I left my job early and bore heavy costs — Can I claim tax relief on joining bonus repayment and notice period shortfall?

Many employees face this tricky situation of a joining bonus repaid or notice pay deducted when leaving a job early. Today's Ask Wallet-Wise query answers can these amounts be claimed back in your income tax return? 

Moneycontrol’s Ask Wallet-wise initiative offers expert advice on matters related to personal finance and tax. You can email your queries to askwalletwise@nw18.com, and we will try and get a top financial expert to address your queries.

Query: I joined a company on 1st June 2024. They paid me a joining bonus of Rs 2 lakh on the condition that I would refund the joining bonus if I left before completing two years. Tax was deducted on the joining bonus. As I got a better opportunity, I resigned and left on 15th March 2025. Since I left before two years, I had to refund the joining bonus of Rs 2 lakh and also pay Rs. 1,15,000 for shortfall in notice period. The company did not reduce these from my taxable salary and deducted full tax. Can I claim these amounts in my ITR ? 

Expert Advice: Under the Income Tax Act, only two deductions are available against salary income: the standard deduction (Rs 50,000 under the old regime, Rs 75,000 under the new regime) and deduction for professional tax paid. Beyond these, no other deductions can be claimed.