Agricultural Income Tax Holiday" under the "Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives Scheme

Description
Launched in 2020, the scheme "Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives Scheme ATISIS " by the Finance Institutional Finance Department, Government of Assam, aims to ensure long-term financial sustainability of the Tea industry and to incentivize manufacturers to move from Crush, Tear, Curl tea to Orthodox tea production. The scheme is implemented by the Finance Department and the Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Assam, through multiple implementing agencies, including banks and the District Industries & Commerce Centre. The applications for this scheme are accepted online through a dedicated portal with a Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism for reimbursement.

Benefits
• Benefit Period: 3 years of Agricultural Income Tax holiday.
• Applicable Financial Years: 2022-23 to 2024-25.
• Condition: Returns must be filed within the due date; if not filed on the due date, interest and penalty will be applicable.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - The applicant must be a tea plantation across all sizes.
2. - The applicant must be a tea manufacturing unit manufacturing Crush, Tear, Curl Tea, Orthodox Tea, or Speciality tea including Green tea, Oolong Tea, White tea, Yellow tea and Purple tea.
3. - The applicant must be located entirely in Assam.
4. - The applicant must not have any part of the plantation or manufacturing facility located outside the State of Assam.
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Application Process
Step 1: Registration Process
Online
Registration Process

Step 2: Step 1: Visit the dedicated portal of "Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives" Scheme. Click on the "New User Registration" option.
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Step 1: Visit the dedicated portal of "Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives" Scheme. Click on the "New User Registration" option.

Step 3: Step 2: In the registration form, fill in basic details including name, mobile number, and email address. Create a username and password following the portal's password policy. Verify your mobile number through one-time password verification. Comp…
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Step 2: In the registration form, fill in basic details including name, mobile number, and email address. Create a username and password following the portal's password policy. Verify your mobile number through one-time password verification. Complete Captcha Code verification. Submit the registration form.

Step 4: Step 3: Check your registered email for the account activation link. Click on the activation link to activate the account. Log in to the portal using registered credentials.
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Step 3: Check your registered email for the account activation link. Click on the activation link to activate the account. Log in to the portal using registered credentials.

Step 5: Step 4: Upload all supporting documents of eligibility in the prescribed format. Fill in complete unit details, including location, type of tea production, and capacity. Submit the unit registration form. Wait for registration approval.
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Application Process

Step 6: Step 1: Log in to the portal using registered credentials. Navigate to the "Apply for Benefits" section. Select the scheme component that you intend to apply for.
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Step 1: Log in to the portal using registered credentials. Navigate to the "Apply for Benefits" section. Select the scheme component that you intend to apply for.

Step 7: Step 2: Fill in the prescribed application form with all mandatory fields. Upload all supporting documents as mentioned in the portal. Ensure file formats and file size restrictions are followed as per the portal guidelines. Review all entered inf…
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Step 2: Fill in the prescribed application form with all mandatory fields. Upload all supporting documents as mentioned in the portal. Ensure file formats and file size restrictions are followed as per the portal guidelines. Review all entered information for accuracy.

Step 8: Step 3: Upload documents in the specified format and size. Ensure all documents are clear and legible. Complete document verification checklist.
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Step 3: Upload documents in the specified format and size. Ensure all documents are clear and legible. Complete document verification checklist.

Step 9: Step 4: Review the complete application before submission. Apply online.
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*Note down the application reference number. Save a copy of the submitted application form.
*Applicants are strongly encouraged to save a copy of the submitted application, confirmation message, and application reference number for future reference and tracking purposes.
Application Status Tracking
Log in to the portal to check application status. Track application progress through different stages of verification. Receive Short Message Service alerts throughout the process, including registration, fund release, etc.
*For Technical Support, please write to [email protected].
Disbursement Process
The Finance Department releases the benefit directly to the beneficiary's bank account. Short Message Service alerts sent for funds disbursement. The beneficiary receives the Direct Benefit Transfer in a registered bank account.

Required Documents
• Agricultural Income Tax Return Filing Documents.
• Tea Estate Registration Certificate.
• Common Documents for All Benefits.
• Aadhaar Card.
• Permanent Account Number Card.
• Business Registration Certificate.
• Bank Account Details.
• Address Proof of Unit Location in Assam.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long will I be exempted from paying agricultural income tax under this incentive scheme?
A: You will receive a complete agricultural income tax holiday for 3 years under this scheme.
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Q: Which specific financial years are covered under the agricultural income tax holiday benefit provided by this scheme?
A: The agricultural income tax holiday applies to the financial years 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25.
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Q: What is the most important condition I must fulfill to continue enjoying the agricultural income tax holiday benefits?
A: You must file your tax returns within the due date for each applicable financial year to maintain the tax holiday benefit.
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Q: What consequences will I face if I fail to file my tax returns by the due date during the tax holiday period?
A: If you do not file returns by the due date, interest and penalty charges will become applicable despite the tax holiday.
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Q: Can I apply for this agricultural income tax holiday if I own a tea plantation of any size or capacity?
A: Yes, tea plantations across all sizes are eligible to apply for the agricultural income tax holiday under this scheme.
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Q: What types of tea manufacturing activities make me eligible to receive the agricultural income tax holiday benefits?
A: You are eligible if you manufacture Crush, Tear, Curl tea, Orthodox tea, or Speciality tea including Green tea, Oolong tea, White tea, Yellow tea, and Purple tea.
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Q: Is there any geographical restriction on where my tea plantation should be located to qualify for this tax holiday?
A: Yes, your entire tea plantation must be located within the State of Assam without any part outside the state.
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Q: Can I still qualify for the agricultural income tax holiday if part of my plantation is located outside Assam?
A: No, you cannot qualify if any part of your plantation or manufacturing facility is located outside the State of Assam.
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Q: Do I need to have both tea plantation and manufacturing facilities to be eligible for the tax holiday?
A: You can be eligible as either a tea plantation across all sizes or as a tea manufacturing unit producing the specified types of tea.
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Q: What is the primary objective behind offering this agricultural income tax holiday to tea industry participants?
A: The scheme aims to ensure long-term financial sustainability of the tea industry and incentivize manufacturers to move from Crush, Tear, Curl tea to Orthodox tea production.
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Q: Which government departments are responsible for implementing this agricultural income tax holiday scheme in Assam?
A: The scheme is implemented by the Finance Department and the Industries &amp; Commerce Department, Government of Assam.
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Q: What agencies will be involved in the actual implementation and processing of my tax holiday application?
A: The scheme is implemented through multiple agencies including banks and the District Industries &amp; Commerce Centre along with the government departments.
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Q: How can I apply for this agricultural income tax holiday and what is the application submission method?
A: Applications for this scheme are accepted online through a dedicated portal with a streamlined digital submission process.
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Q: What mechanism is used for providing the tax holiday benefits and how will I receive confirmation of the same?
A: The scheme uses a Direct Benefit Transfer mechanism for processing and confirming the agricultural income tax holiday benefits.
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