In September 2012, CBDT had prescribe a format in which Tax Residence Certificate (TRC) was required from April 2013. In the Amendments to Finance Bill 2013, requirement of prescribed format has been done away with. Below article gives further details on the same.

Sub-section (4) of 90 and 90A provides that treaty benefit will not be available to any Non Resident unless he furnishes TRC from the Government of his country of residence containing such particulars as may be prescribed. The Finance Bill, 2013 had proposed to insert sub-section (5) in sections 90 and 90A to provide that TRC shall be a necessary but not a sufficient condition for claiming any relief under a DTAA.

The Finance Minister had subsequently clarified, by way of Press Release dated 1st March 2013, that the TRC issued by the Government of a foreign country would be accepted as evidence of tax residency and the tax authorities cannot go behind the TRC to question the residential status.

In order to incorporate the said clarification in the statute, sub-section (4) of sections 90 and 90A is proposed to be amended to substitute the words “a certificate containing such particulars as may be prescribed of his being a resident” with the words “a certificate of his being a resident”. Therefore, a certificate issued by the Government of a foreign country would constitute proof of tax residency, without any further conditions regarding furnishing of prescribed particulars therein.

Also, sub-section (5) of sections 90 and 90A which provided that TRC shall be a necessary but not a sufficient condition for claiming any relief under a DTAA is proposed to be substituted to provide that the assessee referred to under sub-section (4) of sections 90 and 90A shall also provide such other documents and information, as may be prescribed.

Reference

1. Amendments to Finance Bill 2013
2. Sec 90 of Income Tax Act 1961
3. Sec 90 A of Income Tax Act 1961
4. Sec 90 (4) of Income Tax Act 1961
5. Finance Bill, 2012 – Direct Taxes
6. CBDT Circular on “Certificate of Tax  : Dated 17-09-2012
7. India Mauritius Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)
8. Country-wise Double Taxation Summary Chart
9. Countrywise DDTA Agreements Copy
10. Ministry of Finance Notification on 194LC (5% WHT – Not Applicable to Buyers Credit): Dated: 21-09-2012