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10 min read
Updated Aug 2026

HRA Exemption India — Rent Receipts, Metro Rules & Form 16

HRA exemption in India: metro vs non-metro, rent receipts and PAN of landlord, and why HRA usually applies under the old regime — verify with Form 16 / CA.

HRA is a calculation, not a refund button

House Rent Allowance exemption is the minimum of a few statutory tests (salary, rent paid minus 10% of salary, and metro/non-metro percentages). Employers report it on Form 16. Our salary-tax calculator is a planning aid — not the Income Tax portal.

Documents CAs actually ask for

Rent receipts, rental agreement, landlord PAN if rent is above notified thresholds, and cancelled cheque/UTR if asked. Paying cash without receipts is a common notice trigger.

New vs old regime

HRA exemption is an old-regime style claim in typical years. If you are on the new regime, HRA exemption may not apply — confirm the current Finance Act / CBDT guidance before you choose a regime.

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim HRA living with parents?

Sometimes, if there is a genuine rental and they declare income — this is fact-specific. Ask a CA.

Metro list?

Notified metros for the 50% rule are defined in tax law — do not guess from a tweet.

Will ContentVerse file ITR?

No.

In this topic: Salary & income tax

Compare old vs new tax regimes for planning — always verify on the official portal before filing.

Educational guide only. For government schemes, tax, and banking decisions, confirm details on official portals or with qualified professionals.