How can Income tax be saved by NPS

The National Pension System is the financial products. Tax payers can use it to reduce their tax outgo and can invest in it to save for their retirement as well.

The Investment made in the National Pension System(NPS) scheme offers tax-breaks under three section of the Income tax 1961 Act. AT the time of investment, the tax-saving benefit can be claimed under

1. Section 80CCD(1)
2. Section 80CCD(2)
3. Section 80CCD(1b)

Section 80CCD (1)

Tax-benefit under section 80CCD (1) is available on an individual’s self-contributions to the NPS Tier-I account. Currently, an individual can claim tax benefit on a maximum self contribution of Rs 1.5 lakh in a financial year to the Tier-I account. The amount so deposited up to Rs. 1.5 lakh can be claimed as deduction from gross total income before tax, thereby reducing the tax liaility.

Therefore, if you have deposited more than Rs 1.5 lakh, say Rs 2 lakh, in your Tier-I NPS account, then you will be able to claim tax benefit on Rs 1.5 lakh only as per income tax laws. Remember, there is no limit on the maximum amount that can be deposited in the Tier-I NPS account.

This deduction comes under the overall limit of section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Current income tax laws allow maximum deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh on aggregate basis for the investment and expenditure incurred under sections 80C, 80CCC and 80CCD (1). Therefore, if you claim deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh under section 80CCD (1) , then you cannot claim deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh under section 80C simultaneously.

Section 80CCD(2)

Tax benefit under 80CCD (2) can be claimed by the individual when the employer deposits the money on behalf of the individual in his/her NPS Tier-I account. According to current income tax laws, the employer can deposit a maximum of 10 per cent of the individual’s salary. Salary here means basic salary plus dearness allowance. Remember, there is no maximum restriction on how much can be deposited as long as it does not breach the 10 percent limit.

Here also, the amount deposited by the employer can be claimed as deduction from gross total income before tax thereby reducing taxable income and consequently the tax payable. Remember, the tax benefit under section 80CCD (2) is over and above the section 80CCD (1).

Section 80CCD(1b)

Apart from the above mentioned tax-saving benefits, an individual can claim deduction under 80CCD (1b) for a maximum of Rs 50,000 in a financial year. This additional deduction was introduced in the financial year 2015-16.

The additional tax benefit of Rs 50,000 is over and above tax-break under section 80CCD (1) and 80CCD (2). The amount deposited can be claimed as deduction from gross total income before computing the tax liability.

For government employees

From FY 2019-20 onwards, government employees have an option to invest in NPS Tier -II account with a lower lock-in period. A government employee can invest maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh in the Tier-II account of NPS to claim tax benefit under section 80C. Unlike lock-in period till the age of retirement, the investment made in Tier-II account of NPS under section 80C comes with a lock-in period of three years.

The tax benefit for Tier-II NPS account is not available for non-government employ .

Conclusion

 Section 80C of the Income Tax Act offers choice of various specified investment products in which one can invest and save tax. However, while making investments to save tax, one should link their tax-saving investments to their money goals.

NPS comes with a long lock-in period and certain conditions regarding partial withdrawal. In case an urgent monetary need arises, then you might not be able to withdraw from your NPS account except in the specified cases. However, on the other hand, if your goal is saving for retirement, then NPS is one option, apart from EPF that can be looked at.