By Admin 
Income Tax Return Rules: There may be big changes for taxpayers before Budget 2026. It is believed that the government may bring the option of joint taxation. In which husband and wife will be able to file ITR together. If this happens then single income families can get a big benefit.
Presently the system is such that even after marriage, both are considered separate tax units. Due to which the entire tax burden falls on a single income. In the new model, there is talk of considering the family as a unit. Due to which the savings of both husband and wife will increase. Let us tell you what changes the government is going to make.
What is joint taxation?
At present in India, husband and wife may be married. But in tax matters both are considered different persons. Both file separate ITRs on their respective incomes. The problem arises when there is only one earning person in the house. Suppose the husband’s annual income is Rs 10 lakh and the wife takes care of the house.
In such a situation, tax will be charged on the entire Rs 10 lakh. Whereas the wife’s basic exemption will not be available. In joint taxation, the income of both will be added and the exemption limit of both can also be added together. With this, tax will be calculated according to the actual financial condition of the family and not on the burden of just one earner.
How can joint ITR increase tax savings?
If joint taxation applies. So single income families will get the biggest benefit from this. By adding the basic exemption limits of both, the taxable income will automatically reduce. Apart from this, husband and wife will also be able to adjust home loan interest, medical insurance and other deductions in a better way.
Now many times all these exemptions do not fit completely into the income of a single person. Slabs can also be designed in a new way in joint filing. Like higher exemption limit and different tax rates for two people. With this, middle class families can get considerable relief every year.
What will happen to working couples?
With joint taxation, the basic exemption limit and slab should be increased in proportion. Like now a person gets exemption up to Rs 3 lakh. So in joint system this limit can be double or more. The limit of surcharge can also be increased accordingly. So that there is not much tax pressure. As far as the husband and wife, both working, are concerned. Experts believe that they should not suffer any loss. Therefore, it is suggested that even if joint system is chosen, both should continue to get separate standard deduction. This model is already running in countries like America and Germany. If this option comes in Budget 2026, then it will be considered a big and positive change in the Indian tax system.
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