Maximize Your Take-Home Pay with Smart Tax Planning

Salaried individuals are taxed on their income as per the applicable tax slabs under the Income Tax Act. They can claim exemptions like HRA, LTA, and standard deductions to reduce their taxable income. Investments in instruments like ELSS, PPF, and NPS further help in saving taxes. Filing income tax returns on time ensures compliance and refunds, if applicable. Smart planning of salary structure and investments can significantly optimize tax liability.

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    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:

    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:

    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.
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