NEW DELHI: The income tax department on Friday clarified that the Place of Effective Management (POEM) rules that require foreign firms to pay taxes in India if the effective control is within the country, will not apply to companies with a turnover of Rs 50 crore or less in a financial year.
Last month, the tax department had come out with the POEM rules that will require foreign companies in India and Indian firms with overseas subsidiaries to pay local taxes based on where the business if effectively controlled.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said the provision “shall not apply to a company having turnover or gross receipts of Rs 50 crore or less in a financial year”.
While issuing the POEM rules, CBDT had said the intent was to target shell companies and those which are created for retaining income outside India although real control and management of affairs are located in India.
According to Rakesh Nangia, managing partner of Nangia and Co, the circular intends to provide clarity that POEM can be invoked only in case of companies with a turnover of more than Rs 50 crore as the first circular did not clearly mention the threshold.
Amit Maheshwari, Partner, Ashok Maheshwary & Associates said the clarification is welcome as this was causingconfusion among taxpayers.