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FY 2025–26 · AY 2026–27 · Budget 2025 Updated

New vs Old Tax Regime

Enter your income and deductions — see which regime wins live, with exact tax under each and a slab-wise breakdown.

💼 Employment type
Standard deduction applies to salaried & pensioners
Annual income
Gross annual income Salary / business, before deductions
📉 Deductions Old regime
80C PPF, ELSS, LIC, EPF — max ₹1.5L
80D Health insurance — up to ₹75k
HRA exemption Sec 10(13A)
Home loan interest Sec 24(b) — max ₹2L
80CCD(1B) NPS Extra — max ₹50k
Other 80E, 80G, 80TTA, LTA…
Standard deduction (₹75,000 new / ₹50,000 old) is applied automatically for salaried. The new regime ignores the deductions above — it allows only the standard deduction.

Old vs New — detailed breakdown

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Disclaimer: Indicative estimate for individual residents. Actual tax may vary with exemptions, capital gains and special-rate income. Rates per Finance Act 2025.

Budget 2025 — what changed in the new regime

The new tax regime is now the default. For FY 2025-26, the rebate under Section 87A was raised so a resident individual pays zero tax up to ₹12 lakh of taxable income — and with the ₹75,000 standard deduction, salaried people are effectively tax-free up to ₹12.75 lakh.

₹12.75L
Effectively tax-free salary (new regime, with std. deduction)
₹75,000
Standard deduction for salaried in the new regime
~₹3.75L
Deductions where old regime starts to win (up to ₹15L income)
25%
Surcharge capped at 25% in the new regime (vs 37% old)

When does the old regime still win?

The old regime charges higher slab rates but lets you claim 80C, 80D, HRA and home-loan interest. It beats the new regime only once your deductions are large enough to offset the rate gap. Here is roughly how much you need to claim before the old regime becomes cheaper (over and above the standard deduction).

Low income (up to ₹12.75L)

The new regime is almost always better — zero tax up to ₹12.75L via the 87A rebate. The old regime can only match this with very heavy deductions, which most people at this level do not have.

Break-even deductions

Around ₹3.75L–₹4.25L of total deductions (beyond the standard deduction) is where the old regime overtakes the new one for incomes of ₹15L–₹24L. Below that, stay on new.

Home-loan + HRA households

₹2L home-loan interest + ₹1.5L (80C) + HRA + 80D easily crosses ₹4L. For salaried people renting and repaying a home loan, the old regime frequently wins — enter your numbers above.

Very high income

The new regime caps surcharge at 25% versus 37% in the old regime, so for income above ₹2Cr the new regime has a structural advantage unless deductions are exceptional.

Income tax slabs — FY 2025-26

The new regime has lower rates but almost no deductions; the old regime has higher rates but lets you claim 80C, 80D, HRA and home-loan interest. A 4% health & education cess applies on top of tax in both regimes.

New Regime — FY 2025-26
Up to ₹4,00,000Nil
₹4,00,001 – ₹8,00,0005%
₹8,00,001 – ₹12,00,00010%
₹12,00,001 – ₹16,00,00015%
₹16,00,001 – ₹20,00,00020%
₹20,00,001 – ₹24,00,00025%
Above ₹24,00,00030%
Old Regime (below 60)
Up to ₹2,50,000Nil
₹2,50,001 – ₹5,00,0005%
₹5,00,001 – ₹10,00,00020%
Above ₹10,00,00030%
87A rebate makes tax nil up to ₹5L taxable in the old regime (max ₹12,500) and up to ₹12L in the new regime (max ₹60,000). Standard deduction is ₹50,000 (old) / ₹75,000 (new).

Old vs new — worked examples

What a salaried person pays under each regime. The first two take only the standard deduction; the third shows how ₹4.25L of old-regime deductions can flip the result. Enter your own numbers above to compare exactly.

₹12,00,000 salary · no extra ded.
New regime₹0
Old regime₹1,17,000
Best choiceNew
₹18,00,000 salary · no extra ded.
New regime₹1,58,600
Old regime₹3,58,800
Best choiceNew
₹18,00,000 salary · ₹4.25L ded.
New regime₹1,58,600
Old regime₹1,32,600
Best choiceOld
Figures are indicative for a salaried person below 60. Add your 80C / HRA / home-loan numbers in the calculator to see your exact break-even.

Frequently asked questions

Is New Regime better for income of ₹10 lakh?+
Yes. Under New Regime, ₹10L income (salaried) has taxable income of ₹9.25L (after ₹75K SD). Tax = ₹12,500. With 87A rebate up to ₹12L, this is NIL. Under Old Regime (assuming 80C + 80D = ₹1.75L), taxable = ₹8.25L, tax ≈ ₹77,500. New Regime saves ₹77,500 here.
What if I have a home loan of ₹30 lakh — which regime is better?+
Assume ₹15L income, home loan interest ₹2L, 80C ₹1.5L, 80D ₹25K. Old regime deductions = ₹3.75L + ₹50K SD = ₹4.25L. Taxable = ₹10.75L, tax ≈ ₹1,57,500. New regime: taxable = ₹14.25L, tax ≈ ₹1,48,750. Here both are similar — slight edge to New Regime. Run the calculator above with your exact numbers.
Is standard deduction available in New Regime?+
Yes. ₹75,000 standard deduction is available to salaried employees and pensioners under New Regime from FY 2024-25 (Budget 2024). This was increased from ₹50,000. This is one reason why New Regime is now more attractive.
How do I inform my employer about tax regime choice?+
Inform your employer in writing (some companies have online forms / HRMS) at the start of the financial year. Your employer will then deduct TDS accordingly. The declaration is usually in Form 12B or a company-specific format. If you do not inform, the employer defaults to New Regime.
If my employer deducted TDS under Old Regime, can I switch to New Regime while filing ITR?+
Yes! Salaried individuals can switch regimes at the time of ITR filing regardless of TDS deducted by employer. If you switch to New Regime and tax liability is lower, you will get a refund. If higher, you will need to pay the difference.
Is there any surcharge on income tax?+
Yes. Surcharge applies on income above ₹50 lakh: 10% surcharge (₹50L–₹1Cr), 15% (₹1Cr–₹2Cr), 25% (₹2Cr–₹5Cr), 37% (above ₹5Cr — Old Regime only). New Regime caps surcharge at 25%. Then 4% Health & Education Cess on (tax + surcharge).
How New vs Old Tax Regime Works
  1. Enter your annual gross income and pick salaried or business.
  2. Fill in Old Regime deductions like 80C, HRA, home loan interest, 80D and NPS.
  3. Click Calculate to see tax under both regimes side by side.
  4. Read the winner banner and effective tax rate to pick the regime that saves more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which regime is default for FY 2025-26?

The New Regime is the default. If you do not actively opt for the Old Regime, the New Regime applies. Salaried employees can still switch at ITR filing time.

When is the Old Regime better?

The Old Regime helps when your total deductions (80C, HRA, home loan interest, 80D and more) are large, usually above ₹3.75L to ₹5L, so the extra deductions outweigh the lower New Regime slabs.

Is standard deduction available in both regimes?

Yes. It is ₹75,000 for salaried and pensioners under the New Regime and ₹50,000 under the Old Regime. It is deducted from salary before applying slabs.

Can I switch regimes every year?

Salaried individuals can switch between regimes every year while filing the ITR. Taxpayers with business income can move from Old to New only once.

Disclaimer: This tool gives indicative results for general guidance only and is not professional advice. Please verify with a qualified CA before acting on the numbers.