Buying a second home? Here are the tax rules to keep in mind

Buying a second home is both a financial and personal milestone, but it also comes with its own set of tax rules that buyers need to understand carefully. It is not treated the same as a primary residence when it comes to taxation.
Under the Income Tax Act, 2025, a second property is taxed differently from a primary home, and the available deductions depend entirely on how the property is used: whether it is rented out, kept vacant, or used for personal purposes.
Each of these usage categories can lead to a different tax treatment, making it important for homeowners to clearly understand how their second property will be classified for tax purposes.
Here’s what you should know before buying your second home!

• Upfront taxes paid during purchase: The tax and fees paid immediately on the purchase of a second home is similar to the tax paid while buying the first property.
• Stamp duty: A fee levied by the state government, which generally varies between 5 and 8%. It depends on the circle rate of the house property or the value of the property, whichever is higher, and other factors, including the age of the building, the location and even the type of property.
• Registration fee: It is paid to the local Sub-Registrar's office to officially record the sale deed in the government archives.
• GST: While ready-to-move properties are GST-free, it is levied only on under-construction properties. For properties under Rs 45 lakh, a buyer needs to pay 1%, while luxury properties are taxed at 5 per cent without any window to claim input credit tax.

• TDS: Under Section 194-IA of the Income Tax Act, an immovable property is liable to deduct tax at 1% from the consideration payable to the seller and deposited to the credit of the Central Government.

Income tax implications

• Self-occupied or left vacant: If the owner decides to use the property for self-consumption, then notional rent, i.e., deemed rental income on a vacant or self-occupied property, will not be subjected to taxation. Also, the old tax regime allows the buyer to claim a deduction of up to Rs 2 lakh towards the interest paid on a home loan and Rs 1.5 lakh towards principal repayment under Section 80C. However, the same cannot be claimed under the new tax regime.

• Rented property: The gross annual rent received is subject to a standard deduction of 30%, and also, the interest on the loan and municipal taxes paid during the year. Under the old regime, if the net income exceeds the deductions, then it is treated as taxable income, and under section 80C, principal amount repayment remains eligible for deduction, capped at Rs. 1.5 lakh annually. However, under the new regime, a deduction of up to 2 lakhs can be claimed towards the interest payment, but no such deduction can be claimed towards principal amount repayment.

In short, buying a second home is not just about the purchase price, but also about understanding the full tax picture that comes with it. From upfront costs like stamp duty, registration fee, GST and TDS, to ongoing income tax implications based on how the property is used, every factor can impact your overall financial planning.
Whether the home is self-occupied, vacant or rented out, the tax treatment changes accordingly. Keeping these rules in mind can help buyers make more informed decisions and avoid surprises later.
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