Archive · 27 Aug 2026
ITAT Allows Retrospective ₹25 Lakh Leave Exemption Relief
Earlier, many retirees could claim only ₹3 lakh of their leave encashment without tax.
In 2023, the government increased this limit to ₹25 lakh.
A retired ONGC employee had received ₹19.05 lakh before the new limit was announced.
Tax officials allowed him to exempt only ₹3 lakh.
He challenged that decision before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal.
The Chennai Tribunal said the higher limit could be used for earlier retirement payments in this case.
It said the change was meant to help people and remove unfair differences between types of employees.
This may allow similarly placed retirees to seek relief, including for tax already paid, subject to applicable procedures.
The Chennai ITAT ruled that the ₹25 lakh leave encashment exemption can apply retrospectively to eligible retirees.
The ruling covers public-sector and private-sector employees, including those taxed under the earlier ₹3 lakh limit.
The case involved retired ONGC employee Vattikundala Prabhakara Rao, who received ₹19.05 lakh in FY 2019-20.
Tax authorities had restricted Rao’s exemption to ₹3 lakh for assessment year 2020-21.
The Tribunal said the enhanced limit was beneficial, intended to remove hardship, and did not adversely affect the Revenue.
- Who
- The Chennai Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, retired ONGC employee Vattikundala Prabhakara Rao, and the tax authorities.
- What
- The ITAT allowed retrospective application of the ₹25 lakh leave encashment exemption instead of the earlier ₹3 lakh limit.
- When
- The Tribunal issued its order on 12 June 2026; Rao received the leave encashment during FY 2019-20 and filed for assessment year 2020-21.
- Where
- The case was heard by the ITAT in Chennai, while the original tax processing occurred at the Centralised Processing Centre in Bengaluru.
- Why
- The Tribunal considered the increased exemption beneficial and curative, intended to remove hardship and reduce the disparity between government and non-government employees.
Taxpayer’s and Tribunal’s View
Revenue’s View
Whether the higher limit applies to earlier years
Taxpayer’s and Tribunal’s View
Rao’s counsel argued that the notification was beneficial and curative, and that its explanatory memorandum stated no person would be adversely affected by retrospective application.
Revenue’s View
The Revenue argued that the ₹25 lakh limit applied only from 1 April 2023 and therefore could not benefit Rao for assessment year 2020-21.
Purpose of the exemption increase
Taxpayer’s and Tribunal’s View
The ITAT said the revision was intended to align benefits for non-government employees with those available to government employees and remove disparity.
Revenue’s View
The tax authorities maintained that, absent an earlier government notification raising the cap, only the ₹3 lakh exemption was available to Rao.
Effect of the ruling
Taxpayer’s and Tribunal’s View
The ruling supports relief for eligible retirees who were taxed on leave encashment above ₹3 lakh, including potentially those who had already paid tax.
Revenue’s View
The ruling arose from Rao’s individual appeal; the articles do not state that an automatic refund or relief process has been announced for all retirees.
- Earlier exemption limit
- ₹3 lakh
- Enhanced exemption limit
- ₹25 lakh
- Notification date
- 24 May 2023
- Employee in the case
- Vattikundala Prabhakara Rao, a retired ONGC employee
- Leave encashment received
- ₹19.05 lakh
- Relevant period
- FY 2019-20; assessment year 2020-21
- Appeal delay
- 1,023 days
- Relevant provision
- Section 10(10AA)(ii) of the Income-tax Act