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Income Tax expectations Budget 2024: Tax exempt limit for savings account interest to be raised to Rs 25,000?

Budget 2024 income tax expectations: The government may raise the... Read More
Budget 2024 Income Tax Expectations: Ahead of the Union Budget 2024 presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the government is currently evaluating a proposal to raise the tax-deductible limit on interest income from savings accounts to Rs 25,000.

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This suggestion was put forward by banks during a recent meeting with key officials from the finance ministry. Banks have been advocating for deposit incentives due to increasing concerns about the widening credit-deposit ratio.

"It (the suggestion) is under review, and there could be some relief for banks, which have demanded incentives to shore up deposits," a government official was quoted as saying in an ET report by Dheeraj Tiwari. The final decision on the proposal will be made closer to the budget announcement.

Budget 2024 expectations

Under the old tax regime, interest income up to Rs 10,000 per year from savings accounts is tax-exempt under Section 80TTA of the Income Tax Act. For senior citizens aged 60 and above, this limit is set at Rs 50,000 and includes interest income from fixed deposits under Section 80 TTB. However, these benefits were removed under the new tax regime, when it was introduced in the 2020 budget.

"Both issues, including enhancement of the old limit and allowing interest income earned from savings accounts in scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) under existing regulations in the new regime, are being deliberated," said the person cited above, noting that banks had previously made a presentation on this matter.

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Also Read | Budget 2024 income tax expectations: Top 10 things FM Sitharaman should do for salaried taxpayers

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) observed in its latest Financial Stability Report that households are diversifying their financial savings, allocating more to non-banks and the capital market.

The report highlighted that the growing gap is reflected in the rising credit-deposit (C-D) ratio, which peaked at 78.8% in December 2023 before moderating to 76.8% at the end of March.

Recently, HDFC Bank, the country's largest private sector lender, reported a 5% sequential decline in its current account-savings account (CASA) deposits to Rs 8.63 lakh crore during the first quarter of the current financial year.

Income Tax Calculator 2024-25: Which is better Old or New Regime?

Income Tax Calculator 2024-25: It’s the start of the financial year and if you are confused between the new and the old income tax regime, then we have you covered. While the old tax regime allows for exemptions and deductions like Section 80C, House Rent Allowance, Leave Travel Allowance etc., the new tax regime offers lower tax rates and multiple slabs. Standard deduction is available under both regimes. We take a look at different income levels and common exemptions and deductions you may want to claim, to calculate and analyse the best income tax regime for you. This analysis has been done by Akhil Chandna, Partner, Grant Thornton Bharat. It is important to note that the analysis in the tables is broadly indicative. Each individual should choose their beneficial tax regime on a case-to-case basis. The analysis cannot be standardised.

Income Tax Slabs 2024-25 Old Regime: The tax slabs and income tax rates in the table are applicable for individuals (residents below 60 years of age, NR and NOR). Under the old tax regime, resident individual taxpayers are eligible for a tax rebate of Rs 12,500 or actual tax payable whichever is Lowe, if the total income does not exceed Rs 5 lakh. A health and education cess is levied at the rate of 4%, for all individuals on the income-tax and surcharge (if applicable).

Income Tax Slabs 2024-25 New Regime: In this table, you can see the income tax slabs and income tax slabs for the new income tax regime. Under this regime, the rebate eligibility limit is Rs 7 lakh. This means a tax rebate of up to Rs 25,000 will be available to taxpayers. A marginal relief is also available to resident individuals whose net taxable income exceeds Rs 7,00,000 and the incremental income tax liability is higher than incremental income above Rs 7,00,000.

Income Tax Calculator New Versus Old Regime: In this table, a gross salary level of Rs 7 lakh has been taken. Assuming that the salaried individual chooses to claim only a standard deduction of Rs 50,000 which is available both under the new and the old income tax regime, it would clearly be beneficial to opt for the new income tax regime. While under the old tax regime the tax outgo would be Rs 44,200, it would be nil under the new tax regime.

Income Tax Calculator New Versus Old Regime: In this table, a gross salary level of Rs 15 lakh has been taken. Again, assuming that only a standard deduction of Rs 50,000 availed, the salaried individual will find it beneficial to choose the new tax regime. This is because under the new income tax regime, a lower tax rate would be applicable at that income level.

Income Tax Calculator New Versus Old Regime: In this table, a gross salary level of Rs 30 lakh has been taken. Even at income levels as high as Rs 30 lakh, it is more beneficial to opt for the new income tax regime versus the old tax regime, if the only deduction or exemption that the salaried individual is claiming is the standard deduction.

Income Tax Calculator New Versus Old Regime: In this table, a gross salary level of Rs 7 lakh has been taken. What has changed in this scenario is that we are assuming that the individual claims the Section 80C deduction limit of Rs 1.5 lakh. It’s interesting to note that if standard deduction and Section 80C is availed, then the tax outgo under both the old and new tax regime is nil. Hence, if as a salaried individual you invest in mutual funds, PPF etc. opting for the old regime is equally beneficial for you.

Income Tax Calculator New Versus Old Regime: In this table, a gross salary level of Rs 15 lakh has been taken. Again, we are assuming a scenario where standard deduction and Section 80C benefits are availed. What changes here is that with a higher taxable income, the salaried individual is not eligible for a rebate under Section 87A, also a higher tax rate kicks in compared to the new tax regime. Hence, in such a scenario, the new income tax regime makes more sense.

Income Tax Calculator New Versus Old Regime: In this table, a gross salary level of Rs 30 lakh has been taken. If a salaried taxpayer opts for the old tax regime while availing only the standard deduction and Section 80C limit, the individual will have to dish out more tax. The new tax regime would be more beneficial even at a salary level of Rs 30 lakh.

Income Tax Calculator New Versus Old Regime: In this table, a gross salary level of Rs 7 lakh has been taken. However, we are now looking a scenario where an individual gets salary exemptions like HRA, LTA etc. In this case too, because the income level is at Rs 7 lakh, the tax outgo under both regimes would be zero, irrespective of whether you have HRA and LTA as a part of your salary. Given the proof that you need to furnish for these exemptions. The new tax regime may be less cumbersome.



Stay informed with the latest Business News on Times of India. Explore updates on International Business, gain insights with Financial Literacy tips, and make use of Financial Calculators. Don’t forget to check the list of Bank Holidays in 2025, including Bank Holidays in January.


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