« Top Headlines » Open DEMAT Account in 24 hrs  Global Payroll Management with Tally Prime: How International Businesses Use It Beyond India  How to Manage B2B HSN Codes in Tally Prime: A Complete Guide for Businesses  How to Check Business Revenue in Tally Prime: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide  MSME Payment Rule in Tally Prime: Understanding the Law and Its Impact on Businesses in 2025 The MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) Payment Rule is a legal framework introduced under th  Multipurpose Empanelment Form (MEF) 2025 26 Meaning, Purpose, and How to Manage It in Tally Prime  GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) Structure, Powers, and Its Relevance in Tally Prime Implementation  How Tally Prime Supports the Real Estate & Construction Industry in India  Comparison Between Tally Prime 6.1 and Tally Prime 6.2  How Tally Prime Renewal Helps Save My Data  Where to Buy Tally Prime 7.0 at the Best Rates Possible  CBDT extends specified date for filing of various reports of audit for the Assessment Year 2025-26 «  Govt may scale down tax sops for renewable energy... 'No urgency to revise income tax rates now’... » No tax cuts likely in Budget '08 January, 14th 2008 With the Gujarat elections having snuffed out any prospects of Congress calling for early polls, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram have been busy working out the focus areas of Budget 2008. The good news could be an increase in the income tax exemption limit, though a cut in rates is virtually ruled out. Singh and Chidambaram have been labouring over the Budget and have been meeting frequently they spent a good two hours together on Thursday evening and the major points of emphasis are understood to have been thrashed out. The effort will be to keep tax rates stable, check inflation and incentivise manufacturing. Sources said that with several state polls due later this year, the FM may keep political imperatives in mind. So, government is likely to raise the tax exemption limit from Rs 1.1 lakh a year to Rs 1.25 lakh but may not tinker with tax slabs. Taxable income of up to Rs 1.5 lakh will continue to attract 10% income tax. While a section in the finance ministry is pushing for redefining slabs, the overall mood, driven by political considerations, seems to favour deferring the exercise for the moment. A final decision will be taken towards the end of the month. With polls due in states like Delhi, which has a large number of salaried employees, government is keen to be seen helping them tackle the rise in food prices. The FM's efforts, said sources, are expected to be directed to maintaining the growth impetus in the economy despite a global slowdown, particularly in the US. This will see the budget rolling out measures to ensure the economy maintains its 8-9 % clip. This is felt to be essential as the UPA nears the last lap of its term. A special focus on manufacturingparticularly on segments like textiles and leatheris part of a strategy to prop up the sector which has been hit by the hike in interest rates and rise of rupee against the dollar. Both the PM and FM are not in favour of announcing tax breaks. Though revenues have gone up, the FM has been wary of reducing rates. He has been more concerned over widening the tax net and stemming revenue loss.