In the Union Budget of 2025, the taxation of Unit Linked Insurance Policies (ULIPs) changed significantly. Let’s look at these changes in a simple way.
What Are ULIPs?
ULIPs are insurance products that combine investment and life insurance. A portion of the premium you pay provides life insurance coverage, while the rest is invested in market-linked assets like stocks or bonds.
Budget 2025 – Taxation of Unit Linked Insurance Policies (ULIP)
Previous Taxation Rules for ULIPs
Before the 2025 Budget, the tax exemption on the maturity proceeds of ULIPs was governed by Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The exemptions depended on certain conditions:
- Policies Issued Between April 1, 2003, and March 31, 2012: The annual premium should not exceed 20% of the sum assured.
- Policies Issued On or After April 1, 2012: The annual premium should not exceed 10% of the sum assured.
- Policies Issued After February 1, 2021: If the total annual premium of all ULIPs held by an individual exceeded Rs.2.5 lakh, the maturity proceeds were taxable.
For policies under the third condition, the gains were treated as capital assets and taxed similarly to mutual funds. However, for policies under the first two conditions that did not meet the premium criteria, the income was taxed under “Income from Other Sources.”
Changes Introduced in Budget 2025
The 2025 Budget brought amendments to Sections 2(14)(c), 45(1B), and 112A of the Income Tax Act. These changes have redefined the tax treatment of ULIPs:
- All Taxable ULIPs Classified as Capital Assets: Previously, only ULIPs issued after February 1, 2021, with premiums exceeding Rs.2.5 lakh were considered capital assets. Now, any ULIP not exempt under Section 10(10D), regardless of its issue date, is classified as a capital asset. This means that even older policies (issued before February 1, 2021) that were previously taxed under “Income from Other Sources” will now be subject to capital gains tax.
- Tax Treatment Aligned with Mutual Funds: Taxable ULIPs are now treated similarly to mutual funds for taxation purposes. If a ULIP invests mainly in equities and is held for more than 12 months, the gains are considered long-term and taxed at 12.5%. If held for 12 months or less, the gains are short-term and taxed at 20%.
- ULIPs whose equity is less than 65% are also taxed like Debt Mutual Funds: Usually, in ULIPs, there is an equity component and a debt component. If your ULIP holding is less than 65%, then such taxable ULIPs will be taxed as per the Debt Mutual Fund rules.
Implications for Policyholders
These changes, effective from the financial year 2025-26, have several implications:
- Review Existing Policies: If you have ULIPs issued before February 1, 2021, it’s important to reassess your investments, as the maturity proceeds may now attract capital gains tax.
- Investment Decisions: With the taxation of ULIPs now aligned with mutual funds, you might want to compare the features, costs, and returns of both products to make informed investment choices.
- Tax Planning: Consider these changes in your annual tax planning to understand potential liabilities and explore available deductions or exemptions.
If draw a timeline of this ULIP taxation from the period of 2003 to 2025, then it looks like below.
In summary, the Budget 2025 has streamlined the taxation of ULIPs, promoting fairness and clarity. Policyholders are advised to stay informed and consult with financial advisors to navigate these changes effectively.
Refer the Youtube video which I created on this topic. This may bring you more clarity.