Savings account interest is exempt from TDS

When do I have to file Form 15H to banks for not deducting TDS on fixed deposits

-Ruchi Gupta

It is advisable to submit the applicable form to the bank branch at the beginning of the assessment year in case of existing deposits or at the time of opening a fixed deposit account. You should also mention your PAN details, without which it would be invalid and TDS at the applicable rate or 20%, whichever is higher, will be deducted. This form should be submitted to all the branches where you have the deposit and for each new deposit that is placed with the bank. If you do not submit form 15G or 15H, as applicable, the bank may deduct the TDS and issue TDS certificate at the end of year. You may have to file the income tax returns and claim the refund from the income tax department.

Is the interest earned from savings account taxable?

-Ramesh Talwar

No, the interest earned on savings account is exempted from TDS under Section 194 A of Income Tax Act. However, interest income from fixed deposit is liable for TDS if the interest income is more than Rs 10,000 in a year. In your case, since the interest earned on fixed deposits is Rs 20,000 every year, the bank will deduct TDS unless you have submitted form 15G or 15H. As per IT rules, if the fixed deposit holder is a resident individual, for an interest payment of up to Rs 10 lakh, TDS will be deducted at the rate of 10% along with an education cess of 3% (3% on 10), which takes the total deduction to 10.3%.

How do I transfer a PPF account from one branch to the other of SBI?

-Anirudha Sengupta

Any PPF account is transferable across any branch of the bank or to the head post office free of charge and, thus, you will not lose any amount on account of this transfer.

As a senior citizen, do I have to pay any tax on the interest income from fixed deposits? Will I lose on the interest part if I put the same amount in one bank?

-Arvind Kumar Rao

Senior citizens are exempted from paying tax on interest income from fixed deposits if their previous year’s income was not taxable. But you will be required to submit the declaration to your bank in form 15H while also mentioning your PAN number. Form 15H is available at all bank branches.

Since banks guarantee fixed deposits of up to Rs 1 lakh, is it a good idea to invest Rs 10 lakh in 10 different banks for safety.

-Suraj Kumar

Each depositor in a bank is insured up to a maximum of Rs 1 lakh for both principal and interest amount held by him.The deposits kept in different branches of a bank are aggregated for the purpose of insurance cover for a maximum amount up to Rs 1 lakh. However, if you have deposits with more than one bank, deposit insurance coverage limit is applied separately to the deposits in each bank.

The author is executive director, Union Bank of India. Send your queries at fepersonalfinance@expressindia.com

Source: Financial Express