On Sunday (February 1), the entire country’s eyes will be on the budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Sitharaman will present her ninth consecutive budget. Like every time, this year too, people of all sections, from common man to farmers to employed people, have many expectations from the budget. The salaried class hopes that there will be announcements in this budget that will reduce the burden on their pockets.

After some relief in previous budgets, people are now expecting more major changes, such as amendments in income tax slabs, increasing the standard deduction limit and increase in investment- exemptions. Let us know what are the expectations of employed people from this time’s budget.

In fact, at the time of inflation, the burden on the common man’s pocket is continuously increasing. Everyday things have become expensive. In such a situation, middle class and salaried people are expecting more tax relief from the government this time too, the chances of which are less. Still, people are especially expecting changes in tax slabs, increase in standard deduction and more rebate on savings.

Demand to include more deductions in the new tax regime
There has been a long-standing demand to add some important deductions like NPS, health insurance (section 80D) and home loan interest in the new regime. If this happens, then choosing the new regime instead of the old regime will be more beneficial, especially for the middle class who use these exemptions.

Demand to increase standard deduction
This time, the biggest demand of employed people is to increase the basic tax-exemption limit. Standard deduction should be increased from the current Rs 75 thousand to Rs 1 lakh or more, so that people can get relief.

Increasing the limit of 30% slab
According to the new tax slab, annual income of more than Rs 24 lakh is taxed at 30 percent. There is a demand to increase this also. There is a demand to increase the income limit of Rs 24 lakh to Rs 30 lakh. There is a section of the country which is joining this category.

Increase in deduction limits like section 80C and 80D
The current limit of Section 80C (PPF, ELSS, LIC etc.) of Rs 1.5 lakh is expected to be increased to Rs 2 lakh or more. There is also a demand for improvement in the limit of health insurance (80D). With this, salaried people will be able to save and invest more, tax savings will increase and long-term financial security will be strengthened.

Possibility of further simplifying the TDS system
There is a lot of hope that the TDS system will be made simpler and easier in Budget 2026. Currently, different TDS rates are applicable on different types of transactions (like salary, interest, rent, professional fees, property transfer, etc.), due to which compliance has become quite complex.