(Last Updated On: February 10, 2017)

Increase in deduction for provision for bad and doubtful debts

The existing provisions of sub-clause (a) of section 36(1)(viia) of the Act, inter-alia provides that a scheduled bank (not being a bank incorporated by or under the laws of a country outside India) or a non-scheduled bank or a co-operative bank other than a primary agricultural credit society or a primary co-operative agricultural and rural development bank, can claim deduction in respect of provision for bad and doubtful debts. The amount of such deduction is limited to seven and one-half per cent. of the total income (computed before making any deduction under that clause and Chapter VIA) and an amount not exceeding ten per cent of the aggregate average advances made by the rural branches of such bank computed in the prescribed manner at the end of the previous year.

In order to strengthen the financial position of the entities specified in the sub-clause (a) of section 36(1) (viia) of the Act, Finance Bill 2017 proposed to amend the said sub-clause to enhance the present limit from seven and one-half per cent. to eight and one-half per cent of the amount of the total income (computed before making any deduction under that clause and Chapter VIA).

This amendment will take effect from 1st April, 2018 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2018-19 and subsequent years.

[Clause 14]

Extract of Clause 14 of Finance Bill 2017

Amendment of section 36.

14. In section 36 of the Income-tax Act, in sub-section (1), in clause (viia), in sub-clause (a), for the words “seven and one-half per cent.”, the words “eight and one-half per cent.” shall be substituted with effect from the 1st day of April, 2018.