Khelo India Multipurpose Hall at SAI Sambhajinagar is addition to Olympic readiness: MoS (See 'Corp Brief') PM addresses community programme in Kuala Lumpur (See 'Corp Brief') A & C - mandate of arbitrators appointed unilaterally by one party, merits being terminated, where the other party explicitly refuses to waive applicability of Section 12(5) of the Act: HC (See 'Legal Desk') India-US Trade Agreement: Major boost for Textile Industry (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - In unavailability of adequate document/information and considering effect of limitation period, assigning of 'zero' value to trade receivables, without any due justification, is not appropriate: IBBI (See 'Legal Desk') India has signed MoUs with 23 countries for cooperation on Digital Public Infrastructure (See 'Corp Brief') Railways inspects All Bridges Twice a Year (See 'Corp Brief') Over 1.25 lakh Livestock Farmers joined Virtual Awareness Program: MoS (See 'Corp Brief') Pariksha Pe Charcha marks First-Ever multi-location nationwide engagement (See 'Corp Brief') TRAI issues Telecommunication Services Interconnection Regulations, 2026 (See 'Corp Brief') Govt accelerates 5G rollout through Spectrum Auctions (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Once arbitral tribunal has adopted plausible & reasonable interpretation of facts and contractual terms, courts cannot re-appreciate evidence or sit in appeal over award: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Anusandhan Foundation sets Course for India's Innovation-led Journey to 2047 (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Permitting a civil suit to challenge an award confirmed by the Supreme Court would undermine the arbitral framework and public confidence in arbitration: HC (See 'Legal Desk') MoS unveils First TDB Window to fund High-Risk Technology Commercialisation (See 'Corp Brief') NMDC records Highest-Ever Production, Sales and Financial Performance (See 'Corp Brief') DoT is actively promoting digital safety and preventing telecom-related frauds: MoS (See 'Corp Brief') A & C - Referral court not required to conduct detailed or contested inquiry & must limit itself to ascertaining whether underlying contract contains an arbitration clause covering disputes between the parties: HC (See 'Legal Desk') IICA organises Training Program on Companies Act, Competition Law & IBC (See 'Corp Brief') DCPC organises Job Fair in collaboration with AIPMA (See 'Corp Brief') SEBI - If Noticee violated regulation 23(1) and 23(4) of LODR Regulations as alleged in SCN, Noticee is liable for payment of monetary penalty in terms of section 15HB of SEBI Act: SEBI (See 'Legal Desk') SAIL records highest-ever January '26 performance (See 'Corp Brief') Paradip Port Authority wins First Prize at Swachhata Pakhwada (See 'Corp Brief') Atal Innovation Mission hosts Flagship Conclave for National Incubation Ecosystem (See 'Corp Brief') Trade Marks - Procedural defects & inadvertent errors which are curable should not be permitted to defeat substantive rights, unless shown to be deliberate, mala fide, or prejudicial to opposite party: HC (See 'Legal Desk') CCI approves subscription to 15.01% equity of Ambit Wealth by Daiwa International (See 'Corp Brief') India, Bhutan to strengthen Cooperation in Power Sector (See 'Corp Brief') CCI okays AXDI LDII SPV to acquire shares of Aadhar Housing Finance (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Unless resolution is approved by NCLT, matter under PMLA for attachment of property may proceed even against corporate debtor: SAFEMA (See 'Legal Desk') Misc - If public authority holds any information in form of data, statistics, abstracts, etc. an applicant can have access to same under RTI Act subject to exemptions u/s 8: IBBI (See 'Legal Desk') SEBI - Contention of Noticees cannot be accepted as ground to seek exoneration qua their liability regarding failure to comply with regulatory limits: SEBI (See 'Legal Desk') The Securities Markets Code, 2025: Strengthened Enforcement, Weakened Accountability? (See 'CORP EINSICHT')

Budget offers incentives for International Finances Services Centre units

Published: Feb 03, 2025

By TIOLCorplaws News Services

NEW DELHI, FEB 03, 2025: IN a move to further promote the growth of International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) in India, the government has proposed several tax incentives and amendments aimed at enhancing the sector's attractiveness for both domestic and international businesses. The proposed changes are part of efforts to foster a world-class financial infrastructure in the country.

Extension of Sunset Dates for Tax Concessions

The government plans to extend the sunset dates for the commencement of operations in IFSC units. Tax concessions related to the relocation of funds and the start of operations in IFSC will now be extended until March 31, 2030. These amendments will take effect from April 1, 2025, ensuring long-term support for businesses operating in the IFSC.

Exemption on Life Insurance Policies from IFSC Insurance Offices

A significant change has been proposed for life insurance policies issued by IFSC Insurance offices. Currently, the exemption on life insurance proceeds is subject to premium limits-?2.5 lakh for unit-linked policies and ?5 lakh for others. The new proposal aims to exempt life insurance proceeds from IFSC Insurance offices for non-residents, without the existing premium limits, providing parity with other foreign jurisdictions. This amendment is also set to take effect from April 1, 2025.

Capital Gains and Dividend Exemption for Ship Leasing Units in IFSC

In a bid to expand the tax benefits to the ship leasing sector, the government has proposed extending the existing tax exemptions for aircraft leasing units to those engaged in ship leasing within IFSCs. Non-resident investors and IFSC units involved in ship leasing will be exempt from capital gains tax on the transfer of equity shares, as well as from dividend tax on payments made within the IFSC ship leasing business. This change will also take effect from April 1, 2025.

Rationalisation of Dividend Definition for Treasury Centres in IFSC

The government has also proposed rationalising the definition of "dividend" for corporate treasury centres in IFSCs. The revision addresses concerns about potential tax implications for loans and advances made between group entities, especially in cases where one entity operates as a global or regional corporate treasury centre. Under the proposed amendments, loans or advances between group entities-where one is a finance company or finance unit in an IFSC-will not be treated as "dividend." These changes aim to ensure smoother operations for treasury centres in India's IFSCs and are set to be effective from April 1, 2025.

These proposed changes reflect the government's continued efforts to make India's IFSCs more competitive and attractive to global financial services businesses, with the goal of positioning India as a hub for international finance.

TIOL CORP SEARCH

TIOL GROUP WEBSITES