Budget 2012-13: Tax benefits, but costlier services

New Delhi, Mar 16: Following are some of the key highlights of the Union Budget 2012-13, presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Parliament today:

*Tax burden for individuals to come down: Income tax exemption limit raised from Rs 1,80,000 to Rs 2,00,000; 10 per cent tax for 2-5 lakh income; 20 per cent for 5-10 lakh and 30 per cent beyond Rs 10 lakh; Savings bank account interest up to Rs 10,000 exempted from tax.

* Many services and goods to cost more: No change in corporate tax rate, but standard rate of excise duty, as also service tax rates, raised from 10 per cent to 12 per cent; No change in peak customs duty of 10 per cent on non-agri goods.

* Large cars, imported bicycles, cigarettes, bidis and some imported jewellery to cost more; branded silver jewellery may get cheaper.

*Boost for capital markets: Securities Transaction Tax on cash delivery reduced by 25 per cent to 0.1 per cent; A new Rajiv Gandhi Equity Saving Scheme to allow income tax deduction to retail investors in stocks.

* Economy expected to gain ground: GDP growth rate pegged at 7.6 per cent in 2012-13; Subsidy Expenditure to be checked and higher tax revenues targetted; Rs 30,000 crore to be raised from disinvestment.

* Capital boost to financial and infrastructure sectors: Rs 15,888 crore to be provided for capitalisation of public sector banks and financial institutions; Infrastructure investment of Rs 50 lakh crore in 12th period, with half from private sector; Tax free bonds of Rs 60,000 crore to be allowed for financial infrastructure projects.

PTI