The Finance Bill, 2025, proposes several key changes in the Income Tax Act, 1961, to continue reforms in the direct tax system through tax reliefs, removing difficulties faced by taxpayers, and rationalizing1 various provisions. Here are some of the key changes:
Exemption to withdrawals by Individuals from National Savings Scheme from taxation
Section 80CCA: This section of the Income Tax Act provides for a deduction for amounts deposited in the National Savings Scheme (NSS). However, no deduction is allowed for deposits made on or after April 1, 1992.
Taxation of withdrawals: Currently, withdrawals from NSS accounts (including interest) are considered taxable income. Only deposits made before April 1, 1992, are subject to tax on withdrawal, as deductions were allowed for these deposits.
No interest on NSS: A recent notification stated that no interest will be paid on NSS balances after October 1, 2024.
Exemption for withdrawals: The Bill proposes to exempt withdrawals made by individuals from NSS deposits (made before April 1, 1992) on or after August 29, 2024.
Effective date: This amendment will be effective retrospectively from August 29, 2024.
III. Exemption to withdrawals by Individuals from National Savings Scheme from taxation
Section 80CCA, inter-alia, provides for a deduction to an individual, or a Hindu undivided family, for any amount deposited in the National Savings Scheme (NSS). It is also provided that no deduction would be allowed in relation to such amount on or after the 1st day of April, 1992.
2. Sub-section (2) of section 80CCA, inter-alia, provides that where such amount, together with the interest accrued on such amount standing to the credit of the assessee under the scheme is withdrawn, it shall be deemed to be the income of the assessee and shall be chargeable to tax. Since this provision has been sunset from 01.04.1992, the amounts taxable on withdrawal are those which were deposited in the financial year 1991-92 and earlier, and on which deduction had been claimed. Further, Circular No 532 issued on 17.03.1989 provided that the withdrawal on closure of account due to the death of the depositor was not chargeable to tax in the hands of the legal heirs.
3. The Department of Economic Affairs issued a Notification dated 29.08.2024 providing that no interest would be paid on the balances in the NSS after 01.10.2024. Representations were received to suitably amend section 80CCA to provide relief to individuals facing hardship who were compelled to withdraw as a result of this Notification.
4. It is therefore proposed to amend section 80CCA to provide exemption to the withdrawals made by individuals from these deposits for which deduction was allowed, on or after 29th day of August, 2024. This exemption is provided to the deposits, with the interest accrued thereon, made before 01.04.1992 as these are the amounts in respect of which a deduction has been allowed.
5. This amendment shall be made with retrospective effect from the 29th day of August, 2024.
[Clause 16]