The Price range has prolonged tax advantages to sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) and pension funds investing in infrastructure belongings by 5 years, whereas offering exemptions on beneficial properties from unlisted debt securities held for over 24 months, no matter their short-term classification.
Tax exemptions on earnings earned by means of dividend, curiosity and long-term capital beneficial properties arising from such investments will qualify for exemption as much as March 31, 2030. Such an exemption was launched in 2020 for 3 years and prolonged final yr until March 31, 2025.
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“It will present the steadiness and timeframe essential for international traders to make substantial contribution to India’s infrastructure improvement,” the Price range memorandum stated.
“The tax exemption is not going to be impacted on account of reclassification of beneficial properties from sale of unlisted bonds and debentures as quick time period capital beneficial properties. This meets a key trade demand and can give a fill as much as international investments within the infrastructure sector,” stated Rajesh Gandhi, Accomplice, Deloitte India.
In line with Vinita Krishnan, Govt Director, Khaitan & Co, the scope of the harmonised checklist of infrastructure might be expanded to incorporate sure shipbuilding actions, indicating attainable earnings tax exemptions as notified sectors for SWF exemption typically align with the harmonised checklist.
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The market in India for SWFs and pension funds continues to be at a nascent stage and there’s a lot of scope for additional investments into India, stated specialists.
International sovereign wealth funds elevated direct investments in India at $6.71 billion in 2022 versus $3.79 billion in 2021, in line with the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute. In 2023, UAE and Saudi Arabia declared their intent to speculate $75 billion and $100 billion, respectively in India.