Budget 2022: Make travel expenses deductible under IT returns, urges FHRAI

Budget 2022: Make travel expenses deductible under IT returns, urges FHRAI

AgenciesUpdated: Saturday, January 22, 2022, 01:52 PM IST
article-image
Since foreign travel is at least 12-15 months away from returning to the pre-pandemic levels, Centre should give impetus on domestic travel../ Representational Image |

India's hotel and restaurant industry has urged the Centre to make travel expenses deductible under IT returns in Budget FY23.

Notably, the sector has been heavily battered due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restrictions imposed to check the infections' spread.

According to Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India, since foreign travel is at least 12-15 months away from returning to the pre-pandemic levels, Centre should give impetus on domestic travel.

"We have requested Finance Minister to allow domestic travel for individuals and corporates to be a deductible expense in their IT returns. This tax incentive could be offered for a fixed number of years until hospitality comes back to pre-pandemic conditions," Kohli told IANS.

"The move will encourage the 28 million-plus people who otherwise travel out of the country, to holiday in India. We also ask for a review of the decision to introduce LTC cash vouchers in lieu of LTC fare to the Central Government employees."

Besides, the hospitality industry has asked the Centre to be granted the infrastructure status.

At present, only those hotels built with an investment of Rs 200 crore or more have been accorded infrastructure status.

"This threshold has to be brought down to Rs 10 crore per hotel to give a fillip to the budget segment hotels. This will enable hotels to avail of term loans at lower rates of interest and also have a longer repayment period," he said.

"We have also requested that hospitality should be accorded an industry status and set up a corpus fund to incentivise all states to align their policies and set off any losses that may occur due to its implementation. The lower cost of operations spread over a higher payback period will reduce the cost of our supply which will boost demand."

Among other measures, the industry has requested for working capital support with a guarantee from the Centre to banks and NBFCs.

In addition, it has asked that the Rs 60,000 crore 'Loan Guarantee Scheme for Covid Affected Sectors' be notified with immediate effect.

The Union Budget is slated to be tabled in the Parliament on February 1.

RECENT STORIES

Japan's Central Bank Ends Negative Interest Rate After Nearly 2 Decades

Japan's Central Bank Ends Negative Interest Rate After Nearly 2 Decades

Stock Market Opening March 19: Indices In Red; Sensex At 72,440.58 & Nifty At 21,956.60, ITC Up,...

Stock Market Opening March 19: Indices In Red; Sensex At 72,440.58 & Nifty At 21,956.60, ITC Up,...

Axis Bank Pledges ₹100 Cr To National Cancer Grid

Axis Bank Pledges ₹100 Cr To National Cancer Grid

Revolutionising Urban Mobility: Citroen Partners With BluSmart For 4,000 e-C3 Electric Vehicles

Revolutionising Urban Mobility: Citroen Partners With BluSmart For 4,000 e-C3 Electric Vehicles

Citroen C3X Set to Hit Indian Roads by Mid-2024, Here’s What You Need to Know!

Citroen C3X Set to Hit Indian Roads by Mid-2024, Here’s What You Need to Know!