How to get a tax deduction of up to Rs 9.5 lakh just by investing in NPS (2024)

Have you used up tax-saving deductions like sections 80C, 80D and 80TTA of the Income-tax Act, 1961? Are you looking for more options to bring down your tax liability further? If you answered yes to both these questions, then investing in the National Pension System (NPS) can help you save tax (subject to certain conditions).

The NPS allows you to invest more than Rs 2 lakh in a financial year which can help you bring down your tax liability.

Here is a look at how you can invest more than Rs 2 lakh in NPS to save tax.

Deductions available for investments made in NPS
There are three sections under the Income-tax Act that allows individuals to claim deductions for the money invested in NPS:
(i) Section 80CCD (1): This deduction comes under the overall umbrella of section 80C with a maximum investment limit of Rs 1.5 lakh in a financial year. Maximum investment allowed is either 10% of basic salary or Rs 1.5 lakh, whichever is lower. This deduction is available under the old tax regime only.
(ii) 80CCD (1b): This is an additional deduction for a maximum of Rs 50,000 which is over and above section 80C. By investing Rs 50,000 in NPS, you can claim maximum deduction of Rs 2 lakh in a financial year. This deduction is also available under the old tax regime only.
(iii) 80CCD (2): Employer's contribution to an employee's Tier-I NPS account, where maximum contribution up to 10% of employee's salary (14% in case of government employees) is allowed in a financial year. This deduction is allowed under the old as well as new tax regime.

Also Read: Three deductions that are available under new tax regime

From FY 2020-21 onwards, an individual has the option to continue with the old tax regime and avail the common deductions and tax exemptions. He/she also has the option to opt for the new, concessional tax regime by foregoing the 70 deductions and tax exemptions. However, deduction under Section 80CCD (2) is available under new tax regime as well as old tax regime.

Also read: How additional investment of Rs 50,000 in NPS can be claimed

How section 80CCD (2) helps you save tax
Section 80CCD(2) can help you save more tax even after the maximum tax breaks under section 80CCD (1) (maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh under the overall Section 80C) and section 80CCD(1b) (additional investment of Rs 50,000 in NPS) have been availed.

As per current income tax laws, an individual is eligible for deduction on the employer's contribution to the employee's NPS account. The maximum deduction of 10% of salary can be claimed by an individual. In case of government employees - both central and state- a maximum deduction of 14% is allowed. Budget 2022 amended the income tax laws to allow state government employees to claim higher tax exemption on NPS contribution. This amendment is available retrospectively from FY 2019-20.

Also Read: Budget 2022 hikes tax exemption on NPS contribution for state govt employees

Here is an example to know how much deduction can be claimed by an individual working in the private sector. Suppose your annual basic salary is Rs 8 lakh and your employer contributes Rs 80,000 to your Tier-I NPS account. Then you can claim a deduction of 10% of your basic salary, i.e., Rs 80,000 (10% of Rs 8 lakh) under Section 80CCD (2).

What if your employer contributes, say Rs 90,000 into your NPS account? Dr Suresh Surana, founder, RSM India says, "Employer's contribution to employee's NPS account exceeding 14% of salary in case where contribution is made by central government, (10% of salary in case of other employers) will be taxable in the hands of an employee. Any excess contributions will be taxable as perquisite under the head salary."

For this purpose, "salary" includes basic and dearness allowance, if the terms of employment so provide, but excludes all other allowances and perquisites.

Further, effective from FY 2020-21, employer's contribution to NPS, Provident Fund (PF) and superannuation funds on an aggregate basis exceeding Rs 7.5 lakh in a financial year will be taxable in the hands of an employee. Also, interest, dividend etc. earned on the excess contribution will be taxable in the hands of an employee.

What it means that if the employer is contributing 10% towards NPS, then a total deduction of up to Rs 9.5 lakh under section 80CCD(1), 80CCD(1b) and 80CCD(2) can be utilised by an employee depending upon the basic monthly salary. While a person with basic monthly salary of Rs 50,000 can get a total deduction of Rs 2.6 lakh (Rs 60,000 under section 80CCD(2) ) and if the basic monthly salary is Rs 6.25 lakh or above the maximum possible deduction of Rs 9.5 lakh (Rs 7.5 lakh u/s 80CC(2)) can be availed only from NPS.

An individual having basic annual salary of Rs 12 lakh

Deduction under section Maximum amount available
Section 80 CCD (1) Rs 1.5 lakh or 10% of basic salary whichever is lower
Section 80CCD (1b) Rs 50,000
Section 80CCD (2) 10% of basic salary Rs 12 lakh: Rs 1.2 lakh
Total maximum amount available Rs 3.20 lakh

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified rules related to the methodolgy of calculating and reporting excess contributions in March 2021.

Also Read: How to report excess contribution in NPS, EPF while filing ITR

Do keep in mind that the amount of tax saved on the employer's contribution by you depends on the income tax rate applicable on your income.

Tax saved on employer's contribution of Rs 1 lakh

Tax amount saved in old tax regime Tax rate Tax amount saved in new tax regime
Rs 5,200 5% Rs 5,200
Not applicable 10% Rs 10,400
Not applicable 15% Rs 15,600
Rs 20,800 20% Rs 20,800
Not applicable 25% Rs 26,000
Rs 31, 200 30% Rs 31, 200

How tax benefit under section 80CCD (2) can be claimed
The tax benefit under section 80CCD (2) of the Income-tax Act can be availed only if the employer is willing to contribute to the NPS account of an employee.

If the employer is willing, then using this route, investment in NPS account will exceed Rs 2 lakh in financial year -
Rs 1.5 lakh under section 80CCD (1) (Under the umbrella of section 80C) + Rs 50,000 under section 80CCD (1b) + 10% of employee's basic salary plus DA contributed by an employer to employee's NPS account = Investment in NPS exceeding Rs 2 lakh in a financial year.

Remember, if an employer contributes any sum to your NPS account, the same is likely to be a part of your CTC or cost to company and may lead to reduction in some other component.

Surana says, "Employer contribution to NPS will be part of gross salary and employee is eligible to claim deduction under section 80CCD (2). The Form-16 given by the employer will contain all the details of the gross salary paid to any employee and amount of deduction he/she is eligible to claim under section 80CCD (2) and excess contribution which will be taxable in the hands of an employee, if any."

How to get a tax deduction of up to Rs 9.5 lakh just by investing in NPS (2024)

FAQs

How to get a tax deduction of up to Rs 9.5 lakh just by investing in NPS? ›

earned on the excess contribution will be taxable in the hands of an employee. What it means that if the employer is contributing 10% towards NPS, then a total deduction of up to Rs 9.5 lakh under section 80CCD(1), 80CCD(1b) and 80CCD(2) can be utilised by an employee depending upon the basic monthly salary.

How do I claim NPS deductions? ›

Section 80 CCD (1B) gives an additional deduction of Rs.50,000 on their NPS contributions. Section 80 CCD(2) provides that employees can claim a deduction on the NPS contribution of up to 10% of salary (14% of salary for Central Government) made by the employer.

Can I invest more than 50000 in NPS? ›

As an investor, investing this amount will make you eligible to claim ₹1,50,000 tax deduction under Section 80C and an additional ₹50,000 under Section 80CCD(1B). While there is no limit on the NPS maximum contribution per year, any investment above this threshold will not be eligible for tax deductions.

How to download NPS investment proof? ›

Investment proof for NPS

In order to download it, log into your NPS account and use the submenu "Statement of Voluntary Contribution under National Pension System (NPS)" under the main menu "View".

Can I claim both 80CCD 1B and 80CCD 1? ›

Section 80CCD(1B) allows an additional deduction of up to ₹ 50,000 over and above the limit of Section 80CCD(1). However, it should be noted that the same contribution cannot be claimed as deduction under both these sections.

Can NPS Tier 2 advantages and disadvantages? ›

NPS Tier 2 Advantages and Disadvantages

Like in bank FDs, the amount under the NPS tier 2 plan can be withdrawn easily. However, unlike FDs here the complete fund is counted as taxable amount. Single Account – The disadvantage, on the other hand, is that a person can have only one NPS account throughout life.

How many times I can withdraw from NPS? ›

However, one can make a maximum of three withdrawals during NPS tenure, and a gap of five years between each partial withdrawal from NPS is mandatory.

What is the maximum one can invest in NPS? ›

Conclusion: The maximum deposit in NPS is ₹ 1.5 lakh per financial year, inclusive of all contributions made to the NPS account, including the employer's contribution, subscriber's contribution, and additional contributions made under the tax-saving section 80CCD (1B) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

What is the max return on NPS? ›

NPS Return Rates as of July 2019
Asset Classes1-year Returns(%)*10-year Returns(%)*
Equity15.33%-18.81%10.45%-10.86%
Corporate Bonds12.46%-14.47%10.05%-10.64%
Government Bonds12.95%-14.26%9.57%-10.05%
Alternative Assets3.98%-16.73%NA

What is the lock in period for NPS? ›

Tax-free partial withdrawals in NPS are allowed after a 3-year lock-in period up to a maximum of 25% of the total amount invested in individual capacity. Please note: Individual subscribers will only be allowed a maximum of three withdrawals during the entire tenure of subscription.

What is the tax benefit of NPS? ›

Exclusive Tax Benefit to all NPS Subscribers u/s 80CCD (1B)

An additional deduction for investment up to Rs. 50,000 in NPS (Tier I account) is available exclusively to NPS subscribers under subsection 80CCD (1B). This is over and above the deduction of Rs. 1.5 lakh available under section 80C of Income Tax Act. 1961.

What is Tier 1 and Tier 2 in NPS? ›

Tier 1 and Tier 2 NPS accounts are two different categories. As opposed to Tier 1, which serves as the principal NPS account for building a retirement fund, Tier 2 is similar to a voluntary savings account and provides greater flexibility for deposits and withdrawals.

What is Tier 2 in NPS? ›

Tier II is an add-on account which provides you the flexibility to invest and withdraw from various schemes available in NPS without any exit load. You can save the details captured during Tier II Activation process at regular intervals by clicking on 'Save and Proceed'.

Which NPS is best? ›

Best National Pension Schemes (NPS) 2023 in India – Detailed Overview
  • HDFC Pension Management Company Limited Scheme E- Tier II. ...
  • ICICI Prudential Pension Fund Scheme E- Tier II. ...
  • UTI Retirement Solutions Scheme E- Tier II. ...
  • Kotak Pension Fund Scheme E- Tier I. ...
  • SBI Pension Fund Scheme E- Tier II.
Apr 12, 2023

Can we convert Tier 1 to Tier 2 in NPS? ›

You can open the NPS Tier 2 account only when you already have a Tier 1 account. Tier 2 account is a voluntary account with flexible withdrawal and exit rules.

Can I split my NPS contribution? ›

Yes. As an employee, you can split your NPS contribution between Section 80C and Section 80CCD(1B) of the Income Tax Act to make the most of tax benefits.

What are disadvantages of NPS? ›

Disadvantages or Cons of the NPS
  • Withdrawal Limits. ...
  • Taxation at the Time of Withdrawal. ...
  • Account Opening Restrictions. ...
  • Limited Exposure to Equities. ...
  • Mandatory Annuity. ...
  • NPS Lock-in Period. ...
  • Complexity towards Choosing the Best NPS Fund Manager.

Is NPS tier 2 better than fixed deposit? ›

You can also look at the NPS vs. fixed deposit question from the purview of risk. If you are a risk-averse investor, opening an FD makes more sense. However, if you have the risk-appetite to weather market-linked changes, you can also opt for a tier II NPS account to maximise your returns from your investments.

Who is best fund manager in NPS? ›

Pension Fund Managers
  • SBI Pension Funds Private Limited.
  • Pension Fund of LIC.
  • UTI Retirement Solutions Ltd.
  • Incorporated is HDFC Pension Management Co.
  • A company called ICICI Prudential Pension Fund Management Co.
  • The Kotak Mahindra Pension Fund Ltd.
  • Aditya Birla Sunlife Pension Management Limited.
  • TAPIUM MANAGEMENT LTD.

Is NPS better than PPF? ›

NPS vs PPF: Comparison

Returns: NPS can give up to 10% in some cases whereas PPF provides low but stable returns around 7-8%. Liquidity: NPS has slightly higher liquidity as it provides multiple opportunities of partial withdrawal. PPF however, allows partial withdrawal after a certain lock-in period and an amount cap.

Which is the best bank to open NPS account? ›

Which Bank is Safe for National Pension Scheme?
  • NPS. The National Pension Scheme (NPS) is a retirement benefits scheme launched by the Government of India for government employees. ...
  • Tax Benefits. NPS offers tax benefits of up to Rs. ...
  • Best NPS Schemes. ...
  • HDFC Bank. ...
  • ICICI Bank. ...
  • UTI Bank. ...
  • Kotak Bank. ...
  • SBI Bank.
Mar 23, 2023

What happens to NPS annuity after death? ›

Annuity payable for life with 100% Annuity payable to spouse on death of annuitant - On death of the annuitant, Annuity is paid to the spouse during his/her life time. If the spouse predeceases the annuitant, payment of Annuity will cease after the death of the annuitant.

Should you invest $50,000 in NPS? ›

NPS contributions are tax-deductible under 80C. There is an additional deduction under section 80CCD for 50,000 i.e. tax payable reduces by 30% (slab rate) times ₹50,000 or ₹ 15,000 per year under Section 80CCD(1B).

Can I invest different amount in NPS every month? ›

You can choose the amount you want to invest in your NPS account subject to a minimum annual contribution of Rs. 500.

What is NPS interest rate? ›

Historically speaking, NPS interest rates have varied between 9% – 12%. After retirement, individuals can withdraw a portion of the accumulated amount in a lump sum, which is capped at 60%. The rest of such amounts are used to invest in an annuity plan. Thereby, the beneficiary will receive a fixed monthly pension.

What is the return of NPS in last 10 years? ›

NPS Return Rates as of January 2021
1-year5-year10-year
12.71%-16.36%9.55%-10.17%9.86%-10.60%
12.61%-13.42%10.40%-12.00%9.59%-10.07%
15.19%-17.92%13.05%-15.83%10.35%-10.58%

Why NPS is giving negative returns? ›

It is because the low expense ratio will considerably help in boosting the long-term performance. So you must increase allocations to NPS because of the underperformance of both the debt and equity market. As you have the privilege of changing your asset allocation twice a year, you can boost the NPS return rate.

How do I check my NPS profit? ›

Here are some ways to check your NPS balance.
  1. Visit the NSDL web portal.
  2. Log in with your PRAN, user ID, and account password, and fill out the captcha.
  3. Look for and click on the 'holding statement' option below the 'transaction statement' section to see your accumulated balance.
5 days ago

What is the best time to put money in NPS? ›

If you start early and contribute regularly, you will have a solid retirement corpus. For example, a 25-year-old is investing Rs 10,000 monthly in NPS for the next 35 years (i.e., till the age of 60 years).

When should I exit NPS? ›

Normal exit is allowed after completion of 3 years. The Subscriber will be required to utilize at least 40% of the corpus for purchase of annuity and the remaining amount can be withdrawn in lump sum. Complete (100%) withdrawal allowed as lump sum if the corpus is less than or equal to ₹ 5 Lakh.

What is 40% annuity in NPS? ›

What happens to the annuity amount in NPS? At the age of 60 years, you receive 60% of your NPS corpus, which is tax-free, and for the remaining 40%, you have to invest in an annuity scheme. On the basis of this investment, you receive a monthly pension for a lifetime, depending on the plan chosen.

How can I avoid pop charges for NPS contribution? ›

Click on 'National Pension System' and then on 'Registration'. Select the 'Aadhaar' option in the 'Register with' field. Alternatively, you can select PAN but then, the KYC will be routed through a bank where you already have relation and a charge of up to Rs 125 plus taxes may be collected.

What are the benefits of NPS Tier 1? ›

Top 3 Benefits of NPS Tier 1 Account

You can claim a minimum tax exemption worth 10% of your total salary or income. You can get additional tax benefits up to ₹50,000 as per Section 80CCD(1B). Thus, the total benefits add up to ₹2 lakhs. The returns on your accumulated corpus in the NPS account are free from taxation.

What is the difference between 80CCD 1 and 80CCD 2? ›

80CCD (1) deals with the investment or contribution made by an employer to such a pension scheme whereas section 80CCD (2) deals with employer contribution to an employee's pension account. National Pension Scheme (NPS) is the scheme notified by the central government.

Is NPS Tier 1 a good investment? ›

Is NPS a good investment? Yes, NPS does make for a good retirement savings scheme and worth investing. Though, it may not be the best scheme to invest in if you aim to save for some specific purposes like children's education, marriage etc. However, for other needs, a PPF serves as the best scheme of investment.

Is NPS Tier 2 a good option? ›

For investors that want to keep it simple, and have limited knowledge and access to financial advisors Tier-2 NPS could be a good option. NPS Tier-2 also provides an auto-choice option for asset allocation for investors that don't want to manage asset allocation themselves.

When can we withdraw money from NPS Tier 2? ›

In order to withdraw from Tier II account, the subscriber needs to submit a duly filled UOS-S12 to the associated POP-SP. On T+3 days, (T being the date of processing) the funds shall be transferred from the Trustee Bank to subscriber's bank account as registered in the CRA system.

Who should invest in NPS Tier 2? ›

NPS Tier 2 is a voluntary savings account facility that you can enable only if you have a tier 1 account. Government employees can also avail of NPS tier 2 tax benefits under sections 80C and 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. *All savings are provided by the insurer as per the IRDAI approved insurance plan.

Which is best NPS Tier 2? ›

Top Performing NPS Tier-II Returns 2023 – Scheme E
Pension Fund ManagersReturns (as of 31st Jan 2023)
ICICI Prudential Pension Fund2.66%10.13%
Kotak Mahindra Pension Fund3.02%10.10%
HDFC Pension Management3.05%10.74%
Aditya Birla Sunlife Pension Management2.91%9.81%
4 more rows
Mar 3, 2023

How do I add money to NPS Tier 2? ›

Steps to Contribute using Mobile App:

An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number / email address. Once the OTP is entered and PRAN is verified, select the account to which contribution will be made (Tier I or Tier II) and mention the contribution amount.

Which is better alternative for NPS? ›

Here is a closer look at six popular options.
  • Equity-linked savings scheme (ELSS) funds. ELSS funds are pure equity funds and have a three-year lock-in. ...
  • National Savings Certificate (NSC) ...
  • Public Provident Fund (PPF) ...
  • Unit-linked insurance plan (ULIP) ...
  • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) ...
  • National Pension System (NPS)
Feb 14, 2023

Which options are better than NPS? ›

ELSS – ELSS funds are helpful for both immediate and long-term objectives. They also provide greater returns than NPS.

Which is the best pension plan in India? ›

List of Top 10 Pension Plans in India
  • LIC's New Jeevan Shanti.
  • HDFC Life Click 2 Retire.
  • SBI Life Saral Retirement Saver.
  • ICICI Pru Easy Retirement.
  • Max Life Guaranteed Lifetime Income Plan.
  • Bajaj Allianz Lifelong Goal.
  • Kotak Premier Pension Plan.
  • ABSLI Empower Pension Plan.

Can I withdraw money from NPS Tier 1? ›

A subscriber can make partial withdrawal after joining the NPS after 10 years, not exceeding twenty-five per cent of the contributions made by him/her and excluding contribution made by employer, if any, at any time before exit from National Pension System subject to the terms and conditions, purpose, frequency and ...

What is the minimum contribution in NPS Tier 1? ›

What is the minimum contribution criteria under NPS? A Subscriber is required to make initial contribution (minimum of Rs. 500 for Tier I and a minimum of Rs. 1000 for Tier II) at the time of registration.

How do I change my NPS Tier 1 allocation? ›

4. How can a Subscriber change a Scheme Preference?
  1. a. Go to his/ her NPS account and log-in.Superannuation.
  2. b. Click on sub menu "Scheme Preference Change" under main menu "Transaction".
  3. c. Select Tier type and change the Scheme Preference as the Subscriber intends to do.

Can I withdraw all money from NPS after retirement? ›

Facility of phased Withdrawal is available for NPS Subscribers. Subscriber can opt for withdrawal of lump-sum amount in a phased manner (up to 10 instalments) over the period from 60 years (or any other retirement age as prescribed by the employer) to 75 years.

What is the additional 50000 tax benefit under NPS? ›

Section 80 CCD (1B) gives an additional deduction of Rs.50,000 on their NPS contributions. Section 80 CCD(2) provides that employees can claim a deduction on the NPS contribution of up to 10% of salary (14% of salary for Central Government) made by the employer.

Is NPS under 80C or 80CCD? ›

Exclusive Tax Benefit to all NPS Subscribers u/s 80CCD (1B)

An additional deduction for investment up to Rs. 50,000 in NPS (Tier I account) is available exclusively to NPS subscribers under subsection 80CCD (1B). This is over and above the deduction of Rs. 1.5 lakh available under section 80C of Income Tax Act. 1961.

How do I claim deductions on 80CCD 2? ›

Section 80CCD (2) allows a salaried individual to claim the following deduction:
  1. A maximum deduction of 14% of their salary (basic + DA) contributed by the Central Government or State Government towards NPS.
  2. A maximum deduction of 10% of their salary (basic + DA) contributed by any other employer towards NPS.
Mar 14, 2023

What are the options under 80CCD? ›

Section 80C and its subsections
SectionsEligible investments for tax deductions
80CCCPayment made towards pension plans, and mutual funds.
80CCD (1)Payments paid to government-sponsored plans such as the National Pension System, the Atal Pension Yojana, and others.
80CCD (1B)Investments of up to Rs.50,000 in NPS.
2 more rows
Apr 12, 2023

What is the difference between 80CCD and 80CCC? ›

Section 80CCC deals with deductions that can be availed for contributions made towards annuity plans, pension plans eligible under Section 10(23AAB). Section 80CCD only pertains to deductions for the two plans offered by the Government of India, namely the National Pension Scheme (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).

What is the difference between NPS 1 and NPS 2? ›

While NPS Tier I is well-suited for retirement planning, Tier II NPS accounts act as a voluntary savings account. Tier I NPS investment is a long-term one and the amount cannot be withdrawn until retirement. This is not the case with Tier II NPS accounts.

How to invest in 80CCD 1? ›

As a tax-paying individual, you can claim a deduction of up to INR 1.5 lakhs by investing in Section 80C avenues like PPF, ELSS, EPF, life insurance, five-year fixed deposits, etc. Section 80CCD is meant to allow deductions on NPS investments.

What are the benefits of NPS? ›

Flexible- NPS offers a range of investment options and choice of Pension Funds (PFs) for planning the growth of the investments in a reasonable manner and monitor the growth of the pension corpus. Subscribers can switch over from one investment option to another or from one fund manager to another.

How can I automatically contribute to NPS? ›

Download the NPS Mobile App from Google Play Store using the given link. You can do the contribution transaction even without logging in to the App. Enter Permanent Retirement Account Number (PRAN), date of birth, captcha and click on 'Verify PRAN' An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number / email address.

How do I make a monthly contribution to NPS? ›

A subscriber can contribute to NPS Tier I and Tier II account in the following ways:
  1. Through the Nodal Office.
  2. By contacting Point-of-Presence Service Providers (PoP-SP)
  3. Through the CRA-NSDL portal online.
  4. Via the eNPS portal.
  5. Through the NPS mobile app.
Apr 5, 2023

Which PoP is best for NPS? ›

NPS Pension Fund Managers In India – The Options You Have
  • Aditya Birla Sun Life Pension Management.
  • HDFC Pension Management.
  • ICICI Prudential Pension Fund Management.
  • Kotak Mahindra Pension Fund.
  • LIC Pension Fund.
  • SBI Pension Fund.
  • UTI Retirement Solutions.
Jan 25, 2023

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