Income tax calculator: which regime leaves more in your account?
Built for salaried people resident in India. Enter the numbers from your payslip and see your monthly take-home under the old and new regime for FY 2026-27.
- Updated for Budget 2026
- Checked against the Income Tax Department's calculator
- Free, no sign-up
Some answers need a person
A calculator can't read your Form 16, rent agreement or RSU statement. Our tax experts can. They check what you can claim, pick the right regime and file your return for you.
Questions salaried people often ask
Pays rent to parentsI pay rent to my parents. Can I still claim HRA?
Yes, if they own the house and show the rent as their income. We'll help you set up the agreement and receipts.
Switching regimeHR deducted TDS under the old regime, but the new one is cheaper for me now.
You can switch when you file, as long as you file by the due date. Any extra TDS comes back to you as a refund.
Has RSUs from a US employerI got RSUs from my US employer last year. Do I need to report them?
It depends on your residency status. If you're resident and ordinarily resident, as most people who've lived in India for years are, RSUs that have vested go in Schedule FA, even if you haven't sold them. We'll check your status first.
Changed jobs this yearI changed jobs in the middle of the year. Is that a problem?
Often, yes. Both employers may have given you the standard deduction and the lower slabs. We'll combine your two Form 16s so you don't get a tax demand later.
Tax slabs for FY 2026-27
Budget 2026 kept last year's slabs. Both regimes add a 4% health and education cess.
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹4 lakh | Nil |
| ₹4 lakh to ₹8 lakh | 5% |
| ₹8 lakh to ₹12 lakh | 10% |
| ₹12 lakh to ₹16 lakh | 15% |
| ₹16 lakh to ₹20 lakh | 20% |
| ₹20 lakh to ₹24 lakh | 25% |
| Above ₹24 lakh | 30% |
No tax if taxable income is ₹12 lakh or less, thanks to the 87A rebate. With the ₹75,000 standard deduction, that's a salary of ₹12.75 lakh.
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹2.5 lakh | Nil |
| ₹2.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh | 5% |
| ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh | 20% |
| Above ₹10 lakh | 30% |
The nil slab is ₹3 lakh from age 60 and ₹5 lakh from age 80. No tax if taxable income is ₹5 lakh or less.
Last reviewed 8 October 2026. We checked our results against the Income Tax Department's own calculator.
See the comparison
Tax including 4% cess, tax year 2026-27, age below 60, no other inputs. Checked on 7 October 2026 in the department's calculator (basic mode).
| Taxable income entered | New regime | Old regime |
|---|---|---|
| ₹5,00,000 | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| ₹5,10,000 | ₹0 | ₹15,080 |
| ₹12,00,000 | ₹0 | ₹1,79,400 |
| ₹12,75,000 | ₹74,100 | ₹2,02,800 |
| ₹14,25,000 | ₹97,500 | ₹2,49,600 |
| ₹59,25,000 | ₹15,52,980 | ₹18,18,960 |
| ₹1,05,00,000 | ₹32,65,080 | ₹35,43,150 |
| ₹2,50,00,000 | ₹92,04,000 | ₹95,06,250 |
Both calculators gave the same tax at all eight levels. Just above ₹12 lakh, ₹50 lakh, ₹1 crore and ₹2 crore, the department's basic mode skips marginal relief. We apply it, as the law requires, so our tax there is lower.
- Tax slabs and 87A rebate for salaried individuals Income Tax Department
- Official income tax calculator Income Tax Department
- Union Budget 2026-27 Ministry of Finance
Common questions
Is a salary of ₹12.75 lakh tax-free in FY 2026-27?
Under the new regime, yes. The ₹75,000 standard deduction brings taxable income to ₹12 lakh, and the Section 87A rebate of up to ₹60,000 cancels the tax on it. The rebate does not cover income taxed at special rates, such as capital gains on shares.
How much tax will I pay on a ₹15 lakh salary?
In FY 2026-27, with no deductions: ₹97,500 under the new regime and ₹2,57,400 under the old regime, including 4% cess. The new regime's ₹75,000 standard deduction brings taxable income to ₹14.25 lakh. Under the old regime, you would need large deductions such as HRA, 80C and home loan interest to come out ahead.
How is income tax on salary worked out?
Start with your gross salary. Take off the standard deduction (₹75,000 new, ₹50,000 old) and, under the old regime only, exemptions like HRA and deductions like 80C and 80D. Apply the slab rates to what's left, subtract the 87A rebate if you qualify, then add 4% cess. The calculator above shows each step under "How we worked this out".
Which regime is better for salaried employees?
It depends on your deductions. The new regime has lower rates but allows almost no deductions. The old regime comes out ahead only when your HRA exemption, 80C, 80D, NPS and home loan interest add up to a large amount. Enter your numbers above to compare.
Can I switch regimes every year?
Yes, if you have no business income. You choose when you file your return, even if you told HR something else. But to choose the old regime, you must file by the due date. A late (belated) return can't use the old regime, because the choice has to be made by the due date.
Which cities get the 50% HRA limit?
From FY 2026-27: Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad. For FY 2025-26 it is only Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. Everywhere else, including Gurugram and Noida, the limit is 40% of basic salary.
Did Budget 2026 change the income tax slabs?
No. FY 2026-27 uses the same slabs and rates as FY 2025-26 under both regimes.
What is a tax year?
From 1 April 2026, the Income-tax Act, 2025 replaces the 1961 Act. It replaces the old terms 'previous year' and 'assessment year' with a single 'tax year', from 1 April to 31 March. Tax year 2026-27 is the same as FY 2026-27.
Can I still file my return for FY 2025-26?
Yes, as a belated return, until 31 December 2026 (or earlier, if the tax department completes your assessment first). There is a late fee of ₹5,000, or ₹1,000 if your total income is ₹5 lakh or less, plus interest on any tax still due. You can't choose the old regime in a belated return: the option has to be made by the due date.
More calculators for your salary
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Capital gains
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Advance tax
Instalments due, and interest if you pay late.
Late filing fee and interest
Fee and interest if you file after the deadline.
Which ITR form?
Find the right form in a few questions.