Here Are The Key Changes In Tax Rules To Come Into Effect From April 1

April 1, the beginning of the new fiscal 2018-19, brings in some major changes in the tax structure which were announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while presenting the Union Budget 2018.The tax reforms will impact individual taxpayers in a number of ways, such as the standard deduction of Rs 40,000 instead of the transport allowance and medical expenses.

Here’s a list of tax changes that will impact all taxpayers in country:

LTCG reinducted

After a gap of 14 years, the long-term capital gains tax was reintroduced in the 2018-19 Budget. A 10 per cent tax will be levied on equity investments exceeding Rs 1 lakh from sale of shares. At present, shareholders pay a 15 per cent tax on capital gains made on share sale within a year of purchase. If the shares are sold after a year, the tax is nil.

Standard deduction

Though the tax slabs were not changed this year, the finance minister reintroduced the standard deduction method. A standard deduction of Rs 40,000 will be effective in lieu of transport allowance and medical reimbursement.

Around 2.5 crore salaried employees and pensioners will gain from the new rule.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes had previously said that the standard deduction can be claimed directly and would not require any proofs or bills to avail it.

Medical, travel allowances will be taxed

With the induction of standard deduction, medical and travel allowances will be taxed from next fiscal. Medical allowances up to Rs 15,000 and travel allowance till Rs 1,600 per month used to be tax free and could be claimed by furnishing bills.

Cess now 4%

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has hiked the educational cess on income tax and corporation tax to 4 per cent. At present, individual taxpayers shell out a 3 per cent cess – 2 per cent cess for primary education and 1 per cent cess for secondary and higher education.

For senior citizens

Tax exemptions were announced on deposits with banks and post offices for senior citizens only. Interest income will now be increased five times from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000.

TDS (tax deducted at source) under section 194A will not be applicable on any fixed deposit scheme or recurring deposit schemes for the senior citizens.

Breather for senior citizen on medical expenses

The deduction limit for health insurance premium or medical expenditure was increased from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 under section 80D.

The deduction limit for medical expenses for critical illness was also hiked from Rs 60,000 (for senior citizens) and Rs 80,000 (for very senior citizens) to Rs 1 lakh, under section 80DDB.

Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana was extended up to March 2020, under which senior citizens can invest up to Rs 15 lakh. The current limit is Rs 7.5 lakh per senior citizen.

Dividend Distribution Tax on equity MFs

Dividend distribution tax (DDT) was introduced on equity mutual funds at the rate of 10 per cent in Budget 2018-19.  The move was proposed to offer a level field for different dividend distributing schemes.

National Pension System is tax free

The withdrawal of pension money was made tax free for non-employee subscribers. There is no such provision at present.