Whether prescribed self-declaration under section 197A can be submitted by entities whose income is exempt under section 10 - Income Tax - 04/2002

Whether prescribed self-declaration under section 197A can be submitted by entities whose income is exempt under section 10 Circular : No. 4/2002, dated 16-7-2002 . 1. Subsequent to the amendment to section 197A made by the Finance Act, 2002 whereby a new sub-section (1B) has been inserted with effect from 1st June, 2002, representations have been received seeking clarification whether the prescribed self-declaration under the said section can be submitted by entities exempt from tax under section 10 even if the payments referred to in sub-section (1A) to be made to them exceed the threshold limit not subject to tax. 2. This matter has been examined by the Board. It has been decided that in case of those funds or authorities or Boards or bodies, by whatever name called, whose income is unconditionally exempt under section 10 of the Income-tax Act and who are statutorily not required to file return of income as per section 139 of the Income-tax Act, there would be no requirement for tax deduction at source since their income is anyway exempt under the Income-tax Act. The institutions whose income is unconditionally exempt under section 10 and who are statutorily not required to file return of income as per the provisions of section 139 are : (i) local authority, as referred to in the Explanation to clause (20); (ii) Regimental Fund or Non-public Fund established by the armed forces of the Union referred to in clause (23AA); (iii) Fund, by whatever name called, set up by the Life Insurance Corporation of India on or after 1st August, 1996, or by any other insurer referred to in clause (23AAB); (iv) Authority (whether known as the Khadi and Village Industries Board or by any other name) referred to in clause (23BB); (v) Body or authority referred to in clause (23BBA); (vi) SAARC Fund for Regional Projects set up by Colombo Declaration referred to in clause (23BBC); (vii) Secretariat of the Asian Organisation of the Supreme Audit Institutions referred to in clause (23BBD) till assessment year 2003-2004; (viii) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority referred to in clause (23BBE); (ix) Prime Ministers National Relief Fund referred to in sub-clause (i), Prime Ministers Fund (Promotion of Folk Art) referred to in sub-clause (ii), Prime Ministers Aid to Students Fund referred to in sub-clause (iii), National Foundation for Communal Harmony referred to in sub-clause (iiia), any university or other educational institution referred to in sub-clause (iiiab) and any hospital or other institution for the reception and treatment of persons as referred to in sub-clause (iiiac) of clause (23C); (x) Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Small Scale Industries referred to in clause (23EB) till assessment year 2006-2007; (xi) Provident fund to which the Provident Funds Act, 1925 (19 of 1925) referred to in sub-clause (i), recognised provident fund referred to in sub-clause (ii), approved superannuation funds referred to in sub-clause (iii), approved gratuity fund referred to in sub-clause (iv) and funds referred to in sub-clause (v) of clause (25); (xii) EmployeesState Insurance Fund referred to in clause (25A); (xiii) Corporations referred to in clause (26BB); (xiv) Boards referred to in clause (29A). Circular : No. 4/2002, dated 16-7-2002.