Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, you can claim a deduction on the premiums paid for medical insurance. Here’s how it works: 1. Who Is Eligible? Self, Spouse, and Dependent Children: For individuals below 60 years, you can claim a deduction of up to ₹25,000 on the premium paid. If you or anyRead more
Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, you can claim a deduction on the premiums paid for medical insurance. Here’s how it works:
1. Who Is Eligible?
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Self, Spouse, and Dependent Children:
- For individuals below 60 years, you can claim a deduction of up to ₹25,000 on the premium paid.
- If you or any of these insured persons are senior citizens (60 years and above), the limit increases to ₹50,000.
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Parents:
- If you pay the premium for your parents, you can claim an additional deduction:
- Up to ₹25,000 if your parents are below 60 years.
- Up to ₹50,000 if your parents are senior citizens.
- If you pay the premium for your parents, you can claim an additional deduction:
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Preventive Health Check-Up:
- You can also include expenses for preventive health check-ups (up to ₹5,000) within these limits.
2. Steps to Claim the Deduction
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Keep All Premium Receipts:
- Make sure to collect and safely store your premium payment receipts or bank statements as proof of payment.
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Report in Your Income Tax Return (ITR):
- When filing your ITR (using ITR-1, ITR-2, etc.), enter the details of the medical insurance premiums paid in the appropriate section (usually under “Deductions under Chapter VI-A”).
- Include the amount paid for self, spouse, children, and parents separately, if applicable.
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Verify Your Documentation:
- Ensure that your insurance policy is active and that the premiums are actually paid in the relevant financial year.
- Retain the documents in case of any future inquiries by the tax authorities.
3. Example Scenario
Let’s say you are below 60 years old and have paid the following in a financial year:
- Premium for Self, Spouse, and Children: ₹20,000
- Premium for Parents (who are senior citizens): ₹40,000
- Preventive Health Check-Up Expenses: ₹5,000 (included within the above limits)
Total Deduction Claimed:
- ₹20,000 (for self, spouse, and children) + ₹40,000 (for parents) = ₹60,000
This amount is fully deductible from your taxable income, thereby reducing your tax liability.
Final Thoughts
Claiming a deduction on your medical insurance premium is a straightforward way to reduce your tax liability. Ensure you have the proper documentation and correctly report these amounts when filing your ITR.
In general, the Income Tax Act does not allow a blanket deduction for all medical expenses incurred on the health of a senior citizen. However, there are specific provisions that provide relief in certain cases: 1. Health Insurance Premium (Section 80D) What It Covers: You can claim a deduction forRead more
In general, the Income Tax Act does not allow a blanket deduction for all medical expenses incurred on the health of a senior citizen. However, there are specific provisions that provide relief in certain cases:
1. Health Insurance Premium (Section 80D)
2. Medical Treatment for Specified Diseases (Section 80DDB)
Key Takeaways