Union Budget 2023-24: Finance Bill, 2023 – Rates of Income Tax, Rates of TDS on Salaries and Rebate under Section 87A

FINANCE BILL, 2023

PROVISIONS RELATING TO DIRECT TAXES

Introduction

The provisions of Finance Bill, 2023 (hereafter referred to as “the Bill”), relating to direct taxes seek to amend the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereafter referred to as ‘the Act’), to continue reforms in direct tax system through tax reliefs, removing difficulties faced by taxpayers and rationalization of various provisions.

With a view to achieving the above, the various proposals for amendments are organized under the following heads:—

Rates of Income-tax;
Socio economic welfare measures;
Ease of compliance;
Widening and deepening of tax base/Anti-Avoidance;
Improving compliance and Tax administration;
Rationalisation of Provisions; and
Others

DIRECT TAXES

A. RATES OF INCOME-TAX

I. Rates of income-tax in respect of income liable to tax for the assessment year 2023-24.

In respect of income of all categories of assessee liable to tax for the assessment year 2023-24, the rates of income-tax have either been specified in specific sections of the Act (like section 115BAA or section 115BAB for domestic companies, 115BAC for individual/HUF and 115BAD for cooperative societies) or have been specified in Part I of the First Schedule to the Bill. There is no change proposed in tax rates either in these specific sections or in the First Schedule. The rates provided in sections 115BAA or 115BAB or 115BAC or 115BAD of the Act for the assessment year 2023-24 would be same as already enacted. Similarly, rates laid down in Part III of the First Schedule to the Finance Act, 2022, for the purposes of computation of “advance tax”, deduction of tax at source from “Salaries” and charging of tax payable in certain cases for the assessment year 2023-24 would now become part I of the first schedule. Part III would now apply for the assessment year 2024-25.

(1) Tax rates under section 115BAC—

On satisfaction of certain conditions, as per the provisions of section 115BAC of the Act, an individual or HUF, from assessment year 2021-22 to assessment year 2023-24, has the option to pay tax in respect of the total income at following rates:

Total Income (Rs)	Rate
Up to 2,50,000	Nil
From 2,50,001 to 5,00,000	5%
From 5,00,001 to 7,50,000	10%
From 7,50,001 to 10,00,000	15%
From 10,00,001 to 12,50,000	20%
From 12,50,001 to 15,00,000	25%
Above 15,00,000	30%

2. With effect from assessment year 2024-25, it is proposed that the following rates provided under the proposed sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC of the Act shall be the rates applicable for determining the income-tax payable in respect of the total income of a person, being an individual or Hindu undivided family or association of persons [other than a co- operative society], or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or an artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2:–

*Sl.* *No.*	*Total income*	*Rate of tax*
*(1)*	*(2)*	*(3)*
1.	Upto Rs. 3,00,000	Nil
2.	From Rs. 3,00,001 to Rs. 6,00,000	5 per cent.
3.	From Rs. 6,00,001 to Rs.9,00,000	10 per cent.
4.	From Rs. 9,00,001 to Rs. 12,00,000	15 per cent.
5.	From Rs. 12,00,001 to Rs. 15,00,000	20 per cent.
6.	Above Rs. 15,00,000	30 per cent.

3. The above-mentioned rates shall apply to all individual or Hindu undivided family or association of persons [other than a co-operative society], or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or an artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2, unless an option is exercised under proposed sub-section (6) of section 115BAC.

Thus, rates given in sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC of the Act are the default rates. Further, the income-tax payable in respect of the total income of the person [other than a person who has exercised an option under sub-section (6) of section 115BAC], shall be computed without allowing for any exemption or deduction as provided under clause (i) of subsection (2) of section 115BAC of the Act. However, standard deduction as provided under clause (ia) of section 16 of the Act, deduction in respect of income in the nature of family pension as provided under clause (iia) of section 57 of the Act and deduction in respect of the amount paid or deposited in the Agniveer Corpus Fund as proposed to be provided under sub- section (2) section 80CCH of the Act, shall be allowed for the purposes of computing the income chargeable to tax under sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC.

4. If an option is exercised under sub-section (6) of section 115BAC, then nothing contained in sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC shall apply in respect of such The option is required to be exercised, –

(i) on or before the due date specified under sub-section (1) of section 139 of the Act for furnishing the return of income for such assessment year, in case of a person having income from business or profession, and such option once exercised shall apply to subsequent assessment years; or

(ii) along with the return of income to be furnished under sub-section (1) of section 139 of the Act for such assessment year, in case of a person not having income referred to in clause (i)

5. A person having income from business or profession who has exercised the above option of shifting out of the regime provided under the proposed sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC shall be able to exercise the option of opting back to the regime under proposed sub- section (1A) of section 115BAC only once. However, a person not having income from business or profession shall be able to exercise this option every year.

6. In respect of income chargeable to tax under sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC of the Act, the “advance tax” for FY 2023-24 shall be increased by a surcharge, for the purposes of the Union, computed, in the case of every individual or Hindu undivided family or association of persons, or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act,-

(i) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, section 112 and section 112A of the Act) exceeding fifty lakh rupees but not exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of 10% of such “advance-tax”;
(ii) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, section 112 and section 112A of the Act) exceeding one crore rupees but not exceeding two crore rupees, at the rate of 15% of such “advance-tax”; and
(iii) having a total income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, section 112 and section 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees, at the rate of 25% of such “advance-tax”;
(iv) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, section 112 and section 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees, but is not covered under clause (iii) above, at the rate of fifteen per cent. of such “advance-tax”;

(2) Tax rate under section 115BAD and section 115BAE of the Act—

A co-operative society resident in India has the option to pay tax at 22% for assessment year 2021-22 onwards as per the provisions of section 115BAD of the Act, subject to fulfilment of certain conditions.

2. Under proposed new section 115BAE of the Act, a new manufacturing co-operative society set up on or after 01.04.2023, which commences manufacturing or production on or before 31.03.2024 and does not avail of any specified incentive or deductions, may opt to pay tax at a concessional rate of 15% for assessment year 2024-25 onwards. Surcharge would be at 10% on such tax.

(3) Tax rates under Part I of the first schedule applicable for the assessment year 2023-24

A. Individual, HUF, association of persons, body of individuals, artificial juridical Person

Paragraph A of Part-I of First Schedule to the Bill provides following rates of income- tax:—

(i) The rates of income-tax in the case of every individual (other than those mentionedin (ii) and (iii) below) or HUF or every association of persons or body ofindividuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referredto in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act (not being a case to which any other Paragraph of Part III applies) are as under:—

Up to Rs. 2,50,000 – Nil.
Rs. 2,50,001 to Rs.5,00,000 – 5%
Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs.10,00,000 – 20%
Above Rs. 10,00,000 – 30%

(ii) In the case of every individual, being a resident in India, who is of the age of sixty years or more but less than eighty years at any time during the previous year,—

Up to Rs. 3,00,000 – Nil.
Rs. 3,00,001 to Rs.5,00,000 – 5%
Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs.10,00,000 – 20%
Above Rs. 10,00,000 – 30%

(ii) in the case of every individual, being a resident in India, who is of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the previous year,—

Up to Rs.5,00,000 – Nil.
Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs.10,00,000 -20%
Above Rs 10,00,000 – 30%

B. Co-operative Societies

In the case of co-operative societies, the rates of income-tax have been specified in Paragraph B of Part I of the First Schedule to the Bill. They remain unchanged at (10% up to Rs 10,000; 20% between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000; and 30% in excess of Rs 30,000).

C. Firms

In the case of firms, the rate of income-tax has been specified in Paragraph C of Part I of the First Schedule to the Bill. They remain unchanged at 30%

D. Local authorities

The rate of income-tax in the case of every local authority has been specified in Paragraph D of Part I of the First Schedule to the Bill. They remain unchanged at 30%.

E. Companies

The rates of income-tax in the case of companies have been specified in Paragraph E of Part I of the First Schedule to the Bill. In case of domestic company, the rate of income- tax shall be 25% of the total income, if the total turnover or gross receipts of the previous year 2020-21 does not exceed four hundred crore rupees and in all other cases the rate of Income-tax shall be 30% of the total income.

2. In the case of company other than domestic company, the rates of tax are the same as those specified for the FY 2021-22.

(4) Surcharge on income-tax for the assessment year 2023-24

The amount of income-tax shall be increased by a surcharge for the purposes of the Union,—

(a) in the case of every individual or HUF or association of persons, except in a case of an association of persons consisting of only companies as its members, or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act, including an individual or HUF exercising option under section 115BAC, not having any income under section 115AD of the Act,—

(i) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A,112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding fifty lakh rupees but not exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of ten per cent. of such income- tax; and

(ii) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding one crore rupees but not exceeding two crore rupees, at the rate of fifteen per cent. of such income-tax;

(iii) having a total income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees but not exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of twenty-five per cent. of such income-tax;

(iv) having a total income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of thirty-seven per cent. of such income-tax;

(v) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees, but is not covered under clause (iii) or (iv) above, at the rate of fifteen per cent of such income tax:

1.1 It is further provided that in case where the total income includes any income by way of dividend or income chargeable under section 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act, the rate of surcharge on the amount of income-tax computed in respect of that part of income shall not exceed fifteen percent;

1.2 However, surcharge shall be at the rates provided in (i) to (v) above for all category of income without excluding dividend or capital gains in case if the income is taxable under section 115A, 115AB, 115AC, 115ACA and 115E.

(b) in the case of individual or every association of person, except in a case of an association of persons consisting of only companies as its members, or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act having income under section 115AD of the Act,-

(i) having a total income exceeding fifty lakh rupees but not exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of ten per cent of such income-tax; and

(ii) having a total income exceeding one crore rupees but not exceeding two crore rupees, at the rate of fifteen per cent of such income-tax;

(iii) having a total income [excluding the income by way of dividend or income of the nature referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 115AD of the Act] exceeding two crore rupees but not exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of twenty-five per cent. of such income-tax;

(iv) having a total income [excluding the income by way of dividend or income of the nature referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 115AD of the Act] exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of thirty-seven per cent. of such income-tax;

(v) having a total income [including the income by way of dividend or income of the nature referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 115AD of the Act] exceeding two crore rupees but is not covered in sub-clauses (iii) and (iv), at the rate of fifteen per cent. of such income-tax:

1.3 It is further provided that in case where the total income includes any income by way of dividend or income chargeable under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 115AD of the Act, the rate of surcharge on the income-tax calculated on that part of income shall not exceed fifteen percent;

(i) at the rate of 10% of such income-tax, where the total income exceeds fifty lakh rupees but does not exceed one crore rupees;
(ii) at the rate of 15% of such income-tax, where the total income exceeds one crore rupees;

(d) in the case of every co-operative society (except resident co-operative society opting under section 115BAD)-

(i) at the rate of 7% of such income-tax, where the total income exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crore rupees;
(ii) at the rate of 12% of such income-tax, where the total income exceeds ten crore rupees;

(e) in the case of every firm or local authority, at the rate of 12% of such income- tax, where the total income exceeds one crore rupees;

(f) in case of resident co-operative society opting under section 115BAD of the Act, at the rate of 10% of such income tax;

(g) in the case of every domestic company, except such domestic company whose income is chargeable to tax under section 115BAA or section 115BAB of the Act,—

(h) in the case of domestic company whose income is chargeable to tax under section 115BAA or 115BAB of the Act, at the rate of 10%;

(i) in the case of every company, other than a domestic company,—

(i) at the rate of two per cent. of such income-tax, where the total income exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crore rupees;
(ii) at the rate of five per cent. of such income-tax, where the total income exceeds ten crore rupees;

(j) In other cases (including sections 92CE, 115QA, 115R, or 115TD of the Act), the surcharge shall be levied at the rate of 12%.

(5) Marginal Relief—

Marginal relief has also been provided in all cases where surcharge is proposed to be imposed.

(6) Health and Education Cess—

For assessment year 2023-24, “Health and Education Cess” is to be levied at the rate of 4% on the amount of income tax so computed, inclusive of surcharge wherever applicable, in all cases. No marginal relief shall be available in respect of such cess.

II. Rates for deduction of income-tax at source during the financial year (FY) 2023- 24 from certain incomes other than “Salaries”.

The rates for deduction of income-tax at source during the FY 2023-24 under the provisions of sections 193, 194A, 194B, 194BB, 194D, 194LBA, 194LBB, 194LBC and 195 have been specified in Part II of the First Schedule to the Bill. The rates will remain the same as those specified in Part II of the First Schedule to the Finance Act, 2022, for the purposes of deduction of income-tax at source during the FY 2022-23. Further, Part II shall now also apply to the proposed section 194BA for deduction of income-tax at source on income by way of winnings from online games at the rate of 30 % being the rate in force.

2. For sections specifying the rate of deduction of tax at source, the tax shall continue to be deducted as per the provisions of these sections.

3. Surcharge—

3.1 The amount of tax so deducted shall be increased by a surcharge,—

(a) in the case of every individual or HUF or association of persons, except in case of an association of persons consisting of only companies as its members, or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act, being a non-resident, calculated,—

(i) at the rate of 10% of such tax, where the income or aggregate of income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds fifty lakh rupees but does not exceed one crore rupees;

(ii) at the rate of 15% of such tax, where the income or aggregate of income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A 112and 112A of the Act) paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed two crore rupees;

(iii) at the rate of 25% of such tax, where the income or aggregate of income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds two crore rupees but does not exceed five crore rupees;

(iv) at the rate of 37% per cent. of such tax, where the income or aggregate of income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds five crore rupees;

(v) at the rate of 15% of such tax, where the income or aggregate of income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A,112 and 112A of the Act) paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds two crore rupees, but is not covered under (iii) and (iv) above

(II) It may be noted that in case where the total income of the individual or HUF or association of persons [except in case of an association of persons consisting of only companies as its members], or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause

(vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act includes any income by way of dividend or income chargeable under section 111A, 112 and section 112A of the Act, the rate of surcharge on the amount of income-tax deducted in respect of that part of income shall not exceed fifteen per cent.

(III) Further, in case where the income of the individual or HUF or association of persons [except in case of an association of persons consisting of only companies as its members], or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act, is chargeable to tax under sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC of the Act, the surcharge at the rate of 37% on the income or aggregate of income of such person (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding five crore rupees shall not be applicable. In such cases the surcharge shall be restricted to 25%.

(b) in the case of an association of persons, being a non-resident, and consisting of only companies as it members,—

(i) at the rate of 10% of such tax, where the income or the aggregate of such incomes paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds fifty lakh rupees but does not exceed one crore rupees;

(ii) at the rate of 15% of such tax, where the income or the aggregate of such incomes paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds one crore rupees;

(i) at the rate of 7% of such tax, where the income or the aggregate of such incomes paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crore rupees;

(ii) at the rate of 12% of such tax, where the income or the aggregate of such incomes paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds ten crore rupees.

(d) in the case of every firm, being a non-resident at the rate of 12% of such tax, where the income or the aggregate of such incomes paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds one crore rupees;

(e) in the case of every company, other than a domestic company, calculated,—

(i) at the rate of 2% of such tax, where the income or the aggregate of such incomes paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crore rupees;

(ii) at the rate of 5% of such tax, where the income or the aggregate of such incomes paid or likely to be paid and subject to the deduction exceeds ten crore rupees.

3.2 No surcharge will be levied on deductions in other cases.

(2) Health and Education Cess—

“Health and Education Cess” shall continue to be levied at the rate of four per cent. of income tax including surcharge wherever applicable, in the cases of persons not resident in India including company other than a domestic company.

III. Rates for deduction of income-tax at source from “Salaries”, computation of “advance tax” and charging of income-tax in special cases during the FY 2023-24 (Assessment Year 2024-25).

The rates for deduction of income-tax at source from “Salaries” or under section 194P of the Act during the FY 2023-24 and also for computation of “advance tax” payable during the said year in the case of all categories of assessee have been specified in Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. These rates are also applicable for charging income-tax during the FY 2023-24 on current incomes in cases where accelerated assessments have to be made, for instance, provisional assessment of shipping profits arising in India to non-residents, assessment of persons leaving India for good during the financial year, assessment of persons who are likely to transfer property to avoid tax, assessment of bodies formed for a short duration, etc. There is no change in the tax rates from last year except for those whose income is chargeable to tax under sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC of the Act. The salient features of the rates specified in the said Part III as well as specific sections of the Act are indicated in the following paragraphs-

A. Individual, HUF, association of persons, body of individuals, artificial juridical person.

The rates provided in sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC of the Act shall be applicable, as default, for determining the income-tax payable in respect of the total income for FY 2023-24 (AY 2024-25), of an individual or Hindu undivided family or association of persons [other than a co-operative society], or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or an artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2. These rates are given in the following table.

*Sl. No.*	*Total income*	*Rate of tax*
*(1)*	*(2)*	*(3)*
1.	Upto Rs. 3,00,000	Nil
2.	From Rs. 3,00,001 to Rs. 6,00,000	5 per cent.
3.	From Rs. 6,00,001 to Rs.9,00,000	10 per cent.
4.	From Rs. 9,00,001 to Rs. 12,00,000	15 per cent.
5.	From Rs. 12,00,001 to Rs. 15,00,000	20 per cent.
6.	Above Rs. 15,00,000	30 per cent.

2. However, if such person exercises the option under the proposed sub-section (6) of section 115BAC of the Act, the rates as provided in Part III of the First Schedule shall be

3. Paragraph A of Part-III of First Schedule to the Bill provides following rates of income-tax:—

(i) The rates of income-tax in the case of every individual (other than those mentioned in (ii) and (iii) below) or HUF or every association of persons or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act (not being a case to which any other Paragraph of Part III applies) are as under:—

Upto Rs.2,50,000 Nil.
Rs. 2,50,001 to Rs.5,00,000 5%
Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs.10,00,000 20%
Above Rs10,00,000 30%

(ii) In the case of every individual, being a resident in India, who is of the age of sixty years or more but less than eighty years at any time during the previous year,—

Upto Rs.3,00,000 Nil.
Rs. 3,00,001 to Rs.5,00,000 5%
Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs.10,00,000 20%
Above Rs10,00,000 30%

(iii) in the case of every individual, being a resident in India, who is of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the previous year,—

Upto Rs.5,00,000 Nil.
Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs.10,00,000 20%
Above Rs10,00,000 30%

4. The amount of income-tax computed in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Paragraph (including capital gains under section 111A, 112 and 112A), shall be increased by a surcharge at the rate of,—

(a) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding fifty lakh rupees but not exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of 10% of such income-tax;

(b) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of 15% of such income-tax;

(c) having a total income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees but not exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of 25% of such income-tax;

(d) having a total income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of 37% of such income-tax;

(e) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, 112 and section 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees, but is not covered under clauses (c) and (d), shall be applicable at the rate of 15% of such income-tax:

4.1 Provided that in case where the total income includes any income by way of dividend or income chargeable under section 111A, section 112 and section 112A of the Act, the rate of surcharge on the amount of income-tax computed in respect of that part of income shall not exceed fifteen percent.

4.2 Provided further that in case of an association of persons consisting of only companies as its members, the rate of surcharge on the amount of income-tax shall not exceed fifteen per cent.

4.3 Further, for person whose income is chargeable to tax under sub-section (1A) of section115BAC of the Act, the surcharge at the rate 37% on the income or aggregate of income of such person (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding five crore rupees shall not be applicable. In such cases the surcharge shall be restricted to 25%. Further, in case of such persons, the surcharge on income chargeable to tax under Chapter XII or Chapter XII-A shall also be restricted to 25%.

5. Marginal relief is provided in cases of surcharge.

B. Co-operative Societies

In the case of co-operative societies, the rates of income-tax have been specified in Paragraph B of Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. These rates will continue to be the same as those specified for FY 2022-23. The amount of income-tax shall be increased by a surcharge at the rate of 7% of such income-tax in case the total income of a co-operative society exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crore rupees. Surcharge at the rate of 12% of shall continue to be levied in case of a co-operative society having a total income exceeding ten crore rupees.

2. Marginal relief is provided in cases of surcharge.

3. On satisfaction of certain conditions, a co-operative society resident in India shall have the option to pay tax at 22 per cent. as per the provisions of section 115BAD. Surcharge would be at 10% on such tax. Further, under proposed new section 115BAE of the Act, a new manufacturing co-operative society set up on or after 01.04.2023, which commences manufacturing or production on or before 31.03.2024 and does not avail of any specified incentive or deductions, may opt to pay tax at a concessional rate of 15% for assessment year 2024-25 onwards. Surcharge would be at 10% on such tax.

C. Firms

In the case of firms, the rate of income-tax has been specified in Paragraph C of Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. This rate will continue to be the same as that specified for FY 2022-23. The amount of income-tax shall be increased by a surcharge at the rate of 12% of such income-tax in case of a firm having a total income exceeding one crore rupees. However, the total amount payable as income-tax and surcharge on total income exceeding one crore rupees shall not exceed the total amount payable as income-tax on a total income of one crore rupees by more than the amount of income that exceeds one crore rupees.

D. Local authorities

The rate of income-tax in the case of every local authority has been specified in Paragraph D of Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. This rate will continue to be the same as that specified for the FY 2022-23. The amount of income-tax shall be increased by a surcharge at the rate of 12% of such income-tax in case of a local authority having a total income exceeding one crore rupees. However, the total amount payable as income-tax and surcharge on total income exceeding one crore rupees shall not exceed the total amount payable as income-tax on a total income of one crore rupees by more than the amount of income that exceeds one crore rupees.

E. Companies

The rates of income-tax in the case of companies have been specified in Paragraph E of Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. In case of domestic company, the rate of income-tax shall be 25% of the total income, if the total turnover or gross receipts of the previous year 2021-22 does not exceed four hundred crore rupees and where the companies continue in section 115BA regime. In all other cases the rate of income-tax shall be 30% of the total income. However, domestic companies also have an option to opt for taxation under section 115BAA or section 115BAB of the Act on fulfillment of conditions contained therein. The tax rate is 15% in section 115BAB and 22% in section 115BAA. Surcharge is 10% in both cases.

2. In the case of company other than domestic company, the rates of tax are the same as those specified for the FY 2022-23.

3. Surcharge at the rate of 7% shall continue to be levied in case of a domestic company (except those opting for taxation under section 115BAA and section 115BAB of the Act), if the total income of the domestic company exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crore rupees. Surcharge at the rate of 12% shall continue to be levied, if the total income of the domestic company (except those opting for taxation under section 115BAA and section 115BAB of the Act) exceeds ten crore rupees.

4. In case of companies other than domestic companies, the existing surcharge of 2% shall continue to be levied, if the total income exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crore rupees. Surcharge at the rate of 5% shall continue to be levied, if the total income of the company other than domestic company exceeds ten crore rupees.

5. Marginal relief is provided in surcharge in all cases.

6. In other cases [including sub-section (2A) of section 92CE, 115QA, 115R, or 115TD], the surcharge shall be levied at the rate of 12%

7. For FY 2023-24, additional surcharge called the “Health and Education Cess on income-tax” shall be levied at the rate of 4% on the amount of tax computed, inclusive of surcharge (wherever applicable), in all cases. No marginal relief shall be available in respect of such cess.

8. For the newly inserted provision 115BBJ, tax rate is provided in the section itself and surcharge shall be levied based on status of the taxpayer as is otherwise applicable to such taxpayer.

IV. Rebate under section 87A

Under the provisions of section 87A of the Act, an assessee, being an individual resident in India, having total income not exceeding Rs 5 lakh, is provided a rebate of 100 per cent of the amount of income-tax payable i.e., an individual having income till Rs 5 lakh is not required to pay any income-tax.

2. From assessment year 2024-25 onwards, an assessee, being an individual resident in India whose income is chargeable to tax under the proposed sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC, shall now be entitled to a rebate of 100 per cent of the amount of income-tax payable on a total income not exceeding Rs 7 lakh.

[Clause 2, 43, 50, 52, 55, 56 & the First Schedule]

Source: Income Tax (Click here to read/download the full pdf)