Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11390 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 14, 2026

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 26 years of experience in MF distribution and wealth management. He holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Madras and is a CFP (Certified Financial Planner) credentialed professional. He is the Director of Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based AMFI-registered Mutual Fund Distribution (ARN-4188) and APMI-registered PMS Distribution firm (APRN07386), helping clients build long-term wealth through mutual funds and other investment solutions.... more
SHASHI Question by SHASHI on Jul 11, 2026
Money

I purchased a property jointly with my son. However, all money towards purchase was paid by me. As i have invested full amount, I am getting rent in my name. While filing ITR, coowner name is being asked alongwith his PAN details etc. How to show the rental income in ITR. My son has not received any rental income.

Ans: This is a common confusion for many people who buy property jointly but only one person actually pays. Good that you want to get this right in ITR itself rather than facing notice later. Let me explain how this works.

» Legal ownership vs beneficial ownership

– For income tax purpose, what matters is who actually paid for the property, not just whose name is on the sale deed
– Your son is just a joint owner on paper (title), but since you paid full amount, you are the "beneficial owner" for tax purpose
– Income Tax Act says rental income is taxed in hands of whoever has invested the money and is real owner, even if property is jointly registered
– So you are right that full rental income should be taxed only in your hands, and your son need not show any rental income since he received none and invested none

» Why ITR still asks for co-owner PAN

– Income tax portal / ITR form has a field for "co-owner details" mainly for disclosure of property ownership structure, its not automatically splitting income between owners
– When filling Schedule House Property in ITR (ITR-2 or ITR-3 as applicable), there is a section which asks if property is co-owned, and if yes, you need to mention % share of each co-owner
– Here, you should mention your share as 100% (or whatever % reflects actual funding) and your sons share as 0%, since he has not contributed any money and not received any rent
– This is a common mistake ppl make – they think co-ownership in property papers automatically means 50-50 split in ITR, but thats not correct. Share should match actual contribution and actual income received

» What documentation to keep ready

– Keep bank statements showing full payment made by you for purchase
– Keep proof that rent is credited only to your account, not your sons
– If possible, have a simple declaration or family arrangement letter (even a plain paper note signed by both) stating property was purchased fully from your funds and rental income belongs to you alone
– This will help if any query comes from tax dept later, though generally straightforward cases dont get much scrutiny if PAN and share % are correctly filled

» How to actually fill in ITR

– In Schedule House Property, declare the property as "Co-owned"
– Enter your sons name and PAN as co-owner
– Enter share percentage – yours 100%, sons 0% (based on actual investment and actual rent received)
– Show full rental income, less municipal taxes, less standard deduction of 30%, less home loan interest if any, under your own return
– Your sons ITR (if he files one) need not show any entry for this property, or he can show 0% share if he also declares co-ownership

» Points to keep in mind going forward

– If in future your son also contributes towards home loan EMI or receives any rent share, then income splitting will need to change accordingly from that year
– Its good practice to keep this documentation trail clean right from purchase itself, so ownership vs funding position is always clear
– This kind of clarity also helps later if property is sold and capital gains need to be worked out, as capital gains also generally follow the funding pattern, not just registration

» Finally

You are on the right track by asking this before filing rather than after. Just declare co-ownership with your son PAN, but keep your share at 100% and his at 0%, matching the actual money flow and rent receipt. That way your return reflects the true picture and there wont be mismatch issues later. Once this side of things is sorted, do also think about how this rental income fits into your overall goal based investment planning, thats where a proper structured mutual fund portfolio thru MFD route can help you use this extra rental cashflow efficiently for long term wealth building, rather than it sitting idle.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

AMFI-Registered MFD – ARN 4188

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/
Asked on - Jul 17, 2026 | Answered on Jul 18, 2026
Sir, Thanks for your kind and prompt reply. However, ITR portal is not accepting 0% share in respect of my son. Request for your guidance please
Ans: If portal won't accept 0%, enter a nominal 1% for your son and 99% for yourself instead. Still report full rental income (100%) under your own return, since actual taxability follows funding/receipt, not the declared percentage field.
Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

AMFI-Registered MFD – ARN 4188

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
Money

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11390 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 11, 2025

Money
I have a property in my name. I took a home loan with my mother as co-borrower. While I pay all the EMIs, she pays the annual principal amount prepayments. I want to claim tax benefits and I want to show the rental income in my mother's ITR. How can I do that? I read that I can prepare a gift deed and add my mother as a co-owner. Can I then show rental income in her ITR and tax benefits in mine? Please enlighten!
Ans: You have raised a valid and practical query. Many families manage loans and incomes together like this. So let's understand what works, what doesn’t, and how to structure it properly.

Property Ownership vs Loan Co-Borrower
Your mother is a co-borrower, but not a co-owner in the property right now.

That means she is liable to repay loan, but not entitled to tax benefits.

Only owners can claim home loan benefits under Income Tax Act.

You are the sole legal owner, so full tax benefits belong to you.

Co-borrower tag only matters for bank repayment, not for income tax deduction.

If your mother is not an owner, she cannot show rental income either.

Ownership must be legally transferred to share tax liability and income.

Tax Benefits on Home Loan – Who Can Claim?
Only owners can claim Section 80C benefit for principal repayment.

Only owners can claim Section 24(b) for interest deduction.

Even if your mother repays some part, she cannot claim tax deduction.

Since you pay EMIs and are the owner, you can claim full deductions.

Prepayments by your mother do not give her any tax benefit unless she owns.

So if she pays prepayments, it is considered a contribution or gift to you.

This can be tax neutral as gift from mother to son is tax free.

But if she wants to claim rental income or loan tax benefit, she must become owner.

Gifting Property Share to Mother – Is it Allowed?
Yes, you can gift a portion of property to your mother.

It must be done using a registered gift deed on stamp paper.

Gift to mother is exempt from income tax under the law.

You can gift 50% or any suitable percentage as per your decision.

Once gifted and registered, your mother becomes legal co-owner.

This allows her to show rental income in her ITR proportionately.

Also, she can claim home loan benefit only if she pays from her account.

So she can now claim Section 80C principal benefit for her prepayments.

But interest deduction under Section 24(b) is only for EMI payers.

Since you pay EMI, you will continue to get full interest deduction.

Rental Income in Mother’s ITR – Can It Be Done?
If she becomes co-owner through gift deed, yes – rental income can be shown by her.

But only her share of ownership can be shown in her ITR.

If you gift her 50% of the property, she can show 50% rental income.

This can help if her tax slab is lower than yours.

Ensure rental is credited in joint account or split to reflect ownership.

Keep rent agreement and receipts well documented to avoid issues later.

If rent is deposited only in your account, it becomes hard to prove it’s her income.

Tax department can ask for proof during scrutiny.

Keep trail of ownership, gift deed, rent receipts, and tax filing copies.

Can You Still Claim Full Home Loan Tax Benefits?
Yes, you can claim 100% of interest deduction under Section 24(b).

You are paying full EMI, so interest portion is fully yours to claim.

Your mother can now claim principal deduction under Section 80C.

But only up to the amount she pays from her bank account.

Make sure she transfers prepayment directly to the loan account.

Maintain a written note stating that you both share the repayment as per agreement.

This becomes part of your documentation if asked during tax scrutiny.

Avoid cash payments or unclear transfers for loan prepayment.

Things to Take Care Legally and Practically
Execute a gift deed through a lawyer and register it at sub-registrar office.

Mention share of ownership clearly – 50%, 30%, 40% – as per your decision.

Inform the bank about ownership change to avoid issues during resale.

Get bank’s consent if property is mortgaged – some banks need NOC.

Update property card or mutation entry if required in your state records.

If EMI is fully yours, you continue to enjoy Section 24(b) benefit.

If mother pays yearly principal, she can claim Section 80C.

Rental income can now be split and shown in respective ITRs.

Keep gift deed, payment proofs, rent receipts and home loan statements safely.

Long-Term Impact on Family and Tax Planning
This setup can help reduce total family tax outgo.

Your mother may fall in lower slab or not be taxable at all.

So shifting rental income to her can save overall tax.

Also, she can start investing rental income in her own name.

This avoids clubbing of income and brings tax efficiency.

But ensure you do not misuse this – intent must be clear and documented.

Gift to parents is tax-free. But rental income becomes their taxable income.

Income tax department may ask for source trail if mismatches occur.

File both ITRs clearly reflecting ownership and income details.

Why Avoid Real Estate as Investment
Many think property is best for rental income. But it is illiquid.

Real estate has high entry and exit costs like stamp duty, brokerage, and taxes.

Rental yield is often low, 2%-3%, while mutual funds offer better post-tax returns.

Also, property maintenance, tenant issues, legal risks are often ignored.

So never rely fully on real estate for wealth creation.

Finally
Your plan of adding your mother as co-owner is good.

Gift deed is the right legal method. Register it properly.

She can then show rental income and claim principal tax benefit.

You can still enjoy full interest tax benefit.

Do everything with proper paperwork and clarity.

This way, both of you save tax and keep peace in the family.

Plan all steps with care. Reap full benefits with zero confusion later.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11390 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 11, 2026

Money
I purchased a property jointly with my son. However, all money towards purchase was paid by me. As i have invested full amount, I am getting rent in my name. While filing ITR, coowner name is being asked alongwith his PAN details etc. How to show the rental income in ITR. My son has not received any rental income.
Ans: » Tax Treatment

You can show the rental income in your ITR, but ownership is important.

Since the property is jointly owned, your son is legally a co-owner. The tax treatment depends on the actual ownership share mentioned in the registered purchase deed.

» If You Own 100% Beneficial Interest

If the purchase deed clearly establishes that your son is only a name-lender, the position needs careful legal review.

Simply paying the entire purchase amount does not automatically make you the sole owner for income-tax purposes.

» If Ownership Is 50:50

If the registered deed shows 50% ownership for each person, rental income is normally considered in that ownership ratio.

Your son would generally need to report his share of rental income.

The fact that rent was credited only to your account does not by itself change ownership.

» Your Situation Needs Attention

You mentioned that you paid the entire purchase amount.

Therefore, the source of funds and ownership structure should be properly documented.

There could also be implications under the Income-tax Act if the beneficial ownership differs from the registered ownership.

I suggest getting the purchase deed and rent agreement reviewed before filing the ITR.

Do not simply report 100% rental income in your return only because rent comes to your bank account.

» Practical Approach

Keep these documents ready:

– Registered sale deed showing ownership shares
– Bank statements showing the purchase payment
– Rent agreement
– Bank statement showing rent receipts
– Property tax receipts
– Any written understanding regarding ownership and funding

Your CA can then determine the correct rental-income reporting based on the deed and facts.

» Final Insights

Your payment of the full purchase amount is an important fact.

However, the registered ownership percentage is equally important.

It is better to resolve this before filing the ITR. This can avoid future tax notices and ownership disputes.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

AMFI-Registered MFD – ARN 4188

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/

..Read more

Latest Questions
Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar  |8599 Answers  |Ask -

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Aug 14, 2026

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |738 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Aug 13, 2026

Relationship
Hi, I am 58 Yr old Male with 29 yrs into arranged marriage. I have 2 daughters. I am being treated like a stranger in my own house. My wife does not give respect, no value, no love and affection care. Always negatives talking about me for everything. Not listen to any thing regarding family or personal matters. I am not earning much. I am doing my best doing business services. For everything I need basic amount to manage my business until it develops. There is no support for this from my family. Instead of supporting and motivating me, She is always negative about me. She knows I am not earning enough and unable to meet major transactions. She has come from a wealthy family were as I am not. She has helped in providing financial support many times. Now past 3-4 yrs, her behavior has changed. She taunts and blames me for she providing the financial support. Whatever she has provided is always used for family. she knows that. I am unable to focus on my business development. She's gives negative feedback about me to my daughters and they also behave same with me, Instead of supporting and motivating me. There is no intimacy or sex past 1 year. Hardly 1 once in a month earlier, after I force (make positive effort) her lovingly. I love her very much. But this is making me lose that love & affection on her. In our 29 yrs of marriage, she never initiated intimacy, love. Always I been doing it. She never shows interest in getting physical right from 1st day. She has not kissed me even once or hugged me voluntarily in these 29 yrs. I initiate everything. I am romantic. She is not. She gives one or the other reason and avoids. She avoids kissing. She never liked gifts i bought for her. I want her to wear different dresses, but she rejects. Though we sleep on same bed, she just sleeps off. When i go to her, either she pushes or says she has to wake up early sleep now. Even with so many days gap, when I initiate intimacy after 1-3 months, but she taunts saying I only want that from her. I have been hugging, kissing and showing love, affection care on her right from the 1st day of marriage. The same thing is missing from her. I have tried many times talking to her in polite way, trying to woo her, but of no use. I have approached many times we can have one on one talk and sort out any issues she has with me, but she avoids coming into talking terms. I have tried to talk saying lets understand whats going wrong. If I start generally talking, she starts arguing, negative talking and avoids the main discussion that forces me to shut my mouth. when we go out on a 2-3 day trip, she enjoys outing seeing places, food & sleep. Doesn't behave romantically, lovingly. It's just like same as at home. Even I know I am not earning much and trying best to do well. She always keep telling about her money and financial support and her parental house with arrogance & attitude. She has been good with her parental side, but not my side. I believe both husband and wife should take care of family together irrespective of who is more financially strong. Just because I am not earning well, this type of treatment I don't understand. If it was recent few yrs I can understand. But right from day one I have been facing this. Now I've stopped talking much and in silence going through loneliness.
Ans: Dear Prashanth,
I understand that it has been quite difficult for you. After 29 yrs, feeling unwanted, unsupported and criticized can leave anyone extremely lonely. Your problem sounds a lot bigger than just lack of intimacy. There are long-standing communication issues, and both emotional and financial issues. This cannot be solved with romance alone. The better step is to stop pursuing intimacy for now, since your partner is uninterested, and instead focus on having a structured conversation, such as, "Are you willing to work on this marriage, to make it better?" If she refuses to discuss these things with you, I suggest seeing a marriage counsellor; it will be an impartial party looking into the matter, without supporting one over another.

Hope this helps.

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |12510 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Aug 12, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 12, 2026
Career
my daughter has secured admission in CSE-AI at IGDTUW .Going by the reputation of the institute she withdrew from BITSAT,JOSAA, LNMIIT and MHT-CET counselings. But now after attending the college for few days, she has been completely put off by the real bad infra and attitude of teachers there.Only viable option left now for her is COMEDK, where she can get CSE in MSRIT.We are delhi based and budget is not a issue. Please suggest further course of action.
Ans: Your daughter may consider switching to MSRIT CSE through COMEDK if her initial experience at IGDTUW has led her to reassess her choice. MSRIT offers good industry exposure and the advantage of Bengaluru’s strong technology ecosystem. However, it would be advisable to visit MSRIT and interact with current students before making the final decision.

Please also verify the current COMEDK counselling and reporting status, as deadlines and eligibility can vary by round. Before proceeding, confirm that her specific counselling status permits admission/reporting at MSRIT.

At the same time, it is important to remember that no institution is perfect; every college has its own strengths and areas for improvement. The decision should therefore consider academics, campus environment, faculty interaction, placements, peer group, location and overall student experience.

Finally, ensure that your daughter is comfortable and mentally prepared to relocate from Delhi to Bengaluru, and that you as parents are also equally comfortable with the transition. If MSRIT appears to offer a better overall fit after this evaluation, switching can be a reasonable option. If possible, it may be worthwhile to keep RVCE CSE as a preference until the final counselling round, provided your daughter has already included RVCE CSE among her choices. If the option remains available in the subsequent rounds, she can consider it based on the seat availability and her merit position. All The Best for Your Daughter's Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x