NRI Income Tax & Compliance

Section 80C of Income Tax Act - 80C Deduction List

autohr img By Pankaj Shaw | Last Updated : 06 Nov, 2025

Section 80C

Seeking different ways to save some tax on your investment in India? If so, your first route to it is Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Through this section, you can claim up to INR 1,50,000 tax deductions on your investments in several financial assets like ELSS, PPF, NSC, etc., and reduce your tax liability. Section 80C provides you with several tax-saving options through allowable expenses and various investments.

Want to know more about this section? Well, then you are at the right destination. In this blog, we will talk about who can claim deductions under this section, the available tax deductions, and the exemptions it offers. So, let's begin reading.

Who Can Claim Section 80C Deductions?

Here is who can claim tax deductions under Section 80C:

Indian and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs):

According to the Income Tax Act, 1961, both Indian residents and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are eligible to claim deductions under Section 80C. This category includes both salaried and self-employed professionals, such as doctors and business individuals.

Hindu Undivided Family (HUFs):

Under the Income Tax Act, 1961, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) are considered separate assessable entities. Considering this, in an accounting year, they can claim up to INR 1,50,000 tax benefits under Section 80C. In addition, they have the flexibility to invest in several instruments such as Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS), life insurance, and tax-saving Fixed Deposits (FDs) to claim tax deductions under Section 80C.

Senior Citizens and Others:

Senior citizens are those aged 60 and above. Under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, these individuals can claim tax benefits. All investments mentioned in Section 80C, as well as specific options such as the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS), can be used to claim tax deductions under this section.

These are the people who can claim tax deductions under Section 80C. Moving ahead, let's compare the available tax deductions for them.

Section 80C Deduction Comparison for Indians, NRIs, and HUFs

Here is a comparison of available deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act for Indians, NRIs, and HUFs:

Investment Indian Residents Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Hindu Undivided Family (HUFs)
Life Insurance Premium Available for all Available for self, spouse, and children Available for all the HUF members
Equity Linked Saving Scheme (ELSS) Applicable for all Applicable for all Applicable for all
5-Year Tax-Saving Fixed Deposit (Bank) Yes, available for all Indian residents It is only available for NRIs via an NRO account Yes, available for all HUF members
Principal Repayment of Home Loan Available Only available on properties in India Available
Tuition Fees (only for 2 children) Applicable to all Indian residents Applicable for children studying in India Not applicable
Public Provident Fund (PPF) Yes NRIs do not have permission to open new accounts; however, they can manage their existing ones Yes
National Savings Certificate (NSC) Available for all Indian residents Not available for NRI Available for all the members in the HUF
Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIP) Applicable Applicable Applicable
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Available Not available Not available
Senior Citizen Saving Scheme (SCSS) Yes, available for all Indian resident senior citizens Not available Yes, available if the member of HUF qualifies
Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) Applicable Only applicable if the NRI is working in India Not applicable

The table above shows the investments available for Indian residents and Non-Resident Indians to claim under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Moving further, let's examine the investments eligible under this section and their associated risk comparison.

Eligible Investments Under 80C and Risk Comparison

The table below compares several features of the deduction options available under Section 80C. It simplifies the process for taxpayers to select the one that suits them the most.

Options for Investment Average Interest Lock-in-period for Risk Factor
ELSS Funds 12% to 15% 3 Years High
NPS Scheme 8% to 10% Till 60 Years of Age High
ULIP 8% to 10% 5 Years Medium
Tax Saving FD Up to 8.40% 5 Years Low
PPF 7.90% 15 Years Low
Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) 8.60% Usually 5 years, but can be extended for three years. Low
National Savings Certificate 7.90% 5 Years Low
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana 8.50% Till the girl child becomes 21 years old. Additionally, when she turns 18, partial withdrawal is allowed. Low

Apart from the above-stated investments, under Section 80C, expenses incurred in the principal repayment of a home loan and tuition fees of children can also be claimed as tax deductions.

This was all about the comparison of different investments that are part of the Section 80C deduction list and their risk factor. Moving ahead, let's know the tax deduction limits under different sections.

Deduction Limits Under Sections 80C, 80CCC, 80CCD(1), 80CCE, and 80CCD(1B)

Through Sections 80CCC and 80CCD, you can claim tax deductions for investments in pension schemes. The combined tax deductions you get from Sections 80C, 80CCC, and 80CCD(1) are up to INR 1,50,000. Apart from this, under Section 80CCD(1B), you can claim an extra tax deduction for National Pension Scheme (NPS) payments made. Hence, the total available tax deductions you can claim are INR 2,00,000 under Sections 80C, 80CCC, 80CCD(1), and 80CCD(1B). Confused? Have a look at the table below and resolve all your doubts.

Sections Investments Eligible for Tax Deductions Maximum Deduction
Section 80C Investments made in PPF/ SPF/ ELSS/ RPF and payments done towards the principal amount of a home loan, life insurance premiums, NSC, SSY, SCSS, and more. INR 1,50,000
Section 80CCC Payment of pension funds INR 1,50,000
Section 80CCD(1) Payments have been made for the Atal Pension Yojana or other schemes mentioned by the Indian government
  • For Employed: 10% of basic salary + Dearness Allowance (DA)
  • For Self-employed: 20% of total annual income
Section 80CCE Overall added limit of INR 1,50,000 for 80C + 80CCC + 80CCD(1) INR 1,50,000
Section 80CCD(1B) Investments in NPS (apart from the INR 1,50,000 limit under section 80CCE) INR 50,000
80CCD(2) Contribution of the employer towards NPS (apart from the INR 1,50,000 limit under section 80CCE)
  • Employer at Central Government: 14% of basic salary + Dearness Allowance (DA)
  • Others: 10% of basic salary + DA

These are the tax deduction limits under different sections.

Moving further, let's better understand section 80C through an example.

Section 80C – An Illustration

Mr. D, who is a taxable person in India, has an annual salary income of INR 10,00,000. In addition, he also has other income of INR 1,00,000. Apart from this, he has made an investment of INR 1,50,000 in the Public Provident Fund (PPF). Now, using Section 80C, let's know the difference in tax implications for claimed and unclaimed tax deductions.

Particulars Claimed Deductions under Section 80C Unclaimed Deductions under Section 80C
Salary Income INR 10,00,000 INR 10,00,000
Less: Standard Deduction INR (50,000)

INR (50,000)

INR 9,50,000 INR 9,50,000  
Other Income INR 1,00,000 INR 1,00,000
Gross Total Income INR 10,50,000 INR 10,50,000
Less: Section 80C tax deduction INR (1,50,000) -
Taxable Income INR 9,00,000 INR 10,50,000
Total Payable Tax (including cess) INR 96,200 INR 1,32,600

Hence, by claiming a tax deduction using Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, Mr. D has saved INR 36,400 under the old tax regime.

Now, moving forward, how to claim tax deduction using this section.

How to Claim Section 80C Deductions

To claim tax deductions under Section 80C, consider the points stated below:

  • Before 31st March of the fiscal year, invest in eligible investments that come under Section 80C.
  • Gather proofs such as ELSS statements, deposit slips, and insurance premium receipts.
  • To adjust TDS, specify the investments you made to your employer.
  • Under Chapter VI-A, report the investments and file your Income Tax Return (ITR).
  • Note: Section 80C deductions are available only under the Old Tax Regime. Taxpayers opting for the New Regime under Section 115BAC cannot claim these deductions.

This is how you can claim tax deductions under Section 80C and enjoy the tax benefits.

Final Word

Using Section 80C of the Income Tax Act during tax filing is a strategic way to achieve several financial goals, including wealth accumulation, funding education, and retirement planning. By understanding and utilizing the various provisions under this section, individuals across different income tax slabs can minimize their tax liability and secure their financial future.

Furthermore, if you need more guidance on this section or want assistance in claiming tax benefits under it, connect with Savetaxs. We have a team of experts who can provide you with a better understanding of this section and help you claim tax benefits efficiently.

Note: This guide is for informational purposes only. The views expressed in this guide are personal and do not constitute the views of Savetaxs. Savetaxs or the author will not be responsible for any direct or indirect loss incurred by the reader for taking any decision based on the information or the contents. It is advisable to consult with either a Chartered Accountant (CA) or a professional Company Secretary (CS) from the Savetaxs team, as they are familiar with the current regulations and help you make accurate decisions and maintain accuracy throughout the whole process.

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Pankaj Shaw (Tax Expert)

Mr Shaw brings 8 years of experience in auditing and taxation. He has a deep understanding of disciplinary regulations and delivers comprehensive auditing services to businesses and individuals. From financial auditing to tax planning, risk assessment, and financial reporting. Mr Shaw's expertise is impeccable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Section 80C allows up to INR 1,50,000 deduction in a fiscal year from the total taxable income of an individual. Through this section, you can exempt paying tax on several investments and expenditures in India.

Under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, you can be exempt from paying tax on specific expenditures and investments. Doing investing in several financial assets like the National Savings Certificate (NSC), Public Provident Fund (PPF), and Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS), one can get up to INR 1,50,000 tax deduction in a financial year.

Yes, individuals, both residents of India and non-resident Indians (NRIs), are eligible to claim a tax deduction under section 80C of the Income Tax Act. NRIs can claim a deduction for the premium they paid for the NRI life insurance plans, ELSS, and more.

The maximum tax deduction you can claim during the principal repayment of your home loan under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, is INR 1,50,000 per fiscal year. Here, the limit is shared with other expenses and investments such as PPF contributions, life insurance premiums, and more that come under this section.

Yes, under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, you can claim tax deduction for stamp duty and registration cost paid during the purchase of your residential property in the accounting year in which you pay the amount. This tax deduction is also a part of the INR 1,50,000 limit under section 80C.

Yes, under section 80D, NRIs can claim tax deduction of up to INR 25,000 for Indian health insurance for themselves, their spouse, and their dependent children. Apart from this, they can also claim an INR 25,000 tax deduction for their parents under 60 years or INR 50,000 for parents above 60 years of age under section 80D.

Under section 80CCD of the Income Tax Act, 1961, the maximum tax deduction allowed is INR 2,00,000. This includes the extra tax deduction of INR 50,000 made under 80CCD(1B). You cannot claim the tax benefits of 80CCD again under section 80C as the combined deductions cannot be more than INR 2,00,000.