New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the new tax regime, which offers a rebate on annual income of up to Rupees seven lakhs, will leave higher disposable income in the hands of people. Replying to the discussion on Union Budget for 2023-24 in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman said that the Budget astutely balances the requirement of development imperatives within the limits of fiscal prudence. She said that the Budget focuses on the middle class, employment generation, MSME, agri sector, rural population, health and green growth.
Sitharaman said that the new tax regime announced in the Budget is "very attractive" as the tax exemption limit has been hiked to Rupees three lakhs, from Rs 2.5 lakh earlier. Besides, a standard deduction of Rs 50,000 too has been allowed under the scheme.
This new tax regime will benefit the majority of middle-class taxpayers, she said, adding that the rebate has been provided on an income of up to Rupees seven lakh. "Since the enhanced rebate limit is unconditional, it leaves higher disposable income in the hands of people," Sitharaman said.
Under the revamped concessional tax regime, which will be effective from the next fiscal, no tax would be levied for income up to Rupees three lakhs. Income between Rs 3-6 lakh would be taxed at five percent, Rs 6-9 lakh at 10 percent, Rs 9-12 lakh at 15 percent, Rs 12-15 lakh at 20 percent and income of Rs 15 lakh and above will be taxed at 30 percent.
However, no tax would be levied on annual income of up to Rupees seven lakhs.
Responding to RSP member NK Premachandran's remark that the new tax regime will not be beneficial for a person earning Rs 9 lakh annually and having an investment of Rs 4.5 lakh in tax savings instruments, Sitharaman said for a person saving Rs 4.5 lakh will be an "effort-ridden exercise".
"For a person earning rupees nine lakh, it's not always possible to have Rs 4.5 lakh as saving and then also have enough money to spend on your family," Sitharaman said.
The minister also said that the Budget has maintained fiscal prudence as announced in the fiscal glide path earlier.
"It is a very, very delicately balanced Budget," Sitharaman said, adding that the government chose the capital expenditure route to revive the economy as it has a greater multiplier effect.
(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Google News. Click here to follow. Also, join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram. You may also follow us on Twitter here and stay updated.)