The Budget 2025 has brought some significant changes to the income tax structure, providing much-needed relief to middle-class taxpayers. The new provisions aim to reduce the tax burden, simplify tax compliance, and encourage savings. In this post, we will explore the key tax changes introduced in Budget 2025 and their impact on the middle-class taxpayers.
1️⃣ Revised Tax Slabs under the New Tax Regime
The new tax regime for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) has introduced revised tax slabs that bring relief to individuals in the middle-income group. The key highlight of the revised tax structure is that individuals with income up to ₹12,00,000 will have zero tax liability, thanks to the increased rebate.
New Tax Slabs (FY 2025-26):
- Income up to ₹4,00,000: NIL (No tax).
- Income from ₹4,00,001 to ₹8,00,000: 5%.
- Income from ₹8,00,001 to ₹12,00,000: 10%.
- Income from ₹12,00,001 to ₹16,00,000: 15%.
- Income from ₹16,00,001 to ₹20,00,000: 20%.
- Income from ₹20,00,001 to ₹24,00,000: 25%.
- Income above ₹24,00,000: 30%.
Key Features of the New Tax Regime:
- No tax for incomes up to ₹4,00,000.
- A rebate of ₹60,000 under Section 87A ensures no tax liability for incomes up to ₹12,00,000.
- Salaried individuals can benefit from a ₹75,000 standard deduction, which means no tax liability up to ₹12,75,000 in total income.
Example:
If your income is ₹12,00,000:
- Rebate under Section 87A: ₹60,000
- Standard Deduction: ₹75,000
Your total taxable income will be reduced to ₹11,65,000, resulting in no tax liability.
2️⃣ Enhanced Tax Benefits for Salaried Individuals
The ₹75,000 standard deduction introduced in Budget 2025 benefits salaried individuals by reducing their taxable income. This, combined with the ₹60,000 rebate under Section 87A, ensures that salaried taxpayers with income up to ₹12,75,000 will not have to pay any tax.
How Does This Benefit You?
If you are a salaried taxpayer earning up to ₹12,75,000, you will be able to reduce your tax liability to zero under the new tax regime by applying both the ₹60,000 rebate and the ₹75,000 standard deduction.
3️⃣ Increased Tax Benefits on Health Insurance Premiums
In a bid to promote health security, the Budget 2025 has enhanced the tax benefits available under Section 80D for individuals purchasing health insurance.
Key Features of Section 80D:
- You can claim up to ₹25,000 for self, spouse, and children.
- If you or your family members are senior citizens, the deductible amount increases to ₹50,000.
- You can also claim up to ₹50,000 for parents (if they are senior citizens).
This will help middle-class families take full advantage of tax-saving opportunities while securing their health.
4️⃣ Tax Benefits for Housing Loans
The Budget 2025 continues to encourage homeownership with tax relief for those paying housing loans. You can claim tax deductions under Section 24(b) for the interest paid on home loans and Section 80C for the principal repayment.
Key Features:
- You can claim up to ₹2 lakh for home loan interest under Section 24(b).
- You can also claim up to ₹1.5 lakh for principal repayment under Section 80C.
This will help ease the financial burden on middle-class families who are repaying home loans.
5️⃣ Enhanced Contributions to National Pension Scheme (NPS)
The National Pension Scheme (NPS) continues to be an excellent long-term savings tool, and the Budget 2025 has further incentivized it with increased tax deductions.
NPS Contribution Benefits:
- You can claim up to ₹75,000 under Section 80CCD(1B) for NPS contributions in addition to the ₹1.5 lakh limit under Section 80C.
- This makes NPS an attractive option for individuals looking to save for retirement while benefiting from tax deductions.
6️⃣ Relief for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
The Budget 2025 also focuses on providing relief for small and medium businesses, which are often run by middle-class entrepreneurs. Key provisions include:
- Increased tax rebates for micro-enterprises.
- Simplified compliance procedures for SMEs to ease tax filing and reduce paperwork.
This will help promote entrepreneurship and ease the tax burden on business owners.
7️⃣ Focus on Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion
The Budget 2025 also emphasizes the importance of digital payments and financial inclusion. The government continues to expand the use of mobile wallets, UPI, and other digital platforms to provide easy access to financial services for middle-class individuals.
Conclusion
Budget 2025 brings substantial tax relief for the middle-class taxpayer. From lower tax slabs and standard deductions to increased rebates, the new provisions offer a great opportunity to save more and reduce your tax burden. Additionally, the focus on health insurance, home loans, NPS contributions, and small businesses will encourage individuals to save and invest in their future.
By understanding and applying these changes, you can maximize your tax savings and ensure financial security for you and your family. Whether you are a salaried employee, a small business owner, or someone planning for retirement, Budget 2025 offers multiple opportunities to plan and grow your wealth.
Comments
Post a Comment