Income ax Deductions for Expenses

Other than the investments that qualify for a deduction from total income, there are also certain expenses that are tax deductible such as home loans, education loans, tuition fees, medical insurance premium and treatment for specified terminal diseases. Here is some information about the most common expenses which are tax deductible in India.

1. Home Loan
If you are repaying such a home loan, the principal amount of the loan taken can be counted as a deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

2. Tuition Fees of Children
The tuition fees of upto two children at school, college and university level may also be taken as a deduction from total income thus reducing the amount on which tax will be calculated.

3. Interest on Home Loan
According to Section 24, a tax exemption of up to Rs. 1,50,000 is allowed on the interest paid for a home loan in the current financial year.

4. Medical Insurance Premium
Section 80 D - An amount of up to Rs.15,000 for individuals and Rs.20,000 for senior citizens as premium towards a medical insurance or mediclaim policy is tax deductible. This also includes medical insurance for dependents such as spouse, children or parents on the condition that you paid the premium.

5. Education Loan
Section 80E - The yearly limit for deduction is Rs. 40,000 (for both the principal and the interest). Only loans taken for higher education - fulltime studies in any graduate or post-graduate, professional, and pure and applied science courses - may claim deduction. The deduction will be available for a maximum of eight years starting from the day you start repaying the education loan.

6. Donations to a charity -
Section 80G – All donations to specific charitable organizations such as the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, CARE and Help Age India are eligible for a 100 percent tax relief. Donations to other charitable institutions and trusts get only 50 per cent tax relief.

7. Other Deductions
- Under Chapter VI , there are also other deductions available for handicapped people and medical treatment of disabled dependents (up to Rs.50,000). Also, deduction for medical treatment for specified diseases such as neurological diseases, cancer, AIDS and hemophilia are allowed up to Rs.40,000 for individuals and Rs. 60,000 for senior citizens.

There are other deductions also available on certain other expenses, but since they are not applicable to most tax payers in India, I have not mentioned them. After deducting all the above mentioned investments and expenses from your total gross income, you are left with your ’Net Taxable Income’. The next post will provide information on the tax slabs and tax calculation on net taxable income for different categories of people such as male salaried individuals, women and senior citizens.