Income Tax in India - Meaning, Types and Rules 2025

Who Should Pay Income Tax?

In India, taxpayers are required to pay income tax under the old regime based on their age and income:

1. Individuals under 60 must pay tax if their income exceeds Rs.2.5 lakh per year.
2. Senior citizens (aged 60 to 80) also follow the same Rs.2.5 lakh threshold.

Income tax filing (ITR) is mandatory if the total gross income, including the standard deduction, exceeds:

1. Rs.3,00,000 for individuals below 60.
2. Rs.3,00,000 for senior citizens (aged 60 to 80).
3. Rs.5,00,000 for super senior citizens (aged 80 and above).

The entities listed below are also required to pay taxes and file their income tax returns:

• Artificial Judicial Persons
• Corporate firms
• Association of Persons (AOPs)
• Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs)
• Companies
• Local Authorities
• Body of Individuals (BOIs)

Taxpayers and Income Tax Slab Rates

In the Union Budget 2025, the Finance Minister of India announced changes to the income tax slab for the new regime. However, the new income tax regime is optional, and individuals can opt for it or file their taxes as per the old regime.

Income Tax Slab under New Regime for FY 2025-26

Note: New income tax rates are optional

Income Tax Slab (Old Regime) for Individuals Below 60 Years

*An additional cess of 4% will apply to the tax amount calculated above.

Income Tax Slabs for Senior and Super Senior Citizens

Senior and Super Senior Citizens Income Tax Slabs as Follows:

For Individuals Below 60 Years & Senior Citizens (Below 80 Years)

For Individuals Aged 80 Years or Above

Note:

Depending on the age of the individual, the three categories that individual resident taxpayers are divided into are mentioned below:

1. Individuals who are less than the age of 60 years old.

1. Senior citizens who are above 60 and below 80 years of age.

1. Super senior citizens who are above 80 years old

Income Tax Rules in India

The legislature enacted the Income Tax Act of 1961 to administer and govern income tax in the country. Still, the Income Tax Rules, 1962, were created to help in applying and enforcing the law constituted in the Act. Moreover, the Income Tax Rules can only be read with the Income Tax Act.

The Income Tax Rules are within the framework of the Income Tax Act and are not allowed to override its provisions.

What are the Different Types of Income?

In India, every individual, regardless of their residency status (whether a resident or non-resident), is obligated to pay income tax on their earned or received income. To facilitate a systematic classification, the Income Tax Department has delineated income into five distinct heads, each encompassing specific sources:

1. Property Income - This category includes income generated from renting a residential property. Individuals earning rental income are subject to taxation under this head.
2. Salary Income - Income derived from employment, including salaries and pensions, is classified under this head. Tax liabilities arise from earnings related to one's employment.

1. Business or Professional Income - Self-employed individuals, freelancers, businesses, contractors, and professionals like life insurance agents, chartered accountants, doctors, lawyers, and tuition teachers with independent practices fall under this head. Profits generated from these endeavors are taxable.
2. Capital Gain Income - Surplus income generated from the sale of capital assets like stocks, mutual funds, or real estate is taxable under this type of income.
3. Income from Other Sources - Income earned as interest from savings bank account, fixed deposits, and lottery winning are considered as income from other sources.

Income Tax Return

Income Tax Return (ITR) is a form submitted by Individuals to Income Tax Department about his Income. Here is all you need to know about how to file ITR online. Before you file your taxes, you will need your Form 16, provided by your employer, and any proof of investment. You can compute the tax payable and any refunds for the year.

Once you have all the documents ready, you can start the Income tax return filing process.

For MSMEs and professionals, the next-generation common IT form has been introduced; if their cash receipts are less than 5%, presumptive tax limitations have been raised to Rs 3 crore (turnover) and Rs. 75 lakh (income).

E-filing of Income Tax

E-filing your return has apparent advantages like you won't have to deal with the hassle of paperwork and waste time sorting through it all. You can log on to the secure website and e-file your return.

E-Filing Income Tax Returns, TDS returns, AIR returns, and Wealth Tax Returns can be completed online at https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in. 

This government website also has provisions for you to submit returns, view form 26AS, outstanding tax demand, CPC refund status, rectification status, ITR - V receipt status, online application tools for PAN and TAN, e-pay your tax and even has tax calculator.

Income Tax Calculation

Income tax calculation can be done manually or using an online income tax calculator. The amount of tax that must be paid will depend on the tax slab under which you fall. A salaried employee's income includes basic pay, House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, Special Allowance, and other allowances.

However, specific components of your salary are tax-exempt, like Leave Travel Allowance (LTA), reimbursement of telephone bills, etc. If HRA is part of your salary and you reside in a rented house, you can claim an exemption. Apart from these exemptions, there is a standard deduction of up to Rs.75,000.

Advance Tax

Calculating tax liability beforehand and paying the taxes to the government accordingly is called advance tax. There are specific deadlines for the advance tax payments. These deadlines are listed below:

Important Income Tax Dates 2025

Income Tax Filing Due Dates for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26) are mentioned in the table below:

Income Tax Payment Details

Taxpayers can pay direct taxes online by using the e-Payment facility. To avail online tax payment facility, taxpayers must have a net-banking account with an authorized bank. The Permanent Account Number (PAN) or Tax Deduction and Collection Number (TAN) will also have to be provided for validation.

Income Tax Act

Passed in 1961, the Income Tax Act of India handles all income tax provisions as well as any tax deductions that may be applicable. Since its introduction, there have been many changes to the law because of economic situations and inflation.

Income Tax Collection

The government collects taxes in three primary ways:

• Voluntary taxpayer payments into designated banks, like Advance tax & self-assessment tax.
• Taxes Deducted at Source (TDS) which is deducted from your monthly salary before you receive it.
• Taxes Collected at Source (TCS).

Under the Department of Revenue of the Ministry of Finance, the Income Tax Department (IT Department) handles monitoring the collection of Income Tax, Expenditure Tax, and various other Financial Acts that are passed every year in the Union Budget.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) regulates the policy and planning of taxes. CBDT is also responsible for administering direct tax laws through the IT Department.

Besides collecting taxes, the IT department is also involved in preventing and detecting tax avoidance.

Income Tax Forms List

  If an individual needs to claim an income tax refund, they must first file the income tax return. Depending on the income assessment group, the individual will need to submit one of the ITR forms listed below:

To file the ITR, an individual must produce the bank statement, Form 16, and a copy of the previous year's returns. To register and file the returns, the individual must visit the Income Tax Department's website - https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/.

Income Tax Refund FY 2024-25

If you have paid more tax than your actual tax liability, you can claim an income tax refund of the extra money you have paid.

For example, if your TDS liability for FY 2024-2025 was Rs.35,000 and your employer deducted Rs.40,000 instead, you can claim a refund for the additional Rs.5,000 that was deducted.

You can also claim an income tax refund in case you forgot to declare your tax-saving investments and tax has been charged to you without considering your deductions. Individuals can check income tax refund status on the official website of Income Tax Department.

Income Tax Saving Investments

Declaring investments - From HRA, Life Insurance Premiums, National Savings Certificate, Leave Travel Allowance to Fixed Deposit (minimum of 5 years), ELSS Tax Saving Mutual Funds, and more, by ensuring that you have declared all your investments, you can achieve more deductions on tax.

The following options can be considered for saving on income tax:

Best Tax-Saving Investment Options Under Section 80C

Mutual funds such as Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) can be claimed for tax deduction under Section 80C. Compared to fixed deposits and PPFs, the ELSS offers a shorter lock-in period and more benefits when making money. Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIP) are insurance schemes linked to the market. The investment made under ULIP qualifies for tax deductions.

How Insurance Helps in Saving Income Tax

Life Insurance and Health Insurance - The money paid towards life insurance and health insurance policies is considered for tax deductions under Section 80C.

Education Loan Deduction

Under Section 80E, deduction for interest paid on a loan taken for higher education. No limit on claiming this deduction.

Home Loan Deductions under Income Tax

When we take a loan for buying a house or for renovation purposes, we are eligible for tax deductions up to Rs.1.5 lakh for a financial year. However, there are no tax exemptions allowed on personal loans.

Deduction for Interest Income

Under Section 80TTA, deduction for interest on deposits from banks. Individuals can claim up to Rs.10,000 deduction under this section.

You can also consider the following options for reducing tax amount on your income.

1. Fixed Deposits (FD): An FD  with a lock-in period of five years can help you save on tax while earning interest on the deposited amount.
2. National Saving Certificate (NSC): The NSC  offers a safe and reliable investment method. You can deposit as low as Rs.100 for a 5-10 year lock-in period. The investments made under NSC are eligible for tax deductions.
3. Provident Fund (PF): You can also choose to invest more towards your PF account, which will help you reduce your taxable amount.

Income Tax Deduction Section List

Deductions for your taxable amount are available under various sections of the Income Tax Act 1961. Deductions must be mentioned in the appropriate ITR form when e-filing income tax returns.

1. Section 80C: Deductions under this section are only available to individuals and HUF. This section allows certain investments like NSC, etc. and expenditures to be exempt from taxation up to Rs.1.5 lakh.
2. Section 80CCC: Deductions under this section are on payments made to LIC or any other approved insurance company under an approved pension plan. The pension policy must be up to Rs.1.5 lakh and be taken for the individual himself out of the taxable income.
3. Section 80CCD: Deductions under this section are for contributions to the New Pension Scheme by the assessee and the employer. The deduction equals the contribution, not exceeding 10% of his salary. The total deduction available under Section 80C, 80CCC and 80CCD is Rs.1.5 lakh. However, contributions to the Notified Pension Scheme under Section 80CCD are not considered in the Rs.1.5 lakh limit.
4. Section 80D: This is the section that deals with income tax deductions on health insurance premiums paid. In the case of individuals, the insurance policy can be taken to cover himself, his spouse, dependent children - for up to Rs.15,000 and parents (whether dependent or not) - for up to Rs.15,000.
   An additional deduction of Rs.5,000 is applicable if the insured is a senior citizen. In the case of HUF, any member can be insured, and the general deduction will be for up to Rs.15,000 and an additional deduction of Rs.5,000.A total of Rs.2.0 lakh can be claimed as deductions whether the assessee is an individual or a HUF.
   
5. Section 80DDB: This section is for deductions on medical expenses that arise for treatment of a disease or ailment as specified in the rules (11DD) for the assessee, a family member or any member of a HUF.
6. Section 80E: This section deals with the deductions applicable to the interest paid on education loans for education in India.
7. Section 80EE: This section deals with tax savings applicable to first-time homeowners. Section 80EE applies to individuals whose first home purchased has a value less than Rs.40 lakh and the loan taken for Rs.25 lakh or less.
8. Section 80RRB: Deductions with respect to income by way of royalties or patents can be claimed under this section. Income tax can be saved up to Rs.3.0 lakh for patents registered under the Patents Act 1970.
9. Section 80TTA: This section deals with the tax savings applicable on interest earned in savings bank accounts, post offices or cooperative societies. Individuals and HUFs can claim a deduction on an interest income of up to Rs.10,000.
10. Section 80U:  This section deals with the flat deduction on income tax that applies to disabled people when they produce their disability certificate. Up to Rs. 1.0 lakh can be non-taxed, depending on the severity of the disability.
11. Section 24: This section deals with the interest paid on housing loans that are exempt from taxation. An amount of up to Rs.2.0 lakh can be claimed as deductions per year, in addition to the deductions under Sections 80C, 80CCF and 80D. This is only for self-occupied properties. Properties rented out, 30% of rent received, and municipal taxes paid are eligible for tax exemption.