Section 80P of the Income Tax Act: Deduction for Cooperative Societies

There are a number of income tax laws in India that encourage specific industries to flourish. Sections 80H to Section 80RRB under Chapter VIA offer deductions for businesses such as housing projects, export businesses, hotels, small-scale industries, etc. Section 80P of the Income Tax Act lays down provisions for income tax deductions for profits and gains earned by cooperative societies, which are engaged in specified agricultural activities.

The following sections will discuss who can claim this deduction and up to what amount. Read along to know everything about Section 80P.

What is a Cooperative Society under Section 80P?

A cooperative society is not defined under Section 80P. However, according to Section 2(19) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, a co-operative society could be an entity registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 or under any other law governing the registration of co-operative societies in any state.

What is Section 80P of the Income Tax Act?

With the exception of cooperative banks, cooperative societies can claim income tax deductions for certain agricultural activities. Cooperative societies registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, 1912 or other state laws and earning income from such activities can get full deductions from their gross income. Note that Section 80P deduction is available only to primary agricultural credit society or rural development and primary cooperative agricultural banks.

The deductions available under Section 80P as discussed as follows:

Full Deductions under Section 80P of the IT Act

Cooperative societies can get 100% of their profits and gains as income tax deductions in the following cases:

Businesses involved in marketing agricultural produce made by members
For purchase of seeds, livestock or agricultural implements which would be supplied to its members
Cooperative societies that process member-produced agricultural goods without power
For cottage industries
Those engaged in banking and providing credit facilities to members
Cooperative societies providing collective disposal of their members’ labour
Businesses involved in fishing and related activities, including curing, preserving, storing, catching or marketing fish (purchase of materials and equipment for fishers are also included.)
Cooperative societies engaged in supplying fruits, vegetables, milk and oilseeds to:

The government or a local authority
A government company or a corporation engaged in supplying these products.
A federal cooperative society that supplies the above products

Interests and dividends earned from investments in another cooperative society
Income derived by a cooperative society from renting godowns/warehouses
Income from interest or house property by a cooperative society

Cooperative societies belonging to categories (f) and (g) must fully restrict voting rights to the following people to be eligible for deductions u/s 80P:

The state government
Members who contribute their labour to the society
A cooperative society providing financial assistance

Other Deductions under Section 80P of the Income Tax Act 1961

The following are some additional deductions allowed for cooperative societies that are not cottage industries:

Consumer cooperative society can get deductions on profits and gains from mentioned activities as long as it is below Rs. 10,00,000.
For any other case, deductions of up to Rs. 50,000

This includes deductions for any other income than the ones covered from (a) to (k). Consumer cooperative societies refer to those that work for the benefit of consumers. However, it does not include cooperative societies that supply coal and diesel for its members for use in brick and tile production.

Note that cooperative societies that provide banking services are eligible for the additional deductions.

Specific Exclusions under Section 80P

The Finance Act 2016 also introduced some exclusions under Section 80P of the Income Tax Act. It is not applicable to cooperative banks, including regional rural banks. Only the following financial institutions are included:

Primary agricultural society — as defined by the Banking Regulation Act
Primary cooperative agricultural and rural development bank (a society that provides long-term credit for agricultural and rural development)

There are also certain exclusions that apply for deductions against income from securities or house property under Section 80P(2f). With the following exceptions, no other cooperative society can claim 100% deduction under this subsection.

An urban consumer society
A housing society
A society involved in transportation
A cooperative society engaged in manufacturing operations with the help of power. Its gross total income should not exceed Rs. 20,000.

Other Key Points u/s 80P to Remember

A cooperative society can be eligible for deductions under Section 80HH, Section 80HHA, Section 80HHC, Section 80HHD, Section 80I, Section 80IA and Section 80J. In this case, it can claim deductions u/s 80P after reducing these deductions.
According to various high courts, cooperative banks not having an RBI license are eligible to claim deductions under Section 80P of the Income Tax Act.
Profits and gains u/s 80P are not considered for adjusted total income under AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax).

Final Word

Section 80P of the Income Tax Act offers tax deductions to cooperative societies for certain economic activities. If you have a cooperative society, you can get up to 100% deduction on profits from certain businesses. For other activities, you can get deduction worth Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,00,000.

FAQs on Deductions under Section 80P

Q1. What is the meaning of cooperative societies in India?

Ans: Such societies exist to provide mutual assistance, self-help and increase the marketability of products. In India, cooperative societies are governed by the Cooperative Societies Act of individual states or the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.

Q2. What tax exemptions are applicable for cooperative societies?

Ans: The following are allowable exemptions under Chapter III of the IT Act:
a) Section 10A – Exemption of profits from new industrial undertakings in a free trade zone.
Section 10B – Exemption of profits from a 100% export business for 10 years.

Q3. Are cooperative societies required to maintain books of accounts?

Ans: Under Section 44AA, cooperative societies must maintain books of accounts and other records for tax computation. Moreover, they must have their accounts audited by a chartered accountant u/s 44AB. Their accounts are also subject to audits from the administrative department under respective state cooperative laws. However, cooperative societies not engaged in businesses do not need tax audits u/s 44AB.

Q4. What is the special taxation rate under Section 115BAD of the IT Act?

Ans: The Finance Act, 2020 introduced Section 115BAD to provide the benefit of a lower tax rate to resident cooperative societies. This allows them to get taxed at a 22% rate plus a 10% surcharge and 4% cess. A cooperative society has to forego various income tax exemptions and deductions such as Section 10AA, Section 32AD, Section 33AB, Section 35(1iia), Section 35(2AA), etc.

Q5. What are the usual tax rates for cooperative societies?

Ans: The following are the normal tax rates for cooperative societies:
a) For income up to Rs. 10,000 — 10%
b) Income from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000 — Rs. 1,000 + 20% on excess of Rs. 10,000
c) For income more than Rs. 20,000 — Rs. 3,000 + 30% on income above Rs. 20,000

Besides these, a surcharge of 12% for total income below Rs. 1 crore and a 4% health and education cess are applicable.

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