Hurry! You can still claim more tax deductions

Most people rush to buy insurance products and mutual fund schemes during the end of the financial year with the aim to meet Section 80C commitments.

Even exemptions under infrastructure bonds, introduced last year under Section CCF, are getting prominence.

But there are a number of other sections under the Income Tax (I-T) Act that can provide significant tax benefits.

Homi Mistry, tax partner, Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, says, "There are a number of not-so-commonly used I-T sections under which you could reduce your tax burden.

These, however, come into force subject to specific situations and conditions."

A list of such not-so-familiar sections under the I-T Act...

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Section 80E for education loan

Limit: Rebate on entire interest payment

This section allows deductions on the entire interest amount on a loan taken to fund higher education courses within the country for oneself, spouse and children.

Individuals can also claim a rebate if they are legal guardians for students who aren't related to them.

The deductions would continue for seven succeeding years or until the interest amount has been repaid. For basic tuition, Section 80C comes into play.

. . .

Sections 80DD, 80DDB and 80U for health

Limit: Rs 15,000 to Rs 100,000

Under Section 80DD, one can claim expenses up to Rs 50,000 incurred on medical treatment and maintenance, that is, hiring a nurse and rehabilitating a disabled dependant.

For a severely disabled person, the amount is Rs 100,000. However, there are guidelines.

The dependant has to fit the I-T Act's definition of a disabled or a severely disabled person. Certain medical conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, multiple disability and others have also been specified.

. . .

One can claim a similar rebate under Section 80U too, but the relief in this case is limited to medical expenses for oneself.

Expenses can also be claimed under Section 80DDB for conditions like cancer, AIDS and so on.

The amount is capped at the actual amount spent or Rs 40,000, whichever is less. In case of a senior citizen, the amount increases to Rs 60,000.

If the amount has already been claimed from a medical insurer (under Section 80D) or has been reimbursed by the employer, no benefits will accrue.

. . .

Section 80G, 80GGA, 80GGC for charity

Limit: 50 per cent to 100 per cent

Most government-backed trusts allow 100 per cent deductions on donations.

For charities that advertise a 50 per cent tax rebate, the number could be lower because the deduction is linked to the income of the taxpayer.

This means the 50 per cent deduction is applicable only on the 'qualifying' amount.

For instance, if a person with an income of Rs 500,000 donates Rs 50,000 to a charity, the entire donated amount is not considered while computing his total taxable income.

. . .

His tax-saving investments (section 80C, 80D and so on) are deducted first from the total income. Suppose, all these sections add up to Rs 100,000, then his taxable income will be Rs 400,000.

According to the I-T Act, the qualifying amount has to be either less than 10 per cent of his taxable income or the amount given to charity.

In this case, it means that only Rs 40,000 will qualify for tax rebate and not the Rs 50,000 he has donated. And the 50 per cent exemption translates to Rs 20,000.

Hundred per cent exemptions are given to institutions or trusts that promote scientific thinking or rural development under Section 80GGA. Donations towards political parties come under Section 80GGC.

. . .

Section 80GG for rental paid

Limit: Rs 24,000

This is for salaried individuals paying a rent but not claiming house rent allowance (HRA).

If one's rent exceeds 10 per cent of the total income, then he can claim a rebate on the excess amount spent on payment towards rent.

The maximum that can be claimed under this section is Rs 24,000 a year.