Protecting SEZ Developers' Tax Incentives : Clause 139 of the Income Tax Bill, 2025 Vs. Section 80IAB of the Income-tax Act, 1961

Clause 139 Deductions in respect of profits and gains by an undertaking or enterprise engaged in development of Special Economic Zone.

Income Tax Bill, 2025

Introduction

Clause 139 of the Income Tax Bill, 2025, seeks to provide deductions in respect of profits and gains by an undertaking or enterprise engaged in the development of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This provision is designed to ensure continuity of tax incentives previously available u/s 80IAB of the Income-tax Act, 1961, which stood repealed with the introduction of the new tax code. The clause essentially acts as a transitional mechanism, preserving the rights of eligible developers to claim deductions that would have been available to them had section 80IAB remained in force. Section 80IAB was a critical fiscal incentive for SEZ developers, aligning with India's economic policy to encourage infrastructure development and export-oriented growth. The section provided a 100% deduction of profits and gains derived from the business of developing SEZs for a period of ten consecutive years, subject to certain conditions and timelines. With the legislative shift towards a new tax regime, Clause 139 becomes significant in safeguarding the legitimate expectations and investments of SEZ developers who commenced their projects under the earlier framework. This commentary analyzes Clause 139 in detail, elucidates its objectives, dissects its operative mechanics, and compares it with the erstwhile section 80IAB. The analysis also explores practical implications, interpretative challenges, and policy considerations relevant to stakeholders.

Objective and Purpose

Clause 139 is crafted with the primary objective of ensuring that developers who initiated SEZ projects under the incentive regime of section 80IAB are not unfairly prejudiced by the repeal of the old Act. The legislative intent is twofold:

1. Transitional Protection: To provide a seamless transition for developers who invested in SEZs relying on the fiscal incentives promised by the state, thereby upholding the principle of legitimate expectation and non-arbitrariness in state action.
2. Continuity of Incentives: To allow eligible developers to continue availing deductions for the remaining eligible period, calculated as per the provisions of section 80IAB, as if the old Act had not been repealed.

The policy rationale is rooted in the need to maintain investor confidence, prevent disruption of ongoing projects, and avoid retrospective denial of incentives that could have adverse economic and legal repercussions.

Detailed Analysis

1. Structure and Scope of Clause 139

Clause 139 is composed of several key elements:

• Eligibility: The assessee must be a "Developer" whose gross total income includes profits and gains derived from the business of developing a SEZ, notified on or after April 1, 2005, under the SEZ Act, 2005.
• Reference to Section 80IAB: The clause explicitly refers to section 80IAB, stipulating that the deduction is available only if the assessee would have been eligible under that section had the old Act not been repealed.
• Quantum and Period of Deduction: The amount and period of deduction must be determined in accordance with the provisions of section 80IAB.
• Conditionality: The deduction is allowed only for the tax years that would have been eligible u/s 80IAB, thereby preventing any extension or expansion of the benefit beyond what was previously permissible.

2. Key Provisions and Their Interpretation

1. Eligibility Criteria:
   • The clause is confined to "Developers" as defined under the SEZ Act, 2005, and applies only to SEZs notified on or after April 1, 2005. This mirrors the scope of section 80IAB and excludes any new SEZs notified after the cut-off date stipulated in the old law.
   • The business must be that of "developing" a SEZ, which has been interpreted in previous jurisprudence to include activities such as land acquisition, infrastructure development, and provision of facilities for units within the SEZ.
2. Reference to Repealed Law:
   • The clause operates as a "legal fiction," deeming the relevant provisions of section 80IAB to continue for the limited purpose of calculating the deduction. This approach is consistent with established principles of transitional legislation, as seen in various Supreme Court rulings on savings and repeal clauses.
   • The eligibility is tested "as if the said Act had not been repealed," ensuring that only those who would have qualified under the old regime are covered.
3. Calculation of Deduction:
   • The quantum of deduction is to be "calculated as per the provisions of section 80IAB," i.e., 100% of profits and gains derived from the eligible business for ten consecutive years, within a span of fifteen years from the date of notification of the SEZ.
   • This ensures that the computation mechanism, including all conditions and limitations u/s 80IAB (such as the option to choose any ten consecutive years and the application of sub-sections of section 80-IA), continues to apply.
4. Temporal Limitation:
   • The deduction is available only for such tax years as would have been allowed u/s 80IAB, preventing any extension of the benefit due to the transition to the new Act.
   • This is particularly significant for developers who have already commenced availing the deduction and have unexpired years remaining within the original ten-year window.

3. Ambiguities and Potential Issues

• Interpretation of "Developer": While the SEZ Act provides a definition, disputes may arise regarding the eligibility of entities involved in ancillary activities or those who have transferred development rights.
• Overlap with Other Provisions: The clause's reference to section 80IAB incorporates by implication the cross-references to section 80-IA, including anti-abuse provisions, which may lead to interpretational challenges in the new regime.
• Procedural Aspects: The mechanism for claiming deduction, documentation, and compliance requirements are not explicitly stated and may need to be clarified through subordinate legislation or CBDT circulars.
• Sunset Clauses: The clause does not extend or revive the benefit for developers commencing SEZs after April 1, 2017, in line with the sunset provision introduced by the Finance Act, 2016 in section 80IAB.

Practical Implications

1. Impact on Developers

Clause 139 provides significant relief to developers who have made substantial investments in SEZ infrastructure based on the promise of tax incentives. It ensures:

• Certainty and predictability in fiscal planning for ongoing projects.
• Protection against abrupt withdrawal of incentives, which could otherwise lead to stranded investments and potential litigation.
• Continuity of cash flows for the remaining eligible period, aiding project viability and debt servicing.

2. Impact on Tax Administration

Tax authorities are required to apply the provisions of the repealed section 80IAB for eligible cases, necessitating:

• Maintenance of dual compliance regimes for a transitional period.
• Training and capacity building to interpret and administer the legacy provisions in the context of the new Act.
• Potential increase in scrutiny and litigation over eligibility, computation, and procedural compliance.

3. Impact on Policy and Investment Climate

By honoring past commitments, the provision reinforces India's credibility as an investment destination, particularly for infrastructure and export-oriented sectors. It also signals a balanced approach to tax reform, accommodating legitimate expectations while transitioning to a modernized tax regime.

Comparative Analysis: Clause 139 vs. Section 80IAB

1. Structural Parity

Both Clause 139 and section 80IAB are structurally aligned in their core purpose: providing a 100% deduction of profits and gains derived from the business of developing SEZs, subject to specific eligibility and temporal conditions.

2. Key Similarities

• Eligible Assessee: Both apply to "Developers" as defined under the SEZ Act, 2005.
• Nature of Income: Deduction is available only in respect of profits and gains derived from the business of developing an SEZ.
• Quantum of Deduction: 100% of eligible profits for ten consecutive years within a fifteen-year window.
• Temporal Limitation: Both provisions exclude SEZs where development commenced after April 1, 2017, pursuant to the sunset clause introduced by the Finance Act, 2016.
• Cross-Reference to Section 80-IA: The machinery provisions for computation, anti-abuse, and procedural requirements are incorporated by reference to section 80-IA.

3. Key Differences

Aspect	Section 80IAB of the Income-tax Act, 1961	Clause 139 of the Income Tax Bill, 2025
Legal Status	Substantive law in force until repeal	Transitional/savings provision referencing repealed law
Scope	Applies to all eligible developers during its currency	Applies only to those eligible as of repeal, for unexpired period
Temporal Application	Open to new SEZs notified up to April 1, 2017	Closed to new SEZs; operates only for ongoing eligible cases
Procedural Clarity	Detailed mechanism, including options for period selection, transfer of operation, etc.	Relies entirely on provisions of section 80IAB; procedural aspects to be clarified
Legislative Intent	Promotion of SEZ development as ongoing policy	Protection of vested rights; no new incentive policy

4. Unique Features and Potential Conflicts

• Transitional Nature: Clause 139 is not a standalone incentive but a savings provision. It does not create new rights but preserves existing ones, preventing retrospective deprivation.
• Potential Conflicts: Ambiguities may arise in the interpretation of procedural requirements, particularly regarding the application of anti-abuse provisions and documentation standards in the context of the new Act.
• Comparative Jurisdictions: Similar transitional mechanisms have been employed in other tax jurisdictions to protect pre-existing incentives during tax reforms, underscoring the importance of legal certainty and investor confidence.

Conclusion

Clause 139 of the Income Tax Bill, 2025, is a critical transitional provision that ensures continuity of tax incentives for SEZ developers who commenced their projects under the erstwhile section 80IAB. By referencing the repealed law, it upholds the principles of legitimate expectation and non-arbitrariness, providing much-needed certainty for ongoing investments. The clause is meticulously aligned with the substantive provisions of section 80IAB, ensuring that the quantum, period, and conditions for deduction remain unchanged. However, it is strictly limited to cases where eligibility existed prior to the repeal, precluding any expansion of the benefit to new projects. While the provision addresses the core concern of transitional justice, certain ambiguities regarding procedural compliance and interpretational overlaps may necessitate further clarification through subordinate legislation or administrative guidance. The approach adopted in Clause 139 is consistent with global best practices in tax reform, balancing the imperatives of policy evolution with the need to honor past commitments.

---

Full Text:

Clause 139 Deductions in respect of profits and gains by an undertaking or enterprise engaged in development of Special Economic Zone.

 

Dated: 17-4-2025