EPF withdrawal amount: Taxation

• If a salaried employee opts for withdrawal after continuous service of five years or above, there will be no TDS deduction on the amount.
• It is important to note that if withdrawal is made before the completion of five years of continuous service, the amount withdrawn will be taxable.
• According to new EPF rules announced by the finance minister in budget for financial year 2015-16, EPF withdrawal (taxable) will attract TDS deduction at the rate of 10% (in cases of registered PAN) or up to a maximum of 30% (in cases of unregistered PAN). However, no TDS will be deducted if the withdrawal amount is under Rs.30,000.
• It is important to note that an individual can submit form 15G during the time of withdrawal if his or her income is less than the basic exemption limit even after the addition of the provident fund withdrawal amount. If a subscriber does not submit his or her PAN, TDS will be deducted at 34% on his or her withdrawn amount. If salaried persons want to avoid TDS, they can submit form no. 15H (senior citizens) or 15G for amount up to Rs.3 lakh and Rs.2.5 lakh respectively (both the said forms are declaration forms which can be used by employees whose income is less than the taxable amount).
• It is important to note that there will be no TDS deduction in cases of transfer of a provident fund account and termination of an employment contract as a result of failing health (employee), cessation/discontinuation of a business venture (employer) or any other cause which may not be in the domain of an employee.

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Poonam Jain

Chartered Accountant

​Email: poonam.ca.jain@gmail.com