[FAQs]

FAQ 1. I am a trader in Futures and Options (F&O). This year, I incurred a loss in F&O trading. Do I still need to file my Income Tax Return (ITR) even though my income is below the exemption limit?

Filing an Income Tax Return is mandatory for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUF) if their income before allowing capital gain exemption and deductions under Chapter VI-A exceeds the maximum exemption limit.

Since you have incurred a loss during the year, you are not required to submit an ITR under normal circumstances. However, it is still necessary to file the ITR in order to carry forward the F&O losses. Therefore, you should file your return of income on or before the due date to carry forward the losses.

FAQ 2. I am a salaried employee. I am also engaged in trading derivatives such as futures and options. I would like to know the deadline for filing my Income Tax Return (ITR), whether it is 31st July or 31st October.

The gains or losses arising from trading in F&O are always taxable under the head of ‘Profits and Gains from Business or Profession.’ Income or loss from F&O shall be deemed as normal business income (non-speculative business) even though delivery is not affected by such transactions.

As your income from F&O falls under the business head, it is important to calculate your turnover to determine whether you are required to have your accounts audited. The turnover computation is crucial because the requirement for a tax audit is based on turnover. If your turnover exceeds the specified limit, you must have your accounts audited, and in that case, the due date for filing your ITR will be 31st October. However, if your turnover is below the specified limit, the due date to file the ITR will be 31st July.

FAQ 3. How to calculate the turnover in the case of F&O?

The Income-tax Act does not contain any provision or guidance for the computation of turnover in F&O trading. However, the ‘Guidance Note on Tax Audit’ issued by the ICAI prescribes the method of determining turnover, which shall be as under:

• The total of favorable and unfavorable differences is taken as turnover.
• The premium received on the sale of options is also included in turnover. However, where the premium received is included for determining net profit for transactions, the same should not be included separately.
• In respect of any reverse trades, the difference thereon should also form part of the turnover.

FAQ 4. I am a senior citizen, and my only source of income is the interest earned from bank deposits, which is below the maximum exemption limit. The bank has already deducted tax (TDS) from this income. Am I required to file ITR?

Filing an ITR is not mandatory since your income falls below the maximum exemption limit. However, it is important to note that if the amount of tax paid by an individual exceeds his actual tax liability, the excess amount is considered an ‘income-tax refund’ that can be claimed by filing a return. If you are eligible for an income-tax refund, it can only be claimed by filing the ITR.

Considering that the tax has been deducted from your interest income, filing the ITR to claim the refund of TDS is advisable. If you do not file the return, you cannot claim any refund.

FAQ 5. Which ITR form is to be used to report income from crypto?

If you have income from transferring cryptocurrencies (Virtual Digital Assets), you should report such income in ‘Schedule VDA’ in ITR-2 or ITR-3. It is important to note that you cannot use ITR-1 or ITR-4 to report this income.

FAQ 6. I only have income from cryptocurrencies. When is the due date to file my ITR?

If you earn income only from cryptocurrencies, the due date for filing your ITR depends on the head under which you report this income. When reporting income from the transfer of virtual digital assets in ‘Schedule VDA,’ you need to select whether it falls under the category of business income or capital gains. Here is how the due dates are determined based on the chosen category:

Capital Gains:

If you report the income as capital gains, your due date for filing the ITR will be 31st July.

Business Income:

If you report the income as business income, you need to compute the turnover to determine whether you must get your accounts audited. If your turnover exceeds the specified limit, you must have your accounts audited, and in that case, the due date for filing your ITR will be 31st October. However, if your turnover is below the specified limit, the due date for filing your ITR will be 31st July.