Tax Benefits of Term Plan

Term Plan is a pure protection plan with assured life cover and no maturity benefits. It is an affordable insurance plan providing a large cover at a relatively smaller premium. A non-smoker male, 28 years of age, can get a term plan for a premium as low as Rs.576/month, for a 30 year policy term.

While tax benefits should not be the primary driver for a term plan purchase, it is definitely agreeable that it is an efficient tax saving instrument. The premiums paid as well as the death benefits are exempt under tax regulations in India.

Benefits Under Section 80C

The section 80C of the Indian Income Tax Act allows exemption for life insurance premiums up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per annum. This amount can also include premiums paid for your spouse and/or children.

Apart from this, insurance policies issued on or after April 1, 2012 get a tax deduction limited to 10% of the total sum assured. However, if a person is suffering from any ailment listed u/s 80DDB or suffers from a disability listed u/s 80U, then above 10% would be increased to 15%.

Benefits Under Section 10 (10D)

Apart from saving tax on premiums you can also save tax on the returns u/s 10 (10D) under the Income Tax Act. The maturity amount or death benefit received is fully exempt under the provisions of this section. This exemption is given to the beneficiaries and comes without an upper limit.

It is also stated in Section 10 (10D) that the maturity amount will be taxable if the premium payable in any of the years during the period of the policy exceeds 20% of the actual sum assured. However, this scenario rarely occurs in a term plan as the sum assured is generally much higher than the annual premium.

It is still wise to consult a tax expert advisor and take an informed decision because the benefits can vary for your specific case and tax bracket.

As you continue your exploration for a suitable Term Plan, you can create a free quote to understand how your plan may pan out, and what all options are available in terms of coverage, cover period, payment modes and additional benefits with riders.

Tax benefits are subject to changes in tax laws. Please consult your tax advisor for details.