Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT)
Definition
A tax ensuring companies with large book profits but low taxable income due to exemptions still pay a minimum amount, computed on adjusted book profit. Credit for MAT paid can be carried forward and set off in later years.
Related Terms in India GST
Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT)
A tax formerly levied on Indian companies when they distributed dividends. The system was changed so that dividends are now taxed in the hands of shareholders rather than through DDT at the company level.
Capital Gains Tax (India)
Tax on the profit from selling a capital asset such as property, shares or mutual funds in India. Gains are classified as short-term or long-term based on a holding period that varies by asset, with different rates and indexation rules.
Indexation
A method of adjusting the purchase cost of a long-term capital asset for inflation using a notified cost-inflation index, so that only the real gain is taxed. Its availability depends on the asset class and the rules in force.
PAN (Permanent Account Number)
A ten-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Indian Income Tax Department to track a taxpayer's financial transactions. It is required for filing returns, high-value transactions, and most TDS and GST interactions.
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