Child Tax Benefits in India: What You Can Claim and How to Get Them

When you have kids in India, the government doesn’t give you cash directly—but it does let you keep more of your income through child tax benefits, tax breaks and deductions available to parents for expenses related to raising children. Also known as dependent tax credits, these aren’t flashy bonuses, but they can add up to thousands of rupees every year if you know where to look. Most people think tax savings only come from Section 80C or HRA, but the real hidden gems are tucked into rules about education, medical costs, and family structure.

Here’s what actually matters: child education expenses, fees paid for schooling, tuition, and coaching that qualify for tax deductions under Section 80C can be claimed for up to two children. That includes private school fees, exam charges, even books and uniforms if they’re part of a recognized institution. You can’t claim for hobbies or extracurriculars, but if your kid is in Class 1 through 12 at a school registered with the state, you’re covered. Then there’s medical expenses for children, costs related to serious illnesses that may qualify under Section 80DDB if your child has a listed disability or chronic condition. Conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, or severe hearing loss are included—if you have the right medical certificate.

What most parents miss is that these benefits stack. You can claim tuition fees under 80C, medical costs under 80DDB, and still get the standard deduction for your child as a dependent. No one gives you a form that says "Claim All This," but the rules are there. And if you’re an NRI with kids in India, you still qualify—as long as the expenses are in your name and the child is your legal dependent. The system doesn’t reward big families equally; the cap on tuition deductions kicks in after two kids. But for the first two, it’s a solid win.

You won’t find a single government portal that spells this all out clearly. That’s why so many people pay more tax than they should. The posts below cut through the noise. You’ll find real examples of how families saved ₹20,000+ last year just by filing correctly. You’ll see what receipts to keep, which forms to submit, and which claims get rejected—and why. Whether you’re sending your child to a public school or a private coaching center, these guides show you exactly what works in India right now. No theory. No fluff. Just what you need to claim what’s yours.