ITR Filing Guide: How to Claim Zero Tax Liability Under Section 87A

Understanding the nuances of the new and old tax regimes is crucial for taxpayers aiming to minimize their tax burden. While many confuse the basic exemption limit with tax-free income, the real secret to paying zero tax lies in the Section 87A rebate.

Understanding the Section 87A Rebate

The Section 87A rebate is a mechanism designed to provide tax relief to resident individuals whose total taxable income falls below specific thresholds. It is important to note that the rebate is applied after the tax is calculated according to the applicable slabs but before the addition of the health and education cess.

Essentially, the rebate reduces your calculated tax liability to zero, provided your income remains within the prescribed limits. This is distinct from the basic exemption limit; for instance, under the new regime, the basic exemption is ₹4 lakh, but the rebate allows for much higher income levels to remain tax-free.

Zero Tax Limits: New vs. Old Regime

The eligibility for a "zero tax" status differs significantly depending on which regime you choose for the Financial Year 2025-26:

• New Tax Regime: This regime offers much broader relief. Individuals with a total income of up to ₹12 lakh can claim a rebate of up to ₹60,000. This effectively means that if your taxable income is ₹12 lakh or less, your tax liability becomes nil.
• Old Tax Regime: The relief under the old regime is more conservative. A rebate of up to ₹12,500 is available, but it is only applicable to individuals whose total taxable income does not exceed ₹5 lakh.

Marginal Relief: A Safety Net for Higher Earners

One of the most critical features of the new tax regime is "marginal relief." This is designed to protect taxpayers whose income slightly exceeds the ₹12 lakh threshold, ensuring they aren't unfairly penalized by a tax amount that is disproportionately high compared to their extra income.

Jika jumlah pendapatan bercukai anda di bawah ₹12,70,588, peraturan pelepasan marginal memastikan cukai yang anda bayar dihadkan kepada jumlah tepat di mana pendapatan anda melebihi ₹12 lakh. Sebagai contoh, jika pendapatan bercukai anda ialah ₹12,02,000, berbanding membayar jumlah cukai penuh yang dikira, mekanisme pelepasan tersebut akan mengehadkan cukai anda kepada hanya ₹2,000. Walau bagaimanapun, sebaik sahaja pendapatan melebihi ₹12,70,588, pelepasan marginal ini tidak lagi tersedia.

Sekatan dan Perubahan Penting

Pembayar cukai mestilah berwaspada, kerana rebat Seksyen 87A tidak bersifat universal untuk semua jenis pendapatan. Di bawah rejim baharu, rebat tidak boleh dituntut terhadap pendapatan yang dikenakan cukai pada kadar khas, seperti keuntungan modal atau kemenangan loteri. Di bawah rejim lama, walaupun lebih fleksibel, rebat tidak boleh digunakan terhadap keuntungan modal jangka panjang (LTCG) daripada saham ekuiti atau dana berorientasikan ekuiti di bawah Seksyen 112A.

Melihat ke hadapan, pembayar cukai harus mengambil perhatian bahawa Seksyen 87A Akta Cukai Pendapatan, 1961, akan digantikan oleh Seksyen 156 Akta Cukai Pendapatan, 2025, berkuat kuasa dari 1 April 2026.

Ringkasan Utama

• Kelebihan Rejim Baharu: Anda boleh mencapai liabiliti cukai sifar di bawah rejim baharu untuk jumlah pendapatan sehingga ₹12 lakh melalui rebat sebanyak ₹60,000.
• Had Rejim Lama: Rejim lama hanya memberikan manfaat cukai sifar bagi mereka yang mempunyai jumlah pendapatan bercukai sehingga ₹5 lakh.
• Manfaat Pelepasan Marginal: Di bawah rejim baharu, pelepasan marginal melindungi pembayar cukai dengan pendapatan sehingga ₹12,70,588 daripada membayar cukai yang berlebihan apabila mereka melepasi tanda ₹12 lakh sedikit sahaja.