Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Yogpeeth wins tax exempt status for its ‘Yoga’ tag – The Indian Express

Charitable trust, Patanjali Yogpeeth, founded by yoga guru Baba Ramdev will be doing tax-free business from now as it succeeds in its appeal before the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT). Reportedly, a Delhi branch of ITAT justified the tax exemption by stating that Yoga providing medical relief, camps and education, falls within the meaning of charitable purpose, which is exempted to pay tax, under the sections 11 and 12 of the Income Tax act.

While section 11 of the I-T act mentions exemption of tax from properties held in trust/institution or other legal obligation for the religious/charitable purpose, sections 12 deals with voluntary contributions. Yoga got included in charitable purpose, exempted to pay tax, after an amendment, which came into effect on April 1, 2016, mentioned yoga within the definition of ‘charitable purpose’.