In today's globalized economy,
businesses and individuals often engage in international transactions, leading
to exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations. In Bangalore, a prominent hub for
businesses in India, understanding the tax treatment of foreign exchange gains
and losses is crucial for both companies and individuals engaged in
cross-border activities. This article aims to provide insights into the
taxation framework governing foreign exchange gains and losses in Bangalore.
General
Some terms that need clarification are as follows:
Closing rate - The closing rate is the spot exchange rate at the end of the reporting period, viz. the reporting date or balance sheet date.
Exchange rate - The spot exchange rate is the exchange rate for immediate delivery. It is the current price level in the market to directly exchange one currency for another.
Exchange difference - Exchange difference is the difference resulting from translating/converting/exchanging a given number of units of one currency into another currency at different exchange rates.
The exchange rate is the ratio of exchange for two currencies.
1) Functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates.
2) Presentation currency is the currency in which the financial statements are presented.
Monetary items are units of currency held, as well as assets and liabilities to be received or paid in a fixed or determinable number of units of currency, e.g. trade receivables, trade payables, cash, deposits, and bank balances.
Non-monetary items are those such as PPE, intangible assets, investments in associates, and others that have no rights to receive or obligation to pay a fixed or determinable number of units of currency.
Comprehensive income consists of 2 sections: income statement and other
comprehensive income. Unrealized gains and losses are included in the other
comprehensive income by the larger corporations.
Accounting treatment
At the end of each reporting period
Reporting foreign currency transactions
A foreign currency transaction is a transaction that is denominated in or requires settlement in a foreign currency, including transactions arising when an entity:
Recognition of foreign exchange gains or losses
Realized and Unrealised gains or losses
Tax treatment
Taxability and deductibility of foreign exchange gains and losses
Foreign exchange gains and losses are taxable and deductible respectively if the gains and losses are:
Foreign exchange gains and losses are not taxable and deductible respectively, if the gains or losses are:
Revenue transactions
Revenue transactions are transactions
relating to the normal operating cycle of an entity such as sales, purchases,
trading, etc.
Capital transactions
Capital transactions are transactions relating to assets, such as the purchase of property, plant and equipment, investments, speculations outside the normal operating cycle of an entity, etc.
Trade and non-trade activities
Trade generally refers to activities involving sales of goods and services, whereas non-trade activities refer to activities that are not related to the selling of goods or the provision of services.
Borrowing cost
If an entity has foreign currency borrowings that are used in the ordinary course of business operations, any foreign exchange gain or loss on repayment of the borrowings would be considered revenue transactions.
Similarly, if foreign currency borrowings are used to purchase capital assets, any foreign exchange gain or loss on repayment of the borrowings would be considered capital transactions.
Created & Posted by Pooja
Income Tax Expert at TAXAJ
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