How to Claim Home Loan Interest Deduction Under Section 24(b) in 4 Steps

If you are a property owner who has just bought a home by taking a loan, then you can get tax benefits on the interest paid on such a loan. The deduction will be available under the head “Income from House Property” as per Section 24. The ceiling limits and eligibility for the same depends on the nature of house property and the regime chosen. Apart from section 24, additional interest deduction under Section 80EEA is also eligible on satisfaction of the eligibility criteria.

Deduction of Interest on Loan for House Property in New Regime

Taxpayers can benefit from tax deduction for the interest component of their home loan repayment. However, under the new tax regime deduction of interest on home loan repayment has been restricted only against income from a let-out property. Taxpayers cannot claim interest deduction against their self-occupied property. Futher, principal repayment deduction under Section 80C is also disallowed under the new tax regime. 

The following table explains eligibility of various house property deductions under the old and new regime:

Interest on home loan deduction can be claimed by the taxpayer through the below simple steps:

Step 1: Documents Required

• Details regarding completion of construction or date of purchase of the property.
• Borrower Details – Just like ownership, the home loan must be in your name to claim the deduction. You can also be a co-borrower in the loan.

Step 2: Submit These Documents to Your Employer

• If you want claim interest on home loan as a deduction you must furnish the interest certificate on your loan to your employer so they can adjust your TDS accordingly. Therefore, you won’t have to wait until the end of the year to find out your tax liability and adjust your tax. Do make it a point to inform your employer.
• What if you forgot to submit this documents to your employer? Don’t worry you can still claim the deduction while filing your income tax return on self-declaration basis.

Step 3: Calculation of Income from House Property

In the case of self-occupied house property, the deduction amount is limited to Rs.2 lakh. However, for let-out house property, there is no limit on the amount of interest you can claim as a deduction. Here are the steps to calculate your income from House Property.

Gross Value of the property (nil in case of self-occupied property and rental value if rented)

Less: Municipal Taxes actually paid 

Less: Standard Deduction (30% of Net Annual Value= Gross Value less municipal taxes) 

Less: Deduction of interest paid on loan for house property = Income from House Property.

Note that when you file your return with ClearTax, you don’t have to do any of these calculations. You only need to enter your details, and we will automatically calculate the amount, which will be your Income from House Property.

Step 4: Claim Interest on Home Loan and Principal Repayment Deduction

Once you arrive at your total income from different heads, you can claim further deductions available under Section 80C and 80EEA.

If you have made a principal repayment during the year (check your loan instalment details), principal repayments can be claimed as a deduction under Section 80C. However, the total amount allowed to be claimed under section 80C is capped at Rs 1,50,000. 

Further, if you have made incurred interest expense against your loan for residential property over and above Rs. 2,00,000 u/s 24(b), then you can claim the same as deduction u/s 80EEA subject to certain other conditions. However, the total amount allowed to be claimed under Section 80EEA is also capped at Rs 1,50,000. 

Moreover, both this deductions u/s 80C and 80EEA is available only under the Old Tax Regime.