Income Tax – List of benefits available to Salaried Persons for Assessment Year 2018-19 [FY 2017-2018]

S. N.

Section

Particulars

Benefits

A.

Allowances

1.

10(13A)

House Rent Allowance (Sec. 10(13A) & Rule 2A )

Least of the following is exempt:

a) Actual HRA Received

b) 40% of Salary (50%, if house situated in Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi or Madras)

c) Rent paid minus 10% of salary

* Salary= Basic + DA (if part of retirement benefit) + Turnover based Commission

Note:

i. Fully Taxable, if HRA is received by an employee who is living in his own house or if he does not pay any rent

ii. It is mandatory for employee to report PAN of the landlord to the employer if rent paid is more than Rs. 1,00,000 [Circular No. 08 /2013 dated 10th October, 2013].

2.

10(14)

Children Education Allowance

Up to Rs. 100 per month per child up to a maximum of 2 children is exempt

3.

10(14)

Hostel Expenditure Allowance

Up to Rs. 300 per month per child up to a maximum of 2 children is exempt

4.

10(14)

Transport Allowance granted to an employee to meet expenditure for the purpose of commuting between place of residence and place of duty

Rs. 3,200 per month granted to an employee, who is blind or deaf and dumb or orthopedically handicapped with disability of lower extremities

5.

Sec. 10(14)

Transport Allowance to an employee working in any transport business to meet his personal expenditure during his duty performed in the course of running of such transport from one place to another place provided employee is not in receipt of daily allowance.

Amount of exemption shall be lower of following:

a) 70% of such allowance; or

b) Rs. 10,000 per month.

6.

10(14)

Conveyance Allowance granted to meet the expenditure on conveyance in performance of duties of an office

Exempt to the extent of expenditure incurred

7.

10(14)

Any Allowance granted to meet the cost of travel on tour or on transfer

Exempt to the extent of expenditure incurred

8.

10(14)

Daily Allowance to meet the ordinary daily charges incurred by an employee on account of absence from his normal place of duty

Exempt to the extent of expenditure incurred

9.

10(14)

Helper/Assistant Allowance

Exempt to the extent of expenditure incurred

10.

10(14)

Research Allowance granted for encouraging the academic research and other professional pursuits

Exempt to the extent of expenditure incurred

11.

10(14)

Uniform Allowance

Exempt to the extent of expenditure incurred

12.

10(7)

Foreign allowances or perquisites paid or allowed by Government to its employees (an Indian citizen) posted outside India

Fully Exempt

13.

–

Allowances to Judges of High Court/Supreme Court (Subject to certain conditions)

Fully Exempt.

14.

10(45)

Following allowances and perquisites given to serving Chairman/Member of UPSC is exempt from tax:

a) Value of rent free official residence

b) Value of conveyance facilities including transport allowance

c) Sumptuary allowance

d) Leave travel concession

Fully Exempt

15.

–

Allowances paid by the UNO to its employees

Fully Exempt

16.

10(45)

Allowances to Retired Chairman/Members of UPSC (Subject to certain conditions)

Exempt subject to maximum of Rs.14,000 per month for defraying services of an orderly and for secretarial assistant on contract basis.

The value of residential telephone free of cost and the number of free calls to the extent of 1500 per month shall be exempt.

17.

Sec. 10(14)

Special compensatory Allowance (Hilly Areas) (Subject to certain conditions and locations)

Amount exempt from tax varies from Rs. 300 per month to Rs. 7,000 per month.

18.

Sec. 10(14)

Border area allowances, Remote Locality allowance or Disturbed Area allowance or Difficult Area Allowance (Subject to certain conditions and locations)

Amount exempt from tax varies from Rs. 200 per month to Rs. 1,300 per month.

19.

Sec. 10(14)

Tribal area allowance given in (a) Madhya Pradesh (b) Tamil Nadu (c) Uttar Pradesh (d) Karnataka (e) Tripura (f) Assam (g) West Bengal (h) Bihar (i) Orissa

Rs. 200 per month

20.

Sec. 10(14)

Compensatory Field Area Allowance. If this exemption is taken, employee cannot claim any exemption in respect of border area allowance (Subject to certain conditions and locations)

Rs. 2,600 per month

21.

Sec. 10(14)

Compensatory Modified Area Allowance. If this exemption is taken, employee cannot claim any exemption in respect of border area allowance (Subject to certain conditions and locations)

Rs. 1,000 per month

22.

Sec. 10(14)

Counter Insurgency Allowance granted to members of Armed Forces operating in areas away from their permanent locations. If this exemption is taken, employee cannot claim any exemption in respect of border area allowance (Subject to certain conditions and locations)

Rs. 3,900 per month

23.

Sec. 10(14)

Underground Allowance is granted to employees working in uncongenial, unnatural climate in underground mines

Up to Rs. 800 per month

24.

Sec. 10(14)

High Altitude Allowance is granted to armed forces operating in high altitude areas (Subject to certain conditions and locations)

a) Up to Rs. 1,060 per month (for altitude of 9,000 to 15,000 feet)

b) Up to Rs. 1,600 per month (for altitude above 15,000 feet)

25.

Sec. 10(14)

Highly active field area allowance granted to members of armed forces (Subject to certain conditions and locations)

Up to Rs. 4,200 per month

26.

Sec. 10(14)

Island Duty Allowance granted to members of armed forces in Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep group of Island (Subject to certain conditions and locations)

Up to Rs. 3,250 per month

B.

Perquisites

1.

17(2)(i)/(ii)

read with

Rule 3(1)

Rent free unfurnished accommodation provided to Central and State Government employees

License Fees determined in accordance with rules framed by Government for allotment of houses shall be deemed to be the taxable value of perquisites.

2.

17(2)(i)/(ii)

read with

Rule 3(1)

Unfurnished rent free accommodation provided to other employees

Taxable value of perquisites

A. If House Property is owned by the employer:

i. 15% of salary, if population of city where accommodation is provided exceeds 25 lakhs as per 2001 census

ii. 10% of salary, if population of city where accommodation is provided exceeds 10 lakhs but does not exceed 25 lakhs as per 2001 census

iii. 7.5% of salary, if accommodation is provided in any other city

B. If House Property is taken on lease or rent by the employer, the perquisite value shall be :

i. Lease rent paid or payable by the employer or 15% of the salary, whichever is lower

*Salary includes:

a) Basic Pay

b) Dearness Allowance (only to the extent it forms part of retirement benefit salary)

c) Bonus

d) Commission

e) All other allowances (only taxable portion)

f) Any monetary payment which is chargeable to tax

But does not include

i. Value of any perquisite [under section 17(2)]

ii. Employer’s contribution to PF

iii. Benefits received at the time of retirement like gratuity, pension etc.

Note:

1) Rent free accommodation is not chargeable to tax if provided to an employee working at mining site or an on-shore oil exploration site, etc.,—

(i) which is being of temporary nature (subject to conditions)

(ii) which is located in remote area.

2) Rent free accommodation if provided to High Court or Supreme Court Judges, Union Ministers, Leader of Opposition in Parliament, an official in Parliament and Serving Chairman and members of UPSC is Tax Free Perquisites.

3) The value so determined shall be reduced by the amount of rent, if any, paid by the employee.

4) If employee is transferred and retain property at both the places, the taxable value of perquisites for initial period of 90 days shall be determined with reference to only one accommodation (at the option of the assessee). The other one will be tax free. However after 90 days, taxable value of perquisites shall be charged with reference to both the accommodations.

3.

17(2)(i)/(ii)

read with

Rule 3(1)

Rent free furnished accommodation

Taxable value of perquisites

a) Find out taxable value of perquisite assuming accommodation to be provided to the employee is unfurnished

b) Add: 10% of original cost of furniture and fixtures (if these are owned by the employer) or actual higher charges paid or payable (if these are taken on rent by the employer).

Note: The value so determined shall be reduced by the amount of rent, if any, paid by the employee

4.

17(2)(i)/(ii)

read with

Rule 3(1)

A furnished accommodation in a Hotel

Taxable value of perquisites

Value of perquisite shall be lower of following:

a) Actual charges paid or payable by the employer to such hotel

b) 24% of salary

Note: Hotel accommodation will not be chargeable to tax if :

a) It is provided for a total period not exceeding in aggregate 15 days in the financial year; and

b) Such accommodation in hotel is provided on employee’s transfer from one place to another place.

5.

17(2)(iv)

Any sum paid by employer in respect of any obligation of an employee

Fully Taxable

5A.

17(2)(viii)

read with Rule 3(2)

Motor Car / Other Conveyance

Taxable value of perquisites (See Note 1 below)

6.

17(2)(viii)

read with Rule 3(3)

Services of a domestic servant including sweeper, gardener, watchmen or personal attendant

(Taxable in case of specified employee only [See Note 4])

Taxable value of perquisite shall be salary paid or payable by the employer for such services less any amount recovered from the employee.

7.

17(2)(viii)

read with Rule 3(4)

Supply of gas, electricity or water for household purposes

Taxable value of perquisites:

1. Manufacturing cost per unit incurred by the employer., if provided from resources owned by the employer;

2. Amount paid by the employer, if purchased by the employer from outside agency

Note:

i. Any amount recovered from the employee shall be deducted from the taxable value of perquisite.

ii. Taxable in case of specified employees only [ See note 4]

8.

17(2)(viii)

read with Rule 3(5)

Education Facilities

Taxable value of perquisites (See Note 2 below)

9.

17(2)(viii)

read with Rule 3(6)

Transport facilities provided by the employer engaged in carriage of passenger or goods (except Airlines or Railways)

(Taxable in case of specified employee only [See Note 4])

Value at which services are offered by the employer to the public less amount recovered from the employee shall be a taxable perquisite

10.

17(2)(v)

Amount payable by the employer to effect an insurance on life of employee or to effect a contract for an annuity

Fully Taxable

11.

17(2)(vi) read with Rule 3(8)/3(9)

ESOP/ Sweat Equity Shares

Taxable value of perquisites

Fair Market value of shares or securities on the date of exercise of option by the assessee less amount recovered from the employee in respect of such shares shall be the taxable value of perquisites.

Fair Market Value shall be determined as follows:

a) In case of listed Shares: Average of opening and closing price as on date of exercise of option (Subject to certain conditions and circumstances)

b) In case of unlisted shares/ security other than equity shares: Value determined by a Merchant Banker as on date of exercise of option or an earlier date, not being a date which is more than 180 days earlier than the date of exercise of the option.

12.

17(2)(vii)

Employer’s contribution towards superannuation fund

Taxable in the hands of employee to the extent such contribution exceed Rs.1,50,000

13.

17(2)(viii) read with Rule 3(7)(i)

Interest free loan or Loan at concessional rate of interest

Interest free loan or loan at concessional rate of interest given by an employer to the employee (or any member of his household) is a perquisite chargeable to tax in the hands of all employees on following basis:

1. Find out the ‘maximum outstanding monthly balance’ (i.e. the aggregate outstanding balance for each loan as on the last day of each month);

2. Find out rate of interest charged by the SBI as on the first day of relevant previous year in respect of loan for the same purpose advanced by it;

3. Calculate interest for each month of the previous year on the outstanding amount (mentioned in point 1) at the rate of interest (given in point 2)

4. Interest actually recovered, if any, from employee

5. The balance amount (point 3-point 4) is taxable value of perquisite

Nothing is taxable if:

a) Loan in aggregate does not exceed Rs 20,000

b) Loan is provided for treatment of specified diseases (Rule 3A) like neurological diseases, Cancer, AIDS, Chronic renal failure, Hemophilia (specified diseases). However, exemption is not applicable to so much of the loan as has been reimbursed to the employee under any medical insurance scheme.

14.

17(2)(viii) read with Rule 3(7)(ii)

Facility of travelling, touring and accommodation availed of by the employee or any member of his household for any holiday

a) Perquisite value taxable in the hands of employee shall be expenditure incurred by the employer lessamount recovered from employee.

b) 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 less amount recovered from employee.

15.

17(2)(viii) read with Rule 3(7)(iii)

Free food and beverages provided to the employee

1) Fully Taxable: Free meals in excess of Rs. 50 per meal less amount paid by the employee shall be a taxable perquisite

2) Exempt from tax: Following free meals shall be exempt from tax

a) Food and non-alcoholic beverages provided during working hours in remote area or in an offshore installation;

b) Tea, Coffee or Non-Alcoholic beverages and Snacks during working hours are tax free perquisites;

c) Food in office premises or through non-transferable paid vouchers usable only at eating joints provided by an employer is not taxable, if cost to the employer is Rs. 50(or less) per meal.

16.

17(2)(viii) read with Rule 3(7)(iv)

Gift or Voucher or Coupon on ceremonial occasions or otherwise provided to the employee

a) Gifts in cash or convertible into money (like gift cheque) are fully taxable

b) Gift in kind up to Rs.5,000 in aggregate per annum would be exempt, beyond which it would be taxable.

17.

17(2)(viii) read with Rule 3(7)(v)

Credit Card

a) Expenditure incurred by the employer in respect of credit card used by the employee or any member of his household less amount recovered from the employee is a taxable perquisite

b) Expenses incurred for official purposes shall not be a taxable perquisite provided complete details in respect of such expenditure are maintained by the employer

18.

17(2)(viii) read with Rule 3(7)(vi)

Free Recreation/ Club Facilities

a) Expenditure incurred by the employer towards annual or periodical fee etc. (excluding initial fee to acquire corporate membership) less amount recovered from the employee is a taxable perquisite

b) Expenses incurred on club facilities for the official purposes are exempt from tax.

c) Use of health club, sports and similar facilities provided uniformly to all employees shall be exempt from tax.

19.

17(2)(viii) read with Rule 3(7)(vii)

Use of movable assets of the employer by the employee is a taxable perquisite

Taxable value of perquisites

a) Use of Laptops and Computers: Nil

b) Movable asset other than Laptops, computers and Motor Car*: 10% of original cost of the asset (if asset is owned by the employer) or actual higher charges incurred by the employer (if asset is taken on rent) less amount recovered from employee.

*See Note 1 for computation of perquisite value in case of use of the Motor Car

20.

17(2)(viii) read with Rule 3(7)(viii)

Transfer of movable assets by an employer to its employee

Taxable value of perquisites

a) Computers, Laptop and Electronics items: Actual cost of asset less depreciation at 50% (using reducing balance method) for each completed year of usage by employer less amount recovered from the employee

b) Motor Car: Actual cost of asset less depreciation at 20% (using reducing balance method) for each completed year of usage by employer less amount recovered from the employee

c) Other movable assets: Actual cost of asset less depreciation at 10% (on SLM basis) for each completed year of usage by employer less amount recovered from the employee.

21.

17(2)(viii) read with Rule 3(7)(ix)

Any other benefit or amenity extended by employer to employee

Taxable value of perquisite shall be computed on the basis of cost to the employer (under an arm’s length transaction) less amount recovered from the employee.

However expenses on telephones including a mobile phone incurred by the employer on behalf of employee shall not be treated as taxable perquisite.

22.

10(10CC)

Tax paid by the employer on perquisites (not provided for by way of monetary payments) given to employee

Fully exempt

23.

10(5)

Leave Travel Concession or Assistance (LTC/LTA), extended by an employer to an employee for going anywhere in India along with his family*

*Family includes spouse, children and dependent brother/sister/parents. However, family doesn’t include more than 2 children of an Individual born on or after 01-10-1998.

The exemption shall be limited to fare for going anywhere in India along with family twice in a block of four years:

i. Exemption limit where journey is performed by Air – Air fare of economy class in the National Carrier by the shortest route or the amount spent, whichever is less

ii. Exemption limit where journey is performed by Rail – Air-conditioned first class rail fare by the shortest route or the amount spent, whichever is less

iii. Exemption limit if places of origin of journey and destination are connected by rail but the journey is performed by any other mode of transport – Air-conditioned first class rail fare by the shortest route or the amount spent, whichever is less

iv. Exemption limit where the places of origin of journey and destination are not connected by rail:

a. Where a recognized public transport system exists – First Class or deluxe class fare by the shortest route or the amount spent, whichever is less

b. Where no recognized public transport system exists – Air conditioned first class rail fare by shortest route or the amount spent, whichever is less

Notes :

i. Two journeys in a block of 4 calendar years is exempt

ii. Taxable only in case of Specified Employees [ See note 4]

24.

Proviso to section 17(2)

Medical facilities in India

1) Expense incurred or reimbursed by the employer for the medical treatment of the employee or his family (spouse and children, dependent – parents, brothers and sisters) in any of the following hospital is not chargeable to tax in the hands of the employee:

a) Hospital maintained by the employer.

b) Hospital maintained by the Government or Local Authority or any other hospital approved by Central Government

c) Hospital approved by the Chief Commissioner having regard to the prescribed guidelines for treatment of the prescribed diseases.

2) Medical insurance premium paid or reimbursed by the employer is not chargeable to tax.

25.

Proviso to section 17(2)

Medical facilities outside India

Any expenditure incurred or reimbursed by the employer for medical treatment of the employee or his family member outside India is exempt to the extent of following (subject to certain condition):

a) Expenses on medical treatment – exempt to the extent permitted by RBI.

b) Expenses on stay abroad for patient and one attendant – exempt to the extent permitted by RBI.

c) Cost on travel of the employee or any family or one attendant – exempt, if Gross Total Income (before including the travel expenditure) of the employee, does not exceed Rs. 2,00,000.

C.

Deduction from salary

1.

16(ia)

Standard Deduction

Rs. 40,000 or the amount of salary, whichever is lower

2.

16 (ii)

Entertainment Allowance received by the Government employees (Fully taxable in case of other employees)

Least of the following is deductible :

a) Rs 5,000

b) 1/5th of salary (excluding any allowance, benefits or other perquisite)

c) Actual entertainment allowance received

3.

16(iii)

Employment Tax/Professional Tax.

Amount actually paid during the year is deductible. However, if professional tax is paid by the employer on behalf of its employee than it is first included in the salary of the employee as a perquisite and then same amount is allowed as deduction.

D.

Retirement Benefits

a) Leave Encashment

1.

10(10AA)

Encashment of unutilized earned leave at the time of retirement of Government employees

Fully Exempt

2.

10(10AA)

Encashment of unutilized earned leave at the time of retirement of other employees (not being a Government employee)

Least of the following shall be exempt from tax:

a) Amount actually received

b) Unutilized earned leave* X Average monthly salary

c) 10 months Average Salary**

d) Rs. 3,00,000

*While computing unutilized earned leave, earned leave entitlements cannot exceed 30 days for each year of service rendered to the current employer

**Average salary = Average Salary*** of last 10 months immediately preceding the retirement

***Salary = Basic Pay + Dearness Allowance (to the extent it forms part of retirement benefits)+ turnover based commission

b) Retrenchment Compensation

1.

10(10B)

Retrenchment Compensation received by a workman under the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947(Subject to certain conditions).

Least of the following shall be exempt from tax:

a) an amount calculated as per section 25F(b) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947;

b) Rs. 5,00,000; or

c) Amount actually received

Note:

i. Relief under Section 89(1) is available

ii. 15 days average pay for each completed year of continuous service or any part thereof in excess of 6 months is to be adopted under section 25F(b) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

c) Gratuity

1.

10(10)(i)

Gratuity received by Government Employees (Other than employees of statutory corporations)

Fully Exempt

2.

10(10)(ii)

Death -cum-Retirement Gratuity received by other employees who are covered under Gratuity Act, 1972 (other than Government employee) (Subject to certain conditions).

Least of following amount is exempt from tax:

1. (*15/26) X Last drawn salary** X completed year of service or part thereof in excess of 6 months.

2. Rs. 20,00,000

3. Gratuity actually received.

*7 days in case of employee of seasonal establishment.

** Salary = Last drawn salary including DA but excluding any bonus, commission, HRA, overtime and any other allowance, benefits or perquisite

3.

10(10)(iii)

Death -cum-Retirement Gratuity received by other employees who are not covered under Gratuity Act, 1972 (other than Government employee) (Subject to certain conditions).

Least of following amount is exempt from tax:

1. Half month’s Average Salary* X Completed years of service

2. Rs. 10,00,000

3. Gratuity actually received.

*Average salary = Average Salary of last 10 months immediately preceding the month of retirement

** Salary = Basic Pay + Dearness Allowance (to the extent it forms part of retirement benefits)+ turnover based commission

d) Pension

1.

–

Pension received from United Nation Organization by the employee of his family members

Fully Exempt

2.

10(10A)(i)

Commuted Pension received by an employee Central Government, State Government, Local Authority Employees and Statutory Corporation

Fully Exempt

3.

10(10A)(ii)

Commuted Pension received by other employees who also receive gratuity

1/3 of full value of commuted pension will be exempt from tax

4.

10(10A)(iii)

Commuted Pension received by other employees who do not receive any gratuity

1/2 of full value of commuted pension will be exempt from tax

5.

10(19)

Family Pension received by the family members of Armed Forces

Fully Exempt

6.

57(iia)

Family pension received by family members in any other case

33.33% of Family Pension subject to maximum of Rs. 15,000 shall be exempt from tax

e) Voluntary Retirement

1.

10(10C)

Amount received on Voluntary Retirement or Voluntary Separation (Subject to certain conditions)

Least of the following is exempt from tax:

1) Actual amount received as per the guidelines i.e. least of the following

a) 3 months salary for each completed year of services

b) Salary at the time of retirement X No. of months of services left for retirement; or

2) Rs. 5,00,000

f) Provident Fund

1.

–

Employee’s Provident Fund

For taxability of contribution made to various employee’s provident fund and interest arising thereon see Note 3.

g) National Pension System (NPS)

1.

10(12A) /10(12B)

National Pension System

Any payment from the National Pension System Trust to an assessee on closure of his account or on his opting out of the pension scheme referred to in section 80CCD, to the extent it does not exceed 40% of the total amount payable to him at the time of such closure or his opting out of the scheme.

Note: Partial withdrawal from the NPS shall be exempt to the extent of 25% of amount of contributions made by the employee.

E.

Arrear of Salary and relief under section 89(1)

1.

15

Arrear of salary and advance salary

Taxable in the year of receipt. However relief under section 89 is available

2.

89

Relief under Section 89

If an individual receives any portion of his salary in arrears or in advance or receives profits in lieu of salary, he can claim relief as per provisions of section 89 read with rule 21A

F.

Other Benefits

1.

–

Lump-sum payment made gratuitously or by way of compensation or otherwise to widow or other legal heirs of an employee who dies while still in active service [Circular No. 573, dated 21-08-1990]

Fully Exempt in the hands of widow or other legal heirs of employee

2.

–

Ex-gratia payment to a person (or legal heirs) by Central or State Government, Local Authority or Public Sector Undertaking consequent upon injury to the person or death of family member while on duty [Circular No. 776, dated 08-06-1999]

Fully Exempt in the hands of individual or legal heirs

3.

–

Salary received from United Nation Organization [Circular No. 293, dated 10-02-1981]

Fully Exempt

4.

10(6)(ii)

Salary received by foreign national as an officials of an embassy, high commission, legation, consulate or trade representation of a foreign state

Fully Exempt if corresponding official in that foreign country enjoys a similar exemption

5.

10(6)(vi)

Remuneration received by non-resident foreign citizen as an employee of a foreign enterprise for services rendered in India, if:

a) Foreign enterprise is not engaged in any trade or business in India

b) His stay in India does not exceed in aggregate a period of 90 days in such previous year

c) Such remuneration is not liable to deducted from the income of employer chargeable under this Act

Fully exempt

6.

10(6)(viii)

Salary received by a non-resident foreign national for services rendered in connection with his employment on a foreign ship if his total stay in India does not exceed 90 days in the previous year.

Fully exempt

7.

–

Salary and allowances received by a teacher /professor from SAARC member state (Subject to certain conditions).

Fully Exempt