Tax treatment of retirement benefits: excess provident fund interest taxable under Rule 9D, affecting exemption eligibility. Tax treatment distinguishes Government and non Government employees: gratuity and PF are fully exempt for Government employees; for non Government employees gratuity is exempt within prescribed limits and PF receipts are exempt if received from a recognised PF after continuous service of not less than five years. Interest on recognised and statutory PFs is taxable to the extent it relates to employee contributions exceeding statutory thresholds, and Rule 9D prescribes the calculation of such taxable interest.