Provide Tax benefit on Medical reimbursements for retired employees: ICAI
Issue/Justification
Under section 17 of the Income tax Act, medical reimbursements to employees are exempted from tax up to Rs. 15,000 per annum. Further, the expenditure incurred by the employer for the medical treatment of the employees and his family in approved hospitals is also not treated as a perquisite in the hands of the employee. However, this tax benefit is not available to retired employees.
Suggestion
It is suggested that the provisions of section 17 be amended to include retired employees for the tax benefit on medical reimbursements / hospitalization expenditure in approved hospitals.
(SUGGESTIONS FOR RATIONALIZATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF DIRECT TAX LAWS)