The dream to own a house is really a challenging one. Challenging because it involves a huge investment which cannot be brought upfront by one and all. Banks and other financial institutions have given the option to every individual to make the dream come true by offering home loans at affordable rates. The Indian Government in a bid to encourage the investment in housing property has provided various tax benefits on the Home Loans availed.
The various tax deductions allowed under the Income Tax Act 1961 on the repayments made towards the Home Loan is the Home Loan tax benefit. Two components involving repayment of Home Loan are considered for availing the benefit. The components are the payments made towards the principal amount and the payments made towards the interest.
Since two components are involved, different Sections under the Income Tax Act govern the tax benefit. While filing the Income Tax Returns, these are claimed as Tax Deductions under various Sections of the Income Tax Act.
Also Read - Tax Benefit on Second Home Loan
The various Sections offering Home Loan Tax Benefit are explained below:
Under Section 80C a deduction towards payment of principal amount can be claimed up to a maximum of 1.50 Lakhs. The only condition is that the house property should not be sold within 5 years of taking possession.
Under Section 24, a deduction towards the interest component can be availed up to a maximum of 2 Lakhs. The Home Loan should have been taken for purchase/construction of a house. The construction of the house should be completed within 5 years from the financial year when the Home Loan was availed if the loan is taken for construction.
Under Section 80EE, a maximum deduction of 50,000 is permitted if the value of the property does not exceed 50 Lakhs and the loan availed does not exceed 35 Lakhs. Also, the individual should not be owning another house property while availing the Home Loan.
Under 80C expenses incurred towards stamp duty to the extent of 1.50 Lakhs can be claimed only in the financial year when the expenses are incurred.
Also Read - Income Tax Documents Required for Home Loans
The following are the Home Loan Tax Benefits available:
In the normal course, the deduction for the interest paid for the Home Loan can be claimed soon after the acquisition of a house or after the construction of the house is complete. But, even when the house is under construction you will have to service the interest paid towards the Home Loan. The Income Tax Act has made a provision to claim a deduction for the interest paid in the interim period i.e., from the date of availing the loan till the completion of construction, in 5 proportionate instalments which begins from the year of purchasing the house or completion of construction. The maximum limit of 2 Lakhs for availing the deduction towards the interest holds good.
The deduction for the interest paid on the housing loan can be claimed only after the purchase of the house or after the construction of the house is complete. The structure should be completed within 5 years from the date of availing the loan. Under Section 24 a maximum deduction of 2 Lakhs in a financial year is permitted for the interest component of the equated monthly instalment (EMI) paid for the housing loan. The threshold limit for claiming a deduction for the interest component of the EMI is 2 Lakhs for a self-occupied house and there is no threshold limit for a property that is rented out from the AY 2018-19 onwards. This deduction is applicable from the year of completion of construction.
Deductions for the principal amount of the EMI can be claimed to the extent of 1.50 Lakhs under Section 80C. If the property for which the housing loan is availed is sold within 5 years from the date of taking possession, the amount claimed as a deduction will be ploughed back as income for the year when the sale transaction takes place.
Apart from the principal component of the Housing Loan EMI, a deduction for the expenses incurred towards registration and stamp duty can be claimed under Section 80C. But the overall limit to be claimed under 80C should be maintained, i.e., both the amounts put together should not cross 1.50 Lakhs.
In addition to all the deductions mentioned above, a deduction to the extent of 50,000 is allowed under Section 80EE. To claim this deduction the housing loan availed should not be more than 35 Lakhs and the value of the property should not be over 50.00 lakhs. The person claiming a deduction under 80EE should not own another house at the time of availing the housing loan.
Housing Loans availed in joint names by the family members can procure a greater benefit under the deductions for Home Loans. If the Home Loan is availed in joint names, each borrower can claim a deduction to the extent of 2 Lakhs under Section 24 and to the extent of 1.50 Lakhs under 80C in their individual IT Returns. For this, just availing the housing loan in joint names to enhance the loan eligibility amount will not suffice. The property should be held in joint names to be eligible to claim the deduction.
Also Read - House Rent Allowance v/s Home Loan: Which is Better Tax Saving Option?
The table below gives a brief insight to the Home Loan Tax Benefits
Section | Components of deduction | Amount | Conditions |
---|---|---|---|
Section 80C | Principal | 1.50 Lakhs | The property should not be sold within 5 years of taking possession |
Section 24 | Interest | 2 Lakhs | The property should be acquired or the construction should be complete |
Section 80EE | Interest | 50,000 | The loan amount should not be over 35 Lakhs and the property value should not be over 50 Lakhs. The borrower should not be owning another property at the time of availing the loan |
Section 80C | Registration and Stamp duty charges | 1.50 Lakhs | The deduction can be claimed in the year when the sale transaction takes place and the expenses are incurred |
You can also Check Loan Against Property without Income Proof and ITR
Banks offer top-up loans like Personal Loans which come without any end use restrictions. However, some banks offer top-up loans only for the purpose of repairs and renovations and relevant bills and other documents have to be produced to prove the end use.
If the top-up loan is used for repairs/renovation, then deduction of interest component to the extent of 30,000 can be claimed under Section 24. However, the total deduction for the interest paid on the housing loan and the top-up loan should not cross the maximum limit of 2 Lakhs as provided under Section 24. The interest paid over and above 2 Lakhs can be carried forward for a period of 8 years.
If the top-up loan is used towards construction of new house then deduction of principal amount also can be claimed under Section 80C provided the total deduction from the housing loan and the top-up loan does not exceed 1.50 Lakhs as stipulated under Section 80C.
Deduction towards the interest component of the loan can be claimed even if the EMI is not paid. This is because Section 24 indicates that deduction can be claimed for the interest paid as well as the interest that is to be paid.
Also Read - 15 Lakh Home Loan EMI Interest Rate
The following is the list of Top Banks offering Home Loans and their interest rates (updated on 10.0.2019).
Name of the Bank | Rate of Interest (p.a.) |
HDFC Bank | For Women
For others
|
Punjab National Bank | Floating rate of interest for Women
Floating rate of interest for Others
PNB Pride Floating
PNB Max Saver for Women
PNB Max Saver for Others
No fixed rate of interest option for PNB Max Saver Fixed Rate for Housing Loan General Floating rate + 0.50% Fixed rate for PNB Pride Floating rate + 0.50% Floating Overdraft Home Loan 9.85% |
Kotak Mahindra Bank | For salaried: 8.90% to 9.05% For self-employed: 9% to 9.25% |
Canara Bank
| Housing Loan/ Housing Loan to NRIs/ Housing Loan to Agriculturists/ Yuva Awas Rin (CANYAR)/ PMAY/ HOUSING Loan to Senior Citizens/ Housing Cum Solar Loan For CIC Risk Grade Irrespective of loan limit: 8.70% For other categories
Housing Loan CRE For CIC Risk Grade Irrespective of the loan amount: 9.20% Housing Loan CRE for other categories
Canara Home Plus For Term Loan: 9.20% For Overdraft: 9.70% |
ICICI Bank | For Salaried Individuals
For self-employed
|
Corporation Bank | Corp Home Loan Floating Rate
Corp Home Loan Fixed Rate
For Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana: 9% For Corp Ghar Shobha: 9.40% For Corp Ghar Sansar: 9.40% |
Yes Bank | Interest rate ranging from 9.85% to 12% |
SBI | For salaried class
For other than salaried class
Max-Gain for salaried class
Max-Gain for other than salaried class
A concession of 0.05% provided for women beneficiaries For a loan above 3 Crores only for the existing SBI Home Loan borrowers: 8.45%. |
HSBC Bank | For Regular Home Loan: 8.85% to 8.95% For Smart Home Loan: 9. 50% to 9.15% |
Indian Overseas Bank | Housing Loan
Subhagruha Top-up: 12.15% |
Syndicate Bank |
|
Bank of Maharashtra |
|
Allahabad Bank | ALL Bank Aashiana Scheme/ Housing Finance Scheme for NRI or PIO/ Premium Housing Finance Scheme for High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) (for loan amount above 5 Crores)/ Housing Loan Scheme for Pensioner
For Housing Loan CRE: 0.25% above the rate applicable for housing loan. |
Andhra Bank |
|
Bank of Baroda | Baroda Home Loan: 9.70% p.a. Baroda Home Loan Advantage
Baroda CRE Housing Loan: 9.95% Baroda CRE Advantage
|
RBL Bank | Starts at 10.45% |
Indian Bank | For salaried class
Concession of 0.05% for women beneficiaries For other than salaried class
Concession of 0.05% for women beneficiaries |
Union Bank | Home Loan Floating Rate of Interest
Home Loan Fixed Rate of Interest
Union Home-Smart Save
|
Central Bank of India | Starts at 8.55% |
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A deduction for the interest paid for a loan availed from friends and relatives can be claimed under Section 24 provided, a certificate is obtained from them. However, the person who issues the certificate is liable to pay tax on the amount so received since it will be treated as income for him/her.
If the possession of the house is taken and you have not occupied the house but given it out on rent, then you are eligible for tax benefit on the principal amount under 80C, tax benefit on interest amount under Section 24 and House Rent Allowance (HRA) benefit. However, the rent received will be treated as income and is taxable. If the house is for self-occupation then you cannot claim HRA benefit.
The co-applicant can claim tax benefit only if he or she is the co-owner of the property for which the loan is availed.
The tax benefit can be availed for both the housing loans under 80C provided the total amount is within 1.50 lakhs.
The benefit for deduction under Section 80C and Section 24 can be claimed only after the property is acquired or the construction is complete. So, the benefit can be claimed from the year when the property is acquired or the construction is complete.