Everyone is constantly seeking ways to reduce their income tax payments.
They like to take advantage of any chance to help them pay less income tax in India.
However, different people prefer different ways to accomplish this. There are various ways to reduce your income tax in India, regardless of whether you are a salaried worker or own a business.
There are many ways to get a tax refund under different sections, which lowers the amount of your taxable income.
Here are 12 effective techniques to reduce income tax in India if you’re one of the people looking for ways to accomplish so.
1.Section 80C tax deductions as a first step
- Several investments can reduce taxes. The following are the main ways that section 80C allows you to reduce your tax liability:
- By investing in ELSS, you can avoid paying up to Rs. 46,800 in taxes.
- Invest in fixed deposits that save taxes and have a five-year lock-in term.
- Public Provident Fund investments have a lock-in term of 15 years (a minimum), which may be extended by an additional five years if necessary.
- If you have worked for the same company for five years, you can make money from your Employee Provident Fund without paying taxes.
Thanks to investments in India’s National Pension System, people in the unrecognized sector and working professionals can get pensions when they retire.
2. Deductions from Taxes Under Section 80D.
Under Section 80D, a salaried worker can get a tax break for medical costs and insurance.
For yourself, your spouse, and your (dependent) children, you can’t make more than Rs. 25,000 in claims.
If the parents are under 60 years old, further tax deductions of up to Rs. 25,000 are available for parents. The deductions are up to Rs. 50,000 if the parents are older than 60.
If the taxpayer and their parents are over 60, the maximum deduction is Rs. 1 lakh.
3. Deductions from Taxes Under Section 80DD.
The Disability Deductions for a person’s disabled relative are interpreted by Section 80DD. This part pays for all the costs of caring for, teaching, and rehabilitating a disabled dependent family member.
If the disability is between 40% and 80%, there is a fixed deduction of Rs. 75,000. The set deduction in cases of severe disability (more than 80%) is Rs. 125,000.
4. The House Rent Subsidy
The majority of workers’ salaries include HRA. However, section 10(13A) of the Income Tax Act of 1961 exempts it.
However, if the employee pays no rent and lives in his own home, the sum received as HRA is a fully taxable income. The tax exemption allowed under the house rent allowance must at least equal the following:
5.A yearly HRA payment.
Excess rent is paid every year, over 10% of basic pay.
Individuals who live in non-metropolitan areas receive 40% of their pay, while those who live in metropolitan areas receive 50% of their pay.
When trying to get a tax break through an HRA, there are a few strange things to think about, such as:
Paying relatives’ or family members’ rent.
Residing in a different city while renting a home.
6.Tax Benefits From a Mortgage
The Indian government never stops urging its people to save up for and purchase a home. Tax deductions are available for mortgage debt.
When you intend to purchase or construct a home using a home loan, the following key deductions are just a few of the many:
Your house loan interest payment’s EMI is eligible for a tax deduction of up to Rs. 2 lakh. However, only once your home’s construction is complete may one assert this interest.
You can claim the pre-construction interest tax benefit even if you haven’t moved into your property yet but are still making the EMI payments. However, the annual eligibility cap of Rs. 2 lakh remains.
The sum is also subtracted from the principal payment of the mortgage. Therefore, the maximum reimbursement under this segment is Rs. 1.5 lakh.
Each partner in a combined house loan may claim a maximum of Rs. 2 lakh in interest. In addition, each taxpayer can deduct up to Rs. 1.5 lakh from their tax returns for payments on the principal.
7.Compensation for Leave Travel
Salaried classes don’t have to pay LTA as long as they are working, even after they retire or leave their jobs.
It is a reimbursement that an employee gets from their company for business travel while on leave. An LTA exemption is only granted for two trips made throughout four calendar years.
Only the direct transportation costs, i.e., the fare, are covered.
There are a few requirements to qualify for LTA:
- To benefit from the exemption, a trip must be taken.
- This exemption-only trip is covered by domestic travel (i.e., travel within India).
- The employee has the option of using the benefit for both themselves and their families.
- The employee’s family consists of the spouse, kids, dependent parents, and siblings.
- The exemption is limited to two children born on or after October 1, 1998.
- Number seven: tax advantages from expenses and reimbursements.
- As a sole owner, the easiest way to get tax breaks is to show expenses for the relevant financial year.
There are numerous examples of these expenditures. These include the cost of children’s tuition, the payment of development authorities; the acquisition of supplies; depreciation, etc.
An employee paid a salary can obtain the same advantage through reimbursements.
It is the company’s reimbursement to the workers for their out-of-pocket costs. There are various forms of reimbursement, including those for gas, the driver’s wage, out-of-pocket expenses for business travel, etc.
8.Tipping
Gratuities are provided by the employer as a perk and are not paid to the employee.
You must have worked for the company for at least five years to get a gratuity when you retire, quit, die, or become disabled.
The following are exempt from taxable income to the least extent possible:
To determine the most recent wage, multiply the years worked by 15/26.
20 lakhs in gratuity
9.Educational Loans and Scholarships: Tax Breaks
A person could use the tax breaks that come with going to school to lower their taxable income.
The government has offered tax breaks on school fees, tuition, and allowances for children’s education to increase India’s literacy rate.
Up to two children each receive a monthly exemption of Rs. 100 for their schooling. Additionally, they only need to pay Rs. 300 per month for up to two children’s hostel expenses.
Also, up to Rs. 1.5 lakh can be claimed for school and tuition costs at any educational institution.
10.Tax Relief from Donations or Charities
One can receive tax benefits under section 80G by giving to a good cause and doing good deeds.
This statute applies to every Indian entity that the tax department notifies of tax deductions. Therefore, if you give to particular lists and entities, you can claim up to 100% of your donations.
You may claim a maximum of Rs. 2,000 for financial donations. The rebate has no upper limit if you donate using checks, bank transfers, or electronic means.
11.Maintain a savings account.
Keeping some money in your savings account is the simplest way to reduce your tax liability.
Interest is not taxable. Your savings account may include up to Rs. 10,000 in accordance with Section 80TTA. The cap for older folks is Rs. 50,000.
12.Plans for Life Insurance
Choosing life insurance coverage is essential, regardless of whether it is tax-exempt.
Each year, the premium is eligible for tax savings of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh. Up to Rs. 1.5 lakh tax savings are also available for buying or renewing the life insurance policy.
In India, there are a ton of ways to reduce taxes.
The easiest and soundest points are those that were already mentioned. You can build a portfolio of tax-free options if you choose more than one way to avoid paying taxes. Make sure your choice reflects your long-term objectives, financial priorities, and liquidity requirements.