Treatment of income from different sources
Each income has different source of earning and so the provisions for its taxability. Income-tax Act provides for five heads of incomes for computation of taxable income, viz., Salary, Income from House Property, Income from Business or Profession, Capital Gain and Residual Income. Provisions contained under each head of income for computation of taxable income have been discussed in this document.
Treatment of Income from Different Sources
1. Income under the head Salaries
1.1 Salary is defined to include:
a) Wages
b) Annuity
c) Pension
d) Gratuity
e) Fees, Commission, Perquisites, Profits in lieu of or in addition to Salary or Wages
f) Advance of Salary
g) Leave Encashment
h) Annual accretion to the balance of Recognized Provident Fund
i) Transferred balance in Recognized Provident Fund
j) Contribution by Central Government or any other employer to Employees Pension Account as referred in 80CCD
1.2 Points to consider:
a) Salary income is chargeable to tax on “due basis” or “receipt basis” whichever is earlier.
b) Existence of relationship of employer and employee is must between the payer and payee to tax the income under this head.
c) Income from salary taxable during the year shall consists of following:
i. Salary due from employer (including former employer) to taxpayer during the previous year, whether paid or not;
ii. Salary paid by employer (including former employer) to taxpayer during the previous year before it became due;
iii. Arrear of salary paid by the employer (including former employer) to taxpayer during the previous year, if not charged to tax in any earlier year;
Exceptions – Remuneration, bonus or commission received by a partner from the firm is not taxable under the head Salaries rather it would be taxable under the head business or profession.
1.3 Place of accrual of salary:
a) Salary accrues where the services are rendered even if it is paid outside India;
b) Salary paid by the Foreign Government to his employee serving in India is taxable under the head Salaries;
c) Leave salary paid abroad in respect of leave earned in India shall be deemed to accrue or arise in India.
Exceptions – If a Citizen of India render services outside India, and receives salary from Government of India, it would be taxable as salary deemed to have accrued in India.
1.4 Taxability of various components of salary:
| S.No. | Section | Particulars | Taxability/Exemption |
| 1. | 17 | Basic salary | Fully taxable |
| 2. | 17 | Dearness Allowance (referred to as ‘DA’) | Fully taxable |
| 3. | 17 | Bonus, fees or commission | Fully taxable |
| A. | Allowances | ||
| 4. | 10(13A) read with Rule 2A | House rent allowance | Least of the following is exempt:
a) Actual HRA Received b) 40% of Salary (50%, if house situated in Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi or Chennai) 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 10-10-2013]. |
| 5. | 10(14) | Children education allowance | Up to Rs. 100 per month per child up to a maximum of 2 children is exempt |
| 6. | 10(14) | Hostel expenditure allowance | Up to Rs. 300 per month per child up to a maximum of 2 children is exempt |
| 7. | 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 |
| 8. | Sec. 10(14) | Allowance granted 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. |
| 9. | 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 for official purposes |
| 10. | 10(14) | Travelling allowance to meet the cost of travel on tour or on transfer | Exempt to the extent of expenditure incurred for official purposes |
| 11. | 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 for official purposes |
| 12. | 10(14) | Helper/Assistant allowance | Exempt to the extent of expenditure incurred for official purposes |
| 13. | 10(14) | Research allowance granted for encouraging the academic research and other professional pursuits | Exempt to the extent of expenditure incurred for official purposes |
| 14. | 10(14) | Uniform allowance | Exempt to the extent of expenditure incurred for official purposes |
| 15. | 10(7) | Any allowance or perquisite paid or allowed by Government to its employees (an Indian citizen) posted outside India | Fully Exempt |
| 16. | – | Allowances to Judges of High Court/Supreme Court (Subject to certain conditions) | Fully Exempt. |
| 17. | 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 |
| 19. | Sec. 10(14) read with Rule 2BB | Special compensatory Allowance (Hilly Areas) (Subject to certain conditions and locations) | Amount exempt from tax varies from Rs. 300 to Rs. 7,000 per month. |
| 20. | Sec. 10(14) read with Rule 2BB | Border area, Remote Locality or Disturbed Area or Difficult Area Allowance (Subject to certain conditions and locations) | Amount exempt from tax varies from Rs. 200 to Rs. 1,300 per month. |
| 21. | Sec. 10(14) read with Rule 2BB | Tribal area allowance in (a) Madhya Pradesh (b) Tamil Nadu (c) Uttar Pradesh (d) Karnataka (e) Tripura (f) Assam (g) West Bengal (h) Bihar (i) Odisha | Up to Rs. 200 per month is exempt |
| 22. | Sec. 10(14) read with Rule 2BB | 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) | Up to Rs. 2,600 per month is exempt |
| 23. | Sec. 10(14) read with Rule 2BB | 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) | Up to Rs. 1,000 per month is exempt |
| 24. | Sec. 10(14) read with Rule 2BB | 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) | Up to Rs. 3,900 per month is exempt |
| 25. | Sec. 10(14) read with Rule 2BB | Underground Allowance to employees working in uncongenial, unnatural climate in underground mines | Up to Rs. 800 per month is exempt |
| 26. | Sec. 10(14) read with Rule 2BB | High Altitude Allowance 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) is exempt
b) Up to Rs. 1,600 per month (for altitude above 15,000 feet) is exempt |
| 27. | Sec. 10(14) read with Rule 2BB | Highly active field area allowance granted to members of armed forces (Subject to certain conditions and locations) | Up to Rs. 4,200 per month is exempt |
| 28. | Sec. 10(14) read with Rule 2BB | 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 is exempt |
| 29. | 10(14) | City Compensatory Allowance | Fully Taxable |
| 30. | 10(14) | Fixed Medical Allowance | Fully Taxable |
| 31. | 10(14) | Tiffin, Lunch, Dinner or Refreshment Allowance | Fully Taxable |
| 32. | 10(14) | Servant Allowance | Fully Taxable |
| 33. | 10(14) | Project Allowance | Fully Taxable |
| 34. | 10(14) | Overtime Allowance | Fully Taxable |
| 35. | 10(14) | Telephone Allowance | Fully Taxable |
| 36. | 10(14) | Holiday Allowance | Fully Taxable |
| 37. | 10(14) | Any Other Cash Allowance | Fully Taxable |
| 38. | 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. (Subject to certain conditions) |
The exemption shall be limited to fare for going anywhere in India along with family twice in a block of four years:
• Where journey is performed by Air – Exemption up to Air fare of economy class in the National Carrier by the shortest route • Where journey is performed by Rail – Exemption up to air-conditioned first class rail fare by the shortest route • If places of origin of journey and destination are connected by rail but the journey is performed by any other mode of transport – Exemption up to air-conditioned first class rail fare by the shortest route. • Where the places of origin of journey and destination are not connected by rail: * Where a recognized public transport system exists – Exemption up to first Class or deluxe class fare by the shortest route * Where no recognized public transport system exists – Exemption up to air conditioned first class rail fare by shortest route. Notes: i. Two journeys in a block of 4 calendar years is exempt ii. Taxable only in case of Specified Employees [See note 4] |
| B. | Perquisites | ||
| 39. | 17(2)(i) | Rent free accommodation provided to assessee by his employer | Taxable (computed in manner prescribed by the board) |
| 40. | 17(2)(ii) | Value of any accommodation provided to assessee by his employer at concessional rate | Taxable (computed in manner prescribed by the board) |
| 41. | 17(2)(viii)
read with Rule 3(2) |
Motor Car / Other Conveyance | Taxable value of perquisites (See Note 1 below) |
| 42. | 17(2)(iv) | Any sum paid by employer in respect of any obligation of an employee | Fully Taxable |
| 43. | 17(2)(viii)
read with Rule 3(3) |
Services of a domestic servant including sweeper, gardener, watchmen or personal attendant (taxable only in case of specified employee [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. |
| 44. | 17(2)(viii)
read with Rule 3(4) |
Supply of gas, electricity or water for household purposes | Taxable value of perquisites:
➢ Manufacturing cost per unit incurred by the employer., if provided from resources owned by the employer; ➢ Amount paid by the employer, if purchased by the employer from outside agency Note: 1. Any amount recovered from the employee shall be deducted from the taxable value of perquisite. 2. Taxable in case of specified employees only [See note 4] |
| 45. | 17(2)(viii)
read with Rule 3(5) |
Education Facilities | Taxable value of perquisites (See Note 2 below) |
| 46. | 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) | Value at which services are offered by the employer to the public less amount recovered from the employee shall be a taxable perquisite |
| 47. | 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 |
| 48. | 17(2)(vi) read with Rule 3(8)/3(9) | ESOP/ Sweat Equity Shares | 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. Note: The Finance Act, 2020 has deferred the taxation of perquisite in case of start-ups from date of allotment to the earliest of the following three dates: 1. Expiry of 48 months from the end of the relevant assessment year; 2. Sale of such shares by the employees; 3. Date on which employee ceases to be employee of the start-up. The eligible start-up shall accordingly, be required to deposit tax with the government within 14 days of the happening of any of the above events (whichever is earlier). However, Section 17(2)(vi) has not been amended, thus the income shall be computed in the year in which shares are allotted but tax shall be paid in subsequent year. |
| 49. | 17(2)(vii) | Employer’s contribution towards superannuation fund | Taxable in the hands of employee to the extent such contribution exceeds Rs.1,50,000 |
| 50. | 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 Step 1) at the rate of interest given in Step 2 4) From the total interest calculated for the entire previous year (step 3), deduct interest actually recovered, if any, from employee 5) The balance amount (Step 3-Step 4) is taxable value of perquisite Nothing is taxable if: a) Loan in aggregate does not exceed Rs. 20,000; or 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. |
| 51. | 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) Taxable value of perquisite shall be expenditure incurred by the employer less amount 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. |
| 52. | 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. |
| 53. | 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. |
| 54. | 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 |
| 55. | 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. |
| 56. | 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 |
| 57. | 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. |
| 58. | 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. |
| 59. | 10(10CC) | Tax paid by the employer on perquisites (not provided for by way of monetary payments) given to employee | Fully exempt |
| 60. | Proviso to section 17(2) | Medical facilities in India | a) 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:
i. Hospital maintained by the employer. ii. Hospital maintained by the Government or Local Authority or any other hospital approved by Central Government iii. Hospital approved by the Chief Commissioner having regard to the prescribed guidelines for treatment of the prescribed diseases. b) Medical insurance premium paid or reimbursed by the employer is not chargeable to tax. However, the medical facility is taxable only in case of Specified Employees [See note 4] |
| 61. | 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. Expenditure incurred on travelling of patient and one attendant- exempt, if Gross Total Income (before including the travel expenditure) of the employee, does not exceed Rs. 2,00,000. |
| 62. | Proviso to section 17(2) | Medical facility or reimbursement for COVID-19 treatment | Any sum paid by the employer in respect of any expenditure actually incurred by the employee on his medical treatment or treatment of any member of his family in respect of any illness relating to Covid-19, shall not be taxable as perquisite in the hands of the employee. However, this benefit shall be allowed subject to certain conditions as may be notified by the Government in this behalf. [applicable w.e.f. Assessment Year 2020-21] |
| C. | Deduction from salary | ||
| 1. | 16(ia) | Standard Deduction | Rs. 50,000 or the amount of salary, whichever is lower (Any salaried person & pensioners) |
| 2. | 16 (ii) | Entertainment Allowance received by the Government employees (Fully taxable in case of other employees) | Least of the following is exempt from tax:
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. 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 | ||
| 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. 25,00,000 * While computing unutilized earned leave, earned leave entitlements cannot exceed 30 days for each completed year of service rendered to the current employer ** Average salary = Average Salary*** of last 10 months immediately preceding the retirement ***Salary = Basic Pay + DA (to the extent it forms part of retirement benefits)+ turnover based commission |
| Retrenchment Compensation | |||
| 3. | 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) 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 |
| Gratuity | |||
| 4. | 10(10)(i) | Gratuity received by Government Employees (Other than employees of statutory corporations) | Fully Exempt |
| 5. | 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 |
| 6. | 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. 20,00,000 3. Gratuity actually received. *Average salary = Average Salary of last 10 months immediately preceding the month of retirement ** Salary = Basic Pay + DA (to the extent it forms part of retirement benefits)+ turnover based commission |
| Pension | |||
| 7. | – | Pension received from United Nation Organization by the employee of his family members | Fully Exempt |
| 8. | 10(10A)(i) | Commuted Pension received by an employee of Central Government, State Government, Local Authority Employees and Statutory Corporation | Fully Exempt |
| 9. | 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 |
| 10. | 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 |
| 11. | 10(19) | Family Pension received by the family members of Armed Forces | Fully Exempt |
| 12. | 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 |
| Voluntary Retirement | |||
| 13. | 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 |
| Provident Fund | |||
| 14. | – | Employee’s Provident Fund | For taxability of contribution made to various employee’s provident fund and interest arising thereon see Note 3. |
| National Pension System (NPS) | |||
| 15. | 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 60% of the total amount payable to him at the time of such closure or his opting out of the scheme.
Note: Partial withdrawal from 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 |
| 3. | 89A | Relief under 89A | Relief from taxation in income from retirement benefit account maintained in a notified country in accordance with Rule 21AAA. |
| 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 |
Notes:
1. Motor Car (taxable only in case of specified employees [See note 4] except when car owned by the employee is used by him or members of his household wholly for personal purposes and for which reimbursement is made by the employer)
| S. No. | Circumstances | Engine Capacity up to 1600 cc | Engine Capacity above 1600 cc |
| 1 | Motor Car is owned or hired by the employer | ||
| 1.1 | Where maintenances and running expenses including remuneration of the chauffeur are met or reimbursed by the employer. | ||
| 1.1-A | Used wholly and exclusively in the performance of official duties. | Fully exempt subject to maintenance of specified documents | Fully exempt subject to maintenance of specified documents |
| 1.1-B | Used exclusively for the personal purposes of the employee or any member of his household. | Actual amount of expenditure incurred by the employer on the running and maintenance of motor car including remuneration paid by the employer to the chauffeur and increased by the amount representing normal wear and tear of the motor car at 10% per annum of the cost of vehicle less any amount charged from the employee for such use is taxable value of perquisite. | |
| 1.1-C | The motor car is used partly in the performance of duties and partly for personal purposes of the employee or any member of his household. | Rs. 1,800 per month (plus Rs. 900 per month, if chauffeur is also provided to run the motor car) shall be taxable value of perquisite | Rs. 2,400 per month (plus Rs. 900 per month, if chauffeur is also provided to run the motor car) shall be taxable value of perquisite |
| Nothing is deductible in respect of any amount recovered from the employee. | |||
| 1.2 | Where maintenances and running expenses are met by the employee. | ||
| 1.2-A | Used wholly and exclusively in the performance of official duties. | Not a perquisite, hence, not taxable | Not a perquisite, hence, not taxable |
| 1.2-B | Used exclusively for the personal purposes of the employee or any member of his household | Expenditure incurred by the employer (i.e. hire charges, if car is on rent or normal wear and tear at 10% of actual cost of the car, if car is owned by the employer) plus salary of chauffeur if paid or payable by the employer minus amount recovered from the employee. | |
| 1.2-C | The motor car is used partly in the performance of duties and partly for personal purposes of the employee or any member of his household | Rs. 600 per month (plus Rs. 900 per month, if chauffeur is also provided to run the motor car) shall be taxable value of perquisite | Rs. 900 per month (plus Rs. 900 per month, if chauffeur is also provided to run the motor car) shall be taxable value of perquisite |
| Nothing is deductible in respect of any amount recovered from the employee. | |||
| 2 | Motor Car is owned by the employee | ||
| 2.1 | Where maintenances and running expenses including remuneration of the chauffeur are met or reimbursed by the employer. | ||
| 2.1-A | The reimbursement is for the use of the vehicle wholly and exclusively for official purposes | Fully exempt subject to maintenance of specified documents | Fully exempt subject to maintenance of specified documents |
| 2.1-B | The reimbursement is for the use of the vehicle exclusively for the personal purposes of the employee or any member of his household (taxable in case of specified employee as well as non-specified employee) | Actual expenditure incurred by the employer minus amount recovered from the employee | |
| 2.1-C | The reimbursement is for the use of the vehicle partly for official purposes and partly for personal purposes of the employee or any member of his household. | Actual expenditure incurred by the employer minus Rs. 1800 per month and Rs. 900 per month if chauffer is also provided minus amount recovered from employee shall be taxable value of perquisite. | Actual expenditure incurred by the employer minus Rs. 2400 per month and Rs. 900 per month if chauffer is also provided minus amount recovered from employee shall be taxable value of perquisite. |
| 3 | Where the employee owns any other automotive conveyance and actual running and maintenance charges are met or reimbursed by the employer | ||
| 3.1 | Reimbursement for the use of the vehicle wholly and exclusively for official purposes; | Fully exempt subject to maintenance of specified documents | Fully exempt subject to maintenance of specified documents |
| 3.2 | Reimbursement for the use of vehicle partly for official purposes and partly for personal purposes of the employee. | Actual expenditure incurred by the employer as reduced by Rs. 900 per month | Not Applicable |
2. Educational Facilities
Taxable only in the hands of specified employees [See note 4]
| Facility extended to |
Value of perquisite |
|
| Provided in the school owned by the employer | Provided in any other school | |
| Children | Cost of such education in similar school less Rs. 1,000 per month per child (irrespective of numbers of children) less amount recovered from employee | Amount incurred less amount recovered from employee (an exemption of Rs. 1,000 per month per child is allowed) |
| Other family member | Cost of such education in similar school less amount recovered from employee | Cost of such education incurred |
2.1 Other Educational Facilities
| Particulars | Taxable Value of Perquisites |
| Reimbursement of school fees of children or family member of employees | Fully taxable |
| Free educational facilities/ training of employees | Fully exempt |
3. Employees Provident Fund
Tax treatment in respect of contributions made to and payment from various provident funds are summarized in the table given below:
| Particulars | Statutory provident fund | Recognized provident fund | Unrecognized provident fund | Public provident fund |
| Employers contribution to provident fund | Fully Exempt | Exempt only to the extent of 12% of salary* | Fully Exempt | – |
| Deduction under section 80C on employees contribution | Available | Available | Not Available | Available |
| Interest credited to provident fund See Note |
Fully Exempt | Exempt only to the extent rate of interest does not exceed 9.5% | Fully Exempt | Fully Exempt |
| Payment received at the time of retirement or termination of service | Fully Exempt | Fully Exempt (Subject to certain conditions and circumstances) | Fully Taxable (except employee’s contribution) | Fully Exempt |
* Salary = Basic Pay + Dearness Allowance (to the extent it forms part of retirement benefits) + turnover based commission
Payment from recognized provident fund shall be exempt in the hands of employees in following circumstances:
a) If employee has rendered continue service with his employer (including previous employer, when PF account is transferred to current employer) for a period of 5 years or more
b) If employee has been terminated because of certain reasons which are beyond his control (ill health, discontinuation of business of employer, etc.)
Note:
No exemption shall be available for the interest income accrued during the previous year in the recognised and statutory provident fund to the extent it relates to the contribution made by the employees over Rs. 2,50,000 in the previous year.
However, if an employee is contributing to the fund but there is no contribution to such fund by the employer, then the interest income accrued during the previous year shall be taxable to the extent it relates to the contribution made by the employee to that fund in excess of Rs. 5,00,000 in a financial year.
4. Specified Employee
The following employees are deemed as specified employees:
1) A director-employee
2) An employee who has substantial interest (i.e. beneficial owner of equity shares carrying 20% or more voting power) in the employer-company
3) An employee whose monetary income* under the salary exceeds Rs.50,000
*Monetary Income means Income chargeable under the salary but excluding perquisite value of all non-monetary perquisites
[As amended by Finance Act, 2024]
Also Read:
All about Income from House Properties
Profits and Gains from Business and Profession
Capital Gain – All you want to know
Tax Treatment of Income from Other Sources
Dear Sir is Honorarium to doctor is counted under head salary or professional income.
Honorarium is given monthly of fixed amount for 8 hours per day shift duty.
Many many thanks for providing a bunch of information on taxation for service class employees in any sector in India. I hope you may add taxation details in cafeteria approch in salary by GOI. I also request to provide some tips also to reduce tax load of general employees.
Urgent requirement
Pension is taxable under the head Salaries. Further from 1-4-2018, for Sr Citizens, pension received upto 50000/- is exempted.
1. Will the pension received from EPFO is taxable under the head salary? Because there is no employer – employee relation and employers PAN has to be quoted in the ITRs.
2. If the employer, on retirement of its employee, purchase an annuity and call it as ‘Pension Plan’ , whether such pension is eligible for exemption?
Answers can be posted on my email also
All amount of Pension is taxable except Commutation (One time Lum Sum Received). In other words regular income on a/c of pension/annuity/ interest is taxable. However for SC Rs. 50000/- deduction is allowed.
Flying allowance Rs. 1,20,000/- whether deductible which is not shown in Form 16 by Employer Air India in case of Captain crew,
Dear Sir
Our one employee was expired in 2016. Now his widow is getting last drawn salary monthly as per govt. Rules
I want to know whether this amount is taxable or not.
I am a retired employee from PSU retired in October 2017. For my PSU, the enhanced gratuity limit from 10 lakh to 20 lakh has been announced in 2019 w.e.f 1.1.2017. The same has been paid to me a couple of days back. However, the employer has deducted TDS on the gratuity. As per the amendment in IT Act effected in March 2018, gratuity received upto 20 lakh has been made fully exempt. Kindly advise me what to do. Since the enhanced gratuity has been paid to me only in July 2019, I think it is exempt from Tax. Kindly advise.
Whether professional tax is applicable for Pensioners in general and State/Central Govt pensioners in particular.
Pension is taxable under the head Salaries. Further from 1-4-2018, for Sr Citizens, pension received upto 50000/- is exempted.
1. Will the pension received from EPFO is taxable under the head salary? Because there is no employer – employee relation and employers PAN has to be quoted in the ITRs.
2. If the employer, on retirement of its employee, purchase an annuity and call it as ‘Pension Plan’ , whether such pension is eligible for exemption?
Can I know about section 76 and 96 of I T Act 1961 please
jo meri manjilo ki jaati hai
teri naam ki koi dhadak hai naa.
i am a resident indian and I got some amount credited into my account as I checked/evaluated few Thesis ( of South Africa university) phd students; will that amount will be my salary and should be accounted as taxable salary and at what rate? please provide relevant guidance to help filing return?
very useful,great,thank you.
Salary not paid to me by my Employer for the period Aug 16 to March 16. Last date of my return filling is 31.07.17 . Pls advise should I file my ITR on receipt basis or accrual basis
I will receive an advance salary of Rs.5 lac in addition if I work at the company for 3 years, but if I leave before that period I need Rs.5 lac.
Will the advance salary be taxable.? If yes, then in which year.?
Sir, would you tell me what is a LINE ALLOWANCE? to whom is it given?
This is very useful for me.
Thank you tax guru.
this article is very useful
Very important info by tax guru.keep it up further.
Very useful as notes
nice one…….
great, thanks tax guru..
tax guru is always best, simple language…….. it helps very much
THANKS for it
it helps very much
thanks
Its very useful thank you very much
very useful, thanx
Very Useful information. I also request to update this with other benefits available under sec. 80
Thank you,
H.SUNDER
9345782937
very nice information… Great Work
THANKS FOR NICE INFORMATON.
very nice information. Thank you
L.C.SWARNKAR
Very useful information for all salaried persons
Most useful information
Most useful information for a salaried employees. Thanks a lot
thank you very much for such elaborated information very useful must know all salried people
Very very valuable information, thank you very much for grate work. This always helpful individually to all Salary employees. I once again thanks for your great job. with regards…
Very useful all information at one go
DHARMENDRA DAVE. BARODA
EXCELLENT, WHAT A DETAILED
INFORMATION ABOUT TAXABLE & NON TAXABLE SALARY INCOME & ALLOWANCES,PERQUISITES
FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS TAXPAYERS
THANKS TAXGURU.
WITH BEST
REGSRDS
VERY USEFUL , HANDY INFORMATION AT ONE GO , THANKS
thanks
All salary class people must know it….
Thank you
GIRISH
9538852134
Grate information at one shot….. very much helpful…