Post by bryant21 on Aug 23, 2011 1:29:46 GMT -5
The following additional fiscal incentives have been extended to the National Housing Bank (HUDCO) due to its prominent role in funding Real Estate in Cochin and also the developments in other cities. It is suggested that the Housing Finance Corporations (HFCs) may also be made eligible for these incentives:
1.Under Section 88 (XIV) of the Income Tax Act, subscription to approved deposit scheme of the National Housing Bank is eligible for a rebate from income tax at the rate of 20 percent along with Life Insurance Corporation’s (LICs) premium, deposits in Provident Fund, etc, within the overall limit of Rs.50,000. It is suggested that similar benefit may be extended in deposit schemes of HFCs
2.Under Section 54E of the Income Tax Act investments made in approved debentures or bonds issued by the National Housing Bank and also by HUDCO are exempt from tax on capital gains. If similar benefit is extended to the HFCs they will be able to obtain funds for investment, particularly those obtained from the sale of houses at a lower rate of interest, viz., nine percent per annum.
It may be mentioned that the above mentioned fiscal relief at serial nos. (1) and (2) are not likely to cause much extra burden on the national exchequer, since the benefit of these concessions can be claimed only within the overall ceilings prescribed under the Income Tax Act and along with other specified investments. But the aforesaid exemptions if extended to HFCs will go a long way towards improving their financial viability.
3.The National Housing Bank has been granted exemption from income tax and any other tax in respect of its income, profits or gains derived vide Section 48 of the National Housing Bank Act, 1987. HUDCO has also been enjoying total exemption from income tax since its incorporation in 1970. The exemption is granted for a period of five years at a time and is extended thereafter. Similar exemption from income tax granted to HFCs will go a long way towards strengthening their financial base.
1.Under Section 88 (XIV) of the Income Tax Act, subscription to approved deposit scheme of the National Housing Bank is eligible for a rebate from income tax at the rate of 20 percent along with Life Insurance Corporation’s (LICs) premium, deposits in Provident Fund, etc, within the overall limit of Rs.50,000. It is suggested that similar benefit may be extended in deposit schemes of HFCs
2.Under Section 54E of the Income Tax Act investments made in approved debentures or bonds issued by the National Housing Bank and also by HUDCO are exempt from tax on capital gains. If similar benefit is extended to the HFCs they will be able to obtain funds for investment, particularly those obtained from the sale of houses at a lower rate of interest, viz., nine percent per annum.
It may be mentioned that the above mentioned fiscal relief at serial nos. (1) and (2) are not likely to cause much extra burden on the national exchequer, since the benefit of these concessions can be claimed only within the overall ceilings prescribed under the Income Tax Act and along with other specified investments. But the aforesaid exemptions if extended to HFCs will go a long way towards improving their financial viability.
3.The National Housing Bank has been granted exemption from income tax and any other tax in respect of its income, profits or gains derived vide Section 48 of the National Housing Bank Act, 1987. HUDCO has also been enjoying total exemption from income tax since its incorporation in 1970. The exemption is granted for a period of five years at a time and is extended thereafter. Similar exemption from income tax granted to HFCs will go a long way towards strengthening their financial base.