LIC Faces Substantial Tax Demand from Income Tax Department for FY22
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Key Takeaways
New Delhi, March 25 (NationPress) The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) announced on Wednesday that it has received a significant tax demand from the Income Tax Department concerning the financial year 2021–22.
In a regulatory filing, LIC reported that the Assessment Unit of the tax department has issued a demand of Rs 61,46,71,18,015 as income tax, alongside an additional interest charge of Rs 9,53,25,87,935.
The insurer indicated its intention to contest this order, planning to file an appeal with the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) utilizing the available legal avenues.
This tax demand has emerged from various adjustments made by the tax authorities during their assessment.
Key issues include the classification of interim bonuses as income, the inclusion of losses from the Jeevan Suraksha Fund as income, and the classification of negative reserves as income.
The department has also denied certain deductions claimed by LIC under Section 80M, as well as interest expenses related to delays in the payment of tax deducted at source (TDS).
Despite the substantial figures involved, LIC affirmed that the order will not materially affect its overall operations or business activities.
It stated that the financial implications are confined to the demanded tax and interest amounts.
This disclosure was made in accordance with Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, which mandates that listed companies inform stock exchanges about significant developments.
LIC also confirmed that this information has been communicated to stock exchanges and is available on its official website.
Following this announcement, LIC’s shares experienced an uptick in the market. On the NSE, the stock closed at Rs 779.60, reflecting an increase of Rs 20.90 or 2.75 percent, while another closing price indicated it at Rs 781.10, up by Rs 22.40 or 2.95 percent.