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Exempt Income

Section

Type of assessee

Type of income

Exempt amount

Remarks

10(1)

All assessees

Agricultural income

No limit

See definition – Section 2(1A). Income derived from any land or building for any purpose other than agriculture would be taxable

10(2)

Member of HUF

Sum paid out of income of family or income of impartible estate

No limit

Subject to the provision of Section 64(2)

10(2A)

A person being a partner of a firm

Share in the total income of the firm separately assessed as a firm

No limit

For share of the partner see Explanation to this sub-section

10(4)(i)

Non-resident

Interest on specified securities or bonds including income by way of premium on redemption of such bonds

No limit

No securities or bonds to be specified on or after 
1st June 2002. For specified securities see Notification No. SO-3331, dated 19th October 1965.

10(4)(ii)

Individual, being resident outside India under FEMA permitted by RBI to maintain NRE account

Interest from NRE account

No limit

The exemption which was withdrawn from 1st April, 2005 has been restored. Person resident outside India is defined under Section 2(w) of the FEMA

10(4B)

Non-resident being a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin

Interest on specified saving certificate issued before 
1st June 2002 subscribed in foreign currency

No limit

10(7)

Citizen of India

Allowances or perquisites by Government for services rendered outside India

No limit

10(10BC)

Individual or his legal heir

Compensation from Central Government, State Government or Local authorities on account of any disaster

No limit

Exemption not allowed on the amount allowed as deduction under any other Section under the Income-tax Act on account of loss or damage caused by such disaster

10(10D)

All assessees

Any sum received under a life insurance policy including bonus

No limit

The following amount shall not be exempt :

  1. Amount received from an insurance company on death of dependent being a person with disability in respect of an insurance policy issued to him for the maintenance of such dependent
  2. Amount received under a Keyman Insurance Policy (for definition of “Keyman Insurance Policy” refer to Explanation to this sub-section)
  3. Sum received under an insurance policy issued on or after 1st April 2003, where premium payable for any of the years exceeds 20% of the actual capital sum assured unless such sum is received on death of a person
  4. Sum received under an insurance policy issued on or after 1st April 2012, where premium payable for any of the years exceeds 10% of the actual capital sum assured unless such sum is received on death of a person.
  5. Sum received by a person with a disability or severe disability as referred to section 80U under an insurance policy issued on or after 1st April 2013, where premium payable for any of the years exceeds 15% of the actual capital sum assured, unless such sum is received on death of a person.

10(11)

All assessees

Payments from a statutory P.F. or public P.F. or from notified P.F.

No limit

For notified P.F., refer Notification No. SO-2430 dated 2-7-1968

10(11A)

Individual (w.e.f. A.Y. 2015-16)

Payment from an account opened under Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme

No limit

The Explanatory Memorandum to the Finance Act clarifies that interest accruing in such account is exempt from tax

10(12)

Salaried employee

Accumulated balances due from recognised Provident Fund

No limit

1. Employee has put in 5 or more years of service or termination of service is due to his ill health or closure of employers business or the balance from recognised P.F. is transferred to another recognised fund or the balance from recognised P.F. is transferred to his account under the pension scheme referred in section 80CCD and notified by the Central Government

10(12A)

All assessees

Accumulated balance from NPS on closure of account or opting out of the scheme

40% of the amount received

However, if entire amount received by the nominee on death of assessee is exempt

10(12B)

Salaried employee (w.e.f 1st April 2018)

Payment from NPS Trust on account of partial withdrawal from employee’s account (under pension scheme referred in Section 80CCD)

25% of the amount of contributions made by the employee

Withdrawal is made in accordance with the terms and conditions specified under Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013 and the regulations made thereunder

10(13)

Salaried employee

Payment from approved superannuation fund

No limit

  1. Payment is on death or on retirement after specified fund, age or his becoming incapacitated prior to such retirement
  2. Amount transferred from approved superannuation fund to NPS scheme is exempt from tax

10(15)(i)

All assessees

Income by way of interest, premium on redemption or other payment from notified securities, bonds, certificates, etc. issued and notified by Central Government

Limits as specified in the Notification

10(15)(iib)

Individual or HUF

Interest on notified capital investment bonds

No limit

No bonds to be specified on or after 1st June 2002

10(15)(iic)

Individual or HUF

Interest on notified Relief Bonds

No limit

10(15)(iid)

Individual who is NRI at the time of acquisition of the bonds or his successor or the donee

Interest on notified Bonds being NRI Bonds, 1988, NRI Bonds (second series) issued by SBI

No limit

No exemption available in the year of premature encashment. No bonds to be specified on or after 1st June 2002

10(15)(iv)(c)

Non-resident

Interest payable by industrial undertaking on money borrowed or debt incurred prior to 1-6-2001 in foreign country in respect of purchase of raw materials, components or plant and machinery and approved by Central Government including usance interest payable outside India by an undertaking engaged in the business of ship breaking in respect of purchase of a ship from outside India

No limit

10(15)(iv)(fa)

NR or NOR

Interest paid by a scheduled bank on RBI approved foreign currency deposits, FCNR and RFC accounts

No limit

The exemption which was withdrawn from 1 April 2005 has been restored.

10(15)(vi)

All assessees

Interest on Gold Deposit Bond Scheme, 1999 or Deposit certificate issued under the Gold Monetisation Scheme, 2015

No limit

10(15)(vii)

All assessees

Interest on notified bonds issued by a local authority or by a State Pooled Finance Entity

No limit

Ahmedabad notified vide 812(E) dated 21st August 2001, 364(E) dated 16th March 2004, 407(E) dated. 24th March 2005, and 333(E) dated 8th March 2007, Hyderabad notified vide 275(E) dated 4th March 2002, and 1482(E) dated 29th December 2003, Nashik notified vide 269(E) dated 7th March 2003. Tamil Nadu notified vide 545(E) dated 12th May 2003, Chennai notified vide 392(E) dated 23rd March 2004, 402(E) dated 23rd March 2005 and 408(E) dated 24th March 2005, Karnataka notified vide 941(E), dated 20th August 2004, and 729(E) dated 27th May 2005, Visakhapatnam notified vide 1481(E) dated 29th December 2003, Nagpur notified vide 10(E) dated 4th January 2007; Tax free Pooled Finance Development Bonds vide 82(E) dated 4th January 2008 and second tranche of the same bonds vide 1667(E) dated 14th July 2010

10(15)(viii)

NR or NOR

Interest on deposit made on or after 1st April 2005 in an offshore banking unit referred to in Special Economic Zones Act, 2005

10(16)

Individual

Scholarship granted to meet cost of education

No limit

10(17A)

All assessees

Payment in cash/ kind as award instituted by Central/ State Government or award instituted by the Central Government approved body

No limit

10(18)

Central or State Government employee

Pension

No limit

Such employee is awarded Param Vir Chakra or Maha Vir Chakra or Vir Chakra or such other notified gallantry award

Any family member of an employee referred above

Family Pension

No limit

 

10(19)

Widow, children or nominated heirs of a member of the armed forces (including paramilitary forces) of the Union

Family Pension

No limit

Where the death of such member of the armed forces has occurred in the course of operational duties, in such circumstances and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed

10 (23AAA)

Any person on behalf of employees welfare fund

Any income

No limit

  1. Fund is approved by CIT
  2. The income is applied or accumulated for application towards objects of the fund only
  3. The funds are invested as permitted under Section 11(5)
  4. The approval shall have effect for 3 years at a time

10(23C)

Certain Trusts, institutions receiving income on behalf of specified funds

Any income

No limit

The restrictions on cash payments as per 40A(3) and (3A) and consequences of non-deduction or non-payment of taxes after deduction as per section 40(a)(ia) shall apply to the specified institutions

10(23C)(iiiaa)

Swachh Bharat Kosh set up by Central Government

Any income

No limit

Same as above

10(23C)(iiiaaa)

Clean Ganga Fund set up by Central Government

Any income

No limit

Same as above

10(23C)(iiiaaaa)

Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or the Lieutenant Governor’s Relief Fund in respect of any State or Union territory

Any income

No limit

The Fund should fulfil the conditions mentioned in section 80G(2)(a)(iiihf)

10 (23DA)

Securitisation Trust

Any income from the activity of securitisation

No limit

__

10(23ED)

Investor Protection Fund set up by depository

Contribution received from the depository

No limit

Exemption not available in respect of amount of contribution not charged to tax during any previous year and shared with the depository.

10(23F)

Approved Venture Capital Fund or Venture Capital Company

Dividend and LTCG in respect of equity shares of a Venture Capital Undertaking

No limit

It shall not apply to investment made after 
31st March 1999.

10(23FA)

Same as per Section 10(23F)

Dividend other than referred in Section 115-O and LTCG in respect of equity shares of a venture capital undertaking

No limit

  1. Approved by Central Government
  2. It shall not apply to investment made after 
    31 March 2000

10(23FB)

Venture Capital Fund (VCF) or Venture Capital Company (VCC) set up to raise funds for Venture Capital Undertaking (VCU)

Income from investment in VCU

No limit

  1. VCF/VCC granted registration under SEBI Act
  2. VCF/VCC granted registration as category 1 Alternative Investment Fund with effect from A.Y. 2013-14
  3. VCF is operating under a registered trust deed or operating as venture capital scheme of UTI
  4. VCF/VCC fulfils conditions specified by SEBI
  5. VCU must be referred to in SEBI (VCF) Regulations, 1996 and notified by CBDT
  6. VCU must be engaged in specified businesses or industries. This condition is no longer applicable w.e.f. A.Y. 2013-14
  7. VCU must be domestic company, whose shares are not listed on recognised stock exchange in India
  8. Not applicable to income of VCC or VCF being an investment fund specified in Explanation 1(a) to Section 115UB from A.Y 2016-17

10 (23FBA)

Investment Fund regulated under SEBI (AIF) Regulations

Any income other than income chargeable under the head ‘Profits and gains of business or profession’

No limit

10 (23FBB)

Unit holder of an Investment Fund

Income distributed by an Investment Fund which is taxed as business income in the hands of the Investment Fund

No limit

10(23FC)

Business Trust

Interest received or receivable from Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or dividend received from specified domestic company

No limit

SPV is defined to mean an Indian company in which Business Trust holds controlling interest and any specific percentage of shareholding or interest as may be required

10 (23FCA)

Income of a Real Estate Investment Trust

Income from renting, leasing or letting out any real estate asset owned by such trust

No limit

Real Estate Asset will have same meaning as defined in Regulation 2(1)(zj) of SEBI (Real Estate Investment Trusts) Regulation, 2014

10(23FD)

Unit holders of a Business Trust

Any income distributed as referred to in section 115UA

No limit

Does not include that proportion of income as referred to in sub-clause (a) of clause 10(23FC)

10(32)

Individual — Parent

All income of a minor child which is clubbed

Up to 1,500 per minor child

10(33)

All assessees

Capital Gains arising on transfer of Unit 64 on or after 1st April, 2002

No limit

10(34)

All assessees

Dividends referred to in section 115-O

No limit

Does not apply to dividend chargeable to tax under Section 115BBDA

10(34A)

All assessees

Amount received on buy back of unlisted shares referred to in section 115QA

No limit

Exemption applies to buy-backs offered after
1st June, 2013

10(35)

All assessees

  • Income in respect of Units of UTI
  • Income in respect of Units of UTI units or Mutual Fund specified under Section 10(23D)

No limit

Does not apply to income arising from transfer of units

10(35A)

All assessees

Income distributed by a securitisation trust referred to in section 115TA

No limit

Does not apply to income received on or after 
1 June, 2016

10(36)

All assessees

LTCG on transfer of equity shares purchased between 1st March 2003 and 
1st March 2004

No limit

  1. Such equity shares should be of a company which is part of BSE-500 Index as on 
    1st March, 2003 or where shares are allotted through public issue after 1st March, 2003 and listed on a recognised stock exchange in India before 1st March, 2004
  2. Transactions of purchase/ sale are entered through recognised stock exchanges in India

10(37)

Individual or HUF

Capital Gains arising from transfer by way of compulsory acquisition under any law of the agricultural land in urban area referred to in Section. 2(14)(iii)(a) or (b) for which is determined or approved by the Central Govt. or the RBI

No limit

  1. Land should have been used for agricultural purposes by the individual or his parent or the HUF for at least last 2 years immediately preceding the date of transfer
  2. Exemption applies to compensation/ consideration/ additional compensation received on or after 1st April, 2004

10(37A)

Individual or HUF

Capital Gains on transfer of specified capital assets

No limit

Specified capital assets refers to

  1. Land or building or both owned as on 
    2nd June, 2014 and transferred under the scheme
  2. Land pooling ownership certificate issued under the scheme in respect of land or building or both referred to at point (1) above
  3. Reconstituted plot or land received in lieu of land or building or both (referred to at point 1 above) under the scheme and such plot or land is transferred after 2 years from the end of the financial year in which the possession of such land or plot was handed over to the assessee

10(38) (w.e.f. 1st October 2004 up to 31st March 2018)

All assessees

LTCG on transfer of equity shares in company or a unit of an equity oriented fund or a unit of a business trust where such transaction of sale is entered into on or after 1st October, 2004 and on or before 31st March 2018 and is subjected to Securities Transaction Tax (STT)

No limit
(up to AY 2018-2019) Rs.1,00,000/- (w.e.f. 
AY 2019-2020

  1. For definition of equity oriented fund, please refer Explanation to clause (38)
  2. LTCG of a company is however includible in computing book profits under section 115JB from A.Y. 2007-08
  3. W.e.f 1st April 2018 (AY 2018-19) this exemption is not available to income arising from transfer of equity share, acquired on or after 1st October, 2004 and such transaction were not chargeable to STT. Vide press release dated 3rd April 2017, the Central Government issued the final notification for public comments. The final notification provides that all transactions of acquisitions of equity shares (acquired on or after  1st October, 2004 and are not subject to STT) are notified under Section 10(38) except the following:
    1. Acquisition of listed equity shares (not frequently traded on a recognised stock exchange in India) through a preferential issue, other than preferential issues to which Chapter VII of the SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2009) does not apply
    2. Transaction of purchase of listed equity shares in a company is not entered through a recognised stock exchange;
    3. Acquisition of equity shares of a company during the period between the date on which the company is delisted and again relisted on a recognised stock exchange


    The terms ‘frequently traded shares’, ‘listed’ and ‘recognised stock exchange’ are defined in the notification.
    The notification lists down certain mode of acquisitions where exemption should continue to be available (such as through IPO, FPO, bonus or right issue, etc.)

  4. Exemption not available in respect of income arising from transfer of unit of business trust, which were acquired in consideration of a transfer referred to in Section 47(xvii)
  5. Exemption is also available in respect of income arising from a transaction undertaken on a recognised stock exchange located in any International Financial Service Centre and when consideration is paid/ payable in foreign currency

10(45)

Chairman or serving/ retired member of UPSC

Notified allowances and perquisites

No limit

Exemption is available from A.Y. 2008-09

10(46)

Notified body authority board, Trust or Commission or the class thereof which is established by a Central/ State on provincial Act or by Central or State Government

Specified income

Specified Income

  1. The entity has object of regulating or administering any activity for the benefit of the general public
  2. The entity does not engage in any commercial activity

10(47)

Infrastructure Debt Fund set up in accordance with prescribed guidelines

Any Income

No limit

The fund has to file its return of income

10(48A) (w.e.f. 1st April, 2016)

Foreign company

Income from: storage of crude oil in a facility in India and sale of crude oil therefrom to any person resident in India

No limit

  1. Storage and sale is pursuant to an agreement or arrangement between the foreign company and the Central Government
  2. Foreign company and arrangement/ agreement are notified by the Central Government

10(48B) (w.e.f. 1st April 2018)

Foreign company

Income from: sale of leftover stock of crude oil from the facility in India

No limit

Sale is after expiry of agreement or arrangement referred in section 10(48A) or on termination of the said agreement subject to such conditions as may be notified by the Central Government

10(50)

Non-resident

Income from specified services which subject to equalisation levy

No limit

10A

Industrial undertaking in

  1. Free Trade Zone (FTZ)
  2. Electronic Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) or Software Technology Park (STP) w.e.f. A.Y. 1994-95
  3. Special Economic Zone (SEZ) w.e.f. A.Y. 2001-02

W.e.f. A.Y. 2000-01 income for 10 years from the year of Commercial Production. W.e.f. A.Y. 2000-01 income for 10 years from the year of Commercial Production. W.e.f. A.Y. 2001-02, income from exports eligible for deduction for 10 years from the year of Commercial Production

100% (90% for A.Y. 2003-04) of the profits from export computed as profits of the business in proportion to export turnover to total turnover 100% (90% for A.Y. 2003-04) of the profits from export computed as profits of the business in proportion to export turnover to total turnover Undertakings in SEZ which begins to manufacture or produce on or after 1st April 2003, exempt amount would be 100% of profits from export for first 5 assessment years, 50% for next two assessment years and for subsequent three assessment years, amount transferred to Special Economic Zone Reinvestment Allowance Reserve Account not exceeding 50% of such profit

  1. Not formed by splitting up or reconstruction of existing business or by transferring used plant and machinery
  2. Manufactures/produces articles or things (including computer software) and cutting and polishing of precious and semi-precious stones
  3. No deduction under section 80-IA, under section 80-IB, under section 80HH, and under section 80HHA in relation to the profits and gains of the industrial undertaking
  4. FTZ/EHTP/STP/SEZ to be notified by Central Government
  5. Deduction shall be allowed only up to A.Y. 2011-12. However, for SEZ unit this limitation does not apply
  6. Report of a Chartered Accountant certifying deduction to be furnished
  7. Profit from domestic sales up to 25% of total sales would be deemed to be profits from exports only for the A.Y. 2001-02
  8. Availing the concession is at the option of the assessee
  9. Profits from onsite development of computer software outside India would be deemed to be profits from export
  10. In the event of transfer of undertaking under amalgamation or demerger, the deduction shall continue to be allowed to the amalgamated or the resulting company
  11. No deduction shall be admissible to amalgamating or demerged company in the year of amalgamation or demerger
  12. Deduction not allowable if return not filed by due date under section 139(1)
  13. Does not apply to any undertaking being unit referred to in section 2(zc) of the SEZ Act, 2005, which begins to manufacture or produce articles or things or computer software after 1st April, 2005 in any SEZ
  14. The amount transferred to Reserve Account should be utilised for purposes specified in sub-section (1B)

10AA

Undetaking set up in Special Economic Zone w.e.f. A.Y. 2006-07

W.e.f. A.Y. 2006-07 income from export eligible for deduction starting from the year of commercial production

100% of profit from export for first 5 A.Ys. 50% for next 5 A.Ys., & for subsequent 5 A.Ys. amount transferred. to SEZ Reinvestment reserve A/c not exceeding 50% of such profit.

Profits from export computed as profits of the undertaking in proportion to export turnover to total turnover of the under-taking.

W.e.f 1 April 2018 deduction shall be allowed from total income of the assessee, before giving effect to provision of section 10AA and the deduction shall not exceed total income.

  1. Not formed by splitting up or reconstruction of existing business or by transferring used plant and machinery.
  2. In the event of transfer of undertaking under amalgamation or demerger, the deduction shall continue to be allowed to the amalgamated or the resulting company
  3. No deduction shall be admissible to amalgamating or demerged company in the year of amalgamation or demerger.
  4. Report of a Chartered Accountant certifying deduction to be furnished.
  5. The amount transferred to Reserve Account should be utilised for purposes specified in sub-section (2).
  6. Assessee engaged in ‘specified business’ as specified in Section 35AD, to choose between deduction under Section 10AA and section 35AD.
  7. Deduction will not be available from A.Y. 2021-22

10B

Undertaking approved as a 100% Export Oriented Undertaking under section 14 of IDRA (100% EOU)

Same as Industrial undertaking in Free Trade Zone

Same as Industrial undertaking in Free Trade Zone

Same as Section 10A above, except No. 4

10BA

Undertaking manufacturing or producing “eligible articles or things”; i.e., all hand-made articles or things, which are of artistic value and which requires the use of wood as the main raw material

W.e.f. A. Y. 2004-05 income derived from export out of India of “eligible articles or things” up to A. Y. 2009-10.

Profits from export computed as profits of the business in proportion to export turnover to total turnover

  1. Undertaking which has claimed deduction under section 10A or 10B for any assessment year shall not be entitled to this deduction
  2. Manufactures eligible articles or things without the use of imported raw materials. It employs 20 or more workers
  3. Not formed by splitting up or reconstruction of the existing business or by transferring used plant and machinery
  4. 90% or more of its sales during the relevant previous year are by way of the exports of the eligible articles or things
  5. Report of a Chartered Accountant certifying deduction to be furnished. No other deduction allowed under any other section in respect of the eligible export profit

10C

Industrial undertaking in any Integrated Infrastructure Development Centre or Industrial Growth Centre in North-Eastern region

Income of ten consecutive A.Ys. from the year of production up to A.Y. 2003-04

No limit

  1. Manufactures or produces any article or thing on or after 1st April, 1998
  2. Not formed by splitting up or reconstruction of the existing business or by transferring used plant and machinery
  3. No deduction under Sections 80HH, 80HHA, 80-I, 80-IA, 80-IB or 80JJA in relation to profits and gains of the industrial undertaking
  4. Assessee has an option of not claiming the benefit for a particular A.Y. if such declaration in writing is furnished to the assessing officer before the due date of furnishing the return of income under Section 139(1)

List of Bonds, Certificates, etc. specified for the purposes of Section 10(15)(I)

Sr. No.

Particulars of securities, etc.

Maximum amount 
Rs.

Notification Ref.

1

12 years National Savings Annuity Certificates

Whole of the amount

No. SO 607(E) dated 9th June 1989

2

National Defence Gold Bonds, 1980

Whole of the amount

— do —

3

Special Bearer Bonds, 1991

Whole of the amount

— do —

4

Treasury Savings Deposit Certificates (10 years)

Whole of the amount

— do —

5

Post Office Cash Certificates (5 years)

Whole of the amount

— do —

6

National Plan Certificates (10 years)

Whole of the amount

— do —

7

National Plan Savings Certificates (12 years)

Whole of the amount

— do —

8

Post Office National Savings Certificates (12 years/7 years)

Whole of the amount

— do —

9

Post Office Savings Bank Accounts

3,500/- in the case of individual account 7,000/- in the case of joint account

No. SO 1296(E) dated 3rd June 2011

10

Public Account of the nature referred to in item (6) in the Table below rule 4 of the Post Office Savings Account Rules, 1981

5,000/-

No. SO 607(E) dated 9th June 1989

11

Post Office Cumulative Time Deposits Rules, 1981

Whole of the amount

— do —

12

Scheme of Fixed Deposits governed by the Government Savings Certificates (Fixed Deposits) Rules, 1968

Whole of the amount

— do —

13

Scheme of Fixed Deposits governed by the Post Office (Fixed Deposits) Rules, 1968

Whole of the amount

— do —

14

Special Deposit Scheme, 1981

Whole of the amount

— do —

15

Non-Resident (Non-repatriable) Rupee Deposit Scheme

Whole of the amount

No. SO 653(E) dated 31st August, 1992

16

Resurgent India Bonds issued by the State Bank of India

Whole of the amount

No. SO 844(E) 
dated 21st September, 1998

17

8.5% Tax Free SLR Power Bonds issued by Reserve Bank of India

Whole of the amount

No. SO 742(E) of 2003 
dated 27th June, 2003

18

India Millennium Deposits

Whole of the amount

No. SO 1114(E) dated 10th August, 2005

 

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