[FAQs] Income Tax Returns (ITR) | Deductions & Rebates

To file Form 10E online, follow these steps:

Step 1 – Log in to www.incometax.gov.in.

Step 2 – After logging in, go to the tab e-File > Income Tax Forms > File Income Tax Forms. On the landing page, select the appropriate options.

Even if your employer did not consider exemptions for House Rent Allowance under Section 10(13A) and deductions under Chapter VI-A in Form 16, you can claim them in your income tax return. This will allow you to claim a refund for any excess tax deducted by your employer.

Section 80GG does not allow a deduction for individuals with any income under Section 10(13A) (House Rent Allowance). Since your salary includes an HRA component, you cannot claim a deduction under Section 80GG.

To claim a deduction under Section 80G, you must provide the details of your donations in ‘Schedule 80G’ on the applicable ITR form. This schedule includes four tables: Tables A, B, C, and D, each corresponding to a different category of NGO/charitable institution. Ensure you enter the donation information in the correct table.

You must provide the following details of your donations to charitable institutions or specified funds:

• Name and address of the donee
• PAN of the donee
• Total donation amount, with a breakdown of the amount paid in cash and other modes
• Eligible donation amount, which is the portion eligible for deduction

From Assessment Year 2023-24 onwards, a new column in Table D requires the disclosure of the ARN (Donation Reference Number) for donations to entities eligible for a 50% deduction, subject to the qualifying limit. This ARN should be obtained from the donation certificate issued in Form 10BE by the donee institution and mentioned in your ITR.

In addition to entering the information in ‘Schedule 80G’, you must also mention the total deduction claimed under Section 80G in Schedule VI-A if you are filing an ITR-2 or ITR-3.

Section 80GGC allows deductions for contributions to political parties or electoral trusts. The new ITR forms for Assessment Year 2024-25 include a new Schedule 80GGC, which requires the following details:

• Date of contribution
• Contribution amount, with a breakdown of contributions made in cash and other modes
• Eligible contribution amount
• Transaction reference number for UPI transfer or cheque number/IMPS/NEFT/RTGS
• IFSC code of the bank

The Supreme Court, in the case of Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India [2024] 159 taxmann.com 383 (SC), declared the Electoral Bond Scheme unconstitutional as it violates the Right to Information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The court has directed the State Bank of India (SBI) to stop issuing electoral bonds and submit bond details to the Election Commission of India.

Under the Income Tax Act, contributions (excluding cash) to any registered political party or electoral trust, including through electoral bonds, are eligible for deductions under Sections 80GGB and 80GGC. These sections remain valid, and the Supreme Court did not address the validity of Sections 80GGB/80GGC or the eligibility for deductions for amounts spent on electoral bonds. Therefore, you can claim a deduction for the amount spent on purchasing electoral bonds during the Financial Year 2023-24.

If the annual rent paid exceeds Rs. 100,000 per annum, it is mandatory to report the landlord’s PAN to the employer. If the landlord does not have a PAN, the employee should provide a declaration from the landlord stating this, including the landlord’s name and address.