FM Goyal hikes tax free income limit to Rs 5 lakh in Budget

Giving a big boost to the middle class, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday doubled income tax exemption limit to Rs 5 lakh.

FM Goyal announced full tax rebate for income up to Rs 5 lakh in Budget 2019.
“It is a populist/election Budget given ensuing general elections in the country. “No major tax relief except income tax relief for small tax payers, exempting income up to Rs 6.5 lakhs (with Rs 1.5 lakh section 80C tax free investment limit) fully from from tax,” said Sanjay Sanghvi, Tax Partner.

Analysts had earlier warned that any major tinkering with the income-tax rates or provisions before the release of a report on Direct Tax Code scheduled for February 28 would lead to avoidable controversies for the government.

Announcement of ‘e- tax assessment’ without any interface with tax administration, is a significant initiative which will save lots of hardship to taxpayers, he added.