ITR Filing 2025: New Rules Now Target Rent Claims from Unverified Locations

Taxpayers using the old tax regime will now need to be extra careful while filing their Income Tax Returns (ITR) this year. The government has introduced new rules that require detailed information and documents for claiming House Rent Allowance (HRA) and deductions under sections like 80C, 80D, 80E, and 80EEB. 

HRA Claims Under Tight Scrutiny by Income Tax Department

If you're planning to claim HRA, you must now give specific details such as:

• Your place of work
• How much HRA you received
• Actual rent paid
• Your basic salary and dearness allowance
• Whether your city is metro or non-metro

This information will be cross-checked by the system. If you're claiming rent for a home in one city while working in another, you may be flagged for review.

More Documentation Required for Claiming Deductions

For deductions under Section 80C (like life insurance or investments) and Section 80D (health insurance), you must now provide:

• Policy or document numbers
• Name of the insurance company or institution
• Specific identification details

For education loans (80E) or electric vehicle loans (80EEB), you’ll need to enter:

• Loan account number
• Sanction date
• Outstanding loan balance

These details are mandatory, and missing any field might prevent you from filing your ITR.

ITR Portals Now Have Auto-Checks

The government’s updated ITR filing tools include built-in validation. That means if you leave any of the new required fields blank, the portal won’t allow you to submit your return.

Read more: ITR Filing 2025: Landlord’s PAN Card Mandatory for Claiming Exemption on Higher Rents

Conclusion

These new rules highlight the government’s push for greater transparency in tax filings. If you're under the old tax regime, prepare to return every claim with proper documents and details. Whether it’s HRA or deductions, accuracy is key. A single mismatch could stop your return from being filed.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.