The government may extend the concessional 15 per cent income tax rate for corporates to set up new manufacturing units by one year till March 31, 2025, to encourage private investments, EY said in its 2024 Budget expectation report. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the interim Budget for 2024-25 on February 1. EY in its Budget expectations report also said that in the interim Budget, the government would continue its focus on ease of paying taxes, while legislative reforms will stay work-in-progress. To encourage more investment in the manufacturing sector and exports, the interim Budget may extend the sunset date for commencing manufacturing from March 31, 2024, till March 31, 2025, for companies availing 15 per cent concessional income tax rate, EY said. The government in 2019 announced that any new domestic company incorporated on or after October 1, 2019, making fresh investment in manufacturing, will have the option to pay income tax at the rate of