Section 194K : TDS on Dividend from Mutual Funds

Posted on by Sakshi Shah

What is Section 194K?

Under Budget 2020 applicable from 1st April 2020 i.e. FY 2020-21, Dividend Distribution Tax – DDT was abolished. As a result, the dividend received on equity shares and mutual funds which were earlier exempt under Section 10(35) of the Income Tax Act is now taxable at slab rates. It is taxable in the hands of the shareholder. Since the income would be taxable in the hands of the shareholder, TDS would be applicable. As a result, the Finance Minister introduced a new Section 194K to deduct TDS on Dividend from Mutual Funds.

As per section 206AA if the deductee fails to provide the PAN to deductor then he would suffer deduction at higher of the rates of deduction as: At the rate specified in the relevant provision of the Act, or, At the rate or rates in force, i.e., the rate prescribed in the Finance Act (Finance Act 2019 for FY 2019-20), or At the rate of 20%
Tip
As per section 206AA if the deductee fails to provide the PAN to deductor then he would suffer deduction at higher of the rates of deduction as: At the rate specified in the relevant provision of the Act, or, At the rate or rates in force, i.e., the rate prescribed in the Finance Act (Finance Act 2019 for FY 2019-20), or At the rate of 20%

The person paying dividends on mutual funds should deduct TDS u/s 194K. The deduction is at 10% on the number of dividends, only if a resident shareholder’s total dividend in a financial year exceeds INR 5,000. Section 194K is applicable from 1st April 2020 i.e. FY 2020-21 onwards.

As per section 206AB, if the aggregate of TDS and TCS for deductee is INR 50000 or more in each of these two previous years and deductee has not filed the returns of income for two previous years immediately prior to the previous year in which tax is required to be deducted then he would suffer deduction at higher of the rates of deduction as: At twice the rate specified in the relevant provision of the Act; or At twice the rate or rates in force; or At the rate of 5%
Tip
As per section 206AB, if the aggregate of TDS and TCS for deductee is INR 50000 or more in each of these two previous years and deductee has not filed the returns of income for two previous years immediately prior to the previous year in which tax is required to be deducted then he would suffer deduction at higher of the rates of deduction as: At twice the rate specified in the relevant provision of the Act; or At twice the rate or rates in force; or At the rate of 5%

Section 194K – TDS on Dividend from Mutual Funds

  • Deductor
    • Mutual Fund distributing dividends to the investors of equity mutual funds should deduct TDS on such dividends. The deductor must deposit the TDS and file the TDS Return on TRACES.
  • Deductee
    • Shareholder resident in India earning dividend income on equity mutual funds will receive the amount after TDS under Section 194K. Shareholder resident in India earning dividend income on equity shares will receive the amount after TDS under Section 194. NRI investors/shareholders, earning dividend income will receive the amount after deduction of TDS under Section 195.
  • Nature of Payment 
    • Sec 194K covers Payment of Dividend on Equity Mutual Funds to a resident shareholder exceeding INR 5000 in a financial year.
  • Time of Payment
    • TDS shall be deducted at the time of credit of income to payee account or at the time of payment, whichever is earlier. If the payee of the amount credits the amount to be paid to “suspense account” or any other account, it is considered as ‘deemed payment’ and the payer must deduct TDS on such credit.
  • Rate
    • Deductor should deduct TDS u/s 194K at the rate of 10% if the dividend amount exceeds INR 5000. If the payee does not provide the PAN, TDS shall be deducted at the rate of 20%
  • TDS Certificate
    • Deductor shall issue Form 16A to the deductee as the Tax Credit Certificate of the amount deducted as TDS. The Deductor can download Form 16A from the account on TRACES. Using Form 16A, the deductee can claim credit of the tax deducted while filing Income Tax Return.
  • TDS Return
    • After depositing TDS with the income tax department, the deductor should file Form 26Q on TRACES. The details of the dividend payment are part of this report. The deductor, after filing the report, should provide Form 16A to the deductee.
TDS Return (26Q) for Non-Salary Payments (Quarterly)
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TDS Return (26Q) for Non-Salary Payments (Quarterly)
CA Assisted TDS return filing for employers, firms and companies making payment of Professional fees, Rent, Contracts, Commission, etc.
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What is the meaning of ‘Income’ under Section 194K?

As per the Income Tax Act, ‘Income’ includes dividend paid on units of mutual funds specified under 10(23D) of Income Tax Act, units of mutual funds from a specified company or units of mutual funds from the administrator of the specified undertaking

There was confusion about whether the TDS under Section 194K on “Income from Mutual Funds” would include only dividends; or also include capital gains on the sale of MFs. On 4th Feb 2020, CBDT issued a clarification on this issue.

CBDT Clarification – TDS at 10% should be deducted on Dividend Income only and not on Income from Capital Gains on the sale of Mutual Funds. Here is the official clarification from CBDT.

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FAQs

Are Capital Gains from the sale of Mutual Funds subject to TDS under Sec 194K ?

Sec 194K mentions TDS on ‘Income’ from Mutual Funds. There was confusion about whether capital gains income on the sale of MFs should be subject to TDS u/e 194K. However, the CBDT issued an official clarification on 02nd February 2020. Therefore, TDS needs to deducted at 10% on Dividend Income only. Additionally, it is not applicable for Income from Capital Gains on the sale of Mutual Funds.

Is TDS required to be deducted on dividend paid to NRI shareholder ?

Section 195 applies to the dividend paid to NRI investors/shareholders, as per provisions of the Income Tax Act. Hence, TDS needs to be deducted on the dividend at 20% on equity shares and equity mutual funds. Therefore, TDS has to be deducted at 10% as per Sec 194 and Sec 194K for an NRI shareholder.

Got Questions? Ask Away!

  1. Hey @Dia_malhotra

    As per section 194A, TDS on interest other than interest on securities is required to be deducted by any person other than Individual or HUF at the rate of 10%, when paid to a resident. No surcharge, education cess or SHEC shall be added to the above rate.

    Hope this helps!

  2. Hey @HarishMehta

    TDS u/s 194J needs to be deducted by deductor other than an individual or a HUF, @ 10% on any amount paid or payable to any which is in excess of INR 30,000 as:

    1. Fees for professional services
    2. Fees for technical services
    3. Any remuneration or fees or commission by whatever name called paid to a director ( other than salary)
    4. Royalty
    5. Any sum referred to in clause (VA) of section 28.

    Hope this helps!

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