Introduction
Investing your hard-earned money can be a smart move to ensure financial stability for the future. While there are several investment options available in the market, not all of them offer tax benefits. The government of India has introduced several tax-saving schemes to encourage individuals to invest in specific financial instruments. Among these, Section 80C, 80CCC, and 80CCD are some of the most popular options that offer tax-saving benefits to the taxpayers. In this blog, we will discuss these sections in detail.
Section 80C:
Section 80C is one of the most popular sections that offer tax-saving benefits to taxpayers. Under this section, taxpayers can claim a deduction of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh on their taxable income. This deduction is available for investments made in various financial instruments such as Public Provident Fund (PPF), Equity Linked Saving Scheme (ELSS), National Savings Certificate (NSC), Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP), Tax-Saving Fixed Deposits (FD), and more.
Apart from the investments mentioned above, taxpayers can also claim a deduction on their home loan principal repayment, tuition fees paid for their children’s education, and life insurance premium paid. It is important to note that the total deduction claimed under Section 80C cannot exceed Rs. 1.5 lakh.
Section 80CCC:
Section 80CCC is another tax-saving scheme that offers deductions on the investment made in pension plans. This section allows taxpayers to claim a deduction on the amount invested in a pension plan of an insurance company. The maximum amount of deduction that can be claimed under this section is Rs. 1.5 lakh, and the scheme is applicable to both individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs).
Section 80CCD:
Section 80CCD is a tax-saving scheme introduced by the government to encourage taxpayers to invest in National Pension System (NPS). Under this section, taxpayers can claim a deduction on the amount invested in NPS. The maximum deduction that can be claimed under this section is Rs. 1.5 lakh, and it is applicable to both salaried and self-employed individuals.
The section also has two sub-sections – 80CCD(1) and 80CCD(2). Under 80CCD(1), taxpayers can claim a deduction of up to 10% of their salary or gross income, whichever is lower, if they are contributing towards NPS. On the other hand, under 80CCD(2), taxpayers can claim an additional deduction of up to 10% of their salary, if their employer is contributing towards NPS.
- 80CCD (1) Deduction for NPS: Employee’s contribution under section 80CCD (1) Maximum deduction allowed is least of the following
10% of salary (in case taxpayer is employee)
20& of gross total income (in case of self employed)
Rs 1.5 Lakh ( limit allowed u/s 80C)
- 80CCD (1b) Deduction for NPS: Additional deduction of Rs 50,000 is allowed for amount deposited to NPS account
Contributions to Atal Pension Yojana is also eligible for deduction.
- 80CCD (2) Deduction for NPS: Employers contribution is allowed for deduction upto 10% of basic salary plus dearness allowance under this section. Benefit in this section is allowed only to salaried individuals and not self employed.
It is important to note that overall limit including the subsections for claiming deduction is Rs 1.5 lakh except an additional deduction of Rs 50,000 allowed u/s 80CCD(1b)
Conclusion:
Investing in tax-saving schemes can be an excellent way to save taxes while securing your financial future. Sections 80C, 80CCC, and 80CCD are some of the most popular tax-saving schemes available in India that offer significant benefits to taxpayers. It is essential to understand the terms and conditions of each scheme and choose the one that suits your financial goals and investment needs the most. Always consult a tax professional to make an informed investment decision and maximize your tax savings.
