Standard Deduction

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Standard Deduction

Every taxpayer strives to reduce the amount of tax to be paid. From using insurance policies as a shield to seeking refuge in the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), individuals try different approaches to keeping their taxable income low.

However, did you know there is a fantastic opportunity provided by the government that lets taxpayers breathe a sigh of relief? With the standard deduction for pensioners and salaried-individuals, you can now reduce your taxable income by ₹50,000.

This article sheds more light on standard deduction in the new tax regime and old tax regime, and will help you understand how you can claim this deduction on your annual salary.

Standard Deduction Meaning

Standard deduction is a type of deduction provided by the Income Tax Act that allows a person to lower the tax to be paid by subtracting a particular amount of sum from his total gross salary.

Earlier, the provision of standard deduction was only available under the old tax regime. However, the Union Budget 2023-24 has introduced standard deduction in the new tax regime as well.

Thanks to this, every taxpayer, regardless of the tax regime he has chosen, will be eligible to claim a standard deduction of ₹50,000 on his gross salary or pension.

Who Can Claim Income Tax Standard Deduction?

According to Section 16 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, a person receiving a pension or salary is eligible to claim a standard deduction of up to ₹50,000 when filing his income tax return.

The best part of claiming a standard deduction on salary and pension is that the taxpayer does not have to show any proof to reduce the taxable income.

How Standard Deduction Helps Decrease Tax Payable?

Let us understand this with a standard deduction example. Suppose your annual salary/pension amounts up to ₹5,25,000. At the time of filing the ITR, you will have to enter your gross salary in the ITR and enter ₹50,000 in the standard deduction column.

By doing so, your taxable income will be ₹4,75,000, and your tax will be calculated, considering the tax slab of ₹3,00,001-₹5,00,000.

As per the Income-tax slab, you will only have to pay income tax at a rate of 5% instead of 10%. This will save you around ₹28,750, as earlier you would be paying ₹52,500 (10% on ₹5,25,000), and now you will have to pay ₹23,750 (5% of ₹4,75,000).

Documents Required for Standard Deduction

No additional documents are required for claiming standard deduction. But, there are some important documents and forms that you need to have when filing your income tax return. Here is a list of those documents:

  • Duly filled Form 26AS and AIS.

  • Account statements for the relevant financial year

  • TDS certificates

  • Documents related to your investments

  • Income statements from fixed deposits or interest

Tata AIG’s Medical Insurance Plans Tax Benefits

Buying health insurance is another way of enjoying tax deductions. As per section 80D of the Income Tax Act, an individual holding a health insurance policy is entitled to get tax deductions of up to ₹25,000.

Moreover, plans like pre-existing disease health insurance not only provide tax benefits but also provide coverage for existing diseases, which otherwise can cause a significant financial burden.

So, if you want to reduce your tax liabilities and get extra security against health emergencies, choose Tata AIG medical insurance plans.
With our health insurance plans, you will be eligible for ample tax benefits and coverage for medical expenses.

Coming to an End

The standard deduction for senior citizens and salaried individuals is the best chance for a person to get financial relief without getting entangled in paperwork. It also allows low and middle-salaried individuals and pensioners to mitigate their tax burden legally.

However, the standard deduction in the new and old tax regime is not alone in the race of providing tax deductions to taxpayers.

There are a multitude of health insurance plans that offer tax benefits (deductions) along with keeping the taxpayer financially protected from mishaps that often result in huge financial losses.

Disclaimer / TnC

Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions & inclusions and exclusions mentioned in your policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.

Who is not eligible for the standard deduction?

Who is not eligible for the standard deduction?

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Except for salaried individuals and pensioners, no one is allowed to claim a standard deduction. So, if you are a freelancer or a businessman, remember that you are not eligible for this deduction.

Is standard deduction also applicable to senior citizens?

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Yes. A senior citizen receiving a salary or pension can claim the standard deduction when filing his ITR.

Is there any increase in standard deduction?

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The last increase in the standard deduction was in 2019. Since then, the standard deduction limit has not changed.

Can I claim standard deduction twice?

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No. Regardless of how many employers you work for, you can only claim a standard deduction annually. Plus, this amount cannot exceed ₹50,000.

What Is the difference between itemised and standard deductions?

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The standard deduction is a fixed amount that can be deducted from taxable income, while itemised deductions include deductions claimed for valid expenses made by the taxpayer.
If you fall under the standard deduction eligibility category, you can claim any of these deductions; however, it is suggested that you choose the one that reduces your taxable income the most.

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