The current income tax slabs under Old Tax Regime are as follows: 0% up to Rs. 2.5 lakh, 5% on Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh, 20% on Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh, and 30% on income above Rs. 10 lakh.
The New Tax Regime slabs are 0% up to Rs. 4 lakh, 5% on Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh, 10% on Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh, 15% on Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 16 lakh, 20% on Rs. 16 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh, 25% on Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 24 lakh, and 30% on income above Rs. 24 lakh.
New Tax Regime Slabs For FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)
Section 115BAC new tax regime is the default tax regime for FY 2025-26. It offers lowers tax rates with limited deductions and a basic exemption limit of Rs. 4 lakh. The new tax regime slabs are as follows:
New Tax Regime Slabs
New Tax Regime Rates
Up to Rs. 4 lakh
Nil
Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh
5%
Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh
10%
Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 16 lakh
15%
Rs. 16 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh
20%
Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 24 lakh
25%
Above Rs. 24 lakh
30%
Key Feature of the New Tax Regime:
Standard deduction of Rs. 75,000 for salaried employees.
Income up to Rs. 12 lakh is effectively tax-free due to tax rebate under Section 87A
Deductions such as HRA, 80C, 80D etc., are disallowed under the new tax regime.
Income Tax Calculator For FY 2025-26 & FY 2026-27
Use the below tax calculator and know which is the best tax regime for you to save tax.
Income Tax Calculator - FY 2025-26
₹
Maximum allowed amount is ₹10,00,00,000
Note: For individuals under 60 years.
Tax Liability
₹ 0
Old regime
Recommended
vs
₹ 0
New regime
Recommended
Old Tax Regime Slabs For FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)
The old tax regime offers multiple tax saving deductions and exemptions but a higher tax rate. Taxpayers can opt for old tax regime if it is more beneficial.
Income Tax Slabs
Income Tax Rate
Up to Rs. 2.5 lakh
Nil
Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh
5%
Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh
20%
Above Rs. 10 lakh
30%
Key Features of the Old Tax Regime:
The old tax regime offers higher basic exemption limit of Rs. 3 lakh for senior citizens and Rs. 5 lakh for super senior citizens.
Standard deduction of Rs. 50,000 is allowed for salaried individuals.
The old tax regime offers various tax saving deductions and exemptions.
Income up to Rs. 5 lakh is tax-free due to Section 87A rebate.
Section 87A Rebate & Standard Deduction
Section 87A of the Income Tax Act offers a tax rebate to reduce the final tax liability to zero if your taxable income falls under the specified income limit. However, tax rebate is not a deduction, rather applies after your tax liability is calculated.
1. Rebate Under Section 87A
The new tax regime offers a tax rebate of up to Rs. 60,000 thus effectively making taxable income up to Rs. 12 lakh tax-free.
The old tax regime offers a tax rebate of Rs. 12,500 making taxable income up to Rs. 5 lakh tax-free.
Rebate is not allowed for incomes taxed at special rates such as capital gains under Section 111A and 112A.
2. Standard Deduction
A flat standard deduction is available to salaried taxpayers and pensioners under the head “Income From Salary”. For FY 2025-26, the standard deduction under
New tax regime is Rs. 75,000 and
Old tax regime is Rs. 50,000.
3. Example
Mr. X earns a salary income of Rs. 11.75 lakh in FY 2025-26 and opts for the new tax regime. After the standard deduction of Rs. 75,000 his taxable income will be Rs. 11 lakh. Here’s how Section 87A rebate works:
Slab
Amount
Tax
Up to Rs. 4 lakh
Rs. 4 lakh @ 0%
Nil
Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh
Rs. 4 lakh @ 5%
20,000
Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 11 lakh
Rs. 3 lakh @ 10%
30,000
Total Tax Before Rebate
50,000
Rebate u/s 87A
- 50,000
Net Tax Liability
0
Since, Section 87A offers a tax rebate up to Rs. 60,000 and Mr. X’s tax liability was Rs. 50,000, he is eligible for a tax rebate. Thus, bringing his net tax liability to Zero and saving Rs. 50,000 in taxes.
Surcharge & Cess
Surcharge is an additional tax that is applicable only if your total income exceeds certain threshold limits. The surcharge rates are as follows:
Income Limit
New Tax Regime
Old Tax Regime
Up to Rs. 50 lakh
Nil
Nil
Rs. 50 lakh to Rs. 1 Crore
10%
10%
Rs. 1 Crore to Rs. 2 Crore
15%
15%
Rs. 2 Crore to Rs. 5 Crore
25%
25%
Above Rs. 5 Crore
25%
37%
All taxpayers pay a 4% health & education cess on their tax liability irrespective of their income limit.
Income Tax Slabs For Specific Categories
1. Income Tax Slabs For Senior Citizens (Aged 60 to 80)
The old tax regime offers a higher basic exemption limit to resident senior citizens.
Income Tax Slabs
Income Tax Rate
Up to Rs. 3 lakh
Nil
Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh
5%
Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh
20%
Above Rs. 10 lakh
30%
However, the new tax regime slab rate remains the same.
2. Income Tax Slabs For Super Senior Citizens (Aged 80+ years)
For resident taxpayers aged above 80 years the basic exemption limit under the old tax regime is Rs. 5 lakh.
Income Tax Slabs
Income Tax Rate
Up to Rs. 5 lakh
Nil
Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh
20%
Above Rs. 10 lakh
30%
The new tax regime slabs remain the same with no such higher basic exemption limits.
3. Income Tax Slabs For Women
The income tax slabs for women remain the same at the existing rates under both the old and new tax regime. The Income Tax Act does not offer different tax slabs and rates for women.
4. Income Tax Slabs For NRIs
NRIs also can choose between the old and new tax regime. The tax slabs for NRIs are the same with a basic exemption limit of Rs. 4 lakh under the new tax regime and a basic exemption limit of Rs. 2.5 lakh under the old tax regime.
However, NRIs do not enjoy basic exemption limit relaxation for senior & super senior citizens under the old tax regime, as it is only available for resident taxpayers.
5. Income Tax Slabs For HUF
The new tax regime is the default tax regime for HUFs and the tax slabs remain the same with a basic exemption limit up to Rs. 4 lakh. HUFs also have the option to opt for the old tax regime with a basic exemption limit of Rs. 2.5 lakh.
As proposed in Budget 2026, there are no changes to the tax slabs for FY 2026-27. This means that the existing tax slabs and rates will be applicable as it is under both the new and old tax regime. Taxpayers continue to enjoy the same basic exemption limits of
Rs. 4 lakh under new tax regime
Rs. 2.5 lakh old tax regime
The new tax regime under Section 115BAC continues to be the default tax regime.
Income Tax Slabs Comparison For FY 2023-24, FY 2024-25 & FY 2025-26
The old tax regime slabs have remained unchanged over the years. However, there have been significant changes in the new tax regime slabs. The following new tax regime changes were made:
Income Tax Slab
FY 2023-24
FY 2024-25
FY 2025-26
Up to Rs. 3 lakh
Nil
Nil
Nil
Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 4 lakh
5%
5%
Nil
Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh
5%
5%
5%
Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 7 lakh
10%
5%
5%
Rs. 7 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh
10%
10%
5%
Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 9 lakh
10%
10%
10%
Rs. 9 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh
15%
10%
10%
Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh
15%
15%
10%
Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh
20%
15%
15%
Rs. 15 lakh to Rs. 16 lakh
30%
20%
15%
Rs. 16 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh
30%
20%
20%
Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 24 lakh
30%
30%
25%
Above Rs. 24 lakh
30%
30%
30%
Key Changes in Income Tax Slabs
FY 2023-24 restructured the slabs and increased the basic exemption limit from Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. 3 lakh.
Slabs were restructured again in FY 2025-26 and the basic exemption limit was increased to Rs. 4 lakh from Rs. 3 lakh.
The tax-free limit was increased to Rs. 12 lakh in FY 2025-26 from Rs. 7 lakh in Rs. 2024-25 due to increase in Section 87A rebate limit.
Old v/s New Tax Regime - Which is Better For FY 2025-26?
Which tax regime is better depends on the deductions and exemptions that are allowed to the taxpayer. The new tax regime offers a lower tax slab rate but disallows most of the deductions. However, the old tax regime has higher tax slab rates but lets you reduce the taxable income through significant deductions and exemptions.
Therefore, choose the old tax regime when you have significant deductions and exemptions to claim. Else, choose the new tax regime.
How to Calculate Income Tax For FY 2025-26?
Income tax is calculated by reducing the deductions and exemptions from the gross total income, applying slab rates, and adjusting rebates, cess and prepaid taxes. Follow these steps to calculate income tax liability under the Income Tax Act:
Step 2: Reduce eligible deductions or exemptions based on the regime chosen
Step 3: Compute the taxable income.
Step 4: Apply slab rates and compute tax as per the chosen regime.
Step 5: Apply and claim rebate if eligible.
Step 6: Add cess at 4% (and surcharge, if applicable) on tax computed in Step 4.
Step 7: Reduce TDS, TCS, or advance tax already paid to find net payable or refund.
Income Tax Calculation Example
Example 1
Mr. Raj has a salary income of Rs. 15 lakhs. His taxable income and tax liability for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) will be computed as follows under the new tax regime to save taxes:
Particulars
Amount
Income From Salary
15,00,000
(-) Standard Deduction
- 75,000
Taxable Income for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27)
14,25,000
The tax liability of Mr. Raj will be calculated as follows:
Income Tax Slabs
Tax Liability
Up to Rs. 4 lakh
Rs. 4 lakh @ 0%
0
Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh
Rs. 4 lakh @ 5%
20,000
Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh
Rs. 4 lakh @ 10%
40,000
Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 14.25 lakh
Rs. 2.25 lakh @ 15%
33,750
Total
93,750
Add: Health & Education Cess @ 4%
3,750
Total Tax Liability (New Tax Regime)
97,500
Therefore, the tax liability of Mr. Raj for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) under the new tax regime is Rs. 97,500.
Example 2
Mr. Anban for FY 2025-26 has the following incomes, exemptions and deductions.
Salary - Rs. 25 lakh
HRA Exemption Rs. 4 lakh
80C Deduction - Rs. 1.5 lakh
80D Deduction - Rs. 25,000
His taxable income and tax liability for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) will be computed as follows:
Mr. Anban's Tax Liability will be calculated as follows:
1. Under New Tax Regime
Income Tax Slabs
Tax Liability
Up to Rs. 4 lakh
Rs. 4 lakh @ 0%
0
Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh
Rs. 4 lakh @ 5%
20,000
Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 12 lakh
Rs. 4 lakh @ 10%
40,000
Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 16 lakh
Rs. 4 lakh @ 15%
60,000
Rs. 16 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh
Rs. 4 lakh @ 20%
80,000
Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 24 lakh
Rs. 4 lakh @ 25%
1,00,000
Rs. 24 lakh to Rs. 24.25 lakh
Rs. 25,000 @ 30%
7,500
Total
3,07,500
Add: Health & Education Cess @ 4%
12,300
Total Tax Liability (New Tax Regime)
3,19,800
2. Under Old Tax Regime
Income Tax Slabs
Tax Liability
Up to Rs. 2.5 lakh
Rs. 2.5 lakh @ 0%
0
Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh
Rs. 2.5 lakh @ 5%
12,500
Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh
Rs. 5 lakh @ 20%
1,00,000
Above Rs. 10 lakh
Rs. 8.75 lakh @ 30%
2,62,500
Total
3,75,000
Add: Health & Education Cess @ 4%
15,000
Total Tax Liability (Old Tax Regime)
3,90,000
Therefore, tax liability of Mr. Anban for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) is as follows:
Tax Regime
Tax Liability
New Tax Regime
3,19,800
Old Tax Regime
3,90,000
Therefore, by opting for New Tax Regime he can save Rs. 70,200 in taxes. However, many deductions & exemptions are not allowed under the new tax regime.
How to File ITR For FY 2025-26?
After determining the tax payable or refund due, the next step is filing the Income Tax Return. It is important to choose the right ITR form and understand how to file ITR correctly. Taxpayers should file their ITRs before the specified due dates to avoid late fees and interest. The due date to file ITR for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) is 31st July 2026.
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