Hi Vivek! I am a software engineer working in Bengaluru. For FY 2023-24, my salary is 20 Lakhs whereas I have earning of 74 Lakhs from IT Consultancy. Do I require tax audit or can I simply apply presumptive taxation on 74 Lakhs as per 44AD and state my final income as 57 Lakhs (20L + 37L) and pay taxes as per tax slab on it. I do have GSTIN and file GST as professional income is more than 20L.

Ans: As per Section 44AA, of income tax act 1961, you need to maintain books of accounts compulsorily. You cannot be covered under the presumptive taxation scheme as your income is above Rs 50 lakh.Since your gross receipts out of profession exceeds Rs 5o lakh, Tax audit needs to be done. As a consultant, your income is taxed under the head 'Profits and Business or Profession'.

You are allowed to claim expenses on actual basis which have been incurred by you in connection with your work.

You may opt for traditional tax slab or new tax regime (without deductions) based on what works better for you.

Ans: Based on the information provided, you are eligible to choose between the old and new tax regimes.

Under the old tax regime, you can claim deductions under Section 80C up to Rs. 1.5 lakh and interest paid on home loan up to Rs. 2 lakh. Additionally, you can claim deductions under other sections such as medical insurance premium, donations, etc. However, your tax slab rate will be based on your income, and you will be taxed accordingly.

Under the new tax regime, you cannot claim deductions under Section 80C, home loan interest, or other sections. Instead, you will have lower tax slab rates. For your income level, the tax slab rate for the new regime is 20%, which is lower than the old regime.

To determine which regime is more suitable for you, you will need to calculate your tax liability under both regimes. However, based on the information provided, it seems like the new regime may be more beneficial for you as the tax slab rates are lower than the old regime. You can use an online income tax calculator to determine your tax liability under both regimes and make an informed decision.

Ans: Hi Prash
As GST and direct tax option of presumptive tax are two separate taxes, the threshold limit of the requirement of registration under GST would be applicable once you cross the Rs. 20 Lakh mark.

Ans: Assuming mutual fund redeemed are equity based scheme, tax on said redemption will be NIL. Tax on salary and interest will be Rs26,200 plus cess.

You can calculate tax at https://incometaxindia.gov.in/Pages/tools/income-tax-calculator-234ABC.aspx

Ans: Your gross salary of Rs 11,15,652 per annum puts you in a comfortable financial position. With only six years left until retirement, planning for both tax efficiency and post-retirement income is crucial. You have already invested Rs 15 lakhs in LIC policies and FDs, along with a PO Recurring Deposit of Rs 8,500 per month. These are conservative investment options, which provide stability but may not be enough to meet your post-retirement income needs.

Evaluating Tax Regimes for 2024-25
Choosing between the old and new tax regimes depends on your existing deductions and exemptions. The old regime allows for deductions under Section 80C, 80D, and others, which can lower your taxable income. The new regime offers lower tax rates but eliminates most deductions.

Points to Consider:

Old Tax Regime: If you claim significant deductions like HRA, 80C (up to Rs 1.5 lakhs), and 80D (health insurance premiums), the old regime may be beneficial.

New Tax Regime: If you don’t have substantial deductions or prefer a simplified process, the new regime with lower rates could be advantageous.

Estimating Your Tax Liability
Without specific details on your deductions, a rough estimate of your tax liability under both regimes can be considered. Here's a basic idea:

Old Tax Regime:

Income after Standard Deduction: Rs 10,65,652 (assuming Rs 50,000 standard deduction)
Deductions: If you claim Rs 1.5 lakhs under 80C, your taxable income would be Rs 9,15,652.
New Tax Regime:

Taxable Income: Rs 10,65,652 without additional deductions.
Given these estimates, it’s essential to calculate the exact tax based on your actual deductions.

Post-Retirement Income Planning
You aim to have a regular income of Rs 25,000 per month after retirement. To achieve this, you need to consider both the amount required and the investment avenues that will help you reach your goal.

Current Investments:

LIC and FDs: These are safe but offer lower returns. While they provide security, they may not be sufficient to generate Rs 25,000 per month.
PO Recurring Deposit: A good disciplined saving habit, but again, the returns are limited.
Creating a Retirement Corpus
To generate Rs 25,000 per month, you’ll need a substantial corpus. Assuming a conservative withdrawal rate of 4% per annum, the required corpus would be approximately Rs 75 lakhs.

Steps to Take:

Increase Equity Exposure: Since your current investments are conservative, consider adding equity mutual funds to your portfolio. Equity can provide higher returns, which are crucial for building a larger retirement corpus.

Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs): Start SIPs in diversified equity mutual funds. This will allow you to benefit from rupee cost averaging and compounding over the next six years.

Balanced Approach: Consider a mix of equity and debt funds. While equity will drive growth, debt funds will add stability to your portfolio.

Disadvantages of Direct and Index Funds
When considering mutual funds, it’s important to understand the drawbacks of direct and index funds.

Direct Funds:

No Professional Guidance: Investing directly without a Certified Financial Planner's guidance can be risky. Regular funds offer professional management and support.

Complex Decision Making: Selecting the right funds, rebalancing, and timely switches require expertise.

Index Funds:

Limited Growth Potential: Index funds simply replicate the market. They don’t offer the opportunity to outperform, which is vital for long-term growth.

No Active Management: In changing market conditions, index funds can’t adapt, leading to missed opportunities.

Investing for Regular Post-Retirement Income
To achieve your goal of Rs 25,000 per month, you need to strategically invest the additional amount required.

Options to Consider:

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): Invest in a balanced fund and opt for an SWP. This will allow you to withdraw a fixed amount regularly while the remaining investment continues to grow.

Dividend-Paying Funds: Consider funds that provide regular dividends. Though not guaranteed, they can be a source of regular income.

Debt Funds: Allocate a portion to debt funds for stability. These funds can provide steady returns, adding a cushion to your income stream.

Final Insights
With six years left before retirement, focusing on building a balanced and growth-oriented portfolio is key. Increase your equity exposure through SIPs, consider the advantages of regular mutual funds over direct and index funds, and strategically plan for a regular income stream post-retirement. By carefully choosing your tax regime and aligning your investments with your retirement goals, you can achieve financial security in your golden years.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in