The accurate payment of taxes is important as it is the pivotal source of revenue for the Government. This amount collected as income tax in India is used for different public development projects and welfare activities.

Moreover, tax rates are mostly variable in nature and are subject to change based on the new proposition passed by the Government of India. In other words, this means that in every financial year, some changes will be incorporated that taxpayers must be aware of.

Since FY 2024-25 has begun, it is important to know the new tax slabs to file income tax successfully. Moreover, knowing the new tax regime will allow taxpayers to understand their tax dues and pay them before the return filing date. 

For FY 2023-24, taxpayers eligible to pay taxes will have to pay the amount in the Assessment Year 2024-25, and so on. So, to accurately compute the tax rates for the ongoing FY 2024-25, let's understand the new tax rates for individuals. So, without further adieu, let’s begin!

Your income is taxed based on the income tax slabs in India under the old and the new tax regimes. While the new income tax slab rates are similar for all age groups, the slab rates under the old tax regime are divided into three categories depending on their age.

Check out the different income tax slab rates for both regimes here.

In addition to the changes made in the previous year’s budget, the Union Budget 2024 proposed two major changes in the new tax regime that would be applicable for the ongoing fiscal year, effective from April 1, 2024.

• The budget increased the standard deduction for salaried people to ₹75,000 from ₹50,000, giving them a relief of ₹25,000.
• The new tax regime also hiked the standard deduction of ₹15,000 for family pensioners to ₹25,000.
• The employer’s contribution to NPS for private sector employees has also been hiked from 14% to 10%, allowing salaried individuals to save more tax.

The Union Budget 2023, presented on February 1, 2023, proposed the following changes in the new tax regime that would be effective from April 1, 2023.

1. Starting April 1, 2023, the new income tax regime is the default tax regime. Therefore, individuals will be taxed at the new regime's slabs and rates unless they opt for the old tax regime.
2. There are now five tax slabs under the new tax regime; earlier, there were six.
3. The tax rates in the New Tax Regime for FY 2023-24 are the same for all categories of individuals, i.e., up to 60 years of age, between 60 and 80 years of age, and above 80 years and HUF.
4. Under the new tax regime, the government has increased the basic tax exemption limit from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh.
5. The rebate under Section 87A has been increased from ₹5 lakh to ₹7 lakh taxable income, doubling the tax rebate to ₹25,000 from ₹12,500.
6. The highest surcharge rate of 37% has been reduced to 25% on an income of more than ₹5 crores. However, the surcharge rate remains unchanged if an individual opts for the old tax regime.

In India, an individual between 60 - 80 years of age is a senior citizen, while an individual above 80 is a super senior citizen. Here are the IT tax slabs for them.

Income Tax Slabs for FY 2024-25 - New Tax Regime (Same for Senior and Super Senior Citizens)

The Union Budget 2024 revised the tax slab rates under the new tax regime for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26), which are the same for all taxpayers, irrespective of their age, which is as follows:

Income Tax Slabs for Senior Citizens for FY 2024-25 - Old Tax Regime

For taxpayers between the ages of 60 and 80, the rate of taxation under the old tax regime is the same for both financial year 2024-25, which is as follows:

Income Tax Slabs for Super Senior Citizens for FY 2024-25 - Old Tax Regime

For taxpayers above 80 years of age, the rate of taxation under the old tax regime is the same for both financial year 2024-25, which is as follows:

Now that we have discussed at length about tax-slabs and the limit for income tax exemptions in India, let us summarise the key points under it.

Everyone earning income in India is liable to pay income tax. The income tax department has fixed five heads under which taxable income is calculated. These are:

• Salary
• Income from House property
• Capital gains
• Income generated from businesses and other professions
• Other income sources include interest earned on fixed deposits and savings accounts, lottery, etc.

Every income, except capital gains, is taxed according to the income tax slab rate in India. Capital gains are taxed based on the nature and holding period of the asset classes.

Indian residents are liable to be taxed on their global income in India, which includes income earned both in India and abroad. An individual's residential status is determined separately for each financial year.

You should check your income tax exemption in India and claim it while computing your total taxable amount.

Your income tax returns should be filed before July 31st, 2024, for FY 2023-24.

With such information at your disposal, the process of evaluating your income tax liabilities can become extremely simple.

So, make sure you look through the tax slabs, determine the one applicable to you, and compute your total tax payable well before this financial year is over to avoid the risks of missing the income tax filing online deadline!

If you are a salaried employee, there are several legitimate ways through which you can save tax payments under the Income Tax Act of 1961. Some of the more comprehensive ways to do so include investing in the likes of the National Pension Scheme, tax-saving mutual funds, insurance policy premiums, health insurance policies, etc.

Following is an elaboration on a few ways through which you can reduce your income tax liabilities if you are a salaried employee:

Income Tax Deductions Under Section 80C

Under this section of the Income Tax Act, you can claim various deductions from your total income and reduce your tax payment liability by bringing down your total taxable income.

This section allows a deduction of up to ₹1.5 Lakh of your total taxable income and can be availed by individuals and HUF. Following are a few investment options and schemes for which Section 80C is applicable:

• Tax-saving fixed deposit
• Equity Linked Savings Schemes
• National Saving Certificate
• National Pension Scheme
• Employees Provident Fund
• Senior Citizens Savings Scheme
• Public Provident Fund
• National Saving Certificate
• Sukanya Samriddi Yojana
• Health Insurance Premiums

Income Tax Deductions Under Section 80D

Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961, you can avail of a deduction of up to ₹25,000 on your Health Insurance premium payments for self or family. Further, for premium paid for senior citizens, the deduction limit is extended to ₹50,000. For health check-ups, amounting up to ₹5,000 are also allowed for deduction.

Again, if you are paying premiums for both yourself and your senior citizen parents, you can avail of a deduction of up to ₹75,000 on your premiums per annum.

Know more about:

• Health Insurance tax benefit
• Income tax benefit for Senior Citizens

Deductions of Charitable Donations Under Section 80G

There is no upper limit on the deductions that can be claimed for charitable donations. However, there are specific rules that you must adhere to. For instance, in the case of most NGOs, you can avail of a deduction of up to 50% of the donated amount and up to 10% of your total adjusted income.

Deductions for Loan for Higher Studies Under Section 80E

Under this section, deductions are available on the interest paid on the EMI of education loans paid for pursuing higher studies. The loan must be taken from a nationalised or private bank or any financial institution by the individual for himself, his spouse, or children to claim this deduction.

Apart from these, you can also consider contributing to the National Pension Scheme, avail deductions on your home rent, deposit in a savings account, etc., to save on your tax payments.

However, remember to look over the details of each scheme and investment option before you decide to take advantage of their benefits!