Explanation
Section 80QQB provides a deduction for individual authors who are resident in India. The deduction is available on royalty or copyright fee income received from publishing a book that is a work of literary, artistic, or scientific nature. School textbooks prescribed for curricula are explicitly excluded — only creative and scientific works qualify. The maximum deduction is ₹3 lakh in any assessment year, regardless of the actual royalty received. If the actual royalty is less than ₹3 lakh, only the actual amount is deductible. Royalty income from sources outside India qualifies only if the foreign currency amount is brought into India (repatriated) within the prescribed time from the end of the previous year. The deduction is available only under the old tax regime. Royalties from software, films, and patents are not covered by §80QQB — software and film royalties are ordinary income from other sources, while patent royalties have their own provision under §80RRB. Authors must be the original creators of the work; the deduction is not available on assignment of pre-existing royalties. Verify on the income-tax portal before filing.