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Microlesson · 5-min read

Valuation of gas, electricity or water perquisite [Rule 3(4)]

## Valuation of Gas, Electricity or Water [Rule 3(4)]

### Taxability — depends on whose name the connection is in

SituationTaxable for
Employee takes the connection; employer reimburses the expenseAll employees
Connection/supply is in the employer's nameSpecified employees only

### Gross perquisite value

Source of supplyValue
Employer pays an agency for the supplyAmount paid by the employer to the agency
Supply from employer's own resourcesManufacturing cost per unit incurred by the employer
  • Any amount recovered from the employee is deducted.

### Pattern recognition

Note the recurring twin structure across Rules 3(3) and 3(4): reimbursement to the employee → taxable for all; facility/supply in employer's name → taxable for specified employees only. The valuation then turns on whether the employer buys it from an outside agency (use the amount paid) or produces it in-house (use manufacturing cost per unit).

Worked example

### Example 1

Employer pays the electricity board ₹3,000/month for the connection in the employer's name for a specified employee → perquisite = ₹36,000 p.a. (amount paid to agency).

### Example 2

Employer supplies electricity from its own generation plant; manufacturing cost is ₹4 per unit and 10,000 units are consumed → perquisite = ₹40,000 (manufacturing cost per unit × units), not the market tariff.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Using the market/retail tariff instead of the employer's manufacturing cost per unit when supply is from the employer's own resources.
  • Applying the 'specified employee only' rule when the employer merely reimburses an employee-held connection — that is taxable for all employees.
  • Forgetting to deduct amounts recovered from the employee.
Reference: Rule 3(4) — Income-tax Rules
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