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Tips for easing your tax burden

Last updated on: May 3, 2010 08:25 IST

Tax-saving is the first level of financial planning. If one is salaried this would start from the declaration of investments that will be made at the beginning of the financial year. Execution on the same would follow during the year with culmination of providing tax proofs at the end of the year.

While no declarations need to be made for the non-salaried, you need to finish your investment during the year and proofs only need to be submitted while filing your tax returns.

You not only save tax from these avenues, but also get the returns that the avenue provides. There is wide range of investment avenues that you can choose from. This year there are additional deductions available on the infrastructure deposits to the extent of Rs 20,000.

Net taxable income = Gross salary Tax free perquisites Exemptions Deductions under different sections

On this net taxable income, you apply the personal tax rates and cess on the taxes computed. (God is kind, part of my income is tax free!).

If there was one free lunch that the Income Tax Department has generously extended towards the tax saving hungry salaried class, then that is called the 'Exemptions'.

These are income components whereby, if you plan right, not a single penny goes out of your pocket towards taxes. However, keep in mind there are limits for most of these and hence provides little respite for high tax playeRs Some of the exemptions are listed below in the table below:

Permitted exemptions

Amount received from life insurance policies

House rent allowance provided least of these conditions are met:

Actual amount of HRA

Rent paid: 10 per cent of basic salary

3. 5 per cent of salary in 4 metros or 40 per cent salary for other cities

Conveyance allowance of Rs 800 per month is the limit

Leave travel concession: Subject to the following conditions

2 trips in a block of 4 years

Amount not exceeding air-economy or Rail-AC 1

Fare shall be for journey to the place of destination by the shortest route

Spend more, get tax benefit

Last updated on: May 3, 2010 08:25 IST

Absurd as it may sound, but the golden rule is consumption will lead to growth of the economy. However, you cannot go on a shopping spree buying luxuries or durables and claim tax benefit. The company extends tax benefit only to a select few items which are termed as perquisites:

Tax-free perquisites include food coupons, telephone bills, medical re-imbursements.

There are a few perquisites that trigger some additional income called perquisites. Benefits like company car, fuel and maintenance is one of them that would still save taxes compared to the peak tax rates.

These can go a long way in reducing your tax liability.

Deduct my taxes, I have made investments

There is also relief for someone who is ready to spill the dough. Two of the most popular avenues for deductions which will provide benefit u/s 80C (also the new 80CCF) and 80D, we have covered the main deductions for your reference:

Section

Option

Amount

80C

Equity linked mutual funds, National Saving Certificates, Provident Fund, Insurance, Pension plan, Home loan principal, Tuition fees

Maximum Rs 1,00,000 (PPF up to Rs 70,000 only)

80CCF

Infrastructure Bond (As per Budget 2010-11)

Maximum Rs 20,000

80D

Mediclaim premium

Maximum Rs 15,000 (Rs 15,000 additional if availed for parents); Rs 20,000 for senior citizens

80DD

Treatment of handicap dependants

Fixed at Rs 50,000

80DDB

Treatment of dreaded diseases

Maximum Rs 40,000

80E

Repayment of higher education loan

No limit (For interest only)

80G

Contribution towards charity

100 per cent or 50 per cent allowed (cannot exceed 10 per cent of taxable income)

Liability with a 'twist'

Last updated on: May 3, 2010 08:25 IST

Apart from exemptions and deductions, the home loan liability is another favourite amongst salaried individuals.

It is often seen that, individuals on the pretext of availing tax benefit, fail to understand that this is a liability and one needs to avail mortgage / life cover.

The deduction available towards home loan is as stated below:

Section

Permitted limits

24(2)

Self-occupied property

Interest on borrowed capital for purchase/construction deduction:  Currently Rs 150,000 (Self-occupied property)

24(1)

If house given on rent

Deduction of 30 per cent available on rental income on net annual value (Rent minus taxes) for property given out on rent in addition to deduction of interest

It all boils down to slabs

After calculation of taxable income, one can actually calculate the tax payable for himself/herself. The table below gives the tax slab available for an individual assessee:

Tax slab:

Income tax slab (in Rs)

Tax

Up to Rs 1.6 lakh (Men)

Nil

Up to Rs 1.9 lakh (Women)

Nil

Up to Rs 2.4 lakh (Senior citizens)

Nil

Rs 1.6 lakh to Rs 5 lakh

10 per cent

Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh

20 per cent

Greater than Rs 8 lakh

30 per cent

A cess of 3 per cent will be charged on tax payable based on the tax slabs above.

Example:

The net tax payable of a person earning Rs 4,00,000 per annum in salary is shown in the table below. His basic salary is Rs 10,000 per month, conveyance allowance is Rs 800 per month and he is paying PF of Rs 1,250 per month.

Particulars

Amount

Gross salary

Rs 4,00,000

HRA (least of 3 conditions)

Rs 48,000

Conveyance

Rs 9,600

Total taxable income (After exemptions)

Rs 3,42,400

PF

Rs 15,000

Insurance

Rs 40,000

Infrastructure bonds

Rs 20,000

Fixed deposit

Rs 25,000

Mediclaim premium

Rs 15,000

Net taxable amount

Rs 2,27,400

Tax payable

Rs 6,740

Cess @ 3 per cent

Rs 202

Net tax payable

Rs 6,942

Without the exemptions and deductions, he would have ended up paying Rs 24,720 in taxes and that translates towards a savings of Rs 19,838 per annum. This can be routed towards savings, which will enable one to build a corpus for your financial goals.

Things to keep in mind

Last updated on: May 3, 2010 08:25 IST

Here's a summary of what you should be doing to save tax:

righthorizons
Anil Rego is the founder and CEO of Right Horizons , an investment advisory and wealth management firm that focuses on providing financial solutions that are specific to customer needs.