Section 80GGC: Tax Benefits to certain persons Individuals on Political Donations

What is Section 80GGC?

Section 80GGC has been specified under the Income Tax Act of 1961 for the benefit of those who make donations to political parties. There are certain conditions and criteria which have to be followed by the individual for the said benefits. One must note the eligibility criteria and the deduction limit for availing the tax deduction.

To summarise the definition of the Section 80GGC, it specifies the deduction under the Income Tax Act which is allowed from the total gross income of specified assessees for the contributions made to a political party or an electoral trust. This entire amount is eligible for tax deduction provided that it is not deposited in cash, but rather by other means.

• The objective of the Section was mainly to allow for transparency in the electoral funding and therefore, trying to make it corruption-free. Moreover, it also encourages more voluntary contributions towards the political parties by taxpayers.
• The tax deductions are made only to specified assessees
• The deduction falls under the Chapter VI-A deductions, which implies that the total amount which can stand for the tax deduction cannot be more than the total taxable income.

What is the eligibility criteria u/s 80GGC?

• Section 80GGC can be claimed by any person except any local authority or artificial juridical persons who are wholly or partly funded by the government. The following groups are specified under the Section 80GGC to make the political contribution- an individual, a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), a firm, an AOP or BOI and an Artificial Juridical Person. The last candidate in the list should not be funded by the government.
• The tax deduction benefits can also be availed by making donations to multiple political parties rather than only one.
• Deduction limit- While the entire contribution is eligible for the deduction, it should be made sure that the mode for the donation should never be in cash.

Exceptions to Section 80GGC

• Donations or contributions made in cash or kind are not eligible for tax deductions. This amendment to the Section was brought into effect from the financial year 2013-14 onwards.
• The contribution to the political party should not be made in cash or kind. One may use other means for the donation through the bank like cheque, demand draft, via-transfer, debit or credit card or internet banking.
• The entire contribution is allowed for a tax deduction if it is not more than the taxable income of the eligible assessee.

Procedure to avail the deductions under 80GGC

The procedure to avail the said tax deduction under Section 80GGC is fairly easy and convenient. The taxpayer can file their tax returns by including the given amount of contribution in the space provided under Section 80GGC in the Income Tax Return form. The Section appears under Chapter VI-A of the Income Tax Return Form. The deduction can be availed by contributing in any cashless form including online banking, cheques, debit cards, credit cards, demand drafts etc.

The details of the donations are to be submitted to the employer for incorporating it in form 16. Otherwise, the details are to be mentioned in the specified column while submitting tax returns. The political party shall issue a receipt containing the name and address of the party, amount donated, along with the PAN and TAN of the party. This donation is deducted directly from the salary, and the donation receipt is in the name of the employer. The employee can claim a deduction if he has this certificate from the employer, which confirms that the contribution was made from the employee's salary account.

Difference between Section 80GGC and 80GGB

Section 80GGC and Section 80GGB are very similar in their actions enforcing tax deduction benefits. However, the basic difference is to distinguish the donor types.

Meanwhile, other Sections like the Section 80G allows for deductions made in the case of contributions to charitable organizations and their likes

As per the Section 80GGB of the Income Tax Act 1961, any Indian company that contributes any sum to a political party or an electoral trust registered in India can claim for a deduction from the amount contributed by it.

One must produce the following documents which are required to avail the tax deduction.

• The receipt issued by political party or electoral trust to produce a proof of the amount contributed. It should contain the name, address, PAN ,TAN, registration number of the party/trust, name of the donor, mode of payment and the amount donated in words and numbers.
• The Income Tax Return form is required to be filled up and submitted. The above details would be necessary for the same.

Conclusion

The decision to donate to a political party should be made with due research and analysis such that the money is used up honestly in the larger welfare. It is extremely important to have a detailed record to avail the tax deduction after contributing. All the regulations by the Income Tax Act should be duly followed to avail the tax deduction and benefits; otherwise, the request is liable to be rejected. These contributions are exempt from tax and make it much easier for the political parties.