TAX-FREE INCOMES

Agricultural Income [Section 10(1)]

As per section 10(1), agricultural income earned by the taxpayer in India is exempt from tax.
Agricultural income is defined under section 2(1A) of the Income-tax Act. As per section 2(1A),
agricultural income generally means:
(a) Any rent or revenue derived from land which is situated in India and is used for
agricultural purposes.
(b) Any income derived from such land by agriculture operations including processing of
agricultural produce so as to render it fit for the market or sale of such produce.
(c) Any income attributable to a farm house subject to satisfaction of certain conditions
specified in this regard in section 2(1A).
Any income derived from saplings or seedlings grown in a nursery shall be deemed to be
agricultural income.
Amount received by a member of the HUF from the income of the HUF, or in case of
impartible estate out of income of family estate [Section 10(2)]
As per section 10(2), amount received out of family income, or in case of impartible estate,
amount received out of income of family estate by any member of such HUF is exempt from tax.
Share of profit received by a partner from the firm [Section 10(2A)]
As per section 10(2A), share of profit received by a partner from a firm is exempt from tax in the
hands of the partner. Further, share of profit received by a partner of LLP from the LLP will be
exempt from tax in the hands of such partner. This exemption is limited only to share of profit
and does not apply to interest on capital and remuneration received by the partner from the
firm/LLP.
Certain interest to non-residents [Section 10(4)]
As per section 10(4)(i), in the case of a non-resident any income by way of interest on certain
notified securities or bonds (including income by way of premium on the redemption of such
bonds) is exempt from tax.
As per section 10(4)(ii), in the case of an individual, any income by way of interest on money
standing to his credit in a Non-Resident (External) Account in any bank in India in accordance
with the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, and the rules made thereunder is exempt
from tax.
Exemption under section 10(4)(ii) is available only if such individual is a person resident outside
India as defined in clause (w) of section 2 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 or is
a person who has been permitted by the Reserve Bank of India to maintain the aforesaid
Account.
Interest on notified savings certificates [Section 10(4B)]
As per section 10(4B), in the case of an individual, being a citizen of India or a person of Indian
origin, who is a non-resident, any income by way of interest on notified savings certificates
(subscribed in convertible foreign exchange) issued before the 1st day of June, 2002 by the
Central Government is exempt from tax.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Interest on Rupee Denominated bonds [(Section 10(4C)]
Any interest received or receivable by a non-resident or foreign company in respect of Rupee
Denominated Bond (as referred to in Section 194LC) issued outside India during the period 17-
09-2018 to 31-03-2019 by an Indian company/business trust shall be exempt from tax.
Income from transfer of GDRs, Rupee Denominated Bonds or Derivatives by Category-III
AIFs [(Section 10(4D)]
Capital gain arising on transfer of a capital asset, being bonds, GDRs, rupee denominated bonds
or derivatives, as referred to in Section 47(viiab) by Category-III Alternative Investment Fund
(AIF) shall be exempt from income-tax to the extent such gains arise in respect of units in the
AIF held by a non-resident . The exemption is allowed subject to following conditions:-
a) The AIF should be approved by SEBI and located in any IFSC.
b) All the units of such AIF should be held by non-residents except sponsor or manager.
c) The transaction should be carried out on a recognised stock exchange located in any
International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
d) The consideration for such transfer should be paid or payable in convertible foreign
exchange.
Leave travel concession [Section 10(5)]
An employee can claim exemption under section 10(5) in respect of Leave Travel Concession.
Exemption under section 10(5) is available to all employees (i.e. Indian as well as foreign
citizens).
Exemption is available in respect of value of any travel concession or assistance received or due
to the employee from his employer (including former employer) for himself and his family
members in connection with his proceeding on leave to any place in India. Other provisions to be
kept in mind in this regard are as follows:
Where journey is performed by air: Amount of exemption will be lower of amount of
economy class air fare of the National Carrier by the shortest route or actual amount spent.
Where journey is performed by rail: Amount of exemption will be lower of amount of air-
conditioned first class rail fare by the shortest route or actual amount spent. The same rule will
apply where journey is performed by any other mode and the place of origin of journey and
destination are connected by rail.
Where the place of origin and destination are not connected by rail and journey is
performed by any mode of transport other than by air:
The exemption will be as follows:
(a) If recognised public transport exists: Exemption will be lower of first class or deluxe
class fare by the shortest route or actual amount spent.
(b) If no recognised public transport exists: Exemption will be lower of amount of air-
conditioned first class rail fare by the shortest route (considering as if journey is
performed by rail) or actual amount spent.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Block: Exemption is available for 2 journeys in a block of 4 years. The block applicable for
current period is calendar year 2014-17. The previous block was of calendar year 2010-2013.
Carry over: If an employee has not availed of travel concession or assistance in respect of one
or two permitted journeys in a particular block of 4 years, then he is entitled to carry over one
journey to the next block. In this situation, exemption will be available for 3 journeys in the next
block. However, to avail of this benefit, exemption in respect of journey should be utilised in the
first calendar year of the next block. In other words, in case of carry over, exemption is available
in respect of 3 journeys in a block, provided exemption in respect of at least 1 journey is claimed
in the first year of the next block.
Exemption is in respect of actual expenditure on fare, hence, if no journey is performed, then no
exemption is available.
Family: Family will include spouse and children of the individual, whether dependent or not and
parents, brothers, sisters of the individual or any of them who are wholly or mainly dependent on
him.
Exemption is restricted to only 2 surviving children born after October 1, 1998 (multiple births
after first single child will be considered as one child only), however, such restriction is not
applicable to children born before October 1, 1998.
Remuneration received by specified diplomats and their staff [Section 10(6)(ii)]
As per section 10(6)(ii), in case of an individual who is not a citizen of India, remuneration
received by him as an official (by whatever name called) of an embassy, high Commission,
legation, Commission, consulate or trade representative of a foreign State, or member of the staff
of any of that official is exempt from tax, if corresponding Indian official in that foreign country
enjoys a similar exemption.
Salary of a foreign employee and non-resident member of crew [Section 10(6)(vi), (viii)]
As per section 10(6)(vi), the remuneration received by a foreign national as an employee of a
foreign enterprise for services rendered by him during his stay in India is exempt from tax,
provided the following conditions are fulfilled—
(a) the foreign enterprise is not engaged in any trade or business in India ;
(b) his stay in India does not exceed in the aggregate a period of 90 days in such year ; and
(c) such remuneration is not liable to be deducted from the income of the employer.
As per section 10(6)(viii), any salaries received by or due to a non-resident foreign national for
services rendered in connection with his employment on a foreign ship where his total stay in
India does not exceed in the aggregate a period of 90 days in the year is exempt from tax.
Remuneration of a foreign trainee [Section 10(6)(xi)]
As per section 10(6)(xi), the remuneration received by a foreign trainee as an employee of
foreign Government during his stay in India in connection with his training in any establishment
or office of, or in any undertaking owned by,—
i. the Government ; or
ii. any company owned by the Central Government, or any State Government

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

 iii. any company which is a subsidiary of a company referred to in item (ii) ; or
iv. any corporation established by or under a Central, State or Provincial Act ; or
v. any co-operative society wholly financed by the Central Government, or any State
Government
Tax paid on behalf of foreign company deriving income by way of royalty or fees for technical
services [Section 10(6A)]
Tax paid by Central Government, State Government or an Indian concern on behalf of a foreign
company deriving income by way of royalty or fees for technical services in pursuance of an
agreement made after March 31, 1976 but before June 1, 2002 will be exempt from tax in the
hands of such foreign company provided such agreement is in accordance with the industrial
policy of the Indian Government or it is approved by the Central Government.
Tax paid on behalf of foreign company or non-resident in respect of other income [Section
10(6B)]
Tax paid by Central Government, State Government or an Indian concern on behalf of a foreign
company or non-resident in respect of any income (not being salary, royalty or fees for technical
services) will be exempt from tax in the hands of such foreign company or non-resident if such
income is received in pursuance of an agreement entered into before June 1, 2002 by the Central
Government with the Government of a foreign State or international organisation or any other
related agreement approved by the Central Government.
Tax paid on behalf of foreign Government or foreign enterprise deriving income by way of
lease of aircraft or aircraft engine [Section 10(6BB)]
Tax paid by an Indian company, engaged in the business of operation of aircraft, on behalf of
foreign Government or foreign enterprise deriving income by way of lease of aircraft or aircraft
engine will be exempt from tax in the hands of such foreign Government or foreign enterprise if
such lease rental is received under an agreement which is approved by Central Government and
entered during the period between 31-3-1997 to 1-4-1999, or after 31-3-2007.
Technical fees received by a notified foreign company [Section 10(6C)]
Section 10(6C) grants exemption from tax in respect of income arising to notified foreign
company by way of royalty or fees for technical services received in pursuance of an agreement
entered into with that Government for providing services in or outside India in projects
connected with security of India.
Royalty/Fees received by non-resident from National Technical Research Organisation
[Section 10(6D)]
As per section 10(6D), income arising to non-resident by way of royalty or fees for technical
services from services rendered to National Technical Research Organization (‘NTRO’) will be
exempt from tax in India.
Allowance/perquisites to Government employee outside India [Section 10(7)]
As per section 10(7), any allowances or perquisites paid or allowed as such outside India by the
Government to a citizen of India for rendering service outside India is exempt from tax.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Income of foreign Government employee under co-operative technical assistance programme
[Section 10(8)]
As per section 10(8), remuneration received directly or indirectly by an individual, from the
foreign Government in connection with a co-operative technical assistance programme and
projects in accordance with an agreement entered into by the Central Government and such
foreign Government, is exempt from tax. Further, exemption is available in respect of any other
income of such an individual which accrues or arises outside India and is not deemed to accrue
or arise in India, provided such individual is required to pay income-tax/ social security tax to the
foreign Government.
Remuneration or fees received by a non-resident consultant/its foreign employees [Section
10(8A), (8B)]
Under section 10(8A), (a) remuneration or fees received by a consultant* directly or indirectly
out of the funds made available to an international organisation, under a technical assistance
agreement between such organisation and the Government of a foreign State and (b) any other
income which accrues or arises to him outside India and is not deemed to accrue or arise in India,
in respect of which such consultant is required to pay income-tax/social security tax to the
foreign Government of the country of his origin, is exempt from tax.
*Consultant means any individual who is either not a citizen of India, or being a citizen of India,
is not ordinarily resident in India or any other person who is a non-resident and is engaged by the
international organization for rendering technical services in India in accordance with an
agreement entered into by the Central Government and the said international organization and
the agreement relating to engagement of consultant is approved by the prescribed authority.
Section 10(8B) grants similar exemption to the employee of the above discussed consultant, if
such employee is either not a citizen of India or being a citizen of India, is not ordinarily resident
in India and the contract of his service is approved by prescribed authority before the
commencement of his service.
Income of a family member of an employee serving under co-operative technical assistance
programme [Section 10(9)]
As per section 10(9), the income of any member of the family of any such individual as is
referred to in section 10(8)/(8A)/(8B) accompanying him to India, which accrues or arises
outside India and is not deemed to accrue or arise in India, in respect of which such member is
required to pay any income or social security tax to the Government of that foreign State or
country of origin of such member, as the case may be, is exempt from tax.
Death-cum-retirement gratuity received by Government servants [Section 10(10)(i)]
Section 10(10)(i) grants exemption to gratuity received by Government employee (i.e., Central
Government or State Government or local authority).
Gratuity received by a non-Government employee covered by Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
[Section 10(10)(ii)]
As per section 10(10)(ii), exemption in respect of gratuity in case of employees covered by the
Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 will be lower of following :
 15 days’ salary × years of service.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

  Maximum amount specified, i.e., Rs. 20,00,000*.
 Gratuity actually received.
* Limit increased from Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs vide Notification No. 1420(E), dated 29-3-
2018.
Note:
1) Instead of 15 days’ salary, only 7 days salary will be taken into consideration in case of
employees of seasonal establishment.
2) 15 days’ salary = Salary last drawn × 15/26
3) Salary for this purpose will include basic salary and dearness allowance only. Items other
than basic salary and dearness allowance are not to be considered.
4) In case of piece rated employee, 15 days’ salary will be computed on the basis of average
of total wages (excluding overtime wages) received for a period of three months
immediately preceding the termination of his service.
5) Part of the year, in excess of 6 months, shall be taken as one full year.
Gratuity received by a non-Government employee not covered by Payment of Gratuity Act,
1972 [Section 10(10)(iii)]
As per section 10(10)(iii), exemption in respect of gratuity in case of employees not covered by
the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 will be lower of following :
 Half month’s salary for each completed year of service, i.e.,
[Average monthly salary × ½] × Completed years of service. .
 Rs. 10,00,000.
 Gratuity actually received.
Note:
1) Average monthly salary is to be computed on the basis of average of salary for 10 months
immediately preceding the month of retirement.
2) Salary for this purpose will include basic salary, dearness allowance, if the terms of
service so provide and commission based on fixed percentage of turnover achieved by the
employee.
3) While computing years of service, any fraction of a year is to be ignored.
Pension [Section 10(10A)]:
As per section 10(10A), any commuted pension, i.e., accumulated pension in lieu of monthly
pension received by a Government employee is fully exempt from tax. Exemption is available
only in respect of commuted pension and not in respect of un-commuted, i.e., monthly pension.
Exemption in respect of commuted pension in case of a non-Government employee will be as
follows:
 If the employee receives gratuity, one third of full value of commuted pension will be
exempt from tax under section 10(10A).

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

  If the employee does not receive gratuity, one half of full value of commuted pension will
be exempt from tax under section 10(10A).
Leave salary [Section 10(10AA)]
As per section 10(10AA), leave encashment by a Government employee at the time of retirement
(whether on superannuation or otherwise) is exempt from tax. In the hands of non-Government
employee exemption will be least of the following:
1. Period of earned leave standing to the credit in the employee’s account at the time of
retirement (*) × Average monthly salary ($).
2. Average monthly salary ($) × 10 (i.e., 10 months’ average salary).
3. Maximum amount as specified by the Government, i.e., Rs. 3,00,000.
4. Leave encashment actually received at the time of retirement.
(*)Leave credit to the account of the employee at the time of retirement should be restricted to 30
days per year of service if leave entitlement as per service rules exceeds 30 days per year of
actual service.
($) Salary for the above purpose means average salary drawn in the past ten months immediately
preceding the retirement (i.e., preceding the day of retirement) and will include basic salary,
dearness allowance (if considered for computing all the retirement benefits) and commission
based on fixed percentage of turnover achieved by the employee.
Apart from the above items, salary for this purpose does not include any other allowances or
perquisites.
Retrenchment compensation [Section 10(10B)]
As per section 10(10B), compensation received at the time of retrenchment is exempt from tax to
the extent of lower of the following:
(a) An amount calculated in accordance with the provisions of section 25F(b) of the
Industrial Dispute Act, 1947; or
(b) Maximum amount specified by the Central Government (Rs. 5,00,000);
(c) Actual amount received.
Under the Industrial Dispute Act, a workman is entitled to retrenchment compensation, equal to
15 days’ average pay for each completed year of continuous service or any part in excess of six
months.
Compensation in excess of aforesaid limits is taxable as salary. However, the aforesaid limit is
not applicable in cases where compensation is paid under any scheme approved by the Central
Government.
Compensation for Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster [Section 10(10BB)]
Compensation [in accordance with Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985]
received by victims of Bhopal gas leak disaster is exempt from tax. However, compensation
received for any expenditure which is allowed as deduction from taxable income is not exempt.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Compensation on account of any disaster [Section 10(10BC)]
Any amount received from the Central Government or State Government or a Local Authority by
an individual or his legal heirs as compensation on account of any disaster is exempt from tax.
However, no deduction is available in respect of the amount received or receivable to the extent
such individual or his legal heirs has been allowed a deduction under the Act on account of loss
or damage caused due to such disaster. Disaster here means any disaster due to any natural or
man-made causes or by accident/negligence which results in substantial loss of human life or
damage to property or environment and the magnitude of such disaster is beyond coping capacity
of community of the affected area.
Payment at the time of voluntary retirement [Section 10(10C)]
As per section 10(10C), any compensation received at the time of voluntary retirement or
termination of service is exempt from tax, if the following conditions are satisfied:
 Compensation is received at the time of voluntary retirement or termination (or in the
case of an employee of public sector Company, at the time of voluntary separation).
 Compensation is received by an employee of following undertakings-
a) public sector company ; or
b) any other company ; or
c) an authority established under a Central, State or Provincial Act ; or
d) a local authority ; or
e) a co-operative society ; or
f) a University established or incorporated by or under a Central, State or Provincial Act
and an institution declared to be a University under section 3 of the University Grants
Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956) ; or
g) an Indian Institute of Technology within the meaning of clause (g) of section 3 of the
Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 (59 of 1961) ; or
h) any State Government; or
i) the Central Government; or
j) Notified institutes having importance throughout India or in any State or States,
k) Notified institute of management
 Compensation is received in accordance with the scheme of voluntary
retirement/separation, which is framed in accordance with guidelines prescribed under
Rule 2BA of Income-tax Rules, 1962*.
 Maximum amount of exemption is Rs. 5,00,000.
 Where exemption is allowed to an employee under section 10(10C) for any assessment
year, no exemption under this section shall be allowed to him for any other assessment
year.
 With effect from assessment year 2010-11, section 10(10C) has been amended to provide
that where any relief has been allowed to an assessee under section 89 for any assessment

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

 year in respect of any amount received or receivable on his voluntary retirement or
termination of service or voluntary separation, no exemption under section 10(10C) shall
be allowed to him in relation to such or any other assessment year.
*Guidelines prescribed under Rule 2BA of Income-tax Rules. 1962
Voluntary retirement scheme should be framed in accordance with the following guidelines:
i. it should apply to an employee who has completed 10 years of service or completed 40 years
of age. This requirement would not be in case of amount received by an employee of a public
sector company under the scheme of voluntary separation framed by such public sector
company.
ii. it should apply to all employees (by whatever name called) including workers and executives
of a company or of an authority or of a co-operative society, as the case may be, excepting
directors of a company or of a co-operative society;]
iii. the scheme of voluntary retirement or voluntary separation should be drawn to result in
overall reduction in the existing strength of the employees;
iv. the vacancy caused by the voluntary retirement or voluntary separation is not to be filled up;
v. the retiring employee of a company shall not be employed in another company or concern
belonging to the same management
vi. the amount receivable on account of voluntary retirement or voluntary separation of the
employee does not exceed the amount equivalent to
- 3 months salary* for each completed year of service or
- salary at the time of retirement multiplied by the balance months of service left before the
date of his retirement
*Salary for this purpose will include basic salary, dearness allowance, if the terms of service so
provide and commission based on fixed percentage of turnover achieved by the employee.
Tax on perquisites paid by the employer [Section 10(10CC)]
Perquisites to employees mean any facility provided by the employer to the employees. There
are two types of perquisites, viz., monetary and non-monetary. Value of perquisite is charged to
tax in the hands of the employees, however, the employer may at his will pay tax (on behalf of
employees) on such perquisites. In such a case, the amount of tax paid on such perquisites by the
employer on behalf of the employees will be treated as income of the employees and is charged
to tax in his (i.e., in employee’s) hands. However, by virtue of section 10(10CC) tax paid by
employer (on behalf of employee) on non-monetary perquisites will be exempt from tax in the
hands of employees.
Such tax paid by the employer shall not be allowed as a deductible expenditure in the hands of
employer under section 40. Section 10(10CC) provides exemption only in respect of tax on non-
monetary perquisites. In other words, this section does not provide exemption in respect of
perquisites or tax paid on monetary perquisites.
Amount paid on life insurance policy [Section 10(10D)]
As per section 10(10D), any amount received under a life insurance policy, including bonus is
exempt from tax. Following points should be noted in this regard:

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

  Exemption is available only in respect of amount received from life insurance policy.
 Exemption under section 10(10D) is unconditionally available in respect of sum received
for a policy which is issued on or before March 31, 2003. However, in respect of policies
issued on or after April 1st, 2003, the exemption is available only if the amount of
premium paid on such policy in any financial year does not exceed 20% (10% in respect
of policy taken on or after 1st April, 2012) of the actual capital sum assured. With effect
from 1-4-2013, in respect of policy taken in the name of a person suffering from diseases
specified under section 80DDB or in the name of a person suffering from disability
specified under section 80U, the limit will be increased to 15% of capital sum assured.
 Value of premium agreed to be returned or of any benefit by way of bonus (or otherwise),
over and above the sum actually assured, which is received under the policy by any
person, shall not be taken into account while calculating the actual capital sum assured.
 Amount received on death of the person will continue to be exempt without any
condition.
Note: No exemption would be available in case of any sum received under section 80DD(3) or
under Keyman insurance policy.
Exemption in respect of amount received from public provident fund/statutory provident fund/
recognised provident fund/ un-recognised provident fund [Section 10(11)/(12)]
The tax treatment of various items in case of different provident funds is as follows:
Statutory Provident Fund
Employer’s Contribution Employer’s contribution to such fund is not treated as
income of the employee.
Interest Interest credited to such fund is exempt in the hands
of the employee.
Amount received at the time of Lump sum amount received from such fund, at the
termination time of termination of service is exempt in the hands
of employees.

Recognised Provident Fund

Employer’s Contribution Employer’s contribution to such fund, up to 12% of
salary is not treated as income of the employee (see
Note 1).
Interest Interest credited to such fund up to 9.5% per annum
is exempt in the hands of the employee, interest in
excess of 9.5% is charged to tax in the hands of the
employee.
Amount received at the time of If certain conditions are satisfied, then lump sum
termination amount received from such fund, at the time of
termination of service, is exempt in the hands of

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

 employees. (see Note 2)

Un-recognised Provident Fund

Employer’s Contribution Employer’s contribution to such fund is not treated as
income of the employee.
Interest Interest credited to such fund is exempt in the hands
of the employees.
Amount received at the time of (See note 3)
termination

Public Provident Fund

Employer’s Contribution Employers do not contribute to such fund.
Interest Interest credited to such fund is exempt.
Amount received at the time of Lump sum amount received from such fund at the
termination time of termination of service is exempt from tax.

Notes:
1. Salary for this purpose will include basic salary, dearness allowance, if the terms of service so
provide and commission based on fixed percentage of turnover achieved by the employee.
2. Accumulated balance paid from a recognised provident fund will be exempt from tax in
following cases:
(a) If the employee has rendered a continuous service of 5 years or more. If the accumulated
balance includes amount transferred from other recognised provident fund maintained by
previous employer, then the period for which the employee rendered service to such
previous employer shall also be included in computing the aforesaid period of 5 years.
(b) If the service of employee is terminated before the period of 5 years, due to his ill health
or discontinuation of business of the employer or other reason beyond his control.
(c) If on retirement, the employee takes employment with any other employer and the
balance due and payable to him is transferred to his individual account in any recognised
fund maintained by such other employer, then the amount so transferred will not be
charged to tax.
Except above situations, payment from a recognised provident fund will be charged to tax
considering such fund as un-recognised from the beginning (See note 3 given below for tax
treatment of un-recognised provident fund).
3. Treatment of payment (at the time of termination) from un-recognised provident fund:
Payment on termination will include 4 things, viz., employee's contribution and interest thereto
and employer’s contribution and interest thereto, the tax treatment of such payment is as follows:

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

  Employee's contribution is not chargeable to tax; interest on employee contribution is
taxed under the head “Income from other sources”.
 Employer's contribution and interest thereon are taxed as salary income, however, an
employee can claim relief under section 89 in respect of such payment.
Payment from account opened in accordance with the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Rules,
2014 [Section 10(11A)]
As per section 10(11A), any payment from an account opened in accordance with the
Sukanya Samriddhi Account Rules, 2014 made under the Government Savings Bank Act,
1873 is exempt from tax. In other words, interest and withdrawals from such account will be
exempt from tax under section 10(11A).
Payment from the National Pension System Trust to an employee [Section 10(12A)]
Any payment from the National Pension System Trust to an assessee on closure of account or his
opting out of the pension scheme referred to in section 80CCD, to the extent it does not exceed
40 % of the total amount payable to him at the time of closure or his opting out of the scheme, is
exempt from tax.
With effect from April 01, 2020, 60 % of the amount payable shall be exempt from tax.
Partial withdrawal from NPS [Section 10(12B)]
To provide relief to an employee withdrawing partial amount from National Pension System
(NPS) Trust. A new clause (12B) is inserted under section 10 with effect from assessment year
2018-19 to provide that the withdrawal from NPS will not be chargeable to tax if the following
conditions are satisfied:-
1. Amount of withdrawal should not exceed 25% of total contribution made by an employee
in NPS.
2. Partial withdrawal should be made in accordance with the terms and conditions specified
under the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013 and the
regulations made thereunder.
Payment from approved superannuation fund in specified circumstances and subject to
certain limits [Section 10(13)]
Approved superannuation fund means superannuation fund which is approved by the
Commissioner of Income-tax. Tax treatment of such fund is as follows:
 Employer’s contribution is exempt from tax, however, from assessment year 2010-11
employer’s contribution in excess of Rs. 1,50,000 per annum is charged to tax as
perquisite. Employee’s contribution qualifies for deduction under section 80C and
interest on accumulated balance is not liable to tax.
 Payments made from the fund are exempt from tax under section 10(13) in following
cases:
 Payment on death of beneficiary; or

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

  Payment to employee in lieu of, or in commutation of an annuity on his retirement at or
after the specified age or on his becoming incapable prior to such retirement; or
 Payment by way of refund of contributions on the death of a beneficiary; or
 Payment to employee by way of refund of his contributions on leaving the service in
connection with which the fund is established otherwise than by retirement at or after a
specified age or on his becoming incapacitated prior to such retirement; or
 Payment to employee by way of transfer to his account under a pension scheme referred
to in section 80CCD.
House rent allowance [Section 10(13A)]
As per section 10(13A), read with rule 2A, the exemption in respect of HRA will be lower of the
following amounts:
(1) 50% of salary, when residential house is situated at Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi or Chennai
and 40% of salary where residential house is situated at any other place.
(2) HRA actually received by the employee in respect of the period during which rental
accommodation is occupied by the employee during the previous year.
(3) Rent paid in excess of 10% of salary.
Salary will include basic salary, dearness allowance forming part of salary while computing all
retirement benefits and commission based on fixed percentage of turnover achieved by the
employee. Apart from this, salary for this purpose does not include any other
allowances/perquisites.
Salary for this purpose shall be computed on due basis in respect of period during which the
accommodation is occupied by the employee in the previous year. Hence, any payments not
pertaining to the previous year or not pertaining to the period of occupation of the
accommodation shall be excluded.
Prescribed allowances or benefits [Section 10(14)]
As per section 10(14), read with rule 2BB following allowances granted to an employee are
exempt from tax subject to certain limit:
Allowances Exemption Limit
Children Education Allowance Up to Rs. 100 per month per child up to a
maximum of 2 children is exempt
Hostel Expenditure Allowance Up to Rs. 300 per month per child up to a
maximum of 2 children is exempt
Transport Allowance granted to an employee to
(who is a blind and handicap) meet expenditure on Rs. 3,200 per month for blind and
commuting between place of residence and place of handicapped employees is exempt
duty
Allowance granted to an employee working in any Amount of exemption shall be lower of
transport business to meet his personal expenditure following:
during his duty performed in the course of running

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

of such transport from one place to another place a) 70% of such allowance; or
provided employee is not in receipt of daily b) Rs. 10,000 per month.
allowance.
Conveyance Allowance granted to meet the
Exempt to the extent of expenditure
expenditure on conveyance in performance of
incurred for official purposes
duties of an office
Travelling Allowance to meet the cost of travel on Exempt to the extent of expenditure
tour or on transfer incurred for official purposes
Daily Allowance to meet the ordinary daily charges
Exempt to the extent of expenditure
incurred by an employee on account of absence
incurred for official purposes
from his normal place of duty
Exempt to the extent of expenditure
Helper/Assistant Allowance
incurred for official purposes
Research Allowance granted for encouraging the Exempt to the extent of expenditure
academic research and other professional pursuits incurred for official purposes
Uniform Allowance Exempt to the extent of expenditure
incurred for official purposes
Special compensatory Allowance (Hilly Areas) Amount exempt from tax varies from Rs.
(Subject to certain conditions and locations) 300 to Rs. 7,000 per month.
Border area, Remote Locality or Disturbed Area or
Amount exempt from tax varies from Rs.
Difficult Area Allowance (Subject to certain
200 to Rs. 1,300 per month.
conditions and locations)
Tribal area allowance in (a) Madhya Pradesh (b)
Tamil Nadu (c) Uttar Pradesh (d) Karnataka (e)
Up to Rs. 200 per month
Tripura (f) Assam (g) West Bengal (h) Bihar (i)
Orissa
Compensatory Field Area Allowance. If this
exemption is taken, employee cannot claim any
Up to Rs. 2,600 per month
exemption in respect of border area allowance
(Subject to certain conditions and locations)
Compensatory Modified Area Allowance. If this
exemption is taken, employee cannot claim any
Up to Rs. 1,000 per month
exemption in respect of border area allowance
(Subject to certain conditions and locations)
Counter Insurgency Allowance granted to members
of Armed Forces operating in areas away from their
permanent locations. If this exemption is taken,
Up to Rs. 3,900 per month
employee cannot claim any exemption in respect of
border area allowance (Subject to certain conditions
and locations)

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Underground Allowance to employees working in
uncongenial, unnatural climate in underground Up to Rs. 800 per month
mines
a) Up to Rs. 1,060 per month (for altitude
High Altitude Allowance granted to armed forces of 9,000 to 15,000 feet)
operating in high altitude areas (Subject to certain
conditions and locations) b) Up to Rs. 1,600 per month (for altitude
above 15,000 feet)
Highly active field area allowance granted to
members of armed forces (Subject to certain Up to Rs. 4,200 per month
conditions and locations)
Island Duty Allowance granted to members of
armed forces in Andaman and Nicobar and
Up to Rs. 3,250 per month
Lakshadweep group of Island (Subject to certain
conditions and locations)

Interest on securities [Section 10(15)]

Interest incomes which are exempt under section 10(15) could be explained with the help of the
following table-

Section Income Exemption to

10(15)(i) Interest, premium on redemption, or other payment on All assessees
notified securities, bonds, certificates, and deposits, etc.
(subject to notified conditions and limits)
10(15)(iib) Interest on notified Capital Investment Bonds notified Individual/HUF
prior to 1-6-2002
10(15)(iic) Interest on notified Relief Bonds Individual/HUF
10(15)(iid) Interest on notified bonds (notified prior to 1-6-2002) Individual - NRI/
purchased in foreign exchange (subject to certain nominee or survivor
conditions) of NRI/individual to
whom bonds have
been gifted by NRI
10(15)(iii) Interest on securities Issue Department of
Central Bank of
Ceylon
10(15)(iiia) Interest on deposits made with scheduled bank with Bank incorporated
approval of RBI abroad
10(15)(iiib) Interest payable to Nordic Investment Bank Nordic Investment
Bank
10(15)(iiic) 10(15)(iiic) Interest payable to the European Investment European Investment

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

 Bank on loan granted by it in pursuance of framework- Bank
agreement dated 25-11-1993 for financial corporation
between Central Government and that bank
10(15)(iv)(a) Interest received from Government or from local All assessees who
authority on moneys lent to it before 1-6-2001 or debts have lent money,
owed by it before 1-6-2001, from sources outside India etc., from sources
outside India
10(15)(iv)(b) Interest received from industrial undertaking in India on Approved foreign
moneys lent to it under a loan agreement entered into financial institution
before 1-6-2001
10(15)(iv)(c) Interest at approved rate received from Indian industrial All assessees who
undertaking on moneys lent or debt incurred before 1-6- have lent such
2001 in a foreign country in respect of purchase outside money, or in favour
India of raw materials, components or capital plant and of whom such debt
machinery, subject to certain limits and conditions has been incurred
10(15)(iv)(d) Interest received at approved rate from specified All assessees who
financial institutions in India on moneys lent from have lent such
sources outside India before 1-6-2001 moneys
10(15)(iv)(e) Interest received at approved rate from other Indian All assessees who
financial institutions or banks on moneys lent for have lent such
specified purposes from sources outside India before 1- moneys
6-2001 under approved loan agreement
10(15)(iv)(f) Interest received at approved rate from Indian industrial All assessees who
undertaking on moneys lent in foreign currency from have lent such
sources outside India under loan agreement approved moneys
before 1-6-2001
10(15)(iv)(fa) Interest payable by scheduled bank, on deposits in Non-resident or
foreign currency when acceptance of such deposits by individual/HUF who
bank is approved by RBI is not ordinarily
resident in India
10(15)( iv)(g) Interest received at approved rate, from Indian public All assessees who
companies eligible for deduction under section have lent such
36(1)(viii) and formed with main object of providing moneys
long-term housing finance, on moneys lent in foreign
currency from sources outside India under loan
agreement approved before 1-6-2003
10(15)( iv)(h) Interest received from any public sector company in All assessees
respect of notified bonds or debentures and subject to
certain conditions
10(15)( iv)(i) Interest received from Government on deposits in Individual –
notified scheme out of moneys due on account of Employee of Central

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

 retirement Government/State
Government/Public
sector company
10(15)(v) Interest on securities held in Reserve Bank’s SGL A/c Welfare
No. SL/DH-048 and Deposits made after 31-3-1994 for Commissioner,
benefit of victims of Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster held in Bhopal Gas Victims,
such account with RBI or with notified public sector Bhopal
bank
10(15)(vi) Interest on Gold Deposit Bonds issued under the Gold All assessees
Deposit Scheme, 1999 or deposit certificates issued
under the Gold Monetisation Scheme, 2015
10(15)(vii) 10(15)(vii) Interest on notified bonds issued by a local All assessees
authority/State Pooled Finance Entity
10(15)(viii) Interest on deposit made on or after 1-4-2005 in an Non-resident or
Offshore Banking Unit referred to in section 2(u) of the person who is not
Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 ordinarily resident
10(15)(ix) Interest payable by a unit located in an International Non-resident
Financial Services Centre in respect of monies borrowed
by it on or after the 1st day of September, 2019.

Lease rent of an aircraft [Section 10(15A)]

Lease rent of an aircraft or an aircraft engine paid to a foreign Government or to a foreign
enterprise by an Indian company, engaged in the business of operation of aircraft is not taxable
in the hands of such foreign Government or non-resident concern, if such payment is in
pursuance of an agreement (approved by the Central Government) made before April 1, 1997 or
after March 31, 1999 but before April 1, 2007. If such agreement is entered into during April 1,
1997 and March 31, 1999 or after March 31, 2007, then exemption under section 10(15A) is not
available. However, in such a case, if tax on such payments is borne by the payer, then tax so
borne by the payer is exempt in the hands of payee under section 10(6BB), provided agreement is
approved by the Central Government.
Educational scholarship [Section 10(16)]
Any amount received as educational scholarship (i.e., scholarship to meet the cost of education is
exempt from tax in the hands of recipient).
Daily allowance to a Member of Parliament [Section 10(17)]
Following allowances are exempt from tax in the hands of a Member of Parliament and a
Member of State Legislature—
• Daily allowance received by a Member of Parliament or by a Member of State
Legislature or by member of any committee thereof.
• Any other allowance received by a Member of Parliament under the Members of
Parliament (Constituency Allowance) Rules, 1986.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

 • Any Constituency allowance received by a Member of State Legislature.
Awards [Section 10(17A)]
Any payment received in pursuance of following (whether paid in cash or in kind) is exempt
from tax:
 Any award instituted in the public interest by the Central Government or State
Government or by any other body approved by the Central Government in this behalf.
 Any reward by the Central Government or any State Government for such purpose as
may be approved by the Central Government in this behalf in the public interest.
Pension to gallantry award winner [Section 10(18)]
Pension received by an individual who was employee of the Central Government or State
Government and who has been awarded Param Vir Chakra or Maha Vir Chakra or Vir Chakra or
any other notified gallantry award is exempt from tax.
Family pension received by any member of such individual is also exempt.
Family pension received by the family members of armed forces [Section 10(19)]
From the assessment year 2005-06, family pension received by the widow or children or
nominated heirs, of a member of armed forces (including paramilitary forces) of the Union, is
exempt from tax in the hands of such family members, if the death of such member of armed
forces has occurred in the course of operational duty in prescribed circumstances and subject to
such conditions as may be prescribed (see rule 2BBA for prescribed circumstances and
conditions).
Annual value of one palace [Section 10(19A)]
Annual value of any one palace in the occupation of a former ruler is exempt from tax under
section 10(19A).
Income of local authority [Section 10(20)]
The following income of a local authority is exempt from tax:
a) Income which is chargeable under the head “Income from house property”, “Capital gains” or
“Income from other sources” or
b) Income from a trade or business carried on by it which accrues or arises from the supply of a
commodity or service (not being water or electricity) within its own jurisdictional area or
c) Income from business of supply of water or electricity within or outside its own jurisdictional
area.
Income of research association [Section 10(21)]
Any income of a research association, approved under section 35(1)(ii)/(iii) is exempt from tax,
if following conditions as specified in section 10(21) are satisfied:
1) Income should be applied or accumulated wholly and exclusively for the objects for it
established.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

2) Funds should not be invested or deposited for any period during the previous year otherwise
than in any one or more of the forms/modes specified in section 11(5). However, this
condition is not applicable in respect of the following:-
(i) any assets held by the research association where such assets form part of the corpus of
the fund of the association as on the 1st day of June, 1973;
(ii) Debentures of a company acquired by the research association before the 1st day of
March, 1983;
(iii) any accretion to the shares, forming part of the corpus of the fund mentioned in sub-clause
(i), by way of bonus shares allotted to the research association;
(iv) voluntary contributions received and maintained in the form of jewellery, furniture or any
other article as the Board may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify,
Note:
1. Exemption shall not be denied in relation to voluntary contribution [other than voluntary
contribution in cash or voluntary contribution of the nature referred to in (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv)
supra]subject to the condition that such voluntary contribution is not held by the research
association otherwise than in any one or more of the forms or modes specified in sub-
section (5) of section 11, after the expiry of one year from the end of the previous year in
which such asset is acquired.
2. Exemption is not available in relation to any income of the research association, being
profits and gains of business, unless the business is incidental to the attainment of its
objectives and separate books of account are maintained by it in respect of such business
Income of a news agency [Section 10(22B)]
Any income of a notified news agency, set-up in India solely for collection and distribution of
news is exempt from tax provided that the news agency applies its income or accumulates it for
application solely for collection and distribution of news and does not distribute its income in
any manner to its members.
Income of a professional association [Section 10(23A)]
Any income (other than income from house property and income from rendering any specific
service or income by way of interest or dividend on investment) of an professional
institution/association is exempt from tax, if the following conditions are satisfied:
1) Professional institution is established in India for the purpose of control, supervision,
regulation or encouragement of the profession of law, medicine, accountancy, engineering or
architecture or such other notified profession.
2) The institution applies its income, or accumulates it for application, solely to the objects for
which it is established.
3) The institution is approved by the Central Government by general or special order.
Income received on behalf of Regimental Fund [Section 10(23AA)]
Any income received by any person on behalf of any Regimental Fund or Non-Public Fund
established by the armed forces of the Union for the welfare of the past and present members of
such forces or their dependents, is exempt from tax.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Income of a fund established for welfare of employees [Section 10(23AAA)]
Any income received by any person on behalf of a fund established, for such purpose as may be
notified by the Board in Official Gazette, for the welfare of employees or their dependents and of
which fund such employees are members, is exempt from tax, if such fund applies or
accumulates its income for exclusive application towards its objects, invests its funds in the
modes specified in section 11(5) and such fund is approved by the Principal Commissioner or
Commissioner in accordance with rule made in this behalf (see rule 16C and Form No. 9).
Income of pension fund [Section 10(23AAB)]
Any income of a fund set-up by the Life Insurance Corporation of India on or after August 1,
1996 or any other insurer to which contribution is made by any person for receiving pension
from such fund, and which is approved by the Controller of Insurance or the Insurance
Regulatory and Development Authority, is exempt from tax.
Income from Khadi or village industry [Section 10(23B)]
Income of an institution constituted as a public charitable trust or society which is established for
the development of khadi and village industries (not for profit purpose) is exempt from tax, if
following conditions are satisfied:
1) Income is attributable to the business of production, sale, or marketing, of khadi or products
of village industries.
2) Institution applies its income, or accumulates it for application, solely for the development of
khadi or village industries or both
3) Institution is approved by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission.
Income of Khadi and Village Industries Boards [Section 10(23BB)]
Any income of Khadi and Village Industries Boards is exempt from tax under section 10(23BB).
Incomes of statutory bodies for the administration of public charitable trust [Section
10(23BBA)]
Any incomes of bodies or authority established or constituted or appointed under any Central,
State or Provincial Act for the administration of public, religious or charitable trust or
endowments (including any place of religious worship) or societies for religious or charitable
purpose, is exempt from tax. However, this exemption shall not apply to income of any such
trust, endowment, or society.
Income of European Economic Community [Section 10(23BBB)]
Any income of European Economic Community derived in India by way of interest, dividends or
capital gains, from investments made out of its funds under a notified scheme is exempt from
tax.
Income of SAARC fund [Section 10(23BBC)]
Any income of SAARC fund for Regional Projects is exempt from tax under section 10(23BBC).
Income of Secretariat of Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions [Section
10(23BBD)]

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Any income of Secretariat of Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions is exempt from
tax for the assessment years 2001-02 to 2010-11.
Income of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority [Section 10(23BBE)]
Any income of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority established under section
3(1) of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999 is exempt from tax.
Income of North-Eastern Development Financial Corporation Limited [Section 10(23BBF)]
No exemption is available under section 10(23BBF) from assessment year 2010-11.
Income of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission [Section 10(23BBG)]
Income of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission is exempt from tax from the assessment
year 2008-09.
Income of the Prasar Bharati [Section 10(23BBH)]
Any income of the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) established under section
3(1) of the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990 is exempt from tax.
Income of certain national funds[Section 10(23C)(i)/(ii)/(iii)]
Any income received by any person on behalf of the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, the
Prime Minister’s Fund (Promotion of Folk Art) or the Prime Minister’s Aid to Students Fund is
exempt from tax under clause (i), (ii) and (iii) of section 10(23C) respectively.
Income of National Foundation for Communal Harmony [Section 10(23C)(iiia)]
Any income of National Foundation for Communal Harmony is exempt from tax under section
10(23C)(iiia).
Income of Swachh Bharat Kosh [Section 10(23C)(iiiaa)]
Income of the Swachh Bharat Kosh, set up by the Central Government is exempt under section
10(23C)(iiiaa).
Income of Clear Ganga Fund [Section 10(23C)(iiiaaa)]
Income of the Clear Ganga Fund, set up by the Central Government is exempt under section
10(23C)(iiiaaa).
Income of Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or Lieutenant Governor’s Relief Fund [Section
10(23C)(iiiaaaa)]
As per section 10(23C)(iiiaaaa) (as inserted by the Finance Act, 2017 with retrospective effect
from the assessment year 1998-99), income of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or the Lieutenant
Governor’s Relief Fund in respect of any state or union territory is exempt from tax.
Income of Educational Institutions [Section 10(23C)(iiiab)/(iiiad)/(vi)]
Section 10(23C)(iiiab)
Income of any university or other educational institution existing solely for educational purposes
and not for purposes of profit, and which is wholly or substantially financed by the Government
would be exempt under section 10(23C)(iiiab).
Section 10(23C)(iiiad)

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Income of any university or other educational institution existing solely for educational purposes
and not for purposes of profit would be exempt under section 10(23C)(iiiad) if the aggregate
annual receipts of such university or educational institution do not exceed Rs. 1 Core.
Section 10(23C)(vi)
Income of any university or other educational institution existing solely for educational purposes
and not for purposes of profit, other than those mentioned in sub-clause (iiiab) or sub-clause
(iiiad) and which may be approved by the prescribed authority. CBDT authorize the
Commissioners of Income-tax (Exemptions) for this purpose via Notification No. 76/2014 dated
1-12-2014.
Income of Hospital [Section 10(23C)(iiiac)/(iiiae)/(via)]
Income arises to any hospital or other institution for the reception and treatment of persons
suffering from illness or mental defectiveness or for the reception and treatment of persons
during convalescence or of persons requiring medical attention or rehabilitation, existing solely
for philanthropic purposes and not for purposes of profit, shall be exempt from tax under
following situations:
1) If the hospital or other institution is wholly or substantially financed by the Government then
exemption would be available under section 10(23C)(iiiac).
2) If the aggregate annual receipt of such hospital or institution do not exceed Rs. 1 Crore then
exemption would be available under section 10(23C)(iiiae).
3) If the hospital is approved by the prescribed authority, i.e., by Commissioners of Income-tax
(Exemptions) as authorized by CBDT via Notification No. 76/2014 dated 1-12-2014 then
exemption would be available under section 10(23C)(via).
Income of Charitable Institution or Fund [Section 10(23C)(iv)]
Any income of a charitable institution or fund which is approved by the prescribed authority
having regard to its objects and its importance throughout India or throughout any State or States
is exempt from tax.
CBDT has authorized Commissioners of Income-tax (Exemptions) via Notification No. 75/2014
dated 1-12-2014 for granting approval under this section.
Income of religious/charitable trust [Section 10(23C)(v)]
Income of any trust (including any other legal obligation) or institution formed wholly for public
religious purposes or wholly for public religious and charitable purposes, which is approved by
the prescribed authority having regard to the manner in which the affairs of the trust or institution
are administered and supervised for ensuring that the income accruing thereto is properly applied
for the objects thereof, is exempt from tax.
CBDT has authorized Commissioners of Income-tax (Exemptions) via Notification No. 75/2014
dated 1-12-2014 for granting approval under this section.
Conditions for claiming exemption under section 10(23C)(iv)/(v)/(vi)/(via)
In order to claim exemption under section 10(23C)(iv)/(v)/(vi)/(via), the fund or trust or
institution or any university or other educational institution or any hospital or other medical
institution, as the case may be, had to comply with the following conditions:

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

1. An application in Form No. 56 (for claiming exemption under section 10(23C)(iv) and (v) or
continuance thereof) and in Form No. 56D (for claiming exemption under section 10(23C)(vi)
and (via) or continuance thereof) has to filed with prescribed authority, i.e., Commissioners of
Income-tax (Exemptions).
2. It should furnish such documents (including audited annual accounts) or information, which
the prescribed authority, i.e., Commissioners of Income-tax (Exemptions) may consider
necessary in order to satisfy itself about the genuineness of the activities of such fund or trust
or institution or any university or other educational institution or any hospital or other medical
institution, as the case may be. With effect from 1/09/2019, the CIT (Exemption) may also
call for such documents or information from the institution or trust as he thinks necessary to
satisfy himself that the institution or trust has complied with the requirements of any other law
for the time being in force as are material for the purpose of achieving its objects.
3. It should apply its income, or accumulates it for application, wholly and exclusively to the
objects for which it is established and in a case where more than fifteen per cent of its income
is accumulated on or after the 1st day of April, 2002, the period of the accumulation of the
amount exceeding fifteen per cent of its income shall in no case exceed five year.
4. Funds should not be invested or deposited for any period during the previous year otherwise
than in any one or more of the forms/modes specified in section 11(5). However, this
condition is not applicable in respect of the following:-
(i) any assets which form part of the corpus of the fund, trust or institution or any university
or other educational institution or any hospital or other medical institution as on the 1st
day of June, 1973;
(ii) Equity shares of a public company, held by any university or other educational institution
or any hospital or other medical institution where such equity shares form part of the
corpus of any university or other educational institution or any hospital or other medical
institution as on the 1st day of June, 1998
(iii) Debentures of a company acquired by the fund, trust or institution or any university or
other educational institution or any hospital or other medical institution before the 1st day
of March, 1983;
(iv) any accretion to the shares, forming part of the corpus of the fund mentioned in point no.
(i) and (ii), by way of bonus shares allotted to the fund, trust or institution or any
university or other educational institution or any hospital or other medical institution;
(v) voluntary contributions received and maintained in the form of jewellery, furniture or any
other article as the Board may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify,
Note:
1. Exemption shall not be denied in relation to voluntary contribution [other than voluntary
contribution in cash or voluntary contribution of the nature referred to in (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or
(v) supra]subject to the condition that such voluntary contribution is not held by the fund,
trust or institution or any university or other educational institution or any hospital or other
medical institution, as the case may be, otherwise than in any one or more of the forms or
modes specified in sub-section (5) of section 11, after the expiry of one year from the end of
the previous year in which such asset is acquired.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

2. Exemption is not available in relation to any income of the fund, trust or institution or any
university or other educational institution or any hospital or other medical institution, as the
case may be, being profits and gains of business, unless the business is incidental to the
attainment of its objectives and separate books of account are maintained by it in respect of
such business
5. For claiming exemption under section 10(23C)(iv) and (v), the fund, trust or institution, as the
case may be, should disinvest by March 30, 1993, all the investment made before April 1,
1989, otherwise than in any one or more of the forms or modes specified in section 11(5).
6. For claiming exemption under section 10(23C)(vi) and (via), the university or other
educational institution or any hospital or other medical institution, as the case may be, should
disinvest by March 30, 2001, all the investment made before June 1, 1998, otherwise than in
any one or more of the forms or modes specified in section 11(5).
7. If taxable income [before giving exemption under section 10(23C)] exceeds the exemption
limit, the institution should get books of account audited in Form No. 10BB and audit report
should be submitted along with return of income.
8. Where any fund, trust or institution or any university or other educational institution or any
hospital or other medical institution, as the case may be, has been approved or notified for
claiming exemption under section 10(23C)(iv)/(v)/(vi)/(via) then it would not be entitled to
claim any benefit of exemption under other provisions of section 10 (except the exemption in
respect of agricultural income.
Note:
 For the purpose of claiming exemption under section 10(23C), where any income is
required to be applied or accumulated, then, for such purpose the income shall be
determined without any deduction or allowance by way of depreciation or otherwise in
respect of any asset, acquisition of which has been claimed as an application of income
under this clause in the same or any other previous year.
 Any donation given by a trust/institution [registered under section 12AA or referred to in
section 10(23C)(iv)/(v)/(vi)/(via)] to any other trust [which is registered under section
12AA or referred to in section 10(23C)(iv)/(v)/(vi)/(via)] as contribution with specific
direction that they shall form part of the corpus of the recipient trust/institution, shall not
be treated as application of income.
Income of mutual fund [Section 10(23D)]
Any income of following mutual funds (subject to provisions of sections 115R to 115T) is
exempt from tax:
 A mutual fund registered under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act or
regulation made thereunder.
 A mutual fund set-up by a public sector bank, or a public financial institution or
authorised by RBI (subject to conditions notified by the Central Government).
Income of a securitisation trust [Section 10(23DA)]
Any income of a securitisation trust from the activity of securitisation is exempt from tax.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Income of notified investor protection fund [Section 10(23EA)]
Any income by way of contributions received from recognised stock exchanges and the members
thereof, of a notified Investor Protection Fund set up by recognised stock exchanges in India is
exempt from tax.
Provided that where any amount standing to the credit of the Fund and not charged to income-tax
during any previous year is shared, either wholly or in part, with a recognised stock exchange,
the whole of the amount so shared shall be deemed to be the income of the previous year in
which such amount is so shared and shall accordingly be chargeable to income-tax.
Income of Credit Guarantee Fund Trust [Section 10(23EB)]
Any income of Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Small Industries, being a trust created by the
Government of India and the Small Industries Development Bank of India, is exempt from tax
for 5 years relevant to the assessment years 2002-03 to 2006-07.
Income of the notified investor protection fund set-up by commodity exchange [Section
10(23EC)]
Any income by way of contributions received from commodity exchanges and the members
thereof, of a notified Investor Protection Fund set up by commodity exchanges in India is exempt
from tax.
Provided that where any amount standing to the credit of the Fund and not charged to income-tax
during any previous year is shared, either wholly or in part, with a commodity exchange, the
whole of the amount so shared shall be deemed to be the income of the previous year in which
such amount is so shared and shall accordingly be chargeable to income-tax.
Income of Investor Protection Fund set by a depository [Section 10(23ED)]
Any income, by way of contributions received from a depository, of notified Investor Protection
Fund set up by a depository in accordance with the regulations made under the SEBI Act and
Depository Act is exempt from tax.
Provided that where any amount standing to the credit of the Fund and not charged to income-tax
during any previous year is shared, either wholly or in part with a depository, the whole of the
amount so shared shall be deemed to be the income of the previous year in which such amount is
so shared and shall, accordingly, be chargeable to income-tax.
Income of Core Settlement Guarantee Fund [Section 10(23EE)]
Section 10(23ED) grants exemption to Income of any specified income of such Core Settlement
Guarantee Fund, set up by a recognised clearing corporation in accordance with the regulations,
as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf.
It should be checked that where any amount standing to the credit of the Fund and not charged to
income-tax during any previous year is shared, either wholly or in part with the specified person,
the whole of the amount so shared shall be deemed to be the income of the previous year in
which such amount is so shared and shall, accordingly, be chargeable to income-tax.
"Recognised clearing corporation" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (o) of
sub-regulation (1) of regulation 2 of the Securities Contracts (Regulation) (Stock Exchanges and

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Clearing Corporations) Regulations, 2012 made under the Securities and Exchange Board of
India Act, 1992 and the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956.
"Regulations" means the Securities Contracts (Regulation) (Stock Exchanges and Clearing
Corporations) Regulations, 2012 made under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act,
1992 and the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956.
"specified income" shall mean,—
(a) the income by way of contribution received from specified persons;
(b) the income by way of penalties imposed by the recognised clearing corporation and credited
to the Core Settlement Guarantee Fund; or
(c) the income from investment made by the Fund;
"Specified person" shall mean :
(a) any recognised clearing corporation which establishes and maintains the Core Settlement
Guarantee Fund.
(b) any recognised stock exchange being a shareholder in such recognised clearing corporation
or a contributor to the Core Settlement Guarantee Fund.
(c) any clearing member contributing to the Core Settlement Guarantee Fund.
Income of a venture capital fund or a venture capital company from investment in a venture
capital undertaking [Section 10(23FB)]
Income of a venture capital fund or a venture capital company from investment in a venture
capital undertaking is exempt from tax from assessment year 2001-02. However, this exemption
is subject to satisfaction of conditions specified in section 10(23FB).
These provisions shall not apply in respect of any income of a venture capital company or
venture capital fund, being an investment fund specified in clause (a) of the Explanation 1 to
section 115UB, of the previous year relevant to the assessment year beginning on or after the 1st
day of April, 2016.
Income of an investment fund [Section 10(23FBA)]
Any income of an investment fund other than the income chargeable under the head "Profits and
gains of business or profession” is exempt under Section 10(23FBA).
"Investment fund" shall have the same meaning assigned to it in clause (a) of the Explanation
1 to section 115UB.
Income referred to in section 115UB of a unit holder of an investment fund [Section
10(23FBB)]
Any income referred to in section 115UB, accruing or arising to, or received by, a unit holder of
an investment fund, being that proportion of income which is of the same nature as income
chargeable under the head “Profits and gains of business or profession" is exempt under section
10(23FBB).
"Investment fund" shall have the same meaning assigned to it in clause (a) of the Explanation
1 to section 115UB.
Income of a of a Business Trust [Section 10(23FC)]

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Any income of a business trust by way of:
a) interest received or receivable from a special purpose vehicle; or
b) dividend referred to in section 115-O(7)
“special purpose vehicle” means an Indian company in which the business trust holds controlling
interest and any specific percentage of shareholding or interest, as may be required by the
regulations under which such trust is granted registration.
Certain income of a business trust being a real estate investment trust[Section 10(23FCA)]
Any income of a business trust, being a real estate investment trust, by way of renting or leasing
or letting out any real estate asset owned directly by such business trust is exempt under section
10(23FCA).
"Real estate asset" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (zj)of sub-regulation
(1) of regulation 2 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Real Estate Investment Trusts)
Regulations, 2014 made under the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
Distributed Income of a Unit Holder from the Business Trust [Section 10(23FD)]
Any distributed income, referred to in section 115UA, received by a unit holder from the
business trust, not being that proportion of the income which is of the same nature as the income
referred to in sub-clause (a) of clause (23FC) or clause (23FCA) of section 10 is exempt from
tax.
Income of a registered trade union [Section 10(24)]
Any income chargeable under the head “Income from house property” and “Income from other
sources” of a registered union within the meaning of the Indian Trade Union Act, 1926, formed
primarily for the purpose of regulating the relation between workmen and employers or between
workmen and workmen is exempt from tax. Similar exemption is available to an association of
registered unions.
Income of provident fund [Section 10(25)]
Following income is exempt from tax under this section:
 Interest on securities held by a statutory provident fund and any capital gains arising from
such securities.
 Any income received by the trustee on behalf of a recognised provident fund or an
approved superannuation fund or an approved gratuity fund; and
 Any income received by the Board of Trustees on behalf of Deposit-linked Insurance
Fund.
Income of the Employees’ State Insurance Fund [Section 10(25A)]
Any income of the Employees’ State Insurance Fund of the Employees’ State Insurance
Corporation set-up under the provisions of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 is exempt
from tax under section 10(25A).
Income of a member of a Scheduled Tribe [Section 10(26)]
Income of a member of a Scheduled Tribe [as per article 366(25) of the Constitution] is exempt
from tax, if following conditions are satisfied:

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

  Such member resides in any area in the State of Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Arunachal
Pradesh, Mizoram or district of North Cachar Hills, Mikir Hills, Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills
and Garo Hills or in the Ladakh region of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
 Such exemption is available in respect of income which accrues/arises from any source in
such areas or income by way of dividends/interest on securities arises from any area.
Income of a “Sikkimese” individual [Section 10(26AAA)]
Following income of a Sikkimese individual [as explained in section 10(26AAA)], is exempt
from tax:
 Any income from the State of Sikkim; or
 Income by way of dividend or interest on securities (generated in Sikkim or any other
place). This exemption is not available to a Sikkimese woman who, on or after April 1,
2008 marries a non- Sikkimese individual.
Income of an Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee/Board [Section 10(26AAB)]
With effect from assessment year 2009-10, any income of an Agricultural Produce Marketing
Committee/Board constituted under any law for the purpose of regulating the marketing of
agricultural produce is exempt from tax under section 10(26AAB).
Income of corporation or other body or institution or association established for promoting the
interest of members of Scheduled Caste, etc. [Section 10(26B)]
Any income of a corporation established by a Central, State or Provincial Act or of any other
body, institution or association (wholly financed by the Government), formed for promoting the
interests of the members of the Scheduled Castes/Tribes/backward classes or of any two or all of
them [as explained in section 10(26B)], is exempt from tax under section 10(26B).
Income of corporation established for promoting interest of minority caste [Section 10(26BB)]
Any income of a corporation established by the Central Government or State Government for
promoting the interests of the members of such minority community as notified by the Central
Government from time-to-time, is exempt from tax under section 10(26BB).
Income of corporation established for ex-servicemen [Section 10(26BBB)]
From assessment year 2004-05, any income of a statutory corporation established by Central,
State or Provincial Act for the welfare and economic upliftment of ex-servicemen (being citizen
of India) is exempt from tax under section 10(26BBB).
“ex-serviceman” means a person who has served in any rank, whether as combatant or non-
combatant, in the armed forces of the Union or armed forces of the Indian States before the
commencement of the Constitution (but excluding the Assam Rifles, Defence Security Corps,
General Reserve Engineering Force, Lok Sahayak Sena, Jammu and Kashmir Militia and
Territorial Army) for a continuous period of not less than six months after attestation and has
been released, otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or
inefficiency, and in the case of a deceased or incapacitated ex-serviceman includes his wife,
children, father, mother, minor brother, widowed daughter and widowed sister, wholly dependant
upon such ex-serviceman immediately before his death or incapacitation

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Income of a co-operative society formed for promoting the interests of the members of
Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes [Section 10(27)]
Any income of a co-operative society formed for promoting the interests of the members of
Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or both [as given in section 10(26B)] is exempt from tax.
Exemption is available only if the membership of the co-operative society consists of only other
co-operative societies formed for similar purposes and the finances of the society are provided by
the Government and such other societies [Section 10(27)].
Income of coffee board, rubber board, etc. [Section 10(29A)]
Any income of Coffee Board, Rubber Board, Tea Board, Tobacco Board, Marine Products
Export Development Authority, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development
Authority, Spices Board and Coir Board, is exempt from tax under section 10(29A).
Subsidy from the Tea Board [Section 10(30)]
In the case of a taxpayer, who carries on business of growing and manufacturing tea in India, the
amount of any subsidy received from or through the Tea Board under the notified scheme for
replantation or replacement of tea bushes or for rejuvenation or consolidation of the area used for
cultivation of tea, is exempt from tax (for notified schemes see Notification No. S.O. 3616, dated
September 27, 1976).
To claim exemption, a certificate from the Tea Board as to the amount of subsidy paid to the
taxpayer during the year is to be obtained.
A similar exemption is available under section 10(31) in respect of subsidy received by an
taxpayer engaged in the business of growing and manufacturing rubber, coffee, cardamom or
such other commodities as the Central Government may by notification specify [Section 10(31)].
Income of minor [Section 10(32)]
Under section 64(1A) income of a minor child is clubbed along with the income of his/her
parent, subject to certain conditions.. If the income of an individual includes any income of
his/her minor child, then such individual can claim exemption (in respect of each minor child) of
lower of following amount:
(a) Rs. 1,500 per minor child; or
(b) Amount of income of each minor child (which is clubbed).
Capital gains on transfer of US 64 [Section 10(33)]
As per section 10(33), long-term or short-term capital gains arising on transfer of units of Unit
Scheme, 1964 (US 64) are exempt from tax if the transfer of such asset takes place on or after
1/04/2002.
Dividends and interest on units [Section 10(34)/(35)]
Following incomes are not chargeable to tax from the assessment year 2004-05:
• Any income by way of dividends covered by section 115-O [i.e., any dividends from a
domestic company other than dividends covered under section 2(22)(e)]; However, as per
section 115BBDA (as inserted by Finance Act, 2016), in the case of resident
individual/HUF/firm, dividend shall be chargeable to tax at the rate of 10% if aggregate
amount of dividend received during the year exceeds Rs. 10,00,000.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

 • Any income in respect of units of a mutual fund;
• Income received by a unit holder of UTI;
• Income in respect of units of a specified company.
Note:
1. Under section 115-O and section 115R, the person paying the dividends on share or
income on units will have to pay distribution tax on dividend/income distributed.
2. It should be noted that under this clause, Income on transfer of units is not exempt.
Income of a shareholder on account of buy back of shares by the company [Section 10(34A)]
Any income arising to an assessee, being a shareholder, on account of buy back of shares by the
company (whether listed or unlisted) as referred to in section 115QA is exempt from tax under
section 10(34A). This exemption is available only in those cases where additional income-tax is
payable on distributed income under section 115QA by the company opting for buy back of such
shares.
With effect from 05/07/2019, Section 115QA has been amended to levy additional tax on buy
back of shares by listed companies as well. Consequently, Section 10(34A) has also been
amended to exempt income arising in hands of shareholder on account of buy back of shares by
listed companies.
Income of an investor received from a securitisation trust [Section 10(35A)]
Any distributed income referred to in section 115TA received from a securitisation trust by any
person being an investor of the said trust is exempt from tax under section 10(35A).
Note: The exemption shall not be available from 1st June 2016.
Capital gains in case of compulsory acquisition of urban agricultural land [Section 10(37)]
An individual or Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) can claim exemption in respect of capital gain
arising on transfer by way of compulsory acquisition of agricultural land situated in an urban
area providedcompensation is received on or after April 1, 2004. This exemption is available if
the land was used by the taxpayer (or by his parents in the case of an individual) for agricultural
purpose for a period of 2 years immediately preceding the date of its transfer.
Capital gain on transfer of specified capital assets under land pooling scheme of the Andhra
Pradesh Government[section 10(37A)]
Section 10(37A) (as inserted by the Finance Act, 2017 w.r.e.f. 1-4-2015) provides exemption in
respect of capital gain arising on transfer of specified capital asset by an Individual or HUF
under the land pooling scheme of the Andhra Pradesh Government.
“specified capital asset" means,—
(a) the land or building or both owned by the assessee as on the 2nd day of June, 2014 and
which has been transferred under the scheme; or
(b) the land pooling ownership certificate issued under the scheme to the assessee in lieu of
land or building or both transferred under the scheme; or

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

 (c) the reconstituted plot or land, as the case may be, received by the assessee in lieu of land
or building or both transferred under the scheme, if such plot or land, as the case may be,
so received is transferred within 2 years from the end of the financial year in which the
possession of such plot or land was handed over to assessee.
Long-term capital gains on transfer of equity shares or units of an equity oriented mutual
fund or a unit of a business trust covered by securities transaction tax [Section 10(38)]
Long-term capital gains arising on transfer of securities are not chargeable to tax in the hands of
any person, if following conditions are satisfied:
1. The asset transferred should be equity shares of a company or units of an equity oriented
mutual fund or a unit of a business trust.
2. The transaction should be liable to securities transaction tax, at the time of transfer.
3. Such asset should be a long-term capital asset.
4. Transfer should have taken place on or after October 1, 2004.
Equity oriented mutual fund means a mutual fund specified under section 10(23D) and 65% of
its investible funds, out of total proceeds are invested in equity shares of a domestic company.
Note:
(1) With effect from 1-4-2016, exemption from capital gains under Section 10(38) shall be
available even in respect of long-term capital gains arising from transfer of units of a
business trust which were acquired in lieu of shares of special purpose vehicle as referred to
in section 47(xvii) and on which securities transaction tax has been paid.
(2) Exemption from long term capital gains under section 10(38) shall be available w.e.f April
1, 2017 even where STT is not paid, provided that -
- transaction is undertaken on a recognised stock exchange located in any International
Financial Service Centre, and
- consideration is paid or payable in foreign currency
(3) With effect from the assessment year 2018-19, exemption under section 10(38) will not be
available even if STT is paid at the time of transfer if the following conditions are satisfied-
a. Long-term capital gain is arise from transfer of equity shares in a company.
b. The shares were acquired on or after 1/10/2004.
c. At the time of acquisition of shares, the transaction was not chargeable to security
transaction tax.
d. The transaction of acquisition shouldn’t be a notified transaction. The Central
Government will notify certain transaction to protect the exemption in genuine cases.
4) No exemption under section 10(38) is available with effect from Assessment Year 2019-20.
The long-term capital gains arising from sale of listed securities in excess of Rs. 1 lakh is
taxable at the rate of 10% under Section 112A (subject to certain conditions).

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Income from international sporting event [Section 10(39)]
From the assessment year 2006-07, any specified income of notified person, arising from an
international sporting event held in India is exempt from tax, if the event is approved by the
international body and is notified by the Central Government and has participation by more than
two countries.
Grants received by specified subsidiary company [Section 10(40)]
Income of any subsidiary company by way of grant or otherwise received from its Indian holding
company which is engaged in the business of generation/ transmission/distribution of power is
exempt, if such receipt is for settlement of dues in connection with reconstruction or revival of
an existing business of power generation. The exemption is available, if the reconstruction or
revival is by way of transfer of business to the Indian company notified under section 80
IA(4)(v)(a).
Under section 10(41), any capital gain arising in the above case is not chargeable to tax, if the
transfer has taken place before April 1, 2006.
Income of certain non-profit body or authority [Section 10(42)]
Any specified income of non-profit body/authority notified by the Central Government and
established, constituted or appointed under a multilateral treaty agreement or convention to
which Central Government is a signatory is exempt from tax under section 10(42).
Loan in the case of reverse mortgage [Section 10(43)]
Any amount received by an individual as a loan (either in lump sum or in instalments) in a
transaction of reverse mortgage referred to in section 47(xvi), is not chargeable to tax.
Income of New Pension System Trust [Section 10(44)]
With effect from assessment year 2009-10, any income received by any person for, or on behalf
of the New Pension System Trust established on 27-2-2008 under the provisions of the Indian
Trust Act, 1882 will be exempt from tax.
Any notified allowance or perquisite paid to the Chairman/retired Chairman or any other
member/retired member of the UPSC [Section 10(45)]
As per section 10(45), any allowance or perquisite, as may be notified by the Central
Government in the Official Gazette in this behalf, paid to the Chairman or a retired Chairman or
any other member or retired member of the Union Public Service Commission is exempt from
tax.
Exemption of specified income of notified body/ authority/trust/board/commission [Section
10(46)]
Under section 10(46), any specified income arising to any notified body/authority/Board/
Trust/Commission (or a class thereof) which has been established or constituted by or under a
Central, State or Provincial Act, or has been constituted by the Government or a State
Government with the object of regulating or administering any activity for the benefit of the
general public and is not engaged in any commercial activity and is notified by the Central
Government in the Official Gazette for the purposes of this clause is exempt from tax.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Any income of a notified infrastructure debt fund set-up in accordance with prescribed
guidelines [Section 10(47)]
As per section 10(47), any income of a notified infrastructure debt fund set-up in accordance
with the guidelines prescribed in Rule 2F of the Income-tax Rules is exempt from tax.
Income received by certain foreign companies in Indian currency for import of crude oil etc.
[Section 10(48)]
Any income received in India in Indian currency by a foreign company on account of sale of
crude oil, any other notified goods or rendering of notified services to any person in India is
exempt from tax provided-
(i) receipt of such income in India by the foreign company is pursuant to an agreement or an
arrangement entered into by the Central Government or approved by the Central Government;
(ii) having regard to the national interest, the foreign company and the agreement or arrangement
are notified by the Central Government in this behalf; and
(iii) the foreign company is not engaged in any activity, other than receipt of such income, in
India.
Any income of a foreign company on account of storage and sale of crude oil [Section
10(48A)]
Any income arising to a foreign company through storage of crude oil in a facility in India and
sale therefrom to any person resident in India is exempt from tax provided that-
a) the storage and sale by the foreign company is pursuant to an agreement or an arrangement
entered into by the Central Government or approved by the Central Government; and
b) having regard to the national interest, the foreign company and the agreement or
arrangement are notified by the Central Government in this behalf; ]
Any income of a foreign company on account of sale of leftover stock of crude oil [Section
10(48B)]
Section 10(48B) provides that any income accruing or arising to a foreign company on account
of sale of leftover stock of crude oil, if any, from a facility in India after the expiry of an
agreement or an arrangement or on termination of said agreement in accordance with the terms
mentioned therein shall be exempt subject to such conditions as may be notified by the Central
Government in this behalf.
Tax exemption to National Financial Holdings Company Limited [Section 10(49)]
As per section 10(49), any income of the National Financial Holdings Company Limited, being a
company set-up by the Central Government, of any year relevant to any assessment year
commencing on or before the 1st day of April, 2014 is exempt from tax.
Income subject to equalisation levy [Section 10(50)]
Any income arising from specified services which is chargeable to equalisation levy is exempt
from tax.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Other important exemptions
Apart from above discussed exemption of section 10 following is the list of other important
exemptions:
 Section 10A provides for exemption in respect of income of newly established
undertakings in free trade zone or electronic hardware technology park or electronic
software technology park.
 Section 10AA provides for exemption in respect of income of newly established units in
Special Economic Zones.
 Section 11 and 12 provide exemption in respect of income of a public charitable or
religious trust.
 Section 13A provides exemption in respect of income of a political party.
 Section 13B provides exemption in respect of income of an electoral trust.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

 MCQ on TAX-FREE INCOMES

Q1. Section _________ grants exemption to gratuity received by Government employee (i.e.,
Central Government or State Government or local authority).
(a) 10(5) (b) 10(10)(i)
(c) 10(10)(ii) (d) 10(10A)
Correct answer : (b)
Justification of correct answer :
Section 10(10)(i) grants exemption to gratuity received by Government employee (i.e., Central
Government or State Government or local authority).
Thus, option (b) is the correct option.
Q2. Exemption under section 10(10D) is not available in respect of policy taken in the name of a
person suffering from diseases/disability specified under section 80DDB/80U.
(a) True (b) False
Correct answer : (b)
Justification of correct answer :
Exemption under section 10(10D) is unconditionally available in respect of sum received for a
policy which is issued on or before March 31, 2003. However, in respect of policies issued on or
after April 1st, 2003, the exemption is available only if the amount of premium paid on such
policy in any financial year does not exceed 20% (10% in respect of policy taken on or after 1st
April, 2012) of the actual capital sum assured. With effect from 1-4-2013, in respect of policy
taken in the name of a person suffering from diseases specified under section 80DDB or in the
name of a person suffering from disability specified under section 80U, the limit will be
increased to 15% of capital sum assured.
Thus, the statement given in the question is false and hence, option (b) is the correct option.
Q3. While computing the exemption in respect of House Rent Allowance under section 10(13A)
read with rule 2A, salary will include only basic salary and dearness allowance forming part of
salary while computing all retirement benefits.
(a) True (b) False
Correct answer : (b)
Justification of correct answer :
While computing the exemption in respect of House Rent Allowance As per section 10(13A),
read with rule 2A, salary will include basic salary, dearness allowance forming part of salary
while computing all retirement benefits and commission based on fixed percentage of turnover
achieved by the employee. Apart from this, salary for this purpose does not include any other
allowances/perquisites.
Thus, the statement given in the question is false and hence, option (b) is the correct option.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Q4. As per section _______ any income of the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of
India) is exempt from tax.
(a) 10(20) (b) 10(21)
(c) 10(23BBE) (d) 10(23BBH)
Correct answer : (d)
Justification of correct answer :
As per section 10(23BBH), any income of the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India)
established under section 3(1) of the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act,
1990 is exempt from tax.
Thus, option (d) is the correct option.
Q5. The amount of exemption available under section 10(32) is lower of Rs. ____________ per
minor child or amount of income of each minor child (which is clubbed).
(a) Rs. 500 (b) Rs. 1,000
(c) Rs. 1,500 (d) Rs. 2,000
Correct answer : (c)
Justification of correct answer :
Under section 64(1A) income of a minor child is clubbed along with the income of his/her
parent, subject to certain condition. If the income of an individual includes any income of his/her
minor child, then such individual can claim exemption (in respect of each minor child) of lower
of following amount:
(a) Rs. 1,500 per minor child; or
(b) Amount of income of each minor child (which is clubbed).
Thus, option (c) is the correct option.
Q6. Any income arising to an assessee, being a shareholder, on account of buy back of shares by
the company as referred to in section 115QA is exempt from tax under section________.
(a) 10(34) (b) 10(34A)
(c) 10(35) (d) 10(35A)
Correct answer: (b)
Justification of correct answer :
Any income arising to an assessee, being a shareholder, on account of buy back of shares by the
company as referred to in section 115QA is exempt from tax under section 10(34A).This
exemption is available only in those cases where additional income-tax is payable on distributed
income under section 115QA by the company opting for buy back of such shares. Thus, option
(b) is the correct option.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

Q7. Under section 10(37), a partnership firm can claim exemption in respect of capital gain
arising on transfer of agricultural land situated in an urban area by way of compulsory
acquisition.
(a) True (b) False
Correct answer : (b)
Justification of correct answer :
As per section 10(37), an individual or Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) can claim exemption in
respect of capital gain arising on transfer by way of compulsory acquisition of agricultural land
situated in an urban area providedcompensation is received on or after April 1, 2004. This
exemption is available if the land was used by the taxpayer (or by his parents in the case of an
individual) for agricultural purpose for a period of 2 years immediately preceding the date of its
transfer.
Thus, the statement given in the question is false and hence, option (b) is the correct option.
Q8. As per section 10(48), any income received in India in Indian currency by a foreign
company on account of sale of crude oil, any other notified goods or rendering of notified
services, to any person in India is exempt from tax.
(a) True (b) False
Correct answer : (a)
Justification of correct answer :
As per section 10(48), any income received in India in Indian currency by a foreign company on
account of sale of crude oil, any other notified goods or rendering of notified services to any
person in India is exempt from tax provided-
(i) receipt of such income in India by the foreign company is pursuant to an agreement or an
arrangement entered into by the Central Government or approved by the Central Government;
(ii) having regard to the national interest, the foreign company and the agreement or arrangement
are notified by the Central Government in this behalf; and
(iii) the foreign company is not engaged in any activity, other than receipt of such income, in
India.Thus, the statement given in the question is true and hence, option (a) is the correct option.
Q9. Section _________ grants exemption to interest and withdrawals from an account opened in
accordance with the Sukanya Samriddhi Account Rules, 2014 made under the Government
Savings Bank Act, 1873.
(a) 10(5) (b) 10(10)(i)
(c) 10(10)(ii) (d) 10(11A)
Correct answer : (d)
Justification of correct answer :

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]

As per section 10(11A), any payment from an account opened in accordance with the Sukanya
Samriddhi Account Rules, 2014 made under the Government Savings Bank Act, 1873 is exempt
from tax. In other words, interest and withdrawals from such account will be exempt from tax
under section 10(11A).
Thus, option (d) is the correct option.
Q10. Section 13A provides exemption in respect of income of ________.
(a) A political party (b) An electoral trust
(c) A public charitable or religious trust (d) Units established in SEZ
Correct answer : (a)
Justification of correct answer :
Section 13A provides exemption in respect of income of a political party.
Thus, option (a) is the correct option.

[As amended by Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019]