New Direct Tax code 2009 has proposed to tax many benefit, receipts, allowances and perquisites which are either tax free or exemption is available in respect of that. We are discussing here some of these provisions.
• For umpteen years, VRS payment, commuted pension and retirement gratuities, received by employees on retirement have been considered exempt without any conditions. These are now to be considered as salary income and should be subjected to tax, if these are not invested in permitted savings/intermediary in accordance with the scheme framed and prescribed by the central government. Also, the retirees will have to keep such amounts locked in the account indefinitely as any withdrawals made or amounts received, under whatever circumstances from this account, are to be included in the income of the persons.
• A person saves during his service period so that when he retires, the drop in his income may be made up, to some extent, by accumulated savings invested in the manner he thinks appropriate. Also, money may be required to meet the family obligations like marriages of the children, their education, unexpected illness, etc. Once the code comes into force, this would be possible only after the payment of income-tax, which could be as high as 30%. This amounts to autocratic decision-making.
• Under the new Code, the salary will also include, inter-alia, the following:-
• The value of rent-free or concessional accommodation provided by the employer, irrespective of whether the employer is government or any other person. The value of rent-free accommodation is to be determined for all employees in identical way.
• The value of any leave travel concession.
• The amount received on encashment of un-availed earned leave or retirement or otherwise.
• Medical reimbursement.
• The value of free or concessional medical treatment paid for or provided by the employers.
One more measure that is likely to hit salaried employees is the one about self-occupied house. Deduction for interest and principal loan payment that is presently available, is to be withdrawn.
Also, withdrawals from PFs are to be taxed under the exempt-exempt- tax (EET) regime.
Medical reimbursements and medical benefits provided to government employees by employers would be taxable now.
Employer has reimbursed the amount of entitlement and on shortest rout to the point where employee performed the actual journey and paid. Therefore the amount reimbursed is tax free. there is no restriction if the employee perform a journey even a place situated outside India and no extra amount paid by the employer.
One conducted a foreign tour starting from Kolkata-Chennai-Malayasia(Foreign Country)-Cochin-Chennai-Kolkata, Employer has reimbursed the the fare on shortest rout from Kolkata to Cochin. against total expenses of Rs.28000/- reimbursed Rs.22000/-all are economy class plan fare as per entitlement. what will be treatment on perks.
Withdrawal of Deduction for interest and principal loan payment that is presently available is just unjustice and an hindrant to the development of an individual. It is against the mere basic needs of ROTI, KAPDA & MAKAAN.
The govt should not do this in the interest of the people of India.
They should also drop the idea of bringing retirement benefits under purview of tax.