Launch offer — 25% off with code LAUNCH-25 See plans →
Microlesson · 5-min read

Perquisite: Rent-Free Accommodation (RFA)

## Rent-Free Accommodation (RFA) / House Facility

The perquisite value of accommodation provided by employer depends on the employer's category and accommodation type.

### Valuation Table

CaseTaxable Value
Government EmployeeLicence fee as decided by Government
Employer-owned house (Pvt sector) — population ≤ 15 lakh5% of Salary
Same — population > 15 lakh ≤ 40 lakh7.5% of Salary
Same — population > 40 lakh10% of Salary
House rented by employerLower of: 10% of Salary OR Rent paid by employer
Hotel accommodationLower of: 24% of Salary OR Hotel rent paid by employer

Hotel stay on transfer up to 15 days at the new place is fully exempt.

### Adjustments

1. Furnished house: Add value of furniture = 10% p.a. of actual cost (if owned) or hire charges (if rented).

2. Rent recovered from employee: Deduct from the above taxable value.

3. Multi-year cap: If accommodation is provided for more than 1 PY, Maximum Taxable Value for current PY = Taxable value for first PY × (CII for current PY ÷ CII for first PY).

### Definition of "Salary" for RFA

Salary = All taxable salary EXCEPT:

  • Arrears / Advance salary
  • Normal Dearness Allowance (DA not forming part of retirement benefits)
  • Retirement benefits (gratuity, pension, leave salary, retirement compensation)
  • Provident Fund
  • Perquisites

Salary is to be taken only for the period during which the house was occupied by the employee.

Worked example

### Example 1

Example: Mr. P (private sector) draws Basic ₹ 50,000 p.m. in Mumbai (population > 40 lakh). Employer owns the house and provides it rent-free. Furniture cost ₹ 1,20,000 (owned by employer). Employee occupies the house full year.

Salary = 50,000 × 12 = ₹ 6,00,000

Unfurnished perquisite = 10% × 6,00,000 = ₹ 60,000

Furniture value = 10% × 1,20,000 = ₹ 12,000

Total perquisite = ₹ 72,000

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Including DA, retirement benefits, or perquisites in 'Salary' base — these are specifically excluded.
  • Using wrong city slab (5% / 7.5% / 10%) — depends on city population, not employee's salary level.
  • Forgetting to deduct rent recovered from employee.
  • Treating SOP rules as applicable to all assessees — RFA perquisite computation is for employees only.
Reference:
Now that you've read this — what's next?
Move from understanding → mastery in 3 clicks. Each option below picks up from this lesson's topic.
Start 15-min diagnostic