80 IAC Tax Exemption in India

Starting a business in India can be challenging, but the government offers incentives like the 80-IAC tax exemption to help startups focus on growth rather than taxes. This exemption provides a 100% tax deduction on profits for recognized startups, allowing them to claim this benefit for three consecutive years within the first 10 years of operation. The flexibility to choose which three years to claim is key, as startups often opt for later years with higher profits to maximize the exemption.

However, only profits derived from eligible business activities qualify for this benefit. Eligible business activities refer to profits that are directly related to the startup’s innovative products, services, or processes, and not from other sources like investments or non-business-related income.

DPIIT Recognition is required before applying for the exemption, which also provides additional advantages like faster IP registrations and simplified regulations.

Since the introduction of the 80-IAC tax exemption, hundreds of startups have successfully been approved, benefiting from this initiative to reinvest in product development, marketing, and growth.

To ensure the 80-IAC tax exemption is granted to genuinely innovative and high-growth businesses, startups must meet the following specific eligibility criteria.

• Business Structure

Your startup must be officially formed in India as one of these:

• A Private Limited Company
• A Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

Other structures, like Partnerships or Sole Proprietorships, are ineligible, as the scheme targets scalable business models with a formal legal structure.

• Business Nature

Your startup must focus on creating, developing, or improving products, processes, or services. It should have a scalable business model with the potential to generate significant employment or wealth. The business must demonstrate the ability to grow substantially and create value over time. In other words, it shouldn’t simply be a replication of existing ideas or a typical trading business.

• Incorporation Date Rule

Your company or LLP must have started on or after April 1, 2016. The latest government rules allow startups formed up to March 31, 2030, to get this benefit. This extended timeline provides a wider window of opportunity for new businesses.

• Turnover Under ₹100 Crores

Your startup’s yearly sales should not have gone over ₹100 crore in any year since it started. This limit ensures the benefit helps early and growing companies.

• Originality Clause

The startup must be genuinely new and cannot be the result of splitting or reorganizing an existing business. This rule prevents established businesses from merely changing names to qualify for the tax exemption. However, there are exceptions under Section 33B for cases where a business is revived after situations like natural disasters.

• Using New Plant and Machinery

Generally, the startup must use new plants and machinery. If old equipment is brought into the new business, its total value should not be more than 20% of all the new business’s equipment. This encourages new investments.

• Certifications

Your startup needs two important certificates:

• DPIIT Recognition: You must be recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). This is the first step to getting the exemption.
• Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB) Certificate: You need a certificate from the Inter-Ministerial Board. This board checks if your business meets the “innovative” rules.

Applying for the 80-IAC exemption follows a clear process. Here’s how to do it step-by-step:

Step 1: Secure Your DPIIT Recognition on the Startup India Portal

Before applying for the 80-IAC exemption, your startup must first obtain recognition from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). This recognition can be obtained through the official Startup India portal. During this process, you will be required to provide details about your company, its founders, and the nature of your business.

Obtaining DPIIT recognition is a crucial first step, as it grants access to various government benefits, including the 80-IAC tax exemption. Ensure that all information submitted is accurate and complete to avoid any delays or issues with your application.

Step 2: Gather All Required Documentation

Before starting your application, gather all the required documents (refer to the “Documents Required to Apply for 80-IAC” section for full details). This includes your Company or LLP formation papers, PAN card, and financial records.

These documents are very important for the Inter-Ministerial Board’s review. Missing documents are a common reason for rejection.

Step 3: Crafting a Compelling Application with a Pitch Deck and Video

This step is key to showing your startup’s innovation and ability to grow. Your application should clearly explain your product, process, or service. Show how it is new, better, or uses advanced technology.

• Pitch Deck: Your pitch deck should concisely cover the problem you’re solving, your solution, market analysis, business model, team expertise, and financial projections, clearly highlighting your unique value proposition.
• Video: A short video (usually 2-3 minutes) can strongly show your startup’s vision. Show your product or service working. Explain its effect and potential to create jobs or wealth. This helps the IMB members see your idea.

Step 4: Filing the Tax Exemption Form on the Portal

Once you have your DPIIT recognition and all documents are ready, go back to the Startup India portal. Find the section for applying for the Section 80-IAC tax exemption. Fill out the form with all the needed details. Upload your pitch deck, video, and supporting financial and legal documents. Check everything twice for correctness to avoid any delays.

Step 5: The Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB) Review Process

After you send it, your application will be reviewed by the Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB). This board has people from DPIIT, the Department of Biotechnology, and the Department of Science & Technology. The IMB checks if your business truly meets the rules for “innovation, development, or improvement of products, processes, or services, or a scalable business model with a high potential of employment generation or wealth creation.”

They might ask for more details or information. The board’s decision is final, based on your application. DPIIT aims to review full applications within 120 days.

Step 6: Receiving Your Certificate and Claiming the Deduction

If the IMB approves your application, you will get an 80-IAC tax exemption certificate. This certificate proves you are eligible. With this, you can then claim the 100% tax deduction on your profits for any three years in a row. These years must be within your startup’s first ten years.

You must clearly show this exemption when you file your Income Tax Returns (ITR). Keep all records for future checks.

Having all your documents complete and correct is vital for an easy 80-IAC application. Here’s a list of what you’ll usually need:

Foundational Documents

• Certificate of Incorporation/Registration: For a Private Limited Company, this is your Certificate of Incorporation. For an LLP, it’s the Agreement. This proves your legal existence.
• Memorandum of Association (MOA) & Articles of Association (AOA): For companies, these documents explain your company’s goals and internal rules.
• LLP Agreement: For LLPs, this document sets out the rights and duties of partners.
• PAN Card of the Entity: Your company’s or LLP’s Permanent Account Number (PAN) card is key for taxes.
• DPIIT Recognition Certificate: The certificate you get after your startup is officially recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Financial Documents

• Audited Financial Statements: You’ll need audited Balance Sheets and Profit & Loss Statements. These should be for all years since you started or the last three years, whichever is shorter. Make sure a Chartered Accountant (CA) certifies these.
• Income Tax Returns (ITR): Copies of your filed Income Tax Returns for all applicable years since starting or the last three years.
• Provisional Financial Statements: If your startup is very new and doesn’t have audited financials, provisional statements with strong predictions might be needed.
• Bank Statements: Recent bank statements can show a clear picture of your day-to-day money flow.

Tax Documents

• Goods and Services Tax (GST) Registration Certificate: If your business needs it, include your GST registration certificate.

Presentation Materials

• Pitch Deck: A detailed presentation showing your business idea, new ideas, market chance, money plans, and team. This should clearly show what makes you valuable.
• Video Pitch Link: A link to a short video (usually 2-3 minutes) explaining your product/service, its newness, and possible impact. This gives a lively view of your startup.

Board Resolution

• Board Resolution: A copy of the decision made by your company’s board of directors. This is a formal record of the board’s decision to authorize the company’s application for the 80-IAC tax exemption. For LLPs, a similar decision is made by partners.

Make sure all documents are clear, easy to read, and named correctly when you upload them. Any mistake can cause delays or rejection.

The 80-IAC tax exemption offers several strong benefits for eligible startups:

• No Income Tax: The biggest perk is paying no income tax on profits for three years. This means your startup keeps more money.
• More Cash Flow: With no tax payments on profits, your company saves more money. This extra cash can be used for research, hiring, marketing, or expanding.
• Less Financial Stress: A startup’s first few years often mean tight money. This exemption greatly reduces financial pressure. It lets you grow easily.
• Attracts Investors: Getting an 80-IAC certificate shows government approval. This can make your startup more appealing to investors. It proves your business is strong and has a good future.
• Encourages New Ideas: By freeing up money, this exemption pushes startups to invest more in innovation. This leads to new products, services, and business methods.
• Easier Operations: DPIIT recognition, which is the first step for claiming the 80-IAC exemption, also brings other significant advantages. It simplifies the regulatory process, reduces compliance burdens, and speeds up intellectual property registrations, giving your startup a smoother path for growth and expansion.

Even with the great benefits, not many applications for the 80-IAC exemption get approved. Many startups find the process hard. Knowing the common mistakes can help you avoid them.

• Meeting Innovation Standards

A key reason why many startups fail to secure the 80-IAC exemption is the high bar set for innovation. The Inter-Ministerial Board (IMB) looks for truly groundbreaking businesses that demonstrate real newness and a potential for significant impact. Simply having a good business idea isn’t enough; your product or service must be innovative, scalable, and capable of creating jobs or wealth.

The IMB evaluates whether your startup:

• Offers something new: Is it truly fresh or just a minor improvement?
• Has growth potential: Can it scale and generate substantial employment or value?
• Makes an impact: Does it solve a major problem or add significant value?
• Uses new technology: Does it apply advanced or new technology in unique ways?

Many applications fail because they don’t clearly show how the startup stands out from existing solutions, or they don’t meet the IMB’s rigorous innovation criteria.

• Incomplete or Poorly Prepared Applications

Another common reason for rejection is a poorly prepared application. This includes:

• Missing Documents: Not sending all required documents, or sending incomplete ones.
• Unclear Information: The pitch deck or video might not clearly explain the new idea. The board needs to understand your business quickly and well.
• Weak Money Plans: Unrealistic or poorly supported financial predictions can cause problems.
• Not Answering IMB Questions: If the IMB asks for more information, a delayed or incomplete answer can lead to rejection.
• Not Meeting Basic Rules: Some startups apply without fully checking all the basic eligibility rules. This includes sales limits or start dates.

The tax exemption granted under Section 80-IAC is not a permanent entitlement. The DPIIT can revoke the exemption if a startup is found to have provided incorrect details or suppressed material facts during the application process.

The consequences of such a revocation are severe:

• The startup will lose all the benefits previously granted under the notification.
• The entity may also face legal prosecution under the Income Tax Act, 1961, which could lead to penalties, fines, and other legal actions.

This provision emphasizes the importance of complete accuracy and transparency when applying for the exemption. It serves as a reminder that startups must remain compliant with all conditions and ensure their application is truthful to avoid the revocation of benefits and potential legal issues.