Ideal Senior Citizen’s Federation (ISCF), a Gurgaon-based organisation working for the rights of senior citizens, has demanded a change in income tax slabs for super senior citizens in the forthcoming Union budget. They will also be writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley about this.
According to the income tax department, a super senior citizen is an individual who is 80 years old or above, while senior citizens are those who are between 60 and 80 years of age. At present, income tax for super senior citizens is levied on an annual income of Rs 5 lakh and above. Members of ISCF are demanding the slab to be raised to Rs 8 lakh.
“The government should change income tax slabs for super senior citizens," said OP Manchanda, general secretary of ISCF. "I am above 80. I am perfectly fine, but people usually develop health problems by this age and have to spend a lot on their health. I am requesting the finance minister to change the income tax slab from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh. This will really help.”
ML Anand, another member of ISCF, said he would be grateful if the government accepted their demands. He said, “We make up a very small chunk of the population, but the government should look after us. Income Tax should be paid on an income of Rs 8 lakh and above. We will also write to the prime minister requesting a change in the slab. I hope he understands our problem and accepts our demand.”
Rajendra Gupta, a super senior resident of Ardee City, supported ISCF's demands. “I feel there should be no tax levied on super senior citizens," he said. "However, if the government wants us to pay income tax, it should be for those os us with an annual income above Rs 10 lakh. We have to spend a large amount of money on health, as the government does not provide us any sort of social security.”
Colonel Bipin Rawat, a retired army officer from Sushant Lok, also felt income tax slabs should be changed. "I don't think senior citizens should be have to pay income tax at all,” he said.
Sudesh Sharma, a resident of Malibu Towne, also supported the demand. “I hope this year’s Union budget brings some good news for both senior and super senior citizens," he said. "The way things stand now, we have to pay a lot in taxes. I request the government to exempt us from taxes. We are honest, taxpaying citizens. After demonetisation, the government's kitty must be full of money. This is the right time to relieve us from taxes."
