Section 80D of Income Tax Act, 1961

Deduction in respect of health insurance premia

Unlocking Tax Deductions for Health Insurance and Medical Expenses

In India, Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961 offers a valuable opportunity to reduce your tax burden while prioritizing your health and that of your loved ones. It allows eligible individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) to claim deductions for specific health-related expenses, including:

Key Provisions:

  • Eligible Individuals: Individuals and HUFs.
  • Deduction Types:
    • Health insurance premiums for self, family, or parents.
    • Preventive health check-ups.
    • Medical expenses for senior citizens (under certain conditions).
  • Maximum Deduction Limits:
    • Individuals: ₹25,000 for self or family (₹50,000 for senior citizens).
    • Individuals: Additional ₹25,000 for parents (₹50,000 if parents are senior citizens).
    • HUFs: ₹25,000 for health insurance premiums of any member.
    • HUFs: Additional ₹50,000 for medical expenses of any member (subject to conditions).
  • Payment Modes:
    • Cash allowed for preventive health check-ups.
    • Non-cash modes for all other eligible expenses.

Examples in the Indian Context:

Scenario 1: Mr. Singh, 45, pays ₹20,000 towards a health insurance policy for himself and ₹15,000 for his wife. He can claim a deduction of ₹40,000 under Section 80D.

Scenario 2: Ms. Sharma, 62, pays ₹30,000 for her health insurance premium and ₹40,000 for her mother’s medical expenses. She can claim a deduction of ₹70,000 (₹50,000 for her premium and ₹20,000 for her mother’s medical expenses).

Important Considerations:

  • Senior Citizen Definition: Individuals aged 60 years or above.
  • Eligible Insurance Plans: Those approved by the General Insurance Corporation of India or other authorized insurers.
  • Preventive Health Check-up Limit: ₹5,000 within the overall deduction limit.
  • Cash Payments: Not allowed for health insurance premiums or medical expenses (except preventive health check-ups).

Embrace Health and Tax Benefits with Section 80D

By understanding and utilizing Section 80D effectively, you can take a proactive approach to healthcare while enjoying significant tax benefits. Stay informed, plan wisely, and safeguard your health and financial well-being.

Disclaimer:

To learn more one can refer the following resources:
1) Income tax efiling website
2) Income tax departement website

This information is intended for general knowledge purposes only and does not constitute professional tax advice. Consult a qualified tax advisor for accurate guidance tailored to your specific circumstances.

 

Provision of Section 80D of Income Tax Act, 1961

(1) In computing the total income of an assessee, being an individual or a Hindu undivided family, there shall be deducted such sum, as specified in sub-section (2) or sub-section (3), payment of which is made by any mode as specified in sub-section (2B), in the previous year out of his income chargeable to tax.

(2) Where the assessee is an individual, the sum referred to in sub-section (1) shall be the aggregate of the following, namely:—

(a) the whole of the amount paid to effect or to keep in force an insurance on the health of the assessee or his family or any contribution made to the Central Government Health Scheme or such other scheme as may be notified by the Central Government in this behalf or any payment made on account of preventive health check-up of the assessee or his family as does not exceed in the aggregate twenty-five thousand rupees; and

(b) the whole of the amount paid to effect or to keep in force an insurance on the health of the parent or parents of the assessee or any payment made on account of preventive health check-up of the parent or parents of the assessee as does not exceed in the aggregate twenty-five thousand rupees;

(c) the whole of the amount paid on account of medical expenditure incurred on the health of the assessee or any member of his family as does not exceed in the aggregate fifty thousand rupees; and

(d) the whole of the amount paid on account of medical expenditure incurred on the health of any parent of the assessee, as does not exceed in the aggregate fifty thousand rupees:

Provided that the amount referred to in clause (c) or clause (d) is paid in respect of a senior citizen and no amount has been paid to effect or to keep in force an insurance on the health of such person:

Provided further that the aggregate of the sum specified under clause (a) and clause (c) or the aggregate of the sum specified under clause (b) and clause (d) shall not exceed fifty thousand rupees.

Explanation.—For the purposes of clause (a), “family” means the spouse and dependant children of the assessee.

(2A) Where the amounts referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of sub-section (2) are paid on account of preventive health check-up, the deduction for such amounts shall be allowed to the extent it does not exceed in the aggregate five thousand rupees.

(2B) For the purposes of deduction under sub-section (1), the payment shall be made by—

 (i)  any mode, including cash, in respect of any sum paid on account of preventive health check-up;

(ii)  any mode other than cash in all other cases not falling under clause (i).

(3) Where the assessee is a Hindu undivided family, the sum referred to in sub-section (1), shall be the aggregate of the following, namely:—

(a) whole of the amount paid to effect or to keep in force an insurance on the health of any member of that Hindu undivided family as does not exceed in the aggregate twenty-five thousand rupees; and

(b) the whole of the amount paid on account of medical expenditure incurred on the health of any member of the Hindu undivided family as does not exceed in the aggregate fifty thousand rupees:

Provided that the amount referred to in clause (b) is paid in respect of a senior citizen and no amount has been paid to effect or to keep in force an insurance on the health of such person:

Provided further that the aggregate of the sum specified under clause (a) and clause (b) shall not exceed fifty thousand rupees.

(4) Where the sum specified in clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (2) or clause (a) of sub-section (3) is paid to effect or keep in force an insurance on the health of any person specified therein, and who is a senior citizen, the provisions of this section shall have effect as if for the words “twenty-five thousand rupees”, the words “fifty thousand rupees” had been substituted.

Explanation.—[***]

(4A) Where the amount specified in clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (2) or clause (a) of sub-section (3) is paid in lump sum in the previous year to effect or to keep in force an insurance on the health of any person specified therein for more than a year, then, subject to the provisions of this section, there shall be allowed for each of the relevant previous year, a deduction equal to the appropriate fraction of the amount.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section,—

 (i)  “appropriate fraction” means the fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the total number of relevant previous years;

(ii) “relevant previous year” means the previous year beginning with the previous year in which such amount is paid and the subsequent previous year or years during which the insurance shall have effect or be in force.

(5) The insurance referred to in this section shall be in accordance with a scheme made in this behalf by—

(a) the General Insurance Corporation of India formed under section 9 of the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972 (57 of 1972) and approved by the Central Government in this behalf; or

(b) any other insurer and approved by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority established under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999 (41 of 1999).

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section,—

 (i)  “senior citizen” means an individual resident in India who is of the age of sixty years or more at any time during the relevant previous year;

(ii)  [***]

Some frequent F&Q on section 80D of the Income Tax Act

General Questions on section 80D of Income Tax Act

Q1: What is Section 80D of the Income Tax Act?

Section 80D is a provision that allows eligible individuals and HUFs to claim tax deductions for certain health-related expenses.

Q2: Who is eligible to claim deductions under Section 80D?

Individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) can claim deductions under this section.

Q3: What types of expenses are eligible for deductions under Section 80D?

Eligible expenses include health insurance premiums, preventive health check-ups, and medical expenses for senior citizens (under certain conditions).

Q4: What are the maximum deduction limits under Section 80D?

The deduction limits vary depending on the type of expense, the age of the individual, and whether the expense is for self, family, or parents.

 

Specific Questions on section 80D of Income Tax Act

Q1: I am a 40-year-old individual. How much deduction can I claim for my health insurance premium?

You can claim a deduction of up to ₹25,000 for your health insurance premium.

Q2: My parents are both senior citizens. Can I claim a deduction for their medical expenses?

Yes, you can claim a deduction of up to ₹50,000 for their medical expenses, subject to certain conditions.

Q3: Are cash payments allowed for claiming deductions under Section 80D?

Cash payments are allowed only for preventive health check-ups. All other eligible expenses must be paid through non-cash modes.

Q4: I have a health insurance policy from a private insurer. Is it eligible for deduction under Section 80D?

Yes, as long as the policy is approved by the General Insurance Corporation of India or other authorized insurers.

Q5: What is the process for claiming deductions under Section 80D?

You need to provide details of your eligible expenses in your income tax return. It’s advisable to consult a tax advisor for accurate guidance.

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