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Term Life Insurance that Welcomes Change

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Section 194 DA of the Income Tax Act

The Income Tax Act of 1961 introduced TDS to help the government collect taxes in advance on different types of income. Among its provisions, Section 194DA deals with TDS on life insurance maturity payouts that are not exempt under Section 10(10D). In this blog, you’ll learn everything about Section 194DA, its applicability, TDS rates, exemptions, and key points you should know before receiving a life insurance maturity payout.

What is Section 194 DA?

Section 194DA of the Income Tax Act requires insurance companies to deduct TDS on payouts from life insurance policies when the proceeds are not exempt under Section 10(10D). It applies to taxable maturity proceeds (including bonus paid on maturity).

So, if your life insurance maturity amount, including any bonus, goes over ₹1 lakh and the policy doesn’t qualify for exemption under Section 10(10D), TDS will be deducted under Section 194DA.

 

When does tax deduction apply?

TDS under Section 194DA applies in the following situations:

If the maturity payout is taxable:TDS is deducted.
If the maturity payout is tax-free under Section 10(10D):No TDS is deducted.

Why is TDS deducted?

TDS on life insurance proceeds was introduced in Budget 2019 and applies to all the maturity payouts made on or after 1 September 2019. The purpose of this provision is to ensure proper tax compliance. By introducing TDS on taxable maturity proceeds, the government ensured that:

  • Taxable payouts are reported correctly, and
  • Insurance companies deduct TDS wherever required before releasing the payout.

This helps prevent misuse of tax exemptions and ensures fairness in the tax system.

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When Section 194DA Applies to Life Insurance (TDS Deducted)

TDS is deducted at source only if the payment does not qualify for exemption under Section 10(10D). Hence, the payout becomes taxable in the following cases:

  1. The premium is above 10% of the sum assured. This applies to policies issued after April 1, 2012.
  2. For policies issued before April 1, 2012, the premium is more than 20% of the sum assured.
  3. The policy is a high-value insurance plan that does not meet new limits. 

Note: Many people search “Is TDS applicable on insurance premium?” or “TDS on insurance premium” because such cases are becoming more common.

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When Section 194DA Does Not Apply to Life Insurance

Section 194DA is not applicable in the following cases:

Maturity proceeds

Any sum received under a life insurance policy, including the bonus, that is exempt under Section 10(10D) is not subject to TDS. This includes policies where the premium does not exceed 10% of the sum assured for policies issued after April 1, 2012.

Death benefits

Any sum received by a nominee or legal heir on the death of the policyholder, including the bonus, is exempt under Section 10(10D) and not subject to TDS.

TDS Rate Under Section 194 DA

The current TDS rate under Section 194 DA is 5%. The deduction of TDS is done only on the taxable portion of the income and not on the entire payout.

Here’s how it works:

  • Income portion = Total payout – Total premiums paid

Example

  • Total payout = ₹3,00,000
  • Premiums paid = ₹2,20,000
  • Income earned = ₹80,000
  • TDS = 5% of ₹80,000 = ₹4,000

Hence, only the profit part is taxed, not your own contribution.

What happens if the person does not give PAN?

If PAN is not provided, the TDS rate becomes higher. The TDS without PAN rate is 20%. This is why keeping your KYC updated is important.

Can you claim a refund of the TDS deducted?

If excess TDS was deducted or your actual tax liability was lower, you could claim a refund while filing the Income Tax Return (ITR). Many people wonder, “Where to show 194DA income in ITR?” and the answer is that it must be shown under the income head applicable to the taxable portion.

What Documents Should You Keep for Life Insurance TDS?

To handle TDS matters smoothly, keep these documents ready:

  • Policy bond
  • Premium receipts
  • TDS certificate (Form 16A)
  • Bank statements
  • Communication from insurer
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How Does Section 194 DA Affect Policy Selection?

Always make sure you consider whether the proceeds from your policy are tax-exempt or subject to tax. While buying a policy, check these points:

  • Premium-to-sum-assured ratio
  • Whether the policy meets the exemption rules, under Section 10(10D)

Note: Policies that are investment-heavy often fall into the taxable category, which increases the chances of 194DA TDS being applied. Understanding these points also helps clear common doubts about TDS on insurance premium and how it differs from the insurance commission TDS rate that applies to agents.

How to Plan for TDS Deductions on Life Insurance Payouts?

    • Before your policy matures, confirm if it qualifies for Section 10(10D) exemption, as TDS under Section 194DA applies only to taxable payouts. 
    • Keep your PAN updated to avoid the higher 20% rate. 
    • Track your total premiums so you can estimate the taxable income portion and plan your post-tax returns. 
    • If TDS exceeds your actual liability, you can claim a refund while filing your ITR.

Difference Between 194DA TDS on Life Insurance and 194D TDS on Insurance Commission

Many people get confused between 194DA TDS on life insurance payouts and 194D TDS on insurance commission. Both sections deal with TDS in the insurance industry, but they apply to different payments.

The simple table below will help you understand the key differences.

FeatureSection 194DASection 194D
   
What it applies toLife insurance maturity or surrender payouts, when not exempt under 10(10D)Commission paid to insurance agents
Who receives the paymentPolicyholderInsurance agent
When TDS appliesPayout above ₹1 lakh and not tax-exemptCommission above ₹15,000 in a financial year
TDS rate5% on the income portion (payout minus premiums)5% of the commission amount
Form issuedForm 16AForm 16A
Key ruleApplies only when Section 10(10D) exemption is not metApplies when agent earns commission over threshold

Effortless Tax and Estate Planning with ACKO Life Flexi Term Plan

Given the implications of Section 194 DA, it's an excellent time to revisit and evaluate your life insurance policy to ensure it meets your current financial needs and tax planning. The ACKO Life Flexi Term Plan offers several features that can help you manage your life insurance coverage effectively within the framework of Section 194 DA:

Adaptable Sum Assured

The sums can be changed as the person’s financial requirements change, which can be advantageous for tax management.

Flexible Policy Duration

It is a policy with flexible features that suit your long-term goals and tax strategy.

Flexible Payout Options

Choose the form of receiving payouts wisely in order to overcome the taxation problem.

Will Creation Service

The included will creation services will make the estate planning process easier and ensure that the benefits accrued under the policy are distributed properly.

Affordable Premiums

To always ensure that there is coverage while at the same time making it possible to better financial and tax planning.

Easy Claim Process

Easy claims with less paperwork involved. With ACKO, you can rest assured that the TDS is handled correctly to simplify the process

Choose the Right Term Insurance Policy for Your Tomorrow

Selecting the right life insurance plans in India ensures the financial well-being of your loved ones. Those who want huge coverage always choose the best term insurance plans for 1 crore. Such a plan provides tremendous coverage at economical premiums and saves the financial status of your loved ones in unpredictable situations.

To make a decision, use the term insurance calculator to estimate your premiums and make a plan customised to your requirements. Term insurance provides you with complete protection as well as comfort, knowing that your family will remain financially secure after you are gone. Compare plans, understand benefits, and tailor policies to suit your goals, making all the difference. Act now and secure a safer tomorrow for your loved ones with the right term insurance plan.

Final Thoughts

Compliance with Section 194DA of the Income Tax Act is essential for avoiding penalties and additional tax burdens. Section 194DA mandates TDS on life insurance payouts that exceed ₹1 lakh, unless the proceeds qualify for exemption under Section 10(10D). Timely TDS deductions and deposits, along with issuing Form 16A certificates, are crucial for insurers.

Policyholders must check whether their maturity or surrender amounts are taxable and claim TDS credits while filing income tax returns. Understanding and following TDS applicability rules under Section 194DA ensures financial compliance and helps avoid unnecessary liabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to the most asked common questions related to Section 194 DA:

No, 194DA TDS applies to traditional life insurance policies. For Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs), TDS may not apply, especially if they fall under section 10(10D) exemptions.

Yes, a PLI surrender value calculator can help estimate policy value, enabling TDS calculation under Section 194DA by deducting premiums from the payout to find the taxable portion.

Missing the due date of TDS payment under 194D or 194DA incurs a 1.5% interest per month. Additionally, the penalty for late TDS return filing is ₹200 per day until filed.

Section 194D TDS covers insurance commission for various insurance types, including health, life, and general insurance policies, with a 5-20% rate based on TDS section rules and PAN availability.

TDS means tax collected at the source, aimed at ensuring advance tax collection. In the case of Section 194DA of Income Tax Act, it ensures tax on income from life insurance payouts.

Yes, if PAN isn’t provided under Section 194D of Income Tax Act, the TDS rate rises to 20% compared to the standard 5% for individuals or 10% for companies.

Many people are confused about 194DA income under which head it should be reported. The amount received from a life insurance policy that is not exempt under Section 10(10D) is taxable under the head “Income from Other Sources.”

Section 194DA pertains to TDS on payments made under life insurance contracts where the payment is not exempt under Section 10(10D). If the aggregate amount exceeds ₹1 lakh, TDS needs to be deducted on the income portion.

Yes. If the insurance payout is not exempt under Section 10(10D), the income component of it will be liable for tax. The TDS under Section 194DA is levied only on the taxable portion of the income.

Most of the modern accounting software is capable of identifying payments related to life insurance and automatically calculating TDS under Section 194DA of the Act.

Section 194DA does not apply to property payments. Property transactions are regulated by Section 194-IA of TDS. Section 194DA only applies to non-exempt amounts of life insurance claims.

Surrender values are treated the same as maturity benefits. If the policy is not exempt, the surrender value becomes taxable, and TDS will be deducted.

Disclaimer

The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on industry experience and several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.

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Neviya Laishram profile avatar

Written by

Neviya Laishram

Sr. Content Editor

Vaibhav Kumar Kaushik profile avatar

Reviewed by

Vaibhav Kumar Kaushik

Senior Director – Life Insurance Strategy