Computation of Income under the Head Salaries – Income Chargeable, Exemptions, Deductions u/s 16 & Chapter VI-A: IT Circular 8/2013 Part 5

5. COMPUTATION OF INCOME UNDER THE HEAD “SALARIES”

5.1 INCOME CHARGEABLE UNDER THE HEAD “SALARIES”:

(1) The following income shall be chargeable to income-tax under the head “Salaries” :

(a) any salary due from an employer or a former employer to an assessee in the previous year, whether paid or not;

(b) any salary paid or allowed to him in the previous year by or on behalf of an employer or a former employer though not due or before it became due to him.

(c) any arrears of salary paid or allowed to him in the previous year by or on behalf of an employer or a former employer, if not charged to income-tax for any earlier previous year.

(2) For the removal of doubts, it is clarified that where any salary paid in advance is included in the total income of any person for any previous year it shall not be included again in the total income of the person when the salary becomes due.

Any salary, bonus, commission or remuneration, by whatever name called, due to, or received by, a partner of a firm from the firm shall not be regarded as “Salary”.

5.2 DEFINITION OF “SALARY”, “PERQUISITE” AND “PROFIT IN LIEU OF SALARY” (SECTION 17):

5.2.1 “Salary” includes:-

i. wages, fees, commissions, perquisites, profits in lieu of, or, in addition to salary, advance of salary, annuity or pension, gratuity, payments in respect of encashment of leave etc.

ii. the portion of the annual accretion to the balance at the credit of the employee participating in a recognized provident fund as consists of {Rule 6 of Part A of the Fourth Schedule of the Act}:

a) contributions made by the employer to the account of the employee in a recognized provident fund in excess of 12% of the salary of the employee, 

b) interest credited on the balance to the credit of the employee in so far as it is allowed at a rate exceeding such rate as may be fixed by Central Government.

[w.e.f. 01-09-2010 rate is fixed at 9.5% – Notification No SO 1046(E) dated 13-05-2011]

iii. the contribution made by the Central Government or any other employer to the account of the employee under the New Pension Scheme as notified vide Notification F.N. 5/7/2003- ECB&PR dated 22.12.2003 (enclosed as Annexure VII) referred to in section 80CCD (para 5.5.3 of this Circular).

It may be noted that, since salary includes pension, tax at source would have to be deducted from pension also, unless otherwise so required. However, no tax is required to be deducted from the commuted portion of pension to the extent exempt under section 10 (10A).

Family Pension is chargeable to tax under head “Income from other sources” and not under the head “Salaries”. Therefore, provisions of section 192 of the Act are not applicable. Hence no TDS is required to be made on family pension.

5.2.2 Perquisite includes:

I. The value of rent free accommodation provided to the employee by his employer;

II. The value of any concession in the matter of rent in respect of any accommodation provided to the employee by his employer;

III. The value of any benefit or amenity granted or provided free of cost or at concessional rate in any of the following cases:

i) By a company to an employee who is a director of such company;
ii) By a company to an employee who has a substantial interest in the company;
iii) By an employer (including a company)to an employee, who is not covered by (i) or (ii) above and whose income under the head “Salaries” (whether due from or paid or allowed by one or more employers), exclusive of the value of all benefits and amenities not provided by way of monetary payment, exceeds Rs.50,000/-.

[What constitutes concession in the matter of rent have been prescribed in Explanation 1 to 4 below 17(2)(ii) of the Act]

IV. Any sum paid by the employer in respect of any obligation which would otherwise have been payable by the assessee.

V. Any sum payable by the employer, whether directly or through a fund, other than a recognized provident fund or an approved superannuation fund or other specified funds u/s 17, to effect an assurance on the life of an assessee or to effect a contract for an annuity.

VI. The value of any specified security or sweat equity shares allotted or transferred, directly or indirectly, by the employer, or former employer, free of cost or at concessional rate to the employee and for this purpose, .

(a) “specified security” means the securities as defined in section 2(h) of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 and, where employees’ stock option has been granted under any plan or scheme therefor, includes the securities offered under such plan or scheme;
(b) “sweat equity shares” means equity shares issued by a company to its employees or directors at a discount or for consideration other than cash for providing know-how or making available rights in the nature of intellectual property rights or value additions, by whatever name called;
(c) the value of any specified security or sweat equity shares shall be the fair market value of the specified security or sweat equity shares, as the case may be, on the date on which the option is exercised by the assessee as reduced by the amount actually paid by, or recovered from the assessee in respect of such security or shares;
(d) “fair market value” means the value determined in accordance with the method as may be prescribed;
(e) “option” means a right but not an obligation granted to an employee to apply for the specified security or sweat equity shares at a predetermined price;

VII. The amount of any contribution to an approved superannuation fund by the employer in respect of the assessee, to the extent it exceeds one lakh rupees; and

VIII The value of any other fringe benefit or amenity as prescribed (in Rule 3).

5.2.2A Rules for valuation of such benefit or amenity as given in Rule 3 are as under : –

I. Residential Accommodation provided by the employer [Rule 3(1)]:-

“Accommodation” includes a house, flat, farm house or part thereof , hotel accommodation, motel, service apartment, guest house, a caravan, mobile home, ship or other floating structure.

A. For valuation of the perquisite of rent free unfurnished accommodation, all employees are divided into two categories:

(i) For employees of the Central and State governments the value of perquisite shall be equal to the licence fee charged for such accommodation as reduced by the rent actually paid by the employee. Employees of autonomous, semi-autonomous institutions, PSUs/PSEs & subsidiaries, Universities, etc. are not covered under this provision.

(ii) For all others, i.e., those salaried taxpayers not in employment of the Central government and the State government, the valuation of perquisite in respect of accommodation would be at prescribed rates, as discussed below:

a) Where the accommodation provided to the employee is owned by the employer:

Sl No	Cities having population as per the 2001 census	Perquisite
1	Exceeds 25 lakh	15% of salary
2	Exceeds 10 lakhs but does not exceed 25 lakhs	10% of salary
3	For other places	7.5 % of salary

b) Where the accommodation so provided is taken on lease/ rent by the employer:

The prescribed rate is 15% of the salary or the actual amount of lease rental payable by the employer, whichever is lower, as reduced by any amount of rent paid by the employee. Meaning of ‘Salary ‘for the purpose of calculation of perquisite in respect of Residential Accommodation :

a. Basic Salary ;
b. Dearness Allowance, or Dearness Pay if it enters into the computation of superannuation or retirement benefit of the employees;
c. Bonus ;
d. Commission ;
e. Fees ;
f. All other taxable allowances (excluding the portion not taxable ); and
g. Any monetary payment which is chargeable to tax (by whatever name called).

Salary from all employers shall be taken into consideration in respect of the period during which an accommodation is provided. Where on account of the transfer of an employee from one place to another, he is provided with accommodation at the new place of posting while retaining the accommodation at the other place, the value of perquisite shall be determined with reference to only one such accommodation which has the lower value for a period not exceeding 90 days and thereafter the value of perquisite shall be charged for both such accommodation.

B Valuation of the perquisite of furnished accommodation, the value of perquisite as determined by the above method (in A) shall be increased by-

i) 10% of the cost of furniture, appliances and equipments, or
ii) where the furniture, appliances and equipments have been taken on hire, by the amount of actual hire charges payable as reduced by any charges paid by the employee himself.

It is added that where the accommodation is provided by the Central Government or any State Government to an employee who is serving on deputation with any body or undertaking under the control of such Government,-

(i). the employer of such an employee shall be deemed to be that body or undertaking where the employee is serving on deputation; and
(ii). the value of perquisite of such an accommodation shall be the amount calculated in accordance with Table in A(ii)(a) above, as if the accommodation is owned by the employer.

C. Furnished Accommodation in a Hotel: The value of perquisite shall be determined on the basis of lower of the following two:

1. 24% of salary paid or payable in respect of period during which the accommodation is provided; or
2. Actual charges paid or payable by the employer to such hotel, 

for the period during which such accommodation is provided as reduced by any rent actually paid or payable by the employee.

However, nothing in C shall be taxable if following two conditions are satisfied :

1. The hotel accommodation is provided for a total period not exceeding in aggregate 15 days in a previous year, and
2. Such accommodation is provided on an employee’s transfer from one place to another place.

It may be clarified that while services provided as an integral part of the accommodation, need not be valued separately as perquisite, any other services over and above that for which the employer makes payment or reimburses the employee shall be valued as a perquisite as per the residual clause. In other words, composite tariff for accommodation will be valued as per the Rules and any other charges for other facilities provided by the hotel will be separately valued under the residual clause.

However, the value of any accommodation provided to an employee working at a mining site or an on-shore oil exploration site or a project execution site or a dam site or a power generation site or an off-shore site will not be treated as a perquisite if:

i) such accommodation should is located in a “remote area” or
ii) where it is not located in a “remote area”, the accommodation should be of a temporary nature having plinth area of not more than 800 square feet and should not be located within 8 kilometers of the local limits of any municipality or cantonment board.

A project execution site here means a site of project up to the stage of its commissioning. A “remote area” means an area located at least 40 kilometers away from a town having a population not exceeding 20,000 as per the latest published all-India census.

II Perquisite on Motor car provided by the Employer [ Rule 3(2)]:

(1) If an employer provides motor car facility to his employee the value of such perquisite shall be :

a) Nil, if the motor car is used by the employee wholly and exclusively in the performance of his official duties.

b) Actual expenditure incurred by the employer on the running and maintenance of motor car including remuneration to chauffeur as increased by the amount representing normal wear and tear of the motor car and as reduced by any amount charged from the employee for such use (in case the motor car is exclusively for private or personal purposes of the employee or any member of his household).

c) Rs. 1800/- (plus Rs. 900/-, if chauffeur is also provided) per month (in case the motor car is used partly in performance of duties and partly for private or personal purposes of the employee or any member of his household if the expenses on maintenance and running of motor car are met or reimbursed by the employer). However, the value of perquisite will be Rs. 2400/-(plus Rs. 900/-, if chauffeur is also provided) per month if the cubic capacity of engine of the motor car exceeds 1.6 litres.

d) Rs. 600/- (plus Rs. 900/-, if chauffeur is also provided) per month (In case the motor car is used partly in performance of duties and partly for private or personal purposes of the employee or any member of his household if the expenses on maintenance and running of motor car for such private or personal use are fully met by the employee). However, the value of perquisite will be Rs. 900/- (plus Rs. 900/-, if chauffeur is also provided) per month if the cubic capacity of engine of the motor car exceeds 1.6 litres.

(2) If the motor car or any other automotive conveyance is owned by the employee but the actual running and maintenance charges are met or reimbursed by the employer, the method of valuation of perquisite value is different and as below:

a) where the motor car or any other automotive conveyance is owned by the employee but actual maintenance & running expenses (including chauffeur salary, if any) are met or reimbursed by the employer, no perquisite shall not be chargeable to tax if the car is used wholly and exclusively for official purposes. However following compliances are necessary:

• The employer has maintained complete details of the journey undertaken for official purposes;
• The employer gives a certificate that the expenditure was incurred wholly for official duties.

However if the motor car is used partly for official or partly for private purposes then the amount of perquisite shall be the actual expenditure incurred by the employer as reduced by the amounts in c) & d) referred to in (1) above, as the case may be.

Normal wear and tear of the motor shall be taken at 10 % per annum of the actual cost of the motor car.

III Personal attendants etc. [Rule 3(3)]: The value of free service of all personal attendants including a sweeper, gardener and a watchman is to be taken at actual cost to the employer. Where the attendant is provided at the residence of the employee, full cost will be taxed as perquisite in the hands of the employee irrespective of the degree of personal service rendered to him. Any amount paid by the employee for such facilities or services shall be reduced from the above amount.

IV Gas, electricity & water for household consumption [Rule 3(4)]: The value of perquisite in the nature of gas, electricity and water shall be the amount paid or payable by the Where the supply is made from the employer’s own resources, the manufacturing cost per unit incurred by the employer would be taken for the valuation of perquisite. Any amount paid by the employee for such facilities or services shall be reduced from the perquisite value.

V Free or concessional education [Rule 3(5)]: Perquisite on account of free or concessional education for any member of the employee’s household shall be determined as the sum equal to the amount of expenditure incurred by the employer in that behalf. However, where such educational institution itself is maintained and owned by the employer or where such free educational facilities are provided in any institution by reason of his being in employment of that employer, the value of the perquisite to the employee shall be determined with reference to the cost of such education in a similar institution in or near the locality if the cost of such education or such benefit per child exceeds Rs.1000/- p.m. The value of perquisite shall be reduced by the amount, if any, paid or recovered from the employee.

VI Carriage of Passenger Goods [Rule 3(6)]: The value of any benefit or amenity resulting from the provision by an employer, who is engaged in the carriage of passengers or goods, to any employee or to any member of his household for personal or private journey free of cost or at concessional fare, in any conveyance owned, leased or made available by any other arrangement by such employer for the purpose of transport of passengers or goods shall be taken to be the value at which such benefit or amenity is offered by such employer to the public as reduced by the amount, if any, paid by or recovered from the employee for such benefit or amenity. This will not apply to the employees of any airline or the railways.

VII Interest free or concessional loans [Rule 3(7)(i)]: It is common practice, particularly in financial institutions, to provide interest free or concessional loans to employees or any member of his household. The value of perquisite arising from such loans would be the excess of interest payable at prescribed interest rate over interest, if any, actually paid by the employee or any member of his household. The prescribed interest rate would now be the rate charged per annum by the State Bank of India as on the 1st day of the relevant financial year in respect of loans of same type and for the same purpose advanced by it to the general public. Perquisite value would be calculated on the basis of the maximum outstanding monthly balance method. For valuing perquisites under this rule, any other method of calculation and adjustment otherwise adopted by the employer shall not be relevant. However, small loans up to Rs. 20,000/- in the aggregate are exempt.

Loans for medical treatment of diseases specified in Rule 3A are also exempt, provided the amount of loan for medical reimbursement is not reimbursed under any medical insurance scheme. Where any medical insurance reimbursement is received, the perquisite value at the prescribed rate shall be charged from the date of reimbursement on the amount reimbursed, but not repaid against the outstanding loan taken specifically for this purpose.

VIII Perquisite on account of travelling, touring, accommodation and any other expenses paid for or reimbursed by the employer for any holiday availed [Rule 3(7)(ii)]:

The value of perquisite on account of travelling, touring, accommodation and any other expenses paid for or reimbursed by the employer for any holiday availed of by the employee or any member of his household, other than leave travel concession (as per section 10(5) ), shall be the amount of the expenditure incurred by the employer in that behalf.

Where such facility is maintained by the employer, and is not available uniformly to all employees, the value of benefit shall be taken to be the value at which such facilities are offered by other agencies to the public. If a holiday facility is maintained by the employer and is available uniformly to all employees, the value of such benefit would be exempt.

Where the employee is on official tour and the expenses are incurred in respect of any member of his household accompanying him, the amount of expenditure with respect to the member of the household shall be a perquisite.

IX Value of Subsidized / Free food / non-alcoholic beverages provided by employer to an employee[Rule 3(7)(iii)]:

Value of taxable perquisite is calculated as under:

Expenditure incurred by the employer on the value of food / non-alcoholic beverages including ‘paid vouchers which are not transferable and usable only at eating joints’

XXX
Less: Fixed value of a sum of Rs. 50/- per meal	XXX
Less: Amount recovered from the employee	XXX
XXX
Balance amount is the taxable non- monetary perquisites on the value of food provided to the employees
XXX

Note : Exemption is given in following situations :

1. Tea / snacks provided in working hours.
2. Food & non-alcoholic beverages provided in working hours in remote area or in an offshore installation.

X Membership fees and Annual Fees [Rule 3(7)(v)]: Any membership fees and annual fees incurred by the employee (or any member of his household), which is charged to a credit card (including any add-on card) provided by the employer, or otherwise, paid for or reimbursed by the employer is taxable on the following basis:

Amount of expenditure incurred by the employer		XXX
Less : Expenditure on use for official purposes	XXX
Less : Amount, if any, recovered from the employee	XXX	XXX
Amount taxable as non- monetary perquisite		XXX

However if the amount is incurred wholly and exclusively for official purposes it will be exempt if the following conditions are fulfilled

i) Complete details of such expense, including date and nature of expenditure is maintained by the employer.
ii) Employer gives a certificate that the same was incurred wholly and exclusively for official purpose.

XI Club Expenditure [Rule 3(7)(vi)]:

Any annual or periodical fee for Club facility and any expenditure in a club by the employee (or any member of his household), which is paid or reimbursed by the employer is taxable on the following basis:

Amount of expenditure incurred by the employer		XXX
Less : Expenditure on use for official purposes	XXX
Less : Amount, if any, recovered from the employee	XXX	XXX
Amount taxable as non- monetary perquisite		XXX

However if the amount is incurred wholly and exclusively for official purposes it will be exempt if the following conditions are fulfilled

i) Complete details of such expense, including date and nature of expenditure is maintained by the employer.
ii) Employer gives a certificate that the same was incurred wholly and exclusively for official purpose.

Note: 1) Health club, sport facilities etc. provided uniformly to all classes of employee by the employer at the employer’s premises and expenditure incurred on them are exempt.

2) The initial one-time deposits or fees for corporate or institutional membership, where benefit does not remain with a particular employee after cessation of employment are exempt. Initial fees / deposits, in such case, is not included.

XII Use of assets [Rule 3(7)(vii)]: It is common practice for a movable asset (other than those referred in other sub rules of rule 3) owned by the employer to be used by the employee or any member of his household. This perquisite is to be charged at the rate of 10% of the original cost of the asset as reduced by any charges recovered from the employee for such use. However, the use of Computers and Laptops would not give rise to any perquisite.

XIII Transfer of assets [Rule 3(7)(viii)]: Often an employee or member of his household benefits from the transfer of movable asset (not being shares or securities) at no cost or at a cost less than its market value from the employer. The difference between the original cost of the movable asset (not being shares or securities) and the sum, if any, paid by the employee, shall be taken as the value of perquisite. In case of a movable asset, which has already been put to use, the original cost shall be reduced by a sum of 10% of such original cost for every completed year of use of the asset. Owing to a higher degree of obsolescence, in case of computers and electronic gadgets, however, the value of perquisite shall be worked out by reducing 50% of the actual cost by the reducing balance method for each completed year of use. Electronic gadgets in this case means data storage and handling devices like computer, digital diaries and printers. They do not include household appliance (i.e. white goods) like washing machines, microwave ovens, mixers, hot plates, ovens etc. Similarly, in case of cars, the value of perquisite shall be worked out by reducing 20% of its actual cost by the reducing balance method for each completed year of use.

XIV Gifts [Rule 3(7)(iv)]:

The value of any gift or vouchers or token in lieu of which such gift may be received, given by the employer to the employee or member of his household, is taxable as perquisite. However gift, etc less than Rs. 5,000 in aggregate per annum would be exempt.

XV Transfer Grant Allowance:

In this connection it is to be noted that as per sec.10(14) read with rule 2BB any allowance granted to meet the cost of travel on tour or on transfer includes any sum paid in connection with transfer, packing and transportation of personal effects on such transfer shall be exempt. Also any allowance, whether, granted for the period of journey in connection with transfer, to meet the ordinary daily charges incurred by an employee on account of absence from his normal place of duty shall be exempt.

XVI Leave Travel Concession (LTC):

The following are the important points, to be taken into consideration, for claiming exemption u/s 10(5) of the Act read with Rule 2B of the Rules:

1. Definition – Value of LTC received by or due to an individual from his present or previous employer, as the case may be, for himself and his family in connection with his proceeding on leave to any place in India or to any place in India after retirement or termination from/of service.

2. Number of Trips – The exemption shall be available in respect of 2 journeys performed in the block of 4 calendar years.

• Without performing any journey and incurring expenses thereon, no exemption can be claimed.
• The quantum of exemption will be subject to the following maximum limits for journeys performed on or after 01.10.1997:

Sl No	Journey Performed by	Exemption Limit
1	Air	Air Economy fare of the national carrier (Air India) by the shortest route to the place of destination
2	Places connected by rail and journey performed by any mode other than by air.	First Class Air conditioned rail fare by the shortest route to the place of destination
3	Place of origin and destination or part thereof not connected by rail.	a) Where public transport system exists, first class or deluxe class fare on such transport by the shortest route to the place of destination. b) Where no public transport system exists, first class A/C rail fare, for the distance of the journey by the shortest route, as if the journey has been performed by rail

o This exemption is limited to the actual expenses incurred on the journey which in turn is strictly limited to expenses on air fare, rail fare and bus fare only. No other expenses like local conveyance, sight-seeing expense etc., shall qualify for exemption.

o Where the journey is performed in a circuitous route, the exemption is limited to what is admissible by the shortest route. Likewise, where the journey is performed in a circular form touching different places, the exemption is limited to what is admissible for the journey from the place of origin to the farthest point reached in India, by the shortest route.

• Restriction on children – The exemption will not be available to more than 2 surviving children of an individual born after 01.10.1998. This restriction shall not apply in respect of children born before 01.10.1998 and also in case of multiple births after one child. It may be noted that section 2 (15B) of the Act defines a child as includes a step child and an adopted child of the individual.

• Definition of Family – As per the provisions of the Rules, family means:

o Spouse and children of the individual.
o Parents, brothers and sisters who are wholly or mainly dependent on the individual.

• Foreign Travel – As per the provisions of the Rules, exemption is not allowable in case of travel abroad.

• Obligation of the employer –The employer has to satisfy the obligation that leave travel (fare) concession is not taxable in view of section 10(5) the employer is not only required to be satisfied about the provisions of the said clause but also to keep and preserve evidence in support thereof.

Some important points to be considered are as under:

1. It is uniform for all employees
2. Where an employee does not avail LTC, either one or on both the occasions during the block of 4 calendar years, the value of LTC first availed during the first calendar year of the immediately succeeding block shall be eligible for exemption in lieu of exemption not availed during the preceding block Only one trip can be carried forward to be availed in the immediately succeeding block.
3. Quantum of Exemption – The basic rule is that quantum of exemption will be limited to the actual expense incurred on the journey.

Any Leave encashed for the purpose of Leave travel or home travel concession is taxable.

XVII Medical Reimbursement by the employer exceeding Rs. 15,000/- p.a. u/s 17(2) is to be taken as perquisite.

It is further clarified that the rule position regarding valuation of perquisites are given at section 17(2) of the Act and in rule 3 of the Rules. The deductors may look into the above provisions carefully before they determine the perquisite value for deduction purposes.

It is pertinent to mention that benefits specifically exempt u/s 10(13A), 10(5), 10(14), 17 etc. of the Act would continue to be exempt. These include benefits like house rent allowance, leave travel concession, travel on tour and transfer, daily allowance to meet tour expenses as prescribed, medical facilities subject to conditions.

5.2.3 ‘Profits in lieu of salary’ shall include

I. the amount of any compensation due to or received by an assessee from his employer or former employer at or in connection with the termination of his employment or the modification of the terms and conditions relating thereto;

II. any payment (other than any payment referred to in clauses (10), (10A), (10B), ( 11), (12) (13) or (13A) of section 10due to or received by an assessee from an employer or a former employer or from a provident or other fund, to the extent to which it does not consist of contributions by the assessee or interest on such contributions or any sum received under a Keyman insurance policy including the sum allocated by way of bonus on such policy.

“Keyman insurance policy” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in section 10(10D);

III. any amount due to or received, whether in lump sum or otherwise, by any assessee from any person—

(A) before his joining any employment with that person; or (B) after cessation of his employment with that person.

5.3 INCOMES NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE HEAD “SALARIES”(EXEMPTIONS)

Any income falling within any of the following clauses shall not be included in computing the income from salaries for the purpose of section 192 of the Act :-

5.3.1 The value of any travel concession or assistance received by or due to an employee from his employer or former employer for himself and his family, in connection with his proceeding (a) on leave to any place in India or (b) after retirement from service, or, after termination of service to any place in India is exempt under Section 10(5) subject, however, to the conditions prescribed in Rule 2B of the Rules.

For the purpose of this clause, “family” in relation to an individual means:

(i) the spouse and children of the individual; and
(ii) the parents, brothers and sisters of the individual or any of them, wholly or mainly dependent on the individual.

It may also be noted that the amount exempt under this clause shall in no case exceed the amount of expenses actually incurred for the purpose of such travel.

5.3.2 Death-cum -retirement gratuity or any other gratuity is exempt to the extent specified from inclusion in computing the total income under Section 10(10). Any death-cum-retirement gratuity received under the revised Pension Rules of the Central Government or, as the case may be, the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, or under any similar scheme applicable to the members of the civil services of the Union or holders of posts connected with defence or of civil posts under the Union (such members or holders being persons not governed by the said Rules) or to the members of the all-India services or to the members of the civil services of a State or holders of civil posts under a State or to the employees of a local authority or any payment of retiring gratuity received under the Pension Code or Regulations applicable to the members of the defence service. Gratuity received in cases other than those mentioned above, on retirement, termination etc is exempt up to the limit as prescribed by the Board. Presently the limit is Rs. 10 lakhs w.e.f. 24.05. 2010 [Notification no. 43/2010 S.O. 1414(E) F.No. 200/33/2009-ITA-1 dated 11th June 2010].

5.3.3 Any payment in commutation of pension received under the Civil Pensions (Commutation) Rules of the Central Government or under any similar scheme applicable to the members of the civil services of the Union or holders of posts connected with defence or of civil posts under the Union (such members or holders being persons not governed by the said Rules) or to the members of the all- India services or to the members of the defence services or to the members of the civil services of a State or holders of civil posts under a State or to the employees of a local authority] or a corporation established by a Central, State or Provincial Act, is exempt under Section10(10A)(i). As regards payments in commutation of pension received under any scheme of any other employer, exemption will be governed by the provisions of section 10(10A)(ii). Also, any payment in commutation of pension from a fund referred to in Section 10(23AAB) is exempt under Section 10(10A)(iii).

5.3.4 Any payment received by an employee of the Central Government or a State Government, as cash-equivalent of the leave salary in respect of the period of earned leave at his credit at the time of his retirement, whether on superannuation or otherwise, is exempt under Section 10(10AA)(i). In the case of other employees, this exemption will be determined with reference to the leave to their credit at the time of retirement on superannuation or otherwise, subject to a maximum of ten months’ leave. This exemption will be further limited to the maximum amount specified by the Government of India Notification No.S.O.588(E) dated 31.05.2002 at Rs. 3,00,000/- in relation to such employees who retire, whether on superannuation or otherwise, after 1.4.1998.

5.3.5 Under Section 10(10B), the retrenchment compensation received by a workman is exempt from income-tax subject to certain limits. The maximum amount of retrenchment compensation exempt is the sum calculated on the basis provided in section 25F(b) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 or any amount not less than Rs.50,000/- as the Central Government may by notification specify in the Official Gazette, whichever is less. These limits shall not apply in the case where the compensation is paid under any scheme which is
approved in this behalf by the Central Government, having regard to the need for extending
special protection to the workmen in the undertaking to which the scheme applies and other relevant circumstances. The maximum limit of such payment is Rs. 5,00,000/- where retrenchment is on or after 1.1.1997 as specified in Notification No. 1096 of 25-06-1999.

5.3.6 Under Section 10(10C), any payment received or receivable (even if received in installments) by an employee of the following bodies at the time of his voluntary retirement or termination of his service, in accordance with any scheme or schemes of voluntary retirement or in the case of public sector company, a scheme of voluntary separation, is exempt from income-tax to the extent that such amount does not exceed Rs. 5,00,000/-:

a) A public sector company;
b) Any other company;
c) An Authority established under a Central, State or Provincial Act;
d) A Local Authority;
e) A Cooperative Society;
f) A university established or incorporated or under a Central, State or Provincial Act, or, an Institution declared to be a University under section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956;
g) Any Indian Institute of Technology within the meaning of Section 3 (g) of the Institute of Technology Act, 1961;
h) Such Institute of Management as the Central Government may by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.

The exemption of amount received under VRS has been extended to employees of the Central Government and State Government and employees of notified institutions having importance throughout India or any State or States. It may also be noted that where this exemption has been allowed to any employee for any assessment year, it shall not be allowed to him for any other assessment year. Further, if relief has been allowed under section 89 for any assessment year in respect of amount received on voluntary retirement or superannuation, no exemption under section 10(10C) shall be available.

5.3.7 Any sum received under a Life Insurance Policy (Sec 10(10D), including the sum allocated by way of bonus on such policy other than the following is exempt under section 10(10D):

i)
any sum received under section 80DD(3) or section 80DDA(3)
ii) any sum received under a Keyman insurance policy; or
iii) any sum received under an insurance policy issued on or after 1.4.2003, but on or before 31-03-2012, in respect of which the premium payable for any of the years during the term of the policy exceeds 20 percent of the actual capital sum assured; or
iv) any sum received under an insurance policy issued on or after 1.4.2012 in respect of which the premium payable for any of the years during the term of the policy exceeds 10 percent of the actual capital sum assured; or
iv) any sum received under an insurance policy issued on or after 1.4.2013. In cases of persons with disability or person with severe disability as per Sec 80 U or suffering from disease or ailment as specified in Sec 80DDB, in respect of which the premium payable for any of the years during the term of the policy exceeds 15 percent of the actual capital sum assured

However, any sum received under such policy referred to in (iii), (iv) and (v) above, on the death of a person would be exempt.

5.3.8 Any payment from a Provident Fund to which the Provident Funds Act, 1925, applies or from any other provident fund set up by the Central Government and notified by it in the Official Gazette is exempt under section 10(11).

5.3.9 Under section 10(13A) of the Act, any special allowance specifically granted to an assessee by his employer to meet expenditure incurred on payment of rent (by whatever name called) in respect of residential accommodation occupied by the assessee is exempt from Income-tax to the extent as may be prescribed, having regard to the area or place in which such accommodation is situated and other relevant considerations. According to Rule 2A of the Rules, the quantum of exemption allowable on account of grant of special allowance to meet expenditure on payment of rent shall be the least of the following:

(a) The actual amount of such allowance received by the assessee in respect of the relevant period i. e. the period during which the accommodation was occupied by the assesse during the financial year; or

(b) The actual expenditure incurred in payment of rent in excess of 1/10 of the salary due for the relevant period; or

(i) Where such accommodation is situated in Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi or Madras, 50% of the salary due to the employee for the relevant period; or
(ii) Where such accommodation is situated in any other places, 40% of the salary due to the employee for the relevant period,

For this purpose, “Salary” includes dearness allowance, if the terms of employment so provide, but excludes all other allowances and perquisites.

It has to be noted that only the expenditure actually incurred on payment of rent in respect of residential accommodation occupied by the assessee subject to the limits laid down in Rule 2A, qualifies for exemption from income-tax. Thus, house rent allowance granted to an employee who is residing in a house/flat owned by him is not exempt from income-tax. The disbursing authorities should satisfy themselves in this regard by insisting on production of evidence of actual payment of rent before excluding the House Rent Allowance or any portion thereof from the total income of the employee.

Though incurring actual expenditure on payment of rent is a pre-requisite for claiming deduction under section 10(13A), it has been decided as an administrative measure that salaried employees drawing house rent allowance upto Rs.3000/- per month will be exempted from production of rent receipt. It may, however, be noted that this concession is only for the purpose of tax-deduction at source, and, in the regular assessment of the employee, the Assessing Officer will be free to make such enquiry as he deems fit for the purpose of satisfying himself that the employee has incurred actual expenditure on payment of rent.

Further if annual rent paid by the employee exceeds Rs 1,00,000 per annum, it is mandatory for the employee to report PAN of the landlord to the employer. In case the landlord does not have a PAN, a declaration to this effect from the landlord along with the name and address of the landlord should be filed by the employee.

5.3.10 Section 10(14) provides for exemption of the following allowances :-

(i) Any special allowance or benefit granted to an employee to meet the expenses wholly, necessarily and exclusively incurred in the performance of his duties as prescribed under Rule 2BB subject to the extent to which such expenses are actually incurred for that purpose.

(ii) Any allowance granted to an employee either to meet his personal expenses at the place of his posting or at the place he ordinarily resides or to compensate him for the increased cost of living, which may be prescribed and to the extent as may be prescribed.

However, the allowance referred to in (ii) above should not be in the nature of a personal allowance granted to the assessee to remunerate or compensate him for performing duties of a special nature relating to his office or employment unless such allowance is related to his place of posting or residence.

The CBDT has prescribed guidelines for the purpose of Section 10(14) (i) & 10 (14) (ii) vide notification No.SO 617(E) dated 7th July, 1995 (F.No.142/9/95-TPL)which has been amended vide notification SO No.403(E) dt 24.4.2000 (F.No.142/34/99-TPL). The transport allowance granted to an employee to meet his expenditure for the purpose of commuting between the place of his residence and the place of duty is exempt to the extent of Rs.800 p. m. or Rs1600 p.m (for a blind person) vide notification S.O.No. 395(E) dated 13.5.98.

5.3.11 Under Section 10(15)(iv)(i) of the Act, interest payable by the Government on deposits made by an employee of the Central Government or a State Government or a public sector company out of his retirement benefits, in accordance with such scheme framed in this behalf by the Central Government and notified in the Official Gazette is exempt from income-tax. By notification No.F.2/14/89-NS-II dated 7.6.89, as amended by notification No.F.2/14/89-NS-II dated 12.10.89, the Central Government has notified a scheme called Deposit Scheme for Retiring Government Employees, 1989 for the purpose of the said clause.

5.3.12 Any scholarship granted to meet the cost of education is not to be included in total income as per provisions of section 10(16) of the Act.

5.3.13 Section 10(18) provides for exemption of any income by way of pension received by an individual who has been in the service of the Central Government or State Government and has been awarded “Param Vir Chakra” or “Maha Vir Chakra” or “Vir Chakra” or such other gallantry award as may be specifically notified by the Central Government. Family pension received by any member of the family of such individual is also exempt [Notifications No.S.O.1948(E) dated 24.11.2000 and 81(E) dated 29.1.2001, which are enclosed as per Annexure VIII & IX]. “Family” for this purpose shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 10(5) of the Act.

DDO may not deduct any tax in the case of recipients of such awards after satisfying himself about the veracity of the claim.

5.3.14 Under Section 17 of the Act, exemption from tax will also be available in respect of:-

(a) the value of any medical treatment provided to an employee or any member of his family, in any hospital maintained by the employer;

(b) any sum paid by the employer in respect of any expenditure actually incurred by the employee on his medical treatment or of any member of his family:

(i) in any hospital maintained by the Government or any local authority or any other hospital approved by the Government for the purposes of medical treatment of its employees;
ii) in respect of the prescribed diseases or ailments as provided in Rule 3A(2) of the Rules in any hospital approved by the Chief Commissioner having regard to the prescribed guidelines as provided in Rule 3(A)(1)of the Rules.

(c) premium paid by the employer in respect of medical insurance taken for his employees (under any scheme approved by the Central Government or Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority) or reimbursement of insurance premium to the employees who take medical insurance for themselves or for their family members (under any scheme approved by the Central Government or Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority);

(d) reimbursement, by the employer, of the amount spent by an employee in obtaining medical treatment for himself or any member of his family from any doctor, not exceeding in the aggregate Rs.15,000/- in an year.

(e) As regards medical treatment abroad, the actual expenditure on stay and treatment abroad of the employee or any member of his family, or, on stay abroad of one attendant who accompanies the patient, in connection with such treatment, will be excluded from perquisites to the extent permitted by the Reserve Bank of India. It may be noted that the expenditure incurred on travel abroad by the patient/attendant, shall be excluded from perquisites only if the employee’s gross total income, as computed before including the said expenditure, does not exceed Rs.2 lakhs. For the purpose of availing exemption on expenditure incurred on medical treatment, “hospital” includes a dispensary or clinic or nursing home, and “family” in relation to an individual means the spouse and children of the individual. Family also includes parents, brothers and sisters of the individual if they are wholly or mainly dependent on the individual.

5.4 DEDUCTIONS U/S 16 OF THE ACT FROM THE INCOME FROM SALARIES

5.4.1 Entertainment Allowance [Section 16(ii)]:

A deduction is also allowed under section 16(ii) in respect of any allowance in the nature of an entertainment allowance specifically granted by an employer to the assessee, who is in receipt of a salary from the Government, a sum equal to one-fifth of his salary(exclusive of any allowance, benefit or other perquisite) or five thousand rupees whichever is less. No deduction on account of entertainment allowance is available to non-government employees.

5.4.2 Tax on Employment [Section 16(iii)]:

The tax on employment (Professional Tax) within the meaning of article 276(2) of the Constitution of India, leviable by or under any law, shall also be allowed as a deduction in computing the income under the head “Salaries”.

It may be clarified that “Standard Deduction” from gross salary income, which was being allowed up to financial year 2004-05 is not allowable from financial year 2005-06 onwards.

5.5 DEDUCTIONS UNDER CHAPTER VI-A OF THE ACT

In computing the taxable income of the employee, the following deductions under Chapter VI-A of the Act are to be allowed from his gross total income:

5.5.1 Deduction in respect of Life insurance premia, deferred annuity, contributions to provident fund, subscription to certain equity shares or debentures, etc. (section 80C)

A. Section 80C, entitles an employee to deductions for the whole of amounts paid or deposited in the current financial year in the following schemes, subject to a limit of Rs.1,00,000/-:

(1) Payment of insurance premium to effect or to keep in force an insurance on the life of the individual, the spouse or any child of the individual.

(2) Any payment made to effect or to keep in force a contract for a deferred annuity, not being an annuity plan as is referred to in item (7) herein below on the life of the individual, the spouse or any child of the individual, provided that such contract does not contain a provision for the exercise by the insured of an option to receive a cash payment in lieu of the payment of the annuity;

(3) Any sum deducted from the salary payable by, or, on behalf of the Government to any individual, being a sum deducted in accordance with the conditions of his service for the purpose of securing to him a deferred annuity or making provision for his spouse or children, in so far as the sum deducted does not exceed 1/5th of the salary;

(4) Any contribution made :

(a) by an individual to any Provident Fund to which the Provident Fund Act, 1925 applies;

(b) to any provident fund set up by the Central Government, and notified by it in this behalf in the Official Gazette, where such contribution is to an account standing in the name of an individual, or spouse or children;

[The Central Government has since notified Public Provident Fund vide Notification S.O. No. 1559(E) dated 3.11.05]

(c) by an employee to a Recognized Provident Fund; 

(d) by an employee to an approved superannuation fund;

It may be noted that “contribution” to any Fund shall not include any sums in repayment of loan or advance;

(5) Any subscription :-

(a) to any such security of the Central Government or any such deposit scheme as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf;

(b) to any such saving certificates as defined under section 2(c) of the Government Saving Certificate Act, 1959 as the Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.

[The Central Government has since notified National Saving Certificate (VIIIth Issue) vide Notification S.O. No. 1560(E) dated 3.11.05and National Saving Certificate (IXth Issue) vide Notification . G.S.R. 848 (E), dated the 29th November, 2011, publishing the National Savings Certificates (IX-Issue) Rules, 2011 G.S.R. 868 (E), dated the 7th December, 2011, specifying the
National Savings Certificates IX Issue as the class of Savings CertificatesF No1-13/2011-NS-II r/w amendent Notification No.GSR 319(E), dated 25-4-2012]

(6) Any sum paid as contribution in the case of an individual, for himself, spouse or any child,

a. for participation in the Unit Linked Insurance Plan, 1971 of the Unit Trust of India;

b. for participation in any unit-linked insurance plan of the LIC Mutual Fund referred to section 10 (23D) and as notified by the Central Government.

[The Central Government has since notified Unit Linked Insurance Plan (formerly known as Dhanraksha, 1989) of LIC Mutual Fund vide Notification S.O. No. 1561(E) dated 3.11.05.]

(7) Any subscription made to effect or keep in force a contract for such annuity plan of the Life Insurance Corporation or any other insurer as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify;

[The Central Government has since notified New Jeevan Dhara, New Jeevan Dhara-I, New Jeevan Akshay, New Jeevan Akshay-I and New Jeevan Akshay-II vide Notification S.O. No. 1562(E) dated 3.11.05 and Jeevan Akshay-III vide Notification S.O. No. 847(E) dated 1.6.2006 ]

(8) Any subscription made to any units of any Mutual Fund, of section 10(23D), or from the Administrator or the specified company referred to in Unit Trust of India (Transfer of Undertaking & Repeal) Act, 2002 under any plan formulated in accordance with any scheme as the Central Government, may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf;

[The Central Government has since notified the Equity Linked Saving Scheme, 2005 for this purpose vide Notification S.O. No. 1563(E) dated 3.11.2005]

The investments made after 1.4.2006 in plans formulated in accordance with Equity Linked Saving Scheme, 1992 or Equity Linked Saving Scheme, 1998 shall also qualify for deduction under section 80C.

(9) Any contribution made by an individual to any pension fund set up by any Mutual Fund referred to in section 10(23D), or, by the Administrator or the specified company defined in Unit Trust of India (Transfer of Undertaking & Repeal) Act, 2002, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf;

[The Central Government has since notified the Equity Linked Saving Scheme, 2005 for this purpose vide Notification S.O. No. 1563(E) dated 3.11.2005]

(10) Any subscription made to any such deposit scheme of, or, any contribution made to any such pension fund set up by, the National Housing Bank, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf;

(11) Any subscription made to any such deposit scheme, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify for the purpose of being floated by (a) public sector companies engaged in providing long-term finance for construction or purchase of houses in India for residential purposes, or, (b) any authority constituted in India by, or, under any law, enacted either for the purpose of dealing with and satisfying the need for housing accommodation or for the purpose of planning, development or improvement of cities, towns and villages, or for both.

[The Central Government has since notified the Public Deposit Scheme of HUDCO vide Notification S.O. No.37(E), dated 11.01.2007, for the purposes of Section 80C(2)(xvi)(a)].

(12) Any sums paid by an assessee for the purpose of purchase or construction of a residential house property, the income from which is chargeable to tax under the head “Income from house property” (or which would, if it has not been used for assessee’s own residence, have been chargeable to tax under that head) where such payments are made towards or by way of any instalment or part payment of the amount due under any self-financing or other scheme of any Development Authority, Housing Board etc.

The deduction will also be allowable in respect of re-payment of loans borrowed by an assessee from the Government, or any bank or Life Insurance Corporation, or National Housing Bank, or certain other categories of institutions engaged in the business of providing long term finance for construction or purchase of houses in India. Any repayment of loan borrowed from the employer will also be covered, if the employer happens to be a public company, or a public sector company, or a university established by law, or a college affiliated to such university, or a local authority, or a cooperative society, or an authority, or a board, or a corporation, or any other body established under a Central or State Act.

The stamp duty, registration fee and other expenses incurred for the purpose of transfer shall also be covered. Payment towards the cost of house property, however, will not include, admission fee or cost of share or initial deposit or the cost of any addition or alteration to, or, renovation or repair of the house property which is carried out after the issue of the completion certificate by competent authority, or after the occupation of the house by the assessee or after it has been let out. Payments towards any expenditure in respect of which the deduction is allowable under the provisions of section 24 of the Act will also not be included in payments towards the cost of purchase or construction of a house property.

Where the house property in respect of which deduction has been allowed under these provisions is transferred by the tax-payer at any time before the expiry of five years from the end of the financial year in which possession of such property is obtained by him or he receives back, by way of refund or otherwise, any sum specified in section 80C(2)(xviii), no deduction under these provisions shall be allowed in respect of such sums paid in such previous year in which the transfer is made and the aggregate amount of deductions of income so allowed in the earlier years shall be added to the total income of the assessee of such previous year and shall be liable to tax accordingly.

(13) Tuition fees, whether at the time of admission or thereafter, paid to any university, college, school or other educational institution situated in India, for the purpose of full-time education of any two children of the employee.

Full-time education includes any educational course offered by any university, college, school or other educational institution to a student who is enrolled full-time for the said course. It is also clarified that full-time education includes play-school activities, pre-nursery and nursery classes.

It is clarified that the amount allowable as tuition fees shall include any payment of fee to any university, college, school or other educational institution in India except the amount representing payment in the nature of development fees or donation or capitation fees or payment of similar nature.

(14) Subscription to equity shares or debentures forming part of any eligible issue of capital made by a public company, which is approved by the Board or by any public finance institution.

(15) Subscription to any units of any mutual fund referred to in clause (23D) of Section 10 and approved by the Board, if the amount of subscription to such units is subscribed only in eligible issue of capital of any company.

(16) Investment as a term deposit for a fixed period of not less than five years with a scheduled bank, which is in accordance with a scheme framed and notified by the Central Government, in the Official Gazette for these purposes.

[The Central Government has since notified the Bank Term Deposit Scheme, 2006 for this purpose vide Notification S.O. No. 1220(E) dated 28.7.2006]

(17) Subscription to such bonds issued by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, as the Central Government may, by such notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.

(18) Any investment in an account under the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Rules, 2004.

(19) Any investment as five year time deposit in an account under the Post Office Time Deposit Rules, 1981.
 

B. Section 80C(3) & 80C(3A) states that in case of Insurance Policy other than contract for a deferred annuity the amount of any premium or other payment made is restricted to:

Policy issued before 1st April 2012	20% of the actual capital sum assured
Policy issued on or after 1st April 2012	10% of the actual capital sum assured
Policy issued on or after 1st April 2013 * – In cases of persons with disability or person with severe disability as per Sec 80 U or suffering from disease or ailment as specified in Sec 80DDB	15% of the actual capital sum assured
*Introduced by Finance Act 2013

Actual capital sum assured in relation to a life insurance policy means the minimum amount assured under the policy on happening of the insured event at any time during the term of the policy, not taking into account –

i. the value of any premium agreed to be returned, or

ii. any benefit by way of bonus or otherwise over and above the sum actually assured which may be received under the policy by any person.

5.5.2 Deduction in respect of contribution to certain pension funds (Section 80CCC)

Section 80CCC allows an employee deduction of an amount paid or deposited out of his income chargeable to tax to effect or keep in force a contract for any annuity plan of Life Insurance Corporation of India or any other insurer for receiving pension from the Fund referred to in section 10(23AAB). However, the deduction shall exclude interest or bonus accrued or credited to the employee’s account, if any and shall not exceed Rs. 1 lakh.

However, if any amount is standing to the credit of the employee in the fund referred to above and deduction has been allowed as stated above and the employee or his nominee receives this amount together with the interest or bonus accrued or credited to this account due to the reason of

(i) Surrender of annuity plan whether in whole or part
(ii) Pension received from the annuity plan

then the amount so received during the Financial Year shall be the income of the employee or his nominee for that Financial Year and accordingly will be charged to tax.

Where any amount paid or deposited by the employee has been taken into account for the purposes of this section, a deduction with reference to such amount shall not be allowed under section 80C.

5.5.3 Deduction in respect of contribution to pension scheme of Central Government (Section 80CCD):

Section 80CCD(1) allows an employee, being an individual employed by the Central Government or any other employer, on or after the 01.01.2004, a deduction of an amount paid or deposited out of his income chargeable to tax under a pension scheme as notified vide Notification F. N. 5/7/2003- ECB&PR dated 22.12.2003 or as may be notifed by the Central Government. However, the deduction shall not exceed an amount equal to 10% of his salary(includes Dearness Allowance but excludes all other allowance and perquisites).

As per Section 80CCD(2), where an employee receives any contribution in the said pension scheme from the Central Government or any other employer then the employee shall be allowed a deduction from his total income of the whole amount contributed by the Central Government or any other employer subject to limit of 10% of his salary of the previous year.

However, if any amount is standing to the credit of the employee in the pension scheme referred above and deduction has been allowed as stated above and the employee or his nominee receives this amount together with the amount accrued thereon, due to the reason of

(i) Closure or opting out of the pension scheme or
(ii) Pension received from the annuity plan purchased and taken on such closure or opting out

then the amount so received during the FYs shall be the income of the employee or his nominee for that Financial Year and accordingly will be charged to tax.

Where any amount paid or deposited by the employee has been taken into account for the purposes of this section, a deduction with reference to such amount shall not be allowed under section 80C.

Further it has been specified that w.e.f 01.04.09 that any amount received by the employee from the new pension scheme shall be deemed not to have received in the previous year if such amount is used for purchasing an annuity plan in the previous year.

It is emphasized that as per the section 80CCE the aggregate amount of deduction under sections 80C, 80CCC and Section 80CCD(1) shall not exceed Rs.1,00,000/-. However the contribution made by the Central Government or any other employer to a pension scheme u/s 80CCD(2) shall be excluded from the limit of Rs.1,00,000/- provided under this Section.

5.5.4 Deduction in respect of investment made under an equity savings scheme (Section 80 CCG):

Newly inserted Section 80CCG provides deduction wef assessment year 2013-14 in respect of investment made under notified equity saving scheme. Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme 2012 has been notified vide SO No 2777 dated 23.11.2012 as a scheme under this section. The deduction under this section is available if following conditions are satisfied:

(a) The assessee is a resident individual
(b) His gross total income does not exceed Rs. 12 lakhs;
(c) He has acquired listed shares in accordance with a notified scheme or listed units of an equity oriented fund as defined in section 10(38);
(d) The assessee is a new retail investor;
(e) The investment is locked-in for a period of 3 years from the date of acquisition in accordance with the above scheme;
(f) The assessee satisfies any other condition as may be prescribed.

Amount of deduction –The amount of deduction is at 50% of amount invested in equity shares/units. However, the amount of deduction under this provision cannot exceed Rs. 25,000.

Withdrawal of deduction – If the assessee, after claiming the aforesaid deduction, fails to satisfy the above conditions, the deduction originally allowed shall be deemed to be the income of the assessee of the year in which default is committed.

This deduction is now allowed for three consecutive assessment years beginning with the AY in which the listed equity shares or units were first acquired. If any deduction is claimed by a taxpayer under this section in any year, he shall not be entitled to any deduction under this section for any other year.

5.5.6 Deduction in respect of health insurance premia paid, etc. (Section 80D)

Section 80D provides for deduction available for health insurance premia paid, etc. which is calculated as under:

Sl No	Persons for whom payment made	Nature of payment	Mode of payment	Allowable Deduction (in Rs)
1	Employee or his family	the whole of the amount paid to effect or to keep in force an insurance on the health of the employee or his family or  any contribution made to the CGHS or such other scheme as may be notified by Central Government (Finance Act 2013)  any payment on account of preventive health check-up of the employee or family, [restricted to Rs 5000/-; cash payment allowed here]	any mode other than cash	Aggregate allowable is Rs 15,000/ {For Senior Citizens it is Rs 20000/-}.
2	Parent or Parents of employee	the whole of the amount paid to effect or keep in force an insurance on the health of the parent or parents of the employee or  any payment made on account of preventive health check-up of the parent or parents of the employee [restricted to Rs 5000/-; cash payment allowed here]	any mode other than cash	Aggregate allowable is Rs 15,000/ {For Senior Citizens it is Rs 20000/-}

Here

i) “family” means the spouse and dependent children of the employee.

ii) Senior citizen” means an individual resident in India who is of the age of sixty years [For AY 2013-14 onwards] or more at any time during the relevant previous year.

The DDO must ensure that the medical insurance referred to above shall be in accordance with a scheme made in this behalf by-

(a) the General Insurance Corporation of India formed under section 9 of the General Insurance Business (Nationalization) Act, 1972 and approved by the Central Government in this behalf; or

(b) any other insurer and approved by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority established under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999.

5.5.7 Deductions in respect of expenditure on persons or dependants with disability

5.5.7.1 Deductions in respect of maintenance including medical treatment of a dependent who is a person with disability (section 80DD):

Under section 80DD, where an employee, who is a resident in India, has, during the previous year-

(a) incurred any expenditure for the medical treatment (including nursing), training and rehabilitation of a dependant, being a person with disability; or

(b) paid or deposited any amount under a scheme framed in this behalf by the Life Insurance Corporation or any other insurer or the Administrator or the specified company subject to the conditions specified in this regard and approved by the Board in this behalf for the maintenance of a dependant, being a person with disability, the employee shall be allowed a deduction of a sum of fifty thousand rupees from his gross total income of that year.

However, where such dependant is a person with severe disability, an amount of one hundred thousand rupees shall be allowed as deduction subject to the specified conditions.

The deduction under (b) above shall be allowed only if the following conditions are fulfilled:-

(i) the scheme referred to in (b) above provides for payment of annuity or lump sum amount for the benefit of a dependant, being a person with disability, in the event of the death of the individual in whose name subscription to the scheme has been made;

(ii) the employee nominates either the dependant, being a person with disability, or any other person or a trust to receive the payment on his behalf, for the benefit of the dependant, being a person with disability.

However, if the dependant, being a person with disability, predeceases the employee, an amount equal to the amount paid or deposited under sub-para(b) above shall be deemed to be the income of the employee of the previous year in which such amount is received by the employee and shall accordingly be chargeable to tax as the income of that previous year.

5.5.7.2 Deductions in respect of a person with disability (section 80U):

Under section 80U, in computing the total income of an individual, being a resident, who, at any time during the previous year, is certified by the medical authority to be a person with disability, there shall be allowed a deduction of a sum of fifty thousand rupees. However, where such individual is a person with severe disability, a higher deduction of one lakh rupees shall be allowable.

DDOs should note that 80DD deduction is in case of the dependent of the employee whereas 80U deduction is in case of the employee himself. However under both the Sections the employee shall furnish to the DDO following:

1. A copy of the certificate issued by the medical authority as defined in Rule 11A(1) in the prescribed form as per Rule 11A(2) of the Rules. The DDO has to allow deduction only after seeing that the Certificate furnished is from the Medical Authority defined in this Rule and the same is in the form as mentioned therein.
2. Further in cases where the condition of disability is temporary and requires reassessment of its extent after a period stipulated in the aforesaid certificate, no deduction under this section shall be allowed for any subsequent period unless a new certificate is obtained from the medical authority as in 1 above and furnished before the DDO.
3. For the purposes of section 80DD and 80 U some of the terms defined are as under:-

(a) “Administrator” means the Administrator as referred to in clause (a) of section 2 of the Unit Trust of India (Transfer of Undertaking and Repeal) Act, 200 ;

(b) “dependant” means—

(i) in the case of an individual, the spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters of the individual or any of them;

(ii) in the case of a Hindu undivided family, a member of the Hindu undivided family, dependant wholly or mainly on such individual or Hindu undivided family for his support and maintenance, and who has not claimed any deduction under section 80U in computing his total income for the assessment year relating to the previous year;

(c) “disability” shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (i) of section 2 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 and includes “autism”, “cerebral palsy” and “multiple disability” referred to in clauses (a), (c) and (h) of section 2 of the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999;

(d) “Life Insurance Corporation” shall have the same meaning as in clause (iii) of sub-section (8) of section 88;

(e) “medical authority” means the medical authority as referred to in clause (p) of section 2 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 or such other medical authority as may, by notification, be specified by the Central Government for certifying “autism”, “cerebral palsy”, “multiple disabilities”, “person with disability” and “severe disability” referred to in clauses (a), (c), (h), (j) and (o) of section 2 of the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999;

(f) “person with disability” means a person as referred to in clause (t) of section 2 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participa-tion) Act, 1995 or clause (j) of section 2 of the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999;

(g) “person with severe disability” means—

(i) a person with eighty per cent or more of one or more disabilities, as referred to in sub-section (4) of section 56 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995; or

(ii) a person with severe disability referred to in clause (o) of section 2 of the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999;

(h) “specified company” means a company as referred to in clause (h) of section 2 of the Unit Trust of India (Transfer of Undertaking and Repeal) Act, 2002.

5.5.8. Deduction in respect of medical treatment, etc. (Section 80DDB):

Section 80DDB allows a deduction in case of employee, who is resident in India, during the previous year, of any amount actually paid for the medical treatment of such disease or ailment as may be specified in the rules 11DD (1) for himself or a dependant. The deduction allowed is equal to the amount actually paid or Rs. 40,000 whichever is less. Further the amount paid should also be reduced by the amount received if any under insurance from an insurerer or reimbursed by an employer. I case of a senior citizen (an individual resident in India who is of the age of sixty years or more at any time during the relevant previous year) the amount of deduction allowed is Rs. 60,000/-.

DDO must ensure that the employee furnishes a certificate in Form 10- I from a neurologist, an oncologist, a urologist, nephrologist, a haematologist, an immunologist or such other specialist, as mentioned in Rule 11DD.

For the purpose of this section in the case of an employee “dependant” means individual, the spouse, children, parents, brothers and sisters of the employee or any of them, dependant wholly or mainly on the employee for his support and maintenance.

5.5.9 Deduction in respect of interest on loan taken for higher education (Section 80E):

Section 80E allows deduction in respect of payment of interest on loan taken from any financial institution or any approved charitable institution for higher education for the purpose of pursuing his higher education or for the purpose of higher education of his spouse or his children or the student for whom he is the legal guardian.

The deduction shall be allowed in computing the total income for the Financial year in which the employee starts paying the interest on the loan taken and immediately succeeding seven Financial years or until the Financial year in which the interest is paid in full by the employee, whichever is earlier.

For the purpose of this section –

(a) “approved charitable institution” means an institution established for charitable purposes and approved by the prescribed authority section 10(23C), or an institution referred to in section 80G(2)(a);

(b) “financial institution” means a banking company to which the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 applies (including any bank or banking institution referred to in section 51 of that Act); or any other financial institution which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf;

(c) “higher education” means any course of study pursued after passing the Senior Secondary Examination or its equivalent from any school, board or university recognized by the Central Government or State Government or local authority or by any other authority authorized by the Central Government or State Government or local authority to do so;

5.5.10 Deduction in respect of interest on loan taken for residential house property (Section 80EE):

Vide Finance Act 2013, an individual is allowed a deduction upto a limit of Rs 1,00,000 being paid as interest on a loan taken from a Financial Institution, sanctioned during the period 01-04-2013 to 31-03-2014 (loan not to exceed Rs 25 lakhs) for acquisition of a residential house whose value does not exceed Rs 40 lakhs. However the deduction is available if the assessee does not own any residential house property on the date of sanction of the loan.

5.5.11 Deductions on respect of donations to certain funds, charitable institutions, etc. (Section 80G):

Section 80G provides for deductions on account of donation made to various funds , charitable organizations etc. In cases where employees make donations to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or the Lieutenant Governor’s Relief Fund through their respective employers, it is not possible for such funds to issue separate certificate to every such employee in respect of donations made to such funds as contributions made to these funds are in the form of a consolidated cheque. An employee who makes donations towards these funds is eligible to claim deduction under section 80G. It is, hereby, clarified that the claim in respect of such donations as indicated above will be admissible under section 80G on the basis of the certificate issued by the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO)/Employer in this behalf – Circular No. 2/2005, dated 12-1-2005.

No deduction under this section is allowable in case of amount of donation if exceeds Rs 10000/- unless the amount is paid by any mode other than cash.

5.5.12 Deductions is respect of rents paid (Section 80GG):

Section 80GG allows the employee to a deduction in respect of house rent paid by him for his own residence. Such deduction is permissible subject to the following conditions :-

(a) the employee has not been in receipt of any House Rent Allowance specifically granted to him which qualifies for exemption under section 10(13A) of the Act;

(b) the employee files the declaration in Form No.10BA. (Annexure X)

(c) The employee does not own:

(i) any residential accommodation himself or by his spouse or minor child or where such employee is a member of a Hindu Undivided Family, by such family, at the place where he ordinarily resides or performs duties of his office or carries on his business or profession; or

(ii) at any other place, any residential accommodation which is in the occupation of the employee, the value of which is to be determined under section 23(2)(a) or section 23(4)(a), as the case may be.

(d) He will be entitled to a deduction in respect of house rent paid by him in excess of 10% of his total income. The deduction shall be equal to 25% of total income or Rs. 2,000/- per month, whichever is less. The total income for working out these percentages will be computed before making any deduction under section 80GG.

The Drawing and Disbursing Authorities should satisfy themselves that all the conditions mentioned above are satisfied before such deduction is allowed by them to the employee. They should also satisfy themselves in this regard by insisting on production of evidence of actual payment of rent.

5.5.13 Deductions in respect of certain donations for scientific research or rural development (Section 80 GGA):

Section 80GGA allows deduction from total income of employee in respect of donations of any sum as given in the Table below:

Sl No	Donations made to persons	Approval / Notification under Section	Authority granting approval/ Notification
1	To a research association which has as its object the undertaking of scientific research or to a University, college or other institution to be used for scientific research	u/s 35(1)(ii)	Central Government
2	To a research association which has as its object the undertaking of research in social science or statistical research or to a University, college or other institution to be used for research in social science or statistical research	u/s 35(1)(iii)	Central Government
3	To an association or institution, which has as its object the undertaking of any programme of rural development, to be used for carrying out any programme of rural development approved for the purposes of section 35CCA	furnishes the certificate u/s 35CCA (2)	Prescribed Authority under Rule 6AAA
4	an association or institution which has as its object the training of persons for implementing programmes of rural development.	furnishes the certificate u/s 35CCA (2A)	Prescribed Authority under Rule 6AAA
5	To a public sector company or a local authority or to an association or institution approved by the National Committee, for carrying out any eligible project or scheme.	furnishes the certificate u/s 35AC(2)(a)	National Committee for Promotion of Social & Economic Welfare
7	To a rural development fund	notified u/s 35CCA (1)(c)	set up and notified by the Central Government
8	To National Urban Poverty Eradication Fund	notified u/s 35CCA (1)(d)	set up and notified by the Central Government

No deduction under this section is allowable in case:

i) The employee has gross total income which includes income which is chargeable under the head “Profits and gains of business or profession”.

ii) The amount of donation exceeds Rs 10000 and is paid in cash.

The Drawing and Disbursing Authorities should satisfy themselves that all the conditions mentioned above are satisfied before such deduction is allowed by them to the employee. They should also satisfy themselves in this regard by insisting on production of evidence of actual payment of donation and a receipt from the person to whom donation has been made and ensure that the approval/notification has been issued by the right authority. DDO must ensure a self-declaration from the employee that he has no income from “Profits and gains of business or profession”.

5.5.14 Deduction in respect of interest on deposits in savings account (Section 80TTA):

Section 80TTA has been introduced from the Financial Year 2012-13 and it allows to an employee from his gross total income if it includes any income by way of interest on deposits (not being time deposits) in a savings account, a deduction amounting to:

(i) in a case where the amount of such income does not exceed in the aggregate ten thousand rupees, the whole of such amount; and

(ii) in any other case, ten thousand rupees.

The deduction is available, if such savings account is maintained in a

(a) banking company to which the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, applies (including any bank or banking institution referred to in section 51 of that Act);

(b) co-operative society engaged in carrying on the business of banking (including a co-operative land mortgage bank or a co-operative land development bank); or

(c) Post Office as defined in clause (k) of section 2 of the Indian Post Office Act, 1898,

For this section, “time deposits” means the deposits repayable on expiry of fixed periods.

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ANNEXURE-VII

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

(Department of Economic Affairs)

(ECB & PR Division)

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 22nd December, 2003

F.No. 5/7/2003-ECB &PR – The government approved on 23rd August, 2003 the proposal to implement the budget announcement of 2003-04 relating to introducing a new restructured defined contribution pension system for new entrants to Central Government service, except to Armed Forces, in the first stage, replacing the existing system of defined benefit pension system.

i. The system would be mandatory for all new recruits to the Central Government service from 1stof January 2004 (except the armed forces in the first stage). The monthly contribution would be 10 percent of the salary and DA to be paid by the employee and matched by the Central government. However, there will be no contribution form the Government in respect of individuals who are not Government employees. The contribution and investment returns would be deposited in a non-withdrawable pension tier-I account. The existing provisions of defined benefit pension and GPF would not be available to the new recruits in the Central Government service.

ii. In addition to the above pension account, each individual may also have a voluntary tier-II withdrawable account at his option. This option is given as GPF will be withdrawn for new recruits in Central government service. Government will make no contribution into this account. These assets would be managed through exactly the above procedures. However, the employee would be free to withdraw part or all of the Rs.second tier’ of his money anytime. This withdrawable account does not constitute pension investment, and would attract no special tax treatment.

iii. Individuals can normally exit at or after age 60 years for tier-I of the pension system. At the exit the individual would be mandatorily required to invest 40 percent of pension wealth to purchase an annuity (from an IRDA- regulated life insurance company). In case of Government employees the annuity should provide for pension for the lifetime of the employee and his dependent parents and his spouse at the time of retirment. The individual would receive a lump-sum of the remaining pension wealth, which he would be free to utilize in any manner. Individuals would have the flexibility to leave the pension system prior to age 60. However, in this case, the mandatory annuitisation would be 80% of the pension wealth.

Architecture of the new Pension System

(i) It will have a central record keeping and accounting (CRA) infrastructure, several pension fund managers (PFMs) to offer three categories of schemes viz. option A, B and C.

(ii) The participating entities (PFMs and CRA) would give out easily understood information about past performance, so that the individual would be able to make informed choices about which scheme to choose.

2. The effective date for operationalization of the new pension system shall be form 1st of January, 2004.

U.K. SINHA, Jt. Secy.

ANNEXURE-VIII

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

Department of Revenue

(Central Board of Direct Taxes)

Notification

New Delhi, the 24th November, 2000

T.K. SHAH Director

ANNEXURE IX

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Direct Taxes

New Delhi,the 29th January,2001

S.O.81(E)- In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (i ) of clause (18) of Section 10 of the Income –tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961)), the Central Government, hereby specifies the gallantry awards for the purposes of the said Section and for that purpose makes the following amendment in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue (Central Board of Direct Taxes) number S.O.1048(E), dated the 24th November 2000, namely:-

In the said notification, in the Table, against serial numbers 1,2 and 3 under column (3) relating to “Circumstances for eligibility” the words “to civilians” shall be omitted. 

(Notification No.22/F.No.142/29/99-TPL)

Director

ANNEXURE-X

FORM NO. 10BA (See rule 11B)

DECLARATION TO BE FILED BY THE ASSESSEE

CLAIMING DEDUCTION U/S 80 GG

I/We………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (Name of the assessee with permanent account number) do hereby certify that during the previous Year………….I/We had occupied the premise………………………….(full address of the premise) for the purpose of my/our own residence for a period of…………………..months and have paid Rs. ………………. In cash/through crossed cheque, bank draft towards payment of rent to Shri/Ms/M/s……………………….(name and complete address of the landlord).

a) me/my spouse/my minor child/our family (in case the assessee is HUF), at ………………….where I/we ordinarily reside/perform duties of officer or employment or carry on business or profession, or

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