For your kind attention, Central Board of Direct Taxes has introduced a new provision on TDS which comes in to effect from 1st April 2010.
According to this provision, if you make payment which is subject to deduction of tax at source, such payment is liable to be deducted at the rate of 20% if the deductee does not provide the Permanent Account Number (PAN).
Important point to note is that this provision applies to non-residents also. Hence, in case you do foreign outward remittance to a person residing outside India, and if such payment is liable to TDS, then please ensure that the deductee provides the Permanent Account Number. If they don’t provide their PAN, it means you will have to deduct tax @ 20%.
You might raise a question as to how come a non-resident can provide a Permanent Account Number which is applicable for India. The answer is ‘Yes’, every such person have to apply for PAN here in India.
Here’s the circular of the Department in this regard:
No.402/92/2006-MC (04 of 2010)
Government of India / Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Direct Taxes
***
New Delhi dated 20th January 2010
PRESS RELEASE
A new provision relating to tax deduction at source (TDS) under the Income Tax Act 1961 will become applicable with effect from 1st April 2010. Tax at higher of the prescribed rate or 20% will be deducted on all transactions liable to TDS, where the Permanent Account Number (PAN) of the deductee is not available. The law will also apply to all non-residents in respect of payments / remittances liable to TDS. As per the new provisions, certificate for deduction at lower rate or no deduction shall not be given by the assessing officer under section 197, or declaration by deductee under section 197A for non-deduction of TDS on payments shall not be valid, unless the application bears PAN of the applicant / deductee.
2. All deductors are liable to deduct tax at the higher rate in all transactions not having PAN of the deductees on or after 1st April 2010. In order that there is no dispute regarding quoting / non-quoting of PAN or accuracy thereof, the law requires all deductees and deductors to quote PAN of deductees in all correspondences, bills, vouchers and other documents sent to each other. All deductors are, therefore, advised to intimate their deductees to obtain and furnish their PAN so as to avoid TDS at a higher rate. All deductees, including non-residents having transactions in India liable to TDS, are advised to obtain PAN by 31st March 2010 and communicate the same to their deductors before tax is actually deducted on transactions after that date.
3. The procedure for obtaining PAN is simple, inexpensive and quick. Application for PAN can be filed in Form 49A to National Securities Depository Ltd. (NSDL) or Unit Trust of India Investor Services Ltd. (UTIISL) or their intermediaries. Non-residents can apply through the local embassy / consulate of India. Applications can also be filed, paid for or tracked online through the Internet on the following web-sites:-
http://incometaxindia.gov.in/
https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/index.jsp
http://www.tin-nsdl.com/
http://www.utitsl.co.in/
4. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued Notification No.94/2009
relating to taxation of perquisites / profits in lieu of salary and Circular No.1/2010 for the guidance of tax deductors for salaries. These documents are available on the department’s web site at http://incometaxindia.gov.in/
