The National Pension System (NPS) has rapidly become a popular choice among individuals due to its flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Many individuals invest in NPS for tax-saving benefits. As you prepare for retirement, NPS provides an opportunity to shield your hard-earned income from taxes. With NPS tax-saving scheme advantages it becomes an adaptable investment option in which investors minimize their tax liabilities while accumulating a robust retirement fund. So, how can NPS save tax and what are its features, we’ll unveil in this blog.
National Pension System: An Outline
NPS is a voluntary retirement savings and investment scheme available to both salaried employees and self-employed individuals. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), oversees the regulation of NPS. It is a market-linked pension plan managed by professional fund managers.
Tax-saving Under NPS
There are two types of NPS accounts: Tier 1 and Tier 2. While Tier 2 accounts do not offer any tax deductions or benefits, contributions to a Tier 1 account are eligible for tax-saving deductions.
- Tax-saving While Investing
- Section 80C: You can claim NPS tax benefits under this section, with a deduction limit of ₹1.5 lakhs. If you want to take advantage of the tax benefits, you can invest the entire amount in NPS and deduct it.
- Section 80CCD (1B): This section offers an additional tax benefit exclusive to NPS subscribers. Investors can claim an extra deduction of up to ₹50,000 for contributions to their Tier I account, which is in addition to the ₹1.5 lakh limit under Section 80C.
- Section 80CCD (2): If you opt for a corporate NPS contribution, you can deduct up to ₹5.5 lakh from your taxes, or up to 10% of your basic salary. This benefit is also exclusive to NPS and is in addition to the ₹1.5 lakh limit under Section 80C.
- Tax Benefits of Partial NPS Withdrawal
NPS tier 1 accounts permit up to three partial withdrawals of the account balance during the investment period, subject to specific terms and conditions. According to Section 10(12B) of the Income Tax Act, these partial withdrawals are tax-free, provided they do not exceed 25% of the subscriber’s self-contribution.
- Tax Benefit when Purchasing Annuities in Retirement
Under Section 80 CCD (5) of the Income Tax Act, 60% of the accumulated corpus is exempt from taxes. To purchase annuities at superannuation, a minimum of 40% of the NPS Tier 1 account balance must be utilized, and the income received from these annuities is taxable according to the applicable income tax slab rate.
Are you wondering what are the objectives and features of NPS? Read it here.
Final Thoughts
The National Pension System (NPS) offers various tax benefits, making it a vital investment tool for tax savings while planning for retirement. It offers more tax-saving options than traditional savings options like FDs and PPFs. Up to 60% of your accumulated corpus is tax-free and potential for high returns, making it a popular choice for investors.