Big Relief for Fixed Deposit Investors: Tax-Free Limit on FD Interest Hiked

The Union Budget 2025 has brought in significant changes to the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) rules, offering much-needed financial relief to taxpayers across various categories. Effective from April 1, 2025, these amendments aim to ease the tax burden on senior citizens, investors, insurance agents, and those earning from interest income. Let’s dive deep into these updates and understand how they impact different sections of taxpayers.

Relief for Senior Citizens: Higher TDS Threshold on FD Interest Income

Senior citizens have received a significant benefit with the doubling of the TDS exemption limit on Fixed Deposit interest income. Earlier, banks deducted TDS if the total interest income exceeded ₹50,000 in a financial year. With the new rule, TDS will now be deducted only if the interest income crosses ₹1 lakh.

What does this mean?

• If a senior citizen earns up to ₹1 lakh in interest from Fixed Deposits (FDs), Recurring Deposits (RDs), or savings instruments, there will be no TDS deduction.
• This increase will help maximise earnings, especially for retirees who rely on interest income for their daily expenses.

General Citizens Get a Breather: TDS Limit Raised on Interest Income

For regular taxpayers, the Fixed Deposit TDS threshold on interest income has been raised from ₹40,000 to ₹50,000.

Key Takeaways:

• If total interest earnings from bank deposits remain within ₹50,000, no TDS will be deducted.
• Beneficial for individuals who depend on FDs as a source of passive income.
• A modest but effective step toward encouraging more people to invest in bank deposits.

Lottery Winnings: A More Practical Approach

Previously, if total lottery winnings exceeded ₹10,000 in a financial year, TDS was deducted, even if the amount was won in small installments. Under the new rule, TDS will now be deducted only if a single transaction exceeds Rs 10,000.

What’s in it for you?

• If you win multiple small amounts throughout the year, but each transaction is below ₹10,000, no TDS will be deducted.
• A great relief for individuals who participate in lottery schemes or gaming contests

Insurance Agents and Brokers: Increased TDS Threshold on Commissions

Insurance agents and brokers will now benefit from an increased TDS exemption limit. The previous threshold of ₹15,000 has now been raised to ₹20,000.

Implications:

• Agents earning up to ₹20,000 in commission will not face any TDS deduction.
• Encourages more individuals to take up insurance advisory as a profession.
• Provides a cushion for small-scale insurance agents.

Mutual Funds and Stock Investors: More Take-Home Dividends

The TDS exemption limit on dividend income from mutual funds and stocks has been increased from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000.

Why is this important?

• Investors will get to retain more of their dividend earnings without worrying about TDS deductions.
• Encourages more retail investors to participate in the equity and mutual fund markets.
• Helps in the overall growth of the investment ecosystem in India.