The most feared and most awaited event of the year; The Budget. Every person, every industry waited patiently for the announcement from our respected Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
With COVID-19 pandemic on the backdrop, India was waiting for a “get well soon”.
Let’s see what the Budget 2021 brought forward for us – Decoding Budget 2021:
1. No changes in personal income tax
Budget 2021 did not alter the personal income tax structure which meant that the common man is not burdened with tax levy this time. However, we have tried to summarise a few pointers to understand the changes
2. No ITR filing for senior citizen above the age of 75 years
Budget 2021 dictates that Senior citizens above the age of 75 years need not file Income Tax returns henceforth. However, this exemption is valid only if the senior citizen has income from pension and interest.
Only snitch here is that the bank interest should have been received from the same bank where the pension gets deposited.
3. Prefilled Income Tax Returns
Ease of filing will be achieved as a result of Prefilled Income tax returns with the details of interest, dividend, capital gains etc. This is a welcome change since time will be saved and accuracy will be achieved.
Capital gains especially for trading in shares and mutual funds is a very cumbersome task. Prefilled details of capital gain will be a relief.
4. Dividend not required to be considered for determining the advance tax
The dividend has been made taxable only on the receipt or declaration of the same from the view of Advance Tax calculation.
Earlier the taxpayers would need to pay the interest due to underestimation of dividend income while calculating the advance tax. However, with the change in Budget 2021, the taxpayer need not consider dividend in advance tax calculation unless it is declared or paid. This will reduce the interest and penalty on advance tax payments of the taxpayers.
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5. Taxability of Interest on Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contribution
Interest on EPF contribution in excess of Rs. 2.5 lakhs, however, will be taxed only if withdrawn in such year.
This move is expected to divert the investors away from EPF, so that the investors would prefer to move in the funds to more lucrative options.
6. Double TDS rate where the taxpayer does not file Income Tax Return (ITR)
Budget 2021 has prescribed TDS at double rates where the taxpayer does not file Income Tax return.
This will encourage and push the non filers to file their ITR, which will increase the coverage of Income Tax.
7. Deduction for interest exemption of Affordable Housing remains unchanged this year too
The deduction will be allowed till the year-end i.e. March 2022, on the Affordable Housing Scheme for Rs. 1.5 lakhs.
This was a specific benefit given by Budget 2019, however, FM has reconsidered extending the same to the year 2021 is a positive sign for especially migrant workers and the lower working class.
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8. ULIPs brought into the tax net
Budget 2021 has brought in ULIPs under taxability net, prescribing that the capital gains on ULIPs will be taxable if the yearly premium is more than Rs. 2.5 lakhs.
ULIPs were having a specific advantage over regular ELSS (Equity Linked Saving Schemes) Funds due to no restriction on premium payments. However, with this amendment, ULIPs are pretty much at par with Mutual Funds.
9. Revision of return preponed by 3 months
Henceforth the taxpayers would be required to file the revised / belated returns by December 31st of every assessment year.
10. Rush start to Startups
Budget 2021 has boosted up the way ahead for the startups by prescribing some booster doses for revival and growth.
11. Removal of condition of waiting period for conversion of One Person Company (OPC)
Budget 2021 has removed the waiting period of 2 years for converting the OPC into a public limited company or private limited company.
12. No Cap on paid-up capital and turnover
Budget 2021 has eliminated the restrictions with respect to paid-up capital and turnover.
13. Non-Resident Indians (NRI) can incorporate OPC in India
This amendment will bring in the most required capital inflow in India especially in start ups.
14. Emphasis on healthcare
COVID-19 was an alarming state of events in the year 2020, which has reaffirmed the need to improve healthcare and sanitization activity.
15. Increased spending to 137% on Healthcare facilities.
Prime Minister Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana will have competitive healthcare facilities with this spending.
16. COVID-19 Vaccine
FM has assured that more vaccines will be available soon and an amount of Rs. 35000 crores would be spent on vaccine efforts.
17. Privatisation, Divestment and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Budget 2021 hs been truly an example of a progressive budget since it has talked in lengths and details about Divestment, privatization and foreign direct investment in government companies and public sector units
18. The monetisation of assets of PSUs
FM has announced that assets of Railways, Airports etc will be monetised through National Asset Monetisation Plan.
19. Disinvestment of PSUs (Public Sector Units)
List of PSUs will be made which are targeted for disinvestment and strategic disinvestment will be carried out to garner the funds
20. Changes in the Insurance Act to attract FDI (Foreign Direct Investment)
Budget 2021 has raised the FDI limit to 74% which was 49% earlier. This will attract more international players into the Insurance field due to allowability f foreign ownership.
21. Acche din for Government schemes
- Free Cooking gas
- Application of Minimum Wages Act to all workers inclusive etc.
Decoding Budget 2021 in all can be looked like more of an ambitious budget which has paved the way for the much sluggish economy bearing the impact of COVID19 hit. However, there is too less for the common man in terms of tax impacts and exemptions, apart from health and wellbeing concerns.
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