Future and Options is a derivative tool that was designed to hedge a portfolio, but we all are aware that it has become one of the most traded instruments for regular gains. Hence Income Tax has realized the above and the Income from Future and Options is taxable under the head ‘Income from Business and Profession’ (PGBP) under normal business income.
India has become one of the biggest markets where options are traded as per NSE Data.
Whenever we trade options, especially when we sell an option, the value of the transaction is too high. Hence, what should be turnover is a million-dollar question.
We at Akhil Amit And Associates, CA firm in Pune, Best CA in Pune & Best CA in Pimpri, Best CA in Chinchwad, have experts in the derivative segment who would take care of all your taxation needs.
Formula to calculate Turnover in F&O.
⦁ We need to download the P&L/ Tax P&L summary from your broker’s website, in that we shall go to realized P&L.
⦁ Copy and paste all the gains/losses from the summary and remove the minus sign in case of a loss.
⦁ Your Gains + losses (after the minus sign is removed) shall be your turnover for the year.
For example, there are 4 trades in a year in which gains and losses are as follows –
Rs. 2,50,000, Rs. 7,50,000, Rs. -1,50,000 and Rs. -75,000.
Remove the minus sign above hence the turnover shall be (Rs. 2,50,000 + Rs. 7,50,000 + Rs. 1,50,000 + Rs. 75,000) = Rs. 12,25,000.
When is Tax Audit Required?
Tax Audits are required in 2 cases –
⦁ If you have losses in a financial year trading F&O.
⦁ If your turnover exceeds Rs. 5 crores in a Financial Year (From FY 2020-21). (Upon fulfilment of certain conditions.)
If any of the cases apply to you, then you require your books to be audited by a Chartered Accountant, otherwise, Income Tax can levy a penalty equal to Rs 1.5 lakhs or 0.5% of turnover whichever is lower under Section 271B for not complying with section 44AB.
Also, a penalty of Rs. 25,000 can be levied u/s 271A for non-maintenance of books of accounts.
What happens to your Loss if the same has been declared while filing the return along with Tax Audit Report?
You are eligible to carry forward the unadjusted losses to 8 A. Y and can be adjusted only from Non-Speculative Income.
In the current year, it can be set off from any head except salaries and speculative income and some other special business incomes.
What if the assessee is also engaged in Intraday Equity Trades and Equity Trades where the holding period is more than 1 day.
In the above case, if Intraday is also carried on (should have significant transaction) then the income/loss from above shall be declared in the head “PGBP” as speculative income. Their losses are carried forward to 4 A. Y and can only be set off with speculative income. Similar to F&O in case of loss, Tax Audit is mandatory, also tax audit is mandatory in case turnover is over 5 crores (after fulfilment of certain conditions), however, the turnover calculation differs from the above case. If the number of transactions is limited, like say 10 in an entire year, it can also be clubbed under “Capital Gain”.
In case equity is held for more than 1 day it shall be taxed under head Capital Gain and it may be short-term capital gain or long-term capital gain depending upon the holding period. We do not require tax Audit in case of short-term or long-term capital loss from the sale of equity shares.
Can we claim expenses of trading while filing the return?
Yes, you can claim expenses like brokerage, internet bill, turnover tax, STT, and other related charges as expenses. You should have a justification that the expenses are related and are incidental to the business.
e.g., Internet Bills, Brokerages, Stamp Duty, STT, Fines, and penalties levied by exchanges are some of the general expenses related to trading in cash or F&O.
Is Digital Signature Token Compulsorily Required?
If your books are required to be audited by a chartered accountant, then you compulsorily require a digital signature token to upload the return and accept the Tax Audit Form.
Minimum of Class 3 Signing DSC is required. If you have a DSC which is of the higher version, it will sustain the purpose and it can be used.
What if you have a turnover and which is not substantial and that is the only source of income–is Tax Audit Required in that case?
According to our opinion if you have a loss of less than 2 lacs and that is the only source of income, then you might proceed without tax audit declaring the income u/s 44AD (6% Case) provided the turnover is not substantial, say less than 20 lacs as no income tax shall be payable in that case, also in next year you can have an income till 5 lacs so that you don’t have to pay any taxes.
Author Bio
Name: CA Akhil Kumar
Qualification: CA in Pune
Company: Akhil Amit And Associates
