Confused about Tax Announcement? Salaried Worker Needs Help

Ans: In Budget 2023, it is proposed that if person is earning income upto 7 lacs and opting for new tax regime (i.e. forgo deduction on interest on self occupied housing loan, exemption of HRA, deduction on tax saver investment covered in 80C,80D etc); 100% tax rebate will be available and person will not be required to pay tax. In addition to it is also proposed that standard deduction of Rs.50,000 is also available for person opting for new tax regime in FY 2023-24.

Ans: Hi
The difference between the old and new tax regime is that many deductions and exemptions are not available if an individual opts for the new tax regime.

Standard deduction, PT deduction, Mediclaim, Life Insurance, PF, NPS, Donations etc., are some of the common deductions that would not have been available to an individual opting for the new tax regime. The benefit that the individual would get by opting the new tax regime is that she / he would get lower rates of tax slab as compared to an individual opting for old tax regime.

With the new budget proposals, the FM intends to extend atleast 3 distinct benefits to individuals opting for the new tax regime.

1. Standard deduction would be available to be claimed
2. Slab rates of tax has been rationalized (improved) to give better tax relief to the individual
3. Individuals opting for new tax regime have got enhanced Nil tax window of Rs. 7 Lakhs as compared to old tax regime limit of Rs. 5 Lakhs. As your income even after the standard deduction would be above Rs. 7 Lakhs, this benefit is not really applicable to you.

If we look at an income of Rs. 10 Lakhs with standard deduction of Rs. 50000; you would pay Rs. 52,500 under the new tax regime (current budget proposal) as compared to Rs. 67,500 under the new tax regime (last year budget). So effectively comparing apple to apple, you have an additional saving of Rs. 15,000 in taxes

Ans: Hi Rajesh
Standard Deduction of Rs. 50,000 under the head salary, section 80CCD(2) for Employer’s Contribution to Employee NPS Accounts. Also, if you have a home loan on a house that has been rented, then the interest on the home loan is available as deduction

Ans: As per the Budget announced on 01 February 2025, upto 12.75 lacs there is no tax payable under new tax regime for a salaried employee.

The slabs and slab rates under new tax regime have also been revised.