No Change in Income Tax Slab Rate for FY 2020-21

In Budget 2021 No changes in income tax slabs or rates have been proposed. Nor have any additional tax exemptions or deductions been introduced in this budget. Standard deduction for the salaried and pensioners also remains same as before as applicable in F.Y 2020-21.

An individual tax payer will continue to pay the tax at the same rates applicable in FY 2020-21, with no change in the basic exemption limit, income tax slabs and rates.

I. Rates of income-tax in respect of income liable to tax for the assessment year 2021-22.

In respect of income of all categories of assessee liable to tax for the assessment year 2021-22, the rates of income-tax have either been specified in specific sections (like section 115BAA or section 115BAB for domestic companies, 115BAC for individual/HUF, and 115BAD for cooperative societies) or have been specified in Part I of the First Schedule to the Bill. There is no change proposed in tax rates either in these specific sections or in the First Schedule. The rates provided in sections 115BAA or 115BAB or 115BAC or 115BAD for the assessment year 2021-22 would be the same as already enacted. Similarly, rates laid down in Part III of the First Schedule to the Finance Act, 2020, for the purposes of computation of ―advance tax, deduction of tax at source from ―Salaries and charging of tax payable in certain cases for the assessment year 2021-22 would now become part I of the first schedule. Part III would now apply for the assessment year 2022-23 and would remain unchanged except that it would also apply to the proposed section 194P.

(1) Tax rates under section 115 BAC and section 115 BAD

From the assessment year 2021-22 (FY 2020-21), individual and HUF taxpayers have an option to opt for taxation under section 115BAC of the Act and the resident co-operative society has an option to opt for taxation under the newly inserted section 115BAD of the Act.

On satisfaction of certain conditions as per the provisions of section 115BAC, an individual or HUF shall, from the assessment year 2021-22 onwards, have the option to pay tax in respect of the total income at the following rates:

Similarly, a co-operative society resident in India shall have the option to pay tax at 22 per cent for assessment year 2021-22 onwards as per the provisions of section 115BAD, subject to fulfilment of certain conditions.

(2) Tax rates under Part I of the first schedule applicable for the assessment year 2021-22

A. Individual, HUF, association of persons, body of individuals, artificial juridical person.

Paragraph A of Part-I of First Schedule to the Bill provides following rates of income-tax:—

(i) The rates of income-tax in the case of every individual (other than those mentioned in (ii) and (iii) below) or HUF or every association of persons or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act (not being a case to which any other Paragraph of Part III applies) are as under:—

(ii) In the case of every individual, being a resident in India, who is of the age of sixty years or more but less than eighty years at any time during the previous year,—

(iii) in the case of every individual, being a resident in India, who is of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the previous year,—

b. Co-operative Societies

In the case of co-operative societies, the rates of income-tax have been specified in Paragraph B of Part I of the First Schedule to the Bill. They remain unchanged at (10% up to Rs 10,000; 20% between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000; and 30% in excess of Rs 30,000)

c. Firms

In the case of firms, the rate of income-tax has been specified in Paragraph C of Part I of the First Schedule to the Bill. They remain unchanged at 30%

d. Local authorities

 The rate of income-tax in the case of every local authority has been specified in Paragraph D of Part I of the First Schedule to the Bill. They remain unchanged at 30%.

e. Companies

The rates of income-tax in the case of companies have been specified in Paragraph E of Part I of the First Schedule to the Bill. In case of domestic company, the rate of income-tax shall be twenty five per cent. of the total income, if the total turnover or gross receipts of the previous year 2018-19 does not exceed four hundred crore rupees and in all other cases the rate of Income-tax shall be thirty per cent. of the total income.

In the case of company other than domestic company, the rates of tax are the same as those specified for the FY 2019-20.

(3)  Surcharge on income-tax

The amount of income-tax shall be increased by a surcharge for the purposes of the Union,—

(a) in the case of every individual or HUF or association of persons or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act, including an individual or HUF exercising option under section 115BAC, not having any income under section 115AD of the Act,—

(i) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A and 112A of the Act) exceeding fifty lakh rupees but not exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of ten per cent. of such income- tax; and

(ii) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A and 112A of the Act) exceeding one crore rupees but not exceeding two crore rupees, at the rate of fifteen per cent. of such income-tax;

(iii) having a total income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A and 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees but not exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of twenty-five per cent. of such income-tax;

(iv) having a total income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A and 112A of the Act) exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of thirty-seven per of such income-tax;

(v) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A and 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees, but is not covered under clause (iii) or (iv) above, at the rate of fifteen per cent of such incometax:

Provided that in case where the total income includes any income by way of dividend or income chargeable under section 111A and 112A of the Act, the rate of surcharge on the amount of income-tax computed in respect of that part of income shall not exceed fifteen percent;

However, surcharge shall be at the rates provided in (i) to (v) above for all category of income without excluding dividend or capital gains in case if the income is taxable under section 115A, 115AB, 115AC, 115ACA and 115E.

(aa) in the case of individual or every association of person or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Income-tax Act having income under section 115AD of the Act,-

(i) having a total income exceeding fifty lakh rupees but not exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of ten per cent of such income-tax; and

(ii) having a total income exceeding one crore rupees but not exceeding two crore rupees, at the rate of fifteen per cent of such income-tax;

(iii) having a total income [excluding the income by way of dividend or income of the nature referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 115AD of the Act] exceeding two crore rupees but not exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of twenty-five per cent. of such income-tax;

(iv) having a total income [excluding the income by way of dividend or income of the nature referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 115AD of the Act] exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of thirty-seven per of such income-tax;

(v) having a total income [including the income by way of dividend or income of the nature referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 115AD of the Act] exceeding two crore rupees but is not covered in sub-clauses (iii) and (iv), at the rate of fifteen per cent. of suchincome-tax:

Provided that in case where the total income includes any income by way of dividend or income chargeable under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 115AD of the Act, the rate of surcharge on the income-tax calculated on that part of income shall not exceed fifteen percent;

(b) in the case of every co-operative society (except resident co-operative society opting under section 115BAD) or firm or local authority, at the rate of twelve per cent of such income-tax, where the total income exceeds one crore rupees;

(c) In case of resident co-operative society opting under section 115BAD, at the rate of ten percent of such income

(d) in the case of every domestic company, except such domestic company whose income is chargeable to tax under section 115BAA or section 115BAB of the Act,—

• at the rate of seven per of such income-tax, where the total income exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crorerupees;
• at the rate of twelve per cent. of such income-tax, where the total income exceeds ten crore rupees;

(e) in the case of domestic company whose income is chargeable to tax under section 115BAA or 115BAB of the Act, at the rate of ten percent;

(f) in the case of every company, other than a domestic company,—

• at the rate of two per of such income-tax, where the total income exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crore rupees;
• at the rate of five per of such income-tax, where the total income exceeds ten crore rupees;

(g) In other cases (including sections 92CE, 115-O, 115QA, 115R, 115TA or 115TD), the surcharge shall be levied at the rate of twelve

(4) Marginal Relief—

Marginal relief has also been provided in all cases where surcharge is proposed to be imposed.

(5)  Education Cess—

For the assessment year 2021-22, ―Health and Education Cess is to be levied at the rate of four percent. on the amount of income tax so computed, inclusive of surcharge wherever applicable, in all cases. No marginal relief shall be available in respect of such cess.

II. Rates for deduction of income-tax at source during the financial year (FY) 2021-22 from certain incomes other than“Salaries”.

The rates for deduction of income-tax at source during the FY 2021-22 under the provisions of section 193, 194A, 194B, 194BB, 194D, 194LBA, 194LBB, 194LBC and 195 have been specified in Part II of the First Schedule to the Bill. The rates will remain the same as those specified in Part II of the First Schedule to the Finance Act, 2020, for the purposes of deduction of income-tax at source during the FY 2020-21. For sections specifying the rate of deduction of tax at source, the tax shall continue to be deducted as per the provisions of these sections.

Surcharge—

The amount of tax so deducted shall be increased by a surcharge,—

(a) in the case of every individual or HUF or association of persons or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act, being a non-resident, calculated,—

• at the rate of ten per of such tax, where the income or aggregate of income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A and 112A of the Act) paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds fifty lakh rupees but does not exceed one crore rupees;
• at the rate of fifteen per cent. of such tax, where the income or aggregate of income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A and 112A of the Act)paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed two crore rupees;
• at the rate of twenty-five per cent. of such tax, where the income or aggregate of income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A and 112A of the Act) paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds two crore rupees but does not exceed five crore rupees;
• at the rate of thirty-seven per of such tax, where the income or aggregate of income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A and 112A of the Act) paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds five crore rupees;
• at the rate of fifteen per cent. Of such tax, where the income or aggregate of income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A and 112A of the Act) paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds two crore rupees, but is not covered under (iii) and (iv) above

provided that in case where the total income includes any income by way of dividend of income chargeable under section 111A and section 112A of the Act, the rate of surcharge on the amount of income-tax deducted in respect of that part of income shall not exceed fifteen per cent.

(b) in the case of every co-operative society or firm, being a non-resident, calculated at the rate of twelve per cent. of such tax, where the income or the aggregate of such incomes paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds one crorerupees;

(c) in the case of every company, other than a domestic company, calculated,—

• at the rate of two per cent. of such tax, where the income or the aggregate of such incomes paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crorerupees;
• at the rate of five per cent. of such tax, where the income or the aggregate of such incomes paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds ten

No surcharge will be levied on deductions in other cases.

(2) Education Cess—

Health and Education Cess shall continue to be levied at the rate of four per cent. of income tax including surcharge wherever applicable, in the cases of persons not resident in India including company other than a domestic company.

III. Rates for deduction of income-tax at source from “Salaries”, computation of “advance tax” and charging of income-tax in special cases during the FY 2021-22.

The rates for deduction of income-tax at source from ―Salaries or under section 194P of the Act during the FY 2021-22 and also for computation of

―advance tax payable during the said year in the case of all categories of assessee have been specified in Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. These rates are also applicable for charging income-tax during the FY 2021-22 on current incomes in cases where accelerated assessments have to be made, for instance, provisional assessment of shipping profits arising in India to non-residents, assessment of persons leaving India for good during the financial year, assessment of persons who are likely to transfer property to avoid tax, assessment of bodies formed for a short duration, etc. There is no change in the tax rates from last year. The salient features of the rates specified in the said Part III are indicated in the following paragraphs-

A.   Individual, HUF, association of persons, the body of individuals, an artificial juridical person.

Paragraph A of Part-III of the First Schedule to the Bill provides the following rates of income-tax:—

(i) The rates of income-tax in the case of every individual (other than those mentioned in (ii) and (iii) below) or HUF or every association of persons or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act (not being a case to which any other Paragraph of Part III applies) are as under:—

(ii) In the case of every individual, being a resident in India, who is of the age of sixty years or more but less than eighty years at any time during the previous year,—

(iii) in the case of every individual, being a resident in India, who is of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the previous year,—

The amount of income-tax computed in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Paragraph (including capital gains under section 111A, 112 and 112A) as well as income tax computed under section 115BAC, shall be increased by a surcharge at the rate of,—

(a) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A and 112A of the Act) exceeding fifty lakh rupees but not exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of ten per cent. of such income-tax;

(b) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A and 112A of the Act) exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of fifteen percent. of such income-tax;

(c) having a total income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A and 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees but not exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of twenty-five percent. of such income-tax;

(d) having a total income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A and 112A of the Act) exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of thirty-seven percent. of such income-tax;

(e) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A and section 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees, but is not covered under clauses (c) and (d), shall be applicable at the rate of fifteen percent. of such income-tax:

Provided that in the case where the total income includes any income by way of dividend or income chargeable under section 111A and section 112A of the Act, the rate of surcharge on the amount of Income-tax computed in respect of that part of the income shall not exceed fifteen percent.

Marginal relief is provided in cases of surcharge.

On satisfaction of certain conditions as per the provisions of section 115BAC, an individual or HUF shall, from the assessment year 2021-22 onwards, have the option to pay tax in respect of the total income at the following rates:

B. Co-operative societies

In the case of co-operative societies, the rates of income-tax have been specified in Paragraph B of Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. These rates will continue to be the same as those specified for FY 2020-21. The amount of income-tax shall be increased by a surcharge at the rate of twelve percent. of such income-tax in case of a co-operative society having a total income exceeding one crore rupees. However, the total amount payable as income-tax and surcharge on total income exceeding one crore rupees shall not exceed the total amount payable as income-tax on a total income of one crore rupees by more than the amount of income that exceeds one crore rupees.

On satisfaction of certain conditions, a co-operative society resident in India shall have the option to pay tax at 22 percent for the assessment year 2021-22 onwards as per the provisions of section 115BAD. Surcharge would be at 10% on such tax.

C. Firms

In the case of firms, the rate of income-tax has been specified in Paragraph C of Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. This rate will continue to be the same as that specified for FY 2020-21. The amount of income-tax shall be increased by a surcharge at the rate of twelve per cent. of such income-tax in case of a firm having a total income exceeding one crore rupees. However, the total amount payable as income-tax and surcharge on total income exceeding one crore rupees shall not exceed the total amount payable as income-tax on a total income of one crore rupees by more than the amount of income that exceeds one crore rupees.

D. Local authorities

The rate of income-tax in the case of every local authority has been specified in Paragraph D of Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. This rate will continue to be the same as that specified for the FY 2020-21. The amount of income-tax shall be increased by a surcharge at the rate of twelve per cent. of such income-tax in case of a local authority having a total income exceeding one crore rupees. However, the total amount payable as income-tax and surcharge on total income exceeding one crore rupees shall not exceed the total amount payable as income-tax on a total income of one crore rupees by more than the amount of income that exceeds one crore rupees.

E. Companies

The rates of income-tax in the case of companies have been specified in Paragraph E of Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. In case of domestic company, the rate of income-tax shall be twenty five per cent. of the total income, if the total turnover or gross receipts of the previous year 2019-20 does not exceed four hundred crore rupees and in all other cases the rate of Income-tax shall be thirty per cent. of the total income. However, domestic companies also have an option to opt for taxation under section 115BAA or section 115BAB of the Act on fulfillment of conditions contained therein. The tax rate is 15 per cent. in section 115BAB and 22 per cent. in section 115BAA. Surcharge is 10 per cent. in both cases.

In the case of company other than domestic company, the rates of tax are the same as those specified for the FY 2020-21.

Surcharge at the rate of seven per cent. shall continue to be levied in case of a domestic company (except those opting for taxation under section 115BAA and section 115BAB of the Act), if the total income of the domestic company exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crore rupees. Surcharge at the rate of twelve per cent shall continue to be levied, if the total income of the domestic company (except those opting for taxation under section 115BAA and section 115BAB of the Act) exceeds ten crore rupees.

In case of companies other than domestic companies, the existing surcharge of two per cent shall continue to be levied, if the total income exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crore rupees. Surcharge at the rate of five per cent shall continue to be levied, if the total income of the company other than domestic company exceeds ten crore rupees.

Marginal relief is provided in surcharge in all cases.

In other cases [including sub-section (2A) of section 92CE, sections 115-O, 115QA, 115R, 115TA or 115TD], the surcharge shall be levied at the rate of twelve per cent.

For FY 2021-22, additional surcharge called the ―Health and Education Cess on income-tax‖ shall be levied at the rate of four per cent on the amount of tax computed, inclusive of surcharge (wherever applicable), in all cases. No marginal relief shall be available in respect of such cess.