HRA Calculator

Calculate House Rent Allowance tax exemption for effective tax planning

Salary Details

HRA Exemption Formula

HRA Exemption = Minimum of:
1. Actual HRA received
2. Actual rent paid - 10% of basic salary
3. 50% of basic salary (metro) / 40% (non-metro)

Tax Saving Benefits

Exempted HRA: ₹1,00,000
Tax Saved (30% slab): ₹30,000

Exempted HRA

₹1,00,000
Tax Exempt Amount
₹0
Taxable HRA
₹1,00,000
Total HRA Received

HRA Calculation Breakdown

1. Actual HRA Received: ₹1,00,000
2. Rent - 10% Basic: ₹2,46,000
3. 50%/40% of Basic: ₹2,70,000
Minimum (Exempted): ₹1,00,000

Monthly Breakdown

Monthly Basic Salary: ₹45,000
Monthly HRA Received: ₹8,333
Monthly Rent Paid: ₹25,000
Monthly Tax Savings: ₹2,500

HRA Exemption Analysis

HRA Rates by City Classification

Metro Cities (50% of Basic Salary)

  • • Mumbai
  • • Delhi (NCR)
  • • Chennai
  • • Kolkata

Non-Metro Cities (40% of Basic Salary)

  • • Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune
  • • Ahmedabad, Surat
  • • Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities
  • • All other cities

HRA Exemption Scenarios

Basic Salary HRA Received Rent Paid Metro Exemption Non-Metro Exemption

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HRA Calculator: Complete Guide to House Rent Allowance Tax Exemption

The HRA Calculator (House Rent Allowance Calculator) is an essential tool for salaried employees to calculate tax exemption on HRA and optimize their tax planning. Understanding HRA calculation helps you maximize tax savings while ensuring compliance with income tax regulations.

What is HRA (House Rent Allowance)?

House Rent Allowance (HRA) is a component of salary paid by employers to employees to meet their accommodation expenses. The HRA calculator helps determine the tax-exempt portion of this allowance, enabling significant tax savings for salaried individuals living in rented accommodations.

How to Use the HRA Calculator

Using our HRA Calculator is straightforward and provides instant tax savings calculations:

HRA Exemption Calculation Formula

The HRA exemption formula determines the tax-free portion of your HRA based on the minimum of three calculations:

HRA Exemption = Minimum of:

  1. 1. Actual HRA received from your employer
  2. 2. Actual rent paid minus 10% of basic salary
  3. 3. 50% of basic salary (metro cities) or 40% of basic salary (non-metro cities)

The lowest amount among these three becomes your tax-exempt HRA.

Metro vs Non-Metro City Classification

The HRA calculator applies different exemption rates based on your city classification:

Metro Cities (50% of Basic Salary)

  • • Mumbai
  • • Delhi NCR
  • • Chennai
  • • Kolkata

Higher cost of living warrants higher HRA exemption

Non-Metro Cities (40% of Basic Salary)

  • • Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune
  • • Ahmedabad, Surat
  • • All Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities
  • • Other urban areas

Standard rate for cities outside metro classification

HRA Eligibility Conditions

To claim HRA exemption using the HRA calculator, you must meet these conditions:

Practical Example of HRA Calculation

Example: HRA Calculation for Metro City

Consider an employee in Mumbai with the following details:

  • • Annual Basic Salary: ₹5,40,000
  • • Annual HRA Received: ₹1,00,000
  • • Annual Rent Paid: ₹3,00,000
  • • City: Mumbai (Metro)

Calculation:

1. Actual HRA: ₹1,00,000

2. Rent - 10% Basic: ₹3,00,000 - ₹54,000 = ₹2,46,000

3. 50% of Basic: ₹2,70,000

HRA Exemption: ₹1,00,000 (minimum of the three)

Tax Saving (30% slab): ₹30,000

Documentation Required for HRA Claim

To claim HRA exemption calculated by the HRA calculator, maintain these documents:

HRA Tax Saving Strategies

Maximize your tax savings using these HRA optimization strategies:

Optimize Salary Structure

Work with your employer to increase HRA component and reduce taxable allowances for better tax efficiency.

Monitor Rent-to-Income Ratio

Ensure your rent exceeds 10% of basic salary to maximize the benefit from the second component of HRA calculation.

Consider City Classification

If relocating for work, consider the HRA exemption difference between metro and non-metro cities in your decision.

Common HRA Calculation Mistakes

Avoid these common errors when using the HRA calculator:

Recent Changes in HRA Rules

Stay updated with recent developments affecting HRA calculations:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim HRA if I live in my own house?

No, HRA exemption is only available if you live in a rented accommodation. The HRA calculator assumes rental payment for tax exemption.

What if I receive HRA but don't pay rent?

The entire HRA becomes taxable if you don't pay rent. Use the HRA calculator with zero rent to see the tax impact.

Can I claim both HRA and home loan tax benefits?

Yes, you can claim HRA for rental accommodation and home loan benefits for property in a different city, subject to conditions.

Is DA considered part of basic salary for HRA calculation?

Yes, Dearness Allowance is added to basic salary for HRA calculation purposes. Our HRA calculator includes DA in the computation.