Tax Highlights: Income Tax Slabs Remain Unchanged, No Sops For Salaried Class

Announcing her sixth straight Budget, outlining the economic documentation of Modi government over the last 10 years, FM Sitharaman had nothing in her kitty for the salaried class.

By Reema Sharma | Last Updated: Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 13:40

New Delhi: On Thursday, February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Interim Budget 2023 in Parliament. Though the focus of attention was on her declaration regarding potential relief for the salaried class, the FM had nothing to offer.

Given that this is an interim budget, FM, as was anticipated, combined policies aimed at women, farmers, and the economy that gave a brief outline regarding government's plans for the future of the nation as well as the economic records of the last ten years under the Modi administration.

Sitharaman announced no changes in the income tax slab. Reading out her Interim Budget speech, FM said, "I wish to make an announcement to improve tax payer services. There are a large number of petty, non-verified, non-reconciled or disputed direct tax demands, many of them dating as far back as the year 1962, which continue to remain on the books, causing anxiety to honest tax payers and hindering refunds of subsequent years. I propose to withdraw such outstanding direct tax demands up to twenty-five thousand rupees (Rs 25,000) pertaining to the period up to financial year 2009-10 and up to ten-thousand rupees (Rs 10,000) for financial years 2010-11 to 2014-15. This is expected to benefit about a crore tax-payers."

In the last Budget (Budget 2023) FM Sitharaman made a significant announcement for individual taxpayers. FM has increased the income tax bracket for taxpayers in relation to personal income tax. According to the new tax rates, individual taxpayers will not be required to pay any taxes from 0 to Rs 3 lakhs, 5% tax from Rs 3 to 6 lakhs, 10% tax from Rs 6 to 9 lakhs, 15% tax from Rs 9 to 12 lakhs, 20% tax from Rs 12 to 15 lakhs, and 30% tax from above Rs 15 lakhs, stated the FM.

Here are the highlighs of Interim Budget 2023.

1 February 2024, 11:34 AM

Budget Income Tax Announcements: 43 Crore Loan Sanctioned By PM Mudra Yojana

The Prime Minister's Mudra Yojana has approved 43 crore loans totaling Rs 22.5 lakh crore to support the entrepreneurial dreams of our youth. The youth are being aided by schemes such as Fund of Funds, Startup India, and Startup Credit Guarantee, said FM.
 

1 February 2024, 11:25 AM

Budget 2024 Income tax slabs LIVE: Government To Concentrate On The Welfare Of The Four Groups

Our top priority is to concentrate on the welfare of the poor, women, youth, and farmers/food data. The government is committed to support and empower these four groups as their well-being are crucial for the progress of the country, said FM.

 

1 February 2024, 10:26 AM

Income tax slabs LIVE: Encourage Startup Investments 

 

Swati Saxena the founder and CEO of 4thoughtsfinance has urged the FM to encourage startup investments and make the sector more appealing.

 

“The re-investment from sale of startups is exempted from tax only for Rs 10 cr investment in real estate. However, there is need to encourage startup investments and make the sector more appealing. One way could be to enable re-investment in startups to get a boost through a tax exemption,” she said

 

1 February 2024, 10:00 AM

Union Budget On Share Market LIVE: Asian Shares

Stock markets in Asia-Pacific had mixed performances on Thursday. In Japan, the Nikkei index was down by 0.72 percent at 36,024.29 points, while in South Korea, the Kospi index increased by 1.12 percent, reaching 2,526.68 points.

At the same time, investors in India are eagerly waiting for the budget updates from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

1 February 2024, 09:10 AM

Budget 2024 Income tax slabs LIVE: Salaried Class Expect Change In Tax Slab

There has been persistent demand from the people to reduce the tax rate keeping in mind the middle income class. The maximum rate of tax imposed in the new tax regime is 25%. The maximum rate under the old tax regime is 37%. It is being demanded that the relief available in tax slabs under the new tax regime should also be applicable to the old tax regime.

1 February 2024, 08:33 AM

Income Tax Slabs Budget 2024 LIVE: Increase Scope Of Old Tax Regime

Salaried class expects an increase in the scope of old tax regime. The last change under the old tax regime was made in 2019. Earlier, there was nill tax for income up to Rs 2.5 lakh. But in the 2019 budget, the government had given exemption from tax on income up to Rs 5 lakh. If someone's taxable income is more than Rs 5 lakh then he has to pay income tax. Under the old regime, tax exemption is available under different sections of income tax.

1 February 2024, 08:23 AM

Income Tax Slabs Budget 2024 LIVE: Increase Scope Of Old Tax Regime

Salaried class expects an increase in the scope of old tax regime. The last change under the old tax regime was made in 2019. Earlier, there was nill tax for income up to Rs 2.5 lakh. But in the 2019 budget, the government had given exemption from tax on income up to Rs 5 lakh. If someone's taxable income is more than Rs 5 lakh then he has to pay income tax. Under the old regime, tax exemption is available under different sections of income tax.

1 February 2024, 08:12 AM

Income Tax Slabs Budget 2024 LIVE: Hike Tax Slab To Rs 10 Lakh, Says Salaried Class

Salaried class employees hope that the government will increase the tax slab again. Unlike old tax regime, there is no provision for any tax saving the new tax regime. In such a situation, the limit of Rs 7 lakh should be increased to Rs 10 lakh, expects salaried class

1 February 2024, 08:12 AM

Budget Income Tax Announcements: Financial Inclusion Through Tax Benefits 

Shikhar Aggarwal, Chairman of BLS E-Services said, "Acknowledging India's FinTech sector's current valuation at $245 billion and its projected sixfold growth to $1.5 trillion by 2030, we emphasize the potential impact of financial policies on fostering an inclusive and innovative financial ecosystem. Encouraging financial inclusion through tax benefits can fuel this innovation, curbing digital fraud and building a safer, more secure digital payment environment. We look forward to a budget that will be a game-changer in our quest for financial inclusion"

1 February 2024, 07:31 AM

Income Tax Slabs Budget 2024 LIVE: No Big-Bang Announcements Likely

Swati Saxena, Founder & CEO - 4thoughtsfinance, a wealth management firm said that no big-bang announcements are expected in the interim Budget, however some positive relief on personal income taxes is anticipated. 

"We hope that the maximum tax rate of 30 per cent be reduced to improve the individual's buying power. The budget should offer a degree of personal tax relief, either by ways of lower tax rates or by readjusting tax slabs to put money in consumer's pockets," she said