Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-2009/121 · issued 05 Aug 2008 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI conveys CBDT clarifications that TDS on 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003 applies from June 1, 2007, regardless of investment date. TDS is triggered when annual interest exceeds ₹10,000. Rates vary by residency and period. Cumulative bonds require TDS on credited interest yearly if above threshold.
The rule, in the simplest words
If your 8% Savings Bond gives you more than ₹10,000 interest in a year, the bank must take some tax (TDS) from that interest starting June 1, 2007, even if you bought the bond before that date.
For cumulative bonds (where interest adds up and is paid at the end), the bank still takes tax every year on the interest that gets added, not just when you finally get the money.
The tax rate depends on who you are: companies pay 20% (from April 1, 2008) and others pay 10% (from April 1, 2008), plus extra charges; non-residents pay 40% (companies) or 30% (others).
If you are a charitable trust, you need a special certificate (under Section 197) from the tax department to get lower or no tax taken; the bank cannot just skip taking tax.
Individuals or HUFs can give Form 15G or 15H to avoid tax being taken, but only if their total income for the year is zero and their other income (like interest) is below the tax-free limit.
How it plays out — a real example
An agency-banking (government business) officer in Indore manages a customer who holds a cumulative 8% Savings Bond from 2005. The officer ensures that every year, even though the interest is not paid out, the system deducts TDS on the ₹12,000 interest credited, because it exceeds ₹10,000. She also checks that the customer, a senior citizen, has submitted Form 15H to avoid the deduction, since his total income is nil.
What changed
RBI issued clarifications from CBDT on TDS application for 8% Savings Bonds, 2003. Key points: TDS applies to all bonds (new or existing) from June 1, 2007, if interest exceeds ₹10,000/year. For cumulative bonds, TDS is deducted on interest credited annually, not just at maturity. Charitable trusts need a certificate under Section 197 for lower or nil TDS.
What it means for you
Banks must deduct TDS on interest for all 8% Savings Bond holders, including existing ones, if interest exceeds ₹10,000 per financial year. For cumulative bonds, TDS applies on yearly credited interest, not just at maturity. This increases compliance burden for banks managing these bonds, requiring careful tracking of interest accruals and thresholds.
What you must do
Update systems to deduct TDS on 8% Savings Bond interest exceeding ₹10,000/year for all holders, regardless of investment date.
For cumulative bonds, ensure TDS is deducted on interest credited annually, not deferred to maturity.
Verify TDS rates: 20% for companies (1.6.2007-31.3.2008), 20% for others (1.6.2007-31.3.2008), 20% for companies (from 1.4.2008), 10% for others (from 1.4.2008), with surcharge and cess. Non-residents: 40% (companies) or 30% (others) regardless of period.
Accept Form 15G/15H from eligible individuals/HUFs only if their estimated total income is nil and specified income limits are met.
Require a certificate under Section 197 from charitable trusts for lower or nil TDS; do not assume automatic exemption.
Who it affects
Banks handling 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003, State Bank of India and associate banks, Nationalised banks, AXIS Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, SHCIL (Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited), All bond holders (individuals, HUFs, companies, trusts)
❓ Common questions
Does TDS apply to bonds purchased before June 1, 2007?
Yes, TDS applies to all 8% Savings Bonds, 2003, regardless of purchase date. The trigger is interest credited or paid on or after June 1, 2007, exceeding ₹10,000 in a financial year.
How is TDS handled for cumulative bonds where interest is paid at maturity?
For cumulative bonds, if interest is credited annually, TDS must be deducted each year when credited interest exceeds ₹10,000. It is not deferred to maturity.
Can charitable trusts automatically claim TDS exemption?
No, charitable trusts must obtain a certificate from the Assessing Officer under Section 197 of the Income Tax Act for lower or nil TDS. No automatic exemption is allowed.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-2009/121 · issued 05 Aug 2008. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Update systems to deduct TDS on 8% Savings Bond interest exceeding ₹10,000/year for all holders, regardless of investment date.
📜 Compliance
For cumulative bonds, ensure TDS is deducted on interest credited annually, not deferred to maturity.
Verify TDS rates: 20% for companies (1.6.2007-31.3.2008), 20% for others (1.6.2007-31.3.2008), 20% for companies (from 1.4.2008), 10% for others (from 1.4.2008), with surcharge and cess. Non-residents: 40% (companies) or 30% (others) regardless of period.
Accept Form 15G/15H from eligible individuals/HUFs only if their estimated total income is nil and specified income limits are met.
Require a certificate under Section 197 from charitable trusts for lower or nil TDS; do not assume automatic exemption.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are an IT/Systems lead at a bank this circular applies to (Banks handling 8% Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2003, State Bank of India and associate banks, Nationalised banks, AXIS Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, SHCIL (Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited), All bond holders (individuals, HUFs, companies, trusts)), your first concrete step on “TDS on 8% Savings Bonds 2003: CBDT Clarifications” is: “Update systems to deduct TDS on 8% Savings Bond interest exceeding ₹10,000/year for all holders, regardless of investment date.” (RBI issued this 05 Aug 2008).
Action required: Update systems to deduct TDS on 8% Savings Bond interest exceeding ₹10,000/year for all holders, regardless of investment date.
Action required: For cumulative bonds, ensure TDS is deducted on interest credited annually, not deferred to maturity.
Action required: Verify TDS rates: 20% for companies (1.6.2007-31.3.2008), 20% for others (1.6.2007-31.3.2008), 20% for companies (from 1.4.2008), 10% for others (from 1.4.2008), with surcharge and cess. Non-residents: 40% (companies) or 30% (others) regardless of period.
Action required: Accept Form 15G/15H from eligible individuals/HUFs only if their estimated total income is nil and specified income limits are met.
Action required: Require a certificate under Section 197 from charitable trusts for lower or nil TDS; do not assume automatic exemption.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
💬 Banker Discussion
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 05 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=4408&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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