The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has released new guidelines on the tax deduction for employees in the private sector whose contribution to the retirement savings account is more than ₹ 2.50 lakh, annually.
In a circular, the EPFO said that the taxation threshold for EPF contribution for government employees would be ₹ 5 lakh annually. This taxation regime has come into effect from April 1 this year. It is mandatory for employees across India to have an EPF account.
The circular said the TDS will be deducted when the interest is paid to an EPF account. For those pending final settlement or transfers, TDS will be deducted at a later date during the final settlement.
What else do the new guidelines mean?
– For those who have not linked their PAN to their EPF accounts, the tax will be deducted on their annual income on contributions over ₹ 2.5 lakh at the rate of 20 percent. And those who have linked their EPF accounts with their PAN tax will be calculated at 10 percent.
– The circular said EPFO will maintain a non-taxable account and a taxable account for all such members who contribute over ₹ 2.5 lakh.
– However, if the calculated TDS is ₹ 5,000 or less, no TDS will be deducted on the interest credited to those EPF accounts.
– For ex-pats and non-resident employees who have active EPF accounts in India, the tax will be deducted at the rate of 30 percent or according to the provisions of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and the respective country.
– Also, TDS would be applicable to all EPFO members, including members of exempted establishments or exempted trusts.
– The rate of TDS would remain the same in case of the death of the EPFO member.
The interest earned on the amount in EPF accounts is credited annually. But the accounts are maintained on monthly basis. So, if no transfers/final settlements are made during the financial year, then TDS will be deducted when the interest is paid.
Having one of the world’s largest clientele, the EPFO currently maintains 24.77 crore accounts of its members.
