Section 80TTA Vs. Section 80TTB : A comparison

80TTA – Deduction in respect of interest on deposits in savings account

Section 80TTA is drafted in a simple language and the same reads as under:

80TTA. (1) Where the gross total income of an assessee (other than the assessee referred to in section 80TTB), being an individual or a Hindu undivided family, includes any income by way of interest on deposits (not being time deposits) in a savings account with—

 (a) a banking company to which the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949), applies (including any bank or banking institution referred to in section 51 of that Act);

 (b) a co-operative society engaged in carrying on the business of banking (including a co-operative land mortgage bank or a co-operative land development bank); or

 (c) a Post Office as defined in clause (k) of section 2 of the Indian Post Office Act, 1898 (6 of 1898),

there shall, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this section, be allowed, in computing the total income of the assessee a deduction as specified hereunder, namely:—

  (i) in a case where the amount of such income does not exceed in the aggregate ten thousand rupees, the whole of such amount; and

 (ii) in any other case, ten thousand rupees.

(2) Where the income referred to in this section is derived from any deposit in a savings account held by, or on behalf of, a firm, an association of persons or a body of individuals, no deduction shall be allowed under this section in respect of such income in computing the total income of any partner of the firm or any member of the association or any individual of the body.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “time deposits” means the deposits repayable on expiry of fixed periods.

80TTB of Income-tax Act, 1961 – Deduction in respect of interest on deposits in case of senior citizens.

Section 80TTB is also drafted in a simple language and the same reads as under:

80TTB. (1) Where the gross total income of an assessee, being a senior citizen, includes any income by way of interest on deposits with—

 (a) a banking company to which the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949), applies (including any bank or banking institution referred to in section 51 of that Act);

 (b) a co-operative society engaged in carrying on the business of banking (including a co-operative land mortgage bank or a co-operative land development bank); or

 (c) a Post Office as defined in clause (k) of section 2 of the Indian Post Office Act, 1898 (6 of 1898),

there shall, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this section, be allowed, in computing the total income of the assessee, a deduction—

  (i) in a case where the amount of such income does not exceed in the aggregate fifty thousand rupees, the whole of such amount; and

 (ii) in any other case, fifty thousand rupees.

(2) Where the income referred to in sub-section (1) is derived from any deposit held by, or on behalf of, a firm, an association of persons or a body of individuals, no deduction shall be allowed under this section in respect of such income in computing the total income of any partner of the firm or any member of the association or any individual of the body.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “senior citizen” means an individual resident in India who is of the age of sixty years or more at any time during the relevant previous year.

While distinguishing both section 80TTA as well as 80TTB, one can definitely make the following key observation:

1.     Section 80TTA is available to Residents & Non-residents whereas Section 80TTB is available to Residents only.

2.     Section 80TTA is available to Individuals (other than Senior citizens) & HUF whereas Section 80TTB is available to Senior citizens only.

3.     Both the section are applicable in respect of interest received from  Banks, Cooperative banks, Post offices etc.. Section 80TTB is made applicable from AY 2019-20 whereas 80TTA is operative from AY 2013-14.

4.     Section 80TTA is on Interest on Savings account whereas Section 80TTB is on Interest on Savings account & Fixed Deposits

5.     Section 80TTA offers deduction up to Rs. 10,000/- whereas Section 80TTB offers deduction up to Rs. 50,000/