Are you wondering how to save tax on salary or business income? The tax filing season is here; it is time to plan your finances prudently to reduce your tax liability. Thanks to the Income Tax Act of 1961, there are various income tax-saving options that you can choose from to lower your tax liability.
How to reduce income tax?
Take advantage of Section 80C.
Chapter VI A of the act lists sections that allow tax exemptions from your income. Section 80C is a popular section that will enable you to claim a deduction of up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs by investing in various avenues. Some of these income tax-saving options include the following:
- Life insurance premiums
- PPF and EPF investments
- ELSS funds
- Five-year fixed deposit schemes in banks or post offices
- Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
- Senior Citizen Saving Scheme
- Buy health insurance
A health insurance plan is necessary for rising medical costs and has tax benefits. Premiums paid towards health plans qualify for a deduction under Section 80D. The limit is Rs. 25,000, which increases to Rs. 50,000 for senior citizens. Moreover, premiums paid for parents can be claimed as additional deductions up to Rs. 50,000.
Invest in National Pension System
The National Pension System gives distinct tax benefits besides creating a retirement corpus. Investment into the scheme is allowed as a deduction, up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs under Section 80CCD (1). This limit, however, is clubbed with the limit available under Section 80C. However, Section 80CCD (1B) allows an additional deduction of Rs. 50,000 for investments into the National Pension System, giving you other tax-saving benefits.
Buy your dream house with a home loan.
A home loan taken for your dream house has tax-saving benefits, too. The principal paid on the loan is an eligible expense under Section 80C up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs. Conversely, the interest paid is allowed as an exemption under Section 24(B). Moreover, if you fulfill the requirements of Section 80 EEA, you can claim an additional deduction of Rs. 1.5 lakhs on home loan interest.
Make the most of other deductions.
Besides Sections 80C, 80CCD, and 80D, other tax-saving sections are available under the act. These are as follows:
Income Tax Section | Tax benefit |
80TTA | Tax-free interest on savings accounts up to Rs. 10,000 |
80TTB | Tax-free interest on deposits for senior citizens up to Rs. 50,000 |
80G | Tax deduction on approved donations up to a specified percentage of the donated amount |
80GG | HRA deduction for rented accommodation for those who do not get HRA benefits from employers |
80EEB | A tax deduction of up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs on interest paid on a vehicle loan for electric vehicles |
A penny saved is a penny earned.
Use these tax-saving provisions to save more and thus see your wealth grow. When it comes to increasing your wealth in the long term, you can also opt for different investment avenues that will fulfill your objective and give the added benefit of saving taxes.
You can choose from Public Provident Fund (PPF), Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs), and Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS), to name a few. However, when making investment decisions, it is always prudent to explore your options through a financial advisor, who can suggest avenues based on your investment goals, horizon, and risk appetite.