Salary Tax Calculator — MakeMyCred
SALARY TAX CALCULATOR

How much tax will you pay on your salary?

Enter your salary structure and deductions to see your income tax, monthly TDS, and exact take-home pay — under both old and new regimes for FY 2025-26.

Monthly TDS
Take-home pay
Both regimes compared

Your salary details

Gross annual income ₹0
12% of basic (capped ₹1,800/mo)
State-dependent
Available under both regimes · up to 10% of basic
HRA exemption calculated from this
Includes your EPF · Max ₹1.5L
Analysing both regimes…
Annual tax payable
₹0
under the new regime
Gross income ₹0 annual
Total tax ₹0 incl. cess & surcharge
Monthly TDS ₹0 deducted by employer
Monthly take-home ₹0 net in bank
Tax computation — New Regime Winner
Monthly salary breakdown
Gross monthly salary₹0
− Employee PF₹0
− Professional tax₹0
− Income tax (TDS)₹0
= Monthly take-home₹0
Where your gross salary goes
Regime comparison
Tax under new regime ₹0
Tax under old regime ₹0
You save with
Savings ₹0
SLAB REFERENCE

Tax slabs for FY 2025-26

Your applicable slabs highlighted. Both regimes shown side by side.

New Regime Slabs
Default regime · FY 2025-26
Income slabRate
Old Regime Slabs
Below 60 · FY 2025-26
Income slabRate
Rows highlighted in blue show your applicable slabs based on your taxable income. Standard deduction (₹75K new / ₹50K old) applied before computing slabs.
SIDE BY SIDE

Full regime comparison

Line-by-line comparison of both regimes for your salary structure.

Item New Regime Old Regime Difference
Comparison uses FY 2025-26 slabs. New regime offers lower rates and higher standard deduction; old regime allows HRA, 80C, 80D and other deductions. The right choice depends on your total deductions.
WHAT MATTERS

Four things that decide your salary tax

These factors shape how much TDS your employer will deduct from your salary.

1. Salary structure

How your CTC splits into basic, HRA, and allowances matters. A higher basic means more PF (deducted from salary) but also more HRA exemption potential under the old regime.

2. Declared investments

Your employer deducts TDS based on your declared 80C, 80D, HRA and home loan claims. Under-declaring means higher TDS now and a refund later; over-declaring means TDS shortfall and tax due at filing.

3. Regime choice

You tell your employer which regime to use for TDS. The new regime is the default. If you want the old regime's deductions, you must declare it — otherwise your TDS will be calculated under the new regime.

4. Other income

Interest, dividends, rental income, and capital gains all affect your total tax — but only salary income is subject to TDS by your employer. Other income must be declared separately when filing.

DEEP DIVE

How salary tax and TDS work in India

Understand how your employer calculates TDS, and how to plan for it.

1. What is TDS on salary?

TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) is the income tax your employer deducts from your monthly salary and pays to the government on your behalf. It's not a separate tax — it's your income tax paid in monthly instalments.

Monthly TDS = Estimated Annual Tax ÷ 12

At the end of the year, your actual tax liability is computed on your income tax return. If TDS deducted is more than your liability, you get a refund. If it's less, you pay the difference.

2. How your employer calculates TDS

Your employer follows this process at the start of each financial year:

  1. Projects your annual gross salary (based on your CTC).
  2. Subtracts the standard deduction (₹75K new / ₹50K old).
  3. Subtracts the exemptions and deductions you declare (HRA, 80C, 80D, home loan interest, etc.) — under the old regime.
  4. Arrives at taxable income.
  5. Applies the applicable slab rates (based on your regime choice).
  6. Adds surcharge (if applicable) and cess.
  7. Divides the annual tax by 12 to compute monthly TDS.

💡 If you declare investments mid-year, your employer recalculates TDS for the remaining months. The earlier in the year you declare, the smoother your monthly take-home.

3. Standard deduction — the automatic benefit

Every salaried employee gets a standard deduction with no proof required:

Regime Standard deduction
New regime₹75,000
Old regime₹50,000

The new regime's higher standard deduction is one reason it often wins for taxpayers with few other deductions.

4. HRA exemption (old regime only)

If you receive HRA and pay rent, the exempt portion is the least of:

  • Actual HRA received
  • 50% of basic (metro) or 40% of basic (non-metro)
  • Actual rent paid − 10% of basic

The exempt amount is subtracted from your gross salary before tax. The remaining HRA is taxable as salary. This is one of the most valuable deductions under the old regime — often worth ₹1–3 lakh in exemption.

5. A worked example

Salary structure: Basic ₹6,00,000, HRA ₹3,00,000, Special allowance ₹5,00,000. Gross ₹14,00,000.

Item New regime Old regime
Gross salary₹14,00,000₹14,00,000
Std. deduction₹75,000₹50,000
HRA exemption (rent ₹2.4L, non-metro)₹1,80,000
80C (incl. EPF)₹1,50,000
80D₹25,000
Taxable income₹13,25,000₹9,95,000
Slab tax₹1,18,750₹1,48,500
Cess (4%)₹4,750₹5,940
Total tax₹1,23,500₹1,54,440

In this example, the new regime saves about ₹30,940 — despite the old regime having ₹3.55L of deductions. Why? Because the new regime's lower slab rates and higher standard deduction outweigh the old regime's deductions for this income level.

⚠️ The break-even is not simply about total deductions. You must compare the actual tax under both regimes. For most salaried taxpayers with income under ₹15L and deductions under ₹5L, the new regime wins.

6. How to reduce your salary tax

  1. Choose the right regime: Compare both with your actual numbers. The wrong choice can cost ₹20K–₹50K per year.
  2. Maximise HRA (old regime): If you pay rent, submit receipts to claim HRA exemption.
  3. Use employer NPS (both regimes): Employer contribution up to 10% of basic is deductible under both regimes.
  4. Restructure CTC: Request tax-free components like LTA, meal cards, telephone reimbursement (old regime).
  5. Declare investments early: Submit 80C, 80D proofs in April–May so your monthly TDS is right from the start.
  6. Use NPS 80CCD(1B): Extra ₹50,000 deduction over and above 80C (old regime).
  7. Claim home loan interest: Up to ₹2L per year under Section 24(b) (old regime, self-occupied).

7. Common mistakes

  • Not declaring investments: Your employer deducts higher TDS, and you claim a refund only after filing. You lose cash flow for months.
  • Over-declaring: Declaring ₹1.5L of 80C but investing only ₹50K means a tax shortfall at year-end. Pay it before March 31 or face interest.
  • Choosing the wrong regime: Many people stick with the new regime's default without comparing. Some lose ₹30K+ because the old regime would have saved more.
  • Forgetting other income: Interest, dividends, and capital gains are taxable but not part of salary TDS. You'll owe tax at filing.
  • Ignoring HRA: If you pay rent and are in the old regime, HRA exemption is worth ₹1–3L. Don't skip the paperwork.
  • Not switching jobs mid-year carefully: Two employers each compute TDS independently, often resulting in tax shortfall. Consolidate your income and recompute at filing.

8. Final thoughts

Salary tax is one of the biggest financial line items for most working Indians. Understanding how TDS is computed, which regime saves more, and which deductions you can claim puts real money back in your pocket.

Use this calculator at the start of every financial year to plan your declarations and TDS. Re-run it after a raise or a CTC restructuring. Review at filing time to confirm your TDS was accurate and claim any refund you're owed.

QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

30 common questions about salary tax and TDS.

Your employer projects your annual gross salary, subtracts the standard deduction and any declared exemptions/deductions, applies the slab rates for your chosen regime, adds surcharge and cess, then divides the total tax by 12 to compute monthly TDS. The calculation is redone whenever you change your declarations.

₹75,000 under the new regime and ₹50,000 under the old regime, applied automatically to salary income. No proof or investment is required. This is one of the reasons the new regime often wins for salaried taxpayers with few other deductions.

It depends on your deductions. If your total deductions (80C, 80D, HRA, home loan interest, NPS) exceed ₹4.5–5L, the old regime usually wins. Below that, the new regime's lower slabs and higher standard deduction are better. Use the calculator above with your actual numbers. You can switch at filing time if needed.

Yes, if you're claiming deductions under the old regime. Most employers ask for declarations at the start of the year (April–May) and proofs around January–February. Without proofs, your employer will deduct TDS as if you have no deductions, resulting in higher TDS and a refund only at filing.

You claim a refund when filing your income tax return. The refund is credited to your bank account within 4–8 weeks of filing. To avoid this, submit investment declarations to your employer early in the year so TDS is calculated correctly from the start.

You must pay the difference as "self-assessment tax" before filing your return. If the shortfall exceeds ₹10,000, you may owe advance tax with interest under Sections 234B and 234C. Pay before March 31 to avoid penal interest.

Only on the taxable portion. TDS is calculated after subtracting the standard deduction and any claimed exemptions (HRA) and deductions (80C, 80D, etc.). Your gross salary itself isn't directly subject to TDS — it's your taxable income.

No — the HRA exemption reduces your taxable income, and TDS is calculated on the lower figure. If you're in the old regime and claim HRA, submit rent receipts to your employer so they can compute the exemption and reduce TDS. Under the new regime, HRA is fully taxable (no exemption), but the higher standard deduction partially compensates.

Yes — ₹75,000 under the new regime, higher than the ₹50,000 under the old regime. This is applied automatically to your salary income. The higher standard deduction is one reason the new regime wins for many salaried taxpayers.

You can change the regime with your employer at the start of the year. If you change mid-year, the employer recalculates TDS for the remaining months. You can also switch at the time of filing your ITR — the return's regime choice is what matters for your final tax liability. Salaried employees can switch every year.

No. Professional tax is a state-level tax, separate from income tax. It's deducted from your salary and paid to the state government. It's also deductible from your gross income under Section 16(iii) for income tax purposes (old regime).

Yes, declare early (April–May). If you declare later, your employer deducts higher TDS for the initial months, and your monthly take-home is lower. You get a refund only at filing — but that's 12–15 months later. Declaring early keeps your cash flow smooth.

Yes. Employer NPS contribution under Section 80CCD(2) is deductible under both regimes — up to 10% of basic salary for private-sector employees, 14% for government employees. This is one of the few major deductions available under the new regime. Ask your employer to structure part of your CTC as employer NPS.

Each employer calculates TDS independently, often assuming you have the full standard deduction and slab benefits. This commonly results in a tax shortfall at filing. To avoid surprises, share your previous employer's salary and TDS details with your new employer, or compute your total tax at filing and pay the shortfall as self-assessment tax.

TDS applies to many types of income — salary, interest, dividends, rent, professional fees, etc. But your employer deducts TDS only on your salary. Other income (bank interest, dividends, freelance income) may have TDS deducted by the payer, or you may owe advance tax on it. All income must be reported in your ITR.

Yes. If the TDS deducted by your employer exceeds your actual tax liability, you claim the difference as a refund when filing your ITR. Refunds are typically credited within 4–8 weeks of filing and processing. Ensure your bank account is pre-validated on the income tax portal.

No. HRA exemption is only available under the old regime. Under the new regime, the full HRA received is added to your taxable income. If you pay significant rent and want to claim HRA, you must opt for the old regime.

Only if ELSS fits your investment goals (it has a 3-year lock-in and is equity-based). Don't invest just for the tax deduction. The maximum saving from ₹1.5L 80C at 30% tax is ₹46,800 — real, but not enough to justify a poor investment. Under the new regime, 80C isn't available at all, so ELSS has no tax benefit there.

Yes, under the old regime. 80C allows up to ₹1.5L, and 80CCD(1B) allows an additional ₹50,000 for NPS contributions — total ₹2L of deductions. This is one of the most valuable deduction combinations available to salaried taxpayers under the old regime.

Yes. Bonus is part of your salary income and subject to TDS. In the month your bonus is paid, TDS may be higher because your annual income projection increases. Some employers spread the TDS impact across remaining months; others deduct it all in the bonus month.

Your employer will deduct TDS without considering any deductions. Your monthly take-home is lower, but you'll claim a refund at filing if you actually invested. To avoid this, either submit proofs or choose the new regime (which doesn't need proofs).

No. If your taxable income is below the basic exemption limit (₹4L new, ₹2.5L–₹5L old depending on age) or covered by the Section 87A rebate (up to ₹12L under new regime), your employer won't deduct TDS. You can also file Form 15G/15H for certain types of income if you qualify.

No. India has a separate taxation system — each individual is taxed on their own income. There's no concept of joint filing or income splitting. However, you can optimise household tax by allocating investments to the lower-earning spouse, and by claiming deductions for family members where eligible (e.g., parents' health insurance under 80D).

Yes, and it's more generous than the old regime. Under the new regime, Section 87A eliminates tax entirely if taxable income is up to ₹12L (rebate up to ₹60,000). For salaried employees, this means gross income up to ₹12.75L is effectively tax-free (after the ₹75K standard deduction). Under the old regime, the rebate is only ₹12,500, applicable up to ₹5L taxable income.

If the tax difference is under ₹10,000, yes — the new regime is much simpler (no proofs, no rent receipts, no home loan certificate). But if the difference is ₹30,000+, the old regime's extra paperwork is worth it. Run the numbers each year.

No. Everything runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, tracked, or stored. Your salary and investment figures never leave your device. If you want to keep a record, download the PDF or take a screenshot.

This calculator provides estimates based on FY 2025-26 tax rules and is for general guidance only. Actual tax liability depends on your complete financial situation, including all income sources, deductions, exemptions, and any changes in tax law. Employers may compute TDS differently based on internal policies. Consult a qualified tax professional before filing your return. This is not tax advice.

Plan your TDS. Keep more of your salary.

Choose the right regime, declare your investments early, and file with confidence.

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