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Section 80E: Education Loan Tax Benefits

Updated on: Apr 12th, 2024

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2 min read

Education is one such investment which enables you to reap lifetime benefits. However, the rising education costs in our country and overseas are worrisome. The Income Tax department offers various tax deductions on education loans to ease your financial burden. 

If you have availed of an education loan, you can get tax benefits under both Section 80E and 80C of the IT Act. However, you would only be eligible for deductions if you follow the old tax regime. The new tax regime has increased the taxable income slabs but removed most of the deductions and exemptions that were previously available under the old tax regime. Let's discuss Section 80E in detail. 

What is Section 80E of the Income Tax Act?

Section 80E of the Income Tax Act, 1961, deals with the terms and conditions of availing income tax deductions if you have an ongoing education loan. A set of criteria is given under this section mentioning who is eligible to get the deductions and under what conditions. Let's discuss them in detail.

Conditions for availing tax benefits on education loans

The conditions laid out for availing tax deductions under Section 80E of the Income Tax Act are mentioned below: 

Maximum Deduction Amount

There is no maximum deduction amount that can be claimed against an education loan according to Section 80 E of income tax. The interest you pay on an education loan is entirely tax-free, as you can claim tax deductions against it. However, this is applicable only for the interest amount actually paid,and not the accrued interest.

Lenders who can offer Loan

According to Section 80E of income tax, you must request an education loan from reputable financial institutions such as a bank, an NBFC, or a charitable organisation to take advantage of 80E deductions.

Time Limit for Claiming Deductions

As mentioned above, you can claim deductions under Section 80E for up to eight years. The tenure starts from the year you start paying back the loan's interest or until all the interest has been paid off, whichever is earlier. 

Education loans eligible for tax benefit

The loan must only be availed to pursue higher education in India or overseas in order to qualify for tax deductions under Section 80E. According to the aforementioned clause of the IT Act, any education loan availed for any other reason will not be eligible for tax benefits.

Any full-time course that follows after completing the senior secondary exam or its equivalent is known as "higher studies". Loans for such courses or graduate or postgraduate degrees in engineering, medicine, management, or any occupational course, are also eligible. 

Individuals who are eligible for deductions

A person borrowing an education loan from financial organisations is eligible for this tax deduction. However, tax deduction on borrowed amounts from friends, family, and other acquaintances is not permitted. 

To be eligible for tax benefits, you must borrow money for your own higher education, the education of your partner or spouse, your dependent children, or a student over whom you have legal custody.

If your parents split the EMI payments, they can claim the portion of the EMI that they spend in interest, and you can claim the remaining portion.

Final word

Due to the benefits of an education loan, most students rely on it while pursuing higher education.Your effective cost on education loan gets reduced because of the deduction available u/s 80E.. 

Now students can pursue their MBA, MBBS, engineering, and many other graduate and postgraduate courses from their dream institutes without going through tremendous financial burden.

Related Articles

  1. Education Loan Interest Rates, Types, Process, Features and Eligibility
  2. Section 80E -Income Tax Deduction or Interest on Education Loan
  3. Education Loan EMI Calculator
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the documents required to claim tax deductions for an education loan?

If you wish to avail of tax deductions under Section 80E, you must submit a certificate from the lending institution or any other recognised charitable organisation from which the education loan was obtained. The principal and interest amounts for the student loan taken out during that specific fiscal year must be shown separately on this certificate.

Can 80E be claimed along with other sections?

Deductions under Section 80E are available over and above other deductions according to Chapter VI A of the Income Tax Act. This means even after claiming a maximum deduction of Rs. 1,50,000 under Section 80C, you can avail yourself of the benefits of Section 80E, provided you are following the old tax regime.

Is section 80E applicable to students going abroad to study?

According to Section 80E, students taking education loans to study in foreign universities can also avail of tax deductions under section 80E. The interest paid on the loan amount will be considered tax-free for a tenure of eight years.

Can Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) avail of tax benefits on education loans?

No, HUFs cannot avail of a tax deduction on education loans under Section 80E of income tax law. Only individual taxpayers can avail of this benefit. 

What is the limit under section 80E for interest on an education loan ?

There is no upper threshold limit for interest claim u/s 80E. Thus any interest that is actually repaid during the financial year will be eligible for deduction.

How much tax I can save on an education loan ?

Entire interest component of the loan that is repaid during the financial year will be eligible for the deduction under section 80E. This will result in lower effective interest rate on the loan.

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Quick Summary

Income Tax department offers tax deductions on education loans to ease financial burden. Section 80E of IT Act allows deductions on education loan interest. Criteria includes loan from financial institutions, study purpose, and loan borrowers. No limit on deduction amount. Deductible for 8 years. Loan for higher education only. Borrowers must be students, partners, dependent children, or legal guardians.

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