What is NPS (National Pension Plan) & How Does it Work

What is NPS (National Pension Plan) & How Does it Work

What is NPS

It is a defined contribution pension system in which the contributions are invested in a mix of assets and the retirement corpus is dependent on the returns from those assets. The returns in NPS are market-linked. Dedicated pension fund managers are entrusted with the task of managing the investors' money. 

A person needs to contribute to NPS till age of 60 years. The minimum annual contribution to the pension account (or Tier I account) is Rs.6,000.

How Does NPS Operate

A person needs to contribute to NPS till age of 60 years.

Options Available to Invest Under NPS

Under NPS there are 2 Tier namely Tier 1 & Tier II Accounts

Tier I Account

The minimum annual contribution to the pension account (or Tier I account) is Rs. 6,000/-.

Investments are market-linked & one can choose any of the three funds

1.      Government Securities Fund

2.      Fixed-Income Instruments other than government securities fund

3.      Equity Fund

An Investor can’t put more than 50% of your money in the Equity Fund.

At 60, you can have up to 60% of this money in a lump sum & buy an annuity product with the rest.

Deferred exit options are available.

Early exits are discouraged by mandating 80% of the accumulated corpus to buy an annuity. Rules now allow for partial withdrawals up to 25% of the contributions for specific purposes

Ø  Under NPS, an investor can open two accounts, called Tier I and Tier II account.

Ø  Tier I account is a non-withdrawable permanent retirement account.

Ø  Tier II is a voluntary withdrawable account.

Ø  Tier II account can be opened only when you have an active Tier I account.

Ø  The minimum contribution in Tier I account is Rs.500/- for all transactions & Rs. 6,000/- for a year.

Ø  For Tier II account, the minimum contribution for opening an account is Rs.1,000/- & Rs.250/- is charged for subsequent transaction. 

What Choices Does Investor Have under NPS to Grow his Corpus?

An investor in NPS has two choices to invest in, namely Auto choice & Active choice.

Ø  In the Auto choice, the allocation amongst assets is done as per a predetermined formula based on the age of the investor.

Ø  The allocation is made in 3 asset classes, namely

o   Equities (E),

o   Corporate Bonds (C)  

o   Government Securities (G)

Ø  Under Active choice, the choice of allocation lies with the investor. There is however a cap of 50% for investment in equity. For government sector, the cap on equity is increased to 15%.

On turning 60, an investor can exit from the NPS but 40% of the pension wealth has to be utilised for the purchase of an annuity. If an investor withdraws the corpus before reaching 60 years of age, he will have to invest 80% of the accumulated corpus for buying an annuity. These exit conditions only apply to the NPS Tier I account, which is a pre-requisite for having a Tier -II account in NPS. 

Tax Benefits

1.      As per current tax laws, investment of up to 10% of basic pay plus dearness allowance or a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh, whichever is lower, is deductible from gross taxable income. 

2.      From FY2015-16, an investor is allowed an additional deduction of Rs 50,000 from gross taxable income for investing in NPS.

3.      This deduction is over and above the maximum tax deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80C.

4.      Hence the total tax benefit for investing in NPS is Rs 2 lakh.

5.      Only an investor in Tier I account can claim the above tax benefits. 

6.      NPS is currently subject to the Exempt Exempt Tax (EET) structure. This means that contributions to NPS and accumulation/growth of these are not taxed, but the lump sum withdrawn on exit from NPS is taxed.

7.      The amount that is used to buy the annuity is however not subject to tax. This means that if an investor uses 100% of the accumulated corpus for buying an annuity, then he won't be subject to taxation.

8.      Only the pension income that he gets will be taxed like any other pension.

9.      In Budget 2016, the finance minister has made withdrawals from NPS on maturity tax-free up to 40% of the total corpus accumulated. This is a welcome step as it has made NPS more attractive for investors. 

Should You Invest Now?

Basic tenets of personal finance say investments need to be goal-oriented & tax-saving should be incidental to them. NPS is a good fit to these rules as it is a goal-oriented product that helps you build a retirement nest egg.

Meeting a goal or a long-term requirement is an essential need for investments & NPS is a good product for retirement.

You could consider investing in it, not for tax saving but for investing for your retirement days. So, more than putting Rs.50,000/- in NPS, make sure you have such a need & would be able to invest on a regular basis.

So should you invest only in NPS for retirement? No, currently as it is taxable on maturity, which hope will get rectified soon.

NPS is not very liquid.

Also, one needs to compulsorily buy annuity with 40% of the money. Which is why recommendation being that NPS be one of the vehicles for investment.

Moreover, as the market for ETFs (exchange-traded funds) develops, we would recommend ETFs for long-term investments.

Hence, a complete investment in the NPS at the moment is not advisable to one who is looking to park more as investment rather than looking out to save tax.

So, consider it as a part of your investment strategy for retirement.

But don’t chase the extra tax-saving alone.

Happy Investing

RN

Various Tax Savings Option for FY 2017-18

With the tax saving season is on and both with 31st March.'18. Both salaried and non-salaried taxpayers would be looking around & comparing various tax saving investment options to save tax.

While choosing the right tax saving options among several options available factors such as safety, liquidity & returns would be ones mind. Before you take any option make sure you understand how the returns would be taxed. 

The various tax savings option available in current FY 2017-18 is as follows :-

• Deduction are available under Section 80C, 80CCC, 80CCD etc.
• Section 80C : 
• Under section 80C, a deduction of Rs.1,50,000/- can be claimed from your total income. In simple terms, you can reduce up to Rs.1,50,000/- from your total taxable income through section 80C. This deduction is allowed to an Individual or an HUF. The limit for the financial year 2017-18 is also Rs.1,50,000/-.
• If you have paid excess taxes, but have invested in LIC, PPF, Mediclaim, incurred towards tuition fees etc., you can file your Income Tax Returns & get a refund.
• Eligibile investment options under 80C are as follows :-
• Investment in PPF (Public Provident Fund)
• Employee’s share of PF contribution
• NSCs (National Savings Certificates)
• Life Insurance Premium payment
• Children’s Tuition Fee
• Principal Repayment of home loan
• Investment in Sukanya Samridhi Account
• ULIPS (Unit Linked Insurance Plan)
• ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme in Mutual Funds)
• Sum paid to purchase Deferred Annuity
• Five year Deposit Scheme (In a Bank or Post Office)
• Senior Citizens Savings Scheme
• Subscription to notified securities/notified deposits scheme
• Contribution to notified Pension Fund set up by Mutual Fund or UTI.
• Subscription to Home Loan Account Scheme of the National Housing Bank
• Subscription to deposit scheme of a public sector or company engaged in providing housing finance
• Contribution to notified annuity Plan of LIC
• Subscription to equity shares/ debentures of an approved eligible issue
• Subscription to notified bonds of NABARD

• Section 80CCC : Deduction for Premium paid for Annuity Plan of LIC or Other Insurer.
• This section provides a deduction to an Individual for any amount paid or deposited in any annuity plan of LIC or any other insurer. The plan must be for receiving a pension from a fund referred to in Section 10(23AAB).
• Pension received from the annuity or amount received upon surrender of the annuity, including interest or bonus accrued on the annuity, is taxable in the year of receipt. 
• Section 80CCD : Deduction for Contribution to Pension Account.
• Employee’s Contribution : Section 80CCD (1) Allowed to an individual who makes deposits to his/her pension account. Maximum deduction allowed is 10% of salary (in case the taxpayer is an employee) or 10% of gross total income (in case the taxpayer being self-employed) or Rs.1,50,000/- whichever is less.
• From FY 2017-18 : In the case of a self-employed individual, maximum deduction allowed is 20% of gross salary instead of 10% (earlier subject to a maximum of Rs1, 50,000).
• However, the combined maximum limit for section 80C, 80CCC & Sec 80CCD (1) deduction is Rs.1,50,000/- which can be availed.
• Section 80CCD (IB) : Deduction for self-contribution to NPS. 
• A new section 80CCD (1B) has been introduced for an additional deduction of up to Rs 50,000 for the amount deposited by a taxpayer to their NPS account. Contributions to Atal Pension Yojana are also eligible.
• Employer’s contribution to NPS – Section 80CCD (2) Additional deduction is allowed for employer’s contribution to employee’s pension account of up to 10% of the salary of the employee. There is no monetary ceiling on this deduction.
• Section 80TTA :Deductions on Interest on Savings Account.
• Deduction from Gross Total Income for Interest on Savings Bank Account.
• A deduction of maximum Rs 10,000 can be claimed against interest income from a savings bank account. 
• Interest from savings bank account should be first included in other income and deduction can be claimed of the total interest earned or Rs 10,000, whichever is less. 
• This deduction is allowed to an individual or an HUF. 
• It can be claimed for interest on deposits in savings account with a bank, Co-operative society, or post office. 
• Section 80TTA deduction is not available on interest income from fixed deposits, recurring deposits, or interest income from corporate bonds.

• Section 80GG : Deduction on House Rent.
• Deduction for House Rent Paid where HRA is not received. 
  • The taxpayer should not have self-occupied residential property in any other place.
  • The taxpayer must be living on rent & paying rent.
  Deduction available is the minimum of:
  • Rent paid minus 10% of total income
  • Rs.5,000/- Per month
  • 25% of Total Income
  For the financial year 2016-17 –Deduction calculation has been raised to Rs.5,000/- a month from Rs.2,000/- per month.
• The taxpayer, spouse or minor child should not own residential accommodation at the place of employment.

• Section 80E : Deductions on Education Loan for Higher Studies.

• Education for Interest on Education Loan for Higher Studies. 

• A deduction is allowed to an individual for interest on loan taken for pursuing higher education. 
• This loan may have been taken for the taxpayer, spouse or children or for a student for whom the taxpayer is a legal guardian. 
• The deduction is available for a maximum of 8 years (Beginning the year in which the interest starts getting repaid) or till the entire interest is repaid, whichever is earlier. 
• There is no restriction on the amount that can be claimed.

• Section 80EEE : Deduction for First Time Home Owners. 

• Deduction is available on Home Loan Interest for First Time Home Owners. For Financial Year 2017-18, this deduction is not available.
• Section 80CCG : Deductions on Rajiv Gandhi Equity Saving Scheme (RGESS).

• The Rajiv Gandhi Equity Saving Scheme (RGESS) was launched after the 2012 Budget.
• Investors whose gross total income is less than Rs.12 lakhs could invest in this scheme. 
• Upon fulfillment of conditions laid down in the section, the deduction is lower of, 50% of the amount invested in equity shares or Rs 25,000 for three consecutive Assessment Years.
• Rajiv Gandhi Equity Scheme has been discontinued starting from April 1, 2017. Therefore, no deduction under section 80CCG will be allowed from AY 2018-19.
• However, if you have invested in the RGESS scheme in FY 2016-17 (AY 2017-18), then you can claim deduction under Section 80CCG until AY 2019-20.

• Section 80D : Deductions on Medical Insurance.

• Deduction for premium paid for Medical Insurance.
• Deduction is available up to Rs.25,000/- to a taxpayer for insurance of self, spouse and dependent children. 
• If individual or spouse is more than 60 years old the deduction available is  Rs.30,000/-
• An additional deduction for insurance of parents (father or mother or both) is available to the extent of Rs. 25,000/– if less than 60 years old & Rs.30,000/- if parents are more than 60 years old. 
• For uninsured super senior citizens (more than 80 years old) medical expenditure incurred up to Rs.30,000/- shall be allowed as a deduction under section 80D. 
• Therefore, the maximum deduction available under this section is to the extent of Rs.60,000/-. 
• From Asst. Year 2016-17, within the existing limit a deduction of up to Rs.5,000/- for preventive health check-up is available.
• Deduction under the above section is available to an individual or a HUF.

• Section 80DD : Deduction for Rehabilitation of Handicapped Dependent Relative

• Deductions on Medical Expenditure for a Handicapped Relative.
• This deduction is available to a resident individual or a HUF & is available on:
• Expenditure incurred on medical treatment, (including nursing), training and rehabilitation of handicapped dependent relative
• Payment or deposit to specified scheme for maintenance of dependent handicapped relative.
• Where disability is 40% or more but less than 80% –Fixed deduction of Rs.75,000/-.
• Where there is severe disability (Disability is 80% or More) –Fixed deduction of Rs.1,25,000/-. A certificate of disability is required from prescribed medical authority.
• (Note: A person with ‘severe disability’ means a person with 80% or more of one or more disabilities as outlined in section 56(4) of the ‘Persons with disabilities (Equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation)’ Act.)

• Certificate can be taken from a Specialist as specified.
• Patients getting treated in a private hospital are not required to take the certificate from a government hospital.
• Patients receiving treatment in a government hospital have to take certificate from any specialist working full-time in that hospital. Such specialist must have a post-graduate degree in General or Internal Medicine or any equivalent degree, which is recognized by the Medical Council of India.
• Certificate in Form 10-I A is required. The certificate must have name & age of the patient, name of the disease or ailment, name, address, registration number & the qualification of the specialist issuing the prescription. If the patient is receiving the treatment in a Government hospital, it should also have name and address of the Government hospital.
• For Financial Year 2015-16 – The deduction limit of Rs.50,000/- has been raised to Rs.75,000/- & Rs.1,00,000/- has been raised to Rs.1,25,000/-.

• Section 80DB : 
  Deduction for Medical Expenditure on Self or Dependent Relative

• A deduction Rs.40,000/- or the amount actually paid, whichever is less is available for expenditure actually incurred by resident taxpayer on himself or dependent relative for medical treatment of specified disease or ailment.
• The diseases have been specified in Rule 11DD. 
• A certificate in form 10 I which was earlier required to be furnished by the taxpayer from any Registered Doctor, is no longer required.In case of senior citizen the deduction can be claimed up to Rs.60,000/- or amount actually paid, whichever is less.
• For very senior citizens Rs 80,000 is the maximum deduction that can be claimed.

• Section 80U : Deduction for Person suffering from Physical Disability

• Individuals or persons with disability are categorized into two type

• Person with Disability

• Person with Severe Disability

• Deduction of Rs.75,000/- to a resident individual who suffers from a physical disability (including blindness) or mental retardation. (A person with disability means the person is suffering from at least 40% of a disability.)

• In case of severe disability, deduction of Rs.1,25,000/- can be claimed. (A person with severe disability means the person who is suffering from at least 80% of a disability.) 
• Certificate should be obtained from a Govt. Doctor.
• A Civil Surgeon or Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of a government hospital.
• A Neurologist with an MD in Neurology.
• In case of children, a Paediatric Neurologist having an equivalent degree

• The following kinds of medical authorities can certify a person to be disabled:
• The relevant rule is Rule 11A. (For illness such as autism or cerebral palsy Form 10-IA additionally need to be filled up)
• This is a fixed deduction and not based on bills or expenses.

What is a disability?

Disabilities are defined in “The Persons with Disability (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995”. 

Persons suffering from any of the following kinds of disabilities as certified by a medical authority qualify for tax deduction u/s 80U.

1. Blindness
2. Low Vision
3. Leprosy Cured
4. Hearing Impairment 
5. Loco Motor Disability
6. Mental Retardation
7. Mental Illess
8. Autism
9. Cerebral Palsy

• Section 80G: Deduction for donations towards Social Causes
• The various donations specified in Sec. 80G are eligible for deduction up to either 100% or 50% with or without restriction as provided in Sec 80G. 


• 80G deduction not applicable in case donation is done in form of cash for amount over Rs 10,000. 
• From Financial Year 2017-18 onwards –Any donations made in cash exceeding Rs.2,000/- will not be allowed as deduction.  
• The donations above Rs.2,000/- should be made in any mode other than cash to qualify as deduction u/s 80G.

Donations with 100% deduction without any qualifying limit:

• National Defence Fund set up by the Central Government
• Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund
• National Foundation for Communal Harmony
• An approved university/educational institution of National eminence
• Zila Saksharta Samiti constituted in any district under the chairmanship of the Collector of that district
• Fund set up by a State Government for the medical relief to the poor
• National Illness Assistance Fund
• National Blood Transfusion Council or to any State Blood Transfusion Council
• National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities
• National Sports Fund
• National Cultural Fund
• Fund for Technology Development and Application
• National Children’s Fund
• Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or Lieutenant Governor’s Relief Fund with respect to any State or Union Territory
• The Army Central Welfare Fund or the Indian Naval Benevolent Fund or the Air Force Central Welfare Fund, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s Cyclone Relief Fund, 1996
• The Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Relief Fund during October 1, 1993 and October 6,1993
• Chief Minister’s Earthquake Relief Fund, Maharashtra
• Any fund set up by the State Government of Gujarat exclusively for providing relief to the victims of earthquake in Gujarat
• Any trust, institution or fund to which Section 80G(5C) applies for providing relief to the victims of earthquake in Gujarat (contribution made during January 26, 2001 and September 30, 2001) or
• Prime Minister’s Armenia Earthquake Relief Fund
• Africa (Public Contributions — India) Fund
• Swachh Bharat Kosh (applicable from financial year 2014-15)
• Clean Ganga Fund (applicable from financial year 2014-15)
• National Fund for Control of Drug Abuse (applicable from financial year 2015-16)

Donations with 50% deduction without any qualifying limit.

• Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund
• Prime Minister’s Drought Relief Fund
• Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust
• The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation

                       Donations to the following are eligible for 100% deduction subject to 10% of adjusted gross total income.

• Government or any approved local authority, institution or association to be utilised for the purpose of promoting family planning
• Donation by a Company to the Indian Olympic Association or to any other notified association or institution established in India for the development of infrastructure for sports and games in India or the sponsorship of sports and games in India.

                      Donations to the following are eligible for 50% deduction subject to 10% of adjusted gross total income

• Any other fund or any institution which satisfies conditions mentioned in Section 80G(5)
• Government or any local authority to be utilised for any charitable purpose other than the purpose of promoting family planning
• Any authority constituted in India for the purpose of dealing with and satisfying the need for housing accommodation or for the purpose of planning, development or improvement of cities, towns, villages or both
• Any corporation referred in Section 10(26BB) for promoting interest of minority community
• For repairs or renovation of any notified temple, mosque, gurudwara, church or other place.

• Section 80GGB: Deduction on contributions given by companies to Political Parties


• Deduction is allowed to an Indian company for amount contributed by it to any political party or an electoral trust. 


• Deduction is allowed for contribution done by any way other than cash.


• Political party means any political party registered under section 29A of the Representation of the People Act. 
• Contribution is defined as per section 293A of the Companies Act, 1956.
• Section 80GGC: Deduction on contributions given by any person to Political Parties
• Deduction under this section, is allowed to a taxpayer except a company, local authority and an artificial juridical person wholly or partly funded by the government, for any amount contributed to any political party or an electoral trust. 
• Deduction is allowed for contribution done by any way other than cash.
• Political party means any political party registered under section 29A of the Representation of the People Act.

• Section 80RRB: Deduction with respect to any Income by way of Royalty of a Patent
• Deduction for any income by way of royalty for a patent registered on or after 01.04.2003 under the Patents Act 1970 shall be available up to Rs. 3 lakhs or the income received, whichever is less. 
• The taxpayer must be an individual resident of India who is a patentee.
• The taxpayer must furnish a certificate in the prescribed form duly signed by the prescribed authority.




These are the major ones will keep on updation finer details as i find then relevant under respective heading for reference.

Investment & Tax Planning in India

Am out here to help people who need a helping hand for their tax & future investment planning in India.

• You may get in touch with me over mail at rajeshnair72@gmail.com with your details & would get back to you within 2-3 working days on most counts.

• Its not for money but the sheer pleasure of doing it am out here. 

• I am not an insurance agent for any Insurance Company nor am in representing any Mutual Funds.

• I am not a qualified Investment planner out here for money but my over period of time my experience & job on tax planning & investment am spreading for needy.

• Please check at your end any suggestions or investments proposed, as investments risk is purely on your end & i would be in no way responsible for any loss occurring due to market conditions which are not in my control. 

• If you are very satisfied & want to pay something in return will share details on case to case basis.

RN