The Indian co-working industry has seen a phenomenal growth in the last few years. However, there are some key changes that co-working firms are expecting around GST and taxation in Budget 2019. Input tax credit under GST is an important issue that concerns the sector. The companies are expecting that the government would enable co-working firms to claim input credits on work contract and construction services supplied, as detailed under GST provisions. This would check the increased outflow of cash that co-working firms are currently experiencing. The firms are hoping that input tax credit under GST be extended to developers so that it is passed on to companies who lease out space and thereby reduce their overall costs. This would significantly aid faster growth of co-working business in the country.
Co-working firms are also expecting that the government would curb or altogether eliminate angel tax this Union budget as it would enable the firms to lease more spaces for start-ups, enterprises, MSMEs and entrepreneurs. Angel tax, many believe would destroy the start-up edifice and indirectly co-working firms would desist from leasing co-work spaces. Angel funding is now being considered as income and is being taxed at the full income tax rate of 30 per cent. This will detract higher investment in co-working spaces.
Co-work firms are also hoping that bank funding for start-ups is enhanced from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1 crore to make available greater access to financial resources to start-ups. Also considering that startups do not earn the profit in their initial business years, we expect that the government can lower the income tax slabs for startup employees which will aid startups to reduce costs. Hence, we look ahead to some important tax exemptions that would give an enhancement to all existing and upcoming startups and which would increase demand for co working spaces.
(The author is chairman, Incubex NestaVera)
