§ 203
Chapter XIII — Determination Of Tax In Special Cases

Tax on income of certain resident co-operative societies

Income-tax Act, 2025

Co-operative societies resident in India can opt for a 22% income tax rate. To be eligible, they must compute their total income without certain deductions and loss carryforwards.

  • The option must be exercised in the prescribed manner by the due date for filing the return of income.
If the option is exercised, it will apply to subsequent tax years and cannot be withdrawn.

📜 Official text of the section +
203. (1) Irrespective of anything contained in this Act but subject to the provisions of Part A, B, E and this Part (other than section 204) of this Chapter, the income-tax payable for a tax year shall be at the rate of 22%, at the option of a person being a co-operative society resident in India, in respect of the total income of such person computed in the following manner:— ( a) without any deduction under— ( i) Chapter VIII other than the provisions of section 146 26[or 150]; or ( ii) sections specified in section 205(1)(a) to (g); ( b) without set off of any loss carried forward or depreciation from any earlier tax year, if such loss or depreciation is attributable to any of the deductions referred to in clause (a). (2) Where a person fails to satisfy the requirements contained in sub-section (1) in any tax year, the option shall become invalid in respect of the said tax year and 26. Inserted by the Finance Act, 2026, w.e.f. 1-4-2026. subsequent tax years and other provisions of the Act shall apply, as if the option had not been exercised for such tax year and for subsequent tax years. (3) The loss and depreciation referred to in clause ( b) of sub-section (1) shall be deemed to have been given full effect to and no further deduction for such loss or depreciation shall be allowed for any subsequent tax year. (4) In case of a person, having a Unit in the International Financial Services Centre, which has exercised option under sub-section (5), the requirements contained in sub-section (1) shall be modified to the extent that the deduction under section 14722 shall be available to such Unit subject to fulfilment of the conditions contained in the said section. (5) The provisions of this section shall not apply unless the option is exercised by the person in the prescribed manner on or before the due date specified under section 263(1) for furnishing the return of income and such option once exercised shall apply to subsequent tax years. (6) Once the option under this section has been exercised for any tax year, it shall not be subsequently withdrawn for the same or any other tax year. 26[(7) In case of an assessee, being a co-operative society, which has exercised option under sub-section (5), the requirements contained in sub-section (1) shall be modified to the extent that the deduction under section 149(2)(d)(ii) shall be available to such assessee as does not exceed the amount of dividend distributed by it to its members at least one month before the due date for filing the return of income under section 263(1).] Tax on income of certain new manufacturing co-operative societies.

Plain-language summary — not the official text. Refer to the bare Act and confirm with a professional for your specific case.