Term Insurance Tax Benefits under Section 80D

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Term Insurance Tax Benefits 

A term insurance policyholder can enjoy the tax benefits under various sections of the income tax laws formulated by the Indian Government. As per income tax law, the policyholder can claim tax deductions up to Rs.1.5 lakh yearly for the paid premiums. Additionally, the policyholder is exempt from deductions following the income tax law for the death benefit paid out under the term policy; however, the sum assured has to be more than the premium paid annually.

Overview of Term Insurance Tax Benefits Section 80D

The policyholder with a term insurance plan can avail of the tax benefits under section 80D. If the policyholder has availed a term insurance policy with health riders, then he/she can claim the premiums on his/her health riders under Section 80D. However, the policyholder needs to claim the remaining premium amount under other sections of the Income Tax Act.

The insured can claim term insurance benefits when he/she files his/her returns for tax deductions under Section 80D at the end of each assessment year. Additionally, the policyholder can also claim deductions under section 80D, if he has/she opted for a health rider such as critical illness, hospital cash, surgical care rider along with his/her term insurance.

Some of the conditions under which the policyholder can make claims under section 80D are as follows.

• If the policyholder has chosen a critical illness term policy for him/her and his/her family (including his/her spouse and children). If the life insured along with his/her family member is below 60, then he/she has met the criteria for a tax deduction of up to Rs 25,000.
• If the policyholder has opted for a similar and separate term policy for his/her parents and the life insured's parents are above 60 years of age, then the individual is eligible for tax deduction up to Rs.50,000.

The limit of deduction is illustrated in the below table.

The individual must consider the below clauses related to the deductions.

• Suppose the individual's term insurance policy is issued on or after April 1, 2012. In that case, a tax deduction is applicable only for the total premium amount up to 10% of the maximum sum assured.
• Suppose the applicant's term insurance plan is issued on or before March 31, 2012. In that case, a tax deduction is applicable only for the total premium amounting to a maximum of 20% of the sum assured.
• Suppose the individual is suffering from any physical disabilities or critical illness. In that case, a tax deduction is applicable if the policyholder has paid premiums amounting to 15% or more of the total sum assured. The above clause is again applicable for an insurance plan that has been issued on or after April 1, 2013. Moreover, an individual of the Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) can also avail of the above tax benefits under this section.

Term Insurance Tax Benefits under Section 80D

For individuals who are constantly searching for financial products that will enable them to save tax and enhance their savings, buying a term insurance plan can solve their purpose. Term insurance plan is one of the financial products that offer tax benefits and offer life cover to the policyholder and provide protection and financial security to the family. Some of the term insurance tax benefits under Section 80D are as follows.

1. Tax Exemptions on Premiums Paid

   Individuals are encouraged to buy insurance as an investment vehicle, and for years, insurance premiums and policies have been eligible for tax deductions from the individual’s net income. Term insurance plans qualify for the tax deductions and exemptions and ensure that the policyholder benefits from paying term insurance premiums regularly. For example, policyholders with life insurance premiums up to 1.5 lakhs per annum have met the criteria for deductions from taxable income according to the Income Tax Act. Thus, the policyholder with a term insurance plan can save taxes from achieving his/her long-term goals and dreams.

2. Tax Exemptions on Insurance Pay-out

   If the policyholder dies during the policy term, the insurer ensures that the term insurance policy is converted to cash. Moreover, the family members who receive the insurance pay-out need not grapple with tax deductions levied by the income tax department. Thus, the life insured's family can utilize the bulk of the insurance pay-out without any nuisances of paying tax. Furthermore, the insurance pay-outs, irrespective of higher amounts, are not taxed, making the policy pay-outs completely tax-free, thus ensuring that the life insured's family could realize their dreams without any financial constraints.

   

3. Choosing either a Single Premium or a Regular Premium Policy

   The policyholder can opt to pay a single large sum as a term insurance premium. Still, regular policy payouts have added advantages compared to the upfront single premium payment when it comes to tax savings and other benefits. The policyholders with premiums paid up to Rs.1.5 lakhs every year are eligible for the tax deduction. In contrast, premiums paid higher than Rs.1.5 lakhs are liable to be taxed and do not qualify for tax benefits. The policyholders with single premium payments are taxed if the sum exceeds the limit, and the individual will have to bear the burden of taxes on the remaining premiums paid. 

4. Financial Security

   A term plan ensures that the policyholder’s family will be financially safe and continue to chase their long-cherished dreams even in the absence of the life insured. The term plan's tax benefits are attractive, making it the most preferred tax-saving instrument in the financial industry. 

   The policyholder with a regular term plan premium can ensure that he/she will have tax benefits during the policy term and that his/her family will benefit from regular pay-outs if encashed otherwise.

Summing Up

The individuals with a term insurance plan aim to secure the future of their dear ones and put them well on the path to attaining their life goals. The individuals can claim tax deductions on term insurance premiums paid, and their nominees or family members can claim tax exemptions on the death pay-out under various sections of the income tax laws. 

The individual can stand to gain from Section 80D of income tax law that provides tax benefits and claims for specific add-ons that offer cover to medical expenses related to critical illnesses or physical disabilities.  A term insurance plan can thus offer peace of mind to the policyholder and secure the individual’s family from financial hardships.

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