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Where TDS is applicable and how to avoid it

Salary income: Employer deducts TDS on total income, including income other than salary after taking into account all deductions and exemptions. This saves the individual the hassle of paying tax himself.

TDS rate: As applicable to individual based on his income and deductions.

Interest income: TDS is deducted by banks on FDs and RDs if the interest exceeds Rs 10,000 a year. TDS does not end tax liability. Someone in a higher tax slab will need to pay additional tax. Those in lower income bracket can seek a tax refund.

TDS rate: If PAN has been provided, TDS is 10% of income. Otherwise it is 20% of income.

EPF withdrawals: Withdrawals from Employee Provident Fund are subject to TDS if you withdraw before five years of service. However, no TDS is deducted on withdrawals of less than Rs 30,000.

TDS rate: If PAN has been provided, TDS is 10% of the withdrawal. Otherwise it is 20% of the amount.

Property sale: TDS is applicable if the value of the property exceeds Rs 50 lakh. If instalments are being paid TDS is deducted on each instalment. The buyer must obtain a Tax Deduction Account Number to deduct TDS. TDS has to be de -posited along with Form 26QB within a week from the end of the month in which TDS was deducted. Buyer must give TDS certificate to the seller.

TDS rate: If PAN has been provided, TDS is 1% of sale value. Otherwise it is 20% of the sale value.

On NRIs: NRIs are not permitted to submit Form 15G/H for NRO deposits and TDS is mandatory on all incomes. In case of resident Indians, TDS kicks in only if interest exceeds Rs 10,000 a year. But there are no such threshold for NRO deposits. Easwar committee has recommended easing of TDS rules for NRIs.

TDS rate: 30% on interest income from bank deposits, 20% from corporate deposits, 15% on short-term capital gains if securities transaction tax (STT) has been paid and 10% on longterm capital gains. If no STT is paid on short-term gains, TDS is 30%. Flat rate of 20% on sale of property.

How to avoid it
TDS can be avoided by submitting Form 15G or 15H. Form 15H is for senior citizens. It can be submitted if there is no tax on total income. Form 15G is for everybody else, except NRIs. It can be filed if tax on total income is nil and total interest income is less than the basic exemption limit.

Source:  The Economics Times