Under Section 10(17A) of the Income Tax Act, any award or reward received by an individual in recognition of their exceptional work or achievements is exempt from income tax.
The following are the types of awards and rewards that are exempt from income tax under Section 10(17A):
However, it is important to understand the distinction between an award and a reward to determine the tax implications.
An award is a form of recognition given to an individual or an organization for their outstanding performance, contributions, or achievements in a particular field. Awards are typically bestowed based on merit and are not directly linked to any specific services rendered or tasks performed. They are often presented as a mark of honor or appreciation.
For example, a scientist receiving a Nobel Prize for groundbreaking research or an actor receiving an Academy Award for their exceptional performance in a movie would be considered as recipients of awards.
A reward, on the other hand, is a form of compensation or incentive given to an individual for their specific services rendered or tasks performed. Unlike an award, a reward is directly linked to the performance of certain duties or achieving specific targets.
For instance, a salesperson receiving a bonus for exceeding sales targets or an employee receiving a cash reward for completing a project ahead of schedule would be considered as recipients of rewards.
Under Section 10(17A) of the Income Tax Act, any award received by an individual is fully exempt from income tax. This means that the entire amount of the award is not considered as taxable income for the recipient.
On the other hand, rewards received by an individual are subject to income tax. The value of the reward is treated as income and is taxable as per the individual's applicable tax slab.
The following are some examples of awards and rewards that are exempt from income tax under Section 10(17A):
Section 10(17A) of the Income Tax Act, 1961 provides exemption from income tax for any award or reward received by an individual in recognition of any achievement or contribution in any field, including :
The exemption under Section 10(17A) is available to all taxpayers, including individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), companies, and partnerships.
Here are some examples of awards and rewards that are not exempt from income tax under Section 10(17A):
Here are some examples of how the exemption under Section 10(17A) works:
Example 1: A writer receives a cash award of ₹1 lakh from the Central Government for her outstanding literary work. The writer is eligible for a tax exemption of ₹1 lakh under Section 10(17A).
Example 2: A scientist receives a trophy and a medal from the State Government for his outstanding scientific achievement. The scientist is eligible for a tax exemption on the value of the trophy and the medal under Section 10(17A).
Example 3: A sportsperson receives a cash award of ₹50,000 from a private company for winning a gold medal in the Olympics. The sportsperson is eligible for a tax exemption of ₹50,000 under Section 10(17A), provided that the private company has been approved by the Central Government.