Guide to Minimising Taxes to Maximise Profits

Taxes are an unavoidable part of life, but you can minimize the amount of taxes that you owe. We’ll go over the different types of taxes, the benefits of tax deductions, and how to take advantage of tax-free investments.

Taxes are an unavoidable part of life. As an Indian citizen, you are required to pay different types of taxes, each with its own rules and regulations.

But did you know that you can take advantage of tax deductions and other tax-free investments to help you save money? Let’s take a look at the different types of taxes and how you can benefit from them. 

In India, there are two types of taxes that you need to be aware of: 

• Direct taxes 
• Indirect taxes. 

Direct taxes are taxes that the government levies on your income and profits. These include income tax, corporate tax, and wealth tax. Depending on your income level, you may be required to pay any or all of these taxes.

Indirect taxes, on the other hand, are taxes that you pay when you purchase goods or services. The most prominent example of an indirect tax in India is the Goods and Services Tax (GST). It's a tax that you pay on the purchase of most goods and services.

Direct taxes

• Income Tax: This is the most common type of direct tax. It’s a tax that’s levied on the income you earn from employment, investments, and other sources. The amount you pay will depend on your tax slab and your total income.

• Wealth Tax: This is a tax that’s imposed on the net wealth you own. It applies to certain types of assets such as stock, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, and so on.

• Gift Tax: Gift tax is a type of direct tax that’s imposed on gifts and transfers of wealth. A gift tax is applicable if the value of the gift is above certain limits.

• Corporate Tax: This is a tax that’s imposed on companies based on their profits. It’s calculated based on the company’s income, expenses, and other factors.

• Securities Transaction Tax: This is a tax that’s imposed on the sale and purchase of securities such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

• Property Tax: This is a tax that’s levied on real estate and other immovable property. It’s based on the value of the property and is usually paid annually.
• Taxes on Professionals: Professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and chartered accountants are required to pay taxes on their income.

Indirect taxes

• Goods and Services Tax (GST): GST is a comprehensive indirect tax levied on the supply of goods and services. It is levied at the national level and subsumes all the indirect taxes levied at the state and central levels. It is applicable to all goods and services except alcohol for human consumption, petroleum products, and electricity. GST is calculated on the basis of the transaction value of goods and services. 

• Customs Duty: Customs Duty is an indirect tax imposed on the import and export of goods. It is levied at the time of international trade and is collected by the government to regulate the import and export of goods. The customs duty amount is calculated on the basis of the type of goods, quantity, and value of the goods. 

• Central Excise Duty: Central Excise Duty is an indirect tax imposed by the Central Government on the production and sale of goods in India. The amount of Central Excise Duty is calculated on the basis of the type of goods and their value. 

• Service Tax: Service Tax is an indirect tax levied on the provision of services in India. It is applicable to all services except those that are specifically exempted. The Service Tax amount is calculated on the basis of the service value. 

• Value Added Tax (VAT): Value Added Tax is an indirect tax imposed at the state level on the sale of goods. It is applicable to all goods except those that are specifically exempted. The VAT amount is calculated on the basis of the value of goods sold. 

• Entry Tax: Entry Tax is an indirect tax levied by the state governments on goods entering a particular state. It is applicable to all goods entering the state except those that are specifically exempted. The Entry Tax amount is calculated on the basis of the value of goods entering the state. 

• Luxury Tax: Luxury Tax is an indirect tax imposed by the state governments on goods and services that are deemed luxurious. The Luxury Tax amount is calculated on the basis of the value of goods and services. 

Tax deductions

One of the main benefits of paying taxes is that you can get tax deductions. Tax deductions are expenses that you can subtract from your total taxable income, which can help you save a lot of money. For example, if you make a donation to a charity, you can deduct that amount from your taxable income. 

It is important to understand all of these different types of taxes so that you can ensure that you are paying the right amount. If you are confused about any of these taxes, it is best to consult with a tax consultant or a financial advisor to ensure that you are on the right track.

Are you a salaried employee who is looking for ways to save money and make the most of your income? If so, you should be aware of the various tax deductions and tax-free investments available to you. Tax deductions are a great way to reduce your overall tax liabilities. There are several deductions that you can take advantage of, such as home loan interest deductions, medical expense deductions, and charitable donation deductions. It's important to know what deductions you can take so you can save the most money on taxes and pay the least amount of taxes possible. 

Standard deductions are a set amount of money that you can deduct from your taxable income. This amount is determined each year by the government and is typically adjusted for inflation. For example, in 2019, the standard deduction was Rs.50,000. This means that if your taxable income was Rs.5 lakh, then you could deduct Rs.50,000 from it, leaving you with a taxable income of Rs.4.5 lakh.

Next, let’s talk about deductions for investments. If you are investing in stocks, mutual funds, or other similar investments, you may be eligible for deductions. These deductions are typically based on how much you are investing and how long you have been investing for. For example, if you have been investing in stocks for five years and have invested Rs.1 lakh, then you may be eligible for a deduction of Rs.20,000. 

Finally, let’s talk about deductions for charitable donations. Donating to a charity can be a great way to give back to your community and can also result in some tax savings. Generally speaking, you can deduct up to 10 percent of your total income for donations to a charity. 

Let’s say you are a salaried employee in India and you have an income of Rs. 10 lakhs per annum. You can avail of deductions from your total income, reducing your taxable income and consequently, your tax liability. 

Some of the popular deductions you can avail of include: 

• House rent allowance (HRA): If you are paying rent for a house, you can avail of the HRA deduction. This deduction is calculated based on the amount you pay as rent, the location of the house, and the city you live in. 

• Home loan interest and principal repayment: If you are paying an EMI on a home loan, you can avail of deductions for both the interest and the principal repayment. This deduction is up to a maximum of Rs. 2 lakhs per annum. 

• Section 80C: This section allows you to save up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs per annum by investing in certain instruments such as Public Provident Fund (PPF), National Savings Certificates (NSCs), Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs), etc. 

• Section 80D: This section allows you to avail of deductions for medical insurance premiums paid for self, spouse and children. The maximum deduction amount is Rs. 25,000 per annum. 

By availing of these tax deductions, you can significantly reduce your taxable income and save money in the long run. 

Tax-free investments

Apart from tax deductions, you can also make use of tax-free investments to save money. Tax-free investments are investments that are not subject to tax. Some of the popular tax-free investments in India are: 

• Public Provident Fund: PPF is a long-term investment option that provides tax exemption on the entire amount invested. The interest earned is also tax-free. 

• Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS): ELSS is a mutual fund investment option that provides tax exemption on investments up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs per annum. 

• National Pension Scheme (NPS): NPS is a pension investment option that provides tax exemption on investments up to Rs. 1.5 lakhs per annum. 

By investing in these tax-free investments, you can save money and also benefit from the returns generated by your investments. 

Tax deductions and tax-free investments can help you make the most of your income and save money in the long run. To make the most of these options, it is important to understand the various tax laws and regulations and make informed decisions. 

We hope this article has helped you understand the various tax deductions and tax-free investments available to you. So, what are you waiting for? Take advantage of these options today and save money!