Home Loan Tax Benefits 2024: Everything You Need to Know

Home Loan Tax Benefits 2024: Everything You Need to Know

Thinking of buying a home? Here’s some good news!

Home loan rates just got cheaper. The State Bank of India (SBI) recently cut its home loan interest rates by 25 basis points to 8.25%, bringing its External Benchmark Lending Rate (EBLR) down to 8.90%.

What does that mean for you? Lower borrowing costs and more affordable EMIs! But here’s where it gets even better — when you factor in the home loan tax benefits, you’re not just buying a home; you’re saving lakhs in taxes over the years.

Under Sections 80C, 24(b), and 80EEA of the Income Tax Act, you can claim principal and interest payments deductions, making homeownership a smarter financial move than renting. Sounds great, right? But a lot of buyers miss out on these savings simply because they don’t know how to claim them properly.

That won’t be you.

This guide will break it all down — what deductions you can claim, how to maximize them, and smart strategies to save more on your home loan.

Let’s dive in!

Introduction to Home Loan Tax Benefits

Many people go back and forth between renting and buying, often seeing a home loan as just another financial commitment. But with the tax benefits available on home loans, the numbers start to tip in favor of ownership.

Understanding how these tax deductions work can help you maximize savings and make an informed decision. Not only does a home loan enable asset creation, but it also helps optimize your tax liability, allowing you to redirect savings toward long-term financial goals.

Put simply:

Home loan deductions → Lower tax → More savings → Smarter investments → Long-term wealth growth

Here's how you can benefit under the Income Tax Act:

• Principal deduction: You can deduct the principal amount of your loan from your taxable income.
• Interest deduction: Similarly, you can also claim the interest paid on the loan as a deduction.

By leveraging these deductions, you effectively reduce your tax liability, making homeownership potentially much more affordable.

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Tax Deductions on Principal Repayment (Section 80C)

Under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, homebuyers can claim deductions of up to ₹1.5 lakh per year on the principal repayment of a home loan. Understanding this benefit can help you optimize your tax savings.

How Section 80C works

The ₹1.5 lakh deduction applies only to the principal component of your EMI — not the interest. But here’s the catch: In the initial years of the loan, most of your EMI goes toward interest, not principal.

That means your deduction under 80C is much lower than expected unless you take proactive steps. If you’re in a longer tenure loan (20+ years), you may not be utilizing the full benefit early on.

To make the most of Section 80C home loan benefits:

• Consider making prepayments to increase the principal repaid.
• Opt for a shorter tenure (10–15 years) if feasible, as this increases the principal component in EMIs.
• Don’t solely rely on your home loan for 80C benefits — combine it with other tax-saving instruments, e.g., PPF, ELSS, and NSC to maximize savings.

Eligibility criteria

Not all home loans qualify for Section 80C deductions. To claim benefits:

• Loan must be from recognized lenders like banks, NBFCs, or housing finance companies.
• Only residential properties qualify.
• No deductions for under-construction properties, only after possession.

Maximum deduction limit

While ₹1.5 lakh sounds generous, it’s important to know that this limit is shared with other 80C investments, such as:

• PF (Provident Fund) contributions.
• ELSS (Equity-Linked Saving Scheme).
• Life insurance premiums.
• Tuition fees for children.

If your limit is already exhausted with these, your home loan may not provide additional tax savings.

Conditions for claiming the deduction

• Keep loan statements and repayment proofs ready for tax filing.
• You must be paying EMIs — if you default on payments, you cannot claim a deduction.
• Selling the property before 5 years nullifies previous deductions, and the total amount claimed gets added back to your taxable income for that year.

Tax Deductions on Interest Payment (Section 24(b))

Section 24(b) lets you claim deductions on home loan interest payments, reducing your taxable income. The deduction limit depends on whether the property is self-occupied or rented out, and there’s even a way to claim interest paid before possession, provided certain conditions are met.

Interest deduction for self-occupied vs. let-out properties

• For self-occupied homes, you can claim up to ₹2 lakh per year on interest paid. However, if construction isn’t completed within 5 years, this limit drops to just ₹30,000.
• For let-out (rented) properties, there’s no cap on interest deduction, but total house property losses (from one or more loans) are capped at ₹2 lakh/year for tax adjustment.

Quick Tip????: The Income Tax Act doesn't stop you from holding multiple self-occupied properties. This means you can shift deductions strategically to the loan with the highest interest.

Did you know? Even if you don’t charge rent (e.g., parents live there), it’s still considered let-out, allowing unlimited interest deduction — which can offset salary income too.

Pre-construction interest deduction

• The total pre-construction interest is divided into 5 equal installments and claimed annually after possession.
• This deduction falls under the ₹2 lakh limit for self-occupied properties.
• It applies only if construction is completed within 5 years and delays beyond this reduce the deduction to ₹30,000 per year.
• Only interest qualifies! Principal repayment during the pre-construction period doesn’t get any tax benefits.

Additional Benefits for First-Time Homebuyers

First-time homebuyers get extra tax benefits under Sections 80EE and 80EEA, helping them save even more. These deductions apply over and above Section 80C and 24(b), making home ownership more affordable.

Section 80EE: For loans up to ₹35 lakh

• Eligibility: First-time homebuyer with a loan up to ₹35 lakh and property value ≤ ₹50 lakh, sanctioned between April 1, 2016 – March 31, 2017.
• Deduction limit: Claim up to ₹50,000 per year on interest, over and above Section 24(b), until full loan repayment.
• Conditions: Only individuals (not HUFs) can claim, and the property must be self-occupied.

Section 80EEA: Extended benefits under affordable housing

• Eligibility: First-time homebuyer with a property stamp duty value of ₹45 lakh or less, size limit of 60 sqm (metros) or 90 sqm (other areas). Must not own another house on the loan sanction date.
• Deduction limit: Additional ₹1.5 lakh interest deduction per year, over and above Section 24(b).
• Timeframe: Applicable for loans sanctioned between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2022.

????Quick Tip: As a first-time homebuyer, you can double your tax benefits with a joint home loan. Each co-borrower can claim deductions separately under Section 80C and 24(b), provided both are co-owners and co-borrowers with proof of EMI contributions.

New vs. Old Tax Regime: What Should You Choose?

With two tax regimes in place, homebuyers must decide which one offers better home loan tax benefits.

[Bonus] 6 Simple Steps to Claim Home Loan Tax Benefit

• Ask your bank or lender for an annual interest certificate. This document shows the breakup of principal and interest paid during the financial year.
• Share the interest certificate with your employer to adjust your TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) on salary. This ensures you don’t pay excess tax during the year.
• If you’re self-employed or haven’t shared the certificate with your employer, claim the deductions directly while filing your ITR. Use the correct ITR form (ITR-1 or ITR-2).
• For joint home loans, make sure you’re both a co-owner and co-borrower to claim deductions individually. Deductions are proportional to your share in the loan.
• Claim ₹1.5 lakh on principal (80C), ₹2 lakh on interest (24(b)), and extra ₹50,000 (80EE) or ₹1.5 lakh (80EEA) for first-time buyers.
• If your property is under construction, claim pre-construction interest in five equal installments over five years after construction is complete.

Pro Tips to Maximize Home Loan Tax Benefits

• Time your loan strategically: Take your loan early in the financial year to maximize interest deductions under Section 24(b). Prepay principal before March to fully utilize the ₹1.5 lakh deduction under Section 80C.
• Optimize EMIs and prepayments: Higher EMIs or periodic prepayments reduce total interest costs while ensuring full tax benefits.
• Keep proper documentation: Maintain your loan sanction letter, interest certificate, and repayment proofs for smooth tax claims. Salaried individuals should submit these to their employer for TDS adjustments.

Avoid Common Mistakes

• ❌ Taking a loan from an unregistered lender, which disqualifies you from claiming deductions.
• ❌ Missing out on pre-construction interest by not claiming it in five equal installments after possession.
• ❌ Selling the property within five years, which reverses your Section 80C deductions.
• ❌ Failing to split EMIs in a joint loan, reducing the potential tax savings for co-borrowers.