The Narendra Modi government may soon announce an amnesty schemefor unaccounted gold, which is the second biggest move after demonetization tocurb black money.
According to reports individuals will be allowed to discloseunaccounted gold beyond a certain threshold and pay taxes on the disclosedvalue.
According to sources, the holding limit will be fixed under thescheme. Once the scheme is closed, heavy fines will be imposed on those holdingunaccounted gold beyond the prescribed limit.
However, the gold amnesty scheme would be on the table for alimited time period along the lines of the income tax amnesty scheme.
According to reports, the tax rate on gold holdings beyond a certain monetary value could not be ascertained immediately but it is said by an official that it would be in line with other 'amnesty' schemes that were floated during 2014-16. A government-approved valuer will certify the value of gold. The official also said that the gold jewelry of married women below a certain amount will be exempted from this scheme.
The reports also say that a Gold Board will be set up withrepresentatives from the government and private sector most likely this fiscaland will annually tweak proposals to keep the schemes attractive for buyers anddevelop gold holdings into a financial asset.
Along with the new plan, the existing Sovereign Gold Bond Schemewill be revamped to make it more attractive to buyers, the third source said,adding the decision to float the new gold plan was to be taken in the secondweek of October in a Cabinet meeting. But the proposal got deferred due tostate elections in Maharashtra and Haryana.
The government's Sovereign Bond Scheme allows individuals andHindu Undivided Families (HUFs) to buy up to four kg of gold in demat form.Trusts are allowed to purchase 20 kg of gold. The scheme bears an annual couponof 2.5 percent and is redeemed at the market value of gold on maturity. Theseventh series of the scheme is to open between December 2 and December 6. Thesixth series shut on October 25.
