Changes to House Rent Allowance (HRA) exemption calculation
Taxpayers are expecting Sitharaman to announce certain important changes when it comes to the calculation of HRA exemption. Let’s understand the context in which these expectations have emerged.
As of now, only four cities (i.e., Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai) are considered metro cities when it comes to HRA exemption calculations. As a result, 50% of the sum of your basic salary and dearness allowance (DA) could be deducted from your HRA to reduce your tax burden if you are living in a metro.
However, if you are staying in a non-metro, this 50% limit gets reduced to 40%. Cities like Bengaluru, Gurgaon, Pune, Hyderabad, and many more are considered non-metros for this purpose.
This does not show a realistic picture of the situation. Today, Gurgaon has developed so much that real estate in many parts of Gurgaon is more expensive than that in Delhi. Besides, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad have developed so much that they deserve the status of a full-fledged metro.
Therefore, it is expected that the budget will increase the exemption limit from 40% to 50% for those cities of India, which deserve to be called a metro due to the pace of their development, availability of work-related opportunities, and general price levels.
Increase tax-free value of food provided by employer
As of now, there are some provisions which provide certain tax exemptions to salaried individuals on the value of free non-alcoholic beverages and free food provided to them by their employers during their working hours.
Some employers even give them electronic meal cards, which they can use only at eating joints. Currently, this allowance is non-taxable up to ₹50 per meal. Over the years, food has become so expensive in India that it is nearly impossible to have a meal at a dhaba or a roadside restaurant even in a small town for anything less than ₹100-150 per meal per person.
Hence, ₹50 per meal exemption is not in line with prevailing food prices in India. Therefore, it is expected that the finance minister may hike this limit.
A significant number of salaried employees in big cities, like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, etc. get this allowance from their employers. If the government increases this exemption’s limit, they will certainly benefit.
Clarity on work-from-home benefits
Ever since the onset of COVID-19, many companies have started allowing their employees to work from home. Once the number of COVID-19 cases reduced, quite a few companies started calling their employees to the office. However still, an overwhelming number of companies allow their staff to work from home.
Some employers even allow their employees to work from anywhere. Some employers have adopted a hybrid mode, wherein employees work from home for a few days in a week and go to their office for the rest of the days.
When an employer allows its workforce to work from home, it significantly changes its cost structure and even the compensation of employees. For example, several companies provide one-time home-office setup costs to their employees.
This is provided to those working from home or choosing the hybrid model. Currently, there are no provisions in Indian tax laws which talk about how such reimbursements to employees should be treated.
Given that work-from-home and hybrid work is a reality, it is high time that the budget throws clarity on this issue.
Increase the limit for exemption of Child Education Allowance
The limit for exemption of child education allowance under tax laws is out of sync with reality. Consider this: the Income Tax Act allows exemptions of ₹100 per child per month on account of education from the salary of parents. In addition, the act allows ₹300 per child per month exemption for hostel expenses. Both these exemptions are available for up to two children.
Most educational institutions charge way more than ₹100 per month education fees and ₹300 per month hostel expenses. The inflation in education tends to be much higher than inflation for other products and services.
This means that every year the amount of money people spend on the education of their children increases at a much higher rate than the expenses on groceries, consumer appliances, etc. Therefore, it is expected that the government may increase the exemption for the expenses incurred by people on their children’s education.
For this, the government should do a reality check and see how much educating a child costs in big cities, small towns, and villages in India.
Conclusion
If you are a trader with a demat account, the budget day is going to be extremely important for you. Needless to say, you should follow the budget online. Keep an eye on Bajaj Broking’s website for any announcements that will have a direct impact on the stock market.
If you have investments in equities, watch out for sector-specific announcements. There is a possibility that the budget will announce some relief for salaried individuals. In that case, you should figure out sectors that will gain if consumption increases in the economy.
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This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.
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