New Income Tax Slab Rates: As per Section 115BAC

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New Income Tax Slab Rates under the optional tax regime :

As per Budget 2020 the individual and HUF taxpayers including

Those aged less than 60 years
60-80 Years and (senior citizens)
Aged 80 & above (super-senior citizens)
Non residents

Are allowed to make a choice of income tax slab on the basis of which they will like to pay taxes from FY 2020-21. To know more about the existing tax slab and the new optional tax slabs introduced under section 115BAC let read further

Income Tax Slab from FY 2020-21	Tax Rate under the optional tax regime	Existing Tax Rate
Upto Rs 2.5 Lakhs	Exempt	Exempt
Rs 2.5- Rs 5 Lakhs	5%	5%
Rs 5- Rs 7.5 Lakhs	10%	20%
Rs 7.5 -Rs 10 Lakhs	15%	20%
Rs 10 - Rs 12.5 Lakhs	20%	30%
Rs 12.5 - Rs 15 Lakhs	25%	30%
Above Rs 15 Lakhs	30%	30%

After the Budget 2020 people are getting confused that there will be no tax on an income upto Rs.5 lakh. Which is partially true. The basic exemption limit has still been kept unchanged i.e. there will be no tax upto Rs 2.5lakhs for an individual/HUF. But, if the income of such taxpayer does not exceed Rs 5 lakhs then no tax would be payable after availing the benefit of rebate u/s 87A.
As soon as your taxable income crosses the threshold of Rs 5lakhs the benefit u/s 87A will not be available and tax would be payable at 5% for the income above Rs 2.5 lakhs but upto Rs 5lakhs. Let us understand this with the help of an example

Particulars	Existing Tax Rate FY 2020-21	Existing Tax Rate FY 2020-21	New Optional Tax Rate FY 2020-21	New Optional Tax Rate FY 2020-21
Taxable Income	5,00,000	6,00,000	5,00,000	6,00,000
Less: Basic Exemption Limit	2,50,000	2,50,000	2,50,000	2,50,000
Taxable income after basic exemption limit	2,50,000	3,50,000	2,50,000	3,50,000
Tax Rate	@5% on Rs 2,50,000	@5% on Rs 2,50,000 + @20% on Rs 1,00,000	@5% on Rs 2,50,000	@5% on Rs 2,50,000 + @10% on Rs 1,00,000
Tax Computed	12,500	32,500	12,500	22,500
Less: Rebate u/s 87A	12,500	-	12,500	-
Tax Payable*	-	32,500	-	22,500

*The above calculations are excluding cess.

What are the conditions to be Fulfilled for Lower Tax Rate

This option can be taken by the individual or the HUF who has no business income.
The option once exercised for a previous year shall be valid for that previous year and all subsequent years.
The option shall become invalid for a previous year or previous years, as the case may be, if the Individual or HUF fails to satisfy the conditions and other applicable provisions of the Act.
Option is also available for persons having the business income subject to certain conditions.

List of Income Tax Deductions & Exemption not available

The person opting for the new scheme under section 115BAC shall not be entitled to the following exemptions/ deductions:

(i) Leave travel concession u/s section 10(5);
(ii) House rent allowance u/s section 10(13A);
(iii) Some of the allowance as contained in section 10(14);
(iv) Allowances to MPs/MLAs as contained in section 10(17);
(v) Allowance for the income of minor as contained in section 10(32);
(vi) Exemption for SEZ unit contained in section 10AA;
(vii) The standard deduction, a deduction for entertainment allowance and employment/professional tax as contained in section 16;
(viii) Interest under section 24 in respect of self-occupied or vacant property referred to in sub-section (2) of section 23. (Loss under the head income from house property for the rented house shall not be allowed to be set off under any other head and would be allowed to be carried forward as per extant law);
(ix) Additional depreciation under section 32(1)(iia);
(x) Deductions under section 32AD, 33AB, 33ABA;
(xi) Various deduction for donation for or expenditure on scientific research contained in section 35(2AA) or 35(1)(ii) or (iia) or (iii);
(xii) Deduction under section 35AD or section 35CCC;
(xiii) Deduction from family pension under section 57(iia);
(xiv) Any deduction under chapter VIA (like section 80C, 80CCC, 80CCD, 80D, 80DD, 80DDB, 80E, 80EE, 80EEA, 80EEB, 80G, 80GG, 80GGA, 80GGC, 80IA, 80-IAB, 80-IAC, 80-IB, 80-IBA, etc). However, deduction under section 80CCD(2) (employer contribution on account of the employee in notified pension scheme) and section 80JJAA (for new employment) can be claimed.
(xv) It is also proposed to amend rule 3 of the Rules subsequently, so as to remove an exemption in respect of free food and beverage through vouchers provided to the employee, being the person exercising option under the proposed section, by the employer.

Allowances Allowed under new option

Only following under section 10(14) are allowed to the Individual or HUF :

(a) Transport Allowance granted to a divyang employee to meet the expenditure for the purpose of commuting between place of residence and place of duty.
(b) Conveyance Allowance granted to meet the expenditure on conveyance in performance of duties of an office;
(c) Any Allowance granted to meet the cost of travel on tour or on transfer;
(d) Daily Allowance to meet the ordinary daily charges incurred by an employee on account of absence from his normal place of duty.

Which income tax slab is applicable for FY 2020-21 (AY 2021-22)?

For the FY 2020-21 (AY 2021-22) the taxpayer can choose amongst the old and new tax regime.The new optional tax regime has reduced income tax rate but without benefit of deductions and allowances and the existing tax slabs can be used with the benefits of deductions and exemptions. Let’s get a comparative study of the pros and cons of both tax slabs available to the taxpayer

	OPTION I: OLD TAX SLABS	OPTION II: NEW TAX REGIME
Applicability	Applicable to Individual, HUF, AOP, BOI, AJP	Individual & HUF
Chapter VI A Deductions	Available	Not available except 80CCD(2), 80JJAA,
Allowances and Exemptions	Available	Not available as specified
Suitable for	Taxpayers who are willing to take benefit of allowances like HRA, LTA etc and have contributions to PPF, LIC, PF, Home Loan repayment, donations, medical policies, NPS and other eligible tax saving instruments etc	Those who do not have tax-saving investments / exemptions and are not willing to make the same anytime sooner. Normally more suitable for New employees, low tax bracket earners or senior citizens willing to have greater liquidity in hand at the old age.
Rebate u/s 87A	Available	Available
Health & Education Cess	4%	4%
Surcharge	Applicable	Applicable at same rates
Basic Exemption Limit	The basic exemption limit under the old scheme were Rs 2,50,000 for those aged less than 60 years Rs 3,00,000 for senior citizens Rs 5,00,000 for super senior citizens	Under the new tax regime there is only one exemption limit of Rs 2,50,000 which is applicable for both individuals and HUF

How can my tax payable be affected under the new optional income tax regime applicable for FY 2020-21 (AY 2021-22)?

Your tax outflow will be effected in a below-depicted manner under the new tax structure. For calculations, taxable income has been taken after all the deductions and allowances allowed (if any)

Taxable Income for New FY 2020-21	New Tax Rate	Tax Payable	Existing Tax Rate	Tax Payable
Upto 2,50,000	Exempt	-	Exempt	-
From 2,50,001- 5,00,000	5%	12,500	5%	12,500
From 5,00,001-7,50,000	10%	25,000	20%	50,000
From 7,50,001-10,00,000	15%	37,500	20%	50,000
From 10,00,001-12,50,000	20%	50,000	30%	75,000
From 12,50,001-15,00,000	25%	62,500	30%	75,000
Above Rs 15 Lakhs	30%	To be calculated on the basis of income	30%	To be calculated on the basis of income