Difference Between Old Tax Regime and New Tax Regime | Which is Better for Salaried Person

In this article we will discuss the Difference Between the Old Tax Regime and the New Tax Regime | Which is Better old or new for a Salaried Person

Difference Between the Old Tax Regime and New Tax Regime

The Indian income tax system imposes a tax on individual taxpayers based on their level of income. Starting in 2020-21, there was a change in the mechanism of imposing taxes.

An updated tax system was introduced, resulting in substantial reductions in tax rates and a major decrease in available tax-saving options. The 2023 Budget includes numerous incentives introduced by the government to facilitate the implementation of the new system.

If you frequently contemplate the comparison between a new regime and an old regime, and ponder which one is superior? Continue reading to discover more information, as the situation may vary depending on different income brackets.

The blog will provide an analysis of the disparity in tax rates between the two regimes, the variations in available deductions, and practical illustrations of how the new system would impact each tax bracket.

New Tax Regime

Beginning April 1, 2020 (FY 2020-21), the Government of India implemented a new optional tax rate system for individuals and Hindu undivided families (HUF).

Consequently, Section 115 BAC was added to the Income Tax Act of 1961 (the Act), which mandated lower tax rates for respective taxpayers and HUFs who did not take certain tax deductions or exemptions. 

Based on the revisions suggested in the Union Budget 2023, the new tax regime has been designated as the default, and taxpayers must choose the old tax regime if they decide to use it.

However, those who choose the new system cannot claim various exemptions and deductions, including HRA, LTA, 80C, 80D, etc. As a result, the new tax structure found few supporters. Therefore, the government announced five significant adjustments in Budget 2023 to persuade taxpayers to accept the new system. They are as follows:

• Increased Tax Rebate Limit

A total tax rebate of up to 7 lakhs has been introduced. Under the previous tax regime, this threshold was set at five lakhs. This implies that people earning up to Rs 7 lakh would not have to pay any tax under the new regime! 

• Simplified Tax Slabs

The tax exemption limit has been raised to 3 lakhs, and the new tax slabs are as follows. Here are the new vs old tax regime slab-

• Standard Deduction and Family Pension Deduction

• Salary income: The 50,000 standard deduction, previously accessible solely under the old regime, has also been extended to the new tax scheme. Together with the rebate, this amounts to 7.5 lakhs in tax-free income under the new regime.
  
• Family pension: Those receiving a family pension are eligible for a deduction of ₹15,000 or 1/3rd of the pension, whichever is lower.
  
• Surcharge for High-Net-Worth Individuals Cut: The surcharge rate for income over five crores has been cut from 37% to 25%. This change reduces their effective tax rate from 42.74% to 39%.
  
• Higher Leave Encashment Exemption: The exemption limit for non-government workers has been increased eightfold, from 3 lakhs to 25 lakhs

Old Tax Regime

The tax system that existed before the implementation of the new regime is the old tax regime. Approximately 70 exclusions and deductions are available under this system, including HRA and LTA, that can reduce your taxable income and minimise your tax payments.

Section 80C, the most prevalent and substantial deduction, allows for a reduction in the taxable income of up to Rs.1.5 lakh. Additionally, the taxpayers are offered the option of choosing between the existing and new tax regimes.

List of a Few Exemptions and Deductions in Old Tax Regime Slabs

Here’s the list (not exhaustive) of exemptions-

• Leave Travel Allowance 
• House rent allowance
• A standard deduction of Rs 50,000 was available for salaried individuals.
• Deductions available under Section 80TTA/80TTB (on interest from savings account deposits )
• Entertainment allowance deduction and professional tax (For government employees)
• Tax relief on interest paid on home loan for self-occupied or vacant property u/s 24
• Deduction of Rs 15000 permitted from family pension under clause (ii a) ( Section 57)
• Tax-saving investment deductions under Chapter VI-A (80C,80D, 80E,80CCC, 80CCD, 80D, 80DD, 80DDB,, 80EE, 80EEA, 80EEB, 80G, 80GG, 80GGA, 80GGC, 80IA, 80-IAB, 80-IAC, 80-IB, 80-IBA, etc) (Except, deduction under Section 80CCD(2)—employers contribution to NPS, and Section 80JJA) and so on. These popular tax-saving investment options include ELSS, NPS, PPF, and a tax break on insurance premiums. 

One can still claim a deduction under sub-section (2) of section 80CCD, basically an employer’s contribution towards an employee’s account in NPS and section 80JJAA ( for new employment).

Also note that if the employee’s contribution to EPF and NPS exceeds Rs 7.5 Lakh in the financial year in question, then the employee is liable to pay tax. 

List of Significant Exemptions Enclosed in the New Tax Regime

• Income from Life Insurance
• Agricultural Income
• Standard reduction on rent
• Retrenchment compensation
• Leave encashment on retirement
• VRS proceeds up to Rs 5 lakhs
• Death cum retirement benefit
• Money obtained as a scholarship for education, etc.

Which Tax Regime is Better Old or New for Salaried Person

New tax regime vs old, which is better, is a tough question to answer since there’s no one correct answer.

The choice of switching to the new tax regime or staying in the old tax regime, or whether the regime is best for you, must be based on the tax savings deductions and exemptions available in the previous tax system.

Old Vs New Regime Example

Suppose an individual has an income of  Rs. 8,00,000. The following table shows the tax calculation under the new and old regimes:

Some Estimates: Old Regime vs New Regime

Here are some estimates to help you decide between the existing and new tax regimes:

• The new regime will be advantageous when total deductions are less than 1.5 lakhs.
• When total deductions exceed 3.75 lakhs, the old regime will be beneficial.
• When total deductions range from 1.5 lakhs to 3.75 lakhs: this is determined by your income level.

Taxation