Budget 2020: Should you switch to the new income tax slabs?

However, the cheer will not spread beyond a few select segments, say tax experts.

“For many, the older regime will still result in lower tax outgo compared to the new regime with lower rates. Also, the actual decision will have to be based on your respective situation, taking into account the deductions that you are claiming so far,” says Kuldip Kumar, Tax Partner, PwC India.

Also Read: Income Tax Calculator: Know your post-Budget 2020 tax liability as per new income tax slabs

In the beginning of financial year 2020-21, therefore, you will be forced to implement the advice that financial advisors often dispense: start your tax planning process right at the beginning of the year. You will need to take a call on which regime to choose while filing your proposed investment declarations in April. “Salaried employees may have to make the choice between old and new regime every year,” says Homi Mistry, Partner, Deloitte India.

Also Read: Which tax regime? A five-step guide for you to make a choice

Deductions can help save significantly

Several tax deductions and exemptions – section 80C investments of up to Rs 1.5 lakh, section 80CCD (1B) that offers an additional deduction of Rs 50,000 on NPS contribution, house rent allowance, housing loan interest paid, and so on – will be redundant in the new regime.

However, the National Pension System (NPS) tax break under section 80CCD(2) will continue. Even if you switch to the new regime, the deduction can help you save significantly if your employer offers the option. Employer’s contribution of up to 10 per cent of your salary (basic pay plus dearness allowance) is eligible for tax relief under section 80CCD(2). For government employees, this limit is 14 per cent.

This could especially be the case with individuals who are availing tax breaks of recurring expenses or contributions. For example, if your provident fund contribution, eligible for a tax break under section 80C, is a mandatory deduction made from your salary every month. Similarly, any life insurance premium will have to be paid every year until the end of the policy tenure. If you claim deduction under section 24 (b) on housing loan interest paid, you will be incurring this expense over the home loan tenure, which could extend to 30 years.

The tax calculations exclude the 4 per cent cess.

Those at the beginning of their careers, starting on a clean state, but keen on a simple process, can consider making the switch. Moreover, they are unlikely to have committed to section 80C investments or taken home loans. “Even such individuals might find claiming HRA more attractive if, say, they have relocated to a different city and are paying rent. It will finally boil down to your salary structure,” explains Kumar.

Also Read: Know your new tax rate as per Budget 2020 slabs

According to Moneycontrol’s calculations (see table; cess is not included in the calculation), salaried employees across income slabs are unlikely to save more if they switch to the new regime. The calculation takes into account some common exemptions and deductions claimed by salaried tax-payers. The new regime will kick in from the financial year 2020-21.

For example, if your deductions claimed are confined to section 80C investments, you are likely to be better off in the new regime. As per tax consultancy firm PwC India’s calculations, those earning Rs 15 lakh will have to shell out Rs 14,820 less as tax under the new regime, factoring in only standard deductions, professional tax paid and 80C investments.

However, typically, most individuals either claim the House Rent Allowance exemption or deduction on housing loan interest paid, besides tax benefits on health insurance premium paid. So, if your exemptions total to Rs 3,00,000, you will have to pay Rs 15,600 'more' in the new regime.

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