Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme- New Deduction Introduced

A new section 80CCG is introduced for deduction upto Rs 25000. This scheme would allow for income tax deduction of 50% to new retail investors, who invest up to Rs 50000 directly in equities & whose annual income is below Rs 10 lakh. The lock in period for this scheme would be 3 years. From Financial year 2013-14, a resident whose gross total income for a year is up to Rs 12 lakh, can claim deduction under this scheme. This deduction can be claimed by a resident individual who has not opened a demat account & has never made any transactions in derivative segments as on the date of notification of scheme. It can also be claimed by a resident who has opened a demat account before the notification of scheme but has not made any transactions in the equity segment or the derivative segment till the date of notification.

The deduction is available to an assessee whose gross total income is up to Rs 12 lakh not his taxable income.

Eligible securities for this scheme are:
1. Equity shares falling in the list of equity declared as BSE 100 or CNX-100
2. Equity shares of public sector enterprises which are categorized as Maharatna, Navratna or Mini-ratna by Central Government.
3. Units of Exchange Traded Funds or Mutual Fund schemes with Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme
4. New fund offers
5. Follow on Public offers
6. Initial public offer of a public sector undertaking wherein the government’s shareholding is at least 51%, which is scheduled for getting listed in relevant previous year or whose annual turnover is not less than Rs 4000 crore during each of the 3 preceding years.

The amount of deduction under this scheme is lower of 50% of amount invested in eligible items or Rs 25000.
Investment in eligible securities can be made in one or more than one transaction during the year. The maximum amount that can be invested under this scheme is Rs 50000. This deduction is one year deduction, it cannot be claimed every year.