At the end of every financial year, most of us are figuring out the ways to save taxes. In the hope of saving as much tax as possible, we often end up making financial mistakes that usually cost us a lot. People invest in various products without being aware of their pros and cons and in the process, they fail to fully utilise the tax deductions and exemptions that are available to them. But, with a little more attention, efforts and help, one can reduce their tax liability by investing in good tax saving investment options.
Here's are some tax saving investment options to help you with all your tax-related decisions:
- Tuition Fee
Many people spend a generous amount of their income towards providing the best education possible to their children. If you are one of them then, income tax laws provide you the chance to compensate the expenses that you bear on your child's tuition fee by reducing your taxes. This deduction on child’s tuition fee can be claimed under Section 80C of Income Tax Act, and maximum deduction is Rs 1.5 lakhs.
- Life Insurance Plans
Life insurance plans provide tax benefits which reduce your net taxable income and in turn, lowers your tax liabilities. Under Section 80C of Income Tax Act, premiums that you pay towards life insurance plans (term plans, ULIPs etc.), either for yourself, your spouse or children, qualify for a deduction up to Rs 1.5 lakhs. Also, Section 10(10D) makes the maturity amount of life insurance plans tax-free.
- National Pension Scheme (NPS)
An additional deduction of Rs 50,000 for income tax is permitted if a contribution is made to the National Pension Scheme, often known as NPS, under the Section 80CCD. This excess deduction of Rs 50,000 on NPS leads to an increase in the total deduction that is allowed under Section 80C and 80CCD which extends to Rs 2 lakhs.
- NPS Contribution That Is Routed Through Employer
Under the corporate model of NPS, an employee has two options to deposit the contribution. One being directly and the other through the contribution of the employer that he/she is working with. If the contribution of the employee to NPS is routed through the employer, the employer’s contribution up to 10 percent of basic salary plus Dearness Allowance (DA) is allowed deduction under the Section 80CCD (2). There happens to be no cap for this deduction, but the total deduction claimed by the employer for the contribution should not exceed 10 percent of the salary.
- Repayment of Home Loan
It will come as a delight to you that the burden of your home loan EMIs can lead to a reduction in the burden of your taxes. You can avail this benefit on both the components of your instalments- the principal amount and the interest. If you are paying for your first house, then you can end up saving an even larger amount of tax. All of these deductions are covered under the Sections 24, Section 80C and also Section 80EE.
- Repayment of Education Loan
The rising costs of the educational courses nowadays is a core reason for people to opt for education loans to finance their child’s higher education. Like the deduction that is available on tuition fees, education loan EMIs also generate tax benefits. Income Tax Act has a distinct provision under the Section 80E so as to provide you with this tax benefit for the interest paid on an education loan, with no upper limit on the same.
- Deduction Under Section 80D
Any person can claim a deduction up to Rs 25,000 if he or she has completed less than 60 years of age, and a deduction of Rs 50,000 if they are above 60 years of age, for the medical insurance premium that is paid for either self or spouse and even children. An additional deduction of Rs 25,000 is also available if the person has bought medical insurance for his or her parents. This specific deduction can go up to Rs 50,000 in case the parents are above the age of 60.
- Deduction Under Section 80DDB
A person can claim a deduction up to Rs 40,000 for the treatment of a certain illness for self and also dependents. This deduction can increase up to Rs 1 lakh in case of senior citizens.
Hope, you take advantage of these tax saving investment options and reduce your tax liability going forward.
