Section 80C

Tax & Deductions

Section 80C allows up to Rs 1.5 lakh deduction from taxable income for specified investments and expenses. The most widely used individual tax deduction. Only available under old tax regime.

In detail

Eligible: EPF (mandatory, auto-counts), PPF, ELSS mutual funds, NSC, 5-year tax-saving FD, NPS (partial), SSY, life insurance premium, home loan principal, children's tuition fees (up to 2 children). Check EPF contribution before buying additional 80C products.

Formula

Tax saved = Min(actual 80C, Rs 1.5L) x Tax ratenAt 30% bracket: Rs 45,000 saved

Real-life example

🇮🇳 India example

Vinita: EPF Rs 43,200 + PPF Rs 50K + ELSS Rs 56,800 = Rs 1.5L. Maxed. Tax saved at 20% bracket = Rs 30,000. Not a rupee wasted.

Frequently asked questions

Is 80C available under new tax regime?
No. Only available under old tax regime. This is a key factor when choosing which regime to file under.