Special Economic Zones

Content:

What are SEZs?

• Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a specifically delineated duty-free enclave and shall be deemed to be foreign territory for the purposes of trade operations and duties and tariffs.
•  In order words, SEZ is a geographical region that has economic laws different from a country’s typical economic laws. 
• SEZs have access to duty-free imports of manufacturing inputs because technically they are considered to be outside of the country’s domestic tariff area.
• Business units that set up establishments in an SEZ would be entitled for a package of incentives and a simplified operating environment. 
• Besides, no license is required for imports, including second hand machineries.
• The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy in India first came into inception on April 1, 2000. 
• The prime objective was to enhance foreign investment and provide an internationally competitive and hassle free environment for exports. 
• The idea was to promote exports from the country and realising the need that a level playing field must be made available to the domestic enterprises and manufacturers to be competitive globally.

The incentives and facilities offered to the units in SEZs for attracting investments into the SEZs, including foreign investment include:-

• Duty free import/domestic procurement of goods for development, operation and maintenance of SEZ units
• 100% Income Tax exemption on export income for SEZ units under Section 10AA of the Income Tax Act for first 5 years, 50% for next 5 years thereafter and 50% of the ploughed back export profit for next 5 years. (Sunset Clause for Units will become effective from 01.04.2020)
• Exemption from Central Sales Tax, Exemption from Service Tax and Exemption from State sales tax. These have now subsumed into GST and supplies to SEZs are zero rated under IGST Act, 2017. 
• Other levies as imposed by the respective State Governments.  
• Single window clearance for Central and State level approvals.

The major incentives and facilities available to SEZ developers include:-

• Exemption from customs/excise duties for development of SEZs for authorized operations approved by the BOA.
• Income Tax exemption on income derived from the business of development of the SEZ in a block of 10 years in 15 years under Section 80-IAB of the Income Tax Act. (Sunset Clause for Developers has become effective from 01.04.2017)
• Exemption from Central Sales Tax (CST).
• Exemption from Service Tax (Section 7, 26 and Second Schedule of the SEZ Act).

MAT and AMT

• The Government has introduced various profit linked deductions and incentives in order to encourage investment in various industries. 
• Taxpayers who are eligible to claim such deductions/incentives would become zero tax companies or may end up paying marginal tax though they are capable of paying normal tax. 
• The Government also needs regular/consistent inflow of tax which is one of its major revenues to fund various expenses for the welfare of the country. 
• Hence, ensuring not to completely disrupt the intention of introducing such incentives/deductions by taking it away indirectly and also to ensure levy of tax on such zero tax/marginal tax companies, concept of Minimum Tax was introduced. 
• This was initially introduced for companies in the name of ‘Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT)’ to collect minimum tax to be paid by companies who are claiming profit linked deductions in such financial years (FYs) wherein normal tax payable is lower than MAT.

Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT)

• The Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) is imposed on book profit of companies who record nil or negligible profit to pay the usual corporate income tax. 
• The provisions of MAT are applicable to a corporate taxpayer only.
• Under the original scheme, businesses in SEZs were exempted from the minimum alternate tax (MAT) on book profits and developers were exempted from payment of the dividend distribution tax (DDT).
• From 2011-12, MAT exemptions for SEZ units and developers were withdrawn and DDT exemptions for developers were terminated.
• Now, SEZ units should pay the Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT). Currently MAT is levied at 18.5% on the book profit of firms, with the effective rate over 21%, factoring in surcharges and cess.
• Exemption from Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) under Section 115O of the Income Tax Act was also withdrawn from 1.6.2011) 

Alternate Minimum Tax (AMT)

• The provisions relating to AMT are applicable to non-corporate taxpayers in a modified pattern in the form of Alternate Minimum Tax, i.e., AMT. 
• AMT applies to a person (and not a company)
• AMT is a minimum tax that is a leviable alternative to normal tax.
• Current Rate of AMT is 18.5% (plus applicable surcharge and cess). 
• AMT is a tax levied on ‘adjusted total income’ in a FY wherein tax on normal income is lower than AMT on Adjusted total income. 

Success and Failures of SEZ:

Following are some of the success stories of SEZ:

• Nokia Special Economic Zone (Telecom Equipment SEZ)
• Mahindra City SEZ (Apparel and fashion accessories; IT/Hardware; Auto-ancillary)
• Apache SEZ Development India Private Limited (Footwear SEZ)
• Reliance Jamnagar Infrastructure Limited (Multi-product SEZ) 

Reasons for failure of SEZ in India:

• The unpredictability of the tax regime in India
  • predictability in taxation policies is essential for making the environment conducive for investment, whether foreign or domestic.
  • The withdrawal of direct tax benefits has been a setback for the SEZ programme and has affected its future prospects

• Effect of FTAs
  • India has signed a number of free trade agreements (FTAs), with countries such as Sri Lanka, Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), under which import duties have been slashed to zero for several product lines. 
  • This impacts local sales of SEZ units, which are taxed at higher rates. 

• Lack of complementary infrastructure 
  • A major reason for the success of SEZs in China was the creation of complementary infrastructure, power, roads and ports; these are lacking in India.
  • Location, infrastructure, logistics and professional zone management are four key factors determining success of SEZs.
  • The SEZs have to be connected with ports and airports with world-class roads and rail; ports and airports, too, have to be world-class, with Customs authorities adopting international best practices in trade facilitation. 
  • This is not the case at present.  

• Improper Site Selection 
  • Failure of local Indian politicians to select SEZ sites that offer maximum development potential is seen as another reason
  • Site selection for SEZs has been guided by self-serving agendas rather than considerations of growth and development. 
  • Local politicians often influence bureaucrats at state-owned industrial development corporations to secure land for personal gains. 
  • As such, sites for SEZs are selected based on real estate speculation rather than the economic potential of a region.