The deduction of tax at source (TDS) has been very helpful in the collection of taxes in the country by targeting the source of income itself. TDS eases the taxpayer’s burden of paying tax when it is time to file their income tax returns. That is because, at the time of filing income tax return they can take the credit for the taxes deducted at source. One of the most important and common type of payments that a business entity makes is towards professional fees or fees for technical services. Some illustrative examples of professional fees are fees paid to a lawyer, doctor, engineer, architect, chartered accountant, interior decorators, advertisers, etc. Technical services would include the rendering of managerial, technical or consultancy services. Such payments made to residents are covered under section 194J.The Indian tax system has various provisions to ensure timely and accurate payment of taxes. Section 194J of the Income Tax Act, 1961, is one such provision that deals with the TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) on payments made to professionals and technical service providers. However, the line between technical service and professional service can often be blurry, leading to confusion and potential tax liabilities. In this article, we will explore the Difference between Professional & Technical Services under Section 194J of the Income Tax Act, of 1961. Section 194J under Income Tax Act, 1961 Section 194J deals with the TDS on fees for professional or technical services. The term “professional services” refers to services provided by professionals such as doctors, lawyers, architects, and chartered accountants. On the other hand, “technical services” refer to services that require technical knowledge or expertise and are provided by professionals such as engineers, consultants, and software developers. Section 194J states that any person who pays fees to a resident person for certain services is liable to deduct TDS. TDS, however, is to be deducted at the rate of 10% when the amount of payment in a year reaches Rs.30, 000/-. Meaning of Professional Service under Section 194J It refers to the services supplied by a person in the medical, legal, architectural, or engineering fields. Accountancy, advertising, interior decorating, technical consultation, and any other profession approved by the CBDT Board under Section 44AA are also included. To date, CBDT has notified the professions of a film artist, company secretary, and authorized representatives in accordance with Section 44AA. Under Section 194J, the CBDT has also alerted athletes, commentators, event managers, anchors, umpires and referees, physiotherapists, coaches and trainers, team physicians, and sports columnists. Meaning of Technical Service under Section 194J According to income tax rules, ‘fees for technical services’ comprise management, technical, and consulting services but do not include payments considered salary by the receiver of such income. Technical services may be defined as services that entail technical skill or expertise in technology. The scope of managerial services may be described as the operation and management of the client’s business. Consulting services are advisory services that provide clients with the essential guidance and counsel for their business. Difference between Professional & Technical Services The main difference between technical service and professional service is the nature of the service provided. While professional services are based on the knowledge and expertise of the professional, technical services are based on technical expertise and skill. For example, a lawyer provides professional services, while an engineer provides technical services. However, it is important to note that there can be instances where a service can be both technical and professional in nature. For example, an architect may provide technical services related to designing and engineering structures, but their services may also involve professional expertise in areas such as project management and cost estimation. Under Section 194J, the TDS rate for fees paid for technical services is 2% of the payment, while the TDS rate for fees paid for professional services is 10% of the payment. This difference in TDS rates reflects the difference in the nature of the services provided. However, determining whether a service is technical or professional can be challenging, as there are no clear guidelines or definitions provided by the Income Tax Act, 1961. In such cases, it is advisable to seek the opinion of a tax expert or consultant to avoid any potential tax liabilities. Under Section 194J, which payments are subject to TDS? TDS is deducted on payments received for professional and technical services under Section 194J. This section takes into account the following payments: Professional fees for services in medical, architecture, law, or engineering. Fees charged for technical services rendered by consultants, technical consultants, managers, and so on. Royalty payments in exchange for literary works, scientific discoveries, inventions, patents, and so on. Compensation paid to a corporate director (excluding salary) Non-compete fees are payments given for reasons other than hiring for a project or consulting, such as sharing patents, licenses, franchises, trademarks, and so on. TDS u/s 194J for professional/technical services shall be deducted at the corresponding rate in What is the TDS rate according to Section 194J? Any payments designated as transactions under Section 194J are subject to the following taxation: If the professional/technical services provider provides a PAN (Permanent Account Number), a flat charge of 10% is applied to the transaction amount (payee). If the payee does not give a PAN (Permanent Account Number), a flat fee of 20% is applied to the transaction amount. The TDS rate for contact centre operators is lower, at 2% of the transaction value. All of the rates listed above are subject to the minimum TDS exemption established in Section 194J. Who is required to deduct TDS under Section 194J? Every person who is required to pay for professional or technical services must deduct TDS under Section 194J if the annual threshold of Rs. 30,000 is attained. There are a few exceptions: Individuals and HUFs are not required to deduct TDS when using services only for personal purposes. Individuals and HUFs operating on business with a turnover or gross receipt of less than Rs. 1 crore in the preceding year are exempt
