Budget 2018 Could Bring a Change in Income Tax Limits

Tax rates in India are one of the highest in world, particularly corporate and indirect tax rates. Even taxation on individuals is complex and quite high for an emerging market. India stands at 10^th position and nine positions are occupied by developed or very robust large economies. Budget 2017 had tried to lower the individual taxation by introducing a slab of 5%. The present slab gives exemption up till Rs. 2.5 lakhs which are increased to Rs. 3 lakhs for senior citizens. There is another category of taxpayers introduced in the form of Super Senior citizens that comprise of individuals who are more than 80 years of age. The details of existing slabs applicable for the financial year 2017-18 are given in the tables below:

Income Tax Slab for individual taxpayers (Less than 60 years)

Slab	Tax Rates
Income up to Rs. 250,000	Nil
Income from Rs. 250,000- 500,000	5%
Income from Rs. 500,000- 10,00,000	10%
Income more than 10,00,000	30%

Income Tax Slab for individual taxpayers (More than 60 years but less than 80 years)

Slab	Tax Rates
Income up to Rs. 300,000	Nil
Income from Rs. 300,000- 500,000	5%
Income from Rs. 500,000- 10,00,000	20%
Income more than 10,00,000	30%

Note: For both the slabs there is an additional surcharge if income is between Rs. 50 lakhs and Rs. 1 crore, which increases to 15% if income exceeds Rs. 1 crore. A cess of 3% is levied on Total Income Tax + Surcharge.

Income Tax Slab for individual taxpayers (More than 80 years)

Slab	Tax Rates
Income up to Rs. 500,000	Nil
Income from Rs. 500,000- 10,00,000	20%
Income more than 10,00,000	30%

Note: Surcharge of 15% where total income exceeds Rs. 1 crore and a cess of 3% is levied on Total Income Tax + Surcharge
There is a wide expectation that budget 2018 will decrease the Income Tax burden on taxpayers. There are numerous ways in which this could be done.

Increase in Exemption Limit
A survey was undertaken by global accounting and financial counseling company, Ernst & Young where it surveyed more than 150 finance officer, tax chiefs and CFOs. 69% of the respondents felt that the limit of maximum exempt income should be increased in budget 2018 in order to leave taxpayers with higher disposable incomes. Another piece of news in Business Today indicated that Income Tax exemption might be raised to Rs. 3 lakhs or more from the present Rs. 2.5 lakhs. Some more optimistic reports that are emerging place this amount at Rs. 5 lakhs! This move, if implemented shall benefit over 75 lakhs taxpayers.

Increasing Number of Slabs
Last year an additional slab of 5% was introduced thereby reducing the tax burden on a middle-income group that earned up to Rs. 5 lakhs in a financial year. A similar step can be taken this year as well where the overall tax rate is further decreased by introducing a slab by breaking down a slab with a higher rate.

Replace Multiple Deductions
Tax rules and deductions for individual taxation in India are unbelievably complex. In fact, this is one of the leading reasons why many people refrain from filing returns in the first place. The survey above revealed that 59% of those surveyed agreed that system of multiple rate cuts and numerous deductions should be replaced with one standard deduction. This will simplify the tax computation and may even widen the taxpayer base.

Even though Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi hinted that the budget 2018 will continue to push reforms and may not be a populist budget, many experts believe that it will still be the most populist budget of the present government till date. As February 1 inches closer, it remains to be seen what the Finance Minister unwraps, a kitty full of perks or another tough budget aimed at reforms.