No IT exemption for cash donations to political parties by cos

The government today proposed to take away the income tax benefit on donations made in cash by corporates to political parties from April 2014 onwards.
Under the existing provisions of section 80GGB of the Income Tax, contribution by an Indian company to any political party or an electoral trust in the previous year, is allowed as deduction in computing the total income of the firm.
Currently, a similar deduction is also available to individuals under section 80GGC. There is no specific mode provided for making such contributions in the Act.
"With a view to discourage cash payments by the contributors, it is proposed to amend the provisions... So as to provide that no deduction shall be allowed under section 80GGB and 80GGC in respect of any sum contributed by way of cash," the Budget document presented in Parliament said.

The amendment, government said, will come into effect from April 1, 2014 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2014-15 and subsequent assessment years.