Online application for lower deduction certificate by non-residents

Under sub-section (2) of section 195 of the Act, if a person who is responsible for paying any sum to a non-resident which is chargeable to tax under the Act (other than salary) considers that the whole of such sum would not be income chargeable

in the case of the recipient, he can make an application to the Assessing Officer to determine the appropriate proportion of such sum chargeable. This provision is used by a person making payment to a non-resident to obtain certificate/order from the Assessing Officer for lower or nil withholding-tax. However, the process is currently manual.

In order to use technology to streamline the process, which will not only reduce the time for processing of such applications, but shall also help tax administration in monitoring such payments, it is proposed to amend the provisions of this section to allow for prescribing the form and manner of application to the Assessing Officer and also for the manner of determination of appropriate portion of sum

chargable to tax by the Assessing Officer.

Similar amendment is also proposed to be made in sub-section (7) of section 195 which are applicable to specified class of persons or cases. These amendments will take effect from 1st November, 2019.