Call Us

FOR EXISTING POLICY

Have query on premium, payout or any servicing need?

Call us:

1 860 266 9966

Monday - Saturday | 10 am - 7 pm IST

Call charges apply

Dedicated NRI Helpdesk:

+91 22 6251 9966

Monday - Saturday | 10 am - 7 pm IST

Call charges apply

FOR NEW POLICY

Want to buy a new policy online?

Call us:

+91 22 6984 9300

Give missed call for a call back:

+91 11 6615 8748

Monday - Sunday | 8 am - 11 pm IST


Exclusively for NRIs:

Call us:

Give missed call for a call back:

+91 11 4473 0242

Available All Days | 24 x 7

Language

Back Arrow Icon
Close Button
Back Arrow Icon
Close Button

Need assistance in choosing the right insurance plan? Get a call from our Expert.

Need assistance in choosing the right insurance plan?Get a call from our Expert.

+91 dropdown arrow

Select Plan dropdown arrow
  • Term plans
  • Saving plans
  • Wealth plans
  • Retirement plans
  • I don't know/I need help

TATA AIA Life Insurance Co. Ltd will send you updates on your policy, new products & services, insurance solutions or related information. Select here to opt-in. T&C apply.

Section 16 of the Income Tax Act: A Detailed Guide

Image Of Section 16 Instructions

Tax* saving is an important financial objective. There are different provisions present in the Income Tax Act, 1961 to help you reduce the taxable income. And Section 16 is one such important provision that is a tax-saving benefit for your salary income. It is important to understand these provisions to make the best use of the allowable deductions under the Income Tax Act for receiving maximum benefits as a taxpayer. So, here is a detail to help you understand Section 16.

 

What Is Income Tax Section 16?
 

Section 16 of the Income Tax Act details three different types of tax deductions allowable in your salary income. These deductions help revise your taxable income to reduce the tax liability.

 

The deductions are as follows:

 

  1. Standard deduction
  2. Deduction on entertainment allowance paid by your employer
  3. Deduction on the professional tax of the salary income

     

    Let us understand the provisions of Section 16 Income Tax Act in a little detail.
     

  1. Standard deduction under Section 16(ia) - Under Section 16(ia), the standard deduction is a flat deduction allowed on your salary income. It replaced the transport and medical allowance deductibles and was introduced by the Government in the Union Budget of 2018. The standard deduction amount allowable was ₹40,000. You can reduce this amount from your salary income to derive the taxable income.

    In the Interim Budget 2019, the limit for standard deduction is increased to ₹50,000 to provide better tax relief. Therefore, from FY 2021-22 and further future years, the standard deduction is limited to ₹50,000 until any changes. The standard deduction will not be applicable if you choose the new regime slab rates.

    The standard deduction under Section 16(ia) is also applicable for retired individuals having a pension income. As the pension is chargeable to tax under the head - Income from salary, the standard deduction of ₹50,000 on such pension income is allowable every financial year.

    However, if the salary income is less than ₹50,000, the standard deduction allowable will be equal to the salary income. Therefore, the standard deduction is ₹50,000 or the salary income, whichever is lesser. It is important to note that the standard deduction does not affect or relate to any other tax deduction provisions under the Income Tax Act. 1961.

    Illustration of calculation of the standard deduction:

    • Other taxable allowances  - ₹50,000
    • Gross salary  - ₹6,50,000
    • Standard deduction  - ₹50,000
    • Total income - ₹6,00,000
    • Other deductions  - ₹1,50,000
    • Taxable Income -₹4,50,000

  2. Deduction on entertainment allowance under Section 16(ii) - If your employer provides an entertainment allowance, it gets included in your gross salary added to your salary income. However, the deduction stated under Section 16(ii) allows you to claim a tax deduction on the same entertainment allowance.

    And the deduction is based on the nature of your employment.

    1. If you are a government employee belonging either to the Central or State government, the deduction on entertainment allowance under Section 16(ii) is the lowest of the following:

      • ₹5000
      • 20% of the basic salary
      • Actual entertainment allowance received
      • It is a deduction allowable when your salary does not include any other allowances, benefits, or perquisites provided by your employer. Also, it is based on the amount you receive as an entertainment allowance and not on the amount you spend for entertainment purposes.
         
    2. If you are not a government employee, there is no allowable deduction on the entertainment allowance applicable to your salary income. Therefore, if your employer provides an entertainment  allowance, it will be added to your taxable income.
       

    Illustration of calculation of deduction for entertainment allowance: 
     

    • Salary excluding allowances, benefits, and perquisites-₹4,00,000
    • Entertainment allowance per month-₹3000
    • Entertainment allowance for the year-₹36000
    • Amount of deduction:

      • ₹5000
      • 20% of salary - ₹80,000
      • Actual amount - ₹36,000


      The least of the above is ₹5000. Therefore, the deduction allowable on the entertainment allowance is ₹5000.
       

  3. Deduction on the professional tax under Section 16(iii)- Professional tax is applicable on your salary income and becomes a part of your tax liability. However, Section 16(iii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 provides a tax deduction based on the following aspects:

     

  • The deduction will apply to your salary income for the financial year you have paid the professional tax.
  • If your employer pays the professional tax, it will be a part of the perquisites while calculating the gross salary. After that, you can claim the professional tax paid by the employer under Section 16(iii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
  • There is no defined limit stated for the deduction of professional tax. Therefore, the amount of professional tax you pay will qualify for the deduction entirely irrespective of the amount.
  • If you are liable to pay the penalty or interest amount on the professional tax, such amounts will not be allowed for the deduction.
     
Conclusion

As a responsible taxpayer, you need to be aware of the tax provisions on your salary income to utilise the benefits maximally. Section 16 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 provides a standard deduction and other deductions on entertainment allowance and professional tax. However, a few aspects need special consideration while accounting for the applicability of the specific tax provision. Understand them rightly or take professional advice while seeking such provisions to ascertain the tax benefit!


L&C/Advt/2022/Dec/3070

Want to Keep More of Your Hard-Earned Money? Speak to out expert

+91 dropdown arrow
  • +93 Afghanistan

TATA AIA Life Insurance Co. Ltd will send you updates on your policy, new products & services, insurance solutions or related information. Select here to opt-in.


 

Looking to buy a new insurance plan?

Our experts are happy to help you!

+91

Select plan
  • Term plans
  • Saving plans
  • Retirement plans
  • Wealth plans
  • I don't know/I need help

TATA AIA Life Insurance Co. Ltd will send you updates on your policy, new products & services, insurance solutions or related information. Select here to opt-in

People Like You Also Read

Difference Between Close Ended & Open Ended Mutual Fund | Tata AIA
Read More
Index Funds vs. Mutual Funds: What is the Difference?
Read More
How to Choose the Right Payout For Your Term Policy?
Read More
5 Smart Investment Options That Can Give You A Monthly Income | Tata AIA Blog
Read More
ELSS vs ULIP: Understanding the Key Differences | Tata AIA Blogs
Read More
Difference Between Recurring Deposit & Fixed Deposit | Tata AIA Blogs
Read More
What is KYC? The Only Guide You Need | Tata AIA Blogs
Read More
NFO vs IPO: Understanding the Key Differences | Tata AIA Blogs
Read More
How To Invest In NFO? | Tata AIA
Read More
Top 5 Questions Asked About NFO | Tata AIA
Read More

People Like You Also Read

Difference Between Close Ended & Open Ended Mutual Fund | Tata AIA
Read More
Index Funds vs. Mutual Funds: What is the Difference?
Read More
How to Choose the Right Payout For Your Term Policy?
Read More
5 Smart Investment Options That Can Give You A Monthly Income | Tata AIA Blog
Read More
ELSS vs ULIP: Understanding the Key Differences | Tata AIA Blogs
Read More
Difference Between Recurring Deposit & Fixed Deposit | Tata AIA Blogs
Read More
What is KYC? The Only Guide You Need | Tata AIA Blogs
Read More
NFO vs IPO: Understanding the Key Differences | Tata AIA Blogs
Read More
How To Invest In NFO? | Tata AIA
Read More
Top 5 Questions Asked About NFO | Tata AIA
Read More
Website Logo Image Icon

Tata AIA Life Insurance

A joint venture between Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. and AIA Group Ltd. (AIA),  Tata AIA Life Insurance  is one of the leading life insurance providers in India. We post everything you need to know about life insurance, tax savings and a variety of lateral topics such as savings and investments in this space. You can access and read a host of different blogs, articles and pages at the Tata AIA Life Insurance Knowledge Center or get in touch with us with any queries or questions!

View all posts by Tata AIA Life Insurance

Disclaimer

  • Insurance cover is available under the product.
  • The products are underwritten by Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Ltd.
  • The plans are not a guaranteed issuance plan, and it will be subject to Company’s underwriting and acceptance.
  • For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions please read sales brochure carefully before concluding a sale.
  • This blog is for information and illustrative purposes only and does not purport to any financial or investment services and do not offer or form part of any offer or recommendation. The information is not and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action.
  • Please know the associated risks and the applicable charges, from your Insurance agent or the Intermediary or policy document issued by the insurance company.
  • Every effort is made to ensure that all information contained in this blog is accurate at the date of publication, however, the Tata AIA Life shall not have any liability for any damages of any kind (including but not limited to errors and omissions) whatsoever relating to this material.
  • *Income Tax benefits would be available as per the prevailing income tax laws, subject to fulfilment of conditions stipulated therein. Income Tax laws are subject to change from time to time. Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Ltd. does not assume responsibility on tax implications mentioned anywhere in this document. Please consult your own tax consultant to know the tax benefits available to you.