Direct Tax Expectations in the ensuing budget are as follows:-
1. Considering the ongoing inflation levels, though under control, basic Income Tax Exemption limit to be raised to Rs 500,000/- from current Rs 250,000/- for the income earners beyond Rs 500,000; Senior Citizens to Rs 600,000/- and Super Senior Category to Rs 8,00,000/-. The higher slabs may be kept at 5% tax on income between Rs 500,000/- and Rs 1,000,000/-; 20% tax on taxable income between Rs 1,000,000/- and Rs 2,000,000/-; 30% tax on taxable income between Rs 2,000,000/- and Rs 20,000,000/-; 35% tax for taxable income above Rs 20,000,000/-. This will help populace to have higher disposable income, which could be channelized towards various MF schemes based on the profile of investor. Threshold for getting reservation of 10% for upper caste has been set at Rs 800,000/ p.a.
2. NPS to be made at par with EPF, GPF and PPF where EEE clause applies on investments, income/growth/interest and withdrawal. Though 60% of the withdrawal is exempt from tax but mandatory requirement of rest 40% to be invested in annuities make it less attractive. That complication doesn’t bring clarity to the investors who are not market savvy, thereby not attracting inflows to the desirable extent. The EEE clause for NPS would encourage seamless flow of funds into capital markets.
3. Since AUM in Mutual Funds in developed countries is more than Bank Deposits whereas India it is just one-fifths of Bank Deposits and penetration level of Direct Equity investors is quite low, there should not be levy of LTCG Tax till the time MF AUM reaches closer to Bank deposits otherwise current momentum would slowdown. Government should look at the LTCG collected since the imposition w.e.f. 1st April 2018, and if sizeable (excess of Rs 1,000 crores) collection has taken place then it may be continued otherwise no point in continuing with LTCG where expenses on collection are more than the tax collected. Further, STT was levied when LTCG was withdrawn, and in the current scenario both are continuing that doesn’t make sense. Either of them should be withdrawn in the current budget.
4. There is anomaly in the dividend distribution tax (DDT) when it is levied. Firstly, it is getting levied at the Corporate Tax level when dividends are paid out of “Profit after Tax”. Secondly, Company declaring dividend has to pay Dividend Distribution Tax on the total dividend amount. Thirdly, the same dividend becomes taxable in the hands of investors when amount exceeds Rs 10 lakhs in a Financial Year. It is not logical to tax same income at three levels.
5. Housing Loans in Metro areas, where population exceeds 10 lakhs, housing loans up to a ceiling of Rs 35 lakhs are considered as Priority Sector Advances by Commercial Banks whereas for other centres the threshold is Rs 25 lakhs. Considering a minimum housing loan interest rate of 8.50% p.a., at present, interest on housing loan exemption limit may be raised to at least Rs 2.5 lakhs for first as well as subsequent housing loans. This will provide boost to the affordable housing, in order to fulfil mission of “Housing for all by 2022”.
6. There is a section of employees, particularly, in private sector who are getting ESOP (Employee Stock Options). While exercising ESOPs, some of them are availing ESOP loans to enable them to buy vested options. There is no clarity on the interest applied on such ESOP loans for setting off against Short Term Capital Gains. Since interest application is for exercising ESOPs, it should be considered as eligible expenses while booking Short Term Gains.
7. Although number of folios in the MF Schemes has been growing rapidly but penetration level has remained low. A new scheme with a certain threshold (say Rs 50,000/-) for first time MF investors need to be introduced, in line with NPS, to gain attention of a large populace whose profile continues to be conservative. Though such scheme was introduced in the past but it failed to create awareness among investors.
These are some of the suggestions, which may be considered while preparing the full budget for the FY 2020 - 2021..
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