Are Landlords Required To Report Rental Income Under The Income Tax Act?

Under the Income Tax Act of India, landlords are required to report their rental income as part of their annual income tax returns. Rental income is considered part of the landlord's total taxable income and is subject to taxation. It is essential for landlords to comply with tax laws to avoid penalties and ensure that they benefit from available tax deductions related to rental properties.

Requirements for Reporting Rental Income under the Income Tax Act:

Reporting of Rental Income:

According to the Income Tax Act, Section 22, income earned from renting out property is considered income from house property and must be reported in the Income Tax Return (ITR).

Landlords are required to report all rental income received, including both residential and commercial properties. This income must be declared even if it is paid in cash or other forms of payment.

Calculation of Rental Income:

The total rental income earned during the financial year is calculated and included in the landlord's income tax return.

Landlords must report the gross rental income before deductions. For example, if a property earns ₹12,00,000 annually as rent, that amount must be reported in the tax return.

Deductions from Rental Income:

The Income Tax Act allows landlords to claim deductions from their rental income to reduce their taxable income. Some of the main deductions include:

• Standard Deduction (30% of Gross Rental Income): A flat 30% of the gross rental income is allowed as a deduction to cover repairs, maintenance, and other expenses (Section 24 of the Income Tax Act).
• Interest on Home Loan: If the property is financed through a loan, the landlord can claim a deduction for interest paid on the loan under Section 24(b).
• Municipal Taxes Paid: Property tax paid to municipal authorities can also be claimed as a deduction.

After these deductions, the net rental income is calculated and included in the overall income, which is then taxed as per the applicable income tax slab.

Filing the Income Tax Return (ITR):

Landlords must file their income tax return (ITR) by the due date, which typically falls in July of the assessment year for individuals. The ITR must reflect the total income earned from the property.

Rental income is reported under Section 22-27 of the Income Tax Act, which deals with income from house property.

Tax Slabs for Rental Income:

Rental income is taxed according to the landlord’s overall income, and it falls under the Income from House Property head. The income is then taxed as per the applicable income tax slab rates for the individual.

For example, if a landlord’s total taxable income, including rental income, exceeds ₹5,00,000, it will be subject to the applicable tax rate for the higher income brackets.

Capital Gains Tax (If Property is Sold):

If a landlord sells the rental property, capital gains tax applies to the profit made on the sale of the property.

The capital gains tax rate depends on whether the property was held for more than 24 months (long-term capital gains) or less than 24 months (short-term capital gains).

The gain from the sale of the property must be reported separately under capital gains in the income tax return.

Penalties for Non-Reporting:

Failing to report rental income can lead to penalties, including interest on unpaid taxes and additional fines imposed by the Income Tax Department.

Tax evasion for non-reporting can also result in legal consequences, including prosecution.

Example:

Let’s assume a landlord in Delhi rents out a property for ₹25,000 per month:

• Step 1: The landlord’s total annual rental income will be ₹25,000 x 12 = ₹3,00,000.
• Step 2: The landlord is eligible for a standard deduction of 30% on ₹3,00,000, which amounts to ₹90,000.
• Step 3: If the landlord has a home loan on the property and pays ₹50,000 as interest during the year, this can be deducted as well.
• Step 4: The landlord’s net rental income is ₹3,00,000 - ₹90,000 - ₹50,000 = ₹1,60,000.
• Step 5: The landlord will report this net rental income of ₹1,60,000 in the Income Tax Return (ITR) and will pay tax based on their applicable income tax slab.

Conclusion:

Under the Income Tax Act of India, landlords must report their rental income as part of their annual tax filing. They are also eligible for several deductions, such as the standard 30% deduction, interest on home loans, and property taxes paid. Failure to report rental income can lead to penalties and legal consequences. It is crucial for landlords to ensure they accurately report all rental income and comply with tax regulations to avoid issues with the Income Tax Department.