Overview
Section 194IC of the Income Tax Act mandates that developers deduct tax at source on monetary consideration paid to resident landowners under Joint Development Agreements (JDAs). The standard TDS rate is 10%. If the landowner fails to provide a PAN, the rate rises to 20%. TDS must be deducted at the time of payment or credit, whichever is earlier.
Introduction
A Joint Development Agreement (JDA) allows a landowner to grant development rights to a builder in exchange for monetary consideration or a share of the developed property. To ensure tax compliance, Section 194IC requires the developer to deduct TDS on payments made to resident landowners. The deduction is 10% if the recipient furnishes a PAN; otherwise, it is 20%. TDS applies to all monetary payments without a threshold, and it must be deducted when the amount is credited or paid, whichever happens first.
Additional Read: What is Section 194IB
What is Section 194IC?
Section 194IC applies to payments made under a JDA when the developer gives monetary consideration to a resident landowner. The payer must deduct TDS at 10% if the landowner provides a valid PAN; if not, the rate is 20%. This provision ensures tax is collected at source and applies regardless of the payment amount.
Rates of TDS under Section 194IC
Standard rate: 10% TDS on monetary consideration when the landowner provides a PAN.
Higher rate without PAN: 20% TDS applies if the recipient does not furnish a PAN.
No threshold: TDS applies from the first rupee of payment.
Deduction timing: Tax must be deducted at the time of credit or payment, whichever occurs first.
Time of Tax Deduction and Payment Mode
Timing: TDS is deducted when the payment is credited to the landowner or when it is actually paid.
Deposit deadline: After deduction, TDS must be deposited with the government by the 7th of the following month.
Payment mode: TDS is usually deposited electronically through authorised banks or the income‑tax portal.
Penalties: Late deduction or deposit attracts interest and penalties under the Income Tax Act.
194IC TDS Limit
No minimum threshold: TDS applies to any monetary payment under a JDA.
Applicable on all payments: Developers must deduct tax on every monetary payment made to the landowner.
Responsibility: The payer is responsible for deducting TDS before making the payment.
Penalty for Late or Delayed Filing
Interest for non‑deduction: If TDS isn’t deducted on time, interest accrues until it is deducted.
Interest for late deposit: When TDS is deducted but not deposited promptly, interest accrues from deduction date until payment.
Late filing fee: Filing TDS returns after the due date incurs a daily fee under Section 234E.
Additional penalties: Failure to file the TDS statement may attract penalties under Section 271H.
Additional Read: What is Section 194O of the Income Tax Act?