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The world of finance is filled with complex terminology that can confuse even regular investors. And one such term is “bond washing”. It refers to a tactic where some investors try to illegally reduce their income tax liability by:
- Shifting interest income
or
- Creating artificial losses
Such actions attract tax scrutiny and are prohibited under the Income Tax Act, 1961. Read this article to learn what bond washing is, how it works, and how it is regulated by the Income Tax Department.
What is Bond Washing?
Bond washing is a method used to avoid paying tax on bond or debenture interest. It happens when an investor:
- Sells a bond just before the interest payment date
and
- Buys it back after the interest is paid, often through a relative or a related person.
Okay, but why? The intention is to make the interest income taxable in someone else’s hands (usually a person in a lower tax bracket), or to claim a tax loss. Let’s see how it is done in the next section.
How Does Bond Washing Work?
In a bond washing transaction, the investor transfers the bond before the interest record date. Now, because of this transfer, the interest is paid to the buyer instead of the original owner.
Next, after the interest is received, the bond is bought back by the original investor. On paper, it looks like two separate transactions, but the real intention is to:
- Shift income liability
or
- Create a tax loss (without changing actual ownership)
For a better understanding, let’s study a hypothetical example assuming the following:
- Mr. A owns an NBFC bond with a face value of ₹10 lakh.
- The bond pays an annual interest of ₹1 lakh on 31st March.
- Mr. A falls in the 30% tax bracket.
Now, Mr. A does not want the annual interest of ₹1 lakh to be taxed in his hands. Thus, he performs bond washing as follows:
Step 1: Sale Before the Interest Date
On 28th March, just before the interest record date, Mr. A sells the bond to his wife (or another close relative) for its market value.
Step 2: Interest Received by the Relative
On 31st March, the wife receives the interest of ₹1 lakh. She is in the 5% tax bracket, so she pays much lower tax on this income.
Step 3: Re-Purchase After Interest Payment
After the interest is paid, Mr. A buys back the same bond from his wife in April.
So, What Did Mr. A Try to Achieve Here?
Mr. A tried to shift ₹1 lakh of interest income from himself to a lower-tax family member. By doing so, he could reduce his overall tax outgo without changing long-term ownership of the bond.
Is Bond Washing Allowed in India?
No! Bond washing is considered illegal in India. It is governed by Section 94 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which specifically prevents investors from avoiding tax through the temporary transfer of bonds or debentures. The two main provisions that regulate this activity are Section 94(1) and Section 94(2).
Let’s see how Section 94 controls bond washing:
| Provision | What the Investor Does | What The Law Says | Tax Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 94(1) | Transfers a bond to a relative before the interest date and buys it back later | The transfer is ignored for tax purposes | Interest income is added back to the original owner’s income (clubbing provisions apply). |
| Section 94(2) | Sells a bond in a way that creates a capital loss, while another person earns the interest | The loss is treated as “artificial.” | Capital loss is not allowed as a tax deduction. |
What are the Consequences of Bond Washing?
If tax authorities identify bond washing, the following actions are taken:
1. Disallowance of Capital Loss
Any capital loss claimed from such transactions is rejected.
2. Clubbing of Interest Income
The interest income is taxed in the hands of the original bondholder, even if someone else received it.
3. Interest on Unpaid Tax
Interest is charged for short payment or non-payment of tax.
4. Penalty for Misreporting Income
Penalties may be imposed for furnishing incorrect income details under the Income Tax Act.
How Can You Avoid Bond Washing?
Sometimes, as an investor, you may not intend to practise bond washing. Yet transactions can be structured in a manner that appears to shift interest income or create artificial losses. Remember that such situations can attract tax scrutiny!
Now, to protect yourself from unintentional bond washing and the resulting assessments or penalties, you may follow these practices:
A) Do Not Sell and Buy Back in the Same Period
Avoid selling a bond to a family member or related person and buying it back within the same financial year or around the interest payment date. Such timing suggests that the transfer was done only to divert interest income.
B) Maintain Clear Documentation
If you transfer a bond for genuine reasons, keep written records explaining why the transfer was made. This includes:
- Sale agreements
- Bank records
- Proof of fair market value
Lack of documentation can raise doubts about intent.
C) Report Income Correctly in Your Tax Return
Ensure that all interest income and capital gains from bonds are reported accurately in your Income Tax Return (ITR). Incorrect reporting, even due to confusion, can lead to penalties and reassessment.
D) Avoid Temporary Transfers to Relatives
Do not transfer bonds to relatives only for a short period to pass on interest income. Temporary ownership changes without a “real economic purpose” can be treated as bond washing under tax law.
To Conclude, Bond Washing is an Illegal Tactic To Reduce Income Tax Liability
So now you know that bond washing is a practice where investors try to avoid paying tax on interest income from a bond or debenture, or try to create artificial capital losses. This practice is illegal in India and is controlled by various provisions of Section 94 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
As a result, bond washing does not provide any tax benefit in India. Section 94 ensures that interest income and capital losses are taxed based on real ownership + genuine intent, not on temporary transfers made only to reduce tax liability.
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Bond Washing FAQs
Why does selling a bond before interest and buying it back later cause a problem?
When a bond is sold just before the interest date and repurchased soon after (especially through a relative), it appears that ownership was changed only to shift interest income. Always remember that tax law looks at the intent or “substance of the transaction” (not paperwork). They usually treat such temporary transfers as bond washing.
How does Section 94(1) regulate bond washing?
Under Section 94(1) of the Income Tax Act, the temporary transfer of bonds or debentures is ignored for tax purposes. Consequently, the interest income is clubbed back and taxed in the hands of the original investor or transferor.
How does Section 94(2) treat capital losses arising from bond washing transactions?
Section 94(2) states that if a bond sale creates a capital loss for the transferee while the original transferor receives the interest income, the capital loss is not allowed as a tax deduction. The loss is treated as “artificial” and disallowed.
How is bond washing different from dividend stripping?
Bond washing involves bonds or debentures, and the intent is to shift interest income or create artificial capital losses. In contrast, dividend stripping is related to shares or mutual funds and aims to avoid tax on dividends. So, both are illegal tax avoidance practices, but they apply to different assets.
What happens if I under-report bond interest income?
Under-reporting interest income can lead to tax reassessment, interest on unpaid tax, and penalties. Even if the income was received by another person, it may still be taxed in your hands if bond washing rules apply.
How to save myself from unintentional bond washing?
You may avoid repurchasing bonds immediately after selling them. That’s because an immediate or near-immediate repurchase suggests that the sale was temporary and done only to avoid income tax liability.
Disclaimer:
This information is for general information purposes only. GoldenPi makes no guarantee on the accuracy of the data provided here; the information displayed is subject to change and is provided on an as-is basis. Nothing contained herein is intended to or shall be deemed to be investment advice, implied or otherwise. Investments in the debt securities/ municipal debt securities/ securitised debt instruments are subject to risks, including delay and/ or default in payment. Read all the offer-related documents carefully.
Bonds or non-convertible debentures (NCDs) are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India and other government authorities. GoldenPi Securities Private Limited is a registered debt broker and acts as a distributor and not as a manufacturer of the product.
