§109
Section 109 — Set off of losses under any other head of income
In plain terms: This section lets you set off a loss against income under other heads in the same year. Two limits: a business loss cannot be set off against salary income, and a house-property loss can be set off only up to ₹2,00,000 against other heads. A capital-gains loss cannot be set off against any other head.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, for any tax year, if income computed under any head of income (other than "Capital gains") is a loss, such loss shall be set off against income of the assessee under any other head, including "Capital gains", if any, assessable for that tax year, subject to the following conditions:--
(a) loss under the head "Profits and gains of business or profession" shall not be set off against income assessable under the head "Salaries"; and
(b) loss under the head "Income from house property" shall be set off to the extent of Rs. 200000 against income under any other head;
(2) For any tax year, the loss under the head "Capital gains" shall not be set off against income under any other head.