iSPIRIT Expert Team on Incubators submitted their wishlist. Some recommendations:
1.
Incubators should be recognized and notified as
“Single Window Clearance” point for starting and closing a business, set up by
Incubatee companies. New provisions could be incorporated in the Companies Act
to establish such procedures, with time limits.
2. The Incubators be exempt from: a) Income Tax under the applicable
sections of IT Act, b) Customs Duty
or any other applicable taxes for import of equipments, consumables, raw
material, components and spares up to a limit of Rs. 20 crore ad valorem, and c) CST / Excise / VAT or any other
applicable taxes for purchase of goods required for the Incubator.
3.
“Donors” who contribute funds to the Incubator
for furtherance of the objects of the Incubator should be eligible for 200% tax
benefits as currently applicable to R&D investments. As an additional
motivation, the benefit of such an investment can be carried forward for three
successive assessment years.
4.The Incubators currently run SEED Funds given by
the Government which are at present less than Rs. 5 crore per Incubator and
with an investment cap 1.
of Rs. 50 lakh per enterprise. These being risky
investments, the gains made out of successful exits, should be tax exempt as
these resources are redeployed for investment, similar to the current pass
through status accorded to VC’s.
5.
The Incubators should be recognised as crowd
funding platforms under SEBI. The SEBI should work with Incubators to workout
modalities in this regard.
6.
The Incubators should be authorised and
empowered to approve and notify Incubatee Companies to avail of the benefits
extended from time to time.
7.
To be considered as par with SEBI approved
Investors as per provisions in Section 56(2).
8.
There is a restriction on compensation/salary of
CEO/MD of Section 25 (Sec 8) companies which is grossly inadequate. This must
be raised to a minimum of Rs.2 lakh per month and can be made applicable to the
approved Technology Business Incubators.
