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Microlesson · 5-min read

Perquisite: Interest-Free / Concessional Loan

## Interest-Free or Concessional Loan from Employer

When an employer gives a loan at no interest or at a rate lower than market rate, the interest benefit is a taxable perquisite — subject to certain exceptions.

### Exemption Cases (No Perquisite)

ConditionTreatment
Aggregate loan ≤ ₹ 20,000Interest fully exempt
Loan taken for treatment of specified diseaseInterest fully exempt
Any other caseInterest fully taxable

### Computation of Taxable Value

For each month of the previous year:

> Taxable Value (per month) = Loan outstanding at the end of the month × (SBI lending rate on 1st April of the PY – Actual rate charged by employer) / 12

The SBI rate used is the rate as on the first day of the relevant previous year (1st April), and it remains the benchmark for the whole year regardless of subsequent changes.

Worked example

### Example 1

Example: Employer gives Mr. X a loan of ₹ 5,00,000 at 2% p.a. interest. SBI rate on 1.4.2025 for such loan = 9%. Loan is outstanding for the full year.

Differential rate = 9% − 2% = 7% p.a.

Taxable perquisite = ₹ 5,00,000 × 7% = ₹ 35,000 (assuming end-of-month balance remains ₹ 5,00,000).

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Using SBI's current rate instead of the rate as on 1st April of the previous year.
  • Computing interest on opening balance — must use month-end outstanding balance.
  • Forgetting that the ₹ 20,000 limit is on aggregate loan, not each loan separately.
  • Treating any medical loan as exempt — exemption applies only for 'specified diseases' (as notified).
Reference:
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