Interim Budget 2019: Will Jaitley double I-T exemption limit to Rs 5 lakh?
The 2019 interim budget on February 1 is likely to bring some good news for taxpayers. Ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley may double the income tax (I-T) exemption threshold for the salaried taxpayers from the present Rs 250,000 to Rs 500,000, according to an IANS report. With financial apathy on the rise after demonetisation drive, this pre-poll sop tactic by the PM Narendra Modi-led government is expected to benefit the middle-class segment of the society. FM Jaitley may also reinstate a tax-free status for medical expenses and transport allowance. ALSO READ: Interim Budget options for Mr Jaitley The demand to double the I-T exemption limit to Rs 500,000 was made by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as one of its pre-Budget recommendations. The industry has also sought an increase in the deduction under Section 80C to Rs 250,000 to incentivise savings. As the ruling BJP government is trying to outline its economic policy vis