How To Claim Income Tax Rebate Under Section 87A?

5 mins read
by Angel One
Section 87A of the Income Tax Act is one of the many provisions that provide relief from tax liability. The maximum amount of rebate that can be claimed varies depending on the tax regime you opt for.

The Income Tax Act of 1961 contains several provisions designed to reduce the tax liability of individual taxpayers. As a taxpayer, you need to know what these provisions are and the kind of benefits they offer. In this article, we’re going to look at one such provision – section 87A of the Income Tax Act – and go into detail as to how it can lead you towards lower tax liability. 

What is Section 87A of the Income Tax Act of 1961? 

Introduced as part of the Finance Bill in 2013, section 87A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 is a provision that provides a rebate to individual taxpayers with total taxable incomes below the specified threshold. However, if the total taxable incomes were above the specified threshold, individual taxpayers would not be eligible for the income tax rebate. 

When it was first introduced in 2013 for the financial year 2013-2014 (AY 2014-2015), the maximum amount of rebate allowed under section 87A was limited to ₹2,000. Moreover, this rebate would only apply to individuals whose total taxable income was below ₹5 lakh.  

Section 87A Rebate Post Budget FY 23-24 (AY 2024-25)

Since the introduction of Section 87A in 2013, the provision has been revised multiple times. With each revision, the maximum amount of rebate applicable to individual taxpayers was increased. 

In the most recent budget announcement that took place in February 2023, the maximum amount of section 87A rebate that individual taxpayers opting for the new tax regime can claim was increased to ₹25,000. This meant that individual taxpayers under the new regime with a total taxable income of ₹7 lakh or less would be eligible for this rebate. 

For individual taxpayers under the old tax regime, the maximum amount of rebate that can be claimed has been left untouched at ₹12,500. This effectively means that taxpayers under the old regime with a total taxable income of ₹5 lakh or less would only be eligible for the rebate. 

Section 87A Eligibility Criteria (AY 2024-25)

To be eligible for the section 87A rebate, taxpayers must satisfy certain eligibility criteria. Here’s a quick overview of what it is. 

  • The taxpayer must be an individual. 
  • The taxpayer must be a resident of India. 
  • The taxpayer’s total taxable income must not exceed ₹5 lakh (in the case of the old tax regime) and ₹7 lakh (in the case of the new tax regime).  

Things to Keep in Mind When Availing the Rebate under Section 87A of the Income Tax Act 

As a taxpayer, there are certain points you need to remember when claiming the section 87A rebate

  • The rebate doesn’t apply to non-resident Indians. 
  • Non-individual entities like companies, partnership firms and Hindu Undivided Families (HUF) cannot claim this rebate. 

Also Read More About Section 80

  • Resident individual taxpayers falling under the senior citizen category (above 60 years but below 80 years of age) are eligible for the section 87A rebate
  • Resident individual taxpayers falling under the super senior citizen category (above 80 years of age) are not eligible for the Section 87A rebate. 

Income Tax Rebate under Section 87A: Examples 

Let’s take a look at a few examples to understand how the rebate under section 87A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, works for resident individuals opting for both the old tax regime and the new tax regime. 

Old Tax Regime  

Assume there are 2 individuals – Mr A and Mr B. Both of them have opted for the old tax regime. Mr A is 33 years old, whereas Mr B is 62 years old. The breakdown of their income and other tax-saving investments are as follows. 

Particulars Mr A Mr B
Income From Salary (A) ₹4,50,000 NIL
Income From House Property (B) NIL ₹4,00,000
Income From Other Sources (C) ₹25,000 ₹2,30,000
Total Income (A + B + C) ₹4,75,000 ₹6,30,000
Deductions under Chapter VI  (A) of the Income Tax Act   ₹40,000 ₹1,50,000
Total Taxable Income  ₹4,35,000  ₹4,80,000

Since the total taxable income of both Mr A and Mr B are below ₹5,00,000, both of them are eligible for the rebate under section 87A. However, the amount of rebate they’re eligible for would differ. Here’s how much rebate Mr A and Mr B are eligible for. 

Particulars Mr A Mr B
Total Taxable Income  ₹4,35,000  ₹4,80,000
Income Tax @ 5% (for total taxable income above ₹2.5 lakh but below ₹5 lakh) ₹9,250 

[(₹4,35,000 – ₹2,50,000) * 5%]

₹9,000 

[(₹4,80,000 – ₹3,00,000) * 5%]

Rebate under Section 87A ₹9,250 ₹9,000

New Tax Regime

Assume there are 2 individuals – Mr C and Mr D. Both of them have opted for the new tax regime. Mr A is 40 years old, whereas Mr B is 73 years old. The breakdown of their income and other tax-saving investments are as follows. 

Particulars Mr A Mr B
Income From Business (A) ₹4,50,000 NIL
Income From House Property (B) ₹1,50,000 NIL
Income From Other Sources (C) NIL  ₹7,00,000
Total Taxable Income (A + B + C) ₹6,00,000  ₹7,00,000

The total taxable income of both Mr C and Mr D is below ₹7,00,000. This makes them both eligible for the rebate under section 87A. Let’s calculate the amount of rebate they’re eligible for. 

Particulars Mr A Mr B
Total Taxable Income  ₹6,00,000  ₹7,00,000
Income Tax @ 5% (for total taxable income above ₹3 lakh and up to ₹6 lakh) [A] ₹15,000 

[(₹6,00,000 – ₹3,00,000) * 5%]

₹15,000

[₹3,00,000 * 5%]

Income Tax @ 10% (for total taxable income from ₹6 lakh and up to ₹9 lakh) [B] NIL ₹10,000

[₹1,00,000 * 10%]

Total Income Tax Liability [A + B] ₹15,000 ₹25,000
Rebate under Section 87A ₹15,000 ₹25,000

Also Read More About Old Tax Regime vs New Tax Regime

Conclusion

The section 87A rebate that the Income Tax Act, 1961 provides is a useful provision that helps individual taxpayers reduce their liability. However, it is essential to keep in mind that this rebate is only applicable to those whose total taxable income is below the specified threshold limit. If the income is above the specified limit, the rebate will not be applicable and the tax will be levied on the total taxable income. 

FAQs

What is Section 87A of the Income Tax Act?

Section 87A of the Income Tax Act of 1961 provides a rebate on income tax to resident individual taxpayers. This section is designed to provide relief to taxpayers with income lower than the specified threshold by reducing their tax liability.

Who is eligible for the income tax rebate under Section 87A?

All resident individual taxpayers whose total taxable income doesn’t exceed ₹5 lakh (in the case of the old tax regime) and ₹7 lakh (in the case of the new tax regime) are eligible for the section 87A deduction.

What is the maximum rebate amount allowed under Section 87A?

The maximum amount of rebate you’re eligible for varies depending on the income tax regime you opt for. For instance, if you’ve opted for the old tax regime, the maximum amount of rebate under section 87A of the Income Tax Act is limited to ₹12,500. On the other hand, if you’ve opted for the new tax regime, the maximum amount of rebate is limited to ₹25,000.

How can one claim the income tax rebate under Section 87A?

As a taxpayer, you don’t have to claim the rebate under section 87A. If your total taxable income is below the specified threshold limit, the rebate is automatically applied when you file your tax return on the income tax portal.

Is the income tax rebate under Section 87A applicable for senior citizens and super senior citizens?

The section 87A rebate applies to senior citizen taxpayers. However, resident individual taxpayers falling under the super senior citizen category are not eligible for this rebate.