Budget 2021 – All about the Taxation of ULIPs

What are the new taxation rules with respect to ULIPs and especially after Budget 2021? Even though ULIPs are equity products, they used to enjoy the tax benefits like other traditional products under Section 10(10D).

Taxation of ULIPs

However, to bring equality between ULIPs and Mutual Funds, during the Budget 2021, Finance Minister proposed the changes in the taxation of ULIPs. Let us see the new taxation rules of ULIPs.

All about the Taxation of ULIPs

There are three aspects of taxation that we have to consider while investing in ULIPs. The first one is at the time of investing, the second one is when it mature or surrendered and the third one is at the time of death. Let us see one by one in detail.

# Taxation of ULIPs while investing

There is no change in the rules with respect to the tax benefits while investing in ULIPs. Hence, the deduction under Section 80C is allowed for the investment made in ULIPs (up to the maximum limit of Rs.1,50,000 per year). An Individual can claim a deduction for the investment made for himself, spouse or children (dependent or independent) and HUF can claim a deduction for the investment made for any member of HUF.

The deduction under section 80C is restricted to 10% of the sum assured. It means suppose the sum assured is Rs.10 Lakh, then the premium that you pay under the ULIP should be up to the maximum of Rs.1,00,000. If the premium is beyond 10%, then it is not eligible for deduction under Sec.80C. Any amount of premium paid more than this limit is not deductible under Section 80C.

One more important point to understand here is that, If you stop the premium payment before the expiry of five years or you terminate your participation by notice to that effect, the aggregate of deductions allowed to you in the earlier years shall be deemed as his income and charged to tax in the year in which such termination or cessation occurs as per your income tax slab.

Hence, discontinuing of ULIPs is like a double-edged sword. One way ULIPs charge you with hefty discontinuation charges and in another way, the reversal of tax benefits what you received under Sec.80C.

Do remember that you can pay the premium as much as possible. However, the benefit in Sec.80C is limited to Rs.1,50,000 a year and the premium must be 10% of the sum assured.

# Taxation of ULIPs at maturity

Here is what the Budget 2021 proposed the changes. Let us try to understand the existing old rules at first.

Taxation of ULIPs (Before the Budget 2021)

Section 10(10D) provides for exemption with respect to any sum received under ULIP, including the sum allocated by way of bonus on such policy. However, if the premium payable for any of the years during the term of the policy exceeds 10% of the actual sum assured, then no exemption is allowed.

Taxation of ULIPs (After the Budget 2021)

Effective from 1st February 2021, no exemption is allowed under Sec.10(10D), if the amount of premium payable for any of the previous year during the term of the policy exceeds Rs. 2,50,000.

However, if the total premium payable during any financial year is less than Rs.2,50,000 (including all the multiple policies), then you still enjoy the tax-free maturity benefits under Sec.10(10D).

The Finance Bill, 2021 proposes to insert a new sub-section (1B) to Section 45 to provide that where any person receives at any time during any previous year any amount under a ULIP, to which exemption under Section 10(10D) does not apply on account of the fourth and fifth proviso thereof, including the amount allocated by way of bonus on such policy, then, any profits or gains arising from receipt of such amount by such person shall be chargeable to tax under the head “Capital gains” in the previous year in which such amount was received. Further, the income taxable under this head shall be calculated in such manner as may be prescribed. Thus, the manner of computation of income shall be notified subsequently.

The definition of ‘Equity-Oriented Fund’ in Section 112A is proposed to be amended by the Finance Bill, 2021. It is proposed to cover ULIPs to which exemption under Section 10(10D) does not apply on account of the applicability of the fourth and fifth proviso thereof. Thus, the high premium ULIPs shall be considered as Equity Oriented Fund even if a portion of the fund is invested in the debt-based scheme.

Thus, the long-term capital gains, in excess of Rs. 1,00,000, shall be taxable at the rate of 10% without indexation under Section 112A. Whereas the entire amount of short-term capital gains shall be taxable at the rate of 15% under Section 111A. The ULIPs shall be considered as a long-term capital asset if they are held for more than 12 months and short-term capital assets if held for 12 months or less.

One more important aspect to consider here is the taxation about the switching. As of now, switching from one fund to the other provided the maturity/redemption of units of ULIPs are exempt under Section 10(10D). However, as per the new proposal, if the premium is more than Rs.2,50,000, then they are not eligible to claim the exemption under Sec.10(10D). In such a situation, we have to wait for clarity about the taxation on switching of the policies whose premium is more than Rs.2,50,000.

# Taxation of ULIPs at death

In the event of the death of the policy-holder, the exemption shall not be denied under Section 10(10D) from either of the policy, that is, excess premium policy (more than 10% of sum assured) or higher premium policy (more than Rs. 2,50,000).

Hence, irrespective of the premium amount, the death benefit is always tax free in the hands of nominee.

Security Transaction Tax (STT) Applicable on ULIPs

Finance Act, 2021 has proposed to amend various provisions of Finance (No. 2) Act, 2004 to enable levy of STT on the amount received by the policyholder at the time of maturity or partial withdrawal from the ULIPs issued on or after 01-02-2021. Levy of the STT on the ULIPs will bring it at par with the equity-oriented mutual fund units. STT will be levied if all the following conditions are satisfied:

(a) ULIP is issued on or after 01-02-2021;

(b) Sum received from ULIP is taxable under Section 10(10D) on account of applicability of fourth and fifth proviso thereof;

(c) The policyholder has transferred units of equity-oriented funds issued by the insurer with respect to ULIPs;

(d) The amount is received on sale or surrender or redemption of the units on account of maturity or partial withdrawal.

STT will be levied at the rate of 0.001% on the value of the transaction and is required to be paid by the seller of the units. Amendment in other provisions regarding furnishing of return and collection and recovery of STT has also been proposed.

It should be noted that the STT shall not be levied in the following situations:

(a) On switching of funds from one scheme to another;

(b) On redemption or surrender otherwise than on withdrawal (in case of death);

(c) If the premium is invested in debt-based, money-market or balanced funds.

Conclusion:-I hope this the above points will bring clarity about the taxation of ULIPs after the Budget 2021. Let me know if you have any questions or doubts.

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16 Responses

  1. Dear Sir,
    I have a ULIP policy started in 2013 for 15 year term , premium 5lakhs per year.

    With the tax change in 2021, does the 2.5lakhs ceiling apply 1. Only for new premium on and after 2021 2. Apply to the entire policy including previous years 3. Does not apply since the policy is older than 2021?

    Please guide on the interpretation. This will help me to decide to surrender or not.

    Thanks and regards

    1. Dear SSS,
      This will be applicable for those policies where you are paying the premium from on or after February 1, 2021.

  2. What will be the impact if one makes top-up investment in ULIP as far as taxation is concerned? If it is an old policy does it mean that one should make top-up such that total payments in a financial year does nto exceed one-tenth of sum insured or being very old policy one can contribute any amount as top-up and the benefits o 10(10)D on maturity will still be enjoyed? Hope my query is clear.

  3. Dear Basu Sir,

    Very well explained. Even minute details well covered and explained. Helped me a lot in understanding ULIPs and its taxation.
    thank you sir
    Regards

  4. I started my SIP with uti ulis for a fixed term of 10 years in 2010 by paying monthly instalment Rs.2000.This has matured in Aug 20 & redeemed partially.Now my question is is I am liable to pay Tax for the matured amount?

  5. Wow, informative post. Do you think the government will ever reduce the threshold of NRI days from 182 days to 120 days for general people?

  6. I have posted so many times my comment regarding the filling of section 112A in ITR 2 in case of CGs from MFs if the investment is done through SIP. Generally the CG statement received from MFs shows CG for each instalment in SIP which seems to be correct as the cost of acquisition will depend on the NAV of the date the instalment is invested. If we put single entry for each SIP instalment it will lead to a large no of entries running into 15 to 20 pages though it will show the correct CG. But if we show all SIP instalments as a single instalment and calculate the CG it gives wrong value of CG.as it will not take into account the different purchase price of individual SIP installments. My question which method is correct for filling section 112A in ITR form 2. I hope I will get the answer this time.

      1. Each purchase and sale entry has to be separately entered to arrive at the correct date (to arrive at whether each transaction is STCG or LTCG) and correct CG amount.

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