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₹1.5L deduction on PPF, ELSS, life insurance & more
The most-used deduction in India. Invest or spend up to ₹1.5L on a list of approved instruments and reduce your taxable income by the same amount.
Maximum deduction
₹1,50,000 per year (combined cap)
Who can claim
Resident and non-resident individuals, HUFs. Companies and partnership firms cannot claim 80C.
How it works
Section 80C of the Income Tax Act allows individuals and HUFs to claim a deduction of up to ₹1,50,000 per financial year by investing in or contributing to specified instruments. This is a combined cap — you cannot claim ₹1.5L for each instrument; you choose how to allocate across the eligible options. Only available under the old tax regime — the new regime (default from FY 2023-24) does not allow 80C.
Eligible instruments
EPF (Employee Provident Fund) — your contribution, not employer's
PPF (Public Provident Fund) — up to ₹1.5L per year
ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) mutual funds — 3-year lock-in
Life insurance premium — for self, spouse, children (premium ≤ 10% of sum assured)
NSC (National Savings Certificate) — 5-year lock-in
5-year tax-saving bank FD
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana — for girl child below 10
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) — for those 60+
Principal repayment of home loan EMI
Tuition fees for up to 2 children — full-time education in India
Stamp duty + registration on house purchase
ULIP premium (Unit Linked Insurance Plan)
Documents you'll need
Investment proofs — PPF passbook, ELSS statement, LIC premium receipt, NSC certificate
EPF contribution from salary slips or Form 16
Home loan principal certificate from bank
Tuition fee receipts (school/college issued, no donation/development fees)
Stamp duty receipt + registration documents (claim only in year of payment)
Worked example
Ravi earns ₹12L/year. EPF deducted: ₹60,000. PPF: ₹50,000. LIC premium: ₹25,000. ELSS SIP: ₹30,000.
Total 80C eligible: 60,000 + 50,000 + 25,000 + 30,000 = ₹1,65,000. Capped at ₹1,50,000. Taxable income reduces from ₹12,00,000 to ₹10,50,000.
In 30% slab: ₹1,50,000 × 30% = ₹45,000 saved (plus ₹1,800 cess) = ~₹46,800 lower tax.
Common mistakes to avoid
Claiming 80C under new tax regime — not allowed
Including employer's EPF contribution — only your share counts
Claiming life insurance where premium exceeds 10% of sum assured (5% if policy was bought before 1 Apr 2012, 20%)
Claiming tuition for more than 2 children or for spouse/self/sibling
Counting interest portion of home loan EMI under 80C — only principal qualifies (interest goes under Section 24)
FAQ
Can I claim 80C in the new tax regime?
No. The new regime (Section 115BAC) explicitly disallows 80C, 80D, HRA, LTA and most Chapter VI-A deductions in exchange for lower slab rates.
Is the ₹1.5L cap per person or per family?
Per individual taxpayer. Both spouses can independently invest ₹1.5L each and claim ₹1.5L each.
Can I claim 80C for my parents' LIC premium?
No. 80C life insurance only covers premium for self, spouse, or children. Parents' premium does not qualify.
What if I invest ₹2L in PPF — can I carry forward the extra ₹50k?
No. The cap is per year and excess does not carry forward. Max ₹1.5L deduction in the year of investment.
Related sections
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