Tax benefits available to SEZ developers include:-
Exemption from customs/excise duties for development of SEZs for authorized operations approved by the BOA.
Supplies from DTA to SEZ shall be exempt from payment of any Central Excise duty under Rule 19 of Central Excise Rules, 2002. Similarly, such supplies shall be eligible for claim of rebate under Rule 18 of Central Excise Rules, 2002 subject to the fulfillment of conditions laid there
under. The provisions relating to exports under Central Excise Act, 1944 and rules made there under may be applied, mutatis-mutandis, in case of procurement by SEZ units & SEZ developer from DTA for their authorized operations
Section 10 (AA) of the ITA allows any SEZ unit which begins operations on or after April 1 2006 to make tax deductions equivalent to 100% of its income generated for a period of five consecutive assessment years from the time the SEZ unit commences operations, 50% for the next five assessment years, and tax deductions not exceeding 50% of the ploughed-back profits for the following five assessment years.
Exemption from dividend distribution tax under Section 115O of the Income Tax Act.
Exemption from Central Sales Tax (CST) on inter-state purchase of goods
No CST if sale to SEZ - Sections 8(6), 8(7) and 8(8) have been incorporated to provide that inter state sale made to a unit in SEZ (Special Economic Zone) will be exempt from CST. The purchasing dealer has to submit a declaration in prescribed form. Consequential amendment is made by inserting section 13(1)(aa) to authorize Central Government to make rules to provide form and manner of furnishing declaration u/s 8(8). [CST Rule 12(10)(a) has have been subsequently amended on 16-1-2003. It is provided that SEZ unit will supply H form duly countersigned and certified by authority specified by Central Government authorizing establishment of unit in SEZ, - Development Commissioner is the authority to allow setting up of SEZ unit]
Exemption from service tax under Chapter-V of the Finance Act, 1994 on taxable services provided to a Developer or Unit to carry on the authorized operations in a Special Economic Zone