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Easwar panel wants higher TDS deduction threshold

A high level panel on simplification of income tax laws on Monday recommended raising the threshold limits for deduction of tax at source (TDS) as also slashing the rate of withholding tax. 

The Justice (rtd) R V Easwar Committee in a 78-page draft report said nearly 65 per cent of the personal income-tax collection in India was through tax deducted at source (TDS) and TDS provisions need to be made more tax friendly and not as 'tedious' as they have remained over the years.

It recommended "enhancement and rationalisation of the threshold limits and reduction of the rates of TDS. TDS rates for individuals and HUFs to be reduced to 5 per cent as against the present 10 per cent". Presently, TDS is applicable on "such tiny annual limits" of Rs 2,500 in case of payment of interest on securities and on interest on NSS accounts, Rs 5,000 for payment of interest on private deposits and commission or brokerage and Rs 10,000 for payment of bank interest.

"Considering the importance of the long overdue revision of these puny limits, the Committee has recommended suitable hikes in such threshold limits," it said. For interest on securities it proposed raising the threshold for TDS to Rs 15,000 from Rs 2,500 annually and halving the tax rate to 5 per cent. Similarly, for other interest earnings the limit is recommended to be raised to Rs 15,000 from current Rs 10,000 for bank deposits and Rs 5,000 for others. The panel recommended raising TDS limit for payments to contractors from current limits of 30,000 for single transaction and 75,000 annually to Rs 1 lakh annual limit. 
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