BLOCK 2

SALARIES
Salaries
BLOCK 2 SALARIES

In the previous block, you have learnt about the basic definitions, residential
status and exempted incomes. You know income tax is levied on the income of
the assessee keeping in view his residential status. This block consists of three
units and they cover the several aspects of taxation of salary income.

Unit 5 Salaries-I
This unit discusses the definition and chargeability of Salary Income. It also
highlights the various components of salary income like Wages, Bonus, Pension,
Annuity, and Encashment of Earned Leave on Retirement. This unit also highlights
the provisions relating to Death-cum-retirement Gratuity, Advance Salary,
Allowances and Profits in Lieu of Salary

Unit 6 Salaries-II
This unit deals with the concept of Perquisites and its different kinds available to
all employee and specified employees and the mode of valuing them for bringing
them to charge. This unit also highlights the various tax free Perquisites. It also
deals with the permissible Statutory Deductions from salary income.

Unit 7 Salaries-III
This unit deals with the various aspects of Provident Funds Schemes including
P.P.F and their tax-treatment .It also deals with Deductions available from Gross
Total Income in respect of savings, e.g.- Life insurance premium paid, provident
fund contributions and other qualifying expenditure under Section 80C.

66
 Salaries-I
UNIT 5 SALARIES-I

Structure
5.0 Objectives
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Meaning of Salary
5.2.1 Some Important Points Regarding Salary
5.2.2 Definition of Salary for Different Purposes
5.3 Main Items Included in Salary
5.3.1 Salary or Wages
5.3.2 Encashment of Earned Leave on Retirement
5.3.3 Bonus
5.3.4 Pension
5.3.5 Annuity
5.3.6 Death-cum-retirement Gratuity
5.3.7 Advance Salary
5.3.8 Allowances
5.3.9 Profits in Lieu of Salary
5.4 Let Us Sum Up
5.5 Key Words
5.6 Answer to Check Your Progress
5.7 Terminal Questions/Exercises

5.0 OBJECTIVES
After studying this Unit, you should be able to:
define the term salary;
list the items included under the heads salaries; and
explain the provisions of Income Tax Act, 1961 in relation to the above
items.

5.1 INTRODUCTION
A person has to pay tax on the income earned by him in the previous year on the
basis of his residential status. “Income from Salary’ is one of the main heads of
income. In this unit, you will learn the definition of the term ‘salary’ and the
items included in the salary income. You will also learn the calculation of the
items to be included in salary for tax purpose.

5.2 MEANING OF SALARY

Any remuneration paid by an employer to an employee for the services rendered
by him is called salary. Salary for income tax purpose not only includes the cash
received but also includes the value of facilities and benefits provided to the
employee. 67
Salaries The income taxable under the head salaries includes:
1) Any salary due from an employer, or former employer in the previous year,
whether paid or not.
2) Any salary paid or allowed to an employee in the previous year by or on
behalf of any employer though not due or before it becomes due to him.
3) Any arrear of salary paid or allowed to him in previous year by or on behalf
of employer or a former employer, if not charged to tax for any earlier
previous year.
4) Any wages paid from current or former employer in previous year.
5) Any pension received by employer in previous year.

Cash receipts e.g. Perquisites e.g.,

cash salary or Monetary value of Profits in
Gross
Salaries
= wages. Bonus + House, Car, Servant, + Lieu
commission Gas, Electricity, Salary
Allowance etc. Water, Education etc.

Definition
According to Section 17 (1) of the Income Tax Act, the term ‘salary’ includes:
a) Basic salary or Wages;
b) Bonus;
c) Commission, fee and interim relief;
d) Over time payments;
e) Annuity;
f) Advance salary and arrears of salary;
g) Annual accretion in employee’s recognized provident fund;
h) Taxable part of transferred balance;
i) Contribution made by central government in previous year under notified
pension scheme in employees account referred to in section 80CCD;
j) Encashment of earned leave;
k) Gratuity;
l) Pension;
m) Compensation on retrenchment;
n) Amount received on voluntary retirement.

5.2.1 Some Important Points Regarding Salary

There are some points related to salary, which are to be kept in mind. The
understanding of these points is very important and it will help you in computing
the taxable salary of an individual. They are as follows.

i) Salaries and Wages: The income tax act makes no distinction between the
salaries i.e., remuneration received by executive and wages i.e., remunerates
68
 received by workers. Salaries and wages both are to be taken under the Salaries-I
head salaries.

ii) Relationship of employee and employer: Any payment will fall under the
head ‘salaries’ only when there exists a relationship between employer and
employee and between the payer and the payee. A person may hold an office
and still may not be an employee, for example, a director of a company.

iii) Salaries and Professional Income: A profession involves the making of

successive employment. If such employment is incidental to the exercise of
profession, the remuneration received thereby will be taxed under Section
28. For example, if a Chartered Accountant is appointed to audit the accounts
for a particular year, the income from such a contract is professional income
and if he is employed to look into the accounts of the company regularly,
the income so received will be salaried income.

iv) Payment made after cessation of employment: When the employee leaves
the organization, the employer pays him certain sum like gratuity etc. Any
such payment though received after the employee leaves the organization
is taxable under the head salaries as it is received for service rendered in
past.

v) Tax-free salary: Sometimes, the employer deducts the tax at source and
pays net salary to the employee. In such cases, the individual has to show
the aggregate salary i.e. net salary plus tax paid in his gross total income.

vi) Deductions by employer: There are certain compulsory deductions from

salary like contribution to provident fund or charges for providing
accommodation which are deducted by the employer and the net salary is
given to the employee. Even though the amount has been deducted, it is
included in the salary income. The reason is that it is only the application of
income.

vii) Dearness Pay: It is a part of basic salary and is assumed to be given under
the terms of employment, but for the valuation of rent free house, house
rent allowance, gratuity (other than gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity
Act), leave salary, recognized provident fund, and perquisite of gas,
electricity, water, it shall be treated as part of basic salary only when it
enters into the computation of superannuating or retirement benefits of the
assessee concerned.

viii) Due date of salary: The rules are as follows:

a) For government and semi-government employee, the salary is due on
first date of next month i.e., salary for February is due on 1st March.
For this purpose, previous year salary will be from 1st March to 28th
February of next year.

b) For bank employees and non-government organizations, the salary is

due on last date of same month i.e., salary for February is due on 28th
February. For this purpose, previous year salary will be from 1st April
to 31st March of next year.
69
Salaries ix) Dearness allowance: If it is paid under the terms of employment – Dearness
allowance is deemed to be under the terms of employment in the following
two cases:
a) When it is included in ‘salary’ for the purpose of computation of annual
contribution in the recognized provided fund;
b) When it is included in ‘salary’ for the purpose of computation of
retirement benefits payable to an employee.
x) Voluntary payments: Every payment, in cash or in kind, made by an
employer to his employee in consideration of his service under a contract
of service or voluntarily is taxed under the head ‘salaries’. Thus, salary,
perquisite or allowance may come as a gift to an employee, yet it would be
taxable. Any payment made by employer to his employee will not be
excluded from his salary income merely because the employer made it
voluntarily.
xi) Salary foregoing or surrendering: Section 15 of the Income Tax Act, 1961,
charges salary on due basis. Tax liability is created at the time the salary
becomes due. If an employee foregoes or surrenders his salary, he cannot
escape from his taxliability.
xii) Deduction from salary: Deductions made by the employee out of the salary
due to an employee are regarded as application of income. These deductions
may be compulsory or optional or under a contract or voluntarily. In every
case, deductions from salary are regarded as applications ofincome.
xiii) Place of accrual of salary: According to Section 9 of the Act, salary is
deemed to accrue at the place where the service for which it is paid, is
rendered. Salary accrued in India is deemed to accrue or arise in India though
it has been paid outside India.

5.2.2 Definition of Salary for Different Purposes

The definition of ‘salary’ differs for different purpose. The purpose for which the
definition of salary would differ is as follows:
i) Computation of taxable income under the head salaries.
ii) Calculating the exempted amount of House rent allowance under Section
10(13A).
iii) Calculating the value of rent-free accommodation or accommodation
provided at a concessional rate.
iv) Calculating qualifying amount of provident fund contributions.
v) Calculating the entertainment allowance.
vi) Calculating exempted gratuity, exempted portion of encashment of earned
leave etc.
vii) Calculating perquisite value of gas, electricity or water.
viii) Determination of salary of Rs. 50,000 regarding taxability of perquisites
under Section 17(2) (iii)(c) (specified employees).
ix) Compensation on retrenchment under Section 10(10B)
Chart 5.1 will help you to know the meaning of ‘salary’ for different purpose at
a glance.
70
 Chart 5.1: Different Meanings of ‘Salary’ for Different Purposes

For computation of Rent-free House House Rent Qualifying Entertainment Standard Gratuity Determination of Compensation u/s Voluntary
taxable income under or Concession in Allowance Amount of Allowance Deduction u/s salary or Rs. 10(10B) retirement Sec
the head salaries rent Contribution 16(1) 50,000 regarding 10(10C)
to R.P.F. taxability of per
quisites under
Sec. 17(2) (iii)(c)

1. Basic Salary or 1. Basic Salary 1. BasicSalary. Same as for Basic Salary Total of taxable Basic salary plus 1. Basic Salary, 1. Salary, 1. Basic salary last
wages. (excluding 2. Dearness House Rent exclusive of salary i.e., Gross DA as per under 2. Dearness 2. allowances, drawn + D.A.
2. Advance Salary. advance or Allowance Allowance as any allowance, taxable salary the terms of allowance, 3. value of rent- (if under the
3. Arrear of Salary. arrears of if the terms per benefit or other employment, 3. All other free or terms of
4. Annuity or salary of proceeding perquisite. commission allowances, concessional employment) +
Pension. received) employment column. based on fixed 4. Bonus, accommodation, Commission on
5. Gratuity. 2. Taxable to provide, percentage of Commission, 4. Light, water sales (basic on
6. Fees, Commission Allowance. i.e., it is turnover.If the etc. and all orany other fixed% of sales)
Bonus. 3. Bonus. taken into employee is monetary amenity and
7. Allowances 4. Commission account for covered by the payments travel
including 5. Any other retirement Gratuity Act., included in concession; but
Dearness. payment in benefits, or D.A shallalways gross salary does not
Allowances cash dearness be included in after allowing include Bonus,
8. Profits in lieu of (Excluding Pay. salary. deduction u/s Gratuity, and
Salary dearness (Excluding 16. For this employer’s
9. Perquisites allowance not all other purpose, contribution to
10. Excess entering into allowances, salary will not any fund for
Contributionto retirement bonus or include retirement
R.P.F. by benefits of the perquisites perquisites as benefits.
employer over employee, and they are not
12% of salary employer’s allextras). received in
11. Excess interest contribution 3. Commission cash.
received to R.P.F., based on
fromR.P.F. over Allowances fixed
9.5% rate of exempt from percentage
interest will be tax, of turnover
taxable. deductible achieved by
12. Taxable portion of amount of the
transferred entertainment employee
balanceto R.P.F. allowances, and given
and value of under terms
Perquisites.) of
employment.
Salaries-I

71
Salaries Testimonials and personal gifts
Testimonials and personal gifts which are given purely out of personal affection
and regard, although received by an employee from his employer would not be
chargeable to tax as salary income. But, during the previous year, the value of
such gift, voucher or token is upto Rs. 5,000 in the aggregate the value of perquisite
shall be taken as NIL. But, if the aggregate value of gifts per annum is above Rs.
5,000, the excess amount of gift will be a taxable perquisite.

5.3 MAIN ITEMS INCLUDED IN SALARY

5.3.1 Salary or Wages
Let us analysis the components of salary income one by one.
In the eyes of law and as per the principle, there is no difference between salary
and wages receivable by a laborer and the salary receivable by the corporates,
are taxable under head ‘Salaries’. From income tax point of view there is no
difference between the two terms. Both salary and wages are taxed under the
head salaries.
The study of computing process of taxable salary may be studied in the following
headings:
a) Computation of gross salary
b) Deductions out of gross salary
c) Computation of taxable salary
Gross Salary

(I) Salary (II) Allowances (III) Perquisite IV) Profits in Lieu of

[Salary due, or salary i) Fully taxable i) General salary
received or arrears of ii) Partly taxable perquisites i) Compensation for
salary] iii) Fully exempt ii) Specific the loss of or the
Salary includes: perquisites variation in the
i) Wages iii) Tax free terms of service
ii) Annuity or pension perquisites ii) Any payment by
iii) Gratuity the employer to
iv) Fees, commission, his employee in
perquisites or profits appreciation of his
in lieu of or in services
addition to salary iii) Amount received
v) Advance salary from provident or
vi) Encashment of other fund
leaves
vii) Annual accreation to
recognised provided
fund
viii) Transferred balance
ix) Voluntary payments
x) Contribution by the
Central Government
or any other
employer to employ-
ees pension scheme
U/S 80CCD during
the previous year.

Fig. 5.1: Gross Salaries

72
Salary or Wages Salaries-I

The terms ‘salary’ may be taken to denote payments made to a white collar worker
or higher category of employees like assistants, officers etc. while ‘wages’ may
denotepayments made to blue collar worker or casual labourers etc. The distinction
is not material for Income tax purpose as both the payments are chargeable under
the head ‘salaries’.

Under Section 17(1) of Income Tax Act, the term ‘salary’ includes the following
receipts:
a) Basic salary or Wages;
b) Bonus;
c) Commission, fee and interim relief;
d) Over time payments;
e) Annuity;
f) Advance salary and arrears of salary;
g) Annual accretion in employee’s recognized provident fund;
h) Taxable part of transferred balance;
i) Contribution made by central government in previous year under notified
pension scheme in employees account referred to in section 80CCD;
j) Encashment of earned leave;
k) Gratuity;
l) Pension;
m) Compensation on retrenchment;
n) Amount received on voluntary retirement.
Illustration 1
Shri Shanker Dayal has been getting a salary @ 3,600 per month since 1st April
2020. He has been allowed an increment of Rs. 200 on 1st August, 2020. Compute
his basic salary.

Solution:
Computation of basic salary of Shri Shanker Dayal for the Assessment
Year 2021-22
Rs
April 2020 to July 2020 (Rs.3,600×4) 14,400
August 2020 to March 2021 (Rs.3,800×8) 30,400
Basic Salary 44,800

5.3.2 Encashment of Earned Leave on Retirement

An employee may be allowed to avail different types of leave e.g. medical leave,
casual leave and earned leave. Some employers give cash for these leaves.
Encashment of earned leave is also known as ‘leave salary’. It is an incentive to
an employee not to enjoy leave standing to his credit. If he does not avail of the 73
Salaries leave which he is entitled to avail, he is paid equivalent cash salary for the leave
not availed by him. This payment is termed as ‘encashment of earned leave’. If
the earned leaves are encashed during service, whole amount of cash received
shall be taxable to all types of employees, whether government or non-government
employees. The employee can demand for relief under Section 89(1).

Encashment of leave at the time of retirement/death: When an employee takes

retirement from the service or resigns from service, he is given some amount for
his earned leave. It is called encashment of earned leave or leave salary. It is also
called discounting of leaves. Some part of this money received by the employee
is taxable and remaining part shall be exempted. The provisions of Income Tax
Act regarding exemption of encashment of earned leave are given below:

1) Government Employee: The whole amount of sum received by the

employee of Central and State Government as encashment of earned leave
at the time of his retirement (whether on superannuation or otherwise) or
on resignation is fully exempt from tax. This exemption is also available on
voluntary retirement but does not include termination of service. Thus, this
exemption is not available on termination of service. Encashment received
by the family members of government employees is also exempt from tax.

‘Leave salary’ paid to the legal heirs of deceased employee in respect of

privilege leave standing to his credit at the time of his death is not taxable
as salary. It is fully exempt.

2) Non-Government Employee (including employees of Local Authority,

Statutory Corporation and Public Sector Enterprises): Least amount of
following four items shall be tax free. Remaining amount shall be included
in salary.
a) Actual amount of encashment of earned leave received or;
b) Salary of maximum 10 months calculated on the basis of average salary
of 10 months preceding immediately from the retirement.
c) Calculated amount of encashment of leave for the approved period not
taken during the services. (Maximum period of 30 days for each
completed year is approved for encashment of earned leave),or
d) The amount specified by the government, i.e. Rs. 3,00,000
Note:
i) Meaning of salary= (Basic Salary + Dearness Pay + Dearness Allowance
(if under terms of employment)+ Commission at fixed rate on turnover by
employee).
ii) While calculating the earned leave, the total number of years of service
completed will be taken only but the incomplete number of months or days
will be ignored.
Illustration 2
Mr. X is the general manager of Plus Ltd. He draws a salary of Rs. 5,500/- per
month. He retires on 31st December 2020, after completing 26 years and 11 months
of service. He is entitled to one month earned leave for every year of completed
74
service. Rs. 1,00,000 received for encashment of earned leave on retirement. He Salaries-I
has availed of 20 months earned leave while in service. He has encashed the
unutilized earned leave standing to his credit on the basis of last drawn salary.
Compute the taxable amount of leave encashment of Mr. X for the assessment
year 2021-22.

Solution:
Computation of Taxable Amount of Encashment of earned leave of Mr X
for Assessment Year 2021-22
a) Leave (one month’s leave for each completed year of service) 26 months
b) Leave availed 20 months
c) Leave due (26 months – 20 months) 6 months
d) Exempted amount would be least of the following: Rs.
1) Actual amount of encashment received 1,00,000
2) 10 months average salary (Rs. 5,500 × 10) 55,000
3) Cash equivalent to 6 months @ average salary 33,000
(5,500 × 6)
4) Maximum exemption limit 3,00,000
Taxable amount of Earned Leave = Actual amount received – least of the (1) (2)
(3) (4) above i.e. amount of Rs. 1, 00,000 – 33,000 = Rs. 67,000
Hence, Rs 67,000 is taxable amount of Earned Leave.
Gross Salary = Basic salary + Taxable part of leave encashment
= [Rs. 5,500x9 (April, 2020-Dec, 2020)] + Rs. 67,000
= Rs. 49,500 + Rs. 67,000 = Rs. 1, 16,500
Illustration 3
Shri Omkar Narain was employed in a company. He took voluntary retirement
on 1st December, 2020 after completing 25 years of service. On 1st January, 2020
his salary was Rs. 8,000 p.m. after adding the annual increment. In this company,
two months leave accrued every year. Compute the amount exempt regarding
encashment of earned leave from the following particulars.
A B C
Total leave availed during service 10 months Nil 30 months
Actually received amount Rs. 2,40,000 Rs. 3,00,000 Rs. 1,20,000
Solution:
Average salary Rs. 8,000 p.m
Approved period of earned leave 25 months
(On the basis of 30 days per year).
The least of the following amount will be exempt.

75
Salaries
A B C
i) Salary for10 months Rs. 80,000 Rs, 80,000 Rs. 80,000
on the basis of average salary

ii) Salary for the period

Remaining after deduction 15×8,000 25×8,000 Nil
leave availed from the
approved period
1,20,000 2,00,000 Nil
iii) Maximum limit 3,00,000 3,00,000 3,00,000
iv) Actual amount received A B C
Rs. 2,40,000 Rs. 3,00,000 Rs. 1,20,000
The exempt amount will be 80,000 80,000 Nil

Illustration 4
Determine the exempt amount of the encashment of earned leave from the
following particulars.Employees retiring from a limited company on 31st Dec.,
2020
Monthly salary at the A B C
time of retirement Rs. 25,000 Rs. 25,000 Rs. 25,000
Duration of service 30 years 30 years 30 years
Leave availed during service - 20 months 32 months
Leave entitlement is at the rate
Of 1.5 month for each year
Leave at the credit 45 months 25 months 13 months
Leave salary paid to employee Rs. 6,75,000 Rs. 3,75,000 Rs. 1,95,000
Solution: A B C
i) Actual amount received Rs. 6,75,000 Rs. 3,75,000 Rs. 1,95,000
ii) 10 months’ salary
10 × 25,000 Rs. 2,50,000 Rs. 2,50,000 Rs. 2,50,000
iii) Encashment of leave (30 years- (30 years- (30 years-
0 months) 20 months) 32 months )
in credit on the basis of 30×25,000 10×25,000 Nil
one month for each year 7,50,000 2,50,000 Nil
of service
iv) Maximum amount 3,00,000 3,00,000 3,00,000
Least of the above four amount 2,50,000 2,50,000 Nil
will be tax free exemptamount
Illustration 5
R, an employee of ADB ltd. Retired from the company on 30/11/2020.At the
time of his retirement, he receives Rs 2, 88,000 as leave salary from his employer.
76
The following information is provided by the employee:
 Salaries-I
Salary at the time of retirement (p.m.) Rs 18,000
Period of service 20 years and 8 months
Leave encashment Rs 2,88,000
Leave availed while in service 14 months
Balance unavailed leave at the time 16 months
of retirement
Average salary for the months of Rs 17,600
Feb, 2020 to Nov, 2020
Leave entitled 1 ½ month for every completed
year of service
Compute the amount of taxable leave encashment of R for Assessment Year
2021-22

Solution:
The minimum of the following four amounts will be exempt:
Rs
1) Leave encashment actually received 2,88,000
2) 10 months average salary i.e. Rs 17,600 ×10 1,76,000
3) Leave encashment for 6 months @ Rs 17,600 p.m. 1,05,600
4) Amount specified by the government 3,00,000
Hence, Rs 1,05,600 would be exempt and the balance of Rs 1,82,400 would
form part of gross salary.

Note:
Although R is entitled to 1 ½ months leave for every completed year of service,
for the purpose of calculating limit for clause 3 above, the calculations will be
done on the basis of maximum 30 days, leave for every completed year of service.
Therefore, the maximum leave allowable for purpose of clause 3 i.e.
30 days × 20 = 600 days i.e. 20 months.

Leave already availed by employee is 14 months. Therefore, the unavailed leave

calculated on basis of 30 days leave for every completed year of service is 6
months (20-14)

5.3.3 Bonus, Fees, Commission, Profit in Lieu of Salary

An employee may get bonus, Fees, Commission, profit in lieu of salary, interim
relief etc. from his employer. Bonus may be monthly, annually or may depend
on a certain percentage on sale or any other measurement. This is taxable in the
year of receipt. If the employee receives arrears of earlier year’s bonus, bonus in
a subsequent year, he is entitled to claim relief under section 89(1).

5.3.4 Pension
A person is entitled for pension every month after retirement as per terms of
employment. Pension received both by government and non-government 77
Salaries employee is taxable under the head ‘Salaries’. It is chargeable to tax on accrual
basis, whether it is received voluntarily or under a contract. It is periodical or
lump sum payment received by an employee from his employer after his retirement
from service. It is taxable as salary. But if the employee was receiving tax free
salary, the pension payable to his widow would also be tax free, but treated as
family pension in income from other sources. A similar rule is applicable to the
pension paid by a foreign government to its employees serving in India. But the
pension earned and received in the hands of an ordinary resident is taxable. Salary
and pension received from UNO is not

Chargeable to tax in India. A new pension scheme has been introduced in the
case of an employee joining central government service on or after January 1,
2004. This scheme is mandatory to every employee. The law relating to pension
is briefly stated below.
i) Periodical Pension (Uncommuted Pension): Such as monthly, yearly or
otherwise paid pension, is chargeable to tax as salary in the hands of all
employees i.e. Government as well as non-Government employee.
ii) Commuted Pension: Sometimes, the employee wants to take lump sum
payment in lieu of pension on monthly basis. Such lump sum is known as
commuted pension. The provisions of such commutation are as follows.

Commuted value ofpension

Total pension = ————————————
Commuted part of pension

iii) Commutation of pension Section 10 (10A): Where an employee gets a

lump sum as a consideration for commutation of his pension, the sum
received constitutes salary in his hands and is taxable according to the
followingprovisions:
a) Commuted pension received by Government employees
Any commuted pension received by a Government employee shall be
fully exempt, also the entire commuted value of pension received by a
government servant, who voluntary resigns and join the services of a
public sector corporation is exempt.

b) Commuted pension received by Non-government employees

Commuted pension in this case is exempt from tax, to the extent stated
below:
i) Where the employee is in receipt of gratuity, the commuted value
of 1/3rd of the total pension shall be exempt.
ii) In any other case, the commuted value of ½ of total pension shall
be exempt.
Any excess over such exempted amount is taxable as salary, where on
account of taxation of commuted pension, the pensioner pays tax on a higher
slab rate; he is entitled to relief under section 89(1). Arrears of pension are
taxable on due basis, whether received or not.

78
 Computation of Pension Salaries-I

Periodical Lum sum Commuted from

or or Approved Peusion
Uncommuted Commuted Fund (Exempt)
(Taxable)

Govt. Semi Govt. or Public Non Govt.

Sector employees etc. Employee
(Exempt)

Central Govt. Others Receives Gratuity not

employee joining (exempt) Gratuity received
after Jan 1, 2004 (commutation (commutation
(Taxable) of 1/3 pension of 1/2 pension
is exempt) is exempt)
Fig. 5.2: Computation of types of pension

Illustration 6
Mr. Madhur is getting a pension Rs. 4,000 per month from a company. During
the previous year he got two-third pension commuted and received Rs. 1,86,000.
Compute the exempted amount, if (a) he also received gratuity (b) he did not
received gratuity, for the assessment year 2021-22.

Solution:
Mr. Madhur is a non-Govt. employee, Tax Free commuted pension in his
case is as below:
a) He received gratuity. Rs.
Commuted value of 2/3 pension 1,86,000
3
Commuted value of full pension = 1,86,000 × 2,79,000
2
1 1
Commuted value of pension = 2, 79,000 × 93,000
3 3
Hence, Exempt amount will be Rs. 93,000 and balance
amount Rs. 1, 86,000 – 93,000) = Rs. 93,000 is taxable.
b) When Mr. Madhur does not receive gratuity commuted
value of 2/3 pension = Rs. 86,000
3
Commuted value of full pension = 1, 86,000 × 2, 79,000
2
1 1
Commuted value of pension = 2, 79,000 × 1, 39,500
2 2
Hence exempt amount will be Rs. 1, 39,500 and balance
amount (1, 86,000 – 1, 39,500) = Rs. 46,500 is taxable. 79
Salaries Illustration 7
Determine taxable pension for the assessment year 2021-22 in the following
circumstance:-

i) Mr. Shantanu retired from ABC Ltd. on June 30, 2020. He got a pension @
Rs. 1,500 p.m. up to November 30, 2020. He got Rs. 1,50,000 on December
1, 2020 as commuted value of his 60% pension. What would have been the
position if he also received a gratuity at the time of retirement.

ii) Mr. Harshit retired from the Central Government services on July 1, 2021.
He received pension @ Rs. 2000 p.m. up to February, 2021. He got a lump
sum of Rs. 1, 00,000 on March 1, 2021 as commuted value of ¼ pension.

iii) Received by an individual during the previous year Rs. 50,000 as

commutation of pension from LIC pension fund set up under an approved
pension scheme.

iv) Mr. Satish received Rs. 1,800 p.m. as pension from Honda Ltd., a public
limited company in private sector, during the previous year.

Solution:
i) Mr. Shantanu is a non-government employee. Uncommuted pension received
by him is chargeable to tax. Commuted pension receivable by him is partly
tax-free and partly chargeable to tax. Pension will calculate in two parts.
a) Uncommuted pension chargeable to tax is computed Rs. 7,500 as under:
Pension @ Rs. 1,500 p.m. from July 1,2020 to November 30, 2020 i.e.
for 5 months
Pension @ 600 p.m. [Rs. 1,500-60% of 1,500 Rs.
(Commuted)] from December 1, 2020 to
March 31, 2021 i.e. for 4 months
[1500-900] 600 × 4 2,400
Total Uncommuted pension chargeable to tax 9,900
b) Commuted pension chargeable to tax is computed as under:
Commuted value of 60% of the pension 1,50,000
100
Commuted value of full pension 1,50,000 2,50,000
60
i) When Mr. Shantanu does not receive gratuity ½
of the commuted value of full pension is
2,50,000
exempt from tax 2
1,25,000

Amount chargeable to tax (1,50,000 – 1,25,000) 25,000

ii) When Mr. Shantanu receives gratuity 1/3 of the

2,50,000
full commuted pension is exempt 3
83,333

80 Amount chargeable to tax (1,50,000– 83,333) 66,667

 Thus, when Mr. Shantanu gets gratuity also then, taxable amount will Salaries-I
be Rs. 76,567 (Rs.66, 667 commuted + Rs. 9,900Uncommuted).
When Mr. Shantanu does not received gratuity, then taxable amount
will be Rs. 34,900 (Rs. 25,000 commuted + Rs. 9,900 Uncommuted)

ii) Mr. Harshit is an employee of the central government. Commuted

pension received by a government employee is wholly exempt under
section 10(10-A). Thus, commuted pension of Rs. 1,00,000 is wholly
exempt.
Uncommuted pension will be taxable as under: Rs.
Pension for 8 months @Rs.2,000 16,000
(1, July 2020 to February, 2021)
Pension for March 2020 after deducting
The commuted pension i.e. Rs. 2,000 – ¼th of it 1,500
Taxable amount of pension 17,500
iii) Commutation of pension received from LIC pension fund is exempt
from tax. Hence, Rs. 50,000 isexempt.
iv) Mr. Satish is a non-government employee and periodical pension i.e.
Rs. 1,800 × 12 – Rs. 21,600 is taxable.

5.3.5 Annuity
A certain sum paid for a certain period by the employer to his employee in
consideration of service rendered by him is called annuity. It is explained by
points given below:
a) Annuity payable by the present employer is taxable assalary.
b) Annuity received from a past employer is also chargeable totax.
c) Annuity from any other person such as from LIC etc, under an insurance
policy is taxable as ‘income from other sources’.

5.3.6 Gratuity [Section 10(10)]

Gratuity is a gratuitous payment made by the employer to his employee. It is a
gift or present, in return for favor of services rendered, at the time of retirement
or death. It is paid in recognition of long and meritorious services, rendered by
the employee. The payment of gratuity act, 1972 has legally recognized the
concept. Even where the act is not applicable, invariably all employers provide
for payment of gratuity to their employees through the terms of employment.
The amount of gratuity is paid to the employee, if he survives at the time of
retirement, or to his wife or children, if he dies before retirement.
The provisions regarding gratuity are stated below:
a) In the case of government employees [Sec10(10)(i)]
Any death – cum – retirement gratuity received by central, state, local
government employees is fully exempt from income tax.
81
Salaries b) In the case of employees covered by the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
[Sec 10(10)(ii)]
Any gratuity received by an employee covered by the Payment of Gratuity
Act, 1972 is exempt from tax to the extent as stated below:
i) 15 days salary (7 days in case of employees of a seasonal concern) for
each years’ service (service for a period of more than 6 months is
regarded as one year’s service) based on salary last drawn i.e., 15 days
salary x length of service, or.
ii) 20,00,000 as maximum amount; or
iii) Actual amount of gratuity received, whichever is less
Taxable gratuity = Actual gratuity received – Exempted gratuity
(Meaning of salary for purpose of computation of gratuity = Last drawn
salary + D.A. last drawn by the employee but excluding all other
payments)
Note:
1) Any bonus, commission, H.R.A., overtime wages or any other allowances
is not included.
2) Salary of 15 days is calculated as below.

Salary drawn in last month

15 day’s salary = ——————————— × 15
26
3) Salary of 15 days in case of piece rated employee is calculated as below:

Monthly average wages (Including overtime wages)

received during last 3 months
15 days salary = ———————————————————— × 15
26
4) For the purpose of this act, one month is regarded as 26 days.
5) 6 months or more than 6 months shall be considered as one year.
Table 5.2: Gratuity Rules in Brief:

Government (Central, State Employees covered by the Employees i.e. covered U/S 10(10)(iii) , but,
or Local) Employees of all payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 not covered under Payment of Gratuity
categories U/S 10 (10) (i) U/S 10(10)(ii) act, 1972

Gratuity received is totally Least of the following amount is Least of the following amount is exempt:
exempt exempt: i) ½ months average salary for each completed
i) 15 days or 7 days salary on the basis year of service; or
of salary last drawn for services of ii) Rs. 20,00,000; or(iii) Actual Gratuity
6 months or more in each year; or received
ii) Rs. 20,00,000; or Note:
iii) Actual Gratuity received a) Salary = Basic salary +D.A. (if it is under
Note: the terms of employment)+Commission on
a) Salary = Salary (including D.A) sale (if it is fixed percentage on sales
last drawn by the employee effected by employee). The salary will be
excluding all other payments average salary, computed on the basis of
b) 15 day’s salary = average salary of 10 months immediately
Salary of last month drawn × 15 preceding the months of retirement.
26 b) Completed year = Period of full year of
service. Any fraction of the year is ignored.
82
Illustration 8 Salaries-I

Mr. Shakil is an employee of Axis Ltd. He receives Rs.5, 00,000 as gratuity as

per the provisions of payment of gratuity act, 1972. He retired on 31st March,
2021 after doing service for 27 years and 9 months. At the time of retirement his
monthly salary was Rs. 17,000. Calculate the taxable gratuity in the hands of Mr
Shakil for Assessment year 2021-22.

Solution:
i) 15 days salary for each completed year of service. Rs.
Completed year is 28 because fraction of month is
more than 6 months.

15
17,000
26
9,808 × 28 2, 74,624
ii) Maximum amount 20,00,000
iii) Actual amount received 5,00,000
The minimum amount of above three amount is 2, 74,624 which is exempted
and remaining part (5, 00,000 – 2, 74,624) = Rs, 2, 25,376 is taxable as gratuity.

Illustration 9
Mr. Ashutosh was retired from an Indian company after serving 34 years 4 months
on 31st December, 2020. The company paid him Rs. 8, 00,000 as gratuity under
the payment of Gratuity act, 1972. His monthly salary and D.A. at the time of
retirement was Rs. 58,000 and Rs. 5,800 respectively. Compute the exempted
gratuity U/S 10(10)(ii) of income tax act.

Solution:
i) 15 days salary for each completed year of service. Rs.
15
Salary = 58,000 + 5,800 = 63,800
26
= 36,808 x 34 12, 51,472
ii) Maximum amount 20,00,000
iii) Actual amount received 8, 00,000.
Minimum amount of above three is Rs. 8, 00,000 so total amount which is
receiving that is exempt from tax.
iii) In the case of any other employees [Sec 10(10) (iii)] : The employees
who are not covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, received
gratuity by him or by his widow or by his children on his retirement, death,
termination of service, resignation or on his becoming incapacitated prior
to his retirement, is exempt from tax to the extent as stated below:
a) ½ month’s average salary for each year of completed service; or
b) maximum amount i.e. Rs.20,00,000; or
c) Actual gratuity received. 83
Salaries Note:
1) Meaning of salary for computation of gratuity: Basic salary + Dearness
Allowance. + Dearness Pay (if under the terms of employment) + commission
(if it is payable at a fixed percentage of turnover.)
2) Average monthly salary is to be calculated on the basis of 10 months’ salary
immediately preceding the month in which the employee retires.
3) For calculating completed years of service any fractional portion (even if it
amounts to 11 months and 29 days) is to be ignored.
4) Any gratuity received in excess of the exempted limit is taxable as salary.
However, any gratuity received in excess of the exempted limit is taxable as
salary.
5) Where gratuity is received by an employee from more than one employer,
either in the same year or in different years. The total amount of gratuity
exempt cannot exceed Rs.20,00,000.

Since gratuity is taxed as salary, existence of relationship of employer and

employee is vital. For example, the gratuity paid by LIC to its agents does
not qualify for any exemption.

Illustration 10
After serving for 33 years and 9 months in Reliance Petro chemicals Ltd. Mr A,
who is covered by payment of gratuity act, retires from service on 30th April,
2020. The Company pays him a gratuity of Rs 85,000.His monthly basic salary
at the time of retirement was Rs 4,500.

You are required to determine the amount of exempted gratuity under section
10(10) of the income tax act.

Solution:

Mr A is covered under payment of gratuity act, 1972; his total period of service
is 33 years and 9 months, hence, 34 years of service will be taken. For computing
salary of 15 days, salary of last month will be taken and 15/26 of this salary will
be done.
15 days salary = 4,500 × 15/26 = Rs 2,596
The amount of exempted gratuity will be least of the following: Rs.
a) Actual amount 85,000
b) Rs 2,596 × 34 88,264
c) Maximum 20, 00,000
Exempted gratuity will be Rs 85,000
Illustration 11

Mr Vishesh, who is not covered by the payment of gratuity act, 1972, receives a
gratuity of Rs 5, 76,000, when he retires on 23rd June, 2020 after a service of 34
years 9 months and 23 days. His last drawn emoluments are as follows:
84
Basic salary Rs 30,000, Dearness allowance Rs 7,200 p.m. (Fixed) Salaries-I

Annual increment in basic salary Rs 1,200 p.m. falls due on 1st Jan, every year
What amount of gratuity is exempt from tax in the assessment year 2021-22?
Solution:
Average basic salary for 10 months immediately preceding the month in
which he retires Rs 30,000, which has been calculated as under:
Rs.
Salary for 5 months @ Rs 28,800 p.m. 1, 44,000
(August 2019 to December 2019)
Salary for 5 months @ Rs 30,000 p.m. 1,50,000
(January 2020 to May 2020)
Total salary for 10 months 2, 94,000
Average salary of last 10 months (Rs. 2, 94,000/10) 29,400
Half month’s average salary (Rs 29,400/ 2) 14,700

The amount of gratuity exempt u/s 10(10) will be least of the following:
1) Actual amount of gratuity received 5,76,000
2) Half month’s salary for each year of completed service
Rs 14,700 × 34 4, 99,800
3) Maximum Limit 20,00,000
Exempted amount of gratuity 4,99,800
Taxable Gratuity = Rs 5, 76,000 –Rs 4, 99,800 =Rs 76,200

5.3.7 Compensation on Retrenchment

An employee may be retrenched from service under Industrial Disputes Act,
1947.Two points are important in this connection:
i) Retrenchment on winding-up of business;
ii) Transfer of employee from one service to another
If an employee gets some amount of compensation from his employer due to
retrenchment, it is included in gross salary. But whole amount of compensation
is not taxable. Some part of it is tax-free. Least of the following amounts shall be
exempt and remaining taxable amount will be included in the gross salary:
a) Actual amount of compensation received;
b) Salary for service period calculated on the basis of 15 days salary for each
completed calendar year (6 months or more shall be treated one year);
c) Amount declared by Central Government Rs. 5, 00,000.
d) 26 days shall be taken for one month
e) Computation of 15 days salary shall be computed as below:
Meaning of average salary
Meaning of salary = Basic salary + Dearness Allowance (Whether it is
under terms of conditions or not) + Dearness Pay
85
Salaries
15
Average salary of three months (Including dearness allowance) ×
26
Note:
1) A workman means that workman who is covered under Industrial dispute
Act. It does not include manager, administer, whose salary is more than Rs
10,000 pm and who render their services for managerial affairs, personnel
employed in army, police services and navy services.
2) The workman can demand for relief u/s 89(1), if amount of compensation
on retrenchment exceeds above mentioned exempted limit.

5.3.8 Voluntary Retirement [Section 10(10C)]

If any employee of Public Sector Company or any other company or any authority
established under any act or any corporation or cooperative society or university
or Indian institute of technology established under any central or provincial act
or any management institute notified by central government, takes retirement
from his service voluntary, whole amount received or receivable in this connection
shall be exempt upto a maximum limit of Rs. 5, 00,000.An exemption of maximum
Rs. 5, 00,000 shall be allowed. The advantage of such exemption upto
Rs 5, 00,000 shall also be given to employees of such concerns which are very
famous for all over India or state and these concerns are notified by central
government. If any assessee gets sum under such scheme in installments, he will
also be entitled to avail this exemption upto a total limit of Rs. 5, 00,000.
Least of the following will be exempt from tax:
i) Actual compensation amount received
ii) Salary of 3 months service period of full year service length
iii) Remaining month of service * salary at the time of retirement
iv) Maximum amount Rs 5, 00,000
Note: [Meaning of Salary- Basic salary + Dearness Pay +Dearness allowance (if
it is under terms of employment) + Commission at fixed percentage on sale (if
any)]

5.3.9 Advance Salary

Advance salary means the salary received by an employee before it is earned by
him it is included in the taxable income of the recipient. But, it is not so included
when it becomes due.Tax is chargeable on all salaries
a) Which are due whether actually paid or not and also those
b) Which are paid whether due or not to the employee during the financial
year.
In view of this specific provision even advance salary received i.e salary received
for services yet to be rendered would also be taxable in the year of receipt although
such salary is not yet due to the employee. Thus, salary is taxable at the earliest
point of time i.e on the date of accrual or on becoming due or on receipt of
salaries.
86
Advance against salaries Salaries-I

This is loan availed by an employee which will be repaid by him to his employer
in installments along with interest or free of interest as the case may be. This
loan is not to be treated as salary.

Relief: It is to be noted that when advance salary is taxed in the year of receipt,
more than12 months’ salary may be taxed in one previous year. This will increase
the income limit and higher slab rates may be applied in calculating tax payable,
in this type of case, the employee can apply to the assessing officer in the
prescribed form for relief which will be granted to him by virtue of the provisions
of Sec. 89.

5.3.10 Allowances
All monetary payments made by an employer to his employees, other than salary,
are termed as allowance. It is fixed, predetermined and given regularly in addition
to salary in connection with the services rendered by the employee. It may be
given in form of reimbursement of some expenditure incurred by the employee
or may be given irrespective of actual expenditure. From the income tax view
point, all the allowances may be classified in three parts, i.e.fully taxable, partially
exempted and fully exempted,which are shown in Table 5.2 below:

Table 5.3: Allowances

Fully taxable Partially exempted Fully exempted

1) Dearness Allowance 1) House Rent Allowance 1) Conveyance Allowance

or Dearness Pay 2) Entertainment Allowance 2) Foreign Allowance
2) Medical Allowance 3) Travel Allowance 3) Allowances to High
3) Tiffin Allowance 4) Special Allowance exempt Court Judges
4) Servant Allowance u/s 10(14)(ii) 4) Allowance from UNO
5) Non-Practicing a) Children Education 5) Special Allowance
Allowance Allowance notified U/S 10(14)(i)
6) Warden Allowance b) Hostel Allowance a) Tour allowance
7) Deputation c) Composite hill b) Daily Allowance
Allowance Allowance c) Conveyance
8) Overtime Allowance d) Tribal Area Allowance Allowance for
9) City Compensatory e) Allowance for meeting performance of
Allowance personal expenditure official duty
10) Other Allowances: to an employee of d) Helper allowance
i) Shift allowance transport organization e) Academic
ii) Marriage while on duty during allowance
allowance the running of such f) Uniform allowance
iii) Project transport
allowance f) Border Area Remote
Area, Difficult Area or
Disturbed Area
Allowance

5.3.10.1 Fully Taxable Allowances

Fully taxable allowances which are shown in the table received by an employee
from his employer are included fully in his salary income in order to ascertain
his tax – liability. 87
Salaries 5.3.10.2 Partially Exempted Allowances

The allowances which are partially exempted and remaining part is taxable treated
under this category. The taxable portion is ascertained as below.

(A) House Rent Allowance [Sec 10 (13A)]

Generally, employees receive house rent allowance from their employers to meet
the expenditure incurred by them towards house rent. It is exempt from tax subject
to the following limits:
Least of the following is exempt from tax:
i) Actual house rent Allowance received by the employee in respect of the
relevant period; or
ii) Rent paid by the employee in excess of 10% of salary due to him in respect
of the relevant period; or
iii) 50% of salary due to him in respect of the relevant period if the
accommodation is situated at Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi or Chennai; or
iv) An amount equal to 40% of the salary due to him in respect of the relevant
period if the accommodation is situated at any other place.
The least amount is exempt from tax and the remaining amount shall be taxable
and is included in the gross salary.
Quantum of exemption: Minimum of following three limits:
Mumbai/Kolkata/Delhi/Chennai Other cities
1. Allowance actually received Allowance actually received
2. Rent paid in excess of 10% of Rent paid in excess of 10% of
salary salary
3. 50% of salary 40% of salary
Note:
i) Meaning of salary = Basic salary + Dearness allowance (if it is under the
termsof employment) + commission at fixed rate on sale.
Illustration 12
Mr. Varun resides in Chennai. He is paid Rs. 3, 80,000 as basic salary. He also
gets Rs.1, 20,000 as House rent allowance. The rent paid by him is Rs. 95,000;
calculate exempt and taxable house rent allowance.
Solution:
Least of the following is exempt: Rs.
i) Actual house rent allowance received 1, 20,000.
ii) Excess of rent paid over 10% of salary (95,000 – 38,000) 57,000
3, 80,000
iii) ½ of salary 1, 90,000
2

88
As Rs. 57,000 is the least amount, Thus, exempt house rent allowance is Salaries-I
Rs. 57,000 thus, taxable house rent allowance = Rs. 1,20,000 – 57,000 =
Rs. 63,000.
Illustration 13
Mr. Rakesh received the following emoluments from a private company during
the previous year: (i) Salary @ Rs. 8,000 p.m., (ii) Dearness allowance @ 20%
of salary (1/2 of it is under the terms of employment) (iii) Bonus Rs. 20,000 (iv)
Commission on sale @ 5% (sales Rs. 2, 50,000) (v) House rent allowance @ Rs.
2,000 p.m. Compute the taxable House rent allowance when he:
a) Resides in a rented house @ Rs. 2,200 p.m. in Agra.
b) Resides in a rented house @ Rs. 3,000 p.m. in Delhi.
c) Resides in a house owned by his mother without paying any rent. Fair rental
value of the house is Rs. 4,000 p.m.
Solution:
Salary + D.A. (under the terms of employment) + commission on sale =
Rs. 96,000 (Rs. 8,000 × 12)+D.A. 9,600 (10% of D.A. under the terms of
5
employment) +12,500 Rs. 2, 50,000 = Rs.1, 18,100.
100

a) When he resides in Agra at Rs. 2,200 p.m.

Least of the following will be exempted. Rs.
i) Actual allowance received Rs. 2000 × 12 24,000
ii) (Rent paid – 10% of salary) or Rs. 26,400 – 11,810 14,590
iii) 40% of salary 47,240
Hence, Rs. 14,590 is exempt

Taxable H.R.A. = Rs. 24,000 – Rs. 14,590 9,410

b) When he resides in Delhi at Rs. 3,000 p.m.

least of the following will be exempted. Rs.
i) Actual amount received Rs. 2,000 × 12 24,000
ii) (Rent paid – 10% of salary) Rs. 36,000 – Rs. 11,810 24,190
iii) 50% of salary 59,050
Rs. 24,000, Actual H.R.A. received is fully exempt.

c) Taxable H.R.A.will be Rs.24,000. He will not get exemption of any amount

of H.R.A. as he is not paying any rent for his residential accommodation.
B) Entertainment Allowance
It is paid by an employer to his employee to compensate his entertainment
expenses. The total amount is firstly included in his salary income and at
last if employee fulfills certain conditions, it is allowed as deduction. This
has been explained under the head “Deductions from Salaries” in unit 6.
89
Salaries C) Transport Allowance
Transport allowance is taxable for normal personfrom A.Y. 2019-20 but
for blind or deaf or dumb or orthopedically handicapped with disability of
lower extremities, it will be exempt up to Rs. 3,200 p.m.

D) Special Allowances specifically exempted u/s 10 (14) (ii) notification No.

SO 259(5) dated 27-3-1990 have notified the following allowances:
i) Special Compensatory Hilly area allowance or High Altitude allowance
or uncongenial climate allowance or show bound area allowance or
Avalanche allowance is exempt from tax up to maximum of Rs. 300 p.m.
If employee is working at height 1,000 meter or above the sealevel.
The prescribed limit depends upon the height of the regions, Rs. 7,000 for
Siachen area of Jammu & Kashmir or Rs. 800 p.m. for other hill areas
(located at height of more than 9,000 feet).
ii) Border area allowance or remote area allowance or difficult area
allowance or disturbed area allowance is exempt at the following rates:
a) Andaman, nicobar and narcondum islands some specified places of
north, some specified places of himachal Pradesh, and areas beyond
25 km from Lungali district of Mizoram - Rs. 1,300 p.m.
b) Continental shelf of India and exclusive economic zone of India- Rs.
1,100 p.m.
c) Arunchal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, district Lungali of Mizoram,
Nagaland, Tripura, South Andaman, some areas of Himachal Pradesh-
Rs. 1,050 p.m.
d) Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Aizawal district of
Mizoram, some areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Tripura, Manipur,
himachal Pradesh- Rs. 750 p.m.
e) Jog falls in district shimoga of Karnataka - Rs. 300 p.m.
f) Some areas of Himachal Pradesh, throughout Assam and Meghalaya-
Rs. 200 p.m.
iii) Tribal allowance
This exemption is available @ Rs. 200 per month in nine States (i) Madhya
Pradesh (ii) Tamil Nadu (iii) Uttar Pradesh (iv) Karnataka (v) Tripura (vi)
Assam (vii) West Bengal (viii) Bihar and (ix) Orissa.
iv) Any allowance granted to an employee working in any transport system
to meet his personal expenditure during his duty performed in the course of
running of such transport from one place to another place in India, is exempt
up to a specified limit. The specified limit is 70% of such allowance or Rs.
10,000 p.m. (whichever is less)
v) Children educational allowance: It is exempt @Rs. 100 per month per
child up to a maximum of two children.
vi) Hostel allowance:Any allowance granted to an employee to meet the hostel
expenditure on his child @ Rs. 300 p.m. per child up to a maximum of two
90 children.
viii) Compensatory field area allowance: Exempt to the extent of Rs. 2,600 Salaries-I
permonth (Specified areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal
Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, specified areas of Arunachal Pradesh).
viii) Counter insurgency allowance: Exempt to the extent of Rs. 3,900 per
month. This allowance is granted to members of armed forces operating in
areas away from their permanent location for a period of more than 30
days.
ix) Underground allowance: Such allowance is granted to an employee who
is working in uncongenial climate in underground coal mines shall be exempt
to the extent of Rs. 800 per month.
x) High altitude allowance: Given to the members of armed forces for altitude
of 9000 feet to 15000 feet Rs. 1,060 per month and altitude above 15000
feet Rs. 1,600 per month.
xi) Special compensatory highly active field area allowance: Such allowance
is given to the members of armed forces and is Exempt upto the extent of
Rs. 4,200 per month.
xii) Island (duty) allowance: Given to the member of the armed forces in
Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Group of Islands and is exempt
upto the extent Rs. 3,250 per month.
xiii) Compensatory modified field area allowance: Exempt upto the extent of
Rs. 1,000 per month (Specified area of Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana,
Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim,
West Bengal Uttar Pradesh, Specified Areas of Jammu and Kashmir)

5.3.11 ‘Profits’ in Lieu of Salary

As stated above-the term salary includes any profit in lieu of salary, the above
term according to Section 17(3) includes:

i) Compensation received by an employee on termination of his

employment or on modification of his terms of employment.
Compensation is basically a capital receipt since it is the very source of
income i.e., the salary. Capital receipts are not taxable unless by definition
they are treated as income. In the present case, the termination compensation
is specifically treated as profit in lieu of salary.Such compensation is taxable
as salary.

Sometimes, the terms and conditions of employment may be modified in

future; the employee will get lower salaries in lieu of which they will be
paid immediately a lump sum consideration. Such payment is taxable as
salary.

ii) Payments from unrecognized fund

Any payment received by an assessee from an unrecognized provident fund
or any fund (not being an approved superannuating fund) tothe extent it
consists of employer’s contribution and interest thereon is taxable as profits
in lieu of salary.
91
Salaries Specific exemptions
The following payments, however, do not constitute profits in lieu of salary.
i) Exempted Gratuity-[Section10(10)]
ii) Exempted value of Commuted Pension-Section 10(10A)
iii) Exempted amount of Retrenchment Compensation-Section 10(10B)
iv) Payment from Statutory Provident Fund-Section 10(11).
v) Exempted amount from Recognized Provident Fund-Section 10(12).
vi) Payment from Approved Superannuation Fund-Section10(13).
vii) House Rent Allowance.
Check Your Progress A
1) Define the term ‘Salary’ as per Section 17(1) of Income Tax Act.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
2) A is a non – government employee getting a salary of Rs. 6,000. He retires
and receives Rs. 4, 00,000 as gratuity after serving 25 years 8 months. The
employee is covered by the Payment of Gratuity Act. Calculate exempted
amount of gratuity.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
3) Mr. Rathore retires from Private Service on 30th April, 2020 and his pension
has been fixed at Rs. 6,000 p.m. He gets ½ of his pension commuted and
gets Rs. 3, 00,000. He also received Rs. 1, 50,000 as gratuity. He gets his
pension commuted during January, 2021. Pension becomes payable on the
1st day of each month, calculate taxable pension.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
4) Mr. Kaushik retired from service on 31st December, 2020. His pension was
fixed at Rs. 6, 000 p.m. He commutes half of his pension and received
Rs. 2, 70,000. Find out taxable amount of commuted pension if:
i) He is government employee.
ii) He is a private employee who get gratuity
iii) He is a private employee who did not get any gratuity.

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 ...................................................................................................................... Salaries-I

......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
5) Which of the following statements are True or False:
i) Under Section [10(10AA)], leave salary for a period up to maximum
of ten months is exempt from tax.
ii) Family pension received by the wife of a deceased employee is taxable
under the head ‘Income from other sources’.
iii) The maximum notified exemption in respect of gratuity received by
private sector employees is Rs.20,00,000.
iv) For calculating the exemption in respect of house rent allowance, all
allowances are to be included in salary.
v) Interest on employee’s contribution to unrecognized provident fund is
chargeable under the head salaries.
vi) The maximum amount for deduction as entertainment allowance to
government employee is Rs.5,000.
vii) Foreign allowance is exempted from tax.
viii) House Rent Allowance is exempted for Government Employees.
ix) Salary includes wages and pension.
x) The maximum exempted limit for Gratuity is Rs 20,00,000.

5.4 LET US SUM UP

Income from salary is one of the main heads of income. Salary means any
remuneration paid by the employer to the employee for service rendered. The
meaning of salary for tax purpose is very wide. It not only includes the cash
received but also the monetary value of facilities and benefits attached with the
office of employment. It includes salary or wages, bonus, pension, annuity,
gratuity, leave encashment, advance, fees or commission, contribution to provident
fund, profit in lieu of salary.

In order to calculate the taxable salary of an individual, the taxable amount of all
the above items is to be calculated and added together. The term salary is not
only wide but has many meaning. ‘Salary’ includes different items for different
purpose, for example, while calculating the encashment of earned leave ‘salary’
means basic salary, dearness allowance if terms of employment so provide and
commission, if based on fixed percentage of turnover. For calculating gratuity
and HRA, ‘salary’ includes basic salary, DA, if terms of employment so provide,
dearness pay and commission, if based on fixed percentage of turnover.

5.5 KEY WORDS

Advance against salary: This is loan availed by employee repayable in
installment and is not taxable.
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Salaries Advance Salary: This is salary received for services yet to be rendered, and is
taxable on receipt basis.
Allowance: Monetary benefits attached to an office or employment like
conveyance allowance, HRA, etc for meeting particular requirements connected
with the services rendered by the employee or compensation for unusual
conditions of service.
Annuity: A certain sum paid for a certain period by the employer to his employee
in consideration of service rendered by him.
Arrears of Salary: This means salary due but not yet received.
Commutation of Pension: A retired employee who is in receipt of pension can
choose to forego a part of his pension in future, in lieu of which, he can get a
lump sum. Thisis known as commutation. Exemption is available in respect of
such commutation subject to limits.
Encashment of Earned Leave: Usually, employees get 30 days of earned leave
in a year which can be accumulated. Generally, all organization allows their
employees to encash their earned leave, if the accumulation exceeds a prescribed
limit. Leave encashed during service period is taxable while leave encashed on
retirement is exempt subject to certain limits.
Gratuity: This is a lump sum payment paid to an employee, usually at the time
of retirement in recognition of long and meritorious service. Exemption is
available subject to certain limits.
Pension: This is a monthly payment received by a retired employee from his
former employer. This is taxable as salary income.
Profits in Lieu of Salary: The Income Tax Act treats certain items like
compensation received by an employee on termination of his employment, certain
payment from unrecognized provident fund and all other payment made by an
employer or former employer as profits in lieu of salary. These are taxable as
salary income.

5.6 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Check Your Proegess A
2) Rs. 90,000;
3) Rs. 1, 54,000;
4) (a) fully exempt (b) Rs. 90,000 (c) Rs. Nil
5) i) True, ii) True, iii) True, iv) False, v) False, vi) True, vii) True, viii) False,
ix) True x) True

5.7 TERMINAL QUESTIONS/EXERCISES

1) What are the provisions of Income Tax Act regarding commutation of
pension?
2) What are the provisions for calculating House rent allowance?
3) What do you mean by profit in lieu of salary?
94
4) Mr. Ajay is an officer in U.P. Govt. in the pay scale of Rs. 10,000 – 500 – Salaries-I
16,000 since 1st June, 2020. Calculate basic salary for the A.Y. 2021-22.
[Answer: 10,000 x 2 + 10,500 x 10 =1,25,000]
5) Mr. Abhishek is getting a pension of Rs. 8,000 per month from a company.
During the previous year he got his three-fourth pension commuted and
received Rs. 7, 20,000. Compute the exempted amount assuming if he also
received gratuity.
[Answer: Rs. 3, 20,000]
6) Mr. Sanjeev is working in a concern. His basic pay is Rs. 6,000 p.m. and
dearness pay @ 10% of basic pay. Commission based on fixed percentage
of turnover Rs. 25,000 for the whole year. House rent allowance is Rs.
1,200 p.m. and actual rent paid by him Rs. 1,000 p.m. House is situated in
Lucknow. Compute taxable House rent allowance.
[Answer: Rs. 12,100]
7) From the following particulars, compute Mr. Jagdish’s taxable amount of
earned leave. Rs.
Basic Pay 8,000 p.m.
D.A. (Under the terms of employments) 800 p.m.
Earned Leave encashed on retirement on
31st March, 2020 2, 00,000
Completed year of service 20 years
Leave in credit 5 months
[Answer :(2, 00,000 – 44,000) = Rs. 1,56,000]
8) From the following particulars, calculate gross taxable salary of Mr. Ashish
for the A.Y. 2021-22.
Basic Pay 10,000
D.A. (Under the terms of employment) 5,000
Bonus 25,000
Taxable part of Gratuity received 3, 00,000
Completed year of service 35 years
Leave consumed during service 28 months
Actual amount of leave encashment 1, 50,000
[Answer: Gross salary Rs.3, 85,000]
9) From the following particulars of Dr. Ghanshyam Das, calculate the
exempted amount of gratuity. He is not covered by the Payment of Gratuity
Act.
Date of retirement 30 June,2020
Gratuity received Rs.5, 00,000
Service 30 years 11months
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Salaries Basic Pay Rs, 10,000 p.m
D.A. (Considered for retirement benefit) Rs. 3,000 p.m.
Commission on sales 2%
Sales achieved by him 3,80,000
[Answer: Exempted amount = Rs.2,04,495]
10) Mr. Nagraj, who is not covered under Payment of Gratuity Act, retires on
25 December, 2020 from ABC Ltd. and service of 36 years 9 months and he
received gratuity amount Rs 5,00,000. His salary is Rs. 6,000 per month up
to June 30, 2020 and 7,000 per month from July 2020. He also gets D.A. of
Rs. 1,000 per month (70% of which is considered for service benefit). Find
the taxable amount of Gratuity for the A.Y. 2021-22.
[Answer: Rs. 3,70,400]
11) Mr. Azad is an employee of Vijaya Steal Company in Delhi. He draws a
basic pay of Rs. 12,000 p.m. and D.A. 8,000 p.m. which is considered for
computation of retirement benefits. He earns 3% commission on sales
achieved by him. The turnover achieved by him during F.Y. ended 2020-21
is Rs. 8,00,000. He is getting H.R.A. of Rs. 8,000 p.m. He pays rent of Rs.
8,000 p.m. calculate his gross salary for A.Y. 2021-22.
[Answer: (1,44,000+96,000+24,000) = 2,64,000+Taxable H.R.A. 26,400=
2,90,400]
12) Sri Amar is an employee in a company of Chennai. Following are the
particulars. Rs.
a) Basic Salary 7,000 p.m.
b) D.A. (under the terms ofemployment) 1,000 p.m.
c) H.R.A. 1,200 p.m.
d) Rent actually paid 1,500p.m.
e) He retired on 1st January, 2020 after completing 25 years of service.
The company paid him Rs. 4,50,000 as gratuity. He is not covered
under the payment of gratuity act. The company paid him Rs. 5,000
p.m. as pension.
f) Salary and pension become due on the last day of each month. Compute
gross salary of Sri Amar.
[Answer: Taxable H.R.A. = (Rs 10,800 – Rs 6,300) = Rs 4,500
Taxable Gratuity = (Rs 4,50,000 – Rs 1,00,000) = Rs 3,50,000
Gross Salary (63,000+9,000+15,000+4,500+3,50,000) = Rs. 4,41,500]

Note: These questions will help you to understand the unit better. Try to
write answer for them. But do not submit your answers to the University.
These are for your practice.

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 Salaries-I
UNIT 6 SALARIES-II

Structure
6.0 Objectives
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Perquisites
6.2.1 Definition of Perquisites
6.2.2 Types of Perquisites
6.3 Valuation of Perquisites – All Employees
6.3.1 Rent free Accommodation
6.3.2 Accommodation at Concessional Rent
6.3.3 Fringe Benefits
6.4 Valuation of Perquisites for Specified Employees
6.4.1 Valuation of Facility of Motor car
6.4.2 Free Lodging and Boarding facility to Hotel Employees
6.4.3 Free Supply of Gas, Electricity and Water
6.4.4 Free or Concessional Education Facilities to any Member of
Employee’s Household
6.4.5 Free Sweeper, Watchman, Gardner, or Personal Attendant etc.
6.5 Fully Exempted Perquisites (Tax free Perquisites)
6.6 Deduction from ‘Salaries’
6.6.1 Standard Deduction
6.6.2 Entertainment Allowance
6.6.3 Tax on Employment
6.7 Let Us Sum Up
6.8 Key Words
6.9 Answer to Check Your Progress
6.10 Terminal Questions/Exercises

6.0 OBJECTIVES
After going through this unit, you should be able to:
define the term ‘perquisite’;
list different types of perquisites made available to salaried employees;
compute the value of such perquisites; and
explain statutory deductions available to a salaried employee.

6.1 INTRODUCTION
In Unit 5, you have learnt about the items to be included under the head ‘Salaries’,
you will also study about allowances which are nothing but perquisites received
in cash. In this Unit, you will learn about certain perquisites which are received
in kind and can be converted into cash. You will also learn about the valuation of
these perquisites and the deductions available from salaries.
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Salaries
6.2 PERQUISITES
Perquisites are casual emoluments or benefits, which is made available to
employees in addition to normal salary or wages. Perquisites may be either in
cash or in kind, normally, they are in the form of facilities in kind. The basic
concept underlying taxation of perquisites is that it results in a personal advantage
to the recipient.

You know that ‘perquisite’ is a component of salary income. It follows, therefore,

that there should exist ‘employer-employee relationship’, before the item of
perquisite can be brought to tax as salary. The value of any perquisite to a person,
not arising out of employer-employee relationship is taxable as ‘income from
other sources’. Thus, tips received by waiters from customers are taxable as
‘income from other sources’.

It is important that the advantage arising to the employee should have a legal
basis. Any unauthorized advantage taken by the employee would not amount to
a benefit or advantage [C.I.T. v A.R. Addaikkappa Chettiar (1973) 19 ITR 90
(Mad) and C.I.T. v Kulandaivelu Konar (1975) 100 ITR 629 (Mad).] Suppose A
Ltd., allots a bungalow to one of its general manager. Subsequently, he resigns
from the company. However, he continues to live in the company’s bungalow for
a year after which he was evicted from the premises through legal proceedings.
Now, the question arises as to whether any perquisite arises in the hands of the
general manager, the value of which would be charged as salary in his hands.

It is a fact that he enjoys the possession of the bungalow which does entail some
cost to the company and hence, there arises a perquisite. In the absence of an
employer-employee relationship, it is logical to assess the perquisite value as
‘income from other sources’. Sometimes, the employees to whom a perquisite is
provided may waive it, instead of utilizing it. In this case, value of the said
perquisite cannot be assessed in his hands.

6.2.1 Definition of Perquisites [Section 17(2)]

As per section 17(2) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 “Perquisite includes”
i) The value of rent – free accommodation provided to the assessee by his
employer.
ii) The value of any concession in the matter of rent respecting any
accommodation provided to the assessee by his employer;
iii) The value of any benefit or amenity provided free of cost or at concessional
rate in the following cases. Anyone who fulfill any one of the following
condition is called as specified employee:-
a) By a company to an employee who is director thereof.
b) The employee has acquired at least 20% or more equity shares in
employer’s company, or the employee has substantial interest in
employer’s company.
c) By any employer to an employee to whom the provisions of a) and b)
above do not apply but whose income under the head ‘salaries’ (whether
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 due from or paid or allowed by one or more employers) exclusive of Salaries-II
value of all benefits or amenities not provided for by way of monetary
payment exceeds Rs. 50,000. In other words, an employee whose
monetary salary exceeds Rs. 50,000.
iv) Any sum paid by the employer in respect of any obligation which, but for
such payment, would have been payable by the assessee.
v) Any sum payable by the employer, whether directly or through a fund, other
than a recognized provident fund or an approved superannuation fund, or a
deposit linked insurance fund, to effect an assurance on the life of the assessee
or to effect a contract for an annuity.
vi) The value of any specified security or sweat equity shares allowed or
transferred directly or indirectly by the employer or former employer free
of cost or at concessional rate to the assessee;
vii) The amount of any contribution to an approved superannuation fund by the
employer in respect of the assessee to the extent that it exceeds Rs. 1,50,000;
viii) The value of any other fringe benefit or amenity as may be prescribed.

6.2.2 Types of Perquisites [Section 17(2)]

On the basis of taxability, perquisites may be classified into following categories:
a) Perquisites taxable for all employees (General Perquisites)
b) Perquisites taxable for specified employees
c) Tax-Free perquisites for all employees
Let us now list the items included in the above categories of perquisites.
a) Perquisites Taxable for all categories of employees (General Perquisites)
These perquisites are provided by the employer to any type of employee
(Government, semi-government or employed in private undertakings) or to
employees of any category. Such types of perquisites are given below:

1) Rent-Free house or accommodation:

The value of rent-free accommodation provided to the assessee by his
employer is taxable perquisite in the hands of every employee. The house
provided by the employer may be owned by him or may have taken some
accommodation on rent for providing it to his employee.

2) Concessional rent free house or accommodation:

The employer may provide the accommodation to his employees charging
less amount of rent or deducting some amount of rent from his salary. It is
called concessional rent-free house.

3) Payment of employee’s obligations by employer:

Such obligation can be paid in two ways, first, directly by employer on
behalf of the employee, second, the employee may make payment first
himself and then these are reimbursed by the employer.

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Salaries The actual amount of such payment is taxable perquisite in the hands of the
employee and is included in his income from ‘Salaries’. Such obligations
may be of the following types:
i) Payment of employee’s personal loan.
ii) Payment of employee’s hotel or club bills, but if an employee becomes
the member of a club or spends in a hotel for the benefit of his employer;
this will not be treated as perquisite in the hands of the employee.
iii) Payment of education fees or other expenditure in connection with the
education of employee’s children.
iv) Payment of income tax on employee’s salary.
v) Payment of salary to the domestic servants engaged by an employee.
vi) Payment of employee’s personal and legal expenses.
vii) Payment of gas, electricity or water for household if connection is in
the name of the employee.
viii) Medical expenses reimburses in excess of Rs. 15,000.
ix) Premium paid for life insurance or an annuity of the employee.
x) Payment of employment tax or professional tax of the employee by
the employer.

Note: Any perquisite, benefit or facility, bills of which are issued in the
name of employee and the payment there of is made by the employer, shall
fall under this category, i.e. payment of employee obligation and therefore,
shall be included in the employee’s income from ‘salaries’.

4) Payment of employee’s life insurance and annuity premium:

The amount payable by an employer, directly or indirectly, for the assurance
of the life of an employee or to effect a contract of an annuity, would be
taxable perquisite in the hands of every such employee. Such premium may
be paid/payable by the employer directly or through any fund other than the
following funds:
i) Recognized provident fund.
ii) Approved superannuation fund.
iii) Deposited linked insurance fund established under Section 3G of the
Coal Mines Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1948.
But any premium paid or payable by the employer under Employee’s state
insurance scheme, would not be perquisite in the hands of the employee and
shall not be taxable for the employee as this scheme is in the interest of the
employee. It should be noted that the amount becomes taxable as soon as it
becomes due for payment. Actual payment during the previous year is not
necessary.

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5) Specified security or sweat equity share allotted or transferred to an Salaries-II
employee:

The value of any specified security or sweat equity shares allotted or

transferred directly or indirectly, by the employer or former employer, free
of cost or at concessional rate to the assessee, would be taxable in the hands
of every such employee and included in the income from salaries.

6) Employer’s contribution to an approved superannuation fund:

Any amount contributed by the employer in employee’s approved
superannuation fund in excess of Rs. 7, 50,000 would be taxable as perquisite.
[Sec 17(2) (vii)]

7) Fringe Benefits
Prescribed fringe benefits or amenities are as follows:
i) Interest free loan or concession loan to an employee [Rule 3(7)(i)]
ii) The value of travelling, touring and any other expenses paid for or
borne or reimbursed by the employer to the employee or any member
of his household.
iii) Free food, non-alcoholic beverages or refreshment facilities. [Rule
3(7)(iii)]
iv) Any gift or voucher or token. [Rule 3(7) (iv)]
v) Credit card facility [Rule 3(7)(v)]
vi) Club expenditure [Rule 3(7)(vi)]
vii) Use by an employee or any member of his household of any moveable
asset belonging to the employer.[Rule 3(7)(vii)]
viii) Transfer of employer’s moveable asset to an employee or any member
of his household. [Rule 3(7)(viii)]
ix) Any other benefit, amenity, service, right or privilege provided by
employer [Rule 3(7) (ix)]
b) Taxable Perquisites for specific employees [Section 17(2)(iii)]

According to section 17(2) (iii) of the Act, Perquisites which are taxable in the
hand of specified employees only, are called as specific perquisites.

Meaning of a Specified Employee:

A person who fulfills any one of the following condition shall be considered as a
specific employee:

i) If the employee is a director in employer’s company – full time or part time.

ii) The employee has acquired at least 20% or more equity shares in employer’s
company or the employee has substantial interest in employer’s company.

iii) The total monetary receipts of an employee must exceed Rs. 50,000. An
employee (not covered under any of the above two categories) whose taxable
‘monetary income’ under the head ‘salary’ (excluding the value of non-
monetary perquisites) exceeds Rs. 50,000 is a specified employee. In case
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Salaries an employee gets salary from more than one employer, he will be treated as
specified employee, if the aggregate monetary salaries from all the employers
exceed Rs. 50,000.

‘Monetary salaries income’ includes all taxable cash receipts e.g., basic salary,
dearness allowance, bonus, commission, taxable allowance, obligations of
employee paid by employer, e.g.- income tax, employment tax, payment of gas,
electricity and water and also received at the time of retirement, e.g., taxable
gratuity, encashment of earned leave or sum received from provident fund, etc.
Name of specific perquisites, taxable in the hands of specific employees
1) Facility of motor car.
2) Facility of domestic servants
(Sweeper, Gardner, Watchman, or Personal Attendant) for the personal works
of an employee employed and engaged by the employer and paid by the
employer.
3) Facility of free gas, electricity and water
4) Free education facility provided by the employer to the children of an
employee in a school run by the employer or in some other school.
5) Personal or private journey provided free of cost or at concessional rate to
an employee or member of his household.
6) The value of any other benefit, amenity, service, right or privilege provided
by the employer.
c) Tax – Free Perquisites for all employees
i) Medical facility
ii) Facility of refreshment
iii) Transport facility or conveyance facility
iv) Employer’s contribution
v) Use of laptop or computer of employer
vi) Facility of entertainment
vii) Accommodation in remote area
viii) Perquisites provided outside India
ix) Facility of telephone
x) Facility of refresher course or training
xi) Payment of accidental insurance premium
xii) Educational facility for children of the employee
xiii) Tax paid by the employer on non-monetary perquisites
xiv) Leave travel concession
xv) Free conveyance facility to employees by an undertaking engaged in
transport business
xvi) Facility of residence and conveyance to high court/Supreme court judges.
xvii) Facility of rent free accommodation to minister of parliament (including
maintenance).
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 Salaries-II
6.3 VALUATION OF PERQUISITES – ALL
EMPLOYEES
For the purpose of computing the income chargeable under the head ‘Salaries’,
the value of the perquisites, not provided by way of monetary payment to the
assessee shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Rule 3 of
Income Tax Rules, 1962.

6.3.1 Rent Free Accommodation – Rule 3(1)

As per rule 3(1), for the purpose of valuation of rent-free accommodation, all
employees are divided into two categories.
1) A) Government employees: The following are included under this
category:
a) Employees of Central and State Governments.
b) Government employees on deputation and presently serving with
any body or undertaking under the control of Government. Foreign
Government employees are not included in this category. They
are included in the second category.
B) Other than Government employees: All employees not covered under
first (A) category are included under this category.
Types of Rent free accommodation: The accommodation provided
by the employer to his employee may be of one of the following two
categories:
i) Unfurnished accommodation – The accommodation which in not
fitted with any furniture or other things of amenities is termed as
unfurnished.
ii) Furnished accommodation – The accommodation which is
equipped with furniture or other things of amenities such as
television, refrigerator, air conditioning plant or equipment and
other domestic appliances, etc. is termed as furnished.
Further, such accommodation may be provided.
a) Rent free, or
b) At concessional rate
2) In case accommodation provided by Government to its employees
i) Where the accommodation is unfurnished: The value shall be the
license fee determined by Union or State Government is respect of
accommodation in accordance with the rules framed by that government
as reduced by the rent actually paid by employee.
Valuation = License fee determined by Central or State Government in
respect of accommodation in accordance with the rules framed by that
government – Rent actually paid by the employee.
ii) Where the accommodation is furnished: The value of perquisite shall
be determined as if it is an unfurnished accommodation (i.e. value 103
Salaries determined as per clause (i) above). Such value shall be increased by
10% of the cost of furniture (including television, radio, refrigerators,
other household appliances, air conditioning plant or equipment) or if
such furniture is hired from third party, the actual hire charges paid or
payable for the same. The valuation of furniture shall be reduced by
any charges paid or payable for such furniture by the employee during
the previous year.
Valuation = as unfurnished + 10% of the cost of furniture installed in the
accommodation (if the furniture is owned by the Government)
Or
Actual rent or hire of furniture installed in the accommodation paid by the
Government (if the furniture installed in the accommodation has been taken
on hire by the Government)
Note:
1) Meaning of salary = Basic salary due (except advance and arrears of salary)
+ Dearness allowance or pay (if under the terms of employment) + fees +
bonus and commission + all other taxable allowances (excluding the portion
not taxable) + any monetary payment (by whatever name called), but does
not include the following:
a) Dearness Allowance or Dearness Pay (which in not under the terms of
employment)
b) Employer’s contribution to assessee’s Provident Fund.
c) Exempted Allowances
d) Value of any Perquisites under section 17(2).
e) Any payment or expenditure specifically excluded under proviso to
sub clause (iii) of clause (2) relating to employees stock option plan or
scheme) or proviso to clause (2) of section 17 (relating to medical
facility or reimbursement of medical expenses);
f) Any lump sum payment like Gratuity, Leave Encashment, Commuted
Pension, etc, received at time of termination of service or at the time
of voluntary retirement or superannuation.
2) ‘Accommodation’ includes a house, flat, farm house, or part thereof, or
accommodation in a hotel, motel, service apartment, guest house, caravan,
mobile home, ship or other floating structure.
3) Rent free official residence provided to a judge of a high court or to a judge
of the Supreme Court is exempt from tax.
4) Rent free accommodation given to an official of parliament, a union minister
and a leader of opposition in parliament is exempt from tax.
Illustration 1
Mr. Y. is an I.A.S. Officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi. He draws
a basic pay of Rs. 12,000 p.m. and dearness allowance of Rs. 1,200 p.m. He is
provided a rent free house at Jor Bagh, the fair market rent of which is Rs. 72,000
p.a., Bonus – 3 months’ basic pay; education allowance @ 6,000 p.m.; city
104
compensatory allowance @ 6,000 p.m.; cost of furniture – Rs 50,000; license Salaries-II
fee determined by the government – Rs 12,000 p.a. Determine the value of rent-
free accommodation if the house is (i) unfurnished (ii) furnished and hire charges
of furnishing are Rs. 2,000 p.a.

Solution:
i) Mr. Y (Government employee - unfurnished)
Valuation for rent free house = License fee determined by the Government
= Rs. 12,000.
Note:
1) License fee determined by the Government is Rs. 12,000 p.a. Hence, Rs.
12,000 shall be the value of rent free accommodation.
2) Market rental value of the accommodation and the salary of the employee
are irrelevant for valuation and rent free accommodation of a Government
employee, when license fee is given.
ii) Mr. Y (Government employee - furnished)
Valuation for rent free house = License fee determined by the Government
+ hire charges of furnishing.
= Rs. 12,000 + 2,000 = Rs. 14,000
B) In case accommodation is provided by any other employer
Accommodation provided as rent free or at concessional rate may be owned
by the employer or taken on lease or rent by the employer.
It includes other employees like employees of Reserve bank of India,
nationalized banks, educational institutions, universities, statutory
corporations, companies of private sector, partnership firms and other
industrial and trading institutions etc.
The taxable value of this facility shall be determined as follows:
1) Where the Accommodation is Unfurnished
Table 6.1: Unfurnished Accommodation
Nature of Accommodation Accommodation Accommodation
Accommo- provided in cities provided in cities with provided in cities
dation having population population exceeding having population
upto 10 lakh as per 10 lakhs but not exceeding 25 lakhs as
2001 census exceeding 25 lakhs as per 2001 census
per 2001 census
(a) Where the 7.5% of salary in 10% of salary in respect 15% of salary in respect
accommodation respect of the period of the period during of the period during
is owned by during which the said which the said which the said
the employer accommodation was accommodation was accommodation was
occupied by the occupied by the occupied by the
employee during the employee during the employee during the
previous year. previous year. previous year.
(b) Where the Actual amount of lease Actual amount of lease Actual amount of lease
accomm- or rent paid or payable or rent paid or payable or rent paid or payable
odation is by the employer or by the employer or by the employer, or
taken on lease 15% of salary, 15% of salary, 15% of salary,
or on rent by whichever is less whichever is less whichever is less.
the employer
105
Salaries Explanation:
1) In case, the house is provided at concessional rate, the value determined as
per (a) or (b) above shall be reduce by the rent, if any, actually paid by
employee.
2) Where the Accommodation is furnished: The value of perquisite shall be
determined as if it is an unfurnished accommodation (i.e. value determined
as per chart given above. Such value shall be increased by 10% of the cost
of furniture (including television, radio, refrigerators, other household
appliance, air conditioning plants or equipment or other similar appliance
or gadgets) or if such furniture is hired from a third party, the actual hire
charges payable for the same. Such valuation of furniture shall be as reduced
by any charges paid or payable for such furniture by the employee during
the previous year.

Valuation = Valuation as unfurnished accommodation + 10% of the cost

of furniture
Or
Valuation as unfurnished accommodation + actual rent or hire charge of
the furniture paid by the employer (if furniture is taken on lease or hire)

C) Where the accommodation is provided by the employer (Govt. or other

employer) in a hotel
The value of the accommodation shall be –
i) 24% of salary paid or payable for the previous year, or
ii) The actual charges paid or payable to such hotel, whichever is lower,
for the period during which such accommodation is provided. However,
if the employee pays any rent, the value so determined shall be reduced
by the rent actually paid or payable by the employee.
There will be no perquisite value, if the accommodation is provided in a
hotel if the following two conditions are fulfilled:
a) Such accommodation is provided for a period not exceeding 15 days;
and
b) It has been provided on the transfer of the employee from one place to
another.
Valuation = 24% of salary paid or payable for relevant period of the
previous year
Or
Actual charge paid or payable by the employer to such hotel, whichever is
less. (Such accommodation is treated as furnished)
Note: For the purpose of valuation of rent-free accommodation, the following
should be understood clearly:

1) Meaning of Salary – Salary for this purpose is to be taken as salary of the

period for which rent free accommodation is given to the employee. Salary
means and includes the following:
106
 a) Basic salary Salaries-II

b) Dearness Allowance or Dearness Pay, if it is under the terms of

employment. All the allowances paid by the employer to the employee
on monthly basis or otherwise, such as fees, bonus, commission,
dearness allowance or dearness pay (if it is under terms of employment)
and all other taxable allowances (excluding the portion not taxable)
c) Bonus
d) Commission
e) Any monetary payment (by whatever name called)
But, the following are not included in the salary:
i) Dearness Allowance or Dearness Pay, if it is not under the terms of
employment.
ii) Employer’s contribution to provident fund account of the employee
iii) All Allowances exempt from income tax.
iv) Value of any Perquisite u/s 17(2).
2) “Accommodation” includes a house, flat, farm house or part thereof, or
accommodation in hotel, motel, service apartment, guest house, caravan,
mobile home, ship or other floating structure.
3) “Hotel” includes licensed accommodation in the nature of motel service
apartment or guest house.
4) Salary is to be computed on ‘due’ basis for the period for which the rent free
accommodation has been provided to the employee e.g., if the rent free
accommodation is provided for the period from 1.1.2021 to 31.3.2021, then
only the salary due for the months of January, February and March shall
only be taken.
5) If the employee receives salary from more than one employer, the aggregate
of the salary received from both the employers, for the period for which the
accommodation is provided, has to be taken into account for valuation of
rent free accommodation even though the accommodation has been provided
only by one employer.

Illustration 2
A is a pilot in Air India. He draws Rs. 72,000 p.a. as basic pay, Rs. 12,000 p.a. as
D.A. (it is under terms and conditions), Rs. 6,000 as bonus and Rs. 6,000 p.a. as
educational allowance. He has got two children studying in the nearby school.
While on duty, he has been provided with a rent-free flat at Santa Cruz, Mumbai,
the fair rental value of which is Rs. 30,000 p.a. Determine the taxable value of
the perquisite if
i) The house is unfurnished
ii) The house is furnished and the cost of furnishing is Rs. 1,00,000/-

107
Salaries Solution:
i) When accommodation is unfurnished
Valuation = 15% of salary
Total salary = 93,600
15% of salary (As population of Mumbai is above 25 lakhs) = Rs 14,040
Note:
1) Meaning of salary = 72,000 (B.S.) + 12,000 (D.A.) + 6,000 (B) + 3,600
(E.A.) = Rs. 93,600
2) D.A. is under terms of conditions so it will be included.
3) Education allowance is exempt upto 100 p.m. per child (maximum two
children, i.e. 2,400 is exempt). Taxable portion of education allowance and
all other allowances will be included in salary.
ii) When accommodation is furnished
Valuation = 15% of salary + 10% of cost of furniture
= 14,040 + 10,000 = 24,040
Note:
Salary = Rs. 93,600 (15% of Rs 93,600 = Rs 14,040)
Cost of furniture = Rs. 1, 00,000
Illustration 3
Mr. Ajay Dubey is a General Manager in a M.N.C. He gets Rs. 25,000 p.m. as
salary, Rs. 1,500 p.m. as marriage allowance, Rs. 2,000 p.m. children allowance
and Rs. 1,500 p.m. dearness allowance (of which half the amount is added in
salary to ascertain the contribution to Provident Fund.). He also gets a transport
allowance for commuting from residence to office @ Rs. 400 p.m. Besides, he
gets a bonus equal to 3 month’s basic pay per year. The company has provided
him a rent free bungalow in which air conditioning plant, refrigerator, radio set
and other furniture of the cost of Rs. 1,60,000 belonging to the company, are
installed. The monthly rent of the bungalow payable by the company is Rs. 7,000
p.m. Calculate the Rent free accommodation value of the bungalow.

Solution:
As the bungalow is not owned by the company, the valuation of rent free furnished
bungalow will be as under.
Valuation = Lease or rent paid or payable or 15% of salary (whichever is less)
+ 10% of the cost of furniture.
= [Rs. 84,000 or 15% of Rs. 4, 30,800] + 10% of Rs. 1, 60,000
= [Rs. 84,000 or Rs. 64,620] + Rs. 16,000
= [Rs. 64,620 + Rs. 16,000 = Rs. 80,620]

108
Note: Salaries-II

1) For this purpose, salary will include one half of the dearness allowance as it
is deemed to be under the terms of employment. Thus, salary will be Rs.
4,30,800 [Rs. 3,00,000 (salary) + Rs. 18,000 (marriage allowance)+Rs.
24,000 (children allowance) + Rs. 9,000 (D.A.) + Rs. 4,800 (T.A.) + Rs.
75,000 (bonus)]

2) Marriage Allowance and Children Allowance are fully taxable.

6.3.2 Accommodation at Concessional Rent

When the accommodation is provided to the employee at a concessional rate of
rent, the value of such accommodation is determined as if the accommodation
was provided free of rent.

From the value, the rent paid or payable by the employee for the period during
which he occupied the house during the previous year, should be deducted. The
resulting amount will be added to the salary as value of concession. Generally,
the employer deducts a fixed sum from the salary of his employee towards the
rent of the accommodation provided to him. The sum deducted as rent is less
than the actual fair rental value of the accommodation. If the employee pays fair
rent of the accommodation, it cannot be said that he is receiving any concession
in the matter of rent. There would be no perquisite in such a case. But, when the
rent paid by him or deducted from his salary is less than the fair rental value of
the accommodation, he is said to have received concession in the matter of rent.
This would be a perquisite. Generally, 20% of salary or 15% of salary, as the
case may be, is taken to be fair rent of the accommodation. The accommodation
provided to an employee at concessional rent may be either furnished or
unfurnished. Concession in rent will be valued as below:

A) In case of an unfurnished accommodation provided by an employer

other than the Central Govt. or any State Government:
a) Where the accommodation is owned by the employer:
Value of Concession in rent = 15% or 10% or 7.5% of salary (as the
case may be ) – Rent recoverable from, or payable by the assessee
b) When the accommodation is taken on lease or hire by the employer:
value of Concession in rent = Actual lease or rent paid or 15% of
salary, (whichever is less) – Rent recoverable from the assessee
B) In case of an unfurnished accommodation provided by the Central or
any State Government-
Value of concession in rent =
License fee determined – Rent recoverable from the assessee

C) In case of a furnished accommodation provided by the Central or any

State Government-
Value of concession in rent = License fee determined + 10% of the cost of
furniture – Rent (or charges for furniture recoverable from the assessee)
109
Salaries D) In case of a furnished accommodation provided by an employer other
than the Central or any State Government –
a) Where the accommodation is owned by the employer:
Value of concession in rent = Value as unfurnished + 10% of the cost
of furniture or rent (charges for furniture Recoverable from the
assessee)
b) Where the accommodation is taken on lease or rent by the employer:
Value of concession in rent = Value as unfurnished + 10% of the cost
of furniture – Rent or charges for furniture recovered from the assessee
E) In case of an accommodation provided by the employer in a hotel –
Value of concession in rent = 24% of salary or Actual charge of hotel paid
(Whichever is less) – Rent recoverable from the assessee
Note:
1) If accommodation in hotel is provided for 15 days or less, its value shall not
be taxable.
2) Value of furniture installed in an unfurnished accommodation, 10% of the
cost of furniture or actual hire charge of the furniture, if furniture is taken
on hire.
In brief, value of concession in rent will be calculated as below.
For all category of employees
Value of concessional Valuation as Rent paid or payable by
Rent free accommodation = rent free – or deducted from the
(Furnished & unfurnished) accommodation employee

Table 6.2: Valuation of Rent Free House

Unfurnished Government Private sector employees

employees
License fee Accommodation owned Accommodation hired
determined by by the employer: by the employer:
the
a) 15% of salary (in Hire charges or rent
government
cities with paid or payable
population exceeding Or
25 lakhs) Or 15% of salary
b) 10% of salary (in ( whichever is less)
cities with population (In respect of all cities)
exceeding 10 lakhs but
not exceeding 25
lakhs) Or
c) 7.5% of salary
( in other cities)
Furnished Valuation as unfurnished + 10% of the cost of furniture or actual rent
( for all or hire of the furniture paid by the employer
employees)

110
6.3.3 Fringe benefits Salaries-II

Prescribed fringe benefits or amenities are as follows:

1. Interest free loan or concession loan to an employee [Rule 3(7)(i)]
Following points shall be kept in mind:
i) The loan shall be given to the employee or his family member (Spouse,
children and their spouses, Parents, Servants and dependents) by his employer
or on his behalf in the previous year.
ii) Interest shall be calculated on the maximum outstanding monthly balances.
iii) The taxable value of the loan shall be the sum equal to the interest calculated
at the rate charged per annum by State Bank of India on 1st day of previous
year.
iv) No value is taxable, if the loan is taken for the treatment of diseases specified
in Rule 3A.
v) If the total amount of loan does not exceed Rs 20,000, it shall not be included
in employee’s salary.
Note:
a) The rate of interest for such loans is given by State Bank of India for every
financial year.
b) Maximum outstanding monthly’ balance means the aggregate outstanding
balance for each loan as on the last day of each month.
Illustration 4
Determine the taxable value of taxable interest in case of interest free loan
provided by the employer to the employees for assessment year 2021-22.

a) An employer, Ambani Ltd, gives the following interest free loan to Mr Amit,
an employee of the company, Rs 10,000 for children education and Rs 6,000
for purchasing a washing machine. No other loan is given by Ambani ltd.
Compute taxable value of interest.

b) Ambani Ltd gave loan to Mr Amit on 1st April, 2020 to buy a car of Rs
50,000. Ambani Ltd recovers interest @ 2.90% per annum from Mr Amit.
Find out taxable value of interest.
Solution:
For the assessement year 2021-22, the taxable value of interest free loan shall be
following:
a) Nothing is taxable in the hands of Mr Amit as the amount of loan does not
exceeds Rs 20,000.
b) The SBI lending rate on April, 2020 for car loan is 9.25%, but only 2.90%
interest is recovered from Mr Amit, i.e. Rs 3,175 @ interest 6.35% (9.25%
- 2.90%) on Rs 50,000 for one year is taxable in the hands of Mr Amit.

111
Salaries 2) The value of travelling, touring and any other expenses paid for or borne
or reimbursed by the employer to the employee or any member of his
household [Rule 3(7) (ii)].
Sometimes, the expenses incurred for holidays tour by the employee or his family
member is reimbursed by the employer. The following points shall be kept in
mind:
Table 6.3: Conditions and Taxable value for travelling and touring
Conditions Taxable value
If all employees are provided similar Expenses borne by the employer minus
type of facilities. Sum recovered from the employee
If all employees are not provided similar Value of facilities provided by other
type of facilities. agencies minus Sum recovered from the
employee.
If the employee is on official tour work Sum paid by the employer
and these expenses are paid for any
member of his household who went with
him.
If the employee is on official tour and The expenses paid by the employer during
this tour is extended in the form of the extended period.
holidays.
Note:
i) In all above conditions, if any amount is recovered from the employee, it
will be deducted from taxable value of fringe benefit and the remaining
amount will be treated as the value of that particular amenity.
ii) The remaining value shall be taxable only if it is positive.
3) Free food, non-alcoholic beverages or refreshment facilities. [Rule
3(7)(iii)]
Following points shall be kept in mind:
Table 6.4: Conditions and taxable value for food and beverages
Conditions Taxable value
If free tea and snacks is provided during Nil
office hours.
If free meal and non-alcoholic beverages Nil
are provided during office hours in remote
area or offshore place.
If free meal and non-alcoholic beverages i) If the rate of meal is upto Rs. 50 per
are provided during office hours at place meal, the taxable value shall be zero.
of work. ii) If the rate of meal exceeds Rs 50 per
meal, this excess value shall be
taxable.
If free meal is provided during office hours The taxable value shall be the sum
at place of work through non-transferable exceeding Rs 50 per meal.
paid vouchers.
In any other case Actual expenditure by the employer
minus Sum recovered from the
employee.
112
Note: Salaries-II

i) Office hours include over time and work in holiday.

ii) Free meals include meal, tea and snacks.
iii) Lunch allowance and free meal are separate; the value of lunch allowance,
dinner allowance, refreshment allowance shall be taxable.
Illustration 5
An employer provides tea/coffee to his employee Mr Rajiv during the office
hours costing Rs 5,500 in a year which is borne by the employer. Besides this, he
also provides free lunch to him during office hours. The cost of this lunch for
300 working days in a year is Rs 100 per diet. The employer recovers Rs 40 per
diet from his employee. Find the taxable value of this facility.

Solution:
i) Taxable value of tea or coffee shall be nil as it is provided during the
office hours. Rs.
ii) Taxable value of lunch (300 × 100) 30,000
Less: i) Tax free amount (300 × 50) 15,000
ii) Recovered from Mr Rajiv (300×40) 12,000 27,000
Taxable value of lunch 3,000
4) Any gift or voucher or token. [Rule 3 (7) (iv)]
Following points shall be kept in mind:
i) Gift can be in cash or kind.
ii) Gift can be given by the employer to his employee or any member of
his family.
iii) If the cost of gift (given on any ceremonial occasion) exceeds Rs 5,000,
then, it shall be taxable.
iv) Cash gift or any gift which can be converted into money (e.g. Cheque),
is not exempt, but, its value shall be included in employee’s salary
even its value is less than Rs 5,000.
v) Any gift given by the employer to the employee on the social and
religious functions (e.g.- Deepawali, Christmas, New Year, Holi etc.),
if it is given in kind, it is exempt, and not included in employee’s
salary provided its value is not more than Rs 5,000 per year. If the
value of gift exceeds Rs. 5,000, this excess value shall be taxable and
included in employee’s salary.

5) Credit card facility [Rule 3 (7)(v)]

It’s taxable value is calculated as follows:
Total expenses paid by the employer
Less: i) Expenses in connection to office or duty
ii) Sum recovered from the employee
113
Salaries Expenses on credit card for official use:
For deduction in these expenses, following conditions are to be fulfilled:
i) The employer will keep complete details in connection with these
expenses, e. g, date of expense, nature of expense etc.
ii) The employer will give a certificate for this purpose that these expenses
have been paid for official purpose.
Note:
i) The employer shall give credit card to the employee or any member of
his family or the expenses of credit card should be reimbursed by the
employer.
ii) Expenses on credit card will not include membership fee and other fee
or expenses which have been paid by the employee or any member of
his family through credit card in connection with household purpose.
6) Club expenditure [Rule 3 (7)(vi)]
Its taxable value is calculated as follows:
Expenses done on club facility or reimbursed by the employer
Less: i) Expenses on club facility if any paid or recovered by the employee
Important point: Where such expenses are incurred wholly or exclusively
for official purpose, then value of benefit would be Nil, provided the
conditions specified below are fulfilled.
Note:
i) Health club and sports club facilities are provided by the employer in
the company for all categories of the employees, these values shall be
exempt for the employees.
ii) If such club facilities are provided for official purpose, the expenses
paid on it by the employer shall be tax free for the employees but for
this exemption certain conditions are essential to be fulfilled. These
conditions are the same which have been mentioned in earlier point
no. 5 (Expenses on credit card).
iii) Club membership fee: Initial one time deposit or fees for corporate
membership, where benefit does not remain with a particular employee
after employment are exempt.
7) Use of employer’s moveable assets by an employee or any member of
his household. [Rule 3 (7) (vii)]
If an employee uses the movable asset of the employer, its taxable value is
calculated as follows:
Table 6.5: Taxable value of Movable Assets

Movable asset Taxable value of perquisite

i) Use of computer or laptop Nil
ii) Any other movable assets other than
(i) above 10% p.a of cost of asset
a) If the employer is the owner. Rent by employer every year.
b) If the employer has hired the asset.
114
 Note: Salaries-II

Any amount received from employee in connection with movable asset shall
be deducted from the above value.
8) Transfer of employer’s moveable asset to an employee or any member
of his household [Rule 3 (7)(viii)]
The taxable value of this perquisite shall be determined as follows:
Table 6.6: Taxable value of transfer employer’s Moveable Assets
Assets Taxable value of perquisite
i. Computer and Written down value (WDV) of asset used by the employer
electronic items for each completed year -50% of the cost to the employer for
each completed year during which such asset was put to use by
the employer on the basis of reducing balance method.
ii. Motor car WDV of asset used by the employer for each completed year-
20% of the cost to the employer for each completed year during
which such asset was put to use by the employer on the basis of
reducing balance method.
iii. Any other Cost of asset used by the employer for each completed year
movable asset - 10% depreciation on the basis of straight line method.
except(i) and
(ii) above
Note:
i) Electronic items or electric appliances includes data storages, computer,
digital diaries and printers, this does not include domestic electrical
appliances, viz., washing machine, microwave, oven, mixer.
ii) Other assets include those assets which are additional from point no.
(i), viz., fridge, video camera.
iii) Any amount paid by employee or received from employee shall be
deducted from the value of above perquisite determined on the basis
of above rules.
9) Any other benefit, amenity, service, right or privilege provided by
employer [Rule 3(7) (ix)]
If the employer provides any other benefits, right or special right to the
employee, its value shall be determined on the basis of cost of employer,
any payment made by the employee to attain these benefits, shall be deducted
from this taxable value.
Illustration 6
The company has given Sachin a housing loan of Rs. 10, 00,000 on 01-10-2020
@ 6% interest p.a. The entire loan is outstanding till the end of the F.Y. Determine
the taxable amount of interest for the assessment year 2021-22, assuming that
the rate of interest on housing loan charged by the SBI is 10% p.a.
Solution:
Interest charged by SBI @ 10% p.a.

10 6
= 10, 00,000 = Rs. 50,000
100 12
115
Salaries
6 6
Interest charged by company = Rs. 10, 00,000
100 12
= Rs. 30,000
Chargeable interest = Rs. 50,000 – Rs. 30,000 = Rs. 20,000

Illustration 7
Mr. Y is employed in a private college on a monthly salary of Rs. 15,000. He
took a loan of Rs. 20,000 from the college for purchasing a second hand car.
Valuate the perquisite.

Solution:
Valuation = ‘NIL’ as the amount of loan does not exceed Rs. 20,000

Illustration 8
Mr. X took a loan of Rs. 50,000 from his employer for his personal purpose. He
used the loan for repaying his old debts. What is the value perquisite?

Solution:
Valuation – ‘NIL’ as the rate of interest is not given. It is presumed that the
employee pays full interest. Hence, it is not a perquisite.

Check Your Progress A

1) Who is a specific employee?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
2) What does “Perquisite includes” as per Section 17(2) of the Income Tax
Act, 1961?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
3) Fill in the blanks
1) Arrears of salary is taxable under the head ‘……………………..’
2) Tax free salary received by the employee means tax will be paid by the
……………
3) Facility of telephone for employees is …………perquisite.
4) The taxable value of moveable assets, other than computer or laptop,
is ………….. p.a of cost of asset, when the employer is the owner.
5) When the accommodation is provided in a hotel for ……. Days, its
value shall not be taxable.

116
 Salaries-II
6.4 VALUATION OF PERQUISITES FOR
SPECIFIED EMPLOYEES
Perquisites which are taxable in the hands of specified employees are termed as
“Specific Perquisites”, rules regarding this are as follows:

6.4.1 Valuation of Facility of Motor-car [Rule 3(2)]

Motor-car or other mode of conveyance provided by the employer to his employee
is a ‘Specific Perquisite’ and therefore, it is taxable in the hands of specific
employee only. However, unauthorized use of company’s car by director for his
personal purpose could not be taken as perquisite in his hands. The provisions of
the rule are stated below:

I) When motor car is owned or hired by the employer:

When the employer has provided to his employee, a motor car owned or
hired by him, its valuation will be made as follows:

A) When maintenance and running expenses are borne and

reimbursed by employer:
i) If the car is wholly used for official purposes, it is not supposed to
be perquisite, so value shall be nil.
ii) If the car is used wholly for the private or personal purpose of the
employee, its value shall be actual amount spent by the employer.
Valuation = The actual amount spent by the employer on
maintenance and running of the car + salary of chauffeur, if any +
Normal wear and tear @ 10% of actual cost of the car or hire
charges – Amount charged from employee.
iii) If the car is used partly for official and partly for private purpose,
its value shall be as follows:
Valuation = [If capacity of the engine of car is upto 1.6 liters] Rs.
1,800 p.m. plus Rs. 900 p.m. for chauffeur’s facility
= [If engine capacity of car is above 1.6 liters] Rs. 2,400 p.m. Rs.
900 p.m. for chauffeur’s facility
B) When maintenance and running expenses are borne by the employee.
i) If the car is wholly used for official purposes, its value shall be
Nil.
ii) If the car is used wholly for private purposes, its value shall be as
below:
Valuation = Expenditure incurred by the employer, hire charges
or normal wear and tear of the car @ 10% of the actual cost of car
+ Salary of chauffeur, if any paid – Amount recovered by the
employee.
iii) If car is used partly official and partly private purpose.
Valuation = [If capacity of engine of car is upto 1.6 ltr] Rs. 600
p.m. plus Rs. 900 p.m. for chauffeur facility. 117
Salaries = [If capacity of engine of car is above 1.6 ltr] Rs. 900 p.m. plus Rs.
900 p.m. for chauffeur facility.
II) When car is owned by the employee:
a) When maintenance and running expenses are borne by employer, it
will not be treated as perquisite; its valuation shall be Nil.
b) When maintenance and running expenses are borne by employer.
i) If car is used wholly for official purpose:
It shall not be regarded as perquisite, so value shall be Nil.
ii) If car is used wholly for private purpose:
Actual expenses spent by the employer shall be the value of perquisite.
This is assumed to be general perquisite and taxable for all employees.
iii) If car is used partly for official purpose and partly for private purpose.
Valuation = Actual expenses incurred by the employee – Rs. 1,800
p.m. (if car is upto 1.6 ltr. capacity) or Rs. 2,400 p.m. (if car is above
1.6 ltr. capacity) and 900 p.m. for chauffeur (any amount recovered
from employee).
III) Use of more than one motor car belonging to the employer.
When more than one car are owned or hired by the employer and employee
uses them for both personal and official use, the value shall be as follows:
Valuation = Actual amount spent by the employer + salary of driver, if any
+ normal wear and tear i.e. 10% of actual cost of car.
Table 6.7: Valuation of Motor Car
When expenses are met by the employee
For official purpose Not taxable
Personal purpose All the expenses of car like petrol, diesel, driver salary and
(Fully taxable) 10% depreciation on car fully taxable If more than 1 car
given then, second car deemed to use for private purpose

Partly official partly Upto 1.6 ltrs More than 1.6 ltrs
personal Rs 600 p.m. + Rs 900 p.m. , Rs 900 p.m. + Rs 900 p.m.
purpose(some (if driver is also provided by (if driver is also provided
amount taxable) employer) by the employer)
When expenses are met by the employer
For official purpose Not taxable

Personal purpose Actual amount incurred on running and maintenance +

chauffer remuneration+ 10% p.a of cost of asset + amount
charged from employee

Partly official partly Upto 1.6 ltrs More than 1.6 ltrs
personal Rs 1,800 p.m. + Rs 900 p.m. , Rs 2,400 p.m. + Rs 900
purpose(some (if driver is also provided by p.m. (if driver is also
amount taxable) employer) provided by the
employer)

118
Illustration 9 Salaries-II

Mr. Sanjeev Kant is manager in Roadways. He gets salary @ 25,000 p.m., value
the perquisites of car under the following different circumstances:
a) The employer has provided him a car of 1.6 ltr capacity. Total expenses and
drivers salary incurred by employer i.e. Rs. 18,000. Car is used for both
private and official purpose.
b) The employer has provided him a 1.4 ltr capacity of car with driver only for
private use. Expenses of car are Rs. 18,000. The cost of car is Rs. 5, 00,000.
c) The employer has provided with a facility of bus (50 horse power) which
carries him along with other employees from home to office and back from
office to home.

Solution: Rs.
Salary @ Rs. 25,000 p.m. × 12 months 3, 00,000
a) Use of 1.6 ltr car @ 1800 p.m. × 12 21,600
Salary of driver @ 900 × 12 10,800
32,400
b) Value of 1.4 ltr car use only for private purpose =
Actual expenses + salary of driver + 10% of cost of car.
Rs. 18,000 + 900 p.m. x 12 (Rs 10,800) +Rs 50,000
78,800
c) This is no perquisite

6.4.2 Free Lodging and Boarding Facility to Hotel Employees

i) Lodging facilities: This is taxable for all employees, and calculated as rent-
free house given to an employee of private sector.
ii) Food facilities: The actual amount of food paid by employer and deducts
the amount if recovered by employee.

6.4.3 Free Supply of Gas, Electricity and Water [Rule 3(4)]

If a facility of free gas, electricity and water is provided to the employee by the
employer, the valuation of such perquisites is added in the salary of employee.
Let us study its valuation under following situations:
Table 6.8: Valuation of free Gas, Electricity and Water

Situation Value of Perquisite

a) If the employer is the manufacturer Cost per unit borne by the employer shall
of gas, electricity and water, i.e. the be the taxable value of perquisite for the
employer supplies these facilities employee.
from his own resources and does not
purchase from outside agencies.
b) In any other situation. Actual amount paid by the employer for
these facilities to other agencies providing
these facilities.
119
Salaries In the above situations, any amount paid by the employee or received from the
employee shall be deducted from the taxable value determined as above.
Note:
i) If the connection of the above perquisite is in the name of employer, the
amount of perquisite will be taxable in case of specified employee only.
ii) If the connection of the perquisite is in the name of employee, the amount
of perquisite is taxable to all categories of employees (specific and non-
specific).

6.4.4 Free or concessional education facilities to any member

of employee’s household [Rule 3(5)].
Table 6.9: Conditions and valuation of free or concessional education
Conditions Valuation
a) Where the education Institution is The cost of education in a similar
itself maintained and owned by the institution in or near the locality. However,
employer. if educational facilities are provided to the
children of the employee (any other
member of the household not covered
here), the value of this perquisite shall be
nil, if the cost of such education or the
value of benefit per child does not exceed
Rs. 1,000 p.m.
b) Where free education facilities for – do-
such members of employee’s
household are allowed in any other
educational institution by reason of
his being in employment of that
employer.
c) Payment of fee by the employer Such payment or reimbursement is taxable
directly to the educational to all types of employees (specified and
institution or reimbursement of fee non-specified both)

d) Educational facilities for family If educational facility is provided to any

members other than employee’s family member of specified employee, in
children the institution run by the employer, then
the value of perquisite shall be the amount
equivalent to fee of other institution of
such level.If, it is provided in other
institution, the value shall be actual
expenditure spent by the employer.In case
of family member of non-specified
employee, the value of such perquisite
shall be exempt.

However, in all the above cases, if any amount is paid or recovered from the
employee on this account, the value of benefit computed above shall be reduced
by the amount so paid or recovered.

120
6.4.5 Free Sweeper, Watchman, Gardener, or Personal Salaries-II

Attendant etc. [Rule 3(3)]

The employer may provide the facility of household servants to the employee,
which includes sweeper, chowkidar, gardener or other domestic servants like
cook etc. They can be appointed either by the employer or by employee. The
rules of their monetary valuation are as under:

1) Appointment of servant by employer and payment of remuneration by

the employer:

Servants are provided with rent house, the’ owner of house being or the
employer has provided the house to the employee by taking it on rent or the
house is owned by the employee and the remuneration of the servant is paid
by the employer. The following amounts of these facilities are included in
the salary of specified employees under section 17(2) (iii).

Sweeper, gardener, cook, watchman and other household servants: Sweeper

is known as cleaning employee. In chowkidar, security man or guards are
included. The taxable value of these perquisites to be included in the salary
of employee will be the actual amount paid by employer to sweeper, gardener,
cook, watchman and other household servants or total cost regarding these
servants to the employer. But, the expenses incurred by the employer on
maintaining garden, swimming pool and ground attached to the house shall
not be taxable separately.
2) Appointment of servant by employee and payment of remuneration by
employer or the payment of remuneration by employee and
reimbursement by employer:
The whole amount for every type of employee will be taxable u/s 17(2)
(iv). The house may be of employee or employer or on rent basis.

6.5 FULLY EXEMPTED PERQUISITES (TAX FREE

PERQUISITES)
There are certain other perquisites which are exempt in the hands of all employees.
They are as follows:
1) Medical facility
A) Medical facility in a hospital etc. maintained by the employer
Medical facility which is given to employee and his/her family member
in hospital, dispensary and nursing home which belongs to employer
is fully tax free.
B) Medical treatment in India
The following expenditure incurred by employer shall not be a
perquisite:
a) Any sum paid by employer in respect of:
i) Actual expenditure incurred by employee on his or his family
member’s medical treatment in any hospital maintained by the
121
Salaries government or any local authority or in a hospital approved by the
government for medical treatment for its employees.
ii) Expenditure actually incurred by employee on his or his family
member’s medical treatment in respect of prescribed diseases or
ailments as prescribed in Rule 3A of the income tax rules, in any
hospital approved by the principal chief commissioner or chief
commissioner of income tax, having regard to the prescribed
guidelines. However, in this case, the employee has to attach along
with his return of income, a certificate from the hospital specifying
the disease or ailment for which medical treatment was required
and the receipt for the amount paid to the hospital.
b) Any amount of insurance paid by the employer for insurance of
the health of the employees under a scheme approved by the central
government or the insurance regulatory and development authority.
c) Any reimbursement by the employer of any insurance premium
paid by the employee, for an insurance for his health or the health
of any member of his family a scheme approved by the central
government or the Insurance Regulatory and Development
Authority is also tax free perquisite.
C) Medical treatment outside India
The following expenditure incurred by employer on treatment of the
employee or his family members outside India is also tax free perquisite:
a) Expenses on medical treatment of the employee or any member
of his family outside India. However, such expenses shall be tax
free perquisite to the extent permitted by Reserve Bank of India.
b) Expenses on stay abroad of the employee or any member of his
family for medical treatment with one attendant who accompanies
the patient in connection with such treatment. These expenses
shall also be tax free perquisite to the extent permitted by Reserve
Bank of India.
c) Travel expenses of the patient (employee or his family member)
and one attendant who accompany the patient in connection with
such treatment. It shall be tax free in the case of those employees
whose gross total income (before including therein such travel
expenditure as perquisite) does not exceed Rs 2, 00,000. In other
words, if the gross total income of the employee before including
the taxable medical perquisite on account of travel expenditure
exceeds Rs 2, 00,000, the expenses on travel of the patient as well
as of the attendant shall become taxable.
Note:
1) ‘Family’ for the purpose of medical facility means:
i) The spouse and children of the employee. Children may be
dependent or independent, married or unmarried.
ii) Parents, brothers and sisters of the employee, who are wholly or
mainly dependent on such employee.
122 2) ‘Hospital’ includes a dispensary, a clinic, and a nursing home.
 Table 6.10 : Medical facility Salaries-II

A) Medical facility in a Medical facility which is given to employee and

hospital etc. maintained his/her family member in hospital, dispensary and
by the employer nursing home which belongs to employer is fully
tax free.

B) Medical treatment in India The following expenditure incurred by employer

shall not be a perquisite:Any sum paid by
employer in respect of:
i) Actual expenditure incurred by employee on
his or his family member’s medical treatment
in any hospital maintained by the government
or any local authority or in a hospital
approved by the government for medical
treatment for its employees.
ii) Expenditure actually incurred by employee
on his or his family member’s medical
treatment in respect of prescribed diseases or
ailments as prescribed in rule 3A of the
income tax rules, in any hospital approved
by the principal chief commissioner or chief
commissioner of income tax, having regard
to the prescribed guidelines.
iii) Any amount of insurance paid by the
employer for insurance of the health of the
employees under a scheme approved by the
central government or the insurance
regulatory and development authority.
iv) Any reimbursement by the employer of any
insurance premium paid by the employee, for
an insurance for his health or the health of
any member of his family a scheme approved
by the central government or the Insurance
Regulatory and Development Authority is
also tax free perquisite.
C) Medical treatment outside The following expenditure incurred by employer
India on treatment of the employee or his family
members outside India is also tax free perquisite:
i) Expenses on medical treatment of the
employee or any member of his family
outside India to the extent permitted by
Reserve Bank of India.
ii) Expenses on stay abroad of the employee or
any member of his family for medical
treatment with one attendant who
accompanies the patient in connection with
such treatment to the extent permitted by
Reserve bank of India.
iii) Travel expenses of the patient (employee or
his family member) and one attendant who
accompany the patient in connection with
such treatment. It shall be tax free in the case
123
Salaries
of those employees whose gross total income
(before including therein such travel
expenditure as perquisite) does not exceed
Rs 2,00,000, if the gross total income of the
employee before including the taxable
medical perquisite on account of travel
expenditure exceeds Rs 2,00,000, the
expenses on travel of the patient as well as
of the attendant shall become taxable.

2) Facility of refreshment
This exemption is provided only when refreshment is given during office
hours and at place of duties.

3) Transport facility or conveyance facility

This shall be tax free to all types of employees, if an employer provides any
vehicle or other transport or conveyance facility to the employee for the
purpose of carrying him from the place of residence to the place of his duty
and back to his residence. The conveyance facility to employee shall be tax
free provided the enterprise is engaged in business of transport, e.g., facility
of free pass to railway employees.

4) Employer’s contribution
Employer’s contribution in schemes like group insurance scheme, deferred
annuity or pension shall be tax free.

5) Use of laptop or computer of employer

The use of laptops or computers (belongs to employer or hired by employer)
by the employee or his family member, its value shall be exempted.

6) Facility of entertainment
This facility should be provided to employees collectively, to avail its
exemption; else it shall not be tax free.

7) Accommodation in remote area

If the employer provides accommodation facility to such employees in
remote area or offshore locality, its value shall be exempt. Such facility
shall also be exempted for the employees who are employed at mining sites
or oil exploration site.

8) Perquisites provided outside India

Such exemption is provided to Indian citizen and Government employees
who are employed in foreign countries.

9) Facility of telephone
The payment of telephone (including mobile phones) bills installed at
employee’s residence by the employer is tax free. The telephone can be
used for any purpose.

124
10) Facility of refresher course or training Salaries-II

Such perquisite is tax free provided the employees do the work with much
skills, it includes lodging and boarding expenses for this purpose.

11) Payment of accidental insurance premium

Any payment made by the employer for insurance premium on policy taken
by employer against any loss of employee, shall not be taxable.

12) Educational facility for children of the employee

The educational institutions is run by the employer or the employer has
provided free educational facilities to the children of employees in another
educational institution, the value of these facilities shall be exempt provided
that such value should not be more than Rs 1,000 per child per month.

13) Tax paid by the employer on non-monetary perquisites

If an employer provides non-monetary perquisite and pays any tax on these,
it shall be tax free and shall not be included in computing income under the
head’ salaries’. It should be noted that no deduction shall be allowed to the
employer while computing income under the head ‘profits or gains of
business and profession’.

14) Leave Travel Concession (LTC)

An employer (present or former employer) may grant the facility of LTC to
his employees with members of his family in connection with the journey
to home town or any other place in India.
Leave Travel Concession shall be allowed for maximum two children since
1.10.1998. This rule shall not be applicable to those children whose birth
before 1.10.1998 and also in case of multiple birth after one child.
The employee is entitled to exemption under section 10(5) in respect of the
value of travel concession or assistance received by or due to him from his
employer or former employer for himself and his family, in connection
with his proceeding:
a) On leave to any place in India.
b) To any place in India after retirement from service or after termination
of his service.
The exemption shall be allowed subject to the following:
i) Where journey is performed by air, maximum exemption shall be an
amount not exceeding the air economy fare of the national carrier by
the shortest route to the place of destination;
ii) Where place of origin of journey and destination are connected by rail
and the journey is performed by any mode of transport other than by
air- maximum exemption shall be an amount not exceeding the air-
conditioned first class rail fare by the shortest route to the place of
destination; and
iii) Where the places of origin of journey and destination or part thereof
are not connected by rail and the journey is performed between such
places- the amount eligible for exemption shall be: 125
Salaries a) Where a recognized public transport system exist, an amount not
exceeding the 1st class or deluxe class fare , as the case may be, on
such transport by the shortest route to the place of destination; and

b) Where no recognized public transport system exits, an amount

equivalent to the air-conditioned first class rail fares, for the distance
of the journey by the shortest route, as if the journey had been performed
by rail.

An employee or assessee can avail exemption for any two journeys in a

block of 4 years. For this purpose, the first block of 4 years was 1986-89
calendar years, the second block 1990-93 calendar year, the third block
1994-97 calendar years, the fourth block 1998-2001 calendar years and
fifth block 2002-05, sixth block 2006-2009, seventh block 2010-2013, eight
block 2014-2017, ninth block 2018-2021 and so on. If the assessee has not
taken the benefit of this exemption of LTC in any block, whether for both
journeys and one journey, he may avail the exemption of one journey in the
calendar year immediately succeeding the end of the block of 4 years, mean
in the fifth calendar year. In other words, maximum one journey can be
carried forward.
Clarification:
i) The exemption regarding LTC can be availed for the journey undertaken
while on leave during the tenure of service or even after retirement
from service.
ii) If the journey is not performed after taking LTC, the entire amount
received by employee shall be taken from him.
iii) The family of the employee includes i. the spouse and children of the
employee, parents, brother, sister of the employee who is wholly
dependent upon him.
iv) In any case, no exemption shall be allowed exceeding the actual amount
spent on travel by the employee.
v) If the travel is performed after retirement from service or being on
leave during the service, the benefit of exemption may be availed.
vi) The exemption is allowed only in respect of fare. Expenses incurred
on porterage, conveyance from residence to the railway station/airport/
bus stand and back, boarding and lodging’ or expenses during the
journey will not be qualified for exemption.
vii) Exemption is available in respect of shortest route, where journey is
performed from the place of origin to different places in a circular
form or in any other manner, the exemption for that journey will be
limited to what is admissible for the journey from the place of origin
to the farthest point reach, by the shortest route.
15) Accommodation to judge
Rent free official residence provided to High Court or Supreme Court judges
is tax free perquisite.

126
16) Free accommodation to ministers, etc Salaries-II

Rent free furnished residence, including maintenance, thereof, provided to

a Union Minister, an officer of Parliament or to an Opposition Leader in
Parliament is regarded as tax free.

17) Scholarship to employee’s children

Scholarship given by the employer to the children of an employee is a tax
free perquisite.

18) Use of health club, sports or similar facility provided uniformly to all
employee by employer.

19) Conference
Any expenditure incurred by the employer for an employee in connection
with a conference, such as conveyance, tour and travel, hotel expenditure
or boarding and lodging expenses etc. are not be included in the employee’s
income as perquisite. This perquisite is tax free in the hands of an employee.

20) Travelling expenses paid or reimbursed

Actual travelling expenses paid or reimbursed by the employer for journeys
undertaken by employees’ business purpose are exempt.

21) Interest free loan

Any loan provided by the employer to an employee either free of interest or
at concessional rate of interest, is tax free perquisite, if the amount of loan
does not exceed Rs. 20,000.

6.6 DEDUCTIONS FROM ‘SALARIES’

The income chargeable under the head ‘Salaries’ is subject to certain deductions
allowable under section 16. They are:
i) Standard Deduction – Section 16(i)
ii) Entertainment Allowance – Section 16(ii)
iii) Tax on Employment – Section 16(iii)
Let us now discuss these deductions.

6.6.1 Standard Deduction [Section 16(i)]

This deduction is now again allowed W.e.f. assessment year 2019-20. The least
of the following two amounts shall be deducted from gross salary of the employee:
a) Rs 50,000
b) Actual amount of gross salary

6.6.2 Entertainment Allowance [Section 16(ii)]

Entertainment allowance is normally given to Senior Officer. An employer gives
allowances to his employee to spend it on the reception of the customers.
127
Salaries An entertainment allowance is part of salary. Hence, it is first to be included in
the salary income. Thereafter, a deduction on Entertainment allowance which is
given to both types of employee, government and non-government employee as
explained below, will be allowed.
i) Government employee: The least of the following will be allowed as a
deduction:
a) Rs. 5,000, or
b) 1/5th or 20% of the employee’s salary, or
c) Amount of entertainment allowance granted during the year.
Meaning of Salary: For the purpose of entertainment allowance, only basic
salary shall be considered. Any other allowance even dearness allowance
(Inspite of being under terms of employment), fixed percentage of
commission on turnover and dearness pay shall not be included in the salary
for the purpose of deduction of entertainment allowance.

ii) Non-government employee (including semi-Government employee,

employees of statutory corporation and local authority): From the
assessment year 2002-03, the deduction of entertainment allowance to non-
government employees has been abolished.

6.6.3 Tax on Employment [Section 16 (iii)]

This tax is also known as professional tax and it shall be deducted in the year in
which it is actually paid. If any tax is realized on salary of the employee by the
state government, this amount shall be deducted from the gross salary of the
employee. As per the constitution of India, professional tax more than Rs 2,500
p.a cannot be levied upon the employee. If the professional tax is paid by the
employer, it is first included in the salary income of the employee and after it is
deducted from gross salary of the assessee, it is treated as general perquisite u/s
17(iv).

Illustration 10
Mr. Sanjay is employed in Reserve Bank of India as Manager. He gives the
following details for the P.Y. 2020-21. Compute gross and taxable salary income
for the A.Y. 2021-22.
i) Basic pay Rs. 48,000 p.m.
ii) Dearness allowances Rs. 18,000 p.m. (20% is used for benefits of retirement)
iii) House Rent Allowance (HRA) Rs. 15,000 p.m. He pays 18,000 p.m. as rent
for his accommodation in Chennai

128
Solution: Salaries-II

Computation of Gross Salary of Mr Sanjay for AY 2020-21 Rs.

Basic salary (Rs. 48,000 × 12) 5, 76,000
D.A. (Rs. 18,000 ×12) 2, 16,000
H.R.A 25,920
Gross Salary 8, 17,920
Less: Standard deduction 50,000
Taxable Salary 7, 67,920
Calculation of H.R.A
Least of the following amount will be exempt.
i) Actual H.R.A. received (15,000×12) 1,80,000
ii) (Rent paid – 10% of salary)
(2, 16,000– 61,920) 1, 54,080
Salary = (5, 76,000 + 43,200) 6, 19,200
iii) 50% of salary 3,09,600
Exempted amount 1, 54,080
Taxable amount = Rs. (1, 80,000 – 1, 54,080) 25,920
Note:
1) Salary = 48,000 × 12= Rs 5,76,000
2) DA= 2,16,000 × 20%= Rs 43,200
Illustration 11

Mr. Rajeev an employee in a firm gets Rs 5,000 p.m. as salary, Rs. 800 p.m. as
dearness allowance and Rs. 300 as city compensatory allowance. He is getting
entertainment allowance of Rs. 800 p.m. He paid professional tax of Rs. 2,500.
He is also getting a bonus equal to three month’s salary. He resides in Agra
(having population more than 25 lakhs) in a house owned by the firm. Fair rent
of house is 1,500 p.m.
Compute his income under the head ‘Salaries’ for A.Y. 2021-22.
Solution:
Computation of Taxable Salaries of Mr Rajeev for AY 2021-22 Rs.
Salary @ Rs. 5,000 p.m 60,000
D.A. @ 800 p.m 9,600
C.C.A. @ 300 p.m 3,600
Entertainment allowance @ 800 p.m 9,600
Bonus equal to three month’s salary 15,000

129
Salaries Perquisite:
Rent-free house @ 15% of salary 15% of 88,200 Rs.
[60,000 (B.S) + 3,600 (C.C.A.) +9,600 (E.A.) + 15,000 (B)] 13,230
Gross salary 1,11,030
Les: (i) Standard deduction 50,000
61,030
Less: (ii) Professional tax 2,500
Taxable salary 58,530
Note:
i) D.A. is not included in salary for calculation of rent-free accommodation
because it is not under the terms of employment.
ii) No deduction is allowed in respect of Entertainment allowance, as Mr. Rajeev
is not a government employee.

Illustration 12
Mr. Radhey Shyam is employed in a company. He gets the following from the
company:
i) Salary @ 20,000 p.m.
ii) Dearness allowance @ Rs. 2,000 p.m.
iii) Medical allowance @ Rs. 5,000 p.m.
iv) Bonus equal to 2 month’s salary
v) Commission @ Rs. 20,000 p.a.
The following perquisites are provided by the employer:
i) A sweeper and a cook getting salary of Rs. 1,500 p.m. each.
ii) A car of 1400 cc for his personal use for which the employer pays.
iii) Rent-free unfurnished house in Etawah (Population less than 10 lakhs) owned
by employer, annual rental value of which is Rs. 1,00,000
iv) A gardener whose salary is Rs. 2,000 p.m.
v) Free gas, electricity and water facility for private use, employer actually
paid for this facility Rs. 20,000 for previous year.
Compute taxable salary of Mr. Radhey Shyam for the A.Y. 2021-22.
Solution:
Taxable salary of Mr. Radhey Shyam for the A.Y. 2021-22 Rs.
Salary @ Rs. 20,000 p.m 2, 40,000
D.A. @ Rs. 2,000 p.m 24,000
Medical allowance @ Rs. 5,000 p.m 60,000
Bonus equal to 2 months’ salary 40,000
Commission 20,000
Rent free house (7.5% of salary) 26,250
130
Sweeper and Cook Nil Salaries-II

Car Nil
Free gas, electricity and water Nil
Gross salary 4, 10,250
Less: Standard deduction 50,000
Taxable Salary 3, 60,250
Note:
1) Valuation of rent-free house 7.5% of 3,50,000 = Rs, 26,250 [Salary = Rs.
2,40,000 (B.S) + Rs. 50,000 (Medical Allowance.) + Rs. 40,000 (Bonus) +
Rs. 20,000 (Commission) = 3,50,000]
2) Mr. Radhey Shyam is not a specific employee, so perquisite of sweeper,
cook, gas, electricity, water and car is not taxable.
3) Facility of gardener is not regarded as perquisite because it is provided with
a house owned by the employer.
4) Standard deduction can be allowed maximum up to gross salary.
Check Your Progress B
1) State whether following statements are True or False:
i) In respect of Government employees, ten percent of cost of furniture
should not be added while computing the perquisite value of the
furnished house.
ii) For computing the value of rent-free accommodation ‘salary’ for the
entire year should be considered irrespective of the period of occupation
of the house.
iii) Facility of telephone provided to a specified employee is taxable
perquisite.
iv) If the house is not owned by the employer, salary of gardener and
maintenance expenses of the garden should not be added.
v) Free gas, supplied by Indian Oil Corporation to its employees is a
taxable perquisite.
vi) Value of subsidized lunches is exempt while the value of free lunches
is taxable perquisite.
vii) When car is owned by employer and all the expenses are borne by
employee if car is used only for official use, the values of perquisite
will be Nil.
viii) Any gift or token received from employer shall be exempted upto
Rs. 10,000.
ix) Mr. Sahil went to Shimla. He stayed there in guest house of the company
and saved Rs. 5,000 on account of accommodation. It is taxable.
x) Advance salary is not taxable under the head ‘Salaries’.

131
Salaries 2) What are the provisions relating to Leave Travel Concession as per Income
Tax Act, 1961?
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
3) What do you understand by Deductions? Explain.
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................

6.7 LET US SUM UP

Apart from cash payment, an employee also receives certain benefits in kind
which can be convert into cash. These are called Perquisites. There are three
types of Perquisite; it may be tax-free, taxable for specified employees, taxable
for all employees. These Perquisites are to be valued and included in the salary
of an employee. After the value of Perquisites is calculated and included in the
salaried income, certain deductions are available from the gross salary. They
are:
i) Standard deduction
ii) Entertainment allowance
iii) Tax on employment
The net taxable income under the head salary is arrived at after deducting the
quantum of permissible deductions mentioned above, from the gross income
from salaries.

6.8 KEY WORDS

Accommodation: This refers to the residential house provided to the employee
by the employer either free of rent or at concessional rent.

Monetary income: This represents receipts obtained by a salaried employee by

way of money. Obviously, perquisite in kind is to be excluded while calculating
monetary income.

Perquisite: Casual emolument, Payment, fee or profit attached to an office.

Personal accident policy: This is policy usually taken on the life of certain key
executives whose functions and movement may expose then to fatal accidents or
whose existence is for the company’s prosperity. The premiums are invariably
paid by the employer.

Specified Employee: The term denote those employees who are directors,
employees substantially interested in a company or when monetary income under
the head ‘salaries’ exceeds Rs. 50,000.
132
 Salaries-II
6.9 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS
Check Your Progress A
1) Salaries
2) Employer
3) Tax free
4) 10%
5) 15
Check Your Progress B
i) False, ii) False, iii) False, iv) True, v) False, vi) False, vii) True,
viii) False, ix) True x) False

6.10 TERMINAL QUESTIONS / EXERCISES

1) What is not included in ‘Salary’ for calculating the value of rent-free
accommodation for a public employee?
2) What are the provisions of section 16 (ii) regarding entertainment allowance
for non-government employees?
3) Compute the monetary income of ‘A’ from the following particular for A.Y.
2021-22 to ascertain whether he is a specified employee or not. Rs.
a) Basic salary 18,000 p.m.
b) D.A. (not forming part of salary for calculating
retirement benefits) 5,000 p.m.
c) Education allowance 2,000 p.m.
d) Income tax paid by the employer on behalf of A. 1,000 p.m.
[Answer: A is a specified employee as his monetary income is more
than Rs. 50,000 i.e. Rs. 38,000]

4) Mr. Sanjay is a private sector employee. He received the

following emoluments. Rs.
a) Basic pay 8,000 p.m.
b) D.A. (not included for computing retirement benefits) 800 p.m.
c) Bonus (for the year) 15,000
d) H.R.A. received 9,000 p.a.
e) Exempted H.R.A. 5,000
f) Education allowance (He has two children) 500 p.m.
Compute ‘salary’ for the purpose of arriving at the perquisite value for rent-
free accommodation.
[Answer: Rs. 1, 18,600]

133
Salaries 5) Mr. Rakesh is employed in MNC. He received the following
from the company. Rs.
a) Salary 20,000 p.m.
b) D.A. 2,000 p.m.
c) Medical allowance 5,000 p.m.
d) Bonus equal to 2 months basic salary.
e) Commission 20,000 p.a
The following perquisites are also provided by the employer.
i) Rent-free unfurnished accommodation at Agra owned by employer.
ii) Sweeper and a Cook getting salary of Rs. 1,500 p.m. each.
iii) A Gardner getting salary of Rs. 2,000 p.m.
iv) Free gas, electricity and water facility for personal use for which the
employer pays Rs. 20,000 during the P.Y.
Compute taxable salary of Mr Rakesh for the A.Y. 2021-22
[Answer: 4,68,000]

6) Mr. Sahay joined Surya Private Ltd. His basic salary is Rs. 40,000 p.m.
D.A. Rs. 2,000 p.m, education allowance Rs. 500 for one child and Rs.
1,500 p.m. as entertainment allowance during the P.Y. 2020-21. He paid Rs.
10,000 as professional tax. Determine his taxable salary for the A.Y. 2021-
22.

[Answer: 4,66,800]

7) Mr. Rashid is employed in Khadi Gramodyog in Kanpur on a monthly salary

of Rs. 12,000 p.m. He is getting bonus as two months’ salary, entertainment
allowance Rs. 5,000 p.a. The employer provides following perquisites.
a) Car of 1800 c.c. for both private and official use. All the expenses are
borne by the employer.
b) He has been given a personal loan of Rs. 50,000 at 5% interest on 1st
Jan., 2020.
c) The employer spent Rs. 10,000 on the education of his son who is
abroad.
d) The employee paid Rs. 4,000 as professional tax for the P.Y. 2020-21
Compute taxable income from salary of Mr. Rashid for A.Y. 2021-22
(Note: Assume rate of interest for personal loan is 11.9% as given by
State Bank of India)
[Answer: 1,58,663]

8) Mr Riyaz is reader in a college, run by a society, on a monthly salary of Rs

50,000. Besides salary he also gets 45% of salary as dearness allowance, Rs
1000 p.m., entertainment allowance and Rs 1000 p.m. as proctor’s allowance.
During the year, he gets Rs 500 p.m. as additional DA. Arrears of salary
received Rs 30,000.
134
 He contributes 10% of his salary to provident fund. The college contributes Salaries-II
an equal amount interest credited to his provident fund @12% amounted to
Rs 40,000.Three children of Mr Riyaz are studying in an institution run by
the society , which runs the college for which to Rs 1,500 p.m. for one
student. Mr Riyaz is provided with a rent free accommodation in a city
(population 13 lakhs) which is owned by the college. Its fair rental value is
Rs 2,500 p.m. A Gardner for the upkeep of the garden on the back side of
the house is also provided. The salary of Gardner amounting to Rs 300 p.m.
is also paid by the college. During the year Mr Riyaz proceeded on two
months leave with full pay to his home at Jaipur. The college paid Rs 6,500
being the air fare to and from Jaipur for him and his wife for this purpose.

Compute the taxable salaries income of Mr Riyaz for the year ending on
31st march, 2021, for the assessment year 2021-22.

[Answer: Taxable salary = Rs. 9,68,733 ]

Note: These questions will help you to understand the unit better. Try to
write answer for them. But do not submit your answers to the University.
These are for your practice.

135
Salaries
UNIT 7 SALARIES-III

Structure
7.0 Objective
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Provident Fund Schemes
7.2.1 Statutory Provident Fund
7.2.2 Recognized Provident Fund
7.2.3 Unrecognized Provident Fund
7.2.4 Public Provident Fund (PPF)
7.2.5 Approved Superannuation Fund
7.3 Tax Treatment of Provident Fund
7.4 Certain other Aspects of Taxable Salary
7.5 Deduction under Section 80C
7.5.1 Gross Qualifying Amount
7.6 Let Us Sum Up
7.7 Key Words
7.8 Answer to Check Your Progress
7.9 Terminal Questions/Exercises

7.0 OBJECTIVES
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
list different types of provident funds and their treatment for tax purposes;
enumerate and calculate the amount of deductions available u/s 80C; and
compute the taxable income from salary after taking into account the
provident fund and deduction u/s 80C.

7.1 INTRODUCTION
In units 5 and 6, we have learnt about the items included in the salaried income
of an employee. Apart from many allowances and perquisites, there are some
other benefits available to a salaried employee; provident fund is one of such
benefits. In the unit, we will study in detail the provident fund schemes, different
kinds of provident fund and their tax-treatments. We will also study the various
deductions available to a salaried individual u/s 80C in respect of savings.

7.2 PROVIDENT FUND SCHEMES

Provident means to provide for future. Provident fund is a fund which is created
to help an individual in future, i.e., after retirement or death. The employee
contributes certain amount every month out of his salary and an equal amount is
contributed by the employer. This amount is invested in government securities
and earns a certain amount of interest. The interest so earned on the balance
136
standing in the account of the employee is credited to his provident fund account. Salaries-III
This amount gets accumulated over a period of time. The whole amount
accumulated over years is given to the employee at the time of retirement or
voluntary retirement and is paid to the legal heir after the death of the employee.
There are different kinds of provident funds. The employee can deposit the amount
in any of the provident fund. The different kinds of provident funds are:
i) Statutory-Provident Fund
ii) Recognized Provident Fund
iii) Unrecognized Provident Fund
iv) Public Provident Fund
v) Approved Superannuation Fund
Let us now discuss them one by one.

7.2.1 Statutory Provident Fund

Statutory provident fund is set up under Provident Fund Act, 1925 and is
maintained by Government and Semi-government department, Reserve Bank of
India, State Bank of India, Railways, Statutory corporations, Universities, colleges
and local bodies etc.

7.2.2 Recognized Provident Fund

This is a provident fund which is recognized by the commissioner of Income Tax
in accordance with the rules contained in part A of the Fourth Schedule of the
Income Tax Act, 1961. It includes a provident fund established under a scheme
framed under the Employees Provident Fund Act, 1952. It must be remembered
that it is important for tax purpose. For example, where a provident fund is
recognized by the provident fund commissioner but not by the commissioner of
Income Tax, then the tax concessions under the Income Tax Act cannot be
extended to the contributions to such provident fund.

7.2.3 Unrecognized Provident Fund

This is a provident fund which is not recognized by the Commissioner of Income
Tax. Since it is not recognized, no relief is granted to the assessee for tax purpose.
In other words, it can neither be termed as statutory provident fund nor a
recognized provident fund. Such a fund is normally maintained by private
employers.

7.2.4 Public Provident Fund (PPF)

Regular salaried employees save money in provident fund through deductions
from their salaries. For the benefit of the public, particularly for self-employed
person such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, actors, traders, the central
government introduced the PPF scheme. PPF scheme was started from
01/07/1968. Its main aim is to encourage savings. Individuals and association of
persons can deposit in the public provident fund accounts, as and when their
resources permit. Even salaried employees can save through PPF in additions to
their regular provident funds. PPF accounts can be opened at any branch of the
State Bank of India or its subsidiaries or at any head post office and specified 137
Salaries branches of nationalized banks. Any individual can subscribe to PPF any amount
not less than Rs. 500 and not more than Rs. 1, 50,000 in a year. Interest is credited
at the end of each year, but is payable only at the time of maturity. The accumulated
sum in PPF account is payable after 15 years and after completion of 15 years,
the whole amount together with interest is exempt from income tax. An assessee
can extend this account further for period of 5 years. Non-resident Indians and
HUF are not eligible to open this account.

7.2.5 Approved Superannuation Fund

This means a superannuation fund approved by the Commissioner of Income
Tax accordance with the rules contained in part B of the Fourth Schedule of the
Income Tax Act. It is significant to note that the sole purpose of the above fund
should be the provision of annuities for employees on their retirement after a
specified age of on their becoming incapacitated prior to such retirement or for
the widows or dependence of such employees on their death.

7.3 TAX TREATMENT OF PROVIDENT FUND

You studied the different kinds of provident funds in this unit point 7.2. Let us
now study various provisions of Income Tax Act, 1961 with regard to these funds.
Tax exemptions in relation to this fund are as under:
i) Employer’s contribution is exempt from tax
ii) Employee’s contribution qualifies for deduction under section 80C
iii) Interest on accumulated balance is exempt from tax
Table 7.1 will help you to understand the provisions of provident fund relating to
the above.
Table 7.1: Provisions of Provident Funds
Particulars Statutory P.F. Recognized P.F. Unrecognized P.F Public P.F
Employee’s / Employee is paid Employee is paid Employee is paid Deduction
assessee’s his monthly his monthly his monthly salary u/s 80C is
contribution salary after salary after after deducting his available
deducting his deducting his contribution to from gross
contribution to contribution to provident fund but total
provident fund provident fund Employee’s income
but Employee’s but Employee’s contribution in subject to
contribution in contribution in URPF is included the limited
SPF is included RPF is included in taxable salary. specified
in taxable salary. in taxable salary. amount.
But the entire But the entire But the entire
contribution contribution contribution does
qualifies for qualifies for not qualify for
deduction u/s deduction u/s deduction u/s 80C.
80C. 80C.

Employer’s Exempt Tax free upto Exempt The

contribution 12% of salary. employer
Excess over 12% does not
of salary is contribute
included in
salary.
138
 Salaries-III
Interest Exempt Tax free (u/s 10) Exempt Exempt
credited to upto 9.5% p.a
provident rate of interest;
fund excess over 9.5%
is included in
gross salary
Lump-sum Exempt u/s Tax free u/s Lump sum upto Exempt
payment at 10 (11) 10 (12) provided: the amount equal
the time of (i) the employee to employee’s
retirement or has served contribution and
termination continuously for interest thereon is
of service etc. at least 5 years, included in salary
or (ii) he has income. Interest
been removed on employee’s
from service on contribution is
account of taxable under the
retrenchment, head. ‘Income
illness or closure from other
of business. sources’.

Illustration 1
Mr. Gaurav Modi is employed in Khadi Samiti in Lucknow. He is in receipt of a
salary of Rs. 17,000 p.m. and a dearness allowance of Rs. 2,000 p.m. He
contributes 10% of his salary and dearness allowance to a provident fund to
which Khadi Samiti contributes 15%. He is provided with a rent free unfurnished
house by his employer. He received Rs. 25,000 as bonus during previous year.
The interest credited to his provident fund @ 12% amounted to Rs. 1,000.
Compute taxable income of Mr. Gaurav Modi for the assessment year 2021-22,
if the P.F. in question is (i) Statutory (ii) Recognized or (iii) Unrecognized. On
what amount the assessee is entitled to deduction u/s 80C.
Computation of Taxable Income of Mr. Gaurav Modi for AY 2020-21
Statutory P.F. Recognized Unrecognized
P.F. (Rs.) P.F. (Rs.) P.F. (Rs.)
Salary @ 17,000 p.m. 2,04,000 2,04,000 2,04,000
D.A. @ 2,000 p.m. 24,000 24,000 24,000
Bonus 25,000 25,000 25,000
Employer’s contribution — 6,840 —
to R.P.F. in excess of 12%
Interest credited to R.P.F.in — 208 —
excess of 9.5%
Value of rent free house 10% 25,300 25,300 25,300
of salary of Rs. 2,53,000
(as population of Lucknow
exceeds 10 lakhs but does
not exceed 25 lakhs)
Gross Salary 2,78,300 2,85,348 2,78,300
Less: Standard Deduction 50,000 50,000 50,000
Taxable Salary 2,28,300 2,35,348 2,28,300
Amount entitled to deduction 22,800 22,800 Nil
u/s 80C
139
Salaries Note: Calculation of Recognized P.F.
1) Employer’s contribution RPF = 2, 28,000 (Salary + D.A.)

3
= 2, 28,000 = 6,840
100

1000 100
Interest credited = = 8333.33
12

8,333 2.5
Excess of 9.5% = = 208
100

2) Assessee is entitled to deduction u/s 80C, upto a maximum amount of Rs.

1,50,000 in respect of his contribution to statutory or recognized provident
fund, i.e. 10% of his salary and D.A., say Rs. 22,800. He is not entitled to
deduction u/s 80C in respect of his contribution to unrecognized provident
fund.
3) Salary = Basic Pay + D.A+ Bonus
= 2,04,000+ 24,000+25,000 = Rs. 2,53,000

7.4 CERTAIN OTHER ASPECTS OF TAXABLE

SALARY
While calculating the taxable income from salary, we should take into account
the following aspects of salary:
1) Waivers of salary: Once salary accrues to an employee, it becomes taxable
under Section 15. Even if the employee waives his right to receive payment
thereof it will be considered as a mere application of his income and his tax
liability will not be affected.
2) Surrender of salary: However, if any employee surrenders his salary to
the central government under Section 2 of the Voluntary Surrender of
Salaries, then the salary so surrendered will be excluded while computing
his salary income.
3) Tax-free salaries: An employer can choose to pay the tax on behalf of the
employee and refrain from deducting the same from the salary paid to the
employee. However, while computing the income of the employee, the tax
so paid by the employer will be added to the salary income of the employee.

7.5 DEDUCTION UNDER SECTION 80C

Section 80C allows certain investments and expenditure to be tax-exempt. Under
this section, deduction is allowed in respect of specified qualifying amount paid
or deposited by individual or H.U.F taxpayer (assessee) only.

140
7.5.1 Gross Qualifying Amount Salaries-III

Deductions in respects of contribution to life insurance premium, Deferred

Annuity, Provident Fund and Public Provident Fund and subscription to certain
shares and debentures, etc. (Sec. 80C). This deduction is available on the basis
of specified qualifying investments/contributions/ deposits/payments (Gross
Qualifying Amount) made by the taxpayer during the previous year.

Eligibility of Assessee: This deduction is allowed only to the following assesses

from their gross total income computed as per the provisions of the Act:
i) An individual or
ii) A Hindu Undivided family
Deduction on account of the following saving/investment cannot exceed Rs.
1,50,000. The above assesses shall be entitled to a deduction of whole of the
amount paid or deposited in the previous year, being the aggregate of sum referred
to below as does not exceed Rs. 1,50,000.
A) In case of Individual Assessee
i) Life Insurance Premium: The premium paid by an assessee on his own
life, on the life of spouse (husband or wife) and children, contribution
of employee in insurance plan, joint life premium and group insurance
W.e.f. Assessment Year 2019-20 maximum 20% of sum assured shall
be allowed as deduction u/s 80C.
a) Insurance policy may be taken by the assessee for his desired
amount but only 20% of insurance amount or actual premium paid
(whichever is less), shall be included in total limit for deduction
u/s 80C. (If policy is taken before 01.04.2012 and 10% if policy is
taken after 31.03.2012)
b) No deduction u/s 80C will be allowed on the amount of premium
paid on insurance policy taken by the assessee on the life of his/
her parents.
c) Life Insurance Corporation may issue various types of insurance
policies, e.g. whole his insurance policy, Bima Gold, Endowment
Insurance Policy, Jeewan Mitra Policy, etc. The assessee may take
any one or more insurance plan.
d) The children, who have been insured, may be married, unmarried
dependent or independent upon the assessee.
ii) Deferred Annuity: To effect and to keep in force a contract for a deferred
annuity on the life of spouse and children.
iii) Contribution of employee in Statutory Provident Fund.
iv) Contribution of employee in Recognized Provident Fund.
v) Contribution in Public Provident Fund upto maximum Rs. 1,50,000.
vi) Payment under Unit Linked Insurance Plan, 1971.
vii) Amount deducted out of salary of Government employee or deferred
annuity or for provision to wife and children restricted to 1/5th of salary. 141
Salaries viii) Contribution in Approved Superannuation Fund.
ix) Contribution in Notified Central Government Securities or in Notified
Deposit Scheme. For this section, investment in 6 years National Saving
Certificate VIII or IX issue and deposits in National Saving Scheme,
1992 have been recognized.
x) Re-investment of accrued interest on National Saving Certificate (NSC)
VIII.
xi) Deposit in National Housing Scheme or contribution in pension fund,
e.g. Housing Loan Scheme.
xii) Contribution in the following deposit schemes:
a) A public sector company, which provides long-term loans for the
purchase or construction of residential house, or
b) Any authority established in India through and Act for solving the
housing problems or formed for development of cities, towns or
village or for both the purpose.
xiii) Refund of loan (Principal amount only) taken for the construction of
house. Following points are essential to be considered in this refund of
loan.
a) Payment of any installment or its part under scheme of construction
and sale of the house by any self-financing or development
authority, housing board or other authority.
b) Payment of any installment or its part to any company or co-
operative society of which the assessee is member for allotment
of the house.
xiv) Contribution in Mutual Fund establishment u/s 10(23D) or in units of
Equity Linked Saving Scheme of Unit Trust of India.
xv) Contribution in pension fund notified u/s 10(23D) in mutual fund
established by Unit Trust of India.
xvi) Tuition fee for children education: Tuition fee paid by assessee for his
children education shall be allowed as deduction u/s 80C provided
following condition are satisfied:
a) It should be paid for school, college, university within India;
b) The fee should be paid for full time education;
c) It should be paid in connection with maximum 2 children; and
d) Tuition fee does not include college development fee, sports,
library fee, donation etc.
xvii) Any sum paid or deposited in name of girl child under the Sukanya
Samridhi account scheme W.e.f AY 2015-16.
xviii) Payment made by an individual for notified annuity plan of the life
insurance corporation or any other insurer. New jeevan dhara, New
jeevan dhara-I and New jeevan Akshay, New jeevan Akshay-I and
New jeevan Akshay-II are notified schemes.

142
B) In case of a Hindu Undivided Family Salaries-III

A Hindu Undivided Family may make following payments in previous year:

1) Amount of premium on the life insurance of any member of family.
Premium to be included in deductible amount for deduction shall be
restricted to 20% of sum assured. (if policy is taken before 01.04.2012
and 10% if policy is taken after 31.03.2012)
2) Contribution in Public Provident Fund in the name of any member of
the family
3) Contribution in Notified Central Government Securities or Notified
Deposit Scheme. It includes 6 year National Saving Certificates VII
Issue and National Saving Scheme, 1992.
4) Contribution in Mutual Fund established u/s 10(23D).
5) National Saving Certificate, VII Issue.
6) Accrued interest on NSC VIII Issue.
7) Deferred Annuity, Annuity paid by an assessee on self, on spouse,
children or under deferred annuity agreement.
8) Contribution in any deposit scheme of the following:
a) Company of Public Sector, which provides long-term loans for
the purchase and construction of residential houses, or
b) Any authority established in India under any Act, whose formation
was made for solving the residential problem or for the betterment
and improvement of cities, village or towns or for both the
purposes.
9) Amount paid on the purchase or construction of New Residential House.
Any amount paid for the purpose of purchase or construction of a
residential house property, the income of which is taxable under head
‘Income from House Property’. Such payment may be made by way
of:
a) An installment or part payment of the amount due under any self-
financing or other scheme of any development authority, housing
board or other authority engaged in the construction and sale of
house property; or
b) Payment of any installment or its part to any company or co-
operative society of which the assessee is a member for allotment
of the house.
c) Repayment of borrowed money by the assessee taken from the
following.
i) Central or State Government, or
ii) Bank (including co-operative bank)
iii) Life Insurance Corporation, or
iv) National Housing Bank or

143
Salaries v) Such public company whose main object is to provide long-
term finance for purchase/construction of houses for
residential purposes.
vi) Assessee’s employer, if such employer is in the form of an
authority or a board or a corporation or any other body
established under a Central or State Act.
d) Stamp duty, registration fee and other expenses for the purpose of
transfer of such house to possess ownership (But expenses of repair
and renew shall not be included).
10) Contribution in National Housing Bank Deposit Scheme or contribution
in any pension fund established by it, e.g. Housing Loan Scheme.
11) Contribution in Mutual Fund established u/s 10(23D) or in units of
Equity Linked Saving Scheme or Unit Trust of India.
12) Investment in Term Deposit:
a) Investment in scheduled bank for not less than 5 years.
b) Such investment must be in accordance with a scheme framed
and notified by the Central Government in the official Gazette.
13) Any sum paid or deposited in name of girl child under the Sukanya
Samridhi account scheme W.e.f AY 2015-16.
14) Payment made by an HUF for notified annuity plan of the life insurance
corporation or any other insurer. New jeevan dhara, New jeevan dhara-
I and New jeevan Akshay, New jeevan Akshay-I and New jeevan
Akshay-II are notified schemes.
Note:
i) Investment/Deposits are qualified on payment basis u/s 80 C, the
amount paid are eligible for rebate. Thus, the payment made in previous
year is eligible for deduction, whether such payments are related to
last year or next year. Hence, if the payment is due but outstanding, no
deduction will be admissible on it.
ii) If Joint Life Premium is paid by the assessee on the joint life of self or
spouse or children, the deduction on payment of premium is admissible,
but if joint life policy is with other outsiders, no such deduction will be
allowed.
Interest Table accrued on N.S.C. (VIII Issue)
Interest accruing on a certificate of Rs. 100
The year for 01/03/03 01/12/11 01/04/12 01/04/2013
which interest To To To To
accrued 30/11/11 31/03/12 31/03/13 31/03/2016
Rate % 08.00 - 8.60 8.50
First year 08.16 8.58 8.78 8.68
Second year 08.83 9.31 9.56 9.43
Third year 09.55 10.11 10.40 10.25
Fourth year 10.33 10.98 11.31 11.24
Fifth year 11.17 11.92 12.30 12.11
Sixth year 12.08 NA NA NA
144
 Interest accruing on a certificate of Rs. 100 Salaries-III

01/04/2016 01/10/2016 01/04/2017 01/07/2017 01/01/2018

to to to to to
30/09/2016 31/03/2017 31/06/2017 31/12/2017 31/03/2019
First year 8.10 8.00 7.90 7.80 7.60
Second year 8.76 8.64 8.52 8.41 8.18
Third year 9.46 9.33 9.20 9.06 8.80
Fourth year 10.23 10.08 9.92 9.77 9.47
Fifth year 11.06 10.88 10.71 10.53 10.19

NSC IX ISSUE
The table shows the amount of interest accrued at the end of each year:
Interest accruing on a certificate of Rs. 100 when
investment is made
Year for which W.e.f 04/01/2012 On or after
interest 01/12/2011 To To
accrues 31/03/2012 31/03/2013 04/01/2013
1st year 8.89 9.10 8.99
2nd year 9.68 9.93 9.80
3rd year 10.54 10.83 10.68
4th year 11.48 11.81 11.64
5th year 12.50 12.89 12.69
6th year 13.61 14.06 13.83
7th year 14.82 15.34 15.08
8th year 16.13 16.74 16.43
9th year 17.57 18.26 17.91
10th year 19.13 19.92 19.52

Important Note: National Saving Certificates VIII become mature after 6 years
accrued interest of 6th year is not treated re-invested. Hence, no deduction u/s
80C on this interest of 6th year is allowed.

Cancellation of deduction under Section 80 C: Under the following

circumstance, the deduction shall be cancelled:

1) If after paying two years premium, the life policy is terminated on notice or
the policy is terminated on account of non-payment of premium, the premium
of that year will not be eligible for deduction u/s 80C and whatever deduction
has been availed under this section earlier, such amount shall be added in
the income of the assessee.

2) If this contribution is stopped before 5 years, the deduction will not be

allowed in the year of closing. The deduction allowed in earlier year on
such contribution shall be included in income in the year of its closing.
145
Salaries 3) If an assessee has got deduction under section 80 C in connection with loan
taken for purchase or construction of residential house and he sells that
house within 5 years , the deduction already availed shall be cancelled .This
cancelled deduction shall be included in taxable income of the years in which
it is cancelled .

4) If an assessee has got deduction u/s 80 C by purchasing shares or debentures

of an infrastructure company and he sells them within 3 years after date of
purchase, the deduction already availed will be cancelled and such deduction
shall be included in the income of the year in which it is cancelled.

Check Your Progress A

1) A person who is a Government employee saves the following amount.
a) Rs. 2,000 as premium on LIC
b) Rs. 3,000 as contribution to Statutory Provident fund.
c) Rs. 4,000 in ULIP
d) Rs. 12,000 as repayment of loan taken for the house
e) Rs. 4,000 in Jeevan Mitra
Calculate the Gross qualifying amount.
2) Fill in the blanks:
a) Interest credited to a Statutory Provident Fund is …………. in the
salary income.
b) A person can deposit Rs. 500 to …………. in year in PPF.
c) Contribution to Jeevan Dhara and Jeevan Akshay are entitled for
deduction u/s………………
Computation of Taxable Salaries
Specimen of computation of taxable salaries of Mr………
For the assessment year……….
Salary @ Rs ……………p.m. …………
Annuity of Pension …………
Bonus, Fees, Commission etc …………
Dearness Allowance or Dearness Pay …………
Taxable salary of Gratuity …………
Taxable part of encashment of earned leave
Allowances
Entertainment allowance …………
Education allowance (Taxable portion) …………
Any other taxable cash allowance …………
House rent allowance (taxable portion) …………
Special allowance (Actual- spent for employment purpose) …………
146
 Salaries-III
Travelling allowance (Actual amount spent for business purpose) …………
Employer’s contribution to RPF in excess of 12% of salary …………
Interest credited to RPF in excess of 9.5% rate …………
Perquisites
Valuation of rent free/concessional rent free accommodation …………
Actual payment of employee’s obligation paid by the employer …………
Life or annuity premium paid by employer …………
Valuation of perquisites, if any, to specific assessee
Director or employee having substantial interest or having
monetary salaries income in excess of Rs 50,000, if the
assessee is not a specific assessee, these perquisites shall
not be valued as these perquisites shall be deemed free or
exempt

Profit in Lieu of salary

Compensation for modification in terms of or termination
of services .…………
Taxable portion in transferred balance of unrecognized PF .…………
Gross Salaries .…………
Less: i. Standard Deduction .…………
ii. Entertainment Allowance .…………
iii. Professional or Employment Tax .…………
Taxable Salaries .…………
You have studied the provisions of Income Tax Act. Let us now take a few
illustrations to clarify the treatment of various contributions for tax purpose.

Illustration 2
Following particulars are furnished by Mr. Murari, a citizen and resident of India.
Compute the taxable income of Mr. Murari for Assessment Year 2021-22
Rs.
a) Basic Salary 86,000
b) House rent allowance (the house is at Kolar and
Rent paid amount to Rs. 60,000) 42,000
c) LIC premium on his own life 5,000
d) Unit linked insurance plan contribution 1,000
e) Premium on his wife’s life 2,500
f) Deposit in 10 years CTD of Post Office 2,000
Computation of Taxable income of Mr. Murari

147
Salaries Solution:
Taxable salary of Mr Murari for AY 2021-22
Rs. Rs.
1) Basic Salary 86,000
2) House rent allowance:
a) Actual HRA received 42,000
b) Rent paid in excess of 51,400
10% of salary Rs. 60,000 – Rs. 8,600
c) 40% of salary 34,400
Taxable HRA (Rs. 42,000 – 34,400) 7,600
Gross Salary 93,600
Less: Standard deduction 50,000
43,600
Deduction u/s 80 C
Premium on own life 5,000
Premium on wife’s life 2,500
Payment under unit linked plan 1,000 8,500
Taxable Income 35,100

Illustration 3
The following particulars are given by Mr. S. Rajan, Chennai, in respect of his
annual income for the year ended 31.03.2021. Calculate taxable salary:
i) Salary (p.a.) Rs. 1,70,000
ii) HRA 20% of salary
iii) Actual house rent paid Rs. 1,200 p.m.
iv) Contribution to recognized provident fund Rs. 20,000
v) LIP on his own life (sum assured Rs. 20,000) Rs. 6,000
vi) Amount deposited in PPP account Rs. 15,000
Solution:
Computation of income tax of Mr. S. Rajan for AY 2020-21
Rs. Rs.
Salary 1,70,000
House rent allowance
i) Actual HRA received 34,000
ii) Rent paid in excess of 10% of salary 2,600
(17,000-14,400)
iii) 50% of salary 85,000
Taxable HRA (34,000 – 2,600) 31,400
Gross salary 2,01,400
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 Salaries-III
Less: Standard Deduction 50,000
Taxable Salary 1,51,400
Less – Deduction u/s 80 C
LIP on his own life 6,000
(Max 20% of sum assured)
Contribution to RPF 20,000
Contribution to PPF 15,000 41,000
Taxable Income 1,10,400
Illustration 4
Mr. Anurag is in a government service. His basic salary is Rs. 50,000 p.m. and
getting dearness allowance @ 63% of the basic salary (it comes under the terms
of employment). He contributes 10% of his salary in notified pension scheme.
The central government contributes the same amount. He contributes Rs. 60,000
to public provident fund and paid Rs. 25,000 as premium on his life policy.
Compute the taxable income of Mr. Anurag for the A.Y. 2021-22
Solution:
Computation of income tax of Mr. Anurag for AY 2021-22
Rs, Rs.
Basic salary @ 50,000 p.m. 6,00,000
Dearness allowance 3,78,000
Contribution towards pension scheme 10% 97,800
on 9,78,000
Gross Salary 10,75,800
Less: Standard deduction 50,000
Net Salary 10,25,800
Less: Deduction u/s 80 C
U/s 80 C for LIP & PPF (Rs. 25,000 + Rs. 60,000) 85,000
U/s 80 CCD (1) contribution on to NPS 47,800
(Being the amount contributed – Deduction 1,32,800
allowed U/s 80 CCD (1B) i.e. 97,800 – 50,000
not exceeding 10% of salary)
1,32,800
(Amount u/s 80 C, 80 CCC and 80 CCD (1) 50,000
is limited to Rs. 1,50,000 hence u/s 80 CCD
(1B) Amount Deposited in NPS [10% of salary
or Rs. 50,000 (whichever is less) i.e. Rs. 97,800
of Rs. 50,000)
U/s 80CCD (2) for employer’s contribution to
NPS upto 10% of salary of Mr. Anurag 97,800 2,80,600
Taxable Income 7,45,200 149
Salaries Illustration 5
Gross total income of Mrs. Neha is Rs. 6,75,000, she deposited in RPF Rs. 50,000.
She paid donation to a Political Party Rs. 10,000 by cheque and Prime Minister
National Relief Fund Rs. 15,000 by cheque. She paid medical insurance premia
on the health of her spouse Rs. 27,000 by cheque. Compute her total taxable
income for assessment year 2021-22.

Solution:
Computation of total taxable income of Mrs Neha for AY 2021-22
Rs. Rs.
Gross total income 6,75,000
Less: Deduction u/s 80 C RPF 50,000
Deduction u/s 80 D
Medical insurance premia
(maximum deduction allowed Rs. 25,000) 25,000
80G Donation to PMNRF 15,000
Deduction u/s 80 GGC :
Donation to political party 10,000
1,00,000
Rs. 6,75,000 – Rs. 1,00,000
Taxable income 5,75,000
Illustration 6
An Indian citizen and not ordinarily resident Mr Rahul is an employee of an
Indian company. He served in India for 4 months during the previous ended 31st
march, 2021. For the balance of 8 months of the year he served in Singapore
branch of the company. The particulars relevant to his assessment of this year
were as under:
a) Salary @ Rs 15,000 per month for 4 months of service in India (April to
July)
b) Salary @ Rs 20,000 per month for 8 months of service in Singapore (August
to March)
c) Contribution to recognized provident fund @ 12% of salary for 4 months
for service in India, the employer contributed at the same rate for the whole
year.
d) Rahul was given free use of car of 1.4 liter cubic capacity, outside India; all
expenses including those of a driver’s salary were met by the employer.
e) Rahul was provided with rent free furnished accommodation throughout
the period. The rent paid by the employer for the house was Rs 4,000 per
month and Rs 4,500 per month in India and at Singapore respectively. The
cost of furniture provided for Rahul’s uses was Rs 15,000 at both places.
Compute Rahul’s salary income for Assessment Year 2021-22.

150
Solution: Salaries-III

Computation of salary income of Mr Rahul for AY 2020-21

Rs. Rs.
Salary for 4 months @ Rs 15,000 p.m 60,000
Employer’s contribution to RPF
(12% of Rs 2,20,000 26,400
Less: 12% of salary of Rs 60,000 7,200 19,200
Value of rent free furnished house in India 9,400
Gross Salary 88,6000
Less: Deduction u/s 16
Standard Deduction 50,000
Income from Salary 38,600
Note:
1) Salary and allowance received in Singapore are not taxable as they have
been earned and received in India, because Mr Rahul is not ordinary resident
in India and he is not a government servant.
2) Salary for employer’s contribution in PF :
4 months’ salary in India (4×Rs 15,000) Rs 60,000
8 month’s salary in Singapore (8×Rs 20,000) Rs 1,60,000
Total Salary for contribution Rs 2,20,000
3) Valuation of house has been done as below:
15% of salary in India or rent paid by the employer in India
Whichever is less (Rs 9,000 or Rs 16,000) Rs 9,000
Add: 10% of cost of furniture (for 4 months)
12,000×10% × 4/12 Rs 400
4) Employer’s contribution in RPF is 12% of salary, but salary of 8 months
accrued and received in Singapore shall not be taxable. Hence, whole amount
of employer’s contribution shall be treated for 4 months.12% of 4 month’s
salary in India shall be exempt. Remaining amount shall be taxable.

7.6 LET US SUM UP

Provident fund is an important fund in which a person contributes some amount
and save income for future profit. Provident fund scheme applies in the most of
the institutions. Under this, employer and employee both contribute some amount
per month. At the time of retirement, the total amount of this fund along with the
interest may be given to the employee.
Provident funds are five types:
i) Statutory Provident fund
ii) Recognized Provident fund
iii) Unrecognized Provident fund
151
Salaries iv) Public Provident fund
v) Approved Superannuation fund.
There are provisions in Income Tax Act, 1961 regarding the provident fund are
related to the following:
i) Contribution of employee
ii) Contribution of employer
iii) Interest on balance
iv) Final payment
In Section 80 C, there are provisions regarding deductions related to saving from
total income. Saving includes Life insurance premium, contribution in provident
fund, contribution in ULIP, deposits in CTD, payment of residential housing
loan, deposits in national banks, total of these savings are gross deductable
amount. The amount of deduction may be calculated from gross deductable taxable
amount for calculating taxable income. This amount is deducted from gross total
income of the assessee.

7.7 KEY WORDS

Provident Fund: Fund created for future financial help to the person.
Statutory Provident Fund: This provident fund is maintained by Government
or Semi-Government offices or bodies local authorities, railways, universities,
colleges, banks, etc.
Recognized Provident Fund: This is recognized by the chief commissioner or
the commissioner of Income tax.
Unrecognized Provident Fund: Provident fund which is maintained by private
sector and not recognized by the chief commissioner or the commissioner of
income tax.
Public Provident Fund: This is a fund which can be maintained by non salaried
persons, any person salaried as well as self-employed can open this fund in S.B.I.
and any nationalized bank.
Gross qualifying amount: Total saving amount which is deductible under Section
80C.

7.8 ANSWER TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Check Your Progress A
1) Rs. 25,000
2) i) not included ii) Rs. 1, 50,000 iii) Sec 80 C

7.9 TERMINAL QUESTIONS/EXERCISES

1) What are the provisions regarding unrecognized provident fund in Income
Tax Act, 1961.
2) Explain the rules for refund of loan taken for the construction of house.
152
3) Sri Suresh retired from Government service. During previous year he Salaries-III
received the following. Rs.
1) Salary from Government 2,00,000
2) D.A. from Government 2,00,000
3) Gratuity 10,00,000
4) Commuted pension 12,00,000
5) Encashment of earned leave 6,00,000
6) Pension 4,32,000
7) Provident fund 4,00,000
He contributed to LIC pension fund u/s 80 CCC Rs. 1,20,000 and deposited Rs.
60,000 in PPF. Compute his total income for the assessment year 2021-22.
[Answer: Rs. 6,32,000]
[Note: The incomes under point No. 3,4,5 and 7 in the above question is tax
free]
4) Mr. Basu lives in Bhopal submit the following information in P.Y. 2020-21.
1) Net salary after deduction on P.F. and deduction of tax Rs.
at source 2,40,000
2) Income tax deducted at source on salary 8,000
3) Employer’s contribution to P.F. 12,000
4) Employee contribution of P.F. 12,000
5) Gross dividend from Indian company 8,000
Compute the taxable income of Mr. Basu for A.Y.2021-22
[Answer: Rs. 1,98,000]
[Note: Dividend from Indian company is exempt]
5) Mr Amit is employed in XYZ Ltd, getting basic pay Rs 15,000 p.m. and
dearness allowance Rs 5,500 p.m. forming part of salary. He has contributed
Rs 3,000 p.m. to the recognized provident fund and employer has also
contributed an equal amount. During the year interest of Rs 25,000 was
credited @ 8.5 % p.a
Employer has provided rent free accommodation to the employee for which
rent paid by the employer is Rs 6,000 p.m. The employee has enchased one
month leave and was allowed leave salary of Rs 17,000. Compute his income
under the head salary for Assessment year 2021-22.
[Answer: Gross salary = Rs 3,13,970]
(Hint: Population of the city of accommodation is above 25 lakhs)

153
6) Mr. Jagdish is an employee of a company furnishes following particulars
for previous year 2020-21
a) Basic salary 1,2000 p.m.
b) Dearness allowance 1,200 p.m.
(Not for retirement benefits)
c) Employee’s contribution to RPF 10% of basic salary
d) Employer’s contribution to RPF 15% of basic salary
e) Interest credited to P.F. on 31-10-2020 11% p.a. Rs. 5,500.
f) Professional tax deducted to his salary Rs. 110
p.a. He has been provided with a rent free
house for which he paid Rs. 1,000 p.m. The
fair rent of the house is Rs. 8,000 p.a. He
received Rs. 20,000 on 01-10-2020 for
encashment of leave. Compute his taxable
salary for A.Y. 2021-22 Assuming the
population of city is 15 lakh.

[Answer: Taxable salary = 1,36,550, Concessional Rent Rs. 4,400]

Note: These questions and illustrations are helpful to understand this unit.
Do efforts for writing the answer of these questions but do not send your
answer to university. It is only for yours practice.