C.A Final Student
472 Points
Joined July 2011
Hi Sakshi
As per section 80E of the Income-tax Act, deduction is allowed on interest paid by an individual on loan taken by him from any financial institution or any approved charitable institution to pursue higher education or for the higher education of his spouse and children for a period of eight assessment years, starting with the year in which the individual starts paying the interest.
As per the provisions of the section, a financial institution means a banking institution to which the Banking Regulations Act, 1949 applies or one specified in this regard by the Central government, by notification in the Official Gazette. In other words, education loan should be taken from a bank in India (including Indian branches of foreign banks). Loans from notified financial institutions and approved charitable institution are also eligible for section 80E deduction. No deduction would be available if the loan is taken from a bank outside India.
CONCLUSION: if the bank in the foreign is a branch of an Indian bank, then you would be entitled to claim the deduction of interest for the period as specified above. However, if the loan is taken from a bank/institution that is not notified for this purpose then you can’t claim tax benefit.
I think aforesaid matter may help you to solve out your query.
Thanks and Regards
Suraj Phauja