Archive · 13 Sep 2026
When a Minor’s Income Is Clubbed With Parents’ ITR
A child under 18 can earn money in different ways.
If the money comes from the child’s own talent or work, such as acting or creating content, it is usually taxed in the child’s name.
A parent or guardian files the return for the child.
If the money comes from a bank deposit or an investment made by a parent, it is usually added to the income of the parent with the higher taxable income.
Parents can generally subtract ₹1,500 for each minor child whose income is clubbed.
If the child earns more than ₹1,500, the rest is taxable with the parent’s income.
A child with a qualifying disability is an exception to the clubbing rule.
The applicable deductions, rebates and tax rules can affect the final tax amount.
Income from a minor’s own skills, talent, specialised knowledge or manual work is generally taxed separately.
Income from bank savings, fixed deposits or parent-funded investments is usually clubbed with the higher-earning parent’s income.
A minor with business or professional income may file ITR-3, or ITR-4 under presumptive taxation, through a parent or legal guardian.
Under Section 10(32), parents can claim an exemption of ₹1,500 for each minor child whose income is clubbed.
Income of a minor with a disability specified under Section 80U is not clubbed with the parent’s income.
- Who
- Minor children, their parents or legal guardians, and the parent with the higher taxable income.
- What
- The article explains when a minor’s income is taxed separately and when it is clubbed with a parent’s income.
- When
- The rules apply when filing an income-tax return for the relevant financial year; the minor’s filing deadline is the same as for other taxpayers.
- Where
- Under India’s Income-tax Act and income-tax filing system.
- Why
- Income is separated when it comes from the child’s own skills or work, but generally clubbed when it comes from parent-funded savings or investments.
- Minor definition
- A person under 18 years of age.
- Separate taxation
- Income from the minor’s own skills, talent, specialised knowledge or manual work is taxed in the minor’s hands.
- Common clubbing sources
- Interest from savings accounts or fixed deposits and income from investments made in the minor’s name by parents.
- Applicable clubbing rule
- Section 64(1A) generally clubs a minor’s income with the parent who has the higher taxable income.
- Business or professional return
- ITR-3 may be used for business or professional income; ITR-4 may be used when presumptive taxation is chosen.
- Representative assessee
- A parent or legal guardian files the minor’s return as the representative assessee.
- ₹1,500 exemption
- Section 10(32) allows a parent to claim ₹1,500 for each minor child whose income is clubbed.
- Disability exception
- Income of a minor with a disability specified under Section 80U is not clubbed with the parent’s income.