How is Rental Income taxed in India?

Let us help you navigate this minefield of tax laws.

Rental income is taxed under the Income tax act under the head “Income from House Property”.

A. Rental Income Rent actually received during the year. Note: Rental income is taxable whether there is a signed lease agreement or not. However, we recommend always signing a lease agreement to avoid any hassles in the future.

B. Fair Market Value of Rent While the prescribed approach involves calculation of Municipal Value,Fair Rent and Standard Rent and then deriving the fair market value of rent, such an approach generally isn’t practically possible. In such a case, the generally accepted method is to determine the Market rent going on in the area/ vicinity of the subject property. Note: We recommend our clients to preserve any conversations with brokers/ market participants, newspaper articles, etc. indicating the fair market value of rent in the locality. Such backup is extremely useful in case of an inquiry/ scrutiny by the Income Tax Department.

C. Higher of A or B For the purpose of our example, we assumed that Rental income received is higher than Fair Market Value of Rent. However, in case Fair Market Value of Rent is higher than Rental Income received, the assessee must pay tax on the higher Fair Market Value (even if such rent is not actually received by them). This is an anti-avoidance provision that is essentially aimed at curbing the practice of signing leases at a value lower than the Fair Market Value, and the settling the balance amount in cash. However, in our experience, this leads to the certain practical difficulties such as:

• Often an assessee leases out property to a relative at rentals lower than market. Such assessee is required to burden of tax on fair market value of rent, even if rent received is minimal.

• In a falling Real Estate market, often Fair Market Value of Rent has fallen significantly. However, the same may be difficult to justify to the Income Tax Department as leases signed in the past may be at a significantly higher value.

Note: In the case of leased property which is vacant for part of the year, if the actual rent received is less than the Fair Market Value of Rent for the whole year owing to vacancy, then rent actually received is considered (even if Fair Market Value of Rent is higher). This is an important provision that allows an assessee to reduce his tax liability in case of a slowing Real Estate market. See Practical considerations below.

D. Municipal Taxes Paid It is important to note that Municipal taxes actually paid during the year are deductible. However, if municipal taxes have accrued but not been paid, then no deduction is available. Note: We have often observed that individuals, particularly NRIs, often pay municipal taxes in advance to avoid the monthly hassle. In such case, deduction is available in the year in which payment is made.

F. 30% Deduction The Income Tax Act allows a flat deduction of 30% on any rental income received. This deduction is irrespective of any expenditure incurred by the assessee. Note: Clients often ask us if they can claim a deduction for maintenance work, commission, brokerage, etc. paid by them. However, there is no provision for claiming such deduction. The 30% flat deduction was presumably provided by the Income Tax Act to account for such expenditure.

G. Interest on Borrowed Capital Interest payable on loans borrowed for the purpose of acquisition, construction, repairs, renewal or reconstruction can be claimed as a deduction. Interest on a fresh loan taken to repay the original loan raised earlier is also an admissible deduction.

Pre-construction Interest: Quite often, an assessee takes a loan to pay for a property that is still under construction. The Income Tax Act has a peculiar way of granting such deduction. Let us illustrate with the help of an example.

Explanation: Pre-construction interest can be claimed as deduction over a period of 5 years, in equal installments, commencing from the year of acquisition or completion of construction. Interest relating to the year of completion of construction can be fully claimed in that year irrespective of date of completion (i.e. even if construction is completed on 31 March 2020, deduction is available in FY 2019–20)

Self occupied property: In case the assessee has taken a loan for a property (self occupied), the same provisions as described above apply. However, the maximum amount of deduction is capped at INR 2 lakhs.

Note: These provisions lead to some interesting practical situations such as what happens if the property is let out for part of the 5 years and then self-occupied for the remaining period. There is definitely some scope for planning your taxes here. What must also be noted is that let out property in this case also includes deemed let out property (explained in detail below).

H. Taxable Income Finally, we arrive at the Taxable Income of the assessee. Tax is payable on such income at applicable rates. Refer tax rates section on the website for more information.

For more FAQs on the subject, visit http://www.thegalacticadvisors.com/rental-income.