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15 lesser known Income Tax Deductions

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Starting January, you will be running around to make investments in tax-saving instruments or collect proofs for such investments already made. Most of us are aware of the tax deductions available for premium paid for life insurance and pension plans, investments made in ELSS, PPF and EPF and principal repaid on a housing loan. However, there are many lesser known tax benefits you can use to reduce your tax liability. In this post, I shall focus on a few such lesser known income tax deductions or exemptions.

Interest income on Savings Bank Account (Section 80TTA)

Interest earned on the savings bank account is exempt from tax up to a maximum of Rs 10,000 per financial year under Section 80TTA of the Income Tax Act. Please understand this is for all the savings bank accounts put together. Moreover, this exemption is applicable to only interest earned on savings bank accounts. There is no such relief for the interest earned on fixed deposits.

Interest on education loan (Section 80E)

The entire interest paid towards a loan taken for your higher education (or of a relative) qualifies for income tax deduction under Section 80E. Relative includes spouse, children or any individual for which you are the legal guardian. Higher education means any course of study pursued after passing Senior Secondary examination. The deduction is available for 8 years starting from the year you start repaying such loan.

Deduction on rent paid if you are not availing HRA (Section 80GG)

This is applicable to those who are self-employed or are not availing House Rent Allowance (HRA).

You can avail deduction under Section 80GG to the least of (Rs 2,000 Rs 5,000 per month, 25% of total income, Rent – 10% of annual income). There are a few conditions to be met.

You, your spouse or minor children shall not own residential accommodation at the place of your employment. Additionally, you must not have availed any HRA during the entire financial year. You should not have any self occupied residential premise in any other place. If you were employed for 2 months in the year (and availed HRA) and were self-employed during the remaining period, you can not avail this deduction.

Stamp duty and registration charges of your house (Section 80C)

All of us are aware that the principal repayment of a housing loan is eligible for deduction under Section 80C. Apart from repaid principal, you can also claim deduction for stamp duty and registration fees under Section 80C in the year of purchase. You can avail this deduction for these expenses even if you have not taken a home loan.

Interest on loan for a let out property (Section 24)

If you have taken a home loan for purchase/construction of a house, you can avail deduction up to Rs 2 lacs under Section 24. This is for a self-occupied property. On the other hand, if the house is let out (rented) or deemed-to-be-let-out, there is no such cap. You can deduct the entire interest paid from the income from the house property (rent or notional rent). If the interest amount exceeds the rent, you can adjust the loss against the income from other heads including salary.

For the let-out property, the unlimited tax benefit for the interest paid has been withdrawn in Budget 2017. The loss under income from house property per financial year has been capped at Rs 2 lacs per financial year. This cap is effective FY2018. Any excess loss can be carried forward for 8 years. You can read more about the changed regulation here.

Premium paid for Health Insurance and preventive health checkup (Section 80D)

You can claim deduction up to Rs 25,000 for health insurance premium paid (for self, spouse and children) during the financial year. If either you or your spouse is a senior citizen (>= 60 years), the deduction limit goes up to Rs 30,000 per financial year. You can also claim deduction up to Rs 5,000 for preventive health checkup for self, spouse and children. However the total tax benefit for health insurance and health checkup is limited to Rs 25,000 (or Rs 30,000).

In addition to that, health insurance premium paid for your parents is also eligible for deduction up to Rs 25,000 per financial year. If either parent is a senior citizen, the limit goes up to Rs 30,000. The deduction limit includes any payment (up to Rs 5,000) made for preventive health checkup of your parents.

To avail deduction, the premium payment cannot be made in cash. It has to through a banking channel (cheque, demand draft, credit card, debit card, net banking etc). However, payment for preventive health checkup can be made in cash.

So, if you are 35 and your parents are senior citizens, you can claim maximum benefit of Rs 55,000 for health insurance premium and preventive health checkups for self, spouse, children and parents.

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Medical Expenses for uninsured Super Senior Citizens (>= 80 years) (Section 80D)

If you are a very senior citizen (>= 80 years) and have not purchased any health insurance, you can avail deduction for medical expenditure incurred up to Rs 30,000 per financial year. However, please note the total deduction that can be availed for health insurance, preventive checkup and medical expenses shall not exceed Rs 30,000.

For instance, you are a very senior citizen but your wife is not. You don’t purchase health insurance for yourself but purchase one for your wife.  The deduction for your medical expenses, health insurance of your spouse (or children) and health checkup is limited to Rs 30,000.

Similarly, if either of your parent is a very senior citizen and uninsured, you can avail deduction for medical expenses incurred up to Rs 30,000 per financial year. Please understand medical expenses are eligible for deduction only for the parent who is a very senior citizen. As mentioned above, the total deduction for premium payment, health checkup and medical expenses is limited to Rs 30,000 per financial year.

Treatment cost for specified illness (Section 80DDB)

You can claim deduction to the extent of Rs 40,000 for medical expenses incurred for specified ailments for self and dependent relatives. You can claim for spouse, parents, children and siblings. The deduction limit increases to Rs 60,000 in the amount is spent for the treatment of a senior citizen (>=60 years). The deduction increases to Rs 80,000 if the treatment cost is incurred for a very senior citizen (>=80 years).

You cannot claim deduction if you have already claimed reimbursement for the treatment cost under any insurance policy. You need to attach a certificate from a specialist doctor while filing income tax returns. Certificate from specialist doctors from both private and government hospitals will suffice. The list of specified ailments is provided in Rule 11DD. Major illnesses such as cancer, dementia, chronic renal failure, Parkinson disease, Hemophilia are covered.

Deduction for treatment cost of a dependent with disability (Section 80DD)

You can claim deduction up to Rs 75,000 for expenditure towards medical treatment, nursing, training and rehabilitation of a dependent with disability. Dependent can be spouse, parents, children and siblings. The amount can also include payment towards any scheme for the maintenance of such dependent. In case of dependent with severe disability, the deduction limit is Rs 1.25 lacs. You need to submit a supporting medical certificate. For more details, refer to Section 80DD and Rule 11A of Income Tax Act.

Deduction in case of person with disability (Section 80U)

If the tax-payer is a person with disability, he/she can claim additional deduction of Rs 75,000 under Section 80U. There is no relation to treatment costs. In case of severe disability, the deduction limit goes up to Rs 1.25 lacs.

Amount invested in NPS (Section 80CCD)

You can invest up to Rs 1.5 lacs in NPS (National Pension Scheme) to avail tax benefits under Section 80C. Please note the capping of Rs 1.5 lacs is for all the 80C investment products combined. Apart from this, you can invest a further Rs 50,000 in NPS to get income tax deduction under Section 80CCD (1B). This is an exclusive deduction and not available to any other product.

For instance, you can invest Rs 1.5 lacs in PPF or ELSS (or any other 80C product) and Rs 50,000 in NPS to avail total tax benefit of Rs 2 lacs per financial year. Alternatively, you can even invest the entire Rs 2 lacs in NPS to claim tax benefit of Rs 2 lacs (Rs 1.5 lacs under Section 80C and Rs 50,000 under Section 80CCD).

Employer Contribution under NPS (Section 80CCD)

Contribution from the employer up to 10% of Basic Salary + Dearness Allowance is also eligible for deduction under Section 80CCD(2). There is no upper cap (in terms of amount) on this tax deduction. This deduction is over and above the ceiling limit of Rs 1.5 lacs provided under Section 80C. However, this benefit is available only to employees. Self-employed cannot avail this deduction. You may have to talk to your employer to restructure your compensation package to avail this benefit.

Interest on loan taken for repair and maintenance of house property (Section 24)

If you have taken a home loan for repair or reconstruction of your house, you can avail deduction up to Rs 30,000 per financial year under Section 24 on interest paid for such loan.

Investment in Specified shares or Central Government Notified Scheme (Section 80CCG)

50% of any investment in specified shares or notified schemes (Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme) is eligible for deduction up to a maximum of Rs 25,000. There are many sub-conditions. You have to be a new investor. Your gross total income cannot exceed Rs 10 lacs. There is a lock-in of three years on investment. There are multiple operational hassles too. This sub-section is a classic example of how to complicate simple things. One of those cases that make you wonder “What were they thinking?” Nonetheless, it is an option available to new investors.

Donation towards social causes or to specific bodies/funds (Section 80G)

Various donations are eligible for deduction under Section 80G. The extent of deduction (50% or 100% of the donated amount) or any caps (with or without restriction) shall depend on the bodies/funds you are donating to.

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Some of you might already be incurring expenses that are eligible for aforementioned deductions. If you are not claiming these expenses as deduction, gather all the necessary documents and start claiming from this financial year.

About eligible investments, do not make these investment choices just for the sake of saving taxes. Even traditional insurance plans (endowment plans, money back plans) can save you taxes under Section 80C. But these insurance plans don’t serve any purpose in your portfolio. Therefore, pick up a financial product that fits the overall scheme of things. Nothing like it if it offers tax benefits too.

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The aforementioned tax deductions may have further sub-conditions. You are advised to seek services of a tax consultant for better clarity.

This is no way a holistic list of income tax deductions. I am sure there are many others. If you are aware of any deductions that fellow readers can find useful, do leave your inputs in the comments section.

The post was first published on December 5, 2015

41 thoughts on “15 lesser known Income Tax Deductions”

  1. Hi, I had a query. I had invested in a Gold mutual fund where I paid 72k for last 3 years and since it went in loss I closed it this year and I got back 65k. Should I show this 65k as Other Income in my tax returns?

    1. Dear Vijay,
      As I understand, you invested Rs 72K in gold mutual fund 3 year back (not sure of that exact dates as that will impact taxation). Since you have incurred capital loss, you can adjust against capital gains this year. Rs 65K is not your income. This incurred capital loss goes under the head Capital gains.
      There are many parameters such as how long you held these mutual fund units and nature of other capital gains that need to be considered before you use this loss to set off other capital gain.
      Advise you to seek services of a tax consultant. He/she will be able to guide you better after looking at the complete picture.

  2. Sir,

    If I invest in Sr. Citizen Quarterly income scheme in Bank of India (Scheme of 2004), will I get tax benefit under 80C of the amount invested upto Rs. 2 Lacs.

    1. Dear Mr. Shah,
      Could not independently verify if the mentioned scheme comes under Senior Citizen Savings Scheme, 2004.
      If it does, you can tax benefit upto Rs 1.5 lacs (not 2 lacs) on investment in such scheme under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

  3. Hi Deepesh
    My sister is settled abroad.
    If she gifts me some money,will it be taxable?
    What should be the right transaction route?

    1. Hi Ravi,
      Gift received up to Rs 50,000 in a financial year are exempt from tax. Anything above that, you have to pay income tax on the entire gift amount (as per your income tax slab).
      There are a few exceptions though. Gift from a close relative is exempt from tax.
      Your sister is your “close relative” as per both FEMA and Income Tax Act.
      So, no tax liability for you if she gifts you money.
      Take the gift through a regular banking channel. She can transfer money from her NRE or NRO account or even do a remittance.
      If the amount involved is large, it is better you have a gift deed.
      The gift deed (for cash, cheque etc) can be on a plain paper. There is no need for it to be on a stamp paper.

  4. Hi Deepesh,
    Your above note availing tax benefits by investing in NPS
    Talks about additional tax deduction of 50K by an
    Employee’s own contribution and another 50K
    If the employer contributes.
    Does it mean that we have a total tax deduction avbl
    Of 2.5 lacs including 1.5 lacs under Sec 80C ?
    Tks to clarify
    Narayan

    1. Dear Narayan,
      1. Your own contribution is exempt up to a limit under Section 80CCD(1). This forms part of 80C limit of Rs 1.5 lacs.
      2. Apart from above deduction, you are allowed additional deduction of Rs 50,000 for own contribution to NPS under Section 80CCD(1B). This is over and above Rs 1.5 lacs. So, takes the total to Rs 2 lacs
      3. Apart from above two, employer contribution to NPS is also eligible for deduction under Section 80CCD(2) upto a 10% of your salary. There is no other cap. This deduction is again over and above Rs 2 lacs. Remember this is investment in your NPS account by your employer (and not you). Just like employer used to contribute to your EPF account. You cannot do anything about it. If your employer contributes, you will automatically get this deduction. Otherwise, if your employer does not contribute, you won’t get it.

      So, maximum deduction you can get is Rs 2 lacs (Rs 1.5 lacs under Section 80C and Rs 50,000 under SEction 80CCD(1)) + Employer contribution to NPS.
      There are a few posts on my website on NPS tax benefits. Suggest you go through them.
      Do let me know if you have any other doubts.

  5. Sir,Is it correct that the life insurance premium for riders(eg.accidental death,critical illness etc)have additional tax benefits other than 80C?Please give your valuable opinion regarding the same.

    1. Dear Sanjana,
      First of all, you cannot claim tax benefit for the same expense twice.
      So, if you have availed tax benefit under Section 80C, you cannot claim under any other section.
      So, do not think about additional tax benefits.
      Btw, premium for critical illness rider shall be considered under Section 80D.

  6. Hi Deepesh,
    I am 45 year old and have a mediclaim policy for which paying premium of Rs. 14580/-. Can I claim additional amount against preventive health check of mine or dependent family? If yes then how much?

    Also, have super senior citizen parents. How can I claim exemption for their medical expenses?

    Please suggest.

  7. Sanket Shirodkar

    Section 80TTA just includes saving account ?
    If I am having MOD type account where amount above threshold (10k-15k) is directly converted into FD & automatically redeemed once your saving account balance is less than threshold; then what type of interest I am earning is it come under FD ?

    And how to calculate interest credited in saving account if it is taxable ?

    1. Dear Sanket,
      Only savings account interest is exempt to an extent.
      FD interest is taxable. You need to check and calculate from your bank account statement.

  8. Hi Deepesh

    My wife is has an education Loan. I’m re paying the loan. The loan has been taken prior marriage.Can I get I tax deduction under 80E?

    Biswajit

    1. Hi Biswajit,
      No. The loan has to be under your name.
      So, if you had taken a loan for your wife’s education, then you could have taken the tax benefit.

  9. Dear Deepesh,

    The following is my case.Kindly tell how the income tax will be calculated.

    salary 1450005
    Basic Exemption 250000
    Exemption under section 80C 150000
    Exemption under section 80D 25000
    Exemption under section 80G 10000
    Conveyance allowance 19200
    HRA exemption 7183
    Medical reimbursement 15000

    1. There are many online tax calculators available. There is one on income tax website too. Suggest you try those.
      You can seek professional assistance too.

  10. Sir,

    My father in law expired last year Nov 16 and he had a major hospitalization expense of 14L for which we got a employer parent medical cover of 2 lakhs .remaining amount My husband paid from our own savings.now we are liquidating his assests in post office deposits and MIS scheme .Want to know if we can adjust the 12 Lakhs of expenditure under any section of income tax for my husband.

    1. I am sorry for your loss.
      I don’t think that can be claimed in any manner now.
      A CA might guide you better.

  11. Dear Mr. Deepesh,
    In the year 2017, i had spent almost 8 lakhs on my wife’s cancer treatment. i do not have any medical insurance also. neither, i claimed the amount in any policy as i did not have any mediclaim or any policy. Can i get any benefit in income tax act for expenditure under critical illness.

  12. Sir,
    I m paying 3.20lacs on interest as home loan and 1 lacs as principal.
    If the same.property is rented out would i get further benefits on tax relaxation on interest component.

  13. Abhilash Kshtriya

    Hello Deepesh

    I have already claimed 1.5 lakh rupees tax benefit by investing in PF, PPF and ELSS.
    I am planning to claim extra 50K INR benefit by investing in NPS.
    But in case of NPS 60% of the amount can be withdtrawn as lumpsum out of which 20% is tax free and remaining 40% we get it as monthly pension due to annuities which is also taxable.
    So what is your opinion about investing in NPS?
    I personally feel like it is saving my tax for now but later i have to pay tax on what I get so its like I dont have any benefits at all.
    Request you to guide me on this.

      1. Abhilash Kshtriya

        Hello Deepesh
        I went through your article in the link.
        The article was very good and cleared most of my queries.
        I just have 2 queries:-
        1.
        You have discussed 3 withdrawl options in NPS in a table, out of those 3 in which of the methods we will end up spending less tax after retirement? I feel it’s option 1 which is 40% tax free withdrawl and 60% annuities.
        2.
        Currently I am 25. Do you think it is a wise option for me to invest lumpsum 50k in NPS to save tax now? I have invested in ELSS and PPF for 80C and apart from that in a few Hybrid and Equity funds as SIPs too. And in later stage if I am not in need of NPS or no longer a salaried employee, I will just retain the amount till maturity by contributing minimum amount which is 6000/annum and then withdraw it.
        Please advice on above to queries if they are feasible for me.

        Thank you.

        1. Abhilash Kshtriya

          Adding to the above 2 queries,
          3.
          The remaining 40% amount we can claim as pension.
          Say if I have 40lacs in annuities, how do they decide the pension amount?
          If a person lives long enough, there might be chances that he might get more than 40lacs along with returns of 6-7% on this amount?
          How do they decide the duration for the pension, I am confused about this part?
          And if the account bearer is no more the nominee can withdraw the entire oending annuity amount along with the returns right?

          1. When you purchase an annuity, you shift the longevity risk on to the insurance companies.
            Some will die sooner. Some will die late. The insurance companies underwrite such annuity plans accordingly.
            Please go through the following post.
            https://www.personalfinanceplan.in/annuity-options-under-nps/
            Insurers offer rates depending on your age and the type of annuity chosen.
            About what goes to the nominee, it depends on the type of the annuity plan chosen. Please go through the aforesaid post. You should get the answer.
            Hope this answers your query.

        2. Hi Abhilash,
          You can save money by investing in NPS only if marginal tax rate today is higher than marginal tax rate on NPS proceeds (at the time of retirement).
          So, if you pay 30% today and 30% after retirement, you don’t really save any money.
          Ofcourse, you can get the odds in your favour if you are in the 30% tax bracket even today.
          1. Actual tax outgo will depend on your other sources of income during retirement. Therefore, at your age, not easy to make an accurate assessment. Not just that, even the distribution of your income matters too.
          Through these examples, I have simply shown you the options to demonstrate that it is possible to lower tax liability on NPS proceeds (contrary to popular perception). You will have to figure out the best way at the time of retirement.
          2. Yes, that’s possible. Btw, NPS tax benefit is available to self-employed too.

          1. Abhilash,
            You will have to take this call.
            I have already mentioned it is better for those in 30% tax bracket.

          2. IT has to be your call.
            If you still want to save tax to the fullest, make as much contribution as it takes you to 5% bracket.
            Ensure this does not crowd out your other investments.

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