HRA Exemption Calculator
Find your tax-free House Rent Allowance in seconds. We run the least-of-three rule for you and show exactly which cap is limiting your exemption.
Want the full rules? Read the HRA exemption guide.
Enter your monthly figures — the result updates instantly.
Metro = Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai only. Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and all other cities count as non-metro (40%).
Least of these three (per month)
Lowest figure wins → 40% of salary
HRA exemption applies only under the old tax regime and needs rent proof (plus the landlord’s PAN if annual rent exceeds ₹1 lakh). General information, not tax advice — confirm with a qualified CA.
The least-of-three rule
Your exempt HRA is the smallest of these three figures. The calculator above works it out for you — here’s what it’s comparing.
Actual HRA received
The House Rent Allowance component your employer actually pays you.
Rent − 10% of salary
Annual rent you pay, minus 10% of your salary (Basic + DA).
50% or 40% of salary
50% of salary if you live in a metro, otherwise 40%.
“Salary” here means Basic + Dearness Allowance (and commission, if it’s a fixed % of turnover). HRA is available only under the old tax regime — the new regime drops it.
Only four cities count as “metro”
This single setting changes your third cap from 40% to 50% of salary — and it trips up a lot of people.
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Kolkata
- Chennai
- Bengaluru
- Hyderabad
- Pune, Ahmedabad & every other city
- All towns and rural areas
Yes — despite their size, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are non-metro for HRA. Pick “No — non-metro” in the calculator unless you rent in one of the four cities above.
What you’ll need — and what’s allowed
Rent receipts & landlord PAN
Keep rent receipts for the year. If your annual rent crosses ₹1 lakh, your landlord’s PAN is mandatory.
Old regime only
HRA exemption exists only under the old regime. If the new regime saves you more overall, the exemption is moot.
Rent to parents is allowed
You can pay rent to a parent who owns the home — they must report it as income, and you need a genuine arrangement and proof.
HRA + home loan together
You can claim HRA and a home-loan deduction at the same time — e.g. you rent where you work and own a house elsewhere.
HRA calculator — questions
How is HRA exemption calculated?
Is HRA exemption available in the new tax regime?
Which cities count as metro for HRA?
Can I claim HRA without rent receipts?
Can I claim HRA if I pay rent to my parents?
Can I claim HRA and a home loan at the same time?
What does ‘salary’ mean in the HRA formula?
Claim your HRA correctly — and everything else
A CA checks which regime wins, claims your HRA with 80C, 80D and the rest, and files cleanly. Transparent pricing, real Chartered Accountants, 7-day turnaround.
Talk to a CA on WhatsApp