Tax tips to get on track for 2024: understand the two tax regimes and choose the one that works best for you, maximise deductions, and consider investment options
Income Tax planning is essential for financial planning as every salaried individual is liable to pay taxes. Understanding the two tax regimes, maximising deductions, and exploring investment options can help reduce tax outgo. With the year 2023 heading toward the end, let’s understand how to plan your taxes and why is it important.
If you still haven’t had a chance to understand the two regimes (new tax regime, old tax regime), now is a good time to see which one would work best for you.
If you have income up to ₹7 lakh then the new tax regime is better, as there is no tax up to ₹7 lakh and additionally, there is a standard deduction of ₹50,000 in the new tax regime. As per the changes proposed in Union Budget 2023, no tax would be levied on people with annual income of up to ₹7 lakh under the new tax regime but it made no changes for those who continue in the old regime that provides for tax exemptions and deductions on investments and expenses such as HRA.
“Even though you have the option to switch to a more favourable regime at the time of filing your ITR, it would be better to learn to manage taxes easily, so that TDS takes care of your tax outgo based on whichever regime is beneficial to you,” said Archit Gupta, Founder, and CEO, Clear.
The old tax regime that comes with exemptions on certain investments and expenditures will remain attractive for taxpayers who pay house rent or have a home loan.
Archit Gupta said that individuals opting for the old regime, should make efforts to maximise Section 80C deduction where total taxable income can be reduced by ₹1.5 lakh.
There are many options available based on your risk profile and your time horizon to invest. Many taxpayers who opt for the old regime don’t maximise Section 80C and hence end up paying some extra tax, Gupta added.
Stock markets have been volatile lately, and this can be turned into a big opportunity for investors who pay income tax. They can reduce their income tax outgo through loss harvesting.
“It would help to review your tax dues concerning capital gains tax, and see if there is a possibility to lower tax outgo via tax harvesting your gains,” said Archit Gupta.
The tax liability of a person is determined based on the aggregate income earned during the year from all the sources taken together.
“If you have switched jobs during the year, intimate your previous employer to share your pay and tax calculation which must be submitted to your second employer, for proper tax calculation and to avoid the scenario where you may end up paying a higher tax while filing your ITR,” said Archit Gupta.
Source: https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/income-tax-four-money-saving-tips-to-get-on-track-for-2024-11700552387661.html
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