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For many years, startups in India have been bearing the brunt of something called “angel tax.” This tax is imposed when unlisted entities (usually startups) raise funds and the valuation of such entities exceeds their fair market value or FMV.
The reason startups found it difficult to survive this “killer” angel clause was plain and simple. In the initial years, any business needs capital. Even startups need capital. They need such capital to grow, stay afloat, invest, and pay their expenses.
As per many experts, startups used to pay up to 30% angel tax. If they had to part away with 30% of the capital due to a certain tax, it could threaten their existence. Typically, tax is levied on the profit earned from the day-to-day activities of a business.
Most startups struggle to make a profit in their initial years; some don’t even have enough cash inflows to pay their basic expenses. In such a situation, paying a 30% angel tax to the government could be extremely discouraging.
Startups are a bit like adolescents who must be groomed to become adults (in this case mature companies). The government can play a key role in grooming them. Therefore, many top industrialists had urged the government to remove the angel tax in previous budgets.
Moreover, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had suggested the government eliminate the angel tax on startups.
Update: Angel Tax and Startups in Budget 2025
As the Union Budget 2025 approaches, the startup community’s expectations are rising. Building on the significant reforms in 2024, which abolished the angel tax, the upcoming budget is expected to focus on measures that further ease compliance and foster innovation.
While the angel tax remains a thing of the past, industry leaders are advocating for increased funding in artificial intelligence (AI), skill development, and infrastructure. A focus on AI through the IndiaAI Mission, introduced in 2024, is expected to continue with additional financial allocations and initiatives aimed at democratising AI innovation in 2025’s budget.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the 2025 Union Budget on 1st February 2025. Industry insiders anticipate continued reforms for startups, including reduced tax burdens and initiatives for financial inclusion. These changes could bolster the startup ecosystem further and attract more domestic and foreign investors.
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When an unlisted company raises capital by issuing shares to investors, angel tax comes into the picture. While it is called “angel tax,” it created a significant crisis for startups in India in the past. Let’s understand how.
Suppose a startup was trying to raise capital. It managed to get some investments at a certain valuation, which was higher than the fair market value (FMV) of that startup. In this case, the excess amount thus received by the startup was considered as income and therefore subject to angel tax. It was called “angel tax” because it mainly affected angel investors.
There were several issues with this tax. First, startups (which were anyway under considerable pressure to raise capital and survive) had to pay a portion of the money they raised as tax, which badly affected their existence.
Second, many experts had said that startups faced an angel tax of a whopping 30% when the investments they received were more than their FMV. Third, FMV was a subjective number based on many assumptions about how a startup would perform in the future.
Due to all these reasons, angel tax adversely affected early-stage investments in startups, and several industry lobbies had requested the government to look into this matter.
Angel tax had been around for 12 years in India before its abolition in 2024. The intention behind the tax was to curb money laundering. However, it ended up taxing genuine investments in startups.
This year, there are expectations for additional measures to ensure startups flourish without unnecessary tax burdens. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and leading industrialists continue to push for streamlined tax structures and increased allocations for startup-related infrastructure.
Additionally, agriculture and rural development are expected to receive a 15% budget increase, which could indirectly benefit agritech startups.
This question has been partially answered by the reforms of Budget 2024, but the startup community remains hopeful for further advancements. AI, skill development, and tax incentives are at the forefront of budgetary expectations. Additionally, food and energy subsidies are set to increase by 8% in 2025, potentially reducing operational costs for startups in related sectors.
Additional Read: Union Budget 2025: What to Expect for Startups
The upcoming Union Budget 2025 has the potential to be another transformative moment for India’s startup ecosystem. With the angel tax no longer in the picture, the government’s focus on fostering innovation, providing financial incentives, and strengthening sectoral ecosystems could elevate India’s status as a global startup hub.
Startups have already provided jobs to many people and built a reputation for themselves globally. By rationalising the tax structure and investing in infrastructure and innovation, the government continues to support their journey.
Additional Read: Union Budget 2025: What to Expect for Financial Literacy?
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