Is maturity from NPS tax-free?
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Yes, up to 60% of the maturity corpus is
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In this blog, we will discuss the tax benefits you can get from NPS subscription. We will talk about tier 1 account tax benefits and tier 2 account tax benefits both. We will also touch upon the EEE scheme as well.
NPS, or the National Pension Scheme is a popular retirement scheme backed by the Indian government. It enables subscribers to save money that will come in handy for their post-retirement life. While this encourages discipline to save consistently, it also offers a list of tax benefits as well. Naturally, the tax advantages act as an incentive for these individuals to invest money in this scheme.
These tax deductions are valid for their contributions as well as the employer’s contributions to the pension scheme. The returns received generated by this investment are also considered for tax advantages. There are provisions in the Income Tax Act to allow a lot of tax savings for those who opt for this scheme, to nudge them towards a financially stable future. In addition to this, there is also the EEE tax structure (Exempt-Exempt-Exempt) which ensures that NPS investments get tax benefits during all of its different stages - contribution, growth, and maturity.
This scheme can be availed by both salaried individuals and self-employed professionals. This serves two purposes at once: it reduces tax liabilities, and it creates a secure and safe retirement fund for you.
NPS Tier 1 account: It is a core retirement saving account under the NPS. This account has given huge tax benefits and encourages savings over the long run for retirement purposes. The tax benefits offered by this Tier 1 account include the following:
Categories | Details |
Contribution Deduction | Contributions up to ₹1.5 lakh qualify for deductions under Section 80C and 80CCD(1). |
Additional Deduction | An extra deduction of ₹50,000 is available under Section 80CCD(1B), exclusively for NPS contributions. |
Tax Exemption | Returns generated on investments in Tier 1 accounts are tax-free, aligning with the EEE tax regime. |
Partial Withdrawals | Withdrawals up to 25% of the contributions are tax-exempt when used for specific purposes like education or health. |
Maturity Exemption | Upon retirement, up to 60% of the corpus can be withdrawn tax-free, while the remaining 40% is used for an annuity purchase. |
Tier 2 account is an optional savings account available in NPS with more flexibility than Tier 1, though it does not offer the excellent tax benefits Tier 1 has, it can still be helpful for short-term savings goals.
No Tax Deduction on Contribution
No contributions to Tier 2 accounts can be charged under sections 80C or 80CCD. This account majorly serves the purpose of being liquid and easily withdrawable rather than saving taxes.
Tax on Gains
Investment returns from Tier 2 are tax-exempt depending on the type of investment made. Investment earnings in an equity-oriented scheme are taxed at 15% if held for less than a year and 10% for a holding period greater than a year. Investments made in a debt-oriented scheme follow the conventional slab rates applicable to income taxes.
Convenience Saving Facility
This is a completely flexible Tier 2 account when it comes to deposit and withdrawal requirements, so suitable for people wanting to save without locking up their funds. It's not subject to tax incentives but still practical as a solution to excess funds or urgent needs in the bank account.
Employer contributions to an employee's NPS Tier 1 account have huge tax benefits. The contribution is tax-deductible under Section 80CCD(2), which benefits both the employers and the employees.
Who Can Take the Benefits?
Salaried individuals whose employers contribute to their NPS accounts can take up these benefits. It is irrespective of whether the employee contributes to NPS themselves.
Tax Deduction Limits
Employer contributions to the employee are tax-deductible up to 10% of the employee's basic salary and dearness allowance. This is in addition to the ₹1.5 lakh limit under Section 80C, so even more savings for the employee.
Extra Perks & Benefits
Employer contributions reduce taxable income while simultaneously increasing the employee’s retirement savings corpus.
Contribution Percentage
Employers often match or exceed the employee’s own contributions, which provides an extra layer of financial security and tax efficiency for subscribers.
Deductions for the contribution by the employer is another critical element in making NPS appealing for a salaried employee.
Section 80CCD(2)
It saves substantially under this head since employers can also deduct these contributions under this head. These can go up to a limit of 10% of basic salary along with dearness allowance.
Available Exemptions
Contributions by the employer are not counted in the ₹1.5 lakh limit under Section 80C, hence providing employees with an opportunity to save more tax on their income.
Reduction in Taxable Income
Contributions by the employer reduce taxable income, thus enabling employees to reduce their overall tax liability while enjoying the benefit of increased retirement savings.
Boost to Retirement Savings
Contributions by the employer directly increase the retirement corpus, hence providing employees with a dual benefit of tax savings and long-term financial security.
Self-employed individuals also get significant tax benefits through NPS contributions, making it an excellent way to plan retirement.
Deductions Under Section 80CCD(1)
They can avail of deductions of up to 20% of their gross income or ₹1.5 lakh, whichever is lesser, under Section 80CCD(1). It provides significant saving on taxable income.
Additional Deduction Under Section 80CCD(1B)
The ₹50,000 deduction is also available under Section 80CCD(1B) in case of higher contributions to the NPS Tier 1 account.
Tax Savings
Both these deductions can be availed by self-employed professionals to create a safe retirement corpus and also optimize tax planning.
The EEE tax structure of NPS is one of the most tax-friendly retirement savings options. Here’s how it works:
Deduction on Investment Amount
Contributions are tax-deductible under Sections 80CCD(1) and 80CCD(1B), reducing taxable income.
Tax-Free Accumulation
The returns generated during the accumulation phase are completely tax-exempt, ensuring uninterrupted growth.
Tax-Free Maturity Withdrawals
Up to 60% of the corpus withdrawn at maturity is tax-free, further enhancing the tax efficiency of NPS.
NPS is both a tool for making disciplined savings on a consistent basis, and a tax-efficient way to invest money. The highlight of this scheme is that it helps you save taxes, in all the stages right from contribution to maturity. And it can also be availed by self-employed individuals. Moreover, it’s a government-backed scheme and that brings some credibility to this. This could be a great option if you are considering investing in a retirement plan.
Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing.
This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.
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Yes, up to 60% of the maturity corpus is
Purchasing an annuity is tax-free, but the income received from the annuity is taxable according to the applicable tax slab of the individual.
Contributions of the employer are also allowed as a deduction under Section 36(1)(iv)(a). It also improves retention and satisfaction of the employees.
Under Section 80CCD(2), the employers can avail deduction up to 10% of basic salary and dearness allowance.
No, it is taxable according to the tax slab prevailing at the time of receipt as an annuity income.
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