Is it Right to Invest in PFC's Long-term Infrastructure Bonds?

In the Union Budget 2011-12, the Government retained the additional income tax benefit of   20,000 available under section 80CCF of the Income Tax Act, 1961 for investments made in long-term infrastructure bonds (as notified by the Central Government). This move is intended to provide a fillip to the infrastructure finance and provide an opportunity to individual tax payers to reduce their tax liability. In light of the same, Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Limited ("the issuer") is now offering Tranche - I of the long-term infrastructure bonds which are open for subscription from September 29, 2011 to November 4, 2011.

Before we assess whether the PFC bonds are really worthwhile investing, let's understand the key highlights once again:

·         What are these bonds named as?

These bonds are specifically named as "Long-term Infrastructure Bond".

·         Who would be the issuers of these bonds?

The bonds will be issued by the following entities:

·         Industrial Development Finance Company (IDFC)

·         Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC)

·         Industrial Finance Corporation of India (PFC)

·         India infrastructure Finance Company Ltd. (IIFCL)

·         A Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) classified as an Infrastructure Finance Company by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

·         When will these bonds be issued?

These bonds will be issued in the financial year 2011-12 and the volume of issuance will be restricted to 25% of the incremental infrastructure investments made by the issuer during the fiscal year 2011-12.

·         What is the minimum tenure of these bonds?

These bonds will carry a minimum tenure of 10 years. 

·         Is there a lock-in period while investing?

Yes, an investor is subject to a minimum lock-in period of 5 years while investing in these bonds.

·         How does one exit after the lock-in period?

After the lock-in period, the investor may exit either through the secondary market or through a buyback facility, as specified by the issuer in the offer document at the time of issue.

·         How would be the proceeds from these bonds used?

The proceeds from these bonds will be utilised for the purpose of infrastructure lending as defined by RBI (as per the guidelines issued by it). 

·         Is interest earned on these bonds taxable?

Yes. The investor is liable to pay tax on the interest received.
The interest received on these bonds shall be treated as income from other sources and shall form part of the total income of the assessee in that financial year in which it is received. However no TDS shall be deducted on the interest received as these bonds if issued in Demat mode and listed on stock exchange.

The details on the "long-term infrastructure bonds" offered by the issuer PFC Ltd. are as under:

 Note: PAN card is mandatory for subscribing to these bonds. A self attested copy shall be enclosed along with the application form.

 Investors' will also have the following options available at the time of subscribing to the issue:

 

(Source: Prospectus of PFC Ltd. & PersonalFN Research)

Well, after reading the details of the scheme, there may be still some more questions popping up, which are attempted to answer herein:

·         Can one invest in both the options?

Yes, one may invest in both the options. The bonds can be of the same series or bonds across different series.

·         Can one apply in joint names?

Yes, one may apply in a joint name (with a maximum of three applicants). However, the demat accounts will also be required to be held in joint name and the order of applicant shall be the same as appearing in the demat account. Moreover, the tax benefit can be availed only by the first applicant.

·         Who will get the interest in case of joint application?

In case of joint application, interest will be paid to the account of the first holder only.

·         My demat account is in joint name, but I want to apply in a single name?

In case of a single application, demat account of the same single applicant would be necessary. Joint demat account would not suffice.

·         Can one pledge or lien or hypothecate the bond, while obtaining a loan from a scheduled commercial bank?

Yes, one may pledge or lien or hypothecate the bond, while obtaining a loan from a scheduled commercial bank. However, this can be done once the said lock-in period is over.

TAXATION OF LONG-TERM INFRASTRUCTURE BONDS:

Your investment in these "long-term infrastructure bonds" will be eligible for a deduction under section 80CCF of the Income Tax Act, 1961 subject to a maximum limit of   20,000. This deduction limit of   20,000 will be over and above   100,000 benefit available under section 80C, 80CCC and 80CCD.

However, the interest earned by you on the investments (in these bonds), will be taxed (they would be included in the "Income from Other Sources", in the financial year in which it is received). However, since these bonds are issued in a demat as well as physical mode and listed on the exchange, no Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) will be done on the interest received under the demat mode.

OUR VIEW:

In our opinion investment in PFC's long-term infrastructure bonds, appears enticing only from a tax planning perspective, as an investment upto   20,000 will be eligible for an additional (over and above   1,00,000 benefit limit available under section 80C, 80CCC and 80 CCD of the Income Tax Act, 1961) tax benefit.

It would not be prudent to invest an amount over   20,000, as the excess investment amount over  20,000 will not be eligible for income tax benefit under section 80CCF. However, PFC infrastructure bonds enjoy the highest credit rating and are offering best yields in the category so far. Hence, those who want to save income tax by investing in infrastructure bonds would be better off by subscribing for the issue. Option I offers the most competent post tax yields and hence we recommend you to invest in Option I.

By PersonalFN: PersonalFN has been providing independent and unbiased research on Mutual funds, Insurance, Fixed Income instruments in India and Gold since 1999. It provides premium mutual fund researchand financial planning solutions to individuals