Budget 2021: Income taxpayers may get relief up to Rs 80,000

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Discussions during the Budget 2021 exercise strongly indicate that in the coming budget income taxpayers may get relief of Rs 50,000 to Rs 80,000 in the total tax liability.

The government may increase standard deduction under the old income tax regime and change slabs under the new tax regime The new income tax regime was introduced in the last budget.

Under the new regime, the income tax will be applicable at a lower rate, but taxpayers will forgo certain permissible exemptions and deductions available under the old regime.

But feedback from tax expert suggests there is not much enthusiasm among taxpayers for the new system. The government wants to make it more popular. So, in the coming budget, some changes may be announced in the slab rates of the new regime giving more headroom for taxpayers to save taxes.

Also Read: Does the new tax regime need a tweak for a facelift? 4 experts weigh in

Currently, under the new regime there is no tax on income up to Rs 2.5 lakh; for income between Rs 2.5 lakh and 5 lakh tax rate is 5 percent; 10 percent from Rs 5 to 7.5 lakh; 15 percent from Rs 7.5 to 10 lakh, 20 percent from Rs 10 to 12.5 lakh; 25 percent from Rs 12.5 to 15 lakh and 30 percent for Rs 15 lakh and above. This is applicable for all individual taxpayers up to 60 years of age.

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Simultaneously, some relief under the old regime has also been discussed, sources said. One of the proposals was to increase the standard deduction. Currently, the standard deduction is up to Rs 50,000. Sources said, to give more money in the hand of taxpayers standard deduction limit may be increased.

Under the old regime, tax relief on housing loan may also be enhanced, the source while declining any further details on this proposal.

According to the source, all these measures put together could provide tax saving between Rs 50,000 and Rs 80,000 to the taxpayer.