach photocopy of your policy(ies) you want to shift to new branch along with policy holder's self attached ID proof and address proof with a valid reason. Post it through courier / post office, keep the receipt of post and keep tracking with your LIC branch.

But there are some restriction of Transfer of Policy : -

1. Policy can not be transferred within one year from date of commencement of such policy.

2. Premium of such policy (ies) must of showing paid for one year.

3. Lapsed policy can not be transfer / shift. It can be only after revival of that policy.

4. Policy which are to be mature within one year can not be transfer to any other branch office.

5. Only policy in-force can be transfer.

6. Policy under convertible Guaranteed Triple Benefit Plan , Whole life Plan and Children's Deferred Endowment Assurance plan where date of exercising option/adoptions under the policy's fall due in the course of one year following the date of request for transfer should not be transferred unless the option/adoption in the case of GTB / CDA policy has been exercised/ completed.

7. Salary Saving Scheme (SSS) policy, can be transferred to another branch office or Division office even though it is in lapsed condition with specific request made by policy holder that he will revive such policy after transfer to the new office. 

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Wrong Filed Income Tax Return ! Revise It.

Normally when we file Income Tax Return (ITR) we try to keep full precautions to avoid any mistakes. But sometimes mistakes may happen. Like given wrong bank account details or left considering interest income received on saving bank account or claim wrong deduction or fill details under wrong head etc. But don't worry law gives us permission to revise it as per Section 139(5) of Income Tax Act.

Section 139(5) says if return filer get noticed that they have done mistakes in filing Income Tax Return then they can file revise return before completion of Assessment Year or Completion of Assessment Process. Remember Assessment Year is the next year for which ITR has been filed, for example If we have filed ITR for the financial year 2017-2018 then Assessment Year will be 2018-19.

What Is Revised Return?

Revised return is the refiling of Return of same Financial Year (F Y) in which we had made mistakes and now willing to correct it. In Revised Return you need to provide details as per Original Return.

Who Can File Revised Return?

Section 139(5) Income Tax Act gives permission to file Revised Return to all those Tax Payers who already have filed their Income Tax Return (ITR) before its due date. If you have filed late ITR means filed after its due date,  then you are not permitted to file Revised Return.

What is the Last Date To File Revised Return?

Earlier law permits to revise ITR within one year after completion of its Assessment Year it means assessee gets to year to file correct ITR, suppose you file ITR for F Y 2014-15 (A Y 2015-16) then you can file Revise Return within F Y 2016-17 (A Y 2017-18). But it is reduced last year. Now you have to file revised return within it Assessment Year.

How To File Revised Return?

You have give same details what you have already give in your Original ITR with its correction. But you have to select Revised Return U/s 139(5) in place of Original Return and need to provide Original Receipts Number along with filing date.

How Many Times You Can File Revise Return?

You can file Revise Return many times till you come with its correct details. But remember every-time you need to provide Original Return filing Receipts No and filing date. Don't Misuse It, assessing officer may ask you for doing this.

Most important every time you file Original Return or Revise Return you must need to complete verification process otherwise Income Tax Department will not accept it.

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Ease Your Tax Burden - Invest Now

An small investor (and tax payer) is one who manages his finances in such a way that the TDS is just equal to the tax he is supposed to pay for a particular year. You need to balance your needs based on need for liquidity in hand, investment returns and tax savings.

Every individual get more tensed in the month of February /March every year as in this month when they feels like they are being subject to extortion in form of Tax Deduction at Source or Advance Tax. And advised if not want to pay tax then go to invest in tax saving investments.

There could be moments when you feel that you have paid too much of taxes or too much of tax has been deducted from your salary. So to avoid such situation one should start planning their taxes from the beginning of the year itself so that you don’t end your year by paying more taxes.

When the employer deducts tax at source, more particularly, during last two months, as he would like to avoid defaults on his part, to save on interest and penalties, he shall consider all your investments which give you tax deductions or savings. While deducting tax at source, he shall consider investments such as in

Insurance premium,

Provident fund contributions,

National saving certificates,

Investment in pension plans,

ULIPs, Mediclaim etc.

Not only this, he shall also consider certain amounts spent by you on specified items and on your health such as 

Tuition fee of children (80C), 

Repayment of principal amount of home loan (80C),

Medical expenses (80D, 80DD), 

Expenses on specified illnesses (80DDB) (upto Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 60,000 for senior citizens (Rs 1,00,000 wef A.y 2019-20) and for super senior citizen Rs 80,000 from A.y 2016-17 to 2018-19 ( Rs 1,00,000 from A.y 2019-20)

Any amount of interest paid on educational loan (80E) etc.

Donations made to specified eligible funds etc are also eligible for allowance (100% or 50% depending upon type of donation.

Employer is also supposed to consider your house rent receipts but may ask for landlord’s PAN number also.

You can plan you taxes including TDS by integrating your tax planning and investment planning. The investments you make should also have a tax saving objective. If choosing between two options with similar returns and safety features, tax saving would play an important role. In such situations, investments like housing, provident funds, insurance, equity linked saving options etc. can give you some relax feeling.

However, if tax has been deducted in absence of investment or forget to inform the Deductor in time (like bank etc), and your tax liability does not arise as per your income details or tax deduction becomes more than actual tax liability, you should not worry much as it is now mandatory for tax payers to quote then bank account number and details in the return itself which makes refunds faster, safer and hassle free.

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