Tax BasicsBeginner6 min readJune 2026

Learning article

Income from Other Sources — Interest, Dividends, Gifts, and More

A comprehensive look at what falls under the residuary head ‘Income from Other Sources’ — from bank interest to dividends and lottery winnings.

Quick takeaways

Any income not taxable under the other four heads (Salary, House Property, Business, Capital Gains) falls here.

Common items: savings/ FD interest, dividends above ₹5,000, family pension, winnings from lotteries.

Deductions for interest on loans taken to earn such income are available.

Overview

What's included?

Interest from savings accounts, fixed deposits, recurring deposits, bonds.

Dividends from shares and mutual funds (taxable in the hands of investor).

Gifts exceeding ₹50,000 (as covered in another article).

Family pension (after standard deduction of ₹15,000 or 1/3rd, whichever is less).

Winnings from lotteries, crossword puzzles, card games, etc., taxed at flat 30%.

Important facts

Tax treatment of specific incomes

Savings account interest: deduction up to ₹10,000 under Section 80TTA (₹50,000 for senior citizens under 80TTB).

FD interest: taxable on accrual basis (even if not received). TDS at 10% if exceeds ₹40,000/50,000.

Dividend: fully taxable as per slab, but no TDS up to ₹5,000.

Lottery/ gambling: flat 30% + cess, no basic exemption, no deduction allowed.

Key concepts

Allowed deductions

01

Interest paid on loan taken to invest in securities or assets yielding such income.

02

Collection charges for interest/dividend.

03

Standard deduction on family pension.

Key takeaways

How to report

Use ITR‑1 if your other source income is only interest, family pension, or dividend (with limits).

For lottery, race winnings, or high other source income, ITR‑2 or ITR‑3 may be needed.

Always cross‑check with AIS to avoid missing interest from forgotten FDs.

FAQs

Common questions

Do I have to pay tax on savings bank interest?

+

Yes, it is taxable, but you get a deduction of up to ₹10,000 under 80TTA (or ₹50,000 for senior citizens under 80TTB).

Is dividend from mutual funds tax‑free?

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No, dividends are taxable in the hands of the investor from FY 2020‑21 onwards.

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