How to claim exempt income u/s 10(26) in ITR-1 of FY 2025-26

While filing ITR-1 of a salaried employee for the FY 2025-26, the Option, “ANY OTHER EXEMPTION UNDER SECTION 10”  to claim exempt income u/s 10(26) was found to be missing in both the formats of Old Tax and New Tax Regimes. In the previous years,  this nature of exempt income was being claimed using the "Any Other" option under Schedule Exempt Income. This year, that option seems to be removed.

Under the changed circumstances, if the exempt income u/s 10(26) is claimed in the following manner this year, whether it will be valid :-

Suppose, the Gross Salary is Rs. 15,00,000/- and the exempt income is also Rs. 15,00,000/-.

(A) If under Salary as per section 17(1) of Part B1 Income from Salary in ITR-1, the Gross Salary is shown as "nil" (the Gross Salary of Rs. 15,00,000/- minus the exempt income of Rs. 15,00,000/-)

(B) And next, under Category, “Sums received by specified Category of Taxpayers” and Sub-Category, “10(26)- Any income as referred to in section 10(26)” of (C3) Exempt Income: For reporting purpose and Income on which no Tax is payable, the exempt income is shown as Rs. 15,00,000/-.

Replies (3)
Quick Summary
This discussion addresses a common issue faced by salaried individuals filing ITR-1 for FY 2025-26, where the option to claim exempt income under Section 10(26) appears to be missing. The thread explores alternative methods for reporting this exempt income, contrasting previous years' approaches with the current ITR-1 format. It clarifies the correct procedure for reporting gross salary and claiming the exemption separately in Schedule EI to ensure accurate tax computation.

Report Gross Salary at the full Rs. 15,00,000 in Part B1 (matching Form 16), and separately claim the full Rs. 15,00,000 exemption through Schedule EI under Category "Sums received by specified Category of Taxpayers" → Sub-Category "10(26)." The utility's Part B-TI (Total Income computation) is designed to net off the Schedule EI figure at the total income stage — that's the mechanism built for this, not a manual zero-out at the salary level.

Sir,

If I mention the Gross Salary in Part B1 and the exempt Income under Schedule EI (i.e. under "C3. Exempt Income : For reporting purpose and Income on which no tax is payable") separately, same amount of the Gross Salary comes in the Part B-TI (Total Income computation) without deducting the Exempt Income. There has been no effect of the Exempt Income.

Exempt income shown in Schedule EI is only for disclosure purposes. It does not reduce the Gross Salary entered in Part B1, nor does it affect the computation of Total Income in Part B‑TI. The ITR utility is designed this way because exempt income is not part of taxable income at all.

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