Centre extends tax exemption to sovereign wealth funds & pension funds for 5 years

The Centre has extended the tax exemption for sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) and pension funds for another five years, allowing such entities to claim benefits on eligible investments made in India till March 31, 2030. The Department of Revenue on Saturday notified the extension, formalising the announcement made in the Union Budget earlier this year. The exemption allows specified SWFs and pension funds to claim tax relief on income from dividends, interest, and long-term capital gains arising from their investments in India. The scheme was first introduced in 2020 to attract long-term foreign capital into the country’s infrastructure and strategic sectors. Initially, the exemption was available for investments made up to March 31, 2024, which was later extended by a year to March 31, 2025. The latest move gives these funds a five-year additional window.