The Union Budget on 23 July 2024 declared an increase in the standard deduction of the new tax regime from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. The new tax regime introduced in Union Budget 2023, removed almost 70 deductions for taxpayers like deductions of up to Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80 C and benefits on medical insurance premiums under Section 80D. However, certain deductions from the old tax regime are still available to taxpayers under the new tax regime.
This article will help you to know some of the valid exemptions and deductions under the new tax regime.
Union Government introduced a New Tax Regime under Section 115BAC in Budget 2020 with concessional tax slab rates.
In Union Budget 2024 introduced in the Monsoon Session of the Parliament on 23rd July 2024, introduced major tax slab changes in the new tax regime for the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25 and AY 2025-26. The government introduced the following key changes for the FY 2024-25:
Income Range | Tax Rate |
0 - ₹3,00,000 | 0% |
₹3,00,001 - ₹7,00,000 | 5% |
₹7,00,001 - ₹10,00,000 | 10% |
₹10,00,001 - ₹12,00,000 | 15% |
₹12,00,001 - ₹15,00,000 | 20% |
Above ₹15,00,000 | 30% |
Education Cess | 4% p.a. of Taxable Income |
Note: Salaried employees in the new tax regime can save up to ₹17,500 in income tax as per the July Budget in 2024.
Income Tax Slabs | Tax Rates (in % p.a.) |
Up to Rs. 3 lakhs | NIL |
Rs. 3 lakhs- Rs. 6 lakhs | 5% |
Rs. 6 lakhs- Rs. 9 lakhs | 10% |
Rs. 9 lakhs- Rs. 12 lakhs | 15% |
Rs. 12 lakhs- Rs. 15 lakhs | 20% |
Rs. 15 lakhs & Above | 30% |
Education Cess | 4% p.a. of Taxable Income |
Full tax rebate on income of up to Rs. 7 lakhs is provided under the new tax regime u/Section 87A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Tax Rebate Limit Under Old Tax Regime for FY 2024-25 | Tax Rebate Limit in New Tax Regime for FY 2024-25 |
Rs. 5 lakhs | Rs. 7 lakhs |
You are liable to pay no tax if claiming a standard tax deduction of Rs. 75,000 on an income limit of Rs. 7.75 lakhs.
The basic tax exemption limit of Rs. 2.5 lakhs under the old tax regime increased to Rs. 3 lakhs under the new tax regime.
Age Categories | Basic Tax Exemption Limit u/ Old Tax Regime for FY 2024-25 | Basic Tax Exemption Limit u/ New Tax Regime for FY 2024-25 |
< 60 Years | Rs. 2.5 lakhs | Rs. 3 lakhs |
60 to <80 Years | Rs. 3 lakhs | |
80 Years & Above | Rs. 5 lakhs |
The latest exemption limit is applicable from 01 April 2023 and it continues in 2024 as well when opting for the new tax regime.
Salaried individuals are eligible to claim the benefit of standard deductions of Rs. 75,000 now under the changes declared for the new tax regime in the Union Budget of July 2024.
The standard deduction was ₹50,000 as per Union Budget 2023. You can avail of this benefit as Section 80TTB deduction under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Union Budget 2024 Update: Family pensioners can now claim the standard deductions of Rs. 25,000 under the new tax regime from ₹15,000 in 2023.
Individuals earning Rs. 50 lakhs & above fall in the high-income category. The government of India levies a surcharge on high-income earners.
Income Slabs | Surcharge Rates in Old Tax Regime | Surcharge Rates in New Tax Regime (in % p.a.) |
Rs. 50 lakhs | NIL | NIL |
Rs. 50 lakhs- Rs. 1 crores | 10% | 10% |
Rs. 1 crores- Rs. 2 crores | 15% | 15% |
Rs. 2 crores- Rs. 5 crores | 25% | 25% |
Rs. 5 crores & above | 37% | 25% |
The new tax regime is the default choice for an income tax deduction by an employer and the Income Tax Department.
Note: You have to specifically opt (with your employer or IT department) to calculate your TDS and other personal taxes as per the new tax regime.
Let us understand the key terms from the list mentioned below:
Refers to the expenses or investments made by the taxpayer that can be subtracted from their gross total income to arrive at the taxable income
Deductions can help lower the tax liability of an individual or a company
Refers to the income or investments made by the taxpayer that are not included in the calculation of their taxable income
From the table below, let us learn the key exemptions and deductions in the new tax regime that are not claimable by individuals:
Non-Claimable Tax Deductions & Exemptions in New Tax Regime |
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There are certain deductions and exemptions in the new tax regime, which are as follows:
New Tax Regime Exemption List |
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Let us have a look at the various exemptions and deductions in the new tax regime not available to businesses:
Exemptions/ Deduction Not Claimable by the Businesses in the New Tax Regime |
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The table below shows a comparative analysis of the available deductions under the old vs. new tax regime:
Available Exemptions/ Deductions | Old Tax Regime | New Tax Regime |
Standard Deductions u/ Section 80TTB Deduction | YES Deductions of Rs. 50,000 | YES Deductions of Rs. 75,000 as per Union Budget in July 2024. |
Employment/ Professional Tax u/ Sec 10(5) | YES | NO |
House Rent Allowance (HRA) u/ Sec 10(13A) | YES | NO |
Exemptions for Free Food & Beverages through Vouchers/ Food Coupons | YES | NO |
Deductions of Up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs u/ Chapter VIA towards investments like u/ Sec 80C, 80CCC, 80CCD, 80DD, 80DDB, 80E, 80EE, 80EEA, 80G, etc. | YES | NO |
Deductions u/ Sec 80CCD(2) for Employer’s Contribution to Employee NPS Accounts | YES | YES |
Deductions u/Sec 80CCD(1B) of Up to Rs. 50,000 | YES | NO |
Medical Insurance Premium u/Sec 80D | YES | NO |
Interest on Home Loan for Self-Occupied/ Vacant Property | YES | NO |
The new tax regime offers taxpayers the option to choose between lower tax rates and limited deductions or higher tax rates and multiple deductions and exemptions as per the Union Budget 2024.
It is important for taxpayers to carefully evaluate their deductions in both these tax regimes. Choose the one that best suits your financial goals and circumstances.
†Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. This list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. The sorting is based on past 10 years’ fund performance (Fund Data Source: Value Research). For a complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website, www.irdai.gov.in
*All savings are provided by the insurer as per the IRDAI approved insurance plan.
^The tax benefits under Section 80C allow a deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakhs from the taxable income per year and 10(10D) tax benefits are for investments made up to ₹2.5 Lakhs/ year for policies bought after 1 Feb 2021. Tax benefits and savings are subject to changes in tax laws.
¶Long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax (12.5%) is exempted on annual premiums up to 2.5 lacs.
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