Reality Only employee's pf contribution earns SECTION 80C tax benefits. YOU GET no deduction for the employer's contribution
Many people, while adding up their investments for Section 80C, include both the employer's and employee's contribution towards a recognised provident fund to cross the limit of Rs 1 lakh. However, according to the I-Tax Act, only the employee's contribution gets 80C benefits.
For instance. If your basic salary is Rs 30,000, and 12 per cent of your basic salary is contributed both by you and your employer in the EPF account, then only Rs 3,600 (12 per cent of Rs 30,000) will fetch you tax benefits under Section 80C. The remaining portion will not be eligible for benefits.