Budget 2012: Income tax exemption limit raised to Rs 2 lakh

New Delhi: Giving some relief to tax payers, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday proposed raising the income tax exemption limit for individuals to Rs 2 lakh per annum from Rs 1.80 lakh.

Unveiling the Budget proposals for 2012-13 in the Lok Sabha, he also increased the limit to Rs 10 lakh under the 20 per cent tax slab. The current limit is Rs 8 lakh.

"My proposals on direct taxes are estimated to result in a net revenue loss of Rs 4,500 crore for the year," Mukherjee said.

Unveiling the Budget proposals in the Lok Sabha, Pranab Mukherjee raised the limit to Rs 10 lakh under the 20 pc tax slab.

The Budget also exempt up to Rs 10,000 of interest income from tax.

Individual will have to pay 10 per cent tax on income between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh; 20 per cent between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh; and 30 per cent for above Rs 10 lakh.

Mukherjee said increasing the exemption limit is a move towards implementation of the Direct Taxes Code (DTC). The Standing Committee of Parliament that has scrutinised the DTC Bill had suggested raising the tax exemption limit to Rs 3 lakh.

The exemption limit for the senior citizens between 60 and 80 years of age will be Rs 2.50 lakh; 10 per cent will be levied on income between Rs 2.5-5 lakh, 20 per cent between Rs 5-10 lakh and 30 per cent above Rs 10 lakh.

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