Salaried renters
See how much tax your rent can save.
HRA Exemption Calculator
Enter your salary, HRA and rent to see how much HRA you can claim as exempt.
Your files stay with you. Your files never leave your browser. This tool runs on your device: nothing is uploaded to our servers, so there is nothing for us to store or see.
How to use it
- Enter basic plus DA, HRA received and the rent you pay.
- Say whether you live in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Chennai.
- Read the exempt and taxable HRA with the three amounts compared.
Where it helps
Choosing a regime
Feed the result into the old vs new regime comparison.
Investment declarations
Plan what to declare to your employer.
Good to know
Stays in your browser
Figures you enter are worked out on your device and never sent to our servers.
An estimate
Rules change; confirm with HR or your CA before deciding.
Keep proof
Rent receipts and agreement; landlord's PAN above ₹1 lakh a year.
Questions people ask
How much of your HRA is tax-free?
The exempt amount is the least of three figures: the HRA you receive; your rent minus 10% of basic plus DA; and 50% of basic plus DA in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Chennai, or 40% elsewhere. Enter your salary, HRA and rent to see it. HRA exemption is only available under the old tax regime.
- Least of 3 Rule. HRA, rent - 10%, 50% / 40%.
- 50% Metro cities. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai.
- Old regime Only. Not the new regime.
- ₹1 lakh Rent above. Needs landlord's PAN.
How is HRA exemption calculated?
It's the least of three amounts: the HRA you actually receive; the rent you pay minus 10% of basic plus DA; and 50% of basic plus DA if you live in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Chennai, or 40% anywhere else. The calculator works out all three and shows which is lowest.
Can I claim HRA in the new tax regime?
No. HRA exemption is only available in the old regime. Compare both regimes with the income tax calculator, using your HRA exemption as one of the old-regime deductions, to see which leaves you paying less tax overall this year. Decide before declaring to your employer.
Do I need rent receipts?
Keep them, along with a rent agreement. If your yearly rent is more than ₹1,00,000, you must give your landlord's PAN to your employer. Rent paid to a parent can be claimed if it's genuinely paid and the parent declares it as income, but keep clear records.
Which cities count as metro for HRA?
For HRA, only Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai use the 50% limit. Other large cities such as Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad use 40%, even though many people think of them as metros. The calculator asks whether you live in one of the four. Choose carefully.
What salary figures do I need?
Your basic pay plus dearness allowance, the HRA your employer pays you, and the rent you actually pay, usually for the whole year. Payslips show basic, DA and HRA separately. Use yearly figures, or monthly figures consistently throughout. Keep your payslips handy. Yearly figures are simplest to enter.
Is anything I enter stored?
No. The calculation runs in your browser, so your salary and rent figures aren't sent anywhere or stored. You can try different rents or salaries privately, for example when deciding between two flats. Nothing is stored after you close the page, and there's no account, email address or sign-up needed to use it.
What if I don't receive HRA from my employer?
Then this exemption doesn't apply. Self-employed people and employees without HRA may be able to claim rent under section 80GG in the old regime, which has its own conditions and limits. Ask your CA whether you qualify. Keep rent receipts either way. 80GG has stricter limits than HRA.
What is the taxable part of HRA?
Any HRA you receive above the exempt amount is taxable as salary. The calculator shows both the exempt and taxable parts, so you know how much HRA actually adds to your taxable income under the old regime. It's added to your taxable salary. It shows on Form 16.
Can I claim HRA if I own a house?
Possibly, if you rent in a different city from where you own a home, or for other genuine reasons. You may also be able to claim home loan interest separately. These cases need careful documentation, so discuss them with your CA. Keep proof of rent paid.
Why does rent minus 10% of salary matter?
It's one of the three limits: the law expects you to bear rent up to 10% of your basic plus DA yourself. If your rent is low compared with your salary, this figure is often the smallest, which limits how much HRA is exempt. Check all three.
How does HRA affect regime choice?
A large HRA exemption can make the old regime better, especially combined with 80C, health insurance and home loan interest. If your deductions are small, the new regime with its lower rates and ₹12 lakh effective tax-free limit often wins. Compare both before deciding. Run both scenarios.
When should I submit rent proofs?
Employers usually ask for proofs towards the end of the financial year to finalise TDS. Declare your rent at the start of the year so less tax is deducted each month, then submit receipts and the agreement when HR asks. Missing proofs can mean extra TDS.
Can I claim HRA for part of the year?
Yes. The exemption is worked out for the months you actually paid rent and received HRA. If you moved house or changed jobs, calculate each period separately with the right figures, then add the exempt amounts together. Keep each period's receipts separately. Your employer handles this in TDS.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. Enter your basic, HRA and rent on your phone and see the exempt amount instantly. It's useful when comparing flats with different rents or reviewing your investment declaration. No app is needed, and nothing you enter is uploaded or stored. Results update as you type.
Is it free?
Yes. The HRA exemption calculator is free, with no sign-up and no limit. It's an estimate for planning; confirm your tax position with your CA, especially in unusual situations such as rent paid to relatives. Nothing you enter is stored, and there's no limit on scenarios.
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