In an effort to boost demand in the housing sector and align tax deductions to rising interest rates, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has suggested that the government should consider raising the tax exemption on interest paid on housing loans to up to Rs 3 lakh annually from the existing limit of Rs 1.5 lakh in the coming budget. If the proposal is implemented, individual borrowers can hope to have extra disposable income of anything between Rs 15,000 and Rs 45,000 a year which in turn could boost consumption spending as well as savings.
Currently, a deduction of up to Rs 1.5 lakh is allowed from taxable income towards interest on loans taken to purchase a house. Besides, borrowers also enjoy tax exemption on the payment of the principal amount. The government is considering a proposal to double the tax deduction limit on interest on home loans to Rs 3 lakh per annum. CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee has recommended that the existing tax deduction limit on income tax of an individual be increased from the current level of Rs 2.5 lakh to at least Rs 5 lakh. Of this, Rs 3 lakh should be towards interest payments to offset the impact of high interest rates, and the remaining Rs 2 lakh be exclusively towards principal loan repayment as the present limit of Rs 1 lakh is already overcrowded with several other items.
As per other media reports, the Standing Committee has also favoured a higher limit for deduction of house rent. It is believed that the Committee feels that since the cost of renting out accommodation is rising for a common man, the proposed monetary limit of Rs 2,000 a month for deduction in respect of rent paid should be enhanced to Rs 5,000 a month. It has also advised to revise the limit periodically to keep it in sync with the prevailing market conditions.
The draft report is being discussed by the Committee and is expected to approve the report by March 2, 2012 post which it will be submitted to the Lok Sabha Speaker.
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