I have a very basic question about direct taxes. Interest earned on FD is generally much lesser than inflation %. In that case, why is the interest earned on an FD, taxed?

If I earn 5% interest on Rs 1 crore FD, it would be ~5 lakh per year, which should be tax free. What is your opinion? 

Ans: Hello Krishan,

Yes, the interest earned on Fixed Deposits (FDs) and savings accounts is indeed taxable. However, there are certain provisions in the Income Tax Act that provide some relief to senior citizens.

As per Section 80TTB of the Income Tax Act, senior citizens, those who are 60 years or above, can claim a deduction of up to Rs 50,000 from their gross total income. This deduction is applicable on the interest earned from FDs, savings accounts, and recurring deposits.

So, if the total interest income earned by a senior citizen in a financial year does not exceed Rs 50,000, then it will not be subject to tax. However, if the interest income exceeds Rs 50,000, then the amount over Rs 50,000 will be taxable.

I hope this clarifies your query.

Best Regards,
Hardik

Ans: Hello there,

I understand your concern about the double taxation on your Fixed Deposit (FD) interest. Let me clarify this for you.

The Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is a means of collecting income tax in India and is governed under the Indian Income Tax Act of 1961. When it comes to FDs, banks deduct TDS when your interest income exceeds a certain threshold in a financial year. As of now, this limit is Rs. 40,000 for non-senior citizens and Rs. 50,000 for senior citizens.

Now, coming to your question, the TDS deducted by the bank is not the final tax. It's just a part of the total income tax you're liable to pay for the year. The bank deducts TDS at 10% (if PAN is provided) on the interest earned, but your final tax liability could be at 5%, 20%, or 30% depending on your total income for the year.

So, when you file your Income Tax Return (ITR), you need to add the interest income from the FD to your total income for the year. The tax on this total income is then calculated based on the income tax slabs. If the total tax calculated is more than the TDS already deducted, you'll have to pay the difference. Conversely, if the total tax is less than the TDS, you can claim a refund.

For example, in your case, if your total income including the FD interest falls under the 30% tax bracket, you'll need to pay an additional 20% tax on the FD interest (30% total tax minus 10% TDS already deducted).

I hope this clarifies your doubt. Please consult with a tax advisor or chartered accountant for personalized advice based on your total income and tax slab.

Best regards.

Ans: No, the bank is likely not right in this case. Here's why:

• Form 15G validity: A valid Form 15G submitted before April 1, 2023 is applicable for the entire financial year 2023-24 (assessment year 2024-25). This means if your income falls under the non-taxable category, the bank shouldn't deduct TDS on your FD interest for the entire year.
• TDS exemption limit: The current exemption limit for TDS on FD interest is Rs 40,000 for individuals below 60 years old, and Rs 50,000 for senior citizens (above 60 years old). There's no limit of Rs 5 lakh for TDS deduction on FD interest.

Here's what you can do:

• Reach out to your bank: Inform them that you submitted a valid Form 15G and your income falls under the non-taxable category. You can clarify the exemption limit and point out the mistake.
• Request rectification: Ask the bank to rectify the error and reverse the TDS deducted on your FD interest from October 2023 onwards.
• Seek professional help: If the bank doesn't resolve the issue, consider seeking help from a tax consultant or financial advisor. They can guide you further on how to claim a refund for the deducted TDS.

Additional points to consider:

• Ensure you have a copy of the Form 15G submission acknowledgement for your records.
• Keep a record of any communication with the bank regarding the TDS deduction.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue with the bank and avoid unnecessary TDS deduction on your FD interest.

Ans: Hi
Assuming that the interest is out of deposit with an eligible institution viz., Bank, Coop Bank & Post Office, the threshold amount is Rs. 40,000 otherwise the threshold would be Rs. 5,000. If your interest is from the eligible institutions then you will need to speak with them.

Ans: If your total income is Rs.7.00 (L) for the year, you should file your ITR & Claim Refund of your TDS. You are sure to get refund, subject to your any other incomes or tax savings etc.
Most welcome for any further clarifications. Thanks.