UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 25th March 2025
Govt proposes to abolish Equalisation Levy on online advertisements
Why in News?
Recently, the Indian government proposed the abolition of the Equalisation Levy (digital tax) on online advertisements, effective from April 1, 2025.
What is Equalisation Levy?
- The Equalisation Levy, introduced in 2016, initially imposed a 6% tax on payments exceeding Rs 1 lakh annually to non-resident service providers for online advertisements.
- This levy was introduced to address the growing digital economy and ensure that foreign digital companies contributing to India’s advertising market were appropriately taxed, despite not having a physical presence in the country.
Background
- Introduced in Finance Act 2016, the 6% Equalisation Levy taxed payments made for online advertisement services by non-resident companies.
- In 2020, the levy was extended to e-commerce services, but the 2% e-commerce levy was abolished in August 2024. The latest proposal removes the 6% tax on online ads, simplifying the digital advertising tax framework.
Expansion of Scope (2020 Amendments)
- In 2020, the Finance Act broadened the scope of the Equalisation Levy to include e-commerce companies.
- The tax, now at 2%, applies to non-resident operators involved in online sales of goods and provision of services through platforms like Amazon and Google.
- This expansion aims to target foreign e-commerce companies generating revenue from Indian customers without a tangible presence in the country.
Key Amendments and Impact
- The amendment to Section 163 of the Finance Act, 2016 will take effect on April 1, 2025, eliminating the tax on digital ads.
- This change will lower the cost for advertisers and platforms, boosting India’s digital economy.
Diplomatic Context
- The abolition comes amid tensions with the United States, which had threatened reciprocal tariffs due to India’s digital taxes.
- Experts suggest that this step is an attempt to ease diplomatic concerns and avoid trade friction, noting it as part of India’s accommodative stance.
Broader Reforms
- The Finance Bill 2025 also includes measures to ease offshore fund investments and refine search and seizure tax assessments, introducing the term Total Undisclosed Income to clarify tax proceedings.
Key Points
- The 6% Equalisation Levy applies to advertising payments exceeding Rs 1 lakh annually to non-resident service providers like Google, if their ads target Indian customers.
- The 2% levy was introduced for e-commerce transactions starting April 1, 2020, targeting global platforms like Amazon and Google that source revenue from Indian customers, but do not have a physical presence in India.
Conclusion
- By abolishing the Equalisation Levy, India is aligning its tax policies with international norms, promoting clarity for digital advertisers, and potentially improving diplomatic relations with the U.S.
- The move reflects ongoing efforts to simplify India’s tax system and encourage business growth.
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