How is rental income taxed?

Short answerRental income is taxed under ‘Income from House Property’. From the annual rent you deduct municipal taxes paid, then a flat 30% standard deduction for repairs, and home-loan interest under Section 24(b). The balance is added to your income and taxed at slab rates.

How the income is computed

Start with the annual rent (or expected rent). Deduct municipal taxes actually paid by you to get the Net Annual Value. From that, take a flat 30% standard deduction under Section 24(a) — given regardless of actual spend — and the home-loan interest under Section 24(b). The result is your taxable house-property income.

Self-occupied versus let-out

A let-out property is taxed on its rent as above, with full interest deductible (subject to the ₹2 lakh loss set-off cap). A self-occupied house has nil rental value but still allows up to ₹2 lakh of interest. Deemed-let-out rules can apply if you own several houses — confirm for your case.

A worked example

Example: annual rent ₹3.6 lakh, municipal tax ₹20,000. Net Annual Value ₹3.4 lakh; less 30% (₹1.02 lakh) = ₹2.38 lakh; less home-loan interest ₹2 lakh = ₹38,000 taxable. The 30% deduction is automatic, so you get it even if you spent nothing on repairs. Rent received from a tenant who is your child is taxable to you in the same way. Our team can compute it.

Talk to CA Vijay R Singh

Earning rent and want it taxed correctly? You can message him directly, or book a short call to talk through your situation.

This answer is general information for taxpayers, not tax advice. Tax rates, thresholds and forms change with each Finance Act — please confirm the current position for your own facts, or speak to us, before acting.

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