Table of Contents
Introduction:
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in the Indian economy as they contribute significantly to the country’s GDP, employment, and exports. However, these businesses face various challenges, and one of the major challenges is the issue of delayed payments from their customers.
This issue has become more severe in recent years, and it has adversely affected the growth and sustainability of MSMEs Samadhaan. The Indian government has implemented several measures to address this issue, and one such measure is the provision of income tax benefits for MSMEs suffering from delayed payments. In this blog post, we will analyze the impact of delayed payments on MSMEs and the effectiveness of the income tax services benefit scheme in addressing this issue.
Impact of Delayed Payments on MSMEs:
Delayed payments have a severe impact on the financial health of MSMEs Samadhaan. These businesses often have limited financial resources, and they heavily rely on timely payment from their customers to meet their operating expenses, pay salaries to employees, and invest in their businesses’ growth. Delayed payments can cause a cash flow crunch, which can lead to financial stress and even bankruptcy for MSMEs.
Delayed payments also affect the creditworthiness of MSMEs Samadhaan. Most small businesses rely on loans and credit facilities to meet their working capital needs, and delayed payments can lead to the default of loan payments, leading to a further financial crisis.
Delayed payments also affect the morale of MSMEs’ workforce. Delayed payment leads to uncertainty about the business’s future, which can demotivate employees and lead to a high turnover rate.
Yes, that’s correct. MSME Samadhaan is a platform that aims to provide quick and efficient resolution of payment disputes for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in India.
Income Tax Benefits for MSMEs Suffering from Delayed Payments:
To address the issue of delayed payments, the Indian government has implemented several measures. One such measure is the provision of income tax benefits for MSMEs suffering from delayed payments. According to the Income Tax Act, 1961, if an MSME has received payment for goods or services, but the payment is delayed for more than 45 days from the due date, the MSME can claim a deduction for bad debts under Section 36(1)(vii) of the Act.
The Indian government has introduced several income tax benefits for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that are suffering from delayed payments. These benefits are aimed at providing some relief to the MSMEs, which often face cash flow problems due to delayed payments from their clients.
Here are some of the income tax benefits that MSMEs can avail of:
- Deduction for Bad Debts: MSMEs can claim a deduction for bad debts in case they have not received payment for more than six months from the date the payment was due.
- Reserve for Bad and Doubtful Debts: MSMEs can create a reserve for bad and doubtful debts and claim a deduction for the same in their income tax returns.
- Cash Basis of Accounting: MSMEs with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 2 crores can follow the cash basis of accounting instead of the accrual basis of accounting. This means that they can record income and expenses only when they receive or make payments, respectively.
- Presumptive Taxation Scheme: MSMEs with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 2 crores can opt for the presumptive taxation scheme under section 44AD of the Income Tax Act. Under this scheme, they can declare income at a prescribed rate of 6% of the turnover, and no further deductions are allowed.
- Delayed Payment Interest: MSMEs can claim an interest on delayed payments under the provisions of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.
These income tax benefits can provide some relief to MSMEs suffering from delayed payments, and it is advisable for MSMEs to consult a tax professional to understand the eligibility criteria and avail of these benefits.
