Tax Considerations in respect of Specific Financial and Managerial Decisions: Managerial Remuneration

‘Remuneration’ means any money or its equivalent given to any person for services rendered by him and includes the perquisites mentioned in the Income-tax Act, 1961.

Managerial remuneration in simple words is the remuneration paid to managerial personals. Here, managerial personals mean directors including managing director and whole-time director, and manager.

What is the permissible managerial remuneration payable under the Companies Act 2013?

  • Total managerial remuneration payable by a public company, to its directors, managing director and whole-time director and its manager in respect of any financial year:
Condition Max Remuneration in any financial year
Company with one Managing director/whole time director/manager 5% of the net profits of the company
Company with more than one Managing director/whole time director/manager 10% of the net profits of the company
Overall Limit on Managerial Remuneration 11% of the net profits of the company
Remuneration payable to directors who are neither managing directors nor whole-time directors
For directors who are neither managing director or whole-time directors 1% of the net profits of the company if there is a managing director/whole time director
If there is a director who is neither a Managing director/whole time director 3% of the net profits of the company if there is no managing director/whole time director

The percentages displayed above shall be exclusive of any fees payable under section 197(5).

Until now, any managerial remuneration in excess of 11% required government approval. However, now a public company can pay its managerial personnel remuneration in excess of 11% without prior approval of the Central Government. A special resolution approved by the shareholders will be sufficient.

In case a company has defaulted in paying its dues or failed to pay its dues, permission from the lenders will be necessary.

  • When the company has inadequate profits/no profits: In case a company has inadequate profits/no profits in any financial year, no amount shall be payable by way of remuneration except if these provisions are followed.
Where the effective capital is: Limits of yearly remuneration
Negative or less than 5 Crores 60 Lakhs
5 crores and above but less than 100 Crores 84 Lakhs
100 Crores and above but less than 250 Crores 120 Lakhs
250 Crores and above 120 Lakhs plus 0.01% of the effective capital in excess of 250 Crores

Important Pointers

  1. Determination of Remuneration: The remuneration payable to the director shall be determined by:
  • The articles of the company
  • A resolution
  • Special resolution if articles require it to be passed in the general meeting

The remuneration payable as per these rules shall also include the remuneration payable to the personals working in any other capacities. However, if the services are rendered in professional a capacity and if the nomination and remuneration committee/Board of directors believes that the director possesses the necessary qualification for the practice of the profession, exceptions are possible.

Fees to directors: The directors may receive fees for attending meetings and such fees cannot exceed the limits prescribed. Different fees for different classes of companies may be as prescribed.

(a) The fees can be paid:

(a) Monthly

As a Specified Percentage of the Net Profits yearly

Partly by method (a) and partly by method(b)

Remuneration of independent directors: An Independent director shall be entitled to a sitting fees, a reimbursement for participation in meetings and profit related commission as approved by Board. However, he shall not be entitled to ESOP.

Excess Remuneration to be refunded: If any director receives any remuneration in excess of the provisions of law, the same shall be refunded to the company or kept in trust for the company. Such recovery shall not be waived unless permitted by the Central Government.

Disclosure by a listed company: Every listed company shall disclose the ratio of the remuneration paid and the median employee’s remuneration along with other prescribed details.

Insurance: When the company insures its personnel by providing protection against any act done by them due to negligence, default, misfeasance, breach of duty, breach of trust, such the premium paid for this insurance shall not be treated as part of remuneration except if the director is proved guilty.

Any managing director/whole time director receiving commission from the company may also receive a remuneration or commission from the holding or subsidiary of such a company provided the same is disclosed in the board’s report

One thought on “Tax Considerations in respect of Specific Financial and Managerial Decisions: Managerial Remuneration

Leave a Reply

error: Content is protected !!