Navigating the intricacies of income tax can be challenging, especially for senior citizens. For the Financial Year 2024-25 (Assessment Year 2025-26), the Indian tax system offers specific provisions and benefits tailored for individuals aged 60 and above.
Budget Update
| For the FY 2025-26, the limit for tax deduction on interest for senior citizens is being doubled from the present 50,000 to 1 lakh. |
| For the FY 2024-25, under new tax regime, standard deduction increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000. Exemption limit for family pension increased from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000. Exemption limit for LTCG has been raised from Rs 1,00,000 to Rs 1,25,000. |
Who are called Senior Citizens?
- Senior Citizen: Aged 60 years or above but less than 80 years during the financial year.
- Super Senior Citizen: Aged 80 years or above during the financial year.
Basic Exemption Limit
The individuals who are Senior Citizens have the option to choose between two tax regimes:
Old Tax Regime
This regime offers age-based exemptions and allows various deductions.
| Senior Citizens (60 to 79 years) | Super Senior Citizens (80 years and above) |
| ○ Up to ₹3,00,000: Nil ○ ₹3,00,001 – ₹5,00,000: 5% ○ ₹5,00,001 – ₹10,00,000: 20% ○ Above ₹10,00,000: 30% | ○ Up to ₹5,00,000: Nil ○ ₹5,00,001 – ₹10,00,000: 20% ○ Above ₹10,00,000: 30% |
New Tax Regime
Introduced to simplify taxation, this regime offers lower tax rates but does not allow most deductions.
| Income Range (₹) | Tax Rate |
| Up to 3,00,000 | 0% |
| 3,00,001 – 7,00,000 | 5% |
| 7,00,001 – 10,00,000 | 10% |
| 10,00,001 – 12,00,000 | 15% |
| 12,00,001 – 15,00,000 | 20% |
| Above ₹15,00,001 | 30% |
Note: Under the new regime, the basic exemption limit is uniform across all age groups.
Key Tax Benefits for Senior Citizens in Old Regime
- Section 80C Deductions: Investments in instruments like National Savings Certificate, Senior Citizen Savings Scheme, Life Insurance Premium, Public Provident Fund, Equity Linked Savings Scheme, and 5-year Fixed Deposits are eligible for deductions up to ₹1.5 lakh.
- Section 80D: Deduction for health insurance premiums up to ₹50,000.
- Section 80TTB: Deduction up to ₹50,000 on interest income from savings accounts and fixed deposits.
- Standard Deduction: A standard deduction of ₹50,000 is available for pension income.
- Tax Deductions Without Health Insurance: Senior citizens can still claim deductions up to Rs 50,000 for medical expenses even if they do not have a health insurance policy. They should have Medical bills or medical expenditure which must be paid through credit/debit card, UPI, bank transfers, etc.
- Higher Deduction on Specified Diseases: Individuals and HUFs to claim deductions u/s section 80DDB for medical expenses incurred on specified diseases. The limit is Rs 40,000 for individuals and Rs 1,00,000 for senior and super senior citizens.
Section 194P Exempts Senior Citizens From filing ITR
Senior citizens above 75 years are exempt from filing ITR if:
- They have only pension and bank interest income.
- Income is received from the same bank.
- Bank has deducted applicable TDS.
Advance Tax Exemption
No requirement to pay advance tax if senior citizen does not have business/professional income.
Practical Example: Senior Citizen with ₹6,50,000 Income
| Details | Amount (₹) |
| Gross Total Income | 6,50,000 |
| Section 80C (SCSS, PPF etc) | (1,50,000) |
| Section 80TTB (Interest) | (50,000) |
| Section 80D (Medical) | (50,000) |
| Taxable Income | 4,00,000 |
Tax Liability
- Under Old Regime, income after deductions is ₹4,00,000 → Tax = ₹5,000 → Eligible for rebate under Section 87A → Tax = 0
- Under New Regime, fewer deductions → taxable income higher → higher tax.
Old regime may be more beneficial if eligible for large deductions.
Tax Rebate Benefits for Senior Citizens
Senior citizens can avail a tax rebate under Section 87A.
- Under the Old Tax Regime: Available for total income up to Rs 5 lakh.
- Under the New Tax Regime: Available for total income up to Rs 7 lakh and can claim up to Rs.25,000 as rebate.
Click Here – Old vs New Tax Regime: Which One Saves You More For FY 2024-25?
Applicable ITR Forms for Senior Citizens
ITR-1 (Sahaj)
Eligibility: Resident individuals (including senior citizens) with total income up to ₹50 lakh from:
- Salary or pension
- One house property
- Other sources (e.g., interest income)
Not Eligible If:
- Total income exceeds ₹50 lakh
- Income includes capital gains
- Holding foreign assets or signing authority in any account outside India
- Director in a company or holding unlisted equity shares
Note: Super senior citizens (80 years or above) with income limited to pension and interest from the same bank may be exempt from filing ITR if they submit a declaration (Form 12BBA) to the bank.
ITR-2
Eligibility: Individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) not having income from business or profession but having:
- Income exceeding ₹50 lakh
- Capital gains
- More than one house property
- Foreign assets or income
Note: Suitable for senior citizens with complex income sources beyond salary and interest.
ITR-3
Eligibility: Individuals and HUFs having income from business or profession.
Note: Applicable to senior citizens engaged in business activities or professional services.
ITR-4 (Sugam)
Eligibility: Resident individuals, HUFs, and firms (other than LLPs) with total income up to ₹50 lakh and having income from business or profession computed under sections 44AD, 44ADA, or 44AE (presumptive taxation).
Note: Optional for eligible senior citizens opting for presumptive income schemes.
Additional Forms and Declarations
- Form 15H: Declaration under section 197A by senior citizens to banks, requesting non-deduction of TDS on interest income if total income is below the taxable limit.
- Form 12BBA: Super senior citizens (75 years or older) with income solely from pension and interest earned from the same bank can submit a declaration under Section 194P to the bank. This declaration exempts them from filing income tax returns (ITR).
Related Articles
Rebate u/s 87A in New & Old Tax Regime For FY 24-25
80TTA Deduction: Tax Benefit on Savings Interest For FY 2024-25
Section 80D: Tax Benefits on Health Insurance Premiums
Section 80TTB: Interest Income Tax Relief for Seniors FY 2024-25
Section 80GG Deduction: Tax Benefits for Rent Paid FY 24-25
FAQs
Yes, if the total income (before deductions) exceeds the basic exemption limit:
● ₹3,00,000 for senior citizens (60–79 years)
● ₹5,00,000 for super senior citizens (80+ years)
However, super senior citizens (75+) can be exempt from filing ITR under Section 194P if:
● Income is only from pension and interest
● Interest is earned from the same bank that disburses the pension
● Declaration is submitted via Form 12BBA at the bank
● Pension + interest income ≤ ₹50 lakh: ITR-1 (Sahaj)
● Capital gains or income > ₹50 lakh: ITR-2
● Business/professional income: ITR-3
● Presumptive business/professional income: ITR-4 (Sugam)
● Super senior citizens with only pension + interest (same bank): Exempt with Form 12BBA
No. Senior citizens not having income from business or profession are exempt from paying advance tax. They can discharge their tax liability by paying self-assessment tax before filing the return.
Yes, by submitting Form 15H to banks, senior citizens can request non-deduction of TDS on interest income, if their total income is below the taxable limit.
Yes. Pension is treated as salary income and is taxable under the head “Income from Salary.” However, a standard deduction of ₹50,000 is available.
Yes. Family pension received by legal heirs is taxable under “Income from Other Sources”, and a deduction of 33.33% of the pension or ₹15,000 (whichever is less) is allowed.
