Union Budget 2023-24 + FINANCE Bill, 2023

5. Combining provisional and regular registration in some cases

5.1 Taxation and Other Laws (Relaxation and Amendment of Certain Provisions) Act, 2020 amended the provisions related to application for registration by amending the first and second proviso to clause (23C) of section 10 of the Act, clause (ac) of sub-section (1) of section 12A of the Act and first and second proviso to sub-section 5 of section 80G of the Act. The amended provisions, inter-alia, provide the following:

a) New trusts or institutions under both regimes as well under section 80G regime need to apply for the provisional registration/approval at least one month prior to the commencement of the previous year relevant to the assessment year from which the said registration/approval is sought. Such provisional registration/ approval shall be valid for a period of 3 years.

b) Provisionally registered/approved trusts or institutions under both regimes and section 80G regime will again need to apply for regular registration/approval at least six months prior to expiry of period of the provisional registration/ approval or within six months of the commencement of activities, whichever is earlier. Regular registration/approval shall be valid for a period of 5 years.

c) The trusts and institutions under both regimes and section 80G regime will need to apply at least six months prior to the expiry of regular registration/approval.

5.2 It has also been brought to the notice that trusts and institutions under both the regimes are facing the following difficulties:

a) Trusts or institutions formed or incorporated during the previous year are not able to get the exemption for that year in which they are formed or incorporated since they need to apply one month before the previous year for which exemption is sought.

b) Besides trusts or institutions, where activities have already commenced, are required to apply for two registrations (provisional and regular) simultaneously.

5.3 In order to ensure rationalisation of the provisions, it is proposed to allow for direct final registration/approval in such cases. To achieve this, following amendments are proposed:

a) The trusts and institutions under the first regime shall be allowed to make application for the provisional approval only before the commencement of activities under proposed sub-clause (A) of clause (iv) of the first proviso to clause (23C) of section 10 of the Act.

b) Similarly trusts and institutions under the second regime shall be allowed to make application for the provisional registration only before the commencement of activities under proposed item (A) of sub-clause (vi) of clause (ac) of sub-section (1) of section 12A of the Act.

c) Similarly trusts and institutions under section 80G regime shall be allowed to make application for the provisional approval only before the commencement of activities under proposed sub-clause (A) of clause (iv) of the first proviso to sub-section (5) of section 80G of the Act.

d) The trusts and institutions under first regime, which have already commenced their activities, shall make application for a regular approval under sub-clause (B) of clause (iv) of the first proviso to clause (23C) of section 10 of the Act.

e) The trusts and institutions under second regime, which have already commenced their activities, shall make application for a regular registration under item (B) of sub-clause (vi) of clause (ac) of sub-section (1) of section 12A of the Act.

f) The trusts and institutions under section 80G regime, which have already commenced their activities, shall make application for a regular approval under the proposed sub-clause (B) of clause (iv) of the first proviso to subsection (5) of section 80G of the Act.

g) Such application shall be examined by the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner as per the procedure provided under clause (ii) of the second proviso to clause (23C) of section 10 of the Act for the trusts and institutions under the first regime, under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 12AB of the Act for the trusts and institutions under the second regime and under clause (ii) of the second proviso to sub-section (5) of section 80G of the Act.

h) Where the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner is satisfied about the objects and genuineness of the activities and compliance of other requirements provided in law, registration or approval in such cases shall be granted for 5 years.

i) The Principal Commissioner or the Commissioner shall pass and order granting or rejecting such applications within 6 months calculated from the end of the month in which such application was received.

5.4 These amendments will take effect from 1st October, 2023.

[clauses 5, 8, 9 & 40]

 

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Full Text:

Union Budget 2023-24 + FINANCE Bill, 2023

Combining provisional and regular registration allows direct regular approval for active trusts, streamlining application and approval processes. Amendments permit trusts and institutions that have already commenced activities to seek direct regular approval instead of provisional registration; such applications are to be examined by the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner under applicable procedures, and registration may be granted for a multi year term if the authority is satisfied about objects, genuineness and statutory compliance, with the authority required to pass an order granting or rejecting the application within the prescribed decision period from receipt.