Emails that are not meant for me: Key Amendments in the Tax Collection at Source (TCS) Provision

Here’s how the new tax laws affect your foreign remittances

Dear Customer,

Greetings from ICICI Bank.

The Union Budget 2020-21 has introduced a new Tax Collected at Source (TCS) provision on foreign remittance. As per the earlier mandate, a 5 per cent (where PAN/ Aadhaar is available) tax collection at source has to be done for remittances over Rs 7 lakh, for all transactions under Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). However, there has been amendments in this provision as explained in detail below.

1.	The provision of TCS shall now be effective from October 1, 2020 instead of April 1, 2020.

2.	TCS shall be applicable on amount in excess of ₹ 7 lakhs in a financial year and not on the total amount.

3.	In cases where the amount is remitted for the purpose of pursuing education through a loan obtained from any financial institute, rate of TCS shall be 0.5% on amount exceeding ₹ 7 lakhs.

Please find below the frequently asked questions:

1	What is the effective date of implementation of the tax implication?

The implementation on TCS provision on foreign remittance is revised to October 1, 2020 from the earlier date of April 1st, 2020.

2	What all transactions will be impacted by this TCS provision?

All the outward remittances done under the (LRS) will be liable for 5 % tax collection at source except for the amount is remitted for the purpose of pursuing education through a loan obtained from any financial institute, rate of TCS shall be 0.5%. The same will be collected by ICICI Bank(Remitter Bank). This tax will be applied only on the transaction value

3	Will GST be applied on the 5% Tax collection?

The GST will continue to apply on currency conversion and on Remittance Service Charge. The same will not be applied on the 5% Tax collection.

4	What are the different purposes on which the tax collection is applicable?

The tax collection will be applicable for all the purposes which fall under Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS).

5	On what amount will the 5% tax collection be applicable

If the remittance amount in a financial year exceeds INR 7 lakhs, the tax will be applicable on the amount exceeding ₹ 7 lakhs. Below example for your reference:

Customer A	Makes a remittance of INR 6,50,000	No tax will be collected
	Makes a remittance of INR 9,50,000	5% tax will be collected on INR 6,50,000 +9,50,000 - 7,00,000 = INR 9,00,000
	Makes a remittance of INR 40,000	5% tax will be collected on incremental INR 40,000 (as the remitter has crossed INR 7 lakhs earlier)
Customer B	Makes a remittance of INR 20,00,000 in the same FY	5% tax will be collected on INR 20,00,000 - 7,00,000 = 13,00,000.

Customer C	Makes a remittance of INR 10,00,000 for pursuing Education through a loan obtained from any Financial Institute	0.5% tax will be collected on INR 10,00,000 - 7,00,000 = 3,00,000

6	What are the scenarios under which the provision will not apply?

The provision will not apply in case the remitter is liable to deduct tax at source under any other provision of the act and the amount has been deducted. It will also not apply if the remitter is the government or any another person notified by the government