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Pay 10,000/month for 10 years, Get 1,65,805/Year* for next 15 years.
ARN. No. KLI/23-24/E-BB/1201
Features
Ref. No. KLI/22-23/E-BB/999
Key income tax deductions are available under Sections 80C to 80U as per Chapter VIA for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27). There are various tax-saving options, including investments, insurance, medical expenses, home loans, and education costs that you can claim as deductions. By leveraging the income tax deduction list, you can reduce your taxable income and maximize savings. Whether you are a salaried individual or a business owner, this article helps you make informed tax-planning decisions.
An income tax deduction is the amount you can exclude from your total income before calculating your tax liability. These deductions are listed as part of Chapter VI-A of the Income Tax Act under Sections 80C to 80U. They help reduce your taxable income, which means you pay less tax.
The government allows these deductions to encourage people to save, invest, or spend on essential things like healthcare, education, and housing.
Section 80C is one of the most popular tax-saving provisions in India. Under this section, taxpayers can claim deductions up to ₹1.5 lakhs in a financial year. Some eligible investments and expenditures under the 80C deduction list include:
Investment Option |
Average Returns |
Risk |
Lock-in Period |
Public Provident Fund (PPF) |
7.1% (varies) |
Low |
15 years (partial withdrawal after 5 years) |
Employee Provident Fund (EPF) |
8.15% (approx) |
Low |
Till retirement or job change (partial withdrawal allowed) |
National Savings Certificate (NSC) |
7.7% (fixed) |
Low |
5 years |
Equity-Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) |
12-15% (market-linked) |
High |
3 years |
Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) |
8-12% (varies) |
Medium to High |
5 years |
National Pension System (NPS) |
9-12% (market-linked) |
Medium to High |
Till retirement (60 years), partial withdrawal after 3 years |
Tax-saving Fixed Deposit (FD) |
6-7.5% (varies) |
Low |
5 years |
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) |
8.2% (fixed) |
Low |
21 years (partial withdrawal after 18 years) |
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) |
8.2% (fixed) |
Low |
5 years (extendable by 3 years) |
For taxpayers in India, understanding the various deductions available under Chapter VIA of the Income Tax Act, 1961, is paramount for effective tax planning for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27). Among these, Sections 80C, 80CCC, and 80CCD(1) are some of the most commonly utilized income tax exemption list for reducing taxable income.
Collectively, the total deduction claimable under Sections 80C, 80CCC, and 80CCD(1) is capped by Section 80CCE. However, Section 80CCD(1B) provides an additional avenue for tax savings through NPS contributions, over and above the limit prescribed by Section 80CCE.
Here is a brief overview of the income tax deduction list:
Section |
Nature of Eligible Investment for Tax Deductions |
Maximum Deduction Limit |
80C |
Various specified investments and expenditures, including ELSS, PPF, LIC premiums, home loan principal, etc. |
₹1,50,000 |
80CCC |
Contributions to certain annuity plans for receiving a pension. |
₹1,50,000 |
80CCD(1) |
Employee's or individual's contribution to notified government pension schemes, such as NPS, APY, etc. |
Employed: 10% of salary (basic + DA) Self-employed: 20% of gross total income |
80CCE |
Aggregate limit for deductions under Sections 80C, 80CCC, and 80CCD(1) combined. |
₹1,50,000 |
80CCD(1B) |
Additional deduction for taxpayer's contributions to the National Pension System (NPS). |
₹50,000 (This is over and above the 80CCE limit) |
80CCD(2) |
Employer's contribution to an employee's NPS account. |
Central Govt. Employer: 14% of salary (basic + DA) Other Employers: 10% of salary (basic + DA) |
25% of total income.
₹5,000 per month.
Actual rent paid minus 10% of adjusted total income
Salaried individuals can significantly optimize their tax liabilities for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) by using various exemptions applicable to their salary income. These exemptions, distinct from deductions, reduce taxable income at the source, provided specific conditions are met.
Key tax exemptions for salaried employees include:
To wrap up, knowing about the different income tax deduction list, such as those from Section 80C to 80U, and understanding your tax exemptions can really help you plan your taxes better for the financial year 2025-26 (Assessment Year 2026-27). By making use of these rules, you can lower the amount of tax you need to pay and keep more of your hard-earned money. Tax rules can change, so it is always a good idea to stay informed and consider getting advice from a professional to make sure you are saving as much as you legally can.
1
Income tax deductions list, such as those under Sections 80C, 80D, 80G, and 80E, offer various benefits. Examples include deductions for investments like PPF and ELSS, medical insurance premiums, charitable donations, and interest on education loans.
2
No, you cannot claim deductions under Section 80C when filing your income tax return if you have not submitted the necessary proof of investments or expenses to your employer. To avail of the deductions, you must provide the relevant proof to your employer during the income tax declaration submission period, usually at the beginning of the financial year. Your employer will consider these proofs and adjust your TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) accordingly.
3
Yes, you can claim the interest paid on a loan from your employer for pursuing higher education as a tax deduction under Section 80E. This deduction is available for a maximum of 8 years or until the interest is fully repaid, whichever is earlier. However, please note that this deduction is only applicable for loans taken for the individual’s own education or for the education of their spouse, children, or a student for whom they are a legal guardian.
4
There is no upper limit on the amount of interest you can claim as a deduction under Section 80E. The entire interest you pay on the loan qualifies for the deduction. Please note that the deduction only applies to the loan’s interest component, not the principal amount.
5
No, Section 80C deductions are not available to companies or firms. Section 80C provides tax-saving benefits on various investments and expenses for individual taxpayers only. Some of the eligible deductions under Section 80C include investments in Public Provident Fund (PPF), Employee Provident Fund (EPF), Equity-Linked Saving Scheme (ELSS), National Savings Certificate (NSC), and payment of life insurance premiums, among others.
6
Yes, companies can claim a deduction for donations made to eligible charitable institutions under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. The deduction amount varies based on the charitable organization type and can be 50% or 100% of the donated amount. However, it is important to ensure that the charitable institution is registered under Section 80G to avail of this deduction.
7
No, the Section 80D deduction is only for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs). It covers health insurance premiums for yourself, your spouse, children, and parents, but it does not extend to companies or firms.
8
Section 80DD provides tax relief for individuals and HUFs who spend on the care of a dependent with a disability. If you incur expenses for their medical treatment or rehabilitation, you can claim up to ₹75,000 as a deduction. For severe disabilities, this amount goes up to ₹1,25,000.
9
No, bank recurring deposits (RDs) are not eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C. The only term deposits that qualify for tax deduction under Section 80C are Fixed Deposits (FDs) with a minimum lock-in period of 5 years in a scheduled bank.
10
No, not all allowances are taxable for salaried individuals. Some allowances are fully taxable, while others are partially or fully exempt from tax. For example, the House Rent Allowance (HRA) can be partially exempt if certain conditions are met. Similarly, the Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) and certain allowances for specific purposes may also be exempted up to prescribed limits.
11
Yes, both earning members of a family who are co-applicants of a home loan can claim tax deductions individually. Each co-applicant can claim deductions on the principal amount under Section 80C and on the interest paid under Section 24(b) of the Income Tax Act, subject to specified limits.
12
No, the HRA benefit is available only to salaried individuals and not to self-employed individuals. Self-employed individuals cannot claim HRA as they do not receive a fixed salary from an employer, which is a prerequisite for claiming HRA deductions.
13
You can reduce your tax liability on an education loan by claiming deductions on the interest paid under Section 80E of the Income Tax Act. The loan must be taken for higher education for yourself, your spouse, children, or a student under your legal guardianship. There is no maximum deduction limit. You can claim it for up to 8 years or until the interest is fully repaid, whichever comes first.
14
Examples of income tax exemptions include the HRA received by salaried individuals, LTA, certain agricultural income, interest earned on tax-saving bonds, income from dividends on certain mutual funds, and exemptions provided for certain allowances for specific purposes.
15
Examples of income tax deductions include deductions under Section 80C for investments in PPF, EPF, ELSS, NSC, and payment of life insurance premiums, deductions under Section 80D for medical insurance premiums, deductions under Section 80G for donations to charitable institutions, and deductions under Section 80E for interest paid on education loans, among others.
16
In India, the total income tax deduction allowed depends on various factors such as investments, expenses, and contributions made during the financial year. Common deductions include those under Section 80C (up to ₹1,50,000), Section 80D (health insurance premiums), Section 80E (education loan interest), and others. Taxpayers can avail of deductions based on their eligibility and compliance with the Income Tax Act.
17
Deduction from salary in income tax refers to the amount subtracted from an individual’s gross salary to arrive at the taxable income. This deduction includes components like provident fund contributions, professional tax, standard deduction (if applicable), and any other eligible allowance or exemption in income tax as per the Income Tax Act.
18
The standard deduction for income tax, set at ₹75,000, applies for the assessment year 2026-27. This fixed amount, deducted from gross salary to calculate taxable income, remains consistent under the old and new tax regimes.
19
First, determine the taxable income by subtracting allowable deductions (such as standard deduction, HRA exemption, etc.) from the gross salary to calculate tax on salary. Then, apply the applicable income tax slab rates to the taxable income to calculate the total tax liability. Finally, deduct any applicable rebates and claim tax credits to arrive at the final tax payable amount.
20
Taxpayers can claim various deductions on tax based on investments, expenses, and contributions made during the financial year. Common deductions include those under Section 80C (for investments like PPF, ELSS, etc.), Section 80D (for health insurance premiums), Section 80E (for education loan interest), Section 80G (for donations to charitable institutions), and more. It is essential to review the eligibility criteria and compliance requirements outlined in the Income Tax Act to claim deductions accurately.
Pay 10,000/month for 10 years, Get 1,65,805/Year* for next 15 years.
ARN. No. KLI/23-24/E-BB/1201
Features
Ref. No. KLI/22-23/E-BB/999
The information herein is meant only for general reading purposes and the views being expressed only constitute opinions and therefore cannot be considered as guidelines, recommendations or as a professional guide for the readers. The content has been prepared on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other sources believed to be reliable. Recipients of this information are advised to rely on their own analysis, interpretations & investigations. Readers are also advised to seek independent professional advice in order to arrive at an informed investment decision. Further customer is the advised to go through the sales brochure before conducting any sale. Above illustrations are only for understanding, it is not directly or indirectly related to the performance of any product or plans of Kotak Life.
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