Co-operative Society – Taxation

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1. Meaning

  • Co-operative society means a society registered under Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 or any other law in force in any State for the registration of co-operative societies.
  • Regional rural bank is deemed as co-operative society (Circular 319 dated 11-1-1982)

2. Rate of Tax

  • Income up to ` 10,000 = 10%
  • Income ` 10,001 up to ` 20,000 = 20% of income exceeding 10,000 + 1,000
  • Income ` 20,001 onwards = 30% of income exceeding 20,000 + 3,000

In case the taxable income is above ` 1 crore a surcharge of 12% would be applicable for income earned during 1st April, 2014 to 31st March, 2015

The above rates to be increased by 2% education cess on income tax & 1% secondary & higher education cess on income tax.

3. Filing of return & due date & PAN/TAN

  • Since there is no threshold limit for taxability of income in case of a co-operative society, it implies that if a society has any taxable income, it has to file a return of income. Consequently, it is imperative to apply for PAN by each income earning Co-operative Society
  • Since accounts of all co-operative societies are subject to statutory audit provisions under respective governing laws, therefore due date for filing return of income under the Income-tax Act, 1961 is September 30.
  • If the society has to deduct income tax it must obtain TAN number. The society is also bound by provisions of TAN and filing of return of TDS..

4. Principle of Mutuality

  • Income of the co-operative society to which the Doctrine of Mutuality applies is not taxable.
  • A co-operative society is a mutual association. A mutual association is one in which the members of the group come together for a common objective, make contributions for achieving that objective and participate in the surplus arising out of it. It is not necessary that all the members have to contribute to common fund and all the members have to take benefit of the resultant surplus. It is sufficient even if some members may contribute and some members may only take benefit, concept of mutuality will still apply if all members are covered by the same conditions and have the same entitlements. If a society carries on some activities which are mutual and some activities which are not, then the concept would apply to only those activities which are mutual.
  • In respect of contributions from members concept of mutuality would be applicable. Surplus arising out of contributions would be covered by concept of mutuality and therefore not an income at all.

5. Tax Audit

  • Tax audit is compulsory if turnover of society (engaged in business) is more than ` 1 crore (w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14) [` 60 lakhs for A.Ys. 2011-12 & 2012-13]. Tax Audit provisions is generally not applicable to societies which do not carry on any business. For example, housing societies in years of construction of building premises and redevelopments of their properties, provisions of section 44AB would not apply as there is no business activity.

6. Deduction available to co-operative society – Section 80P

Sr. No.

Society engaged in business of Nature of Income

Amount deductible

Applicability & Conditions

1)

Providing credit facility to members

Entire profit from such business

  • W.e.f. A.Y. 2007-08 deduction not available to co-operative bank.
  • Primary co-operative agricultural & rural development bank & chit funds can claim deduction.
  • Providing credit facility means providing loans & other credit facilities. Does not include selling goods on credit/hire purchase.

2)

Cottage Industry

Entire profit from such business

For qualifying as cottage industry –

  • Business is to be carried on in a small scale, with limited capital, workers & turnover.
  • Business is carried on by members of society (share holders) & their families.
  • Business must involve activity of manufacture, production or processing and not merely in trade.
  • It is not required to be registered under Factories Act.

3)

Marketing of Agricultural Produce

Entire profit from such business

4)

Purchase of Agricultural Implements, seeds, livestock, other articles intended for agriculture

Entire profit from such business

It is for the purpose of supplying them to its members.

5)

Processing Agricultural Produce of Members (without aid of power)

Entire profit from such business

6)

Collective Disposal of labour of its members

Entire profit from such business

  • Deduction is available only when earning of society is through the utilisation of the actual labour of its members
    • Deduction is available provided the rules & bye laws of the society restrict the voting rights to following class of members – Individuals who contribute their labour
    • Co-op. credit societies which provide financial assistance to the society
    • State Government

7)

Fishing & Allied Activities

Entire profit from such business

  • It includes catching, curing, processing, preserving, storing or marketing of fish or purchase of materials & equipment in connection therewith for supplying them to its members
  • Deduction is available provided the rules & bye laws of the society restrict the voting rights to following class of members –
    • Individuals who carry on fishing or allied activities
    • Co-op. credit societies which provide financial assistance to the society
    • State Government

8)

Primary society engaged in supplying milk, oilseeds, fruits or vegetables raised or grown by its members

Entire profit from such business

  • Milk, oil seeds, fruits or vegetables are grown or raised by its members
  • Milk, oilseeds, fruits or vegetables are supplied to a federal co-op. society (engaged in similar business), Government or local authority, Government company or a statutory corporation (engaged in similar business)

9)

Engaged in any other activity

` 1,00,000 for consumer co-operative society

` 50,000 for others

10)

Interest income/Dividend income

Entire amount of such income

  • Such income is received from investment in any other co-operative society

11)

Letting of godowns/warehouses

Entire amount of income derived from such business

  • Godowns/warehouses are let for storage, processing or facilitating the marketing of commodities

12)

Interest on securities & property income

Entire amount of such income

  • Benefit not available to housing society, urban consumers society, society carrying on transport business, society engaged in manufacturing operations with aid of power
  • Gross total income of such society does not exceed ` 20,000.

Note: As per the amendment made by Finance Act, 2015 interest paid by co-operative banks on time deposits including recurring deposits to its members above ` 10,000/- as prescribed, TDS provisions will apply.

WARDWISE JURISDICTIONAL ALLOCATION IN MUMBAI

For the purpose of registration and regulation of the societies, the City of Mumbai has been divided as per the Municipal Wards. There is a Deputy or Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies for each Ward who is the registering and regulatory authority for the co-operative societies in that Ward. In respect of special classes of societies, for example, Slum Dwellers, MHADA etc. separate Deputy/Assistant Registrars have been appointed.

Sl.
No.

Ward

Office address

Jurisdiction

1

A

Sixth Floor, Malhotra House,
Opp. G.P.O., Mumbai 400 001
(Tel. No. 2261 8671)

Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Navy Nagar, Fort,
Crawford Market, D.N. Road, Azad Maidan, Nariman Point, Sachivalaya, Fort Market, Colaba Market and Ballard Pier.
Pin code numbers 400 001, 005, 020, 023, 032, 038 and 039.

2

B

— do —

Masjid and adjacent market area, Mohamadali Road and Dongri Pin code numbers : 400 003, 009

3

C

— do —

Kalbadevi, C.P.Tank, Bhuleshwar and adjacent market area Pin code number: 400 002

4

D

— do —

Girgaum, Malbar Hill, Grant Road, Mumbai Central, Bhulabhai Desai Road,Tardeo, Kemps Corner and Dabholkar Road.Pin code numbers : 400 004, 006, 007, 008, 026, 034, 036.

5

E

— do —

Mazgaon Dock, Nagpada, Byculla, Reay Road and Cotton Green. Pin code numbers : 400 088, 027, 033.

6

F NORTH

— do —

Sion, Koliwada, Wadala, Matunga (E) and Dadar (E).

Pin code numbers: 400 022, 030, 031, 019, 014.

7

F SOUTH

— do —

Parel, Lalbaug, Sewri, Abhyudaynagar and Nigaum. Pin code numbers : 400 012, 015, 013, 014.

8

G NORTH

— do —

Mahim, Dadar (W), Dharavi and Matunga (W) Pin code numbers: 400 016, 017, 019.

9

G SOUTH

— do —

Worli, Nehru Centre and Worli Dairy.Pin code number: 400 018.

10

H EAST

Bandra (E), Santacruz (E), Vakola, Kalina and University Campus, Khar (E) Sahakari Bhandar Building, Opp. Bandra (W) Railway Station, Mumbai-400 051.Pin code numbers : 400 029, 051, 055, 098.

11

H WEST

— do —

Khar (W), Santacruz (W), Bandra (W), Pin code numbers : 400 051, 054, 050.

12

K WEST

Room No.69 A, Kala Nagar, Bandra (E), Mumbai 400 051.

Vile Parle (W), Juhu, Andheri (W), Jogeshwari (E) and (W) Ground Floor, and Versova, MHADA Building, Pin code numbers : 400 056, 060, 049, 102,

13

K EAST

Sixth Floor, Malhotra House,Opp. G.P.O. Mumbai
400 001

J.B.Nagar, Andheri (E) Chakala and M.I.D.C.Pin code numbers: 400 057, 059, 069, 093, 096.

14

P

Sixth Floor, Malhotra House, Opp. G.P.O.Mumbai 400 001

Goregaon (E) and (W), Malad (E) and (W), Aarey Milk Colony, Bangur Nagar, Malwani and Marve.Pin code numbers : 400 062, 063, 064, 065, 090, 104.

15

R

Sixth Floor, Malhotra House,Opp. G.P.O., Mumbai
400 001

Borivali (E) and (W), Kandivli (E) and (W),Dahisar (E) and (W). Pin code numbers: 400 066, 067, 068, 092.

16

T

A.C.C Compound, Near Mulund College, Mulund (W), Mumbai  400 080.

Mulund (E) and (W) Pin code number : 400 080.

17

L

Konkan Bhuwan,C.B.D Belapur,Navi Mumbai.

Nehru Nagar, Kurla and Saki Naka.Pin code numbers: 400 024, 070, 072.

18

M

— do —

Chembur, RCF, BARC, Deonar, Govandi, Mankhurd and Anushakti Nagar.Pin code Numbers : 400 071, 074, 085, 088, 094.

19

N

— do —

Rajwadi, Tilak Road, Pant Nagar, Kirol, Bhatt Wadi, Agra Road, Ghatkopar (E) and (W).

20

Dy. Registrar ,for SRA projects of Mumbai at 5th Floor, Mhada Bldg., Bandra (E), Mumbai.

21

Dy. Registrar for Mhada Societies for entire Mumbai, on 2nd Floor, Mhada Bldg., Kalanagar, Bandra (E).

Section 80P – Deduction for Co-operative Societies

Income-tax laws in India have provisions for various profit linked deductions to encourage investments in certain industries. These deductions are provided in the Income Tax Act, 1961, under Chapter VI-A under the heading ‘C. – Deductions in respect of certain incomes’. 

These deductions are available under Sections 80H to 80RRB with respect to profits and gains of specific industries such as hotel business, small-scale industrial undertaking, housing projects, export business, and infrastructure development. 

One of the deductions available under this chapter is deductions with respect to the income or gains of co-operative societies, which is provided under Section 80P of the Income Tax Act. A deduction is allowed to the extent of the actual profit earned by the assessee from the specified activities of the co-operative society.

Budget 2022 update 
FM proposes to reduce the Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT) Rates to 15% from 18.5% for the co-operative societies.

Deductions under Section 80P

Under this section, a certain specified income of a co-operative society engaged in specific activities is considered as a deduction if such income is included in the gross total income of the society. 

Meaning of a Co-operative society for the purpose of Section 80P

A co-operative society is not defined specifically for the purpose of Section 80P. However, Section 2(19) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, defines a co-operative society as an entity registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 or any other law governing the registration of co-operative societies in any state.

Activities and amount eligible for deduction under Section 80P

Activities coveredQuantum of deduction
Co-operative society engaged in:100% of profits and gains attributable to these activities
The business of banking or providing credit facilities to its members
Cottage industry
Marketing of agricultural produce grown by its members
Purchase of agricultural implements, seeds, livestock or other articles intended for agriculture for the purpose of supplying them to its members
Processing of agricultural produce of its members without the aid of power
Collective disposal of the labor of its members, or fishing, or any allied activities (catching, curing, processing, preserving, storing, marketing of fish or the purchase of materials and equipment in connection therewith for the purpose of supplying them to its members). However, rules and by-laws of these co-operative societies must restrict voting rights to:
1. Members, who are individuals who contribute with their labor
2. Is a co-operative society which provides financial assistance to the society or
3. Is a State Government.
A co-operative society which is primarily engaged in supplying milk, oilseeds, fruits or vegetables raised or grown by its members to:
1. A federal co-operative society, a society engaged in the business of supplying milk, oilseeds, fruits, or vegetables, as the case may be
2. The Government or Local authority
3. Either a government company as per the company law or a corporation established by or under the Central, State or Provincial Act, which is engaged in supplying milk, oilseeds, fruits or vegetables, as the case may be, to the public
100% of profits and gains of such business
A co-operative society engaged in any other activities 
 
1. For consumer co-operative society* – Upto Rs 1 lakh
2. Others – Upto Rs 50,000
A co-operative society earning:
1. Interest or dividend from its investment with any other co-operative society or
2. Income from letting of godowns or warehouses for storage, processing or facilitating the marketing of commodities
100% of such income
Interest on securities or income from the house property of a co-operative society other than a Housing society or
1. Urban consumers’ society** or
2. Society carrying on a transport business or
3. Society engaged in manufacturing operations with the aid of power 
whose gross total income is not more than Rs 25,000
100% of such income

* ‘Consumers’ co-operative society’ means a society for the benefit of its consumers 

** ‘Urban consumers’ co-operative society’ means a society for the benefit of the consumers within the limits of a municipal corporation, municipality, municipal committee, notified area committee, town area or cantonment.

Specific exclusions

Section 80P is made not applicable to any co-operative bank (including Regional Rural Banks) other than a primary agricultural credit society (as defined in the Banking Regulation Act) or a primary co-operative agricultural and rural development bank (a society having its area of operation confined to a taluk and the principal object of which is to provide long-term credit for agricultural and rural development activities). 

Benefit of deduction is withdrawn with an intention to treat co-operative banks on par with commercial banks who do not enjoy any such tax benefit.

What if a co-operative society is also eligible for profit-linked deductions under other Sections?

If a co-operative society is also eligible for profit-linked deduction under Section 80HH, 80HHA, 80HHB, 80HHC, 80HHD, 80-I, 80-IA, 80J, the deduction allowed under Section 80P is from the gross total income after reducing the deductions under these sections.

Key points to be noted

  • Section 80P, for different scenarios, uses different terms for the purpose of deduction such as ‘profits and gains of business attributable to such activities’, ‘profits and gains of such business’, ‘profits and gains attributable to such activities’, ‘income derived’ etc. These terms need to be analyzed in depth considering the various commentaries on income tax and case laws.
  • Various high courts have held that all co-operative societies other than those coming under the control of RBI are eligible for a deduction. A co-operative society conducting banking activities is not a co-operative bank licensed by the Reserve Bank of India. It can, therefore, claim deductions under Section 80P.
  • Meaning of various other terms such as ‘cottage industry’, ‘marketing’, ‘members’ ‘industry’, ‘investment’ etc., are also analyzed in various decisions.
  • Section 80P profit is not considered to increase the adjusted total income for Alternate Minimum Tax levy.
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Can all types of cooperative societies claim deduction under Section 80P?

No, Only the cooperative engaged in specified activity can claim deduction under section 80P.

How to claim deduction under section 80P?

To avail of a deduction under Section 80P, the assessee must furnish an income tax return in the prescribed manner and form on or before the due date specified in the Income Tax Act.

What are the conditions to get a deduction under Section 80P?

The following are the conditions to claim a deduction under Section 80P:

  • The co-operative society must have derived income or made profit from specified  activities carried out in India and
  • The specified activities must be the primary source of income for the co-operative society
Can deductions under Section 80P be clubbed with other deductions?

Yes, deductions under this section can be clubbed with other deductions available under the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Should co-operative societies maintain books of accounts?

Under Section 44AA, co-operative societies should maintain books of accounts and other records for tax computation. They must also get their accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant (CA) under Section 44AB. 

Is deduction under Section 80P allowed if Co-0perative society opt for the special provisions i.e. Section 115BAD or 115BAE?

No, a Co-operative society opting to pay taxes under the special provisions i.e. Section 115BAD or 115BAE cannot claim deduction under Section 80P.