Budget 2025: Tax-free income up to Rs 12 lakh sparks joy, confusion online
Netizens celebrate the tax exemption announcement for incomes up to Rs 12 lakh with memes and humour, though confusion remains
Tirupati: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement of tax exemption on income up to Rs 12 lakh under the new tax regime has sparked widespread celebration on social media, with netizens reacting with a flood of memes.
The government extended the tax-free limit to Rs 12.75 lakh per year for salaried individuals, factoring in a standard deduction of Rs 75,000.
People hailed the decision as a major relief to the middle class, calling it a “super move” by the Centre. One user likened the announcement to "getting a salary hike without changing jobs," while another shared a meme of a man joyfully throwing cash in the air, captioned, "Me, after not paying tax on my Rs 12 lakh income!"
The government emphasized that the revised tax structure is designed to significantly reduce the financial burden on the middle class, leaving more disposable income in the hands of taxpayers. This, netizens said, would stimulate increased household consumption, savings and investment.
However, some netizens expressed confusion over the revised tax structure and actual savings.
One netizen tried to clarify the situation, explaining: "If income is up to Rs 12 lakh, taxes will be calculated as per the slabs. But whatever tax is due will be offset via rebate under Section 87A. If income is above Rs 12 lakh, the rebate will not be available, and tax will apply as per slab rates."
Another user reflected the confusion with a meme of a puzzled Bollywood actor looking at calculations, captioned, "No tax up to Rs 12 lakh, but what happens after that? How does this rebate actually work?" Adding to the humour, one meme showed a cartoon character frantically scribbling on a whiteboard with a perplexed expression, captioned, "When you're trying to figure out how much you’ll actually save after this new tax rule!"
However, many netizens simply embraced the moment with humour. A popular meme featured a man reclining on a chair with a satisfied smile, captioned, "Middle-class taxpayers today: Finally, some good news!" While the announcement has brought cheer, experts advise taxpayers to carefully review the revised structure before making financial decisions.
