IT Companies: Corporate Tax Rates History

During his Budget Speech for the fiscal year 2082 (approximately 2025-26), former Finance Minister of Nepal, Bishnu Prasad Paudel, announced significant tax incentives for the information technology (IT) sector. His speech, presented under the Fourth Cabinet of Khadga Prasad Oli, included a declaration of a 75% tax exemption on income from the export of IT services. He also stated that individuals residing in Nepal and exporting IT services would be subject to a final income tax of only 5%.

However, the reality is more nuanced than what was conveyed in the speech, and these concessions do not apply universally. While the minister’s statement may have suggested a broad benefit for all IT companies, the actual corporate tax rates in Nepal for the IT industry are determined by specific provisions of the Income Tax Act, 2058.

This article will delve into the details of the standard and concessional income tax rates applicable to the IT industry in Nepal, as outlined in Section 11 of the Income Tax Act, 2058.

Section 11(2Kha)

Section 11(3)

Section 11(3Ga)

Section 11(3Nga)

Section 11(3Tha)

Section 11(4) and 11(5)

Section 11 Explanation

Schedule 2 Section 3(2): Accelerated Depreciation

Summary for FY 2082/2083

If your IT entity is not situated in IT Park under Section 11(3Ga):
Normal Income Tax Rate under Schedule 1 = 25%
Income Tax Rate after concession for IT Industry under Section 11(2Kha) 25%× 20% = 20%
And also,
If your IT entity earns export income it will be beneficial to further go for concession under Section 11(3Nga) 20%× 50% = 10%
For local income it might be eligible for concession under Section 11(3) based on the number of employment generated or the rate of 20% will be applicable

If your IT entity is situated in IT Park under Section 11(3Ga):
Normal Income Tax Rate under Schedule 1 = 25%
Income Tax Rate after concession for IT Industry under Section 11(2Kha) 25%× 20% = 20%
And also,
Income Tax Rate after concession for IT Industry under Section 11(3Ga) 20%× 25% = 5%

IT Entities will also be eligble for accelerated depreciation for entities under Section 11(2Kha) as specified under Schedule 2 Section 3(2)

IT Entities will also be eligible for 100% tax rebate on capitalization of dividend under Section 11(3Tha)

Summary for FY 2081/2082

If your IT entity is not situated in IT Park under Section 11(3Ga):
Normal Income Tax Rate under Schedule 1 = 25%
If your IT entity earns export income it will be beneficial to further go for concession under Section 11(3Nga) 25%× 50% = 12.5%
For local income it might be eligible for concession under Section 11(3) based on the number of employment generated or the rate of 25% will be applicable

If your IT entity is situated in IT Park under Section 11(3Ga):
Normal Income Tax Rate under Schedule 1 = 25%
If your IT entity earns export income it is same if you opt for 50% concession under Section 11(3Nga) or 50% concession under Section 11(3Ga) 25%× 50% = 12.5%
If your IT entity earns local income opting for 50% concession under Section 11(3Ga) is more beneficial 25%× 50% = 12.5%

IT Entities for 2081/2082 are not eligble for accelerated depreciation as specified under Schedule 2 Section 3(2) because for FY 2081/2082 IT Entities are not listed under Section 11(2Kha)

IT Entities will also be eligible for 100% tax rebate on capitalization of dividend under Section 11(3Tha)