Section 10 of Income Tax Act

What is Section 10 of Income Tax Act?

Section 10 of Income Tax Act, 1961 includes such income that does not form part of the total income while calculating the total tax liability of any person. These incomes are also known as exempted income. 

In this article, we have covered each exempted income in detail along with the special provisions of exemption for salaried employees under section 10 of Income Tax Act.

Section 10(1) – Exemption of agricultural income

The agricultural income is exempt from tax under section 10(1). Here, agricultural land must be situated in India. The income could be in the form of the following:

1. Rent or revenue got from agricultural land situated in India
2. Basic operations from the agricultural land such as cultivation, tilling, and sowing
3. Subsequent operations for the growth and preservation of the product such as weeding, cutting, pruning, etc
4. Sale of agricultural produce 
5. Income derived from farm building required for agricultural operations

Learn: Section 80EEB

Section 10(2) – Exemption of Income Received from a HUF

Section 10(2) provides for exemption of income received by a taxpayer in his/ her capacity as a member of the HUF. Hence, any income received by an individual as a member of the HUF is exempt from tax. Here, 

1. the income received by the individual must be paid out of the income of the family.
2. in the case of an impartible estate, the income must be paid out of the income of the estate belonging to the family.

For example- Mr. Arun is part of the Sharma HUF. Now he earns an income of Rs 500,000 from the HUF and Rs 10,000 as interest income. Here, the interest income is his personal income. The income of Rs 500,000 is not taxable while the interest income of Rs 10,000 is taxable.

Section 10(2A) – Exemption of Income Received from a Partnership Firm

The income received from a partnership firm is exempt from tax under section 10 (2A). Here, the partnership firm must be taxed as a partnership firm under the Income Tax Act, 1961. The share of profit or income the taxpayer receives must be of the same proportion as mentioned in the partnership deed. 

For example- The total profit for FY 2019-20 of the partnership firm is Rs 10,00,000. As per the partnership deed, Mr. Arun’s proportion of the share of profit is 40%. Further, he can earn income from the firm amounting to Rs 4,00,000 which is 40% of Rs 10 lakh. This amount of income of Rs 4 lakh is exempt from tax. 

However, in case Mr. Arun receives 50% of the profit then he is not eligible for exemption. Since this 50% is not in accordance with the partnership deed.

Section 10(4) – Exemption of Income Received by a Non-Resident of India

• From bonds or securities that the Central Government specified for exemption are not taxable under section 10(4).

1. The income by way of interest on bonds and securities
2. Income by way of premium on redemption of bonds 

• From interest on credit in a Non-Resident (External) Account.

• Any interest income earned by a resident outside India from the credit in a Non-Resident (External) Account is exempt from tax.

Section 10(5) Leave Travel Concession

In the case of an individual taxpayer, the leave travel concession he/ she receives is exempt from tax under section 10(5). The travel concession or assistance must be received from the following:

1. The existing employer for travel of the individual and his/ her family in the financial year.
2. Existing or previous employer in connection with his/ her upcoming travel. This upcoming travel is after retirement from service or after the termination of his service.

Here, the amount of exemption cannot exceed the actual amount the individual spends on travel.

For the purpose of this section family includes the following:

1. the spouse and children of the individual
2. the parents, brothers, and sisters of the individual or any of them. Additionally, they are wholly or mainly dependent on the individual.

Section 10(6) – Remuneration received by an individual representing India in a Foreign Country

When an individual who is not a citizen receives remuneration for representing India in a foreign country, the income is exempt. The individual is an official of any of the following:

1. an embassy, high commission, legation, commission
2. consulate or the trade representation of a foreign State
3. Acting as a member of the staff of any of these officials

Section 10(7) – Allowance or perquisite paid by the Government

An allowance or perquisite paid by the Government to a citizen of India for rendering service outside India is exempt from tax.

Section 10(10BC) – Remuneration against a disaster

The amount an individual receives by way of compensation on account of any disaster is exempt. The following authority can pay the amount:

1. the Central Government 
2. a State Government
3. a local authority 

Section 10 (10C) – Voluntary Retirement Scheme

The amount an individual receives on his voluntary retirement or termination of his service under voluntary retirement scheme is exempt. Here, the individual must be an employee of any of the following:

1. a public sector company,
2. any other company.
3. an authority established under a Central, State or Provincial Act.
4. a local authority.
5. a co-operative society.
6. a University established under a Central, State or Provincial Act. An institution declared to be a University under section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956).
7. an Indian Institute of Technology within the meaning of clause (g) of section 3 of the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 (59 of 1961).
8. the Central Government or any State Government.
9. an institution, having importance throughout India or in any State or States, as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.
10. such institute of management as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.

Section 10(CC) – Tax on Perquisites

An individual can receive income in the nature of a perquisite not by way of monetary payment. This perquisite income is taxable in the hands on the employee as a part of the salary. But the employer may choose to pay the tax on the behalf of the employee. In such a case the tax is exempt in the hands on the employee. 

Section 10(10D) – Exemption on LIC Maturity

• Life Insurance Policy

• Any amount received under a life insurance policy on maturity including bonus is exempt from tax u/s 10(D). However, the following conditions must be satisfied:

1. Policies issued before 1 April 2012–  premium paid on the policy does not exceed 20% of sum assured
2. Policies issued after 1 April 2012–  premium paid on the policy does not exceed 10% of sum assured

• Life Insurance Policy for a person with disability or disease specified under Section 80U and 80DDB.

• Any amount received under a life insurance policy on maturity including bonus is exempt from tax u/s 10(D). However the following conditions must be satisfied:

1. Premium paid does not exceed 15% of the sum assured.

Section 10(11) – Provident Fund and Sukanya Samriddhi Account

• Providend Fund

• Any amount received out of the contribution or interest from a provident fund account on retirement or termination of service. However, the account must be one of the following:

1. provident fund to which the Provident Funds Act, 1925 (19 of 1925) apply.
2. any other provident fund set up by the Central Government and notified in the Official Gazette.

• Sukanya Samriddhi Account

• Any payment made from a sukanya samriddhi account is exempt from tax under section 10(11) of the Income Tax Act, 1961

explore our article on Section 80GGC

Section 10(13A) House Rent allowance

This section covers the popular allowance i.e. house rent allowance HRA. The employer specifically provides an allowance to its employees to cover the rent paid for residential purpose. 

The component of salary an employee receives towards rent and accommodation is exempt from tax under section 10(13A). However, the following limitations apply:

1. Actual HRA received by the employee
2. 40 % of salary for non metro city or 50 % of salary if the rented property is in Metro city. Metro cities includes mumbai, delhi, bengaluru , chennai, etc
3. Actual rent paid less than 10% of salary.

Here, salary includes basic, dearness allowance and fixed percentage of commission.

Recommended Read: Form 13 in Income Tax

Special Allowances under section 10 of Income Tax Act, 1961 for salaried employees

Section 10(14) (i)

An employer can provide special allowance to its employees to meet a few expenses. These expenses must be incurred in the course of performing the duties of his employment. These allowances or benefits are not a part of the perquisites. For the allowances covered under this section, there is no limit on the amount an employer can extend to the employee. Moreover, these allowances must be utilized solely for the purpose for which they are provided.

For the purpose of section 10(14) (i), the allowances are prescribed in Rule 2BB:

Allowance	Description
Daily Allowance	To meet the daily expenses due to the employer’sabsence in the regular place of duty. This allowance can also be extended within the period of the journey during transfer.
Helper Allowance	To meet the expense of hiring a helper to perform office duties.
Uniform Allowance	To meet the expense of purchasing or maintaining the uniform. The uniform must be worn while performing the office duties.
Travelling Allowance	To meet the expense of traveling or touring while performing office duties. The sum includes the fair of the transfer and the expense of picking and dropping of personal belongings during transfer.
Conveyance AllowanceTo meet the expense of conveyance while performing the duties of officeResearch AllowanceMany educational and research institutions provide this allowance to encourage the academic, research and training pursuits among their employees.

Section 10(14) (ii)

These allowances are provided to meet expenses incurred during the performance of the duties at the usual place of work. For the allowances covered under this section, there is no limit on the amount an employer can extend to the employee. 

These allowances are taxable in the hands of the employees if they receive it above the prescribed limit. The taxability is irrespective of the actual expenses incurred. For the purpose of section 10 (14) (ii), the allowances are prescribed in Rule 2BB.

The following are the allowances along with the prescribed limits:

Allowance	Limit
Children Education Allowance	Rs 100 each month for one childAllowance is available up to two children
Tribal Area Allowance	Rs 200 per monthAreas covered Tribal areas, Schedule areas, Agency areas
Compensatory Field Area Allowance	Rs 2,600 per monthThe employee can claim either Compensatory Field Area Allowance or Border Area Allowance
Border Area Allowance	Ranges from Rs 200 to Rs 1,300 per month. Border area allowance, remote locality or disturbed area or difficult area. Allowance allowed to army personnel only
Special Compensatory Allowance	Specifically for employees working in hilly areas, high altitude allowance, uncongenial climate allowance, snowbound area allowance, or avalanche. Allowance ranges from ₹ 300 to ₹ 7,000 per month. It depends on certain conditions.
Counter Insurgency Allowance	Members of the armed forces who are living away from their permanent residence receive this allowance. Limit is Rs 3,900 per month. An individual can claim either this allowance or border area allowance.
High Active Field Area Allowance	Members of the armed forces receive this allowance subject to a few conditions. Limit is Rs 4,200 per month.
Island Duty Allowance	Members of Armed Forces in the area of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Group of Islands. Limit is Rs 3,200 per month.

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