Rebate under section 87A – a general overview

A new section by Finance bill 2013 has been introduced for Income Tax Deduction of Rs. 2000/- for Assessment Year 2014-15. This rebate can be availed Tax payer/Assessee under section 87A. It is necessary to read clauses 19 and 20 of the bill to make it more clear-  Clauses 19 and 20 of the Bill seek to amend section 87 and insert a new section 87A in the Income-tax Act relating to rebate of income-tax in case of certain individuals. The proposed new section 87A seeks to provide that an assessee, being an individual resident in India, whose total income does not exceed five lakh rupees, shall be entitled to a deduction, from the amount of income-tax (as computed before allowing the deductions under Chapter VIII of the Income-tax Act) on his total income with which he is chargeable for any assessment year, of an amount equal to hundred per cent of such income-tax or an amount of two thousand rupees, whichever is less. Consequential amendments have been proposed in section 87, so as to provide reference to proposed new section 87A. From when will these be applicable? These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2014 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2014-15 and subsequent assessment years. Who is eligible for the benefit? This Rebate has been especially introduced for individuals. Further, Non Resident individuals have been kept outside the purview of this amendment. Also, rebate benefit is not applicable to a super senior citizen, since he is already fully exempted up to Rs. 5 lakh. What if my income does not exceed the minimum taxable limit? In such cases, there is no question of claiming rebate as no tax a payable in the first place. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Feel free to write to us,at [info@taxmantra.com] or call us at +91 88208208 11.