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Home > Income Tax > Help Center > Indian Budget 2021 Last Updated: Apr 09th 2023

Employee Provident Fund

How new EPF Rule affect your Taxes?

One of the important benefit most employees enjoy is the Employees Provident Fund, as the contributions are tax free after completion of five years of continuous service with assured 8% return. Now Budget 2021 brought a new rule that makes the interest on the contributions after a stated limit is taxable.

Introduction

The Finance Minister has announced in Indian Budget 2021 that the interest on employee contributions will be taxable from April 1 2021. Presently, the interest on Employee Contributions to Provident Fund is fully exempt.


Employee Provident Fund

Employee provident Fund is a savings scheme which is to be used for Post retirement by employee all over the country. The Employer and Employee should Contribute minimum 12% each of basic Salary. Interest will be accumulated on both contributions in EPF account

Refer " Comprehensive Guide on EPF", and its Registration, PF withdrawal process both old and new are explained.

Employee Provident fund Interest Rate

  • The Current interest rate of Employee Provident Fund is 8.1% for FY 2022-23.. This Interest is calculated every month and transferred to Employee provident fund account on 31st March.
  • The Interest rates are pre decided by the Government.

Employer Contribution

Employer Contribution towards EPF is tax exempted up to a certain limit. As per new rule, Employer Contribution to EPF, National Pension Scheme and Superannuation Fund on an aggregate basis exceeds Rs 7.5 lakhs, it would be taxable in the hands of employee.


Employee Contribution

Employee Contribution to PF can be claimed as deduction u/s 80C upto a limit of Rs 1.5 lakhs. If PF is withdrawn at the time of maturity or after five years of continuous service then it is tax exempt.


Key Changes in Budget 2021

Key Changes in Budget 2021 about taxability of Interest on Employee Contribution and how it effects your Salary & Taxes?

  1. If the Employees Contribution to provident fund on or after April 2021exceeds Rs 2.5 lakhs in any year, Interest earned on contribution over Rs 2.5 lakh is Taxable
  2. This rule applicable only to Employee Contribution
  3. This will have impact specifically on High Income Salaried Individuals who usually contribute more than 2.5L
  4. Employees who are contributing in excess (employer's match) will also be effected due to this provision


Key Changes in Budget 2023

Earlier the rate of TDS on taxable EPF withdrawal is 30% in Non-PAN cases. NEW   As per Budget 2023 i.e., w.e.f 1st Apr 2023, TDS rate on EPF withdrawal is reduced to 20%



Indian Budget 2021 Presentation, Analysis

More emphasis on Infrastructure spending, raised customs duty to create jobs. No new changes to Taxes (Income Tax & GST)


more @ Indian Budget 2021 Presentation, Analysis
Indian Budget 2021 Presentation, Analysis

New Vs Old Personal Income Tax Regime from FY 2020-21


Top three observations from the analysis were

  1. New Tax Regime is Good if you want higher take home salary
  2. Higher Deductions Higher Tax Savings with Old Tax Regime
  3. To switch to New Tax Regime, you need to work with your employer

Pictorial analysis on New Vs Old Personal Income Tax Regime

Comparison of Old Personal Income Tax Regime with New one from budget 2020
Top three observations on Old vs New Tax Regime presented in Budget 2020

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Disclaimer: This article provides an overview and general guidance, not exhaustive for brevity. Please refer Income Tax Act, GST Act, Companies Act and other tax compliance acts, Rules, and Notifications for details.