SALARIED INDIVIDUAL

As a salaried individual, you are required to file an income tax return (ITR) if your total income exceeds the basic exemption limit of Rs. 2.5 lakhs for individuals under 60 years of age. Filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) as a salaried individual in India involves several steps.

A comprehensive guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Gather Documents

Step 2: Choose the Right ITR Form

Step 3: Fill in the ITR Form

Step 4: Upload and Submit the ITR Form

Step 5: E-Verify Your Return

Step 6: Complete the Verification Process

Step 7: Receive Acknowledgment

Step 8: Send Signed ITR-V (if applicable)

Step 9: Check Refund Status

Step 10: Respond to Notices (if any)

Deduction for Salaried Individuals under income tax

Salaried individuals in India can avail various deductions under the Income Tax Act, 1961, to reduce their taxable income and subsequently lower their overall tax liability. Here are some common deductions available for salaried individuals:

Standard Deduction

Salaried individuals are eligible for a standard deduction of a specific amount from their gross salary. The standard deduction was introduced in Budget 2018 and is meant to cover expenses related to employment.

House Rent Allowance (HRA)

Individuals living in rented accommodation can claim HRA, which is a component of their salary. The deduction is based on actual HRA received, rent paid, and other factors. The least of the following is eligible for deduction:

- Actual HRA received.
- 50% of salary (for metros) or 40% of salary (for non-metros).
- Rent paid minus 10% of salary.

Deductions under Section 80C

Salaried individuals can invest in specified instruments to claim deductions under Section 80C. Common options include:

- Provident Fund (PF) contributions.
- Equity-Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS).
- Public Provident Fund (PPF).
- National Savings Certificate (NSC).
- Life Insurance Premiums.
- Repayment of Home Loan Principal.
- Tuition Fees for Children.

Deductions under Section 80D

Premiums paid for health insurance policies for self, spouse, children, and parents qualify for deductions under Section 80D. Additional deductions are available for premiums paid for senior citizen parents.

Deductions under Section 24

Interest paid on home loan EMIs is eligible for deductions under Section 24(b) of the Income Tax Act. The maximum limit is set for both self-occupied and let-out properties.

Professional Tax

The professional tax paid during the financial year is eligible for deduction under Section 16.

NPS (National Pension System) Contribution

Contributions made to NPS by both the employer and the employee are eligible for deductions under Section 80CCD(1) and 80CCD(2).

Leave Travel Allowance (LTA)

Expenses incurred on travel for self and family within India can be claimed as a deduction, subject to certain conditions.

Interest on Education Loan

Interest paid on loans taken for higher education is eligible for deduction under Section 80E.

Special Allowances

Some allowances received by salaried individuals, like conveyance allowance, children education allowance, and hostel expenditure allowance, may be exempt up to certain limits.

FAQ

General Question

Certainly! Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to salaried tax filing in India:

Q1: Who needs to file income tax returns in India?

A: Individuals whose total income exceeds the basic exemption limit are required to file income tax returns in India. Salaried individuals, irrespective of their income level, are generally required to file returns.

Q2: What is Form 16, and why is it important for tax filing?

Q3: Which ITR form should a salaried individual use?

Q4: What are the important deadlines for income tax filing in India?