INCOME TAX9 Sept 2026
Employer gifts up to ₹15,000 now tax-free: Here's what salaried taxpayers need to know about the higher limit | Mint
Salaried employees can now receive up to ₹15,000 a year in employer gifts, vouchers and tokens tax-free, raised from ₹5,000 by the Income Tax Rules, 2026. This is an annual combined limit, not per occasion, and applies under both tax regimes. Gifts in cash or convertible to cash are fully taxable, so track values correctly.
Key Statutory Highlights
- The Income Tax Rules, 2026 raise the annual tax-free limit for employer-provided gifts, vouchers and tokens from ₹5,000 to ₹15,000.
- The ₹15,000 limit is an aggregate per employee per tax year, not separate for each occasion like Diwali or birthdays.
- Gifts in cash or convertible to money, such as gift cheques, remain fully taxable.
Actionable Advice for Taxpayers / Founders:Ask your employer to track the total value of non-cash gifts and vouchers given to you during the year, and make sure payroll correctly accounts for anything above ₹15,000.
Statutory Disclaimer: TaxQue Shorts are AI-assisted editorial briefs for compliance awareness. This brief has not passed every source check; confirm the original notification before acting. This does not constitute formal legal or CA counsel.
TaxQue News Desk
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