When it comes to residential properties, the debate over whether to buy or rent remains strong. Both options have distinct financial implications, making it essential to make an informed decision.

While some individuals prefer to invest in their own home – often with the help of a home loan – others opt for renting and claiming House Rent Allowance (HRA). Each option comes with its own tax benefits.

Let's delve into HRA vs home loan tax benefits to determine which option aligns better with your financial objectives.

Understanding Home Loans

A home loan is a financial product specifically designed to help individuals purchase residential properties, including houses, flats, or plots of land. These loans come with an interest rate and a repayment tenure, which varies based on the lender’s terms.

Owning a home through a loan offers significant tax benefits. The Indian government has introduced several incentives under the Income Tax Act to reduce the financial burden on homebuyers and lower their tax liability.

What Are the Tax Benefits of Home Loans?

Here’s how home loans work in your favour when it comes to taxes:

• Principal Repayment Deduction: Under Section 80C, you can claim a deduction of up to INR 1.5 lakh per financial year on the repayment of the principal amount of your home loan.
• Interest Payment Deduction: Under Section 24(b), you can claim a deduction of up to INR 2 lakhs annually on the interest paid on your home loan for self-occupied properties. If the property is rented out, there is no upper limit on the interest deduction.
• Additional Benefits: Under Section 80C, you can also claim deductions for expenses incurred on stamp duty and property registration, subject to the overall limit of INR 1.5 lakh. First-time homebuyers can claim additional deductions on interest payments under Sections 80EE (up to INR 50,000) and 80EEA (up to INR 1.5 lakh), subject to specific conditions such as the loan sanction date, loan amount, and property value.

Understanding House Rent Allowance (HRA)

HRA is a salary component that employers provide to employees living in rented accommodations. It helps employees manage their rent expenses while offering tax relief under the Income Tax Act, subject to specific conditions. The exemption amount depends on factors such as salary, rent paid, and the city of residence.

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What Are the Tax Benefits of HRA?

Here’s how HRA works in your favour:

HRA Exemption: Under Section 10(13A), a portion of the HRA you receive can be exempt from tax. The exemption amount is calculated as the lowest of the following three values:

• Actual HRA received
• 50% of your basic salary plus Dearness Allowance (DA) if you live in a metro city or 40% if you live in a non-metro city
• Actual rent paid minus 10% of your basic salary plus DA 

Please note that all the deductions discussed above are only available under the Old Tax Regime.

Home Loan vs HRA

Conclusion

A home loan provides substantial tax benefits on both principal and interest payments, along with the advantage of property ownership. On the other hand, if you prefer the flexibility of renting, HRA allows tax savings without the financial commitments of homeownership, such as maintenance and property taxes. Ultimately, the right choice between the two depends largely on your financial situation and long-term goals.

For those considering buying a home, SMFG Grihashakti offers home loan solutions tailored to your needs, with loan amounts of up to INR 1 crore* and repayment tenures of up to 30 years*. Apply online today and benefit from competitive interest rates starting as low as 10%* per annum.