Tonnage tax disqualification: companies face a ten-year bar on re-entry after opting out, default, or formal exclusion.
Clause 231(12) bars a qualifying company from opting for the tonnage tax scheme for ten years where the company: voluntarily opts out; defaults in complying with the specified compliance provisions; or has its option excluded by a formal exclusion order, with the disqualification period measured from the date of the triggering event.

Tonnage tax renewal requires timely application and procedural parity with initial grant, subject to eligibility and potential ineligibility period.
Clause 231(10) requires renewal of an approved tonnage tax option within one year from the end of the tax year in which the prior option ceases, with renewal discretionary and subject to approval or refusal by the competent authority. Clause 231(11) imports sub sections (1) to (10) to apply equally to renewals, ensuring procedural parity-application format, eligibility checks, opportunity of being heard, timelines and cessation consequences-but leaves unresolved whether benefits continue during pendency or whether delayed applications may be condoned.

Tonnage tax lock in establishes a multi year tenure and automatic cessation for qualification loss or compliance defaults.
Clause 231(8)-(9) provides that an approved tonnage tax option remains in force for ten years from the tax year of exercise, and ceases from the tax year in which the company ceases to qualify, defaults on compliance under section 232(1)-(20), is excluded under the exclusion provision, or voluntarily declares in writing to the Assessing Officer that the part will not apply; on cessation, shipping profits are computed under the general provisions of the Act.

Tonnage tax opting procedure ensures time-bound approval and procedural fairness under the updated legislative framework.
A qualifying company must apply in the prescribed form to the Joint Commissioner within the statutory window; the Commissioner may call for documents, must afford an opportunity of being heard before refusing, and must communicate a written order within a set time measured from the end of the processing quarter. On approval, the tonnage tax regime applies from the tax year in which the option is exercised, with transitional provisions for IFSC units and further clauses governing duration, cessation, renewal and a bar on re-entry.