Budget 2025 Expectations Live: New Income Tax Bill
The government is likely to propose the new Income-tax Bill in the upcoming Union Budget 2025. The draft Bill envisages to replace the decades old Income-tax Act, 1961, people in the know told NDTV Profit.
The bill, however, will be implemented later in the year after consultation with all stakeholders.
“Government may invite stakeholders comments on the Draft Bill and accordingly some tweaks could be made in the final version,” one person said.
He added that the intent is to simplify the language of the direct tax laws and make it concise, lucid and taxpayer-friendly.
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Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Sitharaman's Eighth Budget
The Union Budget 2025 will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Feb. 1. This will be her eighth budget since assuming office in 2019.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Understand NPS Asset Allocation Options
The tax benefit of the National Pension Scheme is broadly under the old tax regime. An investor can invest up to Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80CCE and tax exemption is provided on annuity purchase or superannuation at retirement under Section 80CCD.
As things stand, investors can withdraw up to 60% of the corpus in lumpsum after retirement, with the remaining 40% going into an annuity plan. Subscribers can also withdraw the entire corpus tax-free if it is less than or equal to Rs 5 lakh without purchasing an annuity.
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Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Potential AGR Relief For Telcos
Amid reports suggesting that the government might waive a substantial portion of AGR dues for Vodafone Idea Ltd. and Bharti Airtel Ltd., Citi expects this move to boost the stock prospects of both telecom companies. The brokerage further states that this relief may be a question of "when, not if".
Such a move, which could be announced in the Union Budget on Feb. 1, 2025, could be a significant game-changer, especially for Vodafone Idea, which has struggled with its AGR liabilities.
The government is reportedly considering waiving 50% of the interest and 100% of the penalties associated with AGR dues, while the principal amount remains intact.
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Also Read: Stock Of The Day: Vodafone Idea Tops Rs 10 For First Time Since October On AGR Waiver Hopes
Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Capex Under Fiscal Constrain
The government's fiscal goals may lead to slower-than-expected growth in capital expenditure, according to Jefferies. With the need to cut the fiscal deficit to below 4.5% of GDP by FY26, amid slowing GDP growth, the brokerage suggests that the government's capex growth, projected at around 10%, could fail to meet market expectations, potentially dampening investor sentiment.
A sharp capex rebound, such as the 15% growth seen between FY21-24, is unlikely due to rising pressures from social spending and deficit reduction targets, the brokerage noted. While the government may still announce a larger-than-expected figure for capex, questions about its sustainability could emerge, especially in the context of FY25's slow capex performance.
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Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Insurers' Wishlist
With the government's aim to achieve ‘Insurance for all’ by 2047, the upcoming 2025 Union Budget is expected to see the announcement of several measures for the insurance sector. Most players in the industry hope for incentives such as tax deductions, while a pending reduction in GST rates on health and term insurance products remains a long standing and common ask, with insurance players expecting the move to boost insurance penetration across the country.
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Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Know About Tax-Free Bonds
Tax reforms and relief are among key expectations from the upcoming Budget 2025. After all, taxpayers' focus remains on how to save tax and have more money in hand. As expectations rise on what the budget has in store, in terms of income tax related changes, there is a key tax-free investment options that taxpayers may consider — the tax-free bonds.
As the name suggests, tax-free bonds refer to bonds that come with tax-free interest income. Under Section 10(15) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, these bonds that are issued by the government or public sector undertakings or PSUs provide an opportunity to earn interest income that is entirely tax-free. Tax-free bonds are usually open for subscription during a specified time. Investors can either buy these bonds during the subscription window, or purchase them through stock exchanges in the secondary market.
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Budget 2025 Expectations Live: ICRA Expects Balancing Act
ICRA anticipates a balanced approach in budget 2025-26, prioritising fiscal consolidation while also pushing for infrastructure and manufacturing growth.
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Budget 2025 Expectations Live: PM Internship Scheme Could Be Expanded
The government is considering tweaking the PM Internship scheme by widening the reach of the programme and easing eligibility criteria in the upcoming Union Budget, sources told NDTV Profit.
The internship scheme, which is currently in pilot mode, is likely to reach out to states and respective districts and may invite more companies to participate.
Subsequently, there could be modifications in the current eligibility criteria, including age and qualification. At present, youth aged 21-24 years would apply if they completed 10th, 12th, ITI, Polytechnic, or diploma courses.
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Budget 2025: ITC Hotels Listing Coming
ITC Hotels Ltd., the hotel arm of ITC Ltd., will list before the budget day, according to people aware of the development.
ITC Hotels was demerged as a separate entity with effect from Jan. 1, 2025, and is supposed to list within 60 days. The record and ex-date for the demerger was Jan. 6, 2025.
On Jan. 6, through a special pre-open session, the hotel assets of ITC were demerged from the cigarette major. The demerged portion was valued at Rs 26 per share and continues to remain dormant along with ITC on nearly 60 indices including the benchmark NSE Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex 30.
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Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Boost To Capex
Capital spending is likely to remain a cornerstone of the government's strategy, ICRA said, with a projected Rs 11-lakh-crore allocation for fiscal 2026, reflecting a 12-13% YoY increase, as per ICRA. Key highlights include:
Infrastructure Focus: Roads, highways, and railways will likely see sustained investment.
State-Level Support: Interest-free capex loans to states will continue, aimed at catalysing regional infrastructure growth.
Private Investment Catalyst: Higher public capex is expected, supporting overall economic activity.
Budget 2025 Expectations Live: Hospitality Sector Demand
Ahead of the Union Budget, the hospitality industry wants the government to support growth through targeted measures, said Rajesh Magow, co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip.
Key demands include granting long-awaited industry status to attract investments, allowing GST credit for hotel construction, and rationalizing GST rates to lower accommodation costs. These steps could boost domestic tourism and enhance inbound travel. Additionally, the sector hopes for resource allocation to bolster the "Incredible India" campaign on an international scale.
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