Tax on Salary Income – Old Regime vs New Regime

As it seems evident, gradually the ‘Old Regime’ for computing income tax is being phased out, from FY:24-25, each tax payer has been placed in the ‘New Regime’ for taxation. However, currently, one may opt out and move to the ‘Old Regime’.

In the taxation slabs under the regimes, the new regime is definitely more attractive, however, in the old regime, it offers more exemption / deductions that may substantially reduce the taxable income. Based on the income and after evaluating the eligible relief, one may opt the regime that has a lower tax impact.

Tax Slabs under New & Old Regimes

Taxable Income Slab
New Regime
Old Regime
₹0 – ₹2,50,000
₹2,50,000  – ₹3,00,000
5%
₹3,00,000 – ₹5,00,000
5%
5%
₹5,00,000 – ₹7,00,000
5%
20%
₹7,00,000 – ₹10,00,000
10%
20%
₹10,00,000 – ₹12,00,000
15%
30%
₹12,00,000 – ₹15,00,000
20%
30%
>₹15,00,000
30%
30%

Tax Comparison under different conditions

For FY: 2024-25 (AY: 2025-26) under the New Regime, Standard Deduction is ₹ 75,000/- while in the Old Regime it is ₹ 50,000/-.

In the comparative examples has different income values and a few common eligible exemptions & deductions. Depending on the cumulative relief under the old regime, one need to evaluate which is more beneficial.

Case#1: Salary Income is ₹ 12.00 lakhs

New Regime
Old Regime
Gross Salary Income
12,00,000
12,00,000
Less: Exemptions u/s 10
40,000
Net Salary Income
12,00,000
11,60,000
Deductions u/s 16
75,000
52,500
Tax on Employment u/s 16(iii)
2,500
Standard Deduction u/s 16(1a)
75,000
50,000
Exemptions / Deductions
0
1,25,000
Interest on Home Loan – u/s 24
50,000
Chapter VIA (Sections 80C, 80D, etc.)
75,000
Taxable Income 
11,25,000
9,82,500
Income Tax (as per slab)
68,750
1,09,000
Less: Rebate u/s 87A
Net Income Tax (after Rebate)
68,750
1,09,000
Education Cess @ 4%
2,750
4,360
Surcharge
Total Tax Amount (incl Cess & Surcharge)
71,500
1,13,360

Case#2: Salary Income is ₹ 18.00 lakhs

New Regime
Old Regime
Gross Salary Income
18,00,000
18,00,000
Less: Exemptions u/s 10
1,25,000
Net Salary Income
18,00,000
16,75,000
Deductions u/s 16
75,000
52,500
Tax on Employment u/s 16(iii)
2,500
Standard Deduction u/s 16(1a)
75,000
50,000
Exemptions / Deductions
0
3,75,000
Interest on Home Loan – u/s 24
2,00,000
Chapter VIA (Sections 80C, 80D, etc.)
1,75,000
Taxable Income 
17,25,000
12,47,500
Income Tax (as per slab)
2,07,500
1,86,750
Less: Rebate u/s 87A
Net Income Tax (after Rebate)
2,07,500
1,86,750
Education Cess @ 4%
8,300
7,470
Surcharge
Total Tax Amount (incl Cess & Surcharge)
2,15,800
1,94,220

Case#3: Salary Income is ₹ 30.00 lakhs

New Regime
Old Regime
Gross Salary Income
30,00,000
30,00,000
Less: Exemptions u/s 10
1,50,000
Net Salary Income
30,00,000
28,50,000
Deductions u/s 16
75,000
52,500
Tax on Employment u/s 16(iii)
2,500
Standard Deduction u/s 16(1a)
75,000
50,000
Exemptions / Deductions
0
3,25,000
Interest on Home Loan – u/s 24
1,50,000
Chapter VIA (Sections 80C, 80D, etc.)
1,75,000
Taxable Income 
29,25,000
24,72,500
Income Tax (as per slab)
5,67,500
5,54,250
Less: Rebate u/s 87A
Net Income Tax (after Rebate)
5,67,500
5,54,250
Education Cess @ 4%
22,700
22,170
Surcharge
Total Tax Amount (incl Cess & Surcharge)
5,90,200
5,76,420

Case#4: Salary Income is ₹ 45.00 lakhs

New Regime
Old Regime
Gross Salary Income
45,00,000
45,00,000
Less: Exemptions u/s 10
2,00,000
Net Salary Income
45,00,000
43,00,000
Deductions u/s 16
75,000
52,500
Tax on Employment u/s 16(iii)
2,500
Standard Deduction u/s 16(1a)
75,000
50,000
Exemptions / Deductions
0
3,75,000
Interest on Home Loan – u/s 24
2,00,000
Chapter VIA (Sections 80C, 80D, etc.)
1,75,000
Taxable Income 
44,25,000
38,72,500
Income Tax (as per slab)
10,17,500
9,74,250
Less: Rebate u/s 87A
Net Income Tax (after Rebate)
10,17,500
9,74,250
Education Cess @ 4%
40,700
38,970
Surcharge
Total Tax Amount (incl Cess & Surcharge)
10,58,200
10,13,220

Note:
The above examples are just indicative based on the most common exemption / deductions. There are quite a few exceptions under both the regimes that should be considered.

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