1. Scope and purpose of Section 44ADA
Section 44ADA is a special provision for calculating the profits and gains of small professionals in certain circumstances. Section 44ADA was introduced to extend the scheme of simplified presumptive taxation to specified professionals. Earlier, the presumptive scheme of tax was applicable only for small business. The presumptive scheme of taxation reduces compliance burden on small professions and facilitates ease of doing business. Under the presumptive scheme of taxation, profits are presumed at 50% of the gross receipts.
2. Assessees eligible for the Section 44ADA
The following Indian assessees are eligible:
Individuals
Hindu undivided families (HUFs)
Partnership firms (note that limited liability partnerships are not eligible)
3. Who are the eligible for section 44ADA
Professionals mentioned under
Section 44AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961, whose total gross receipts are less than Rs 50 lakh in a year are the eligible beneficiaries.
4. Eligible professionals under Section 44ADA
Professionals engaged in the following professions are eligible:
Interior decorations
Technical consulting
Engineering
Accounting
Legal
Medical
Architecture
Other professionals, as mentioned below:
a. Movie artists includes a producer, editor, actor, director, music director, art director, dance director, cameraman, singer, lyricist, story writer, screenplay or dialogue writer and costume designers
b. Authorised representative means a person who represents another person for a fee before a tribunal or any authority constituted under any law. It does not include an employee of the person so represented or a person who is carrying on the profession of accountancy
c. Any other notified professionals
5. What is the presumptive income offered?
Higher of the following is offered as presumptive income:
50% of the total receipts from the profession
Income offered by the assessee from the profession
Illustration: Mr. Ram is a freelance interior decorator. His total receipts for the financial year 2018-19 are Rs 30 lakh. His annual expenses are Rs 10 lakh towards rent, conveyance, telephone, travelling etc. Here, we can compare his taxable income under normal provisions and presumptive scheme as below:
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Under normal provisions
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Gross receipts
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30,00,000
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Less: Expenses
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10,00,000
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Net profit
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20,00,000
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Under Presumptive scheme
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Gross receipts
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30,00,000
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Less: 50% deemed expenses
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15,00,000
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Net profit
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15,00,000
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In the above case, the net profit under the presumptive scheme is lower than the normal provisions. Hence, it is beneficial for Mr Ram to offer his income under the presumptive scheme of taxation under section 44ADA.
6. What benefits will an assessee get by following Section 44ADA
By following Section 44ADA, an assessee would get the following benefits:
No need of maintaining books required under Section 44AA
No requirement of having accounts audited under Section 44AB
7. When shall an assessee maintain books and get the accounts audited?
If an assessee meets the following criteria, then he/she must maintain books and get accounts audited under section 44AB:
Income from the profession is offered at a lower rate than 50% of the gross receipts
Total income of the assessee is more than the basic exemption
8. Implications of choosing section 44ADA
All deductions for business expenses are deemed to have been allowed. Once profits are taxed at 50% of the gross receipts, the balance 50% is deemed to be allowed towards all the business expenses of the assessee. Business expenses may include consumables, cost of services taken from another professional, daily expenses, books, stationery, telephone charges, depreciation on assets (laptop, vehicle, printer etc.) and any other expense incurred to carry on the profession.
The written down value (WDV) of assets for tax purpose shall be calculated as of the depreciation has been allowed each year. This WDV would be the value of the asset for tax purpose in a case where the asset is sold later by the assessee.
