Tax exemption is a privilege granted by the government to individuals or organisations to exclude a portion or all of their income from taxation. In India, tax exemptions are provided under various sections of the Income Tax Act, including Section 80C, 80D, 80E, 80G, and 80GG. These sections provide tax relief and deductions for specific types of investments and expenditures, such as contributions to a provident fund, health insurance premium payments, education loan interest payments, donations to charitable organisations, and rent paid by individuals without HRA.
Sections of Tax Exemptions in India: Overview
Tax exemption is a government-granted privilege that allows individuals or organisations to exclude a portion or all of their income from taxation. It’s designed to incentivise certain behaviours or provide financial relief to specific groups of taxpayers. Know more about Sections of Tax Exemptions in India!
Sections of Tax Exemptions come in various forms, including deductions, credits, and exclusions from gross income, and can significantly reduce a taxpayer’s tax liability. For instance, personal exemptions allow individuals to claim a set amount for themselves, their spouses, and their dependents, reducing their taxable income.
Charitable contributions to qualified organisations can also be tax-deductible, lowering taxable income. Other common tax exemptions include mortgage interest, state and local taxes, education expenses, and contributions to retirement accounts. Tax exemptions are subject to change and vary by country, making it crucial to seek professional guidance or consult relevant government agencies for the most up-to-date information. Overall, tax exemptions play a critical role in shaping economic and social policies and are a valuable tool for managing personal and organisational finances.
Types of Tax Exemption
There are several types of tax exemptions, including:
- Personal exemptions: An individual can claim a personal exemption for themselves, their spouse, and any dependents. This exemption reduces taxable income by a set amount each year.
- Charitable contributions: Donations made to qualified charitable organisations may be tax-deductible, reducing taxable income.
- Retirement contributions: Contributions made to a retirement account such as an IRA or 401(k) plan may be tax-deductible, lowering taxable income.
- Mortgage interest: Interest paid on a mortgage loan for a primary residence may be tax-deductible, reducing taxable income.
- State and local taxes: Taxes paid on state and local taxes such as property taxes may be deductible, lowering taxable income.
- Education expenses: Certain education expenses, such as tuition and fees, may be tax-deductible or eligible for tax credits, reducing taxable income.
Find out how to calculate TDS on salary with our user-friendly online TDS interest calculator for precise results.
TDS Exemptions 2024
TDS stands for Tax Deducted at Source, and TDS exemptions refer to situations where a person or entity is exempt from paying TDS on their income. In India, TDS is a means of collecting income tax by deducting tax at source from an individual’s income.
Some common examples of TDS exemptions in India include:
- Agricultural income: Agricultural income is exempt from TDS in India.
- Interest income from savings accounts: Interest income from savings accounts is exempt from TDS up to a certain limit.
- Dividend income: Dividend income received from domestic companies is exempt from TDS up to a certain limit.
- Rent from the property: Rent from property is exempt from TDS if the annual rent does not exceed a certain limit.
- Payments to contractors and professionals: Payments made to contractors and professionals for services rendered are exempt from TDS if the amount paid does not exceed a certain limit.
It’s important to note that TDS exemptions are subject to change and can vary based on the type of income and the taxpayer’s individual circumstances. It’s always best to consult a tax professional or the Indian Income Tax Department for the most up-to-date information on TDS exemptions. Vakilsearch tax experts can always help you with this.
Tax Deduction Rates
|
Up to ₹ 3 lakhs – 0% tax ₹ 3 to 6 lakhs – 5% tax ₹ 6 to 9 lakhs – 10% tax ₹ 9 lakhs to 12 lakhs – 15% tax ₹ 12 lakhs to 15 lakhs – 20% tax ₹15 lakhs above – 30% tax |
Common Sections Providing Tax Exemptions
In India, tax exemptions are provided under various sections of the Income Tax Act. Here are some of the most common sections that provide tax exemptions in detail:
- Section 80C: This section provides tax exemptions for investments and expenditures incurred towards specified savings and investments. Some common exemptions under Section 80C include contributions to a Public Provident Fund (PPF), Employee Provident Fund (EPF), National Savings Certificate (NSC), and life insurance premium payments. The maximum amount that can be claimed as an exemption under Section 80C is ₹1.5 lakhs per financial year.
- Section 80D: This section provides tax exemptions for medical insurance premium payments. Taxpayers can claim a deduction of up to ₹25,000 per financial year for health insurance premium payments for themselves, their spouses, and dependent children. An additional deduction of up to ₹25,000 per financial year is available for health insurance premium payments for senior citizens.
- Section 80E: This section provides tax exemptions for education loan interest payments. Taxpayers can claim a deduction of the entire amount of education loan interest paid, without any limit, for up to 8 financial years.
- Section 80G: This section provides tax exemptions for donations made to specified charitable organisations and relief funds. Taxpayers can claim a deduction of up to 100% or 50% of the donation amount, depending on the organisation.
- Section 80GG: This section provides tax exemptions for rent paid by individuals who do not receive HRA (House Rent Allowance) from their employer. Taxpayers can claim a deduction of up to ₹60,000 per financial year for rent paid, subject to certain conditions.
It’s important to note that tax exemptions under these sections are subject to change and can vary based on the taxpayer’s individual circumstances. It’s always best to consult a tax professional or the Indian Income Tax Department for the most up-to-date information on tax exemptions in India.
It is always advisable to consult an efficient tax professional to know more about tax exemptions in India. In case of any queries, please contact our Vakilsearch experts.
