New Direct Tax Code from April 1, 2012


The government on Monday introduced Direct Taxes Code (DTC), offering much lower benefits than in the original proposal. The new code would now be applicable from April 1, 2012, instead of next year as earlier proposed by the finance minister.



The Bill seeks to increase tax exemption on income from Rs. 1.6 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh and fix the corporate tax at a flat 30 per cent. As per the Bill, income from Rs. 2-5 lakh will be taxed at 10 per cent; Rs. 5-10 lakh at 20 per cent and 30 per cent thereafter.



The changes, when they take effect, will help save up to Rs. 41,040 for people earning more than Rs. 10 lakh a year. The exemption on savings and payment of interest up to Rs. 1.5 lakh on housing loan have been retained in the proposed DTC Bill. (See: Tax payers can save up to Rs. 41,040 annually)



Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee tabled the Bill in the Lok Sabha and it has been referred to select committee of Parliament for scrutiny. Similarly, the exemption limit for senior citizens, is sought to be raised marginally to Rs. 2.5 lakh from Rs. 2.40 lakh now.



Currently, income from Rs. 1.6-5 lakh attracts 10 per cent tax; from Rs. 5-8 lakh, 20 per cent and beyond Rs. 8 lakh, 30 per cent. The proposed tax slabs are much lower than originally suggested in the draft DTC bill -- 10 per cent for Rs. 1.6 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh, 20 per cent from Rs. 10-25 lakh and 30 per cent for income above Rs. 30 lakh.



According to estimates, an individual tax payer earning more than Rs. 10 lakh would save up to Rs. 41,040 annually. The legislation also proposes to increase MAT from 18 per cent to 20 per cent of book profit of a company. It seeks to levy dividend distribution tax at 15 per cent. When enacted, DTC will replace archaic Income Tax Act.