Date:15/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/15/stories/2008091550021500.htm

Business

Right to claim rent deduction u/s 80GG

I own a property, which is let out to a showroom, so that it is treated as commercial property for corporation tax, electricity and metro water. I live in a house for which I pay rent. Am I entitled to get Sec. 80GG benefit for the rent paid by me.

Sec. 80GG is a deduction with which many are not familiar. It is available to all assessees except those in the salary sector, who are getting house rent allowance from the employer, which is exempt under Sec. 10(13A) of the Act. This deduction will be available only if the assessee or his spouse or minor child or joint family of which he is a karta or a member do not own any residential accommodation at the place where he ordinarily resides or is employed or carries on a business or profession. The maximum amount of deduction is Rs. 2,000 a month to the extent of rent paid in excess of 10 per cent of his total income (without considering such relief under Sec. 80GG) and does not exceed 25 per cent of such total income.

S. RAJARATNAM