Usually HRA forms part of your salary and you can claim deduction for HRA. If you do not receive HRA from your employer and make payments towards rent for any furnished or unfurnished accommodation occupied by you for your own residence, you can claim deduction under section 80GG towards rent that you pay. Here are a few conditions that must be fulfilled –

• You are self-employed or salaried
• You have not received HRA at any time during the year for which you are claiming 80GG HRA component should not form part of your salary to claim 80GG.
• You or your spouse or your minor child or HUF of which you are a member – do not own any residential accommodation at the place where you currently reside, perform duties of the office, or employment or carry on business or profession.
• In case you own any residential property at any place, for which your Income from house property is calculated under applicable sections (as a self-occupied property), no deduction under section 80GG is allowed.

You will be required to file Form 10BA with details of payment of rent.

Deduction –the lowest of these will be considered as the deduction under this section-

(a)    Rs 5,000 per month

(b)   25% of the total Income (excluding long-term capital gains, short-term capital gains under section 111A and Income under Section 115A or 115D and deductions under 80C to 80U. Also, income is before making a deduction under section 80GG).

(c)    Actual rent less 10% of Income

Do take benefit of this section – provided all conditions have been fulfilled by you. Reach out to us if you have any questions support@cleartax.in and we will be happy to address your queries!