Decoding Indian Annual Budget 2018-19
Budget 2018 was one of give and take but it was more take than give, especially for the taxpayer. On the one hand Hon. Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley reintroduced standard deduction, gave senior citizens a few reasons to cheer, and increased take home pay of women in the workforce. On the other, he took away the medical and travel allowances of the salaried class, introduced long-term capital gains tax on equity, and even hiked the cess you pay on income.
Here are 10 personal finance takeaways from the Modi government's last budget before the general elections next year.
1. No change in income tax slabs for individuals
Stating that the government had made many positive changes in the personal income-tax rate applicable to individuals in the last three years, Jaitley left the income tax slabs unchanged this Budget.
2. Cess on income tax hiked to 4%
Budget 2018 has proposed to hike the cess on income tax from 3% to 4% thereby increasing the tax payable by all categories of tax payers. Due to this change, the tax liability for highest tax bracket (assuming Rs 15 lakh income) goes up by Rs 2,625. For middle income tax payers (between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh) the tax liability increases by Rs 1,125 and for lowest tax brackets (Rs 2.5 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs) by Rs 125.
Stating that the government had made many positive changes in the personal income-tax rate applicable to individuals in the last three years, Jaitley left the income tax slabs unchanged this Budget.
2. Cess on income tax hiked to 4%
Budget 2018 has proposed to hike the cess on income tax from 3% to 4% thereby increasing the tax payable by all categories of tax payers. Due to this change, the tax liability for highest tax bracket (assuming Rs 15 lakh income) goes up by Rs 2,625. For middle income tax payers (between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh) the tax liability increases by Rs 1,125 and for lowest tax brackets (Rs 2.5 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs) by Rs 125.
Budget 2018 has proposed to provide a standard deduction of Rs 40,000 from salary income to employees. Standard deduction is essentially a flat amount subtracted from the salary income before calculation of taxable income.
4. Medical reimbursement and transport allowance knocked out of your salary
While the Budget 2018 proposes to provide a standard deduction of Rs 40,000 from salary income to employees, it also proposes to take away existing annual transport allowance of Rs 19,200 and Rs 15,000 medical reimbursement.
5. EPF contribution of new women workers capped at 8%
Women joining the workforce for the first time will have to contribute only 8% instead of 12% or 10% as the case may be, for the first three years. The proposed move will enhance their take-home pay.
6. LTCG exceeding Rs 1 lakh to be taxed at 10%
The FM in his Budget 2018 speech proposed to re-introduce long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax on gains arising from the transfer of listed equity shares exceeding Rs 1 Lakh at 10 percent, without allowing any indexation benefit. However, all gains up to January 31, 2018 will be exempt.
While the Budget 2018 proposes to provide a standard deduction of Rs 40,000 from salary income to employees, it also proposes to take away existing annual transport allowance of Rs 19,200 and Rs 15,000 medical reimbursement.
5. EPF contribution of new women workers capped at 8%
Women joining the workforce for the first time will have to contribute only 8% instead of 12% or 10% as the case may be, for the first three years. The proposed move will enhance their take-home pay.
6. LTCG exceeding Rs 1 lakh to be taxed at 10%
The FM in his Budget 2018 speech proposed to re-introduce long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax on gains arising from the transfer of listed equity shares exceeding Rs 1 Lakh at 10 percent, without allowing any indexation benefit. However, all gains up to January 31, 2018 will be exempt.
7. Section 80D limit proposed to be hiked to Rs 50,000 for senior citizens
The limit of deduction under section 80 D for senior citizens has been proposed to be hiked Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000. This is good news for senior citizens.
8. Exemption of interest income on deposits to be hiked for senior citizens
It has been proposed to hike the exemption on the interest income on bank and post office deposits for senior citizens from Rs 10,000 to Rs. 50,000. This is for all FDs and RDs
The limit of deduction under section 80 D for senior citizens has been proposed to be hiked Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000. This is good news for senior citizens.
8. Exemption of interest income on deposits to be hiked for senior citizens
It has been proposed to hike the exemption on the interest income on bank and post office deposits for senior citizens from Rs 10,000 to Rs. 50,000. This is for all FDs and RDs
9. FM proposes DDT on equity MF, dividend seekers to be hit
It has been proposed to introduce a dividend distribution tax on equity-oriented mutual funds at the rate of 10% percent, to provide a level field across growth oriented and dividend distributing schemes. This reduce the investor's in-hand return.
It has been proposed to introduce a dividend distribution tax on equity-oriented mutual funds at the rate of 10% percent, to provide a level field across growth oriented and dividend distributing schemes. This reduce the investor's in-hand return.
10. Budget proposes to hike PMVVY limit to Rs 15 lakh
More good news for senior citizens. The FM has proposed to increase the investment limit the pension scheme, Pradhanmantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY), to Rs 15 lakh from the present Rs 7.5 lakh.
More good news for senior citizens. The FM has proposed to increase the investment limit the pension scheme, Pradhanmantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY), to Rs 15 lakh from the present Rs 7.5 lakh.
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