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10 income tax rules that are effective from April 2022

Vaishali resumed work in 2021 after taking a sabbatical for three years. Although she had investments and had to pay taxes on her passive income, she had to inform her accountant, Mohit, about her job and other investments she made this year. He sent her the tax to be paid along with the calculations. Soon after seeing the mail, she called Mohit to discuss it in detail.

Tax Rule #1 - Dividends from Assets of All Classes Taxable

The conversation started with a concerned Vaishali asking about the new tax rule on dividends earned from mutual funds. She received a good amount of income as dividend from her portfolios. Mohit explained that the dividends she earned last year would be taxed as per her tax slab and that this rule has been in effect since April 2020 for the sale of mutual funds and listed stocks. However, from this year onwards, the existing 15% surcharge on Long term capital gains through sale would extend to other asset classes including physical gold, real estate properties, debentures, debt funds, and others.

When Vaishali asked if there was a way to improve her tax slab, Mohit recommended she switch to a growth option in her mutual funds. This way, her portfolio value increases without additional tax implications. He also explained now that she is earning from her regular job, she can afford to do the switch without any direct impact on her lifestyle.

Tax Rule #2 - Tax on Digital Assets

Next, Vaishali moved the conversation to cryptocurrencies. She expressed that while the crypto regulations were still developing at the beginning of 2021, there was a lot of promise in the space. She had made a bold choice of trading in various cryptocurrencies and, more recently, in NFTs. However, the trade had not yielded the results she had hoped for.

Vaishali wanted to clarify if the profit/loss set-off would be the same as other fund classes. Mohit shared that a 30% tax would be levied on her profits from the sale of cryptocurrency. He also explained how the profits could not set off the loss she made from selling off another crypto asset.

Tax Rule #3 - TDS on Digital Assets as Gifts

Additionally, he also shared how 1% TDS will be levied on every crypto transaction, whether it is a purchase or sale of an asset, including those received as gifts.

Tax Rule #4 - Timeframe Increased to Revise Previous Tax Returns

Before Vaishali could ask another question, Mohit underlined one of the most beneficial rules that were implemented this year: the window to revise tax returns has increased from 5 months to 2 years from the due date of filing the return. Vaishali had previously mentioned to Mohit about missing the window to revise her FY 2021-22 return, and this rule will help her remedy that situation.

Tax Rule #5 - Deduction Claim on NPS Contribution

Vaishali’s father was a state government employee who also contributed to the National Pension Scheme (NPS). She asked him about her father’s tax status. Mohit explained that investing in the NPS is a good choice for a person of her father’s age as it promises a flow of money after the age of 60. Mohit could see a visibly elated Vaishali when she learned that state government employees could now claim up to 14% deduction under Section 80CCD(2) for NPS contribution.

Tax Rule #6 - Limit on Provident Fund Contribution

He also informed her to keep her father’s contribution towards Provident Fund under INR 2.5 lakhs as the new rule implemented a tax on amounts beyond the said limit.

Tax Rule #7 - New Revision to Rule 80EEA

Vaishali seemed to have gained better clarity on her financials when a question popped into her head about home loans. She had recently purchased an apartment by taking out a loan and hoped to get a tax exemption on the interest paid. Mohit informed her that the previous deduction of up to INR 1.5 lakh on home loan interest for house property valued less than INR 45 lakhs under Section 80EEA is no longer available, but other home loan interest deductions up to INR 2 lakhs will remain valid as Section 24 of the Income Tax Act.

Moreover, as far as Vaishali was concerned, she had received her home loan sanction letter before 1st April 2022, making her eligible for the claim for the entire tenure of the home loan.

There were a few more clarifications pending, and Mohit was quick. Although Mohit had explained everything in detail, he knew Vaishali might need some notes to understand the new updates that came into existence this year. He showed her a table with three new additional rules and sent it to her via email for future reference:

Tax Rule #8 - Tax Claim on Insurance

The parent/guardian of a person with a disability can claim a tax deduction on health insurance taken on behalf of the concerned person

Tax Rule #9 - Tax Exemption for COVID-19 Medical Expenses

Tax exemptions shall be provided to those who received money for COVID-19 medical treatment

Tax Rule #10 - COVID-19 Tax Exemption on Compensation Received by Family

Up to INR 10 lakhs of relief received by a family member of a COVID-19 deceased patient will be tax exempted

As they reached the end of the discussion, Mohit asked Vaishali to choose between the new and old tax regime. He suggested that while the new budget rules and their impact on Vaishali’s financials were being discussed, she must also take time to understand the rules that have come into play in 2020. While the new regime offered more slabs with lower tax rates, Mohit recommended that she take a decision on the basis of investment requirements and current financial commitments. He also shared a detailed blog, highlighting the difference between the old and new tax regimes for a holistic understanding.

Old vs. New Tax Regime: A brief overview

Old Tax Rules New Tax Rules
Long term capital gains (LTCG) earned from sale/transfer of equities and equity mutual funds are levied a maximum surcharge of 15%. Long term capital gains made from sale/transfer of all types of assets including physical gold, real estate properties, debentures, debt funds will incur a surcharge of 15%
All contributions towards PF were tax-free Any contribution above INR 2.5 lakhs towards PF will be taxable
Revisions in the tax return can be made within five months from the due date of filing return Revisions in the tax return can be made within 2 years from the due date of filing return
Deduction of up to INR 1.5 lakh on home loan interest for a house property less than INR 45 lakhs will be exempted under Section 80EEA Deduction of up to INR 1.5 lakh on home loan interest under Section 80EEA is no longer available
Central government employees are allowed to claim tax benefit of 14% for the employer's contribution to their NPS accounts. State government employees also are allowed to claim a tax benefit of 14% for the employer's contribution to their NPS accounts.
 

Mohit also included a table on income tax slabs, for Vaishali’s quick reference:

Total income New tax regime Old tax regime
Upto INR 2.5 lakhs Nil Nil
INR 2.5 lakhs to INR 5 lakhs 5% 5%
INR 5,00,001 to INR 7.5 lakhs 10%  
INR 7,50,001 to INR 10 lakhs 15% 20%
INR 10,00,001 to INR 12.5 lakhs 20%  
INR 12,50,001 to INR 15 lakhs 25% 30%
INR 15,00,001 and above 30%  
 

Vaishali was grateful to receive this summary and knew her weekend will be spent reading and understanding RBL Bank’s blog on the two tax regimes in order to plan her investments better for the current financial year.

While tax planning is a long and tedious process, it is imperative to remain informed of the new changes and updates. This will help make modifications to the investment strategy and avoid any last-minute surprises.

 

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