Income Tax Slabs & Exemptions for a Salaried Individuals and HUF in FY 24-25
Planning taxes beforehand is the best decision for salaried employees and HUF as it helps you save on taxes. So, though the financial year 2024-25 has just started, it is best to learn about the various income tax slabs and rates applicable for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26).
In India, every individual, Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), business, corporate and other such establishments are required to pay income tax, which is calculated annually. The administration, collection and recovery of income tax are set according to the regulations under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Your income tax is calculated on the basis of your earnings from 5 heads of income, namely:
- Salary
- Income from capital gains
- Income from business or profession
- Income from house property
- Income from other sources
The government has defined various tax slabs applicable to individuals below 60 years of age, senior citizens and super-senior citizens. Income from all sources except capital gains is taxed according to these slab rates.
The following is an elaboration on the individual income tax slab for salaried individuals who are below 60 years of age and HUF tax slabs for the financial year 2024-25.
Income Tax Slab for Salaried Person (Below 60 Years of Age) and HUF - FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)
Plan your taxes for the current financial year 2024-25 and check out the revised income tax for HUF and income tax exemption for salaried employees under the new tax regime, as per the Union Budget of 2024.
Income Tax Slabs for Salaried Person and HUF for FY 2024-25 - New Tax Regime
Salaried individuals below the age of 60 will have to follow the given tax rates, effective April 1, 2024, if they opt for the revised New Tax Regime.
Income Tax Slabs for Salaried Person and HUF for FY 2024-25 - Old Tax Regime
The Old Tax Regime for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) for salaried individuals and HUF below 60 years of age is as follows:
Additionally, you will also be levied an additional 4% Health and Education cess, irrespective of the chosen tax regime.
Additional Surcharge for Income Above ₹50 Lakhs
If your income exceeds ₹50 lakhs, an additional surcharge as per the given rates will be levied on your existing income tax rates for assessing the total tax for FY 2024-25.
Note that for FY 2022-23, the highest surcharge on income over ₹5 Crore was 37%. After Union Budget 2023, this surcharge has been reduced to 25% under the new tax regime, effective from April 1, 2023, while all the other surcharge rates remain the same.
Income Tax Rebate for Salaried Individuals and HUF - FY 2024-25
After the Union Budget 2023, salaried individuals can avail an income tax rebate under Section 87A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 if they opt for the new tax regime. This rebate allows individuals earning an income below ₹7 lakhs to pay a marginally lower tax amount under the new tax regime. It means that if income tax for salaried person payable is up to ₹25,000, the amount will be a total exemption. For FY 2022-23, this limit was set at ₹5 lakhs.
Under the old tax regime, the tax rebate of ₹12,500 remains the same for both financial years, i.e., till income up to ₹5 lakhs.
Eligibility for salaried individuals to claim the rebate under Section 87A for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26):
- One must be an Indian resident.
- The total income after all the deductions under Section 80 should not be higher than ₹7 lakhs.
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Income Tax Exemptions and Deductions Not Allowed for Salaried Individuals and HUF Under New Tax Regime - FY 2024-25
Salaried individuals who opt for the new tax regime after FY 2024-25 will have to let go of the following deductions and benefits.
- Under Section 80C, the investments made in the Employees’ Provident Fund, Life Insurance Premium and Public Provident Fund are not available for deduction.
- Under Sections 80C and 80EE/ 80EEA, the deduction on payment of interest and principal amount towards housing loans up to ₹1.5 lakhs can no more be claimed for tax relief.
- Interest paid on the student loan debt under Section 80E.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA), based on the individual’s rent and salary structure.
- The professional tax of ₹ 2,500.
- Leave Travel Allowance (LTA).
- Deductions on entertainment allowance (applicable for government employees).
- Deduction of the interest payment of home loan for self-occupied/ vacant property under Section 24(b).
- Deduction of the interest payment up to ₹2 lakhs for the purchase/construction/ repair/reconstruction of house property under section 24(b).
- Tax deduction under Section 35(1)(ii), 35(2AA), 32AD, 33AB, 35(1)(iii), 33ABA, 35(1)(ii), 35CCC(a), and 35AD of the IT Act.
- Additional depreciation as specified under Section 32(ii) (a).
- The option to adjust the unabsorbed depreciation of previous years.
- Deductions as specified under Chapter VI-A such as 80IA, 80CCC, 80C, 80CCD, 80D, 80CCG, 80DDB, 80EE, 80E, 80EEA, 80DD, 80EEB, 80GG, 80IB, 80IAC, and 80IAB.
- Minor child, helper allowances and allowances for children's education.
New Income Tax Exemptions and Deductions Allowed for Salaried Individuals Under New Tax Regime - FY 2024-25
If salaried taxpayers opt for the new tax regime for FY 2024-25, they can benefit from the additional following salary exemptions:
- You can claim a standard deduction of ₹75,000 under the head 'Income from salaries' only on earnings from their salary, as revised by the Union Budget 2024-25.
- The benefit of any NPS (National Pension Scheme) contribution by the employer to the employee's NPS account under Section 80CCD (2) of the Income-tax Act, 1961, is available. However, no tax deductions are allowed on the employee's own contribution.
- For all salaried employees, the maximum deduction amount is 14% of their salary, as revised by Budget 2024-25.
- Up to 30% of the new employee cost is deductible under Section 80JJAA.
- Employers' contributions made in a financial year to their employee's NPS and EPF and superannuation accounts, up to ₹ 7.5 lakhs is the income tax exemption limit for salaried employees.
- Tax exemption on the interest earned from their Employees' Provident Fund account, up to 9.5%.
- The lump-sum maturity amount received from the NPS account and the partial fund withdrawal from the Tier I NPS account, both are exempt from taxation.
- Tax exemption on the interest or the maturity amount received from the PPF account.
- Travel allowances for disabled employees, allowances to cover the travel cost or transfer of an employee, conveyance allowance, daily allowances are eligible for tax exemption, allowances to employees for performing official duties.
- Exemptions of up to ₹3,500 and ₹7,000 on interest on their Post Office Savings individual and joint accounts, respectively, under Section 10(15)(i).
- Maturity amount received from Life Insurance Company account under Section 10(10D) is exempted.
- Tax exemption on interests and maturity amounts received from the Sukanya Samriddhi Account.
- Gifts received from employers up to ₹5,000 can be come under the salary exemption limit.
- Exemption of up to ₹20 lakhs on the gratuity amount that non-government employees receive from their employer. For government employees, the entire gratuity is exempted from being taxed.
- Non-government employees can enjoy exemption up to 1/3 of their commuted pension if they receive gratuity. If they do not receive gratuity, then they can claim up to ½ of their commuted pensions.
- Interest of a home loan borrowed for a rented property is eligible for tax deduction.
- The leave encashment during retirement.
- Monetary benefits received from employers for voluntary retirement, up to ₹5 lakhs.
- Education scholarships, retrenchment compensation, and monetary benefits for retirement.
Income Tax Deductions and Exemptions Allowed for Salaried Individuals Under Old Tax Regime for FY 2024-25
Here are some of the important income tax benefits in the form of allowances and deductions under the old tax regime that can help reduce the tax liability for salaried individuals for financial year 2024-25.
- A standard deduction of ₹50,000.
- Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) twice in a block of four years, and House Rent Allowance (HRA).
- Reimbursement for expenses on telephone and mobile used at residence.
- Employees can claim tax-free reimbursement of the expenses incurred on books, newspapers, periodicals, journals, etc.
- Expenses incurred on food coupons.
- Benefits on relocation allowance for shifting from one city to another for business purposes.
- Benefits on various facilities provided by the employer like health club facilities, cab facilities, gifts or vouchers.
Following is a table illustrating the applicability of these income tax exemptions under the old tax regime along with their limits, which can be used as tax saving options for salaried people:
These are some of the major income tax exemptions for salaried employees in India.
With such allowances and exemptions from income tax for salaried persons, you can reduce your tax liabilities to quite an extent. So, before you start filing your income tax returns for the previous financial year, make sure you have a comprehensive idea about all the applicable slabs, exemptions and benefits that you can avail yourself of your tax payments.
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FAQs about Income Tax Slabs & Exemptions for Salaried Individuals
Is my income up to ₹7 lakhs income tax free?
The Finance Bill 2023 has announced no tax for individuals with an annual income of up to ₹7 lakhs. So, yes, your income up to ₹7 lakhs income tax free ONLY IF you have opted for the new tax regime in FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25.
Can I switch between old and new tax regime while filing for ITR for AY 2024-25 or AY 2025-26?
Yes, individual taxpayers with non-business income can switch between the new and old tax regimes every year before the ITR due date. However, an individual, HUF, AOP (not being co-operative societies), BOI or Artificial Juridical Person with business or professional income will not be eligible to choose between the two regimes every year.
Is the tax rebate under section 87A the same in the old and new tax regimes?
No, under the new tax regime the Union Budget 2023 increased the tax rebate for salaried individuals (under 60 years old) and HUF up to ₹7 lakhs, while for the old tax regime it remains the same up to ₹5 lakhs.
I am a salaried taxpayer, can I claim HRA exemption in the new regime for FY 2024-25?
No, this exemption is not available in the new tax regime. However, under the old tax regime, HRA is exempted under section 10(13A) for salaried individuals.
Am I eligible for ₹50,000 standard deduction in the old tax regime?
Yes, standard deduction of ₹50,000 or the amount of salary, whichever is lower, is available for old tax regime, but under the new tax regime this limit has been increased to ₹50,000 from FY 2024-25 onwards.
Why should salaried employees have HUF account?
Salaried employees can benefit from the deductions under Section 80 and other exemptions available like 80C deduction for HUF, or HUF can pay a salary to its members if they contribute to the functioning of the HUF. This salary expense can be deducted from the income of HUF.
What is the income tax exemption on health insurance policies?
According to Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961 individuals can claim a deduction of up to ₹25,000 on their health insurance premium payments. This deduction can be availed on premium payments for yourself, your spouse or children. Further, if the premium is for your parents who are above 60 years of age, you can avail a deduction of up to ₹50,000.
Further, you can claim a deduction of up to ₹5000 on expenses incurred for medical check-ups, which is included in the limit given above.
What is the time period designated for calculation of income tax?
Income tax is calculated on a yearly basis. Under the Income Tax Act, the period between 1st April and 31st March of the next calendar year is considered as a year for the purpose of calculating income tax.
Why do salaried employees need to intimate the tax regime to the employer?
Salaried employees need to intimate the employer regarding the intended tax regime during the year because failing to do so their default regime would be opted as the new tax regime and the employer shall deduct tax in accordance with the rates provided under section 115BAC.
Which is better for salaried employees – the old tax regime or the new tax regime?
The choice may vary from person to person depending on their salary and savings, so it is advisable to compare their tax liabilities and analyse under both regimes using an Income Tax Calculator online and then choose as per requirement.
What are the income tax rates for HUF?
The HUF tax slab new regime rates are the same as for individual taxpayers up to the age of 60 in India.