A Complete Guide To TDS On Purchase Of Immovable Property

If you are planning to buy an immovable property, it can be overwhelming to understand the several tax obligations, especially the part on tds deduction on purchase of immovable property. We get it, it is extensive but not impossible to understand. With a little hand-holding, you will smoothly sail through the process of buying a flat in Kolkata, and that’s what we are here for.

Let’s brush up some basics first before we get into tds on purchase of immovable property in detail—

What is immovable property?

To put it simply, things that cannot be moved from one place to another are regarded as immovable property. As such, the term usually refers to real estate—a flat at Kolkata, a warehouse, a manufacturing unit, or a factory. Huge trees and other plants also fall under immovable property as they are attached to the earth.

Immovable property has ownership rights and is also eligible to legal statutes and taxation.

Understanding section 194-ia of the income tax act

With effect from 01 June, 2013, section 194-IA was made applicable by the finance act 2013. Based on the new amendment, any person purchasing any sort of immovable property (other than agricultural land) from an Indian resident needs to deduct tds on payment for purchase of immovable property at the rate of 1% from the sale amount. However, tds deduction on purchase of immovable property is not applicable if the property is less than Rs. 50 Lakhs.

Furthermore, under the provision of tds on purchase of immovable property section 194ia “immovable property” is defined as any land (other than agricultural land) or any building or part of a building. As a result, tds rate on purchase of immovable property includes residential property, commercial property or industry, except agricultural land.

Exceptions to consider in the Income Tax Act

• The tax obligations are different if the seller of the immovable property is an NRI. In such a case, the government deducts capital gains tax from NRIs, in addition to TDS. As such, there is higher tds on purchase of immovable property by nri.
• In the case of under-construction properties, TDS is deducted on installments paid on or after 1st June, 2013. As such, TDS is not applicable on the installments paid before 01 June, 2013.
• The provisions of section 194-IA are not applicable to any person, being a transferee, responsible to pay, other than the person referred to in section 194LA—section regarding a compulsory acquisition.

When to deduct and how to pay tds on purchase of immovable property?

As a purchaser, you can make tds deduction on purchase of immovable property at two instances—

• During the execution of the conveyance deed, or
• During advance payment, should there be any advance before the execution of the conveyance deed.

Then the buyer needs to deposit the TDS amount to the credit of the central government. This should take place within 30 days from the end of the month in which the tax is deducted.

Furthermore, to pay the TDS and to furnish other particulars, you also have to fill in Form-cum-challan No 26QB. Remember, if the immovable property has more than one buyer, you need to fill in Form 26QB for each set of buyer and seller, because tds liability on purchase of immovable property in join name is different, so you need to submit all the details of all buyers and sellers through each Form 26QB.

After you pay the TDS and it is deposited, the bank updates the details on the website of the income tax department. Now, you only need to download the TDS certificate in Form No 16B, from the website of the Income Tax Department and furnish it to the seller within 15 days.

Things to remember during the procedure for tds on purchase of immovable property

As a buyer, you need to be aware of the following details that are necessary for the payment of the TDS.