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New or Old Regime for Financial Year 2023-2024 (Assessment Year 2024-25)

New or Old Regime for Financial Year 2023-2024 (Assessment Year 2024-25)
September 01, 2023

 

The Union Budget 2023 introduced the optional new tax slab rates u/s 115BAC of the Income Tax Act. Since then, there has been confusion looming about choosing between the old and new regimes. Reviewing the two can help you decide.

Understanding the New Tax Regime

The new tax regime has lower tax rates, a higher rebate slab of Rs. 7 Lakhs, and a maximum surcharge of 25%. However, it does not offer the 70-odd deductions of the old tax regime. Here are some of the common deductions excluded from the new regime:

  • HRA (House Rent Allowance)
  • LTA (Leave Travel Allowance)
  • Children education allowance
  • Deductions u/s 80(C)/80(D)/80E/80EEB
  • Interest paid on home loans u/s 24(b) (for self-occupied properties)

Comparing Old and New Regime Slab Rates for Assessment Year 2024-25

Here’s a comparison between the old and new tax regimes to give you a quick run-through of the different applicable tax rates.

Income Tax Slab

 

Old Regime

New Regime

Up to Rs. 2.50 Lakhs

Nil

Nil

Rs. 2.50 Lakhs-Rs. 3 Lakhs

5% (100% rebate u/s 87A)

Nil

Rs. 3 Lakhs-Rs. 5 Lakhs

5% (100% rebate u/s 87A)

5% (100% rebate u/s 87A)

Rs. 5 Lakhs-Rs.6 Lakhs

20%

5% (100% rebate u/s 87A)

Rs. 6 Lakhs-Rs. 7.50 Lakhs

20%

10% (100% rebate u/s 87A)

Rs. 7.50 Lakhs-Rs. 9 Lakhs

20%

10%

Rs. 9 Lakhs-Rs. 10 Lakhs

20%

15%

Rs. 10 Lakhs-Rs. 12 Lakhs

30%

15%

Rs. 12 Lakhs-Rs. 12.50 Lakhs

30%

20%

Rs. 12.50 Lakhs-Rs. 15 Lakhs

30%

20%

Above Rs. 15 Lakhs

30%

30%

Who Should Opt for the New Tax Regime?

  • If you are a middle-income earner, earning an annual income of up to Rs. 15 Lakhs.
  • If you don’t have significant tax-saving investments like pension, retirement, or ULIP plans.

Who Should Opt for the Old Tax Regime?

  • The old regime is a better option if you have a wealth-creation plan with investments in ULIP plans or other tax-saving instruments.
  • According to experts, the old regime is better suited if you’ve invested more than Rs. 3 Lakhs in the best tax-saving investment options.
  • The old regime might be the better option if you are eligible for deductions/exemptions like HRA, LTA, and others.

When Can I Make the Choice?

Here’s when you can make a choice:

  • The new regime is a default regime. Hence you have to have to choose to opt for old regime.
  • If you’re an employee with a salary income that attracts TDS, you can switch regimes at the beginning of the fiscal year after intimating your employer.
  • If you are a professional or have business income, you can only make a choice once to switch to new tax regime. After you’ve selected new tax regime, you cannot change it in subsequent financial years. However, you have only once in a lifetime option for switching back to the old regime if the circumstances changes. Once you switch back to the old regime, you won’t be able to choose a new regime anytime in future.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the new regime can benefit low- and middle-income individuals with its lower tax slabs and rates. However, if you don't want to miss out on salary exemptions, the old regime may be a better option. Moreover, you can always offset higher rates of the old regime by investing in term insurance or the best pension plans in India.

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ARN-  INT/ED/08/23/3878

Francis Rodrigues Francis Rodrigues

Francis Rodrigues has a decade long experience in the insurance sector, and as SVP, E-Commerce and Digital Marketing, HDFC Life, manages the online sales channel, as well as digital and performance marketing. He has had hands-on experience in setting up sales channels and functional teams from scratch over a career spanning 2 decades.

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Vishal Subharwal Vishal Subharwal

Vishal Subharwal heads the Strategy, Marketing, E-Commerce, Digital Business & Sustainability initiatives at HDFC Life. He is responsible for crafting and ensuring successful implementation of the overall organisation strategy.

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We at HDFC Life are committed to offer innovative products and services that enable individuals live a ‘Life of Pride’. For over two decades we have been providing life insurance plans - protection, pension, savings, investment, annuity and health.

# The above stated income tax slabs and tax benefits, deductions/exemptions are subject to the provisions & conditions mentioned in the existing Income Tax Act, 1961. Tax Laws are also subject to change from time to time.

# It is requested to seek tax advice of your Chartered Accountant or personal tax advisor with respect to your personal tax liabilities under the Income-tax law.