This is the time of year when employees of many firms start receiving requests to share details of their tax-saving investments with their employers. However, before that, you have to choose whether you want to opt for the new tax regime or the old tax regime.
Budget 2020 has come up with a new tax regime as per Section 115BAC of the IT Act, 1961 that allows specific and Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) taxpayers to pay income tax at lower rates. After the financial year 2020 -21, the taxpayer can either choose to pay income tax within the new tax regime or can continue with the old tax regime.
“Ruchika Bhagat, a chartered accountant, and MD of Neeraj Bhagal Co, a chartered accountancy organization, said that If you want to opt for the newer ones, then employees will have to inform their employer via the declaration form. Then the employer will accordingly start deducting TDS monthly. This announcement will be applicable for the complete financial year 2020-21. If an employee does not inform their employer, then he/she will continue to be taxed according to the old regime”.
In case you are not able to clearly choose between new and old tax regimes to go for, here are a few important things that can assist you to reach a conclusion.
Analyse the Tax Slab Rates
Different slab rates are one of the main differences between the old regime and new tax structures. Some taxpayers pay income tax according to the slab system they belong to. The tax slabs are made by keeping the income of the specific in mind. Thus people with higher income will pay more.
There is no difference between the tax rates for certain earning up to ₹ 5 lakh annually. The variation in the rates starts showing thereafter. For example, those who have income between ₹ 5 lakh and 7.5 lakh per year, will pay tax at the rate of 10 per cent within the new tax regime against 20 per cent in the old regime. Likewise, those earning between ₹ 7.5 lakh and ₹ 10 lakh would pay tax at the rate of 15 per cent under the new tax regime compared with 20 per cent under the old regime.
For earnings up to ₹ 5 lakh annually, there is no difference in the tax rates. After that, the change in rates starts showing. Those whose annual income is between ₹ 5 lakh to ₹ 7.5 lakh will have to pay tax at the rate of 10% as per the new tax regime; the same was attracting 20% tax in the old regime. Similarly, people earning between ₹ 7.5 lakh and ₹ 10 lakh will have to pay tax at the rate of 15% under the new tax regime; the same people were paying 20% under the old regime.
With both the arrangements, the basic tax rate again becomes the same for people earning more than Rs 15 lakh annually.
Check the Benefits of Tax Deductions & Exemptions
While one more well-known difference between the old and the new regime is the options to decrease tax. Ruchika Bhagat said that no deduction is allowed under the new tax regime. A taxpayer has many options in the old tax regime, but in the new tax regime, one can claim either zero deduction or tax exemption.
In addition, under the old system, taxpayers are having about 70 exemptions and deductions to lower their taxable income. Referring to grants to taxpayers to reduce the tax amount by saving, investing, or spending on certain items.
The massive deductions have been permitted under Sections 80C, 80CCC, 80CCD. Additionally, with it one can declare deductions as per section 80D, 80DDB, 80E, 80EE, 80G, 80TTA, 80RRB, 80IA, 80IB, 80JJA, 80JJAA, 80LA, 80QQB, 80RRB etc.
Ruchika further added that, If we take exemptions and deductions significantly lower your tax expense to cover the excessive tax rate you may be paying, calculate prior to making a decision. Bhagat says that the advantages of the old tax regime or the new tax regime will change from person to person. She says that only the income and options available to the taxpayer can tell which one is beneficial to him. Most exceptions are part of one’s salary, such as House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Leave Travel Allowance (LTA).
“Nitin Mohan Kashyap, a chartered accountant associated with Coopers Tax Consulting, a tax consulting organization. Says that This new tax regime removes most of the deductions and exemptions otherwise available to the taxpayer. Thus, the taxpayer has to be very careful and compare whether his final tax liability will be less if he opts for the new tax regime. He illuminates how the fresh tax regime may seem complex for several.”
“Kashyap further added that Those opting for the new tax regime need to prepare two sets of tax calculations to arrive at a decision, which will again be a daunting task for a taxpayer considering complex tax laws. Again no straight-jacket formula can, in general, give a clear distinction between the two options, and it depends on a case by case basis what is best for the taxpayer.”
The new tax regime may be beneficial mainly for those taxpayers who do not seek deductions and exemptions as the tax rates under the new tax regime are lower.
