Gratuity has various implications at the time of planning CTC, accruing the estimated cost incurred for the year (actuarial valuation), funding ( setting aside funds for the ultimate payment at the time of exit) and the actual payout at the time of exit. While doing all this, organisations to follow the process specified by Gratuity Act, consider the beneficial tax treatment for contribution to Gratuity Fund under Income tax Act and accrue the cost as prescribed by Accounting Standards.
· Labour Law Compliance: Compulsory under Gratuity Act to the extent of specified cap. Employment contractual terms may specify over and above law, then it is to be honoured
· Approval of the
Gratuity Trust to be eligible for tax deduction : Income tax Act
· Contribution made by sponsor to Trust eligible as expenditure: Income tax Act
· Eligible investments
by Trust, Subscribing to Gratuity Fund /Insurance Scheme
· Tax Compliance for
Gratuity Trust: Accounts, IT Return, other compliance : Trust Act
· Accounting Standard –
AS 15/IND AS 19 - Accounting for Employee Benefits
· Payroll :DS deduction on Gratuity
Payment to employees if not falling under exemption
GRATUITY AS A DEFINED RETIRAL BENEFIT
In India, due to the
enactment of Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (the Gratuity Act), it has become a
statutory liability to be paid by all organisations covered under the Gratuity
Act.
The Gratuity Act,
inter alia, specifies:
(i) “Employees”
eligible for receiving Gratuity
(ii) the method for
computing the gratuity amount
(iii) the time when
gratuity becomes payable
(iv) the maximum
amount which is protected under the Act
The new labour code 2020 has similar provisions on Gratuity except the definition of wage goes beyond Basic and Dearness allowance.
GRATUITY FUNDING
The Gratuity Act
further states the manner in which the gratuity liability of an organisation
should be provided for. Under section 4A of the Gratuity Act, the following
methods have been prescribed:
(i) Obtain a Gratuity
Insurance from Life Insurance Corporation of India or other approved insurer
[Sec. 4A(1)]
(ii) Establish an
Approved Gratuity Fund and contribute periodically [Sec. 4A(2)]
Section 4A has only
been notified only in few states and remains un-notified for rest of India. It
is, therefore, clarified that an organisation may opt for neither purchasing a
Gratuity Insurance nor establishing an Approved Gratuity Fund. It may simply
create Provision for Gratuity in its books of accounts. However, this does not
affect the employer’s liability to pay Gratuity when it becomes payable.
Considering Gratuity Act and Income Tax the following scenarios arise :
Option 1: Insurance : Purchase a Gratuity Insurance from LIC or other approved
insurer.
Option 2: Fund : Establish a gratuity fund, get it approved under
provisions of Income Tax Act and contribute to it on a periodic basis. This
fund invests the contribution in accordance with the conditions laid down in
the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Option 3: Accrue : Neither opt for Gratuity Insurance nor establish Approved
Fund. Simply create a Provision for Gratuity in its books of accounts and pay as when payout requirement arises
Analysis of Option 2:
Establish a Gratuity Trust and get approval.
Section 2(5) of the
Income Tax Act, 1961 defines an approved gratuity fund as a gratuity fund which
has been and continues to be approved by the Principal Chief Commissioner or
Chief Commissioner or Principal Commissioner or Commissioner in accordance with
the rules contained in Part C of the Fourth Schedule.
Under this option, ABC
Ltd. (the Employer) is required to:
1. Establish “ABC Ltd.
Employee Gratuity Fund Trust (the Trust)”exclusively for meeting the Gratuity
liability of its employees by executing a duly registered Trust Deed. The Trust
should be an irrevocable trust.
2. Appoint atleast two
Trustees. A Company can be appointed as a Trustee only on approval of Chief
Commissioner or Commissioner.
3. Make all employees
member/beneficiary of the Trust. Not less than 90% of the employees should be
employed in India. A director may be admitted as a member/beneficiary of the
Trust only if he is a Whole Time Director or Managing Director and does not
hold shares in the Company carrying more than 5% of the total voting power.
4. Make an application
to the Income Tax Authority appointed for granting approval. The form for application
is specified in Rule 109 of Part C of Fourth Schedule to Income Tax Act, 1961.
This application has to be made in the name of the Trust.
5. Start contributing
to the Trust once approval has been granted in writing.
6. In case the
approval has been refused, an appeal may be made to CBDT in Form 44.
An approved gratuity
fund has been accorded a separate legal entity under the Income Tax Act. This
would imply that:
1. The trust must have
its own PAN card.
2. The trust must have
a separate bank account preferably with a scheduled bank (See rule 101 of
Income Tax Rules, 1962).
3. The trust must
maintain its own books of accounts (see rule 109(1)(c) of Income Tax Rules,
1962).
Since an approved
gratuity fund is a private discretionary trust, it would be assessable as an
AOP for Income Tax purpose – Clause (iv) of first proviso to section 164(1).
Taxability of
Transaction 1:
·
In hands of ABC Ltd. –
This is a contribution by an employer to an Approved Gratuity Fund for
exclusive benefit of its employees and is an allowable deduction u/s 36(1)(v)
of Income Tax Act, 1961.
·
In hands of ABC Ltd.
Employee Gratuity Fund Trust – The contribution by employer must be received by
the trustees on behalf the Trust in a separate bank account. This is a capital
receipt in the hands of the Trust and not liable to tax. For the sake of
argument, even if it held as revenue in nature, this income will be exempt from
tax u/s 10(25)(iv).
Taxability of
Transaction 2:
As per Rule 101 of
Income Tax Rules, 1962, the trustees have the following options:
(i) Keep the
contribution in the bank account opened with Scheduled Bank.
(ii) Invests the
contribution on behalf of the Trust in LIC Group Gratuity Scheme
(iii) Invest the
contribution in manner specified under Rule 67(2) of Income Tax Rules.
No taxability arises
in any of the above-mentioned investments.
Taxability of
Transaction 3:
The funds invested
with LIC or other securities mentioned in rule 67(2) fetch returns in the form
of dividend, interest, appreciation in NAV etc.
This income will again
be exempt in the hands of the Trust u/s 10(25)(iv).
Terms of Gratuity Trust
1. It must be set up as an irrevocable trust
2. It must be set up for providing gratuity benefits to the employees trust to act as a separate legal entity.
3. Employer can appoint trustees for monitoring and administration of the fund
Process for Gratuity Trust
The Board has to pass
a board resolution to create a Gratuity Trust and Appoint at-least 2 trustees
as per rules of Income Tax Rules, 1962. An Authorization Letter may be issued
by the Management for Formation of An Approved & Registered Gratuity Trust
to the Gratuity Trust Fund Consultant to outsource the process of setting up
the An Approved and Registered Gratuity Trust.
Once the Board Resolution is passed and 2 trustees are appointed by the Management of the company then the process continue with the following steps: –
- Gratuity Trust Deed
and Trust Rules executed and Registered with the Sub Registrar of the
Jurisdiction of the Company.
- Once the Trust is registered then Trustees apply for
PAN and TAN of the Gratuity Trust.
- After getting
the PAN and TAN of the Registered Gratuity Trust then an Bank Account
is opened in a Scheduled Bank as mentioned in Rules of the Income Tax Rules,
1962.
- Once the Bank Account
of the Registered Gratuity Trust is Formed then Company pay the Initial
Contribution into the Bank Account .
· On receipt of Initial Contribution from the Company in the Registered Gratuity Trust, Trustees decides to Invest this amount into a Group Gratuity Scheme of Insurer (LIC, SBI, KOTAK, HDFC, etc.) or they invest the money as per rules of Income Tax Rules, 1962.
· Once the Investment is done then trustees of the registered Gratuity Trust apply for Approval of Gratuity Trust in Terms of Part C of Fourth Schedule of the Income Tax Act, 1961 with following documents: –
- Board Resolution of Management/Company
- Registered Gratuity Trust Deed and Trust Rules
- PAN and TAN of Trust Deed
- Bank Account Details of Gratuity Trust
- Premium Receipt of Investment made by the Trustees into Group Gratuity Scheme of Insurer (LIC etc.) or Investment Portfolio of Investment as per rules of Income Tax Rules, 1962.
- Application to CIT for Approval and other relevant documents.
Approval for the
Gratuity Trust becomes void, if Approval is not received from the Income Tax Department (CIT) in following cases:
·
Variation is made in
Original Trust Deed.
·
Variation is made in
Original Trust Rules.
·
Appointment of New
Trustees.
· Variation in Original
Benefits of Gratuity given by the Company in Trust Rules (i.e. Change in
Ceiling Limit, Change in Vesting Condition for Gratuity Benefits etc.)
·
Changes in Insurer of
Group Gratuity Scheme.
·
Merger & De-merger
of Company
·
Winding up of Group
Gratuity Scheme.
Actuarial Report under Gratuity Plan from
Actuary is needed by the Company at the end of each Financial Year for
compliance AS 15 (Revised 2005) & Ind AS 19 and assessment of Annual
Contribution to be made by the Company into the Approved Gratuity Trust for
getting tax benefits available under Section 36 (1) (v).
A Gratuity Fund is created with the sole purpose of providing for an employer’s gratuity liability towards its employees. It can have no additional purpose. This is a primary condition which the Commissioner of Income Tax would check before giving approval to the Gratuity Fund [Rule 3(b) of part C of Schedule IV to Income Tax Act, 1961].
As per interpretation of relevant sections and circulars, an Approved Gratuity Fund would not be liable to file Return of Income. The basis of this opinion is given below:
(a) Section 139(1) reads as under
“Every person,—
(a) being a company or a firm; or
(b) being a person other than a company or a firm, if his total income or the total income of any other person in respect of which he is assessable under this Act during the previous year exceeded the maximum amount which is not chargeable to income-tax,
shall, on or before the due date, furnish a return of his income or the income of such other person during the previous year, in the prescribed form and verified in the prescribed manner and setting forth such other particulars as may be prescribed.”
Since entire income of an Approved Gratuity Fund is exempted from tax u/s 10(25)(iv), total income does not exceed the maximum amount not chargeable to tax. Hence, there is no liability to file a Return of Income.
CBDT has notified list of TDS Exempt entities (funds or authorities or Boards or bodies, by whatever name called) which are eligible for unconditional tax exemption u/s 10 as well as ITR filing exemption u/s 139, in view of the fact that income of these entities is anyway exempt under the IT Act, which inter alia include:
(xi) Provident fund to which the Provident Funds Act, 1925 (19 of 1925) referred to in sub-clause (i), recognized 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);
(xvii) New Pension System Trust referred to in clause (44).
Hence it is opined that an Approved Gratuity Fund enjoys unconditional tax exemption and hence not liable to file Return of Income.
Clarifications of
delay in Approved Gratuity Fund /Payment not routing through Fund
1. Commissioner has
the power to accord approval to Gratuity Fund with retrospective effect from
the date from which the Fund satisfied the requirements of rule 3 of Part C of
the Fourth Schedule. – Clarification 3 in Circular No. 14 [F. No.
19/4/69-IT(A-II)], dated 23-4-1969.
2. Where an assessee
company has made payment directly to Life Insurance Corporation of Indian
towards premium for Group Gratuity Scheme held in the name of Approved Gratuity
Fund instead of first contributing to Approved Gratuity Fund and Approved
Gratuity Fund making the payment of premium, deduction u/s 36(1)(v) will be
allowable – CIT vs. Textool Co. Ltd. [2013] 35 taxmann.com 639 (Supreme Court)
3. Where an assessee
had filed application to competent authority for approval of a Gratuity Scheme
and had duly complied with conditions laid down for approval, Assessing Officer
cannot disallow assessee’s claim for deduction under section 36(1)(v) merely
because the application for approval was pending before the Commissioner. The
Commissioner should have either rejected or approved the Gratuity Scheme – CIT
vs Jaipur Thar Gramin Bank [2017] 81 taxmann.com 126 (Rajasthan)
4. Payment on a date
after the creation of Trust but prior to date of approval of Gratuity Fund will
be allowed as deduction u/s 36(1)(v). An approval for a fund which is already
set up is in the nature of post facto approval and it relates
back to the date on which it is set up in accordance with the scheme of the law
– Prakash Software Solution (P.) Ltd. v. Income-tax Officer [2018] 89
taxmann.com 130 (Ahmedabad – Trib.)
Various sections related
to Gratuity under the Income Tax Act, 1961:
1. Section 40A(7)
(a) Subject to the
provisions of clause (b), no deduction shall be allowed in respect of any
provision (whether called as such or by any other name) made by the assessee
for the payment of gratuity to his employees on their retirement or on
termination of their employment for any reason.
(b) Nothing
in clause (a) shall apply in relation to any provision made by the assessee for
the purpose of payment of a sum by way of any contribution towards an approved
gratuity fund, or for the purpose of payment of any gratuity, that has become
payable during the previous year.
Comment: This section will apply to those assessee who opt for
option 1 or option 3 i.e. do not have an approved gratuity fund. An assessee
will not get deduction for provision made for gratuity unless it is for
contribution to Approved Gratuity Fund or unless the Provision is for Gratuity
that has become payable to employees during the year. Therefore, if an assessee
creates a mere Provision for Gratuity that is not for contribution towards
Approved Gratuity Fund or not for Gratuity that has actually become payable, no
deduction will be available irrespective of the fact that Provision has been
made on the basis of Actuarial Valuation Report – Circular No. 169, dated 23-6-1975
- Section 40(a)(iv)
Contribution to
Approved Gratuity Fund allowable as deduction u/s 36(1)(v) would not be allowed
if the Employer has not made necessary arrangements for deduction of TDS from
the Gratuity payable from the Approved Gratuity Fund.
- Section 40A(9)
No deduction shall be
allowed in respect of any sum paid by the assessee as an employer towards the
setting up or formation of, or as contribution to, any fund, trust, company,
association of persons, body of individuals, society registered under the
Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860), or other institution for any
purpose, except where such sum is so paid, for the purposes and to the extent
provided by or under clause (iv) or clause (iva) or clause (v) of sub-section
(1) of section 36, or as
required by or under any other law for the time being in force.
Comment: Suppose assessee
pays –
·
Rs. 1,00,000 to a CA
who helped in drafting of Gratuity Trust Deed.
·
Rs. 50,000 to
sub-registrar to register the Trust Deed under The Registration Act, 1908.
·
Rs. 50,000 to a LIC
consultant who helped in obtaining Group Gratuity Scheme.
·
Assessee can claim a
deduction of Rs. 2,00,000 u/s 37 of Income Tax Act, 1961. However, in case the
amount is spent towards setting up of a fund or trust other than an approved
gratuity fund, approved provident fund or approved superannuation fund, the
amount of Rs. 2,00,000 will be disallowed u/s 40A(9).
- Section 43B(b) :
Time limit for payment of contribution
The assessee must make the contribution to Approved Gratuity
Fund on of before the due date of furnishing the return in order to claim
deduction u/s 36(1)(v) else it will be disallowed u/s 43B.
Accounting Treatment
as per AS 15 and Ind AS 19
Gratuity is a defined
benefit plan under AS 15 and Ind AS 19. Treatment under both standards is that
of defined benefit scheme involving disclosure on
·
Actuarial valuation of
Defined benefit obligation
·
Planned Asset movement
·
IND AS 19 additionally
involves disclosure of “Remeasurement gain/loss”
in other comprehensive income instead of clubbing it with P&L charge.
The following summary may be noted in respect of such Gratuity Fund
- IT Act specifies Gratuity fund on;y, but such fund is generally established in the form of a trust. A few employees become the trustees of such fund.
- The contributions made towards the Gratuity fund generally depends on the Actuarial Valuation. However, an employer may approach a life insurer in order to purchase a group gratuity plan. The Gratuity trust can invest its funds by making a contribution under a Group Gratuity Scheme of an insurer. Thus, the employer has to pay annual contributions to the insurance company as decided by the insurance company. The gratuity will be paid by the insurance company to Trust and Trust will pay to respective employee.
- Approved Gratuity Funds : Section 2(5) of the Act defines an ‘approved gratuity fund’ as ‘a gratuity fund which has been and continues to be approved by the Chief Commissioner or Commissioner in accordance with the rules contained in Part C of the Fourth Schedule’. In order to get the approval of the chief commissioner or commissioner, an application needs to be made under Rule 109, including prescribed particulars regarding the employer, nature of business of the employer, employees eligible to participate in the fund and verified in the prescribed manner.
- If your gratuity fund registered u/s under rule 2 (1) part 'c' of part 'C' Schedule of It act than ---- Income of an approved gratuity fund is exempt under Section 10(25)(iv).
- Further it should maintain books of account and audited annually, IT return of gratuity fund may be treated as exempt as per interpretation/expert opinion or if not treated as exempt them it will be filled in ITR -7.
Creation of Gratuity Trust by company vide a trust deed
Amendments to Trust deed based on observations of Income tax Department
Gratuity Trust Rules & Regulations
Taxation of Gratuity Trust as an Assessee
Status of Approved Gratuity Fund
A Separate PAN number is required to file income tax return of approved gratuity fund. In the application, it has to be mentioned as trust which amounts to body of individuals under Income Tax Act.
To conclude in eyes of Income Tax, approved gratuity fund is Body of Individuals.
What will be the treatment of Income Earned under Income Tax Act 1961?
Section 10(25) (iv) of Income Tax Act says any income received on behalf of the approved gratuity fund is exempt from tax. But again there is some confusion whether income received by trustee is only exempt? Or income such as interest accrued on gratuity funds is also exempt?
In our opinion, any income earned by approved gratuity fund is exempt under Income Tax Act, as the gratuity fund is represented by trustees. The same thing is there in definition of representational assesse. Below is the extract of the definition of representational assesse
For the purposes of this Act, “representative assessee” means in respect of income which a trustee appointed under a trust declared by a duly executed instrument in writing whether testamentary or otherwise [including any wakf deed which is valid under the Mussalman Wakf Validating Act, 1913 (6 of 1913),] receives or is entitled to receive on behalf or for the benefit of any person, such trustee or trustees
Point to be noted: Every representative assessee shall be deemed to be an assessee for the purposes of this Act
To conclude: Whether income is accrued in gratuity fund or received by trustee, such income is exempt from tax
How to File the Income Tax Return of Approved Gratuity Fund?
Even though income is exempt from tax, the details of such income have to be shown in relevant ITR and then exemption under section 10 should be claimed.
Group Gratuity Scheme from Insurance company
Life Insurance Corporation of India offers its Group Gratuity Cash Accumulation scheme to enable employers to meet their gratuity liability in a very simple and efficient manner. The scheme is formulated in compliance with Part C of the IV schedule of Income Tax Act and tax benefits are available as provided in Income Tax rules
Life Insurance Corporation of India offers its Group Gratuity Cash Accumulation scheme to enable employers to meet their gratuity liability in a very simple and efficient manner. The scheme is formulated in compliance with Part C of the IV schedule of Income Tax Act and tax benefits are available as provided in Income Tax rules
The gratuity arrangement with LIC provides the following services to the company
- Fund management under interest accumulation system
- Claim settlement on exit as per company rules/gratuity act
- Built in Insurance arrangement for the employees for future service
- MIS related to Income Tax and trusts accounts and Actuarial valuation
Fund management: Critical issues
Safety:
Liability on account of gratuity experiences sharp increase every year due to its nature of its computation. Apart from increase in service, increase in salary also contributes to increase in liability substantially as the benefits are payable on last drawn salary. Hence funds have to be invested in a conservative way with a consistent growth and insulated from market risks
The unique advantage with LIC is the contributions made by the company and interests credited by LIC are irreversible. This ensures highest level of safety for the total corpus and consistency in future contributions. As the gratuity payments are statutory and LIC gratuity scheme being the only investment tool which enjoys sovereign guarantee, gives a greater comfort to employer.
Liquidity: Funds available with LIC is a single account for investment and claim settlement. Hence 100% liquidity is ensured for the purpose of claim settlement
Yield: LIC has been offering very competitive and consistent interest rates over the years. For the year 2009-10, LIC has offered 9.00% - 9.65% depending on fund size. The interest declared is net of administrative expenses incurred, hence no separate charges are charged after crediting the interest.
Interest rate offered by LIC is on daily balancing method. Hence, there is no idle time for earning interest, hence effective rate of interest is much higher. Another significant aspect is interest gets compounded annually, hence no reinvestment issues and no time lags.
No responsibility on trustees on Investment decisions: Trustees are free from all investment risks and hassles in cash accumulation system. Advantage of ‘real outsourcing’ can be derived by associating with LIC
No hidden charges: The scheme is focused on a long term association in compliance with investment regulations and statutory payment obligations and no charges are levied on the transactions for which the fund is meant for.
Funding can also be in a staggered pattern during the year, but no charges at entry level for any number of payments. No charges on withdrawals for resignation or retirement or death. Total corpus comprising of money contributed by the company and interest credited by LIC is available for claim settlement up to 100% subject to availability of funds.
Actuarial recommendations: On annual basis, LIC provides this information to the trustees and recommends the level of contributions.
Claim settlement: On the exit of an employee due to retirement / death/ resignation, trust may prefer a claim from LIC by sending a claim form. Claim amount will be made available to trustees. Trustees can have the following options
- Preferring a claim from LIC and paying to employee
- Paying the money to employees and seek reimbursement
- Paying claims to employees at their end and seeking annual reimbursement
MIS: LIC provides statement of receipts and payments and actuarial valuation certificate and certificate of balance for the trust account.
Besides the above said advantages, the scheme also provides for employee welfare measures with built in insurance cover.
- Insurance cover for future service gratuity
Another salient feature of the Gratuity Scheme with LIC is that it provides for insurance coverage to the employees to the tune of future service gratuity subject to certain limits. The insurance cover can be flexible depending on the requirements of the Trust. The Group Insurance premium will be commensurate to the cover provided.
- Income Tax Benefit on Insurance Premium
The insurance premium paid towards the above said benefits is treated as deductible business expenses to the company.The premium is not treated as perks in the hands of the employees
ICICI Prudential Group Gratuity Plan
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance offers a unit-linke d group gratuity plan that helps you to fund the statutory gratuity obligation in a scientific manner and also avail of the tax benefits as applicable to approved gratuity funds.
What is the gratuity benefit payable?
The employer can provide gratuity benefits as per the rules of the schemes framed with reference to the Gratuity Act or on better terms as decided by the company. The benefit payable will be the accrued gratuity amount for the employee and the bundled life cover (in case of death)
Bundled life cover
Our plan provides greater value to your employees by packaging gratuity with life insurance. This cover can be extended in any of the following ways:
• as a flat/graded cover which can be a minimum of Rs. 1000 per employee, or,
• on the basis of Anticipated Gratuity which is the amount paid over and above the Accrued Gratuity of an employee in the event of his premature death before retirement age, for the balance years of his service.
The premiums for the bundled life cover are payable annually in advance. The same is stated explicitly over and above the gratuity contributions payable.
How would contributions be made?
The contributions made towards the Gratuity liability will depend on the Actuarial Valuation.
You can estimate your gratuity liability based on an actuarial valuation provided by a qualified actuary by way of an AS-15 Certification.
For a newly set up gratuity trust, the Past Service Gratuity Liability payment can be made over a period of five years. The annual contributions can be made in annually/ quarterly/monthly installments.
Product Offering
ICICI Prudential offers a market linked plan that offers higher flexibility and transparency than any other traditional or self-administered fund. We offer multiple fund options under the Group Gratuity Plan to meet your diverse financial goals. The investments will be made in accordance with the fund objectives.
Fund Option
|
Asset Allocation
|
Objective
|
Group Short Term
Debt Fund
|
100%: Debt securities,
Money market Instruments
& Cash (including Debt
Schemes of Mutual Fund)
|
To provide suitable returns through low risk investments in debt and money market instruments with an underlying objective to attempt to protect the capital deployed in the fund.
|
Group Debt Fund
|
100%: Debt securities,
Money market Instruments
& Cash (including Debt
Schemes of Mutual Fund)
|
To provide accumulation of income through investment in various fixed income securities. The Plan seeks to provide capital appreciation while maintaining suitable balance between return, safety and liquidity.
|
Group Balanced Fund
|
Minimum 80%: For Debt securities, Money market Instruments & Cash (including Debt Schemes of Mutual Fund)
Maximum 20%: For Equity
and equity related
securities
|
Balanced Plan is aimed at
generating a healthy mix of longterm capital appreciation along with current income. The strategy is to invest in equity as well as fixed income instruments in optimum proportions as derived from the analysis of prevalent market conditions from time to time.
|
Group Growth Fund
|
Maximum 60%: For Equity
& Equity related securities
Minimum 40%: For Debt securities, Money market Instruments & Cash (including Debt Schemes of Mutual Fund)
|
To primarily generate long-term capital appreciation through investment in equity and equity related securities and complement it with current income through investment in fixed income instruments in appropriate proportions depending on market conditions prevalent from time to time.
|
Benefits of our Market Linked Plan
Flexibility
Multiple Investment Options – Choice of multiple funds with a flexible investment pattern
Switching Option - While you have chosen a fund option, you have the flexibility of switching between our various funds at any time. Switching between the various funds is allowed depending upon your requirements. We allow unlimited switches free of cost every year.
Contribution Redirection – The contributions can be redirected for investments into a fund of your choice and need not adhere to the initial investment pattern.
Transparency
Portfolio Disclosure – Quarterly disclosure of the funds, enables you to achieve better fund management.
NAV* declaration- NAVs declared daily, enabling you to track the performance of the fund chosen by you.
*NAV =(Market / Fair value of scheme’s investments+ Current Assets – Current Liabilities
& Provisions)
No. Of units Outstanding under the relevant plan
Unit Pricing- The contribution received in respect of the client is converted into number of units based on the Net Asset Value (NAV) per unit at that point of time.
Explicit charge structure – The charges for our Group Gratuity plan are categorized into the following
ƒ Annual Recurring Charges - ICICI Prudential Life Insurance shall charge fund management fee for assets under fund management. This fee will be based on the size of the fund and type of investment option chosen.
ƒ Exit Load – In the event a company wants to surrender / exit their gratuity fund with ICICI Prudential; an exit charge would apply based on the year of exit. These charges will not be applicable if he Policy is in existence for more than 3 years.
Services
• Dedicated account manager
• Settle Claims and payouts within specified turn around times
• Assistance in setting up of a new trust and transfer of existing schemes.
• Legal & Taxation helpdesk for your gratuity fund
• Financial planning for your employees
What happens when employees join or leave the scheme?
• All new joinees become a part of the group, if they meet the eligibility criteria. The life cover starts from the date of joining the company.
• The particulars of the new joinees may be submitted by the Employer on a monthly basis. The term premiums are payable annually in advance (on a pro-rata basis) and the annual contribution can be paid in the specified installments.
• In case of an individual leaving service or the group, life cover will cease immediately. The proportionate premium will be refunded for the employees leaving the scheme. The gratuity accrued will be paid to the employee if eligible.
• For all death claims the life cover along with the accrued gratuity will be payable to the beneficiary.
Taxation Implications*
¾ Under Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, on completion of 5 years of service, for every completed year of service or part thereof in excess of 6 months, the employer shall normally pay gratuity to an employee at the rate of15 days’ wages based on the rate of wages last drawn by the employee concerned.
¾ Employer may make an Initial Contribution in respect of past service
¾ Past service liability if funded by payment of single or in installments not exceeding FIVE, then the whole of contribution will be eligible for tax relief in the year of payment
¾ Contribution paid to the trust fund by an employer is treated as an business expenses. (Sec 36 (1)(v))
¾ Amount allowed as deduction shall not exceed 8.33% of the salary (Generally Basic Plus D.A.).
¾ Under Sec 40 A (7) no deduction shall be allowed in respect of any provision made by the employer for the payment of gratuity to his employees on retirement or termination of their employment. Deduction in computing the income of the assessee for any assessment year is available only on actual contribution of the liability to an approved gratuity fund
¾ For the Gratuity fund to be approved by the Income Tax Commissioner it is necessary to set up an irrevocable Trust
¾ The Gratuity trust can invest its funds by making a contribution under a Group Gratuity Scheme of an insurer.
¾ The income of an approved gratuity fund is exempt under Section 10(25) (iv)
¾ Gratuity payable to an employee is taxed as part of the employee’s salary income under Section 17 (i) (iii). However, Gratuity is tax free up to half months (15/26) average salary (of last 10 months) for each year of service, subject to a maximum of Rs. 3, 50,000 under Section 10(10)
¾ All claims paid out from bundled life cover are eligible for tax deductions under Section
10(10)D
The contribution to gratuity fund is usually based on actuarial valuation report
Actuarial Valuation Report for AS 15 - Accounting for Retirement Benefits
Rule 101 of the Income-tax Rules,1962
Monies contributed to approved gratuity funds are required to be deposited in a Post Office Savings Bank Account or a current account with any scheduled bank, or are required to be utilised for the purpose of making contributions under Group Gratuity Scheme entered into with the Life Insurance Corporation of India. To the extent such monies are not so deposited or utilised, they are required to be invested in the modes of investment specified in rule 67(2) of the Income-tax Rules, 1962.
INVESTMENT PATTERN ALLOWED under Rule 67
AMENDMENT
IN RULE 67 NOTIFICATION NO. 24/2009, DATED 12-3-2009
The tax-free status would allow more of
retirement savings to flow into shares The Central Board of Direct Taxes
(CBDT), the apex direct taxes body has now issued a notification, aligning the
investment pattern prescribed in its rules with the new one given out by the
Department of Economic Affairs, to allow these funds’ equity investments
tax-free status. The DEA, under the finance ministry had announced the new
investment formula for these funds in August, 2008, permitting them to invest
up to 15% of their corpus in the stock market instead of the earlier 5%. The
new investment pattern comes into effect from April 1, 2009. Therefore,
aligning the CBDT investment pattern with the one prescribed by DEA was very
crucial for these entities to retain their tax-free status.
Income-tax
rule 67 prescribes an investment pattern for private provident funds and
superannuation funds which is to be followed mandatorily to avail tax benefits.
Income earned on investments not in line with the pattern prescribed by tax
body face tax.
As
per the new patter, equity investments can made in shares of companies on which
derivatives are available in BSE/NSE.
The
funds would also be able to channelise up to 55% of their funds in central and
state government securities and units of mutual funds investing in such
securities. The new pattern also allows these entities to park their funds to
the tune of 40% in debt securities with maturity of not less than three years
tenure issued by companies, banks and public financial institutions, term deposits
of scheduled commercial banks and rupee bonds having an outstanding maturity of
at least three years issued by multilateral institutions such as the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance
Corporation and the Asian Development Bank. Investments in money market mutual
funds has been capped at 5% of the total corpus
Gratuity Payment provisions under Gratuity Act Vs Labour code 2020
With the increasing the social security (including gratuity) components of wages under the new laws, organisations are likely to adjust pay structures and this will result in decrease the take-home salary of employees.
APPROVED GRATUITY FUNDS - Income-tax Rules, 1962
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APPROVED GRATUITY FUNDS
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Summary of Rules applicable for Gratuity Fund
1.Gratuity refers to
the gracious payments made to the employee in appreciation of the prolonged
services rendered by the employee to the employer and is normally payable at
the time of termination of employment or retirement or death of employee.
2. Gratuity
funds Gratuity fund is generally established in the form of a trust. A
few employees become the trustees of such fund. The contributions made
towards the Gratuity fund generally depends on the Actuarial Valuation.
However, an employer may approach a life insurer in order to purchase a group
gratuity plan. The Gratuity trust can invest its funds by making a contribution
under a Group Gratuity Scheme of an insurer. Thus, the employer has to
pay annual contributions to the insurance company as decided by the insurance
company. The gratuity will be paid by the insurance company based upon the
terms of the group gratuity scheme.
3. Approved
Gratuity Funds Section 2(5) of the Act defines an ‘approved gratuity
fund’ as ‘a gratuity fund which has been and continues to be approved by the
Chief Commissioner or Commissioner in accordance with the rules contained
in Part C of the Fourth Schedule’. In order to get the approval of the chief
commissioner or commissioner, an application needs to be made under Rule 109,
including prescribed particulars regarding the employer, nature of business of
the employer, employees eligible to participate in the fund and verified in the
prescribed manner. However, as per circular dated 3-11-1951 if the rules
of a gratuity fund, duly constituted under an irrevocable trust, satisfy
certain prescribed conditions (mentioned in table below), the contributions
made by the employers may be allowed as a deduction in their income-tax
assessments and the rules need not be forwarded for approval. A the
benefit of the fund shall be open to only those persons who are whole-time bona
fide employees of the employer, having no substantial shareholding interest; B
the trust money shall be invested in such trusted securities as are payable
both as regards capital and interest in India; C the gratuity shall be made
payable and shall be paid only in India; D the trustees shall be responsible
for deduction of tax from the gratuities and crediting the tax so deducted to
the Government revenue; E the contributions shall be made on a reasonable basis
acceptable to the Income-tax Department, i.e., either on actuarial basis or any
other basis having regard to the length of service of each employee concerned;
F so much of the contribution as cannot properly be treated as ordinary annual
contributions shall be treated by the Commissioner of Income-tax in the same
manner as is adopted by the Central Board of Revenue to deal with similar
contributions to an approved superannuation fund. Rule 4(1) of
Part C of the Fourth Schedule to the Income Tax Rules specifically lays down
that an application for approval of a gratuity fund shall be accompanied by two
copies of the accounts of the fund for the last three years for which such
accounts have been made up. This provision contemplates that an application for
approval may be made 3 years after the establishment of a gratuity fund.
However the board has clarified that, in order that the benefits of approval
for the intervening period may not be denied to bona fide gratuity funds, the
Commissioners may, after considering all the relevant facts of the case, accord
approval to a gratuity fund with effect from the date from which it satisfies
the conditions laid down in rule 3 of Part C of the Fourth Schedule. Hence if
the fund satisfies the conditions for approval laid down in Rule 3 than such a
fund can make an application for approval. Rule 2(2) of Part C of the
Fourth Schedule to the Income-tax Act, provides that the Commissioner shall
communicate to the trustees of a gratuity fund the grant of approval with the
date on which the approval is to take effect.
4.Appeal against the
order of chief commissioner or commissioner refusing approval An
employer, objecting to an order of the Chief Commissioner or Commissioner
refusing to accord approval to a gratuity fund or an order withdrawing such
approval may appeal, within sixty days of such order, to the Board in Form No.
44 verified in prescribed manner and accompanied with a fee of one hundred
rupees.
5. Contributions
to the Fund
Initial Contributions
When a new fund has been formed and approved, the employer may make
contribution to such fund in respect of the services rendered in the past years
by the existing employees. Such contribution however shall not exceed 81/3 per
cent of the employees’ salary for each year of his past service with the
employer.
Annual contributions
The ordinary annual contribution by the employer to a fund shall be made
on a reasonable basis as may be approved by the Chief Commissioner or
Commissioner having regard to the length of service of each employee concerned
so, however, that such contribution shall not exceed 81/3 per cent of the
salary of each employee during each year.
6. Contributions by
employer, when deemed to be income of employer. Where any contributions by an
employer (including the interest thereon, if any) are repaid to the employer,
the amount so repaid shall be deemed for the purposes of income-tax to be the
income of the employer of the previous year in which they are so repaid.
7.Winding up or
amalgamation of the fund Winding up or amalgamation of the fund with another
fund shall require the prior approval of the Chief Commissioner or
commissioner.
8.Winding up of
business of employer At the time of winding up of the business of the employer,
the employer shall make satisfactory arrangements for payment of benefits to
existing beneficiaries of the fund.
9.Variation to the
rules of the fund Rule 110 of the Income tax rules lays down that any
amendment to the rules of the fund requires the prior approval of the Chief
commissioner or commissioner.
10. Deduction of
contribution made to approved gratuity funds Under section 36(1)(v) of
the Act, any sum paid by the assessee as an employer by way of contribution
towards an approved gratuity fund created by him for the benefit of his
employees under an irrevocable trust is allowable as a deduction in the
computation of income from business/profession. However, no allowance
shall be made in respect of a payment to a provident or other fund established
for the benefit of employees unless the employer has made effective
arrangements to secure that tax shall be deducted at source from any payment
made from the fund which are taxable under the head “Salaries”.
11. Deduction of contribution made to other than approved gratuity funds
Section 40(A)(7) places a bar on deduction of any provision made for payment of
gratuity by the employer except where the same is for contribution to approved
gratuity fund or if the gratuity is payable in the previous year in which such
provision is made.
12 Income
of an approved Gratuity Fund Income of an approved gratuity fund is
exempt under Section 10(25)(iv).
13 Taxability of
gratuity in the hands of employees Gratuity payable to an employee is
taxed as part of the employee’s salary income under Section 17 (i) (iii).
However, Gratuity is tax free up to half months’ (15/26 of last drawn salary
for each year of service for employees covered by payment of gratuity Act) average
salary of last 10 months for each completed year of service, subject to a
maximum of Rs. 3, 50,000 (in both cases) under Section 10(10).
GRATUITY CEILING LIMIT
Gratuity Ceiling, upto which it is a statutory right under the Act, is Rs 20 lacs
The new wages code makes it compulsory for organisations to make sure that 50 per cent of employees’ CTC is basic pay, while the remaining 50 per cent comprises other employee allowances, including house rent, overtime, etc.Under the new wages code, the gratuity amount will be calculated on a larger salary base, which will include basic pay plus allowances such as a special allowance on wages. This is expected to increase gratuity cost of companies.
Provident Fund : EPS
Is it mandatory - how to opt out
Provident Fund : NPS
PFRDA, is the pension regulator for India and works towards its promotion and development. It is a Central autonomous body and is a quasi-government organisation and has executive, legislative and judicial powers similar to other financial sector regulators in India such as Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) and, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). PFRDA administers and regulates the National Pension System (NPS) and also administers Atal Pension Yojana.
- Regulate NPS and pension schemes to which PFRDA Act applies
- Establish, develop and regulate pension funds
- Protect the interest of pension fund subscribers
- Register and regulate intermediaries
- Approve schemes, terms and conditions, and laying down norms for management of corpus of pension funds
- Establish grievance redressal mechanism for subscribers
- Promote professional organisation connected with the pension system
- Settle disputes among intermediaries and also between intermediaries and subscribers
- Train intermediaries and educate subscribers and the general public with respect to pension, retirement savings and related issues
- Regulate the regulated assets
- Call for information, conduct inquiries, investigation and audit of intermediaries and other entities connected with pension funds
National Pension Scheme
NPS is a defined contribution pension system introduced by PFRDA whereby subscribers’ contributions are collected and accumulated in an individual pension account using various intermediaries. Under NPS, individual contributions are pooled together into a pension fund and is invested as per approved investment guidelines. Funds are generally invested in diversified portfolios consisting of government bonds, bills, corporate debentures, and shares, based on subscribers choice. Subscribers also have an option, at the time of exit, to purchase a life annuity by using accumulated pension fund. As already mentioned,, NPS is governed by PFRDA. PFRDA also established an NPS trust under Indian Trust Act, 1882 in order to manage assets and funds under NPS in the best interest of subscribers. NPS Trust is managed by a Board of Trustees appointed by PFRDA who is the settlor of the trust. Legal ownership of trust and funds is entrusted to the board of trustees. The Board consists of a Chairman and up to 5 members including the chairman, and the Board meets once in 3 calendar months. NPS Trust is responsible for executing individual pension accounts in its name with the subscriber, protecting the properties of NPS, safeguarding interest of NPS and its subscribers, approving various documents and reports including audited financials submitted by various intermediaries of NPS trust, monitoring and evaluating operations of such intermediaries, exit the subscriber from NPS etc.
Intermediaries, stakeholders of PFRDA, NPS Trust
PFRDA has appointed various intermediaries for the purpose of collection, management, recordkeeping and distribution of accumulations. Various intermediaries of PFRDA are as follows:
Pension Fund
Pension fund is one of the intermediaries which has been granted a certificate of registration by PFRDA as an authority for receiving contributions, investing them, and paying the subscribers in a specified manner. Primary functions of the pension fund are as below:
- Collection of subscribers funds (subscribers who have given their choice of investment and subscribers who have chosen auto allocation of funds) from trustee bank for the purpose of investment
- Constitute investment committee and risk management committee
- Maintain proper books of accounts for pension fund schemes
- Declaration of Scheme NAV (Net Asset Value) at the end of each working day and communicating to Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA) for unitization in subscriber’s Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN)
- Reporting operational activities to NPS trust at regular intervals
Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA)
CRA is an agency registered under PFRDA to perform functions of record-keeping, accounting, administration, and customer service to Pension scheme subscribers. National Securities Depository Limited e-governance infrastructure Ltd (CRA1) is the first CRA appointed by PFRDA and Karvy Computershare Private Limited (CRA2) is the second CRA. In case of private sector employee pension subscribers, an option is given to the employer to choose between either CRA1 or CRA2 and in case of non-employee voluntary subscribers, option to choose the CRA is with the subscribers themselves. In case of government sector subscribers and subscribers registered with Atal Pension Yojana, the respective Government will choose the CRA and in case of NPS-Lite subscribers, it is the aggregator who has to choose the CRA.
Functions of CRA
- Acts as an operational interface for all intermediaries under the CRA system and liasons with all necessary external agencies to accomplish operations and commissioning
- Issuance of PRAN and despatch of PRAN card, digitization and maintenance of the database of PRANs, and record transaction related to subscribers
- Unitization of the contribution made by subscribers to their PRAN account
- Receive instructions from subscribers and aggregate the instructions and pass it on to other intermediaries such as Trustee Bank, Annuity Service
- Providers and Pension Fund Managers
- Facilitate credit subscribers’ account and timely allocation of funds to
- Pension fund managers
- Offer various services directly to subscribers, including consolidated account statements
- Provide call centre facilities to subscribers
- Provide centralised grievance management system
- Process exit or withdrawal request of subscribers etc
Point of Presence (PoP)
PoP is another intermediary registered under PFRDA as a point of presence and has electronic connectivity with the CRA for the purposes of receiving and transmitting funds and instructions and pay out of funds.. Functions of PoP
- Facilitate registration of subscribers, verify KYC documents
- Initial contribution processing at the time of registration
- Receive and upload grievance received from subscribers and other intermediaries in the Central Grievance Management System (CGMS) of CRA, which in turn routes the grievance to respective intermediaries
- Perform due diligence in accepting subsequent contributions and remit the funds to the trustee bank
Trustee Bank
It is a bank and an intermediary responsible for the day-to-day flow of funds, and also provides banking facilities, receives NPS funds from all nodal offices, and transfers the same to intermediaries such as pension fund/annuity service provider/other intermediaries as per operational guidelines. Axis Bank has been appointed as Trustee Bank from 1 July 2015 and the appointment is valid for 5 years subject to annual review by PFRDA.. Functions of Trustee Bank
- Collect NPS funds from nodal offices received through online and physical mode
- Reconcile the amount collected from nodal offices and amount paid by subscribers
- Consolidate all contribution records and prepare Fund Receipt confirmation file
- Assist CRA in settlement process by transferring funds to CRA etc
Custodian
Custodian is responsible for the safe-keeping of securities or assets held under NPS or any other pension scheme and providing incidental services including maintaining accounts of securities or assets, undertaking activities as a Domestic Depository, collecting the benefits or rights accruing on the securities or assets, etc. Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited is the custodian appointed by PFRDA.
Aggregator
Agrregator is another intermediary registered under PFRDA to perform subscriber interface functions under NPS-Lite/Swavalamban, such as carry out changes to subscribers database as requested by subscribers, processing of subscribers contribution to NPS-Lite/Swavalamban and grievance redressal, etc.
Annuity Service Provider (ASP)
ASPs are entrusted with the task of providing annuity payments to subscribers at the time of exit/periodic annuity payment depending on the annuity contract opted by subscribers, addressing queries of potential subscribers with respect to purchase of annuities, facilitate subscriber registration for purchase of annuity, grievance redressal of subscribers who purchased annuity from it, etc.
Retirement Advisor
Retirement adviser can be any person i.e., individual, firm, company, trust, society, etc. registered under the PFRDA to provide advice on NPS or other pension schemes regulated by the authority to subscribers or other persons or group of persons.
Online Services offered by PFRDA
PFRDA is not behind in making use of digitization and making pension system operation smooth for its subscribers. PFRDA enables its subscribers to perform the following activities online:
- Opening of NPS account
- Contribution to PRAN account except NPS-Swavalamban and Atal Pension Yojana accounts
- Activate Tier-II Account i.e., voluntary savings facility which does not have restrictions on withdrawals and also no tax benefit
- Modification of personal details on the database
- Modification of investment pattern
- Change of pension fund except for government subscribers and subscribers of certain corporates
- Download statement of transaction at any time, physical copy of which is generally despatched to subscribers once in a year and soft copy periodically to registered email id
- Exit/withdrawal requests
- Lodging of complaint
- Print e-PRAN