HRA- House Rent Allowance – Exemption and other Key Points to Remember

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In India, every person is liable to pay income tax on his income subject to certain conditions. A taxpayer can reduce his tax liability by claiming various exemptions and deductions available as per IT Act.

In this blog we will discuss about one of the exemptions i.e. House Rent Allowance (HRA) available for a taxpayer who has earned income under the head salary and lives in a rented house.

 

What is Salary in respect of HRA?

Salary is a sum of money which an employee receives from his employer in consideration of the service given. HRA is one of the allowances given by an employer to meet the rent expenses paid by the employee.

Click here to read more on Income under the head Salary

 

Meaning of HRA

HRA is an allowance, which an employee receives as a part of his salary from his employer towards the payment of rent expenses. Salaried employee, who lives in rented house, can claim the HRA as exemption to reduce his tax liability. Since, the HRA allowance is towards rent expenses, so if employee doesn’t live in rented house, and received HRA allowances, it would be fully taxable.

As per the provisions of Section 10(13A) of IT Act, HRA is allowed as deduction from taxable salary. It is generally accepted business practice in India that employee received HRA as a component of his salary. So, when an employee received HRA as part of his salary and he actually pays rent during the year, IT Act helps him to reduce burden of tax by allowing the HRA component as exemption, subject to certain conditions.

 

How to Calculate HRA Exemption?

HRA is a part of salary income, however unlike basic salary, HRA is not fully taxable. As per the provisions of section 10(13A) of the IT Act, HRA is exempted subjected to certain conditions.

As per the Rule 2A of the Income tax Rules, 1962, least of the following is allowed as HRA exemption: –

  1. Actual HRA received;
  2. 50 percent of (basic salary + DA) for those living in metro cities (40 percent for non-metros); or
  3. Actual rent paid less 10 percent of basic salary + DA

So, we can say that HRA exemption is calculated based on various factors such as:

  • How much HRA is received?
  • How much rent is paid?
  • How much salary and DA is received?
  • In which city (i.e. metropolitan or non-metropolitan) does employee reside?

To calculate the total taxable income, the amount of exempted HRA calculated, shall be deducted from the total income.

Taxable Income = Total Income – HRA Exemption

 

Who is eligible to claim exemption against HRA?

As per the provision of Section 10(13A) of the IT Act, only a salaried individual who has received HRA as allowance from his employer and lives in a rented house for which he has actually incurred rental expenses during a year, can claim HRA exemption.

So, it won’t be wrong to say that self-employed and professionals are not eligible to claim HRA exemption. However, if they have incurred house rent expenses during the year, deduction under Section 80GG of the IT Act is available for them, subject to certain conditions.

Deduction under section 80GG of the IT Act is also to those employees who do not receive HRA as part of their salary.

 

How to Claim Deduction under Section 80GG?

Deduction under section 80GG of the IT Act is least of the following:

  1. Rs 5,000 per month;
  2. 25 percent of adjusted total income*;
  3. Actual Rent less 10 percent of adjusted total Income*

*Adjusted Total Income is the Total Income decreased by long-term capital gain, short-term capital gain under section 111A and Income under section 115A or 115D and deductions 80C to 80U (except deduction under section 80GG).

 

Is it possible to claim HRA as well as Deduction on Home Loan Interest?

Yes, an assesses may claim HRA as well as deduction of home loan interest & principal payment. HRA exemption is claimed on rent expenses incurred while home loan interest is claimed as per the provisions of section 24 and principal repayment as per section 80C of the IT Act.

Although there is no restriction in claiming both kind of exemption / deduction simultaneously but there should be reason to justify why such employee is not residing in his own house. The reason can be any of the following or similar situation:

  • Assesses owns the house in another city and reside in another.
  • Assesses owns the house but due to some reason he is unable to move-in.
  • House of the assesses for which he has taken loan is under construction.
  • When assesses resides in a rented house and has given his own house on rent for any reason.

 

Is it possible to claim HRA when assesses lives with his Parents?

Yes, if a taxpayer lives in his parents house and enters into rental agreement with them & pays them rent, he can claim HRA exemption during the respective financial year. His parents will include such rent receive as in their income while filing Income tax return.

 

Conclusion

Conclusively, a salaried employee can reduce his income tax liability by claiming HRA exemption. A smart individual is the one who knows the exemptions and benefits available for him to reduce his tax liability.

It is always suggested to seek expert’s assistance for filing income tax return accurately. If you are also looking for professionals’ help then Manthan Experts is the right platform for ITR Filing in time with utmost accuracy.

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Knowledge Source:

Income From Other Sources

Difference between Tax Planning, Tax Avoidance, Tax Evasion

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