'No new change coming in': Finance ministry clears confusion over new tax regime in 6-point note

The Union Budget's income tax proposals come into effect from today. The finance ministry on Monday in a post in X cleared the confusion over the new tax regime, which has low rates but fewer exemptions and deductions. 

Here's what it wrote:

It has come to notice that misleading information related to new tax regime is being spread on some social media platforms. It is therefore clarified that:

-- There is no new change which is coming in from 01.04.2024. 

-- The new tax regime under section 115BAC(1A) was introduced in the Finance Act 2023, as compared to the existing old regime (without exemptions) (SEE TABLE BELOW)

-- New tax regime is applicable for persons other than companies and firms, is applicable as a default regime from the Financial Year 2023-24 and the Assessment Year corresponding to this is AY 2024-25. 

-- Under the new tax regime, the tax rates are significantly lower, though the benefit of various exemptions and deductions (other than standard deduction of Rs. 50,000 from salary and Rs. 15,000 from family pension) is not available, as in the old regime. 

-- New tax regime is the default tax regime, however, tax payers can choose the tax regime (old or new) that they think is beneficial to them. 

-- Option for opting out from the new tax regime is available till filing of return for the AY 2024-25. Eligible persons without any business income will have the option to choose the regime for each financial year. So, they can choose new tax regime in one financial year and old tax regime in another year and vice versa.

The income tax slabs as per the new tax regime are as follows:

Income from ₹0 to ₹3,00,000: 0% tax rate
Income from ₹3,00,001 to ₹6,00,000: 5%
Income from ₹6,00,001 to ₹9,00,000: 10%
Income from ₹9,00,001 to ₹12,00,000: 15%
Income from ₹12,00,001 to ₹15,00,001: 20%
Income above ₹15,00,000: 30%