Best Tax Saving Investment Options in 2024

Tax-saving investment options and plans under Section 80C:

Note: NPS has a separate section 80CCD(1B) that allows an additional deduction of Rs 50,000 over and above the Rs 1.5 lakh limit of section 80C.

ELSS (Equity-Linked Saving Scheme) Mutual Fund

Let us discuss further in detail the tax-saving investment options:-

The equity-Linked Saving Scheme is a tax-saving investment option under Section 80C that has two features: First, the investment amount under the ELSS scheme is allowed for tax exemption up to the maximum limit of Rs.1.5 lakh. Second, the Equity-Linked Saving Scheme investment has a lock-in period of 3 years.

The interest rate offered by the ELSS funds is approximately between 5%-18% (The interest rate offered by the ELSS funds is not fixed and depends on the market performance of the underlying equities). The returns received are not constant in an equity-linked saving scheme as they vary per the fund's market performance.

This tax-saving investment scheme offers liquidity and flexibility in investment and is best suited for those ready to take risks.

The returns received from ELSS are subject to long-term capital gains tax (LTCG) at 10% if the gain exceeds Rs. 1 lakh in a financial year. However, a top ELSS fund in one period need not be the best for the next period, too. The best ELSS fund should be selected for its performance across the bull and bear market phases.

Moreover, one can track one's investment in the ELSS online simply and hassle-free.

National Pension Scheme (NPS)

As per the Pension Funds Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), the National Pension Scheme is designed to help individuals save for retirement. National Pension Scheme (NPS) is for both government and private employees. Any age group from 18-70 years can participate in the NPS program.

NPS is a good tax-saving investment option, as fund management charges are pretty low. Fund management is done under four accounts in the NPS scheme: equity, corporate bonds, government securities, and alternative investment fund (AIF) that invests in assets such as venture capital, private equity, real estate, etc. These three four accounts help investors manage their portfolios actively or passively.

There is a tax deduction of Rs. 1,50,000/- for self-contribution to NPS, which is covered under Section 80C. Under Section 80CCD(1B), an additional deduction of Rs. 50,000 is allowed against the contribution to NPS. Therefore, this scheme provides a tax benefit of up to Rs. 2 lakh.

Employer’s NPS Contribution is covered under section 80CCD(2) of the Income Tax Act.

Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP)

Unit Linked Insurance Plan is the most versatile tax-saving investment option as it allows you to invest in debt, equity, or both, according to your requirement and risk appetite. Therefore, investing in insurance is beneficial in terms of both investment and saving.

Insurance provides financial security for the whole family and a tax-free lump sum amount on maturity. The premium paid towards purchasing a life insurance policy qualifies for a deduction of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh under section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Furthermore, the final amount received on maturity is tax-free as per Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)

PPF is a very commonly heard term among taxpayers. PPF falls under the exempt tax status, hence the reason for its popularity. PPF accounts can be opened with a bank or post office. PPF accounts can be opened with a bank or post office, but they can also be transferred from one branch to another or from post office to bank and vice versa.

The amount invested during the financial year for the PPF qualifies for a deduction of up to Rs.1.5 lakh under section 80C of the Income Tax Act. The interest and the maturity amount are exempt from tax under section 10 of the Income Tax Act. The PPF account lock-in tenure is 15 years.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is one of the essential tax-saving investment options. Launched under the government’s “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign, SSY focuses on improving girl-child life. The scheme allows the taxpayer to deposit some amount in the account regularly and earn interest simultaneously. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana also qualifies for deductions up to Rs. 1.5 lakh under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. The minimum amount is Rs.250, and the scheme matures 21 years or till the girl child gets married, whichever is earlier after the account opening.

Interest accrues on the SSY Account, which gets compounded annually, is eligible for tax exemption under section 10(11A) of the Income Tax Act.

Maturity proceeds or any withdrawal amount is also exempt from tax under section 10(11A) of the Income Tax Act.

National Savings Certificate (NSC)

National Saving Certificate is a fixed-income investment scheme that is aimed at small- and middle-income investors. NSC is a good tax-saving investment option as the risk is low and is as secure as the provident fund. Moreover, the investment in NSC qualifies for a deduction of up to Rs. 1.50 lakh under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

The interest earned is also added back to the initial investment and is eligible for tax exemption.

The features of the NSC tax-saving investment option are as follows:

• A guaranteed return of 6.8% annual interest.
• A tax benefit of up to Rs. 1.5Lakh
• Investment can be made as low as Rs. 1,000 (or multiples of Rs. 100)
• The investor will receive the entire maturity value, which will be taxed to the taxpayer.

Senior Citizen Saving Scheme

As the name suggests, the Senior Citizen Saving scheme is available to senior citizens who are residents of India. This scheme offers one of the highest rates among the various saving schemes. Although this scheme's lock-in period is five years, the depositors can extend the maturity period by another three years. Moreover, the depositors can make investments with a minimum amount of Rs.1000 and multiples thereof.

The Senior Citizen Saving Scheme investment qualifies for a deduction of up to Rs. 1.50 lakh under Section 80C. The interest on such deposits is taxable and liable for tax if the interest exceeds Rs. 50,000.

Bank FDs

Fixed deposits are considered one of the risk-free tax saving investment schemes. The bank decides the interest rate on a minimum lock-in period of five years. In the scenario of a joint account, the primary holder can avail of the benefit of tax deduction while calculating the taxable income. Additionally, senior citizens get the maximum benefits from a higher interest rate on investment. Premature withdrawal is not allowed in the tax-saver bank fixed deposits.

Investors can claim a maximum deduction of Rs. 1.5 Lakh by investing in a tax-saving FD A/c.

Tax saving options other than Section80 C

Below are the tax-saving investment options other than Section 80C that help you increase annual savings.

Interest earned from Saving Accounts Deposits under 80 TTA

All taxpayers can avail of a tax deduction on the interest generated from savings account deposits within limits. This interest can be from savings accounts in banks, post offices, or accounts in cooperative societies involved in the banking business. This tax-saving investment option is for ordinary taxpayers, not senior citizens.

The maximum deduction limit is Rs. 10,000 under this section, which includes the interest earned from all the savings accounts one has. Beyond this limit, any interest earned will be taxable.

Under Section 80TTB, the benefit of the least tax implication on interest income is provided for a senior citizen. Under this section, a deduction up to Rs. 50,000 or an amount from a particular income is allowed from the total gross income.

Interest paid toward the repayment of the Education Loan

Under Section 80E, students who take education loans to fulfill their education dreams are offered a tax exemption on the interest repayment. There is no cap on the deduction to be claimed. Tax deduction claims can be made from the start of the year when the payer starts paying the interest on the education loan and within the seven immediately subsequent financial years or until the interest is completely paid, whichever is earlier.

Premium paid toward the Health Insurance Policies or incurred medical expenses in case of senior citizens

The total taxable income towards the premium paid on Health insurance and expenses incurred towards healthcare is allowed for tax deductions under Section 80D. The limit to claim this deduction depends on the taxpayer’s family situation:-

Interest Paid toward Home Loan

Under Section 24 (b), interest payments toward home loans can be claimed. The maximum limit that a taxpayer gets on the interest payment of a home loan is Rs. 2 lakhs if the house property is self-occupied.

Further, in those cases where the home loan taken for the property is not self-occupied but instead is rented, there is no limit on maximum tax deductions. A deduction can be taken on the whole interest amount.

Payouts on the maturity of the Life Insurance Plan

As per section 10(10D), all the incomes received from a life insurance plan upon maturity, surrender, or death of the policyholder are tax-free.

Exemption of House Rent paid (if mentioned in salary break-up)

If there is no HRA added to your salary break-up because you work in some small, medium-sized companies. In this case, you can claim deductions on the rent paid for furnished/unfurnished accommodation as per Section 80GG. The same rule applies to self-employed people, too. The conditions to claim the deductions are:-

• Must not have received HRA during any part of the fiscal year
• Should not be possessing any house in the city of occupation
• Individuals should not own a house in the city of occupation in the name of spouse, minor child, or Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) of which the person is a member.
• Owning a house in any other city different from the occupation city is eligible for deductions, but it shouldn’t be self-occupied or left vacant.

The amount of deduction under this provision exempts up to the lowest value of the listed parameters:

• The rent paid more than 10% of the total income
• 25% of the total income after adjustment
• a maximum of ₹5,000 per month.

Hence, the maximum deduction allowed during the year is ₹60,000.

Deduction of House Rent paid (if not mentioned in salary break-up)

Under Section 10(13A) Income Tax Act offers tax benefits in the minimum value of the following:-

• Actual annual rent allowance disbursed by the employer
• 50% of the basic salary plus dearness allowance (DA) if the house is situated in metro cities or 40% of the Basic Salary plus DA if the house is situated in other cities.
• Actual rent paid for the house – 10% of basic pay plus DA.

In the above calculations, DA will be considered if it forms a part of retirement benefits.

Donations made to Charitable Institutions

Deductions can be claimed for the donations made to approved charitable institutions under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. The condition is that the donation should have been made by any mode other than cash, as cash donations exceeding Rs. 2,000 do not qualify as deductions.

Further, to claim this deduction, a taxpayer needs a stamped receipt from the institution they have made the donation, with details of the name of the trust, address, PAN Number of the Trust, the amount of donation, etc.

Donations to Scientific Research and Rural Development

Taxpayers can claim deductions under Section 80GGA for the donations made for scientific research and rural development. There is no cap, and 100% of the income spent is eligible for the deduction, provided the transaction is made via a bank account if the donation exceeds Rs. 10,000/-.

Donations to Political Parties

Under Section 80GGC, the entire income spent on the donation towards political parties is waived off from tax calculations, provided the transaction is made via a bank account. Also, the political party to which the donation is made must be registered under Section 29A of the Representation of People Act (RPA) of 1951.

Medical expenses for the disabled person

Under Section 80DD, individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUF) can claim deductions of the amount spent for the treatment and well-being of a disabled dependent family member. However, this claim is offered only to the legal family of such dependent individuals.

Based on the percentage of disability, if people have 40-80% disability, they can claim a deduction of up to Rs. 75,000.

If people have disabilities, more than 80% can, they claim up to Rs. 1.25 Lakh inclusive of all related expenses.

Flat deduction for disabled person on the basis of severity of disability

Under Section 80U, the disabled individual can claim tax deductions if a registered medical authority documents the disability with a minimum 40% impairment.

If the disabled individual has 40-80% disability, they can claim a deduction of up to Rs. 75,000.

If individuals have disabilities of more than 80%, they can claim up to Rs. 1.25 Lakh inclusive of all related expenses.

Individuals Diagnosed With Specific Diseases or Disability

Under Section 80DDB, individuals can claim exemptions on subsequent income spent on the treatment of dependent family members diagnosed with specific diseases. These critical illnesses include neurological disorders, AIDS, chronic renal disease, malignant cancers, and hematological ailments. For individuals below 60, a maximum of Rs. 40,000 is disbursed, and the same increases to Rs. 1 lakh for senior and super senior citizens.

Interest earned on deposits by Senior Citizens

Senior citizens take a heavy charge on their finances because of the expenditure on medical expenses. Relaxation from tax deductions helps senior citizens to simplify their lives. Under Section 80 TTB, senior citizens aged 60 years and above can claim Rs. 50,000 or a specified amount as a deduction from their gross total income for that fiscal year.

Now you know how you can invest in tax-savings schemes that will eventually reduce your tax burden, and since the tax season is here and income tax return e filing has already been started for the financial year 2023-24, don’t wait for the last date to file ITR; Book eCA Today!