Important Notice: HRA exemption is available only if you choose the Old Tax Regime. Under the New Tax Regime (default for FY 2026-27), most exemptions including HRA have been removed. Use our Income Tax Calculator to compare both regimes before deciding.
The HRA Exemption Calculator helps salaried individuals determine the exact portion of their House Rent Allowance that is non-taxable under Section 10(13A). For many employees, rent is the single largest expense, and the Indian government allows significant tax savings on this amount.
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₹0₹50L+
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₹0₹20L+
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₹0₹20L+
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₹0₹10L+
Estimated HRA Exemption
₹1,20,000
Amount deducted from your taxable income
Taxable HRA
₹1,20,000
This portion is added to your salary
Exemption Clause
Under Section 10(13A), your exemption is the lowest of the three statutory limits.
Mathematical Limits check
Condition 1
Actual HRA Received
₹2,40,000
Condition 2
50% of Basic + DA
₹3,00,000
Condition 3
Rent Paid - 10% of Salary
₹1,20,000
Exempted Amount
HRA Exemption Distribution
Housing Optimization
The Sweet Spot Rent Strategy.
To maximize HRA exemption, your annual rent should ideally be around 300,000 in a Metro city. This ensures you claim 100% of the HRA component tax-free.
HRA exemption isn't just 'rent paid'. The Income Tax Department takes the minimum of: 1. Actual HRA received, 2. Rent paid minus 10% of (Basic + DA), or 3. 50% of Basic (Metro) / 40% (Non-Metro). To maximize your savings, ensure your rent is at least 30-40% of your Basic salary.
The Landlord PAN Requirement
If your annual rent exceeds ₹1,00,000, providing your landlord's PAN is mandatory to claim HRA. If your landlord refuses, you cannot claim the exemption through your employer. In such cases, you can still claim it while filing your ITR, but be prepared for potential scrutiny from the department.
HRA Hack: Renting from Parents
Yes, you can legally pay rent to your parents and claim HRA. However, the parents must declare this as 'Rental Income' in their ITR, and there should be a formal rent agreement and bank transfer trail. You cannot, however, pay rent to your spouse and claim HRA, as the law views a couple as a single household entity.
Frequently Asked Questions
⚠️ Disclaimer
The figures provided by this calculator are estimates based on the inputs you provide and standard financial formulas. STOCKCALC.IN does not offer investment advice. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
MH
Verified Contributor
HRA Exemption Calculator 2026: How Much Tax Can You Save on Rent? analyzed by Mahavir Hirani
I verified this calculation against the April 2026 Fiscal Cycle. If you have questions about the logic, reach out via the Author Page.
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