How to Claim Tax Benefits on Joint Home Loans

A Home Loan is a long-term financial commitment. Therefore, it is important to avail of it after thorough financial planning. To manage your finances effectively, you may consider opting for a joint Home Loan. It not only increases your eligibility for a sizeable amount but also maximises savings through tax benefits.

By applying for a housing loan jointly, both the financial co-applicants can avail of tax benefits, provided they are co-owners of the property and contribute towards the repayment of the loan. To know how these tax exemptions work and how to claim them, read on.

What are Tax Benefits

Tax benefits allow various deductions and exemptions, helping you reduce your tax liability. Tax benefits on a joint Home Loan can be availed by all co-owners. Those who have a joint Home Loan are eligible for tax benefits under the Income Tax Act, 1961.  

Types of Tax Benefits on Joint Home Loans 

Joint Home Loan tax benefits are primarily of two types: 

1. Home Loan Tax Benefits for a Self-occupied Property 

In the case of a self-occupied property, both the co-owners, who are also financial co-applicants of the joint Home Loan can claim a tax deduction of up to Rs.2 Lakh annually on the interest paid towards the Home Loan under Section 24(b) as part of their Income Tax Returns.  

2. Home Loan Tax Benefits for a Rented Property 

In case the property is rented out, the entire Home Loan interest can be deducted from taxes. Under Section 80C, tax exemptions of up to Rs.1.5 Lakh are available on the repayment of the principal loan amount.  

To understand the tax rebates, it is advisable to seek professional assistance from a financial advisor. 

Conditions for Claiming Tax Benefits on Joint Home Loans

If you are servicing a joint Home Loan, you must fulfil the following conditions to claim tax benefits: 

1. Both Must be Co-owners of the Property 

Only those individuals who are co-owners of the property are entitled to receive tax benefits on joint Home Loans. In certain cases, where the loan has been taken by multiple borrowers, only those who are registered owners of the concerned property can claim the tax benefits on joint Home Loans.  

2. Both Must be Co-borrowers of the Housing loan 

To be eligible for tax benefits on a joint home loan, the co-owners of the property must also be co-borrowers of the loan. Any borrower who is not paying any amount towards the Home Loan EMI shall not be able to claim tax benefits on joint Home Loans. 

3. Construction of the Property Must be Complete 

The property against which the joint Home Loan has been taken must have been fully constructed for the individuals to claim tax benefits. These benefits can be availed of from the very beginning of the financial year in which the construction has been completed. For properties that are still under construction, such tax benefits shall not be applicable. Furthermore, funds spent on the property even before the completion of its construction can be claimed in five EMI cycles starting from the year of completion of the property construction. 

Things You Should Know about Tax Benefits on Joint Home Loans

Here are some of the important things one should keep in mind when claiming tax benefits on Home Loans: 

• Tax benefits on joint Home Loans are divided among the financial co-applicants, allowing each to claim individual tax deductions and exemptions.
• The proportion of the division of tax exemptions is determined on the basis of the ratio of the ownership of the Home Loan taken jointly. 
• Each applicant can claim the maximum tax rebate of up to Rs.2 Lakh on the payments made towards the interest component. A maximum tax exemption of up to Rs.1.5 Lakh can be claimed by the co-applicants on the repayment made towards the principal amount. 
• Most importantly, the Home Loan must be taken in the name of both the individuals i.e. the co-applicant and co-borrower. 
• Each individual’s entitlement in the joint ownership must be clearly mentioned in percentage.  

Read Also: 8 Different Ways to Avail Tax Benefits on Home Loans 

How to Use an Income Tax Calculator

One of the easiest and fastest ways to get an estimate of the joint Home Loan tax benefits is to use an online calculator. An Income Tax Calculator is an online tool, which uses some basic details to provide an estimate of the following: 

• Total income tax benefit 
• Income tax payable before and after availing of a Home Loan 

An Income Tax Calculator FY 2024-25 works based on the following details provided: 

• Financial year  
• Gender of the applicant
• Annual income above Rs.2.5 Lakh
• Interest paid on the Home Loan 
• Principal amount repaid on the Home Loan 

The calculator can thus be used to assess one’s net liability and tax savings by calculating the gross annual income, housing loan payments, and total claimable deductions. 

Reasons to Use an Income Tax Calculator

Here are some reasons to use an Income Tax Calculator: 

• Ease of accessibility 
• Faster calculations on-the-go 
• Accurate estimates with zero errors  
• Guarantees safety and security by keeping the applicants’ details private 

Who Can Apply for Joint Home Loan Tax Benefits

Tax benefits on joint Home Loans can only be availed of by financial co-applicants, who can be a family member or a close relative, such as a parent, sibling, spouse, son, or unmarried daughter. It is mandatory for the co-applicant to provide a PAN Card or Form 60, KYC documents, income proof and documents related to the joint Home Loan taken when filing a claim for tax benefits Home Loan.  

• KYC Documents – Aadhaar Card/PAN Card/Driving License/Passport/Voter’s ID etc. 
• Income Proof – Last 3 years’ salary slip and 6 months’ bank account statement (for salaried individuals) and last 5 years business revenues and 6 months’ bank account statement (for self-employed individuals) 
• Statement of Income Tax Returns  

Note: Additional documents might be required during loan processing.  

Conclusion

Applying for a Home Loan jointly not only brings down the financial obligation but also provides a host of tax benefits and exemptions. As discussed, tax benefits on joint Home Loans can be claimed under Section 24(b) and Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961 whether the property in question is self-occupied or rented out provided the conditions stated above are met. However, in case one is unsure of the tax deduction amount, an Income Tax Calculator can prove helpful. You can also consider discussing the procedure with a financial advisor.