Dictionary meaning
1. A gain or profit incidentally made from employments in addition to regular salary or wages,especially one of a kind expected or promised
2. Casual emolument or benefit attached to an office or position in addition to salary or wages
3. Anything left over that a servant or other has by custom a right to keep
4. A tip expected upon some occasion
5. Something regarded as a falling to one by right
PERQUISITES signify some benefit in addition to the amount that may be legally due by way of contract for services rendered.
Meaning under income tax act
Section 17(2) gives an inclusive definition of perquisite,as including:
a. The value of rent –free accommodation provided to the assessee by his employer [sec.17(2)(i)] ;
b. The value of any concession in the matter of rent respecting any accommodation provided to the assessee by his employer [ Sec.17(2)(ii)];
c. 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 thereof;
ii. By a company to an employee,being a person who has substantial interest in the company;
iii. By an employer (including a company) to an employee to whom provisions of (i) and (ii)above do not apply and whose income under the head “Salaries” exclusive of the value of all benefits or amenities not provided for by way of monetary benefits, exceed Rs.50,000[sec.17 (2)(iii);
d. Any sum paid by the employer in respect of any obligation which but for such payment have been payable by the assessee [sec.17(2)(v)];
e. Any sum payable by the employer, whether directly or through a fund other than a recognised provident fund or approved superannuation fund or a deposits-linked insurance fund, to effect an assurance on the life of the assessee or to effect a contract for an annuity [sec.17(2)(v);
f. The value of any specified security or sweat equity shares allotted or transferred, directly or indirectly, by the employeror former employer, free of cost or at concessional rate to the assessee [sec.17(2)(vi)];
g. The amount of any contribution to an approved superannuation fund by the employer in respect of the assessee to the extent it exceed one lakh rupees[sec.17(2)(viii)]; and
h. The value of any other fringe benefit or amenity as may be prescribed [sec.17 (2)(viii)].
Following table shows what all perquisites are chargeable / not chargeable to tax:
| List of taxable perquisite | When these perquisite are not taxable |
| Furnished / unfurnished house without rent or at concessional rent | 1. If provided in remote area2. Hotel accommodations for 15 days on account of transfer
3. Option in case of accommodation provided in new place of work 4. High court judge 5. Supreme court judge 6. Union minister 7. Leader of opposition in parliament |
| Service of sweeper, gardener, watchman, or personal attendant | Not taxable in case of non-specified employee |
| Supply of gas, electricity or water for house hold purposes | Not taxable in case of non-specified employee |
| Educational facility to employees family members | Not taxable in case of non-specified employee |
| Leave travel concession | 1. Not taxable twice in a block of 4 years2. Not taxable in case of non-specified employee |
| Amount paid by an employer iro any obligation which otherwise would have been payable by employee | Income tax borne by employer |
| Amount payable by an employer, directly or indirectly, to effect an assurance on the life of employee or to effect a contract of an annuity | Contribution to recognized provident fund |
| Interest free / concessional loan | 1. Aggregate amount of original loan does not exceeds Rs. 20,0002. Purpose of loan taken is Medical treatment |
| Proving use of movable assets | Use of computer / laptop |
| Transfer of movable assets | |
| Medical facility | In some cases medical facility is not taxable |
| Car or any other automotive conveyance | 1. Not taxable in case of non-specified employee2. Conveyance facility between office and residence |
| Transport facility by a transport undertaking | 1. Provided by airline or railways2. Not taxable in case of non-specified employee |
| Free food and beverage | 1. Provided in working hours in remote area or offshore installations2. Snacks in working hours
3. Meals in office hours if Cost To Employer is not more than Rs 50 per meal |
| Travelling, touring accommodation | |
| Gift or gift voucher | Gift upto Rs. 50000 |
| Credit card | |
| Club | |
| Tax of an employee paid by his employer | Tax on non-monetary perquisites |
| Value of an specified security / sweat equity shares allotted or transferred to an employee or former employee | |
| Employers contribution towards superannuation fund in excess of specified amount | Not chargeable to tax if employer’s contribution is Rs. 100,000 or less per year |
| Perquisite received by a teacher / professor from SAARC Member States | |
| Any other benefit or amenity, service, right or privileges | Telephone / mobile phones are not chargeable to tax |
By: Sensys Technologies- For any further information or query you can be reached to experts of our panel at [email protected]
Dear sir,
kindly clarify that the Gross salary under sec 17(1) = (Pay+Dear Allowance+ HRA received) or only (Pay+DA) .
For example If Pay+DA= 350000, HRA actually received is 50000 then whether the sl. no. 1 of ITR-SAHAJ will be 350000+50000=400000 or only 350000;
Thereafter we consider the exemption of HRA as the exemption of HRA will be available up to the the minimum of the following three options:
(a)Actual house rent allowance received from employer 50000
(b)Actual house rent paid(Say suppose 60000) minus 10% of your basic salary(60000-35000=25000)
(c)50% of basic salary if live in a metro or 40% of basic salary for non-metro
SO THE CONSIDERABLE EXEMPTION IS 25000.
NOW THE QUESTION IS whether this 25000 shall be deducted from 400000 or 350000
With regards Hari