The much-awaited Budget 2023 was tabled in the Parliament on Wednesday by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Presenting the Budget 2023, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that this Annual Financial Statement has given priority to inclusive development, reaching the last mile, infra and investment, unleashing the potential, green growth, youth, and financial sector. Notably, many experts and surveys were in favour of changing the current Income Tax Slabs. In fact, the Deloitte India survey stated that changing the tax slabs and giving relief to the middle class will bolster India's ambition of attaining a US $5 trillion economy by 2025. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman complied with the studies and demands of the middle class and raised the tax rebate limit to Rs 7 lakh under new tax regime. This means people with income up to Rs 7 lakh per annum will effectively pay no income tax. The Finance Minister also announced a benefit of Rs 52,000 for individuals with Rs 15 lakh per annum income. Now, after the Budget 2023, here's how the new tax slabs look like-
New Tax Slabs after Budget 2023
Rs 0-3 Lakhs - Nil
Rs 3-6 Lakhs - 5%
Rs 6-9 Lakhs - 10%
Rs 9-12 Lakhs - 15%
Rs 12-15 Lakhs - 20%
Above Rs 15 Lakhs - 30%
The New Income Tax Rates are -
— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) February 1, 2023
Rs 0-3 Lakhs - Nil
Rs 3-6 Lakhs - 5%
Rs 6-9 Lakhs - 10%
Rs 9-12 Lakhs - 15%
Rs 12-15 Lakhs - 20%
Above Rs 15 Lakhs - 30%
: @nsitharaman #Budget2023
Furthermore, the Union Budget 2023 has reduced the highest surcharge from 37% to 25%. This means the maximum tax rate is now reduced to 39%. Nirmala Sitharaman further announced that the New Tax Regime will now be the default tax regime.
How did the tax slabs look before Budget 2023?
In India, the income tax department imposes taxes on individual taxpayers based on a slab system. The slab system indicates the different tax rates for different ranges of income. The taxpayers have to pay taxes to the government based on the income slab they are part of. The tax rates go up with an increase in income. The government operates on the basis of this slab system to ensure that the individual is paying a fair share of tax based on their income. Based on their age, the Government of India has divided taxpayers into three categories-
Individuals (aged less than 60 years) including residents and non-residents
Resident Senior citizens (60 to 80 years of age)
Resident Super senior citizens (aged more than 80 years)
Notably, in India, there are two types of tax regimes- Old Tax Regime and New Tax Regime
'No Income Tax till Rs 7 lakh income': FM Sitharaman's big relief for middle class in Budget 2023
The old tax regime taxed citizens
Less than Rs 2.5 lakh - Nil
Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh - 5% (rebate applicable)
Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh - 20%
Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh - 20%
Rs 10 lakh to Rs 12.5 lakh - 30%
Rs 12.5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh - 30%
Over Rs 15 lakh - 30%
It is pertinent to mention here that in 2020, the Centre introduced the new tax regime for the subsequent financial year. (Now, this has changed after Budget 2023)
The new tax regime and taxed citizens (It has changed after Budget 2023-24)
Less than Rs 2.5 lakh - Nil
Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh - 5% (rebate applicable)
Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7.5 lakh - 10%
Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh - 15%
Rs 10 lakh to Rs 12.5 lakh - 20%
Rs 12.5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh - 25%
Over Rs 15 lakh - 30%