12/02/2019
6 BENEFITS FOR REAL ESTATE SECTOR :INTERIM BUDGET-2019
Raj Kumari Sunday, February 3, 2019
In interim budget-2019 presented by Finance Minister Piyush goyal special incentive has been given to the real estate sector specially the housing sector by amending the and extending the benefits under income tax provisions.Main changes has been given as under
Tax on notional rent on unsold real estate inventory to be levied after 2 years vs. 1 year previously.
Exempted notional rent applicable on second self-occupied house.
Threshold limit for TDS on rental income increased to Rs 2.4 lakh per annum from Rs 1.8 lakh per annum previously.
Capital gains limit u/s 54, raised to Rs 2cr and will now be available for two residential houses instead of one earlier.
Deduction of profits from affordable housing project currently available for projects approved before 31 March 2019, extended to be available for projects approved till 31 March 2020 (i.e. one more year)
A Group of Ministers has been formed to discuss the measures to reduce the GST burden on home buyers.
1. No Tax on Notional Rent for Builders
Proposal :Benefit of nil tax currently available for one year in case of unsold inventory of real estate developers, extended to two years
Present :Notional income from unsold inventory for up to one year (from end of financial year in which certificate of completion of property is received) is exempt from tax
Change :Period of exemption of one year increased to two years
Impact :Incentive to real estate developers to reduce their tax cost and pass on the benefit to ultimate homebuyers
2.Exempted notional rent applicable on second self-occupied house.
Proposal :Exemption of notional income from self occupied house property increased for up to two properties
Present :Notional income from any one self-occupied house property is exempt from tax Tax deduction upto Rs 200,000 is available in respect of interest paid on loan borrowed for such property
Change :Limit of one self-occupied property increased to two properties Aggregate limit of tax deduction for interest paid, however, remains unchanged
Impact :Likely to benefit middle class families who have to maintain families at two locations on account of job, children, care of parents, etc.
3.Change in TDS limit for Rent
Present :No liability to deduct tax at source on rent paid upto Rs.180,000 annually
Change :Limit of Rs.180,000 increased to Rs.240,000
Impact: Likely to reduce compliance and benefit small taxpayers
4.Capital gains limit u/s 54, raised to Rs 2cr and will now be available for two residential houses instead of one earlier. (read Change in Section 54 here )
5.Deduction of profits from affordable housing project
Present :Deduction is available in respect of profits derived from developing an affordable housing project which has received approval from Government between 1 June 2016 till 31 March 2019
Change :Sunset time-limit for approval extended by one year to 31 March 2020
Impact :Incentive to affordable housing sector to enable developers to reduce their tax cost and pass on the benefit to ultimate homebuyers
6.A Group of Ministers has been formed to discuss the measures to reduce the GST burden on home buyers.