Taxation on NCD

• As per section 193 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, there is no tax deduction at source (TDS) from any securities issued by a company, in a dematerialized form and listed on a recognized stock exchange in India. However, NCDs allotted to non‐resident Indians (NRIs) will be subject to TDS as per section 195 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

• For individual investors, if the NCDs are sold before a year, the profits will be added to the income of the investor and he will have to pay taxes at the same rate as per the income tax slab. For any profit made by selling NCDs after a year, tax will be paid at 10%, if indexation is not done or 20% if the indexation is done.

Minimum investment

Amount invested by a single investor is as decided by the company and varies with the issuances. Usually investors can start investing with amounts as low as Rs 10000/‐.

Basis of NCD allotment

Allotment is based on “First come first serve” basis.

Where are NCDs bought from and sold to

Debentures can be bought and sold through secondary market. They are traded like shares

Is NCD a Share or a fixed deposit?

NCD is neither a share nor fixed deposit. It is similar to fixed deposit in the sense that at time of redemption, the return is fixed.

Are NCDs taxable?

Dematerialized forms of NCDs are not taxable.

Features of Non‐Convertible Debentures

• Higher rate of returns: NCDs in the past have offered interest rates which were quite attractive as compared to interest on other fixed-income options.

• Flexible tenure: The tenure of NCDs can be anywhere between 2 years and 20 years, thereby providing better maturity opportunities.

• Lower credit risk: An NCD loses value when interest rate in the system goes up and gains when the interest rate declines. However, when the NCD is held until maturity, one is likely to realize the promised return and the risk due to movement in interest rates is eliminated or minimized.

• Professionally rated: NCDs are rated by certified and professional credit rating agencies.

• Easy liquidity: NCDs are generally listed securities hence one can sell them in the secondary market before maturity.

• Capital appreciation: As NCDs are listed securities, it can benefit from the fluctuations in stock market and may have capital appreciation.

• No Tax deduction at source: There is no tax deduction at source (TDS) on NCDs offered in DEMAT mode and listed on a stock exchange as per section 193 of the IT Act.

• Interest Payout Options: One could look at different interest payout options offered by NCDs such as monthly, quarterly, half‐yearly or annual interest payments.

Things to be considered before investing in NCDs

• Ratings: Rating agencies use simple alphanumeric symbols to convey credit ratings. For example, rating agencies assign credit ratings to debt obligations on three basic scales: the long‐term scale, the short‐ term scale, and the fixed deposit scale. AAA is the highest Credit rating by indicating highest safety. Higher rating indicates timely servicing of debt obligations by the issuer and lower amount of credit risk. Payback History Of Company: You must do a research and background study of the company, which is issuing the bond; after all it is your money. Check if the company has any history of default on its payment. If so it is unwise to invest in these instruments. However if the company has a good consistence history of repayment to its creditors then it is better to invest in NCDs of that company.

• Secured and Non Secured NCDs: If the company in whose NCDs you have invested is wound up (closes down), it’s important for you to know where you stand when the company repays its debts. The order in which the Company repays its debts depends upon the ranking of the bonds based on the security Bonds are either secured against assets or unsecured. If the bonds are secured, in the event of winding up of the company, it would sell off the assets against which the bonds were secured and repay the investor. Listing & Liquidity: Debentures (convertible and/or non convertible) can be listed on a stock exchange, providing opportunities to accumulate additionally or to sell them and exit earlier than the tenure of the debenture. But investors have to be careful about the price movement of the instruments, which in turn depends upon the interest rate movements and the applicable coupon interest rate payable on them. More the liquidity better it is for the investor.

• Varying Tenures: Redemption periods usually range from 2‐15 years. One should choose the tenure on the basis of his/her own personal financial goals and risk appetite.

• Interest Payout Options: Depending on the requirement of the investors, one could look at different interest payout options offered by NCDs such as monthly, quarterly, half‐yearly or annual interest payments.

Who Can Invest in NCDs

• Category I (Institutional Category)

Public Financial Institutions, Statutory Corporations, Commercial Banks, Co‐operative Banks and Regional Rural Banks which are authorized to invest in NCDs.

Provident Funds, Pension Funds, Superannuation Funds and Gratuity Fund, which are authorized to invest in NCDs.

Venture Capital Funds and/or Alternative Investment Funds registered with SEBI.

Insurance Companies registered with IRDA.

National Investment Funds.

Mutual Funds.

• Category II (Non Institutional Category)

Companies; bodies corporate and societies registered under applicable laws in India and authorized to invest in the NCDs.

Public/Private Charitable/Religious trusts which are authorized to invest in NCDs.

Scientific and /or industrial research organizations; which are authorized to invest in the NCDs.

Partnership firms in the name of partners; and

Limited Liability Partnership formed and registered under the provisions of the LLP Act, 2008 (No.6 of 2009).

• Category III (Individual Category)

Resident Indian Individuals.

Hindu Undivided Families through the Karta

Who is not eligible to invest

The following categories of persons, and entities, shall not be eligible to participate in the Issue and any Applications from such persons and entities are liable to be rejected:

(a)Minors without a guardian *;

(b)Foreign nationals, Non‐Resident Indians (NRI) inter‐alia including any NRIs who are (i) based in the USA, and/or, (ii) domiciled in the USA, and/or, (iii) residents/citizens of the USA, and/or, (iv) subject to any taxation laws of the USA;

(c)Persons resident outside;

(d)Foreign Institutional Investors;

(e)Foreign Portfolio Investors;

(f)Qualified Foreign Investors;

(g)Overseas Corporate Bodies; and

(h)Persons ineligible to contract under applicable statutory/regulatory requirements.

*Applicant shall ensure that guardian is competent to contract under Indian Contract Act, 1872