Tax exemption on 9.5% interest on PF for 2010-11

Giving relief to 4.71 crore subscribers of EPFO, the government has allowed tax exemption on the 9.5 per cent interest income on PF deposits for 2010-11.

The Finance Ministry notification last week raises the income tax exemption to 9.5 per cent interest income from 8.5 per cent.

The decision clears the air for the EPFO subscribers who were given increased interest rate by one percentage point for 2010-11, but the Finance Ministry had not matched the interest hike with a commensurate tax exemption.

In the absence of the commensurate income tax exemption, the subscribers were earning higher returns even as it was liable to income tax.

EPFO had decided to provide 9.5 per cent interest rate on PF deposits for 2010-11 after which it was endorsed by the Finance Ministry in March this year. (PTI)