Under Section 24 of the Income Tax Act (India), homeowners can claim a deduction of up to ₹2 lakh on home loan interest for self-occupied properties. For rented-out properties, the entire interest paid can be claimed. Additionally, a 30% standard deduction on the net annual value is allowed for repairs/maintenance on rented properties.
Section 24 of the Income Tax Act lets homeowners claim a deduction of up to Rs. 2 lakhs (Rs. 1,50,000 if you are filing returns for last financial year) on their home loan interest if the owner or his family reside in the house property. The entire interest is waived off as a deduction when the house is on rent.
Tax Benefits under Section 24
Homeowners can claim a deduction on their home loan interest on self occupied property under Section 24 of the Income Tax Act. The deduction amount is up to Rs. 2 lakhs (or Rs. 1,50,000 for the previous financial year) if the owner or their family occupies the house property.
Incorrect Loan Purpose: Deductions under Section 24 apply only to loans taken for the purchase, construction, repair, renewal, or reconstruction of a property. Interest on personal loans or loans for land purchase without construction does not qualify.
No, mortgage interest isn't always 100% deductible; it's subject to limits and conditions, primarily that the loan must be for buying, building, or improving your main or second home, and you must itemize deductions, with current limits at $750,000 of debt ($375k if married filing separately) for loans after December 15, 2017, while older loans have a $1 million limit, and you can only deduct the interest portion, not principal.
You can deduct home mortgage interest on the first $750,000 ($375,000 if married filing separately) of indebtedness.
Many business expenses are 100% deductible, including advertising, employee wages, rent, supplies, and certain business meals like company parties or meals for the public, while personal deductions like student loan interest or charitable donations (depending on the type) can also be fully deductible for individuals. The key is that the expense must be "ordinary and necessary" for your trade or business or meet specific IRS criteria, often differentiating from the 50% rule for client meals.
Landlords can limit the impact of Section 24 by transferring the ownership of their rental property to a limited company. This means they'd pay corporation tax instead of income tax, so they wouldn't be affected by Section 24.
Under Section 24(b) of the Income Tax Act, you can claim a deduction of up to Rs. 2 lakh per year on the interest paid on your home loan for a self-occupied property. This benefit applies to both the old and new tax regimes. For the new tax regime: The standard deduction for home loan interest is available.
Deductions Under Section 24
The deduction will be granted if the homeowner pays and bears the municipal tax for the entire fiscal year. Standard Deductions: This section sets the standard deduction for income tax purposes at 30% of Net Annual Value. The self-occupied residence is not subject to this deduction, though.
You can deduct these expenses whether you take the standard deduction or itemize:
The Real Impact on Landlords
Section 24 has had several knock-on effects: Reduced profits – net returns are often significantly lower. Cash flow pressure – less money available for reinvestment or maintenance. Exiting the market – some small landlords are selling properties.
To answer the question, yes, you can claim both tax benefits together in the same year and significantly reduce your taxable income. However, you should maintain proper records and submit the relevant documents.
Who Can Claim Deductions Under Section 24? Individuals owning a residential property that generates rental income or is self-occupied are eligible to claim deductions under Section 24. Home loan deduction and HRA benefit, both can be claimed by the tax payer on satisfaction of a few conditions.
Yes, individuals can claim deductions under both Section 24 and Section 80EE of the Income Tax Act, provided they meet the respective criteria. Section 24 allows deductions on interest payments, while Section 80EE offers additional deductions specifically for first-time homebuyers meeting certain conditions.
Common Mistakes While Claiming Section 24B
Filing a claim on loans from unapproved sources can lead to disallowance during assessment and may attract notices from the Income Tax Department. Another common error occurs when reporting interest without the proper certificates from banks or lenders.
Under section 80(c) of the Income Tax Act, tax deduction of a maximum amount of up to Rs 1.5 lakh can be availed per financial year on the principal repayment portion of the EMI. This deduction can only be availed after the construction of the residential house property is complete.
The ownership structure is important. It is possible to own property jointly or in partnership with other family members. This means that income can be shared to minimise tax rates. As a buy-to-let landlord, many expenses incurred while letting your property are allowable for tax purposes.
For 2025, you can generally deduct mortgage interest on up to $750,000 of home acquisition debt ($375,000 if married filing separately), but a higher limit of $1 million ($500,000 MFS) applies to mortgages taken out before December 16, 2017, and you must itemize deductions to claim it. Interest on home equity loans is only deductible if the funds were used to buy, build, or substantially improve your home.
How to Calculate Section 24 Tax: Worked Examples. Essentially, under the Section 24 rules, landlords will need to pay income tax on almost all of their earnings from the property and then claim back a 20% of that interest as a tax relief.
100% Deductible Expenses: Includes holiday parties, open house meals, and certain business-critical meals. 50% Deductible Expenses: Includes client meals, business travel meals, and food for in-office meetings. Non-Deductible Expenses: Includes entertainment (e.g., sporting events) and club memberships.