Do we need to file income tax return if the income is less than Rs 5 Lakh?

Last updated: 05 December 2019

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While presenting Budget 2019, the finance minister mentioned that people earning less than Rs 5 lakhs would have to pay no taxes as they would get tax rebate up to Rs 12,500. Many people thought since they have no taxes to pay hence they do not have to file their ITR.

There are two problems with this argument:

The rules proposed in Budget 2019 is applicable from FY 2019-20 (AY 2020-21), which means the tax liability after income tax rebate for people with earning of less than Rs 5 lakh would be 0 from FY 2019-20. The present tax return for AY 2019-20 is for taxes that was applicable on income in FY 2018-19. And people had to pay taxes even if their income was less than Rs 5 lakh.

The second confusion would they have to file returns next year with no tax outgo? The answer is may-be and we give you the details. The income limit until when you need not file tax return is determined by section 139(1) – which states the following: “Every person who has a total income that exceeds the exemption limit is liable to furnish Income Tax Return within the due date”. In both AY 2019-20 & AY 2020-21 the exemption limit is as follows:

For people less than 60 Years of age – Rs 2.5 Lakhs
For people between 60 to 80 years of age – Rs 3 Lakhs
For people above 80 years of age – Rs 5 Lakhs

So if your net income exceeds the above exemption limit (based on age) you have to file your ITR, weather or not you have any tax liability. Also irrespective of the income limit, you need to file your ITR if you are resident and have any asset or financial interest in an entity located outside of India.