ITR Filing 2024: Absence of THIS document could lead to denial of HRA claim

financialexpress.com:

Salaried individuals receiving a house rent allowance as part of their salary can claim HRA exemption if they pay rent for their accommodation. This exemption lowers their taxable salary, either wholly or partially. But one question that usually arises is how one should claim full HRA exemption. Are both rent receipts and a rent agreement required as proof to make the claim?

The HRA amount is shown in the salary slip of an employee and also the tax projection statement given by the employer at the start of the financial year. As it is part of the salary, the HRA amount deduction features in Part B of Form 16 provided by the employer.

A rent agreement is important but not sufficient on its own to claim HRA exemption for tax purposes. Rent receipts serve as proof that the employee has paid the rent as specified in the agreement. Therefore, it’s advisable to keep both rent receipts and the rent agreement with you, as you may be asked by the assessing officer to submit them if any discrepancies are found by the Income Tax Department.

Also read: ITR Filing 2024: Without this document, you can’t claim income tax deduction on home loan interest

Simply executing a rent agreement doesn’t prove that you have actually paid the rent amount mentioned on it. There are people who enter into rent agreements with family members without engaging in actual rental transactions. In such instances, the income tax authorities might deny the HRA claim due to lack of rent receipts and evidence of actual payments.

The income tax assessing officer has the authority to reject an HRA tax exemption claim if you fail to provide supporting documentation, like rent receipts, despite having a valid rent agreement. Assessing officers are bestowed with