Dear Access India Community, I am writing to draw attention to an important issue that directly impacts persons with disabilities across India and to seek the collective voice of this community in addressing it.
Under the old income tax regime, persons with disabilities were eligible for a meaningful and much needed deduction under Section 80U (and Section 80DD for dependents). This provision recognized the additional, ongoing costs associated with disability—such as assistive technology, personal assistance, accessible transport, and healthcare—and offered some financial relief. However, under the new tax regime, these disability specific deductions have not been carried forward. As a result, persons with disabilities are now required to forgo this benefit entirely if they opt for the new regime, despite the fact that the lived costs of disability have not reduced—in many cases, they have increased. This effectively places persons with disabilities at a disadvantage within a tax system that is otherwise positioned as “simpler” and “more equitable”. I believe this is a matter that deserves collective advocacy. What I am requesting from the community: • Raise your voice on the absence of disability deductions in the new tax regime • Share data, resources, articles, personal narratives, and impact analyses that demonstrate why this deduction is essential • Help collate a strong, evidence backed representation that can be communicated to the relevant governmental authorities (Ministry of Finance, CBDT, and policy advisory bodies) • Explore whether this can be taken up through formal memoranda, consultations, or pre budget representations This community has consistently played a powerful role in shaping accessibility and inclusion discourse in India. A unified, well articulated ask—grounded in rights, equity, and lived experience—can make a difference. If there are existing efforts already underway on this front, I would be grateful to be pointed to them. Otherwise, I am happy to collaborate in helping initiate and organize next steps. Looking forward to your thoughts, guidance, and support. Warm regards, Mister Kayne Author: The Somebody, Nobody, Anybody & Everybody Blog!<https://www.mister-kayne.com/> Mail: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Sent from Outlook® for Windows 11 -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list.. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "AccessIndia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/a/accessindia.org.in/d/msgid/accessindia/TYZPR02MB917108AC7C2FD1F23005F4359D3C2%40TYZPR02MB9171.apcprd02.prod.outlook.com.
