Section 194N - TDS on Cash withdrawal

In order to discourage cash transactions and move towards cash-less economy, a new Section 194N has been inserted under Income-tax Act with effect from September 1, 2019 to provide for deduction of tax on cash withdrawals made by any person from his bank or post-office account.

Who is required to deduct tax?

Section 194N requires every

1. Banking company

2. Co-operative bank or

3. Post office to deduct tax on cash withdrawal made by any person from account(s) maintained with such bank or post office.

When tax shall be required to be deducted? TDS under Section 194N tax shall be required to be deducted only when the aggregate amount of cash withdrawal during the previous year by a person from one or more of his bank or post office account, as the case may be, exceeds Rs. 1 crore. Further, the tax shall be required to be deducted only on the amount exceeding Rs. 1 crore.

What is the Rate of TDS?  The tax shall be deducted at the rate of 2% on the amount of cash withdrawal exceeding Rs. 1 crore. What is the date of applicability of Section 194N? Section 194N is made applicable from September 1, 2019. Hence, every bank or post office shall be required to deduct TDS on cash withdrawal made on or after September 1, 2019. However, Section 194N provides that the tax shall be required to be deducted only when the aggregate amount of cash withdrawn by a person during the previous year, from one or more of his bank or post office account, exceeds Rs. 1 Crore. Hence, for the purpose of computation of threshold limit of Rs. 1 crore, the total amount of cash withdrawn during the previous year shall be considered.  To clarify further, the CBDT has issued a Press Release, Dated 30-08-2019 to provide that any cash withdrawal prior to 1st September, 2019 will not be subjected to the TDS under Section 194N. However, since the threshold of Rs. 1 crore is with respect to the previous year, calculation of amount of cash withdrawal for triggering deduction under section 194N shall be counted from 1st April, 2019. Hence, if a person has already withdrawn Rs. 1 crore or more in cash upto 31st August, 2019 from one or more accounts maintained with a banking company or a cooperative bank or a post office, the 2% TDS shall apply on all subsequent cash withdrawals made on or after 1st September 2019.

When tax shall not be required to be deducted?

No tax shall be required to be deducted if cash withdrawal from bank or post office is made by the following recipients: 1. Central or State Government 2. Banks 3. Co-op. Banks 4. Post Office 5. Banking correspondents 6. White label ATM operators 7. Other persons notified by the Govt. in consultation with the RBI.