Income Tax Deductions Complete List 2026 — All Sections Under Chapter VI-A
Quick Answer
The main income tax deductions under the old regime for FY 2025-26: Section 80C (₹1.5L — PPF, ELSS, LIC, home loan principal), Section 80D (₹25K–₹75K — health insurance), Section 80CCD(1B) (₹50K — NPS, available in both regimes), Section 24(b) (₹2L — home loan interest), and HRA (actual rent-based exemption).
The old tax regime allows numerous deductions that can significantly reduce your taxable income. Here is the complete list of all deductions available for FY 2026-27.
Section 80C — Most Popular Deduction (₹1.5L limit)
The most widely used deduction. Maximum: ₹1,50,000 per year (combined for all 80C investments).
| Investment | Limit |
|---|---|
| PPF (Public Provident Fund) | ₹1,50,000 |
| ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) | ₹1,50,000 |
| LIC premium | Actual premium |
| EPF employee contribution | Actual contribution |
| NSC (National Savings Certificate) | ₹1,50,000 |
| 5-year bank FD | ₹1,50,000 |
| Home loan principal repayment | Actual amount |
| Stamp duty and registration | One-time, year of payment |
| Tuition fees (2 children) | Actual fees |
| Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana | ₹1,50,000 |
| Senior Citizen Savings Scheme | ₹1,50,000 |
Section 80CCD — NPS Deductions
| Section | Deduction | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 80CCD(1) | Own NPS contribution | 10% of salary (within 80C limit) |
| 80CCD(1B) | Additional NPS contribution | ₹50,000 (over and above 80C) |
| 80CCD(2) | Employer NPS contribution | 10% of salary (both regimes) |
Section 80D — Health Insurance
| Category | Limit |
|---|---|
| Self, spouse, children (below 60) | ₹25,000 |
| Self, spouse, children (60+) | ₹50,000 |
| Parents (below 60) | ₹25,000 |
| Parents (60+) | ₹50,000 |
| Preventive health check-up | ₹5,000 (within above limits) |
Maximum: ₹1,00,000 (if both self and parents are senior citizens)
Section 80E — Education Loan Interest
Deduction on interest paid on education loan for higher education (self, spouse, children, or student for whom you are legal guardian).
- Limit: No limit — full interest is deductible
- Period: 8 years from the year of first repayment
- Eligible courses: Full-time courses after Class 12 in India or abroad
Section 80EE — Home Loan Interest (First-Time Buyers)
Additional ₹50,000 deduction on home loan interest for first-time buyers.
- Loan sanctioned between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017
- Property value up to ₹50 lakh
- Loan amount up to ₹35 lakh
Note: This scheme has ended for new loans. Only existing loans from the specified period qualify.
Section 80EEA — Home Loan Interest (Affordable Housing)
Additional ₹1,50,000 deduction on home loan interest.
- Loan sanctioned between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2022
- Stamp duty value up to ₹45 lakh
- First-time home buyer
Note: This scheme has ended for new loans.
Section 80G — Donations
Deduction for donations to approved charitable organisations.
| Category | Deduction |
|---|---|
| PM Relief Fund, National Defence Fund | 100% without limit |
| Approved charitable trusts | 50% without limit |
| Approved charitable trusts (with limit) | 50% of 10% of adjusted gross income |
Important: Cash donations above ₹2,000 are not eligible. Pay by cheque, UPI, or bank transfer.
Section 80GG — Rent Paid (No HRA)
If you pay rent but do not receive HRA from your employer, you can claim deduction under Section 80GG.
Deduction: Minimum of:
- ₹5,000 per month (₹60,000 per year)
- 25% of total income
- Rent paid minus 10% of total income
Condition: You, your spouse, or minor child should not own a house in the city where you work.
Section 80TTA — Savings Account Interest
Deduction on interest from savings accounts (banks, post offices, cooperative societies).
- Limit: ₹10,000 per year
- Not applicable to: FD interest, RD interest
Section 80TTB — Senior Citizens' Interest Income
For senior citizens (60+), deduction on interest from all deposits (savings, FD, RD).
- Limit: ₹50,000 per year
- Replaces: Section 80TTA for senior citizens
Section 80U — Disability
Deduction for individuals with disability.
- Normal disability (40-80%): ₹75,000
- Severe disability (80%+): ₹1,25,000
Section 80DD — Dependent with Disability
Deduction for expenses on medical treatment of a dependent with disability.
- Normal disability: ₹75,000
- Severe disability: ₹1,25,000
Section 80DDB — Medical Treatment
Deduction for medical treatment of specified diseases (cancer, neurological diseases, AIDS, etc.).
- Below 60: ₹40,000
- Senior citizens (60+): ₹1,00,000
Section 80RRB — Royalty Income
Deduction on royalty income from patents.
- Limit: ₹3,00,000 or actual royalty, whichever is lower
Section 80QQB — Royalty from Books
Deduction on royalty income from books (not textbooks).
- Limit: ₹3,00,000 or actual royalty, whichever is lower
Deductions Available Under New Regime
Most deductions are NOT available under the new tax regime. The following are available:
- Standard deduction: ₹75,000 (salaried)
- Section 80CCD(2): Employer NPS contribution
- Section 16(iii): Professional tax
- Section 80CCH: Agniveer Corpus Fund
Maximising Deductions Under Old Regime
| Deduction | Maximum |
|---|---|
| 80C + 80CCD(1) | ₹1,50,000 |
| 80CCD(1B) | ₹50,000 |
| 80D (self + parents, both senior) | ₹1,00,000 |
| 80E (education loan interest) | No limit |
| 80G (donations) | Varies |
| 80TTA (savings interest) | ₹10,000 |
| Total (excluding 80E, 80G) | ₹3,10,000 |
Plus HRA exemption, LTA, and other salary exemptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim 80C and 80CCD(1B) both?
Yes. 80C and 80CCD(1) share the ₹1.5L limit. 80CCD(1B) gives an additional ₹50,000 over and above this limit.
Is 80D available for parents living separately?
Yes. You can claim 80D for health insurance premiums paid for your parents, even if they live separately.
Can I claim 80G for donations made in cash?
Only for donations up to ₹2,000. Donations above ₹2,000 must be made by cheque, UPI, or bank transfer to be eligible for 80G deduction.
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