Income Tax Rules 2026 Introduce New Benefits for Salaried Employees The Income Tax Rules, 2026 have introduced significant changes for salaried employees, effective April 1, 2026. These updates aim to reduce taxable income through optimized salary structuring, with expanded benefits for House Rent Allowance (HRA), meal cards, and children’s education allowances. The rules apply to the Tax Year 2026-27, which is distinct from the Assessment Year 2026-27, and require taxpayers to file their Income Tax Returns (ITR) by July 31, 2027. Key benefits under the new rules include additional cities qualifying for higher HRA tax benefits, such as Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru. Employees also gain enhanced tax advantages for meal cards (Sodexxo, Pluxxe, Zaggle), increased children’s education allowances for those remaining in the old tax regime, and expanded deductions for perquisites like company vehicles, interest-free loans, and festival vouchers. The new rules shift taxation from rate-driven to structure-driven, with unchanged tax slabs but revised allowances and perquisite rules. For example, HRA deductions are calculated based on actual rent paid and salary components, with specific thresholds for different CTCs. A detailed breakdown of salary components for CTCs of Rs 15 lakh, Rs 20 lakh, Rs 30 lakh, and Rs 50 lakh shows how HRA, Dearness Allowance, and other components contribute to taxable income. Comparisons of tax liabilities under the old and new regimes reveal varying impacts. For a CTC of Rs 15 lakh, the old regime results in a tax liability of Rs 14,980, while the new regime reduces it to Rs 76,730 for a CTC of Rs 20 lakh. Higher CTCs, such as Rs 30 lakh and Rs 50 lakh, show even greater differences, with the new regime offering substantial tax savings for higher-income earners.#income_tax_rules_2026 #zaggle #house_rent_allowance #sodexxo #pluxxe
Meal Voucher Tax Exemption Raised to ₹200 Per Meal Under New Rules The Indian government has updated its tax regulations to provide a more favorable treatment for employees receiving meal vouchers. Effective from April 2026, the tax-exempt limit for employer-provided meals has been increased from ₹50 to ₹200 per meal. This change applies to both the old and new tax regimes, ensuring consistency in tax benefits for salaried individuals. The revised rules, part of the Income-tax Rules, 2026, aim to clarify ambiguities that previously limited the exemption to the old regime only. Under the new framework, employees who receive meal vouchers from companies like Sodexo, Pluxee, or Zaggle can now claim a tax exemption of up to ₹200 per meal, regardless of which tax regime they opt for. This adjustment addresses a longstanding issue where the exemption was restricted to ₹50 per meal under the old regime and entirely excluded from the new regime. The change is expected to reduce the taxable income of employees, thereby increasing their take-home pay. The updated rules specify that the value of food and non-alcoholic beverages provided by employers is calculated as the employer’s cost minus any amount recovered from the employee. However, this valuation method does not apply in specific scenarios. For instance, free meals or vouchers used at eating joints during working hours, up to ₹200 per meal, are fully tax-exempt. Similarly, tea or snacks provided during working hours are exempt from taxation. Meals served in remote areas or offshore installations are also excluded from the valuation calculation. Other tax exemptions remain unchanged under the new rules. Employees can still claim a tax-free gift limit of ₹15,000 annually and a tax-free medical loan of up to ₹2 lakh for the treatment of specified diseases.#indian_government #income_tax_rules_2026 #sodexo #pluxee #zaggle
