Leave Travel Allowance Exemption: A Comprehensive Guide

Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) is a popular tax benefit provided by employers to their employees in India. It allows employees to save taxes on travel expenses incurred during their vacations within the country. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deeper into the concept of LTA, how it works, and the rules and regulations surrounding it. Whether you're an employee looking to understand the benefits of LTA or an employer seeking to implement it, this guide will provide you with all the information you need. So, let's begin!

What is Leave Travel Allowance?

Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) is a tax-free allowance provided by employers as part of their employees' salary component. It allows employees to claim tax exemption on the costs incurred for leisure travel within India. Under LTA, employees are permitted to take a leave from work and travel on vacation, with the costs incurred considered as a tax-free expense. The exemption is allowed twice in a block of four years, subject to certain conditions.

To avail of the LTA tax benefit, employees must submit the bills and travel documents to their employer as proof of travel expenses. The exemption is allowed only for the expenses incurred during the travel period and is subject to specific conditions.

Conditions to Claim LTA Exemption

To claim an exemption for LTA, employees must fulfill the following conditions:

• The employee must actually travel to be eligible for LTA. Claiming LTA without actually traveling is not permitted.
• The vacation should be taken only within India.
• Costs incurred for family members who travel with the employee would also be allowed as an exemption. The family members include spouses, children, dependent parents, and dependent siblings.
• LTA components must be included in the salary structure of the employee.
• The exemption can be claimed for up to two children born on or after 1st October 1998. There is no restriction for children born before this date or in cases of multiple births on a second occasion after having one child.
• LTA exemption is allowed for up to two journeys taken within a block of four calendar years. The current block year for claiming LTA started in 2022 and will end in 2025. Unused LTA entitlement for the current block year is forfeited if not claimed, and the employee will need to wait for the next block year to claim LTA again.
• LTA can be claimed for travel by any mode of transport, including air, train, or road.
• No LTA is allowed for hotel accommodation and food.

Eligibility for LTA Exemption

The eligibility for LTA exemption depends on the actual cost incurred on travel. Employees can claim LTA exemption for the expense incurred on booking a journey from their place of origin to the place of travel and back. The journey should be undertaken through the shortest possible route by air, rail, or bus. Only the cost of tickets booked for travel is allowed as an exemption. Costs incurred on conveyance, sightseeing, accommodation, shopping, and food are not allowed. If the employer offers a lower LTA allowance than the actual travel cost, the exemption is limited to the LTA allowed by the employer.

For example, if the employer allows an LTA of INR 25,000 and the employee incurs travel costs of INR 35,000, the LTA exemption can be claimed only for INR 25,000. Conversely, if the employee incurs a cost of INR 20,000, the exemption allowed would be INR 20,000.

Quantum of LTA Exemption

The quantum of LTA exemption depends on the actual cost incurred on travel. The LTA exemption is allowed for the expense incurred on booking a journey from the employee's place of origin to the place of travel and back, through the shortest possible route via air, rail, or bus. Only the cost of tickets booked for travel is allowed as an exemption. Costs incurred on conveyance, sightseeing, accommodation, shopping, and food are not allowed.

LTA Exemption Rules for Various Modes of Transport

The actual travel costs incurred for LTA exemption depend on the mode of transport. The rules for determining the exempted travel costs for various modes of transport are as follows:

• When the destination is not connected directly by a recognized public transport, the exempted travel costs are considered to be the fare of AC first-class rail tickets from the origin city to the destination city, assuming the journey is made by rail and the shortest route is taken.
• If the destination is connected by all recognized public transport other than trains, the exempted cost would be the fare of first class or deluxe class on such transport for the journey taken using the shortest route.
• If the destination is connected by trains, the exempted cost would be the fare of an AC first-class train ticket for the shortest route, whether the journey has been taken by train or not.
• If the employee travels by air, the exempted cost would be the fare for economy class of a national carrier using the shortest route.

Unclaimed LTA

LTA exemption is available for two journeys undertaken in a block of four years. However, if an employee does not take two journeys within the four-year block, only one unutilized LTA can be carried forward to the next block of years and claimed therein. To claim the unutilized LTA, the employee must take a trip in the first calendar year of the next block. If the unutilized LTA is not claimed within the first year of the next block, it will expire and cannot be claimed later on.

LTA Exemption in Case of Job Change

Even if an employee changes their job within a block of four years, LTA exemption is still available. If the change happens within the block and there is any unutilized LTA, it can be claimed with the new employer. However, if the LTA has been availed from the old employer, the new employer will not allow any new LTC.

LTA for Multi-Destination Travel

If an employee goes on vacation and visits multiple cities, the exempted LTA amount will cover the cost of round-trip travel from their home city to the farthest city they visit and back. In other words, the LTA will reimburse the employee for the most expensive leg of their travel.

For example, if an employee resides in Delhi and decides to go on vacation to Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, the cost of round-trip travel from Delhi to Mumbai is ₹5000, from Delhi to Kolkata is ₹4000, and from Delhi to Chennai is ₹6000. In this scenario, the exempted LTA amount would be ₹6000, which is the cost of the round-trip travel from Delhi to Chennai and back. Even though the employee visited multiple cities, the LTA will cover the expense of the farthest city visited and the return journey.

LTA for Vacations on Holidays

Under the Income Tax Act, LTA is allowed only when the employee takes a leave from work and then travels on vacation. If the traveling is done on holidays, the same is not allowed for LTA exemption. However, organizational practices might differ, and some companies may allow LTA exemption even if the trip is taken on a holiday, while others may not.

Expenses Included Under LTA

Under the Indian Income Tax Act, the following expenses can be included under LTA:

• Travel expenses: LTA covers the cost of travel for the employee and their immediate family members, including spouse, children, and dependent parents or siblings. The travel can be undertaken by air, rail, or public transportation as per the specific rules defined by the employer or the Income Tax Department.
• Destination: LTA is meant for travel within India. Employees can claim expenses incurred on traveling to any place in India for their leave period.
• Mode of travel: LTA covers expenses incurred on travel by air, train, or other public transportation. The expenses are eligible for reimbursement based on the actual amount spent or as per the limits set by the employer or tax authorities.
• Leave period: LTA can be claimed for travel during the employee's leave period, which may include annual leave, casual leave, or any other form of approved leave.

Procedure to Claim LTA

The procedure to claim LTA may vary depending on the employer's policies and procedures, but here are the general steps that most employees need to follow:

1. Check your eligibility: Ensure that you are eligible for LTA and have completed the required years of service with your employer. Check the LTA rules and regulations specific to your employer.
2. Plan your travel: Plan your travel in advance and select the mode of transport you wish to use. Keep all the relevant documents related to your travel, such as tickets, boarding passes, and invoices.
3. Apply for LTA: Fill out the LTA application form provided by your employer and provide all the relevant details of your travel, such as the date of travel, destination, mode of transport, and cost incurred.
4. Submit proof of travel: Along with your application form, submit all the relevant documents such as tickets, boarding passes, and invoices that prove your travel. These documents serve as proof of your LTA claim.
5. Await approval and reimbursement: Your employer will verify your LTA claim and, once approved, reimburse the amount claimed as per their policy. The reimbursement may be processed as part of your regular salary or as a separate payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If the employee takes one journey in the block of 2022-23, by when should the unclaimed LTC be claimed in the next block?

A: The unclaimed LTC exemption should be claimed within the year 2025 if it is carried forward to the next block.

Q: Is LTA exemption available in the new tax regime applicable from the financial year 2022-23?

A: No, LTA exemption would not be allowed under the new tax regime, which is applicable from the financial year 2022-23.

Q: If the employee's parents-in-law travel with him, would the travel costs for the parents-in-law be claimed as an exemption?

A: No, LTA exemption cannot be claimed for travel costs of parents-in-law.

Q: Which section of the Income Tax Act allows an exemption for LTA?

A: Section 10(5) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 allows LTA exemption.

Q: If the boarding pass is lost, can LTA be claimed?

A: LTA can be claimed if the boarding pass is lost. However, allowing LTA exemption would depend on the employer and the availability of other proofs.

Q: If the employee's wife travels with him, would her travel costs be allowed as an exemption?

A: Yes, the travel costs of spouses can be claimed under LTC exemption.

Q: Can only the travel costs of the family members be claimed as LTA if the employee does not travel?

A: No, if the employee does not travel, no LTA exemption would be allowed even if the family members travel.

Q: What would happen if the employee did not travel in a block of four years?

A: If the employee does not travel in a block of four years, LTA exemption would not be allowed. However, one unutilized LTA can be carried forward to the next block.

Q: Can return airfares on international trips be claimed under LTA?

A: No, international travel is not covered under LTA, and return fares on such travel would not be allowed as an exemption.

Q: Can I claim LTA exemption twice in one financial year?

A: No, only one LTC exemption can be claimed in one financial year. If you have taken two trips within the same financial year, the exemption would be allowed only on one trip.

Conclusion

Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) is a valuable tax benefit that allows employees in India to save taxes on travel expenses incurred during their vacations. By understanding the rules and regulations surrounding LTA, employees can make the most of this tax-saving measure. Employers, on the other hand, should ensure that LTA is properly implemented and administered to benefit their employees. With the comprehensive information provided in this guide, both employees and employers can navigate the world of LTA exemption with confidence.