School fees can lower your taxes
Raising kids is expensive, but here is a small relief: under the Old Tax Regime, the tuition fee you pay for your children's education counts inside your 80C basket (the combined ₹1.5 lakh deduction). You are not getting a new pot of money — you are filling the same ₹1.5 lakh basket with an expense you already had.
The number to know
Tuition fees are claimable within the ₹1.5 lakh Section 80C cap, for a maximum of 2 children per taxpayer (Source: Section 80C(2)(xvii), Income Tax Act).
| Who claims | Max children | Shared limit |
|---|---|---|
| One parent | 2 children | Within ₹1.5 lakh 80C |
| Both parents working | 2 children each (up to 4) | ₹1.5 lakh each |
The rules in plain English
- Who: individual parents who actually paid the fees.
- Limit: sits inside the overall ₹1.5 lakh 80C basket.
- Children: up to two per taxpayer; a working couple can split up to four.
- Institution: any school, college, or university located in India.
- Course: must be full-time. Even play-school and pre-nursery fees count.
What is NOT allowed
Only the line item literally called "Tuition Fee" qualifies. You cannot claim:
- Development or building fees
- Donation or capitation fees
- Transport or bus charges
- Hostel or mess charges
- Library or late fees
How to claim it: step by step
- Ask the school for a receipt that shows the tuition fee component separately.
- Add up tuition for up to two children for the full financial year.
- If you missed telling HR, you can still claim it directly in your ITR under the 80C schedule.
- Keep the receipts safe for at least six years in case of a query.
Common mistake
Claiming the whole fee receipt. Parents often enter the total — including transport and development fees — under 80C. Only the tuition component is allowed, and over-claiming can invite a notice.
How LastMinute ITR helps
Forgot to give the school receipt to HR? LastMinute ITR asks simple questions about your expenses, slots only the eligible tuition amount into your 80C deductions, and checks whether the old regime even pays off for you. You then file and e-verify on incometax.gov.in.