The Committee has recommended that section 115JB of the Income-tax Act may be amended to clarify the inapplicability of MAT provisions to FIIs/FPIs. Alternatively, the Committee has suggested that a Circular may be issued clarifying the inapplicability of MAT provisions to FIIs/FPIs.
The Government has accepted the recommendation of the Committee to clarify the inapplicability of MAT to FIIs/FPIs and has decided that an appropriate amendment to the Income-tax Act will be carried out. Through the amendment the Government proposes to clarify that MAT provisions will not be applicable to FIIs/FPIs not having a place of business/ permanent establishment in India, for the period prior to 01.04.2015. Pending such amendment, CBDT will convey to the field formations the decision of the Government to accept the recommendation.
A Committee on Direct Tax matters chaired by Justice A.P. Shah was constituted with the initial mandate to examine the matter relating to levy of MAT on FIIs/FPIs for the period prior to 01.04.2015. The Committee has submitted its final report on applicability of MAT on FIIs/FPIs for the period prior to 01.04.2015 to the Government on 25.08.2015.