Inflation impact: Govt may hike tax exemption limit

Tax payers can expect some relief from high inflation in Budget 2011-12 as the government may raise the income tax exemption limit for individuals.

“Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is alive to the price situation and its impact on the common man,” sources said, adding he would favourably consider the issue of hiking tax exemption limit.

Moreover, they said, as the government is committed to raise the income tax exemption limit from Rs 1.6 lakh per annum to Rs 2 lakh in line with the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) in 2012-13, tax payers could expect at least some relief in the upcoming Budget on February 28.

“The finance ministry would keep in mind the high inflation in the Budget. Since there is no dearness allowance for a vast section of the society, hike in income tax exemption limit is likely,” a source told PTI.

PTI