top of page
One stop for everything related to taxes,
Our Blogs
The latest industry news, interviews, and resources
How to Claim LTA in ITR Without Form 16?
Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) is an important salary component that allows salaried employees to claim tax exemptions on domestic travel expenses. It falls under Section 10(5) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, helping reduce taxable income when availed correctly. However, many employees face confusion when their Form 16 does not reflect their LTA claims, making it unclear how to proceed while filing their Income Tax Return (ITR). If your employer has not processed your LTA exemptio

Kanchan Bhatt
Jun 185 min read
How Much HRA is Tax-Free in FY 2025-2026? HRA Rules & Calculation Explained
House Rent Allowance (HRA) is a key salary component for employees who live in rented accommodations. It provides tax relief on rental expenses under the old tax regime, helping reduce the taxable portion of salary. The exempt amount depends on factors like actual rent paid, basic salary, and whether the employee lives in a metro or non-metro city. HRA exemption is allowed only under the old tax regime, where it's calculated based on specific conditions laid out in the Income

Tejaswi Bodke
Jun 188 min read
Salary Structure Changes Mid‑Year: How to Update Form 16 Data
Form 16 is one of the most important documents for salaried individuals when it comes to filing their Income Tax Returns (ITR). It is a certificate issued by an employer that summarizes the salary paid and the TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) deducted during the financial year. For the Financial Year 2025-26 (Assessment Year 2026-27), the government has introduced several changes to Form 16 that aim to simplify the tax filing process and make it more transparent. These updates re

Ankita Murkute
Jun 179 min read


Why Employees Want Simpler Tax Planning Experiences
Employees do not struggle with tax planning only because the law is technical. They struggle because the experience is scattered across payroll portals, investment apps, insurance receipts, rent proofs, Form 16, AIS, Form 26AS, and ITR filing platforms. A salaried employee may know that Section 80C has a Rs. 1.5 lakh limit, but still miss the deadline to upload proof or choose the wrong regime for their actual deductions. Simpler tax planning experiences matter because employ

Adv. Siddharth Sachan
Jun 179 min read
Income Tax Allowance: Exemptions, Deductions, and Salary Benefits for FY 2025-26
Income tax allowance plays an important role in reducing the taxable salary of salaried employees in India. Many employees focus only on their monthly in-hand salary and overlook the various exemptions, deductions, reimbursements, and perquisites available under the Income Tax Act. A properly structured salary package can significantly lower tax liability and improve overall tax efficiency. For FY 2025-26 and AY 2026-27, taxpayers can choose between the old tax regime and the

CA Pratik Bharda
Jun 1514 min read
How Employees Still Depend on Last-Minute Tax Proof Collection
Tax proof collection is still one of the most rushed parts of the salaried employee tax cycle. Employees declare investments at the beginning of the year, forget to update them during the year, and then search for rent receipts, insurance premium proofs, home loan certificates, donation receipts, and Section 80C documents close to the employer’s submission deadline. For HR and payroll teams, this creates a predictable seasonal pressure point. The issue is not only late paperw

CA Pratik Bharda
Jun 159 min read


Section 139(9) Defective Return for Incorrect HRA Claims
House Rent Allowance (HRA) is a key tax exemption for salaried employees who live in rented accommodations. However, incorrect HRA claims in Income Tax Returns (ITR) can lead to a defective return notice under Section 139(9) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. This occurs when the Income Tax Department detects discrepancies in the HRA claim, leading to scrutiny and requiring the taxpayer to correct the return within a specified time. Understanding the reasons behind a defective retu

Kanchan Bhatt
May 228 min read
HRA and LTA Tax Benefits Comparison for FY 2025-2026
House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) are two key components of a salaried individual’s compensation package that provide tax-saving benefits under the old tax regime. However, under the new tax regime, both exemptions have been removed, which has significant implications for taxpayers. This article compares the tax treatment of HRA and LTA, helping individuals make an informed choice about their tax-saving strategies. Table of Contents Understanding HRA

Kanchan Bhatt
May 217 min read
Belated Return and HRA Exemption Issues: How to Claim and Avoid Penalties
Filing income tax returns on time is crucial to avoid penalties and ensure that eligible deductions and exemptions, such as House Rent Allowance (HRA) exemption, are properly claimed. However, many taxpayers either miss the due date or delay filing, leading to a belated return. A belated return can impact HRA exemption claims, restrict deductions, and result in penalties. In this article, we will discuss what a belated return is, how it affects HRA exemption, the challenges t

Kanchan Bhatt
May 215 min read
Deductions under Chapter VI-A for Salaried Employees
looking for ways to save money and plan their taxes. They look for improved tax-saving options to lessen their tax burden because they care about their hard-earned money. One such choice available to Indians in the salaried class is the deductions specified in Chapter VI-A. In this article, we will explain these deductions in detail. Table of content Understanding Income Tax Deductions for Salaried Employees What is Chapter VI-A? Objectives of Chapter VI-A Deductions Deductio

Ankita Murkute
May 167 min read
bottom of page