House Rent Allowance - A tool of Tax planning for employees

House Rent Allowance (HRA) is second component which is found in each pay slip after basic salary.  This is the major contributor in tax relief for the employee who reside in rented house during his/her employment.

As announced in budget 2020, taxpayers who wish to opt for the New Income Tax Regime from AY 2021-2022 cannot claim the exemption of House Rent Allowance.

Generally employee submits Rent receipt and rent deed to his employer to claim exemption of tax on account of HRA but there are so many doubts & questions arise while calculating & claiming exemption of tax from HRA which I am trying to summaries here in “question-answer form”. your input in form of suggestion or query is solicited and most welcome :-

Do I need to pay tax on income earned on gift amount?

I have received Rs.15 lakhs from my father who is filing his income tax Return (ITR) regularly and paying tax on his income. Money so received was invested somewhere and earned an interest income around Rs.2,25,000/-.

Do I have to show such amount (i.e. Rs.15 lakhs) in my ITR?

Do I need to discloses & file my ITR for interest if don't have any other income except interest, I understand that  income up to Rs.2,50,000/- is not taxable.