Eligibility
Deduction for Payment of Tuition Fees is only available to an Individual and not available to HUF.
Deduction for How many Children?
Deduction for Payment of Tuition Fees is allowed for a maximum of 2 Children. In case of more than 2 children – deduction can be claimed for payment of tuition fees of any 2 children.
However, it is pertinent to note here that both husband and wife have a separate limit of 2 children each. Therefore Husband can claim deduction for payment of fees of 2 children and wife can also claim deduction for payment of fees of 2 children and therefore the family can claim deduction of 4 children.
Deduction available on Payment Basis
The Deduction under Section 80C for payment of School Fees is available on Payment Basis. Therefore, irrespective of whether the fee is being paid for the previous years or for future years, deduction would still be allowed. In other words, the deduction would be allowed in the year in which the fee has been paid.
Deduction not available for Part-time Courses
Deduction under Section 80C for payment of Tuition Fees is only available for Full Time Courses. Therefore the fee paid for Part Time Courses or for Distance Learning Course won’t be eligible to be claimed as a deduction.
Payment made for Private Tuition/ Coaching Class not eligible for Deduction
Deduction is only allowed for Payment made to University, School, College or any other Education Institute. Payment made for Private Coaching/ Coaching Centres is not eligible for deduction.
Deduction available for Education in India only
This Deduction is available for Payment of Fees for Education in India only and not for Education abroad. However, in case of fees is paid to an Institute located in India which is affiliated to a Foreign University – the deduction would be allowed in this case.
Fee paid for Pre-Nursery/Nursery/ Play School allowed as Deduction
The Fee paid to a Play School or Creche or any other School for Pre-Nursery/Nursery Education is allowed to be claimed as a Deduction under Section 80C (Circular 9/2008 & 8/2007)
Deduction not available for Education of Self or Spouse
This deduction for payment of Education Fees is only available in case the payment is made for the Education of Children. Payment made for the Education of Self or Spouse is not eligible to be claimed as a deduction under Section 80C.