Should I Be Concerned About TDS on My FD Interest?

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: The bank's approach seems incorrect. Since you are prematurely closing the FD within two days, and no interest is being paid, there should be no TDS deduction.

Why This Doesn't Make Sense:
TDS is deducted on interest earned, not on notional interest.
If the bank has not credited any interest to your account, there is no income to deduct TDS from.
Banks usually deduct TDS at the time of credit or payment of interest, not based on future projections.
What You Can Do:
Ask for Written Clarification: Request the bank to provide a written explanation of why they are deducting TDS despite not paying any interest.
Check Form 26AS Later: Ensure that no TDS is actually reflected in your Form 26AS. If deducted, it can be claimed in your ITR.
Escalate to ICICI Grievance Redressal: If the bank insists on deduction, escalate the matter through ICICI’s grievance process.
Approach Banking Ombudsman: If unresolved, file a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman for unfair TDS deduction.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment