Enter your income & deductions — get an instant verdict on which regime saves you more, with a full side-by-side breakdown and break-even deduction analysis.
For most salaried taxpayers, the new regime is better if total deductions (80C + HRA exemption + 80D + NPS + 24b) are below approximately ₹3.75 lakh. Below ₹7.75L gross salary with no deductions, the new regime often wins due to the 87A full rebate. Use this calculator with your actual numbers for a precise answer.
What deductions are NOT allowed in new regime?+
New regime disallows: 80C (PPF, ELSS, LIC, EPF), 80D (health insurance), HRA exemption, home loan interest 24(b), LTA, professional tax, NPS 80CCD(1B). It only allows: ₹75,000 standard deduction, employer NPS 80CCD(2), Agniveer.
What happens to my existing investments if I switch to new regime?+
Your investments (PPF, ELSS, LIC) continue to exist and grow — you just don't get the 80C tax deduction for that year. Interest and maturity from PPF remain tax-free regardless of regime. You can switch back to old regime next year if you're salaried.
Which regime is better for ₹15L salary?+
At ₹15L gross: New regime tax ≈ ₹1,12,800. Old regime with full deductions (₹50K std + ₹1.5L 80C + ₹25K 80D + ₹50K NPS + HRA exemption ≈ ₹90K) gives taxable ≈ ₹8.35L, tax ≈ ₹77,400. Old regime likely wins with maximised deductions. New regime wins with minimal deductions.
Can I switch between regimes every year?+
Salaried individuals (without business income) can switch between the new and old regime every financial year, choosing whichever is more favorable based on that year's income and deductions. If you have business or professional income, you can switch only once in your lifetime after opting out of the new regime — so plan carefully if you're self-employed or a freelancer.
Is the new regime the default now?+
Yes. Since FY 2023-24, the new tax regime is the default option. If you want to be taxed under the old regime, you must actively opt in — for salaried employees, this is typically done by informing your employer at the start of the year (or via Form 10-IEA at the time of filing your return if you missed the employer declaration window).
Does the new regime allow any deductions at all?+
A common misconception is that the new regime allows zero deductions. It actually permits: the ₹75,000 standard deduction for salaried employees, employer's NPS contribution under 80CCD(2) (up to 14% of basic for government employees, 10% for private), and the Agniveer Corpus Fund contribution. What it disallows is the bulk of personal deductions — 80C, 80D, HRA exemption, and home loan interest.
New vs Old Tax Regime — How to Decide for FY 2026-27
Choosing between the new tax regime (lower slab rates, almost no deductions) and the old tax regime (higher slab rates, but generous deductions like 80C, HRA, and home loan interest) comes down to one number: how much you can genuinely claim in deductions each year.
The Simple Rule of Thumb
As a rough guide, if your total annual deductions (80C + HRA exemption + 80D + home loan interest + NPS) exceed roughly ₹3.75-4 lakh, the old regime is likely to save you more tax. Below that threshold — which describes most young salaried employees who haven't yet bought a home or maxed out their 80C — the new regime's lower slab rates combined with the ₹75,000 standard deduction and the full 87A rebate (zero tax up to ₹12 lakh taxable income) usually wins.
Who Typically Benefits From Each Regime
New Regime Tends to Win
Old Regime Tends to Win
Profile
Early-career, no home loan, minimal 80C
Homeowner with loan, maxed 80C/80D, paying rent with HRA
Typical deductions
Under ₹3.75L
Above ₹3.75-4L
Filing complexity
Simpler — fewer proofs needed
More paperwork — rent receipts, investment proofs
Since the exact break-even point depends on your specific mix of HRA, 80C, 80D, and home loan interest, running your actual numbers through the calculator above — rather than relying on the general rule of thumb — is the only way to get a precise answer for your situation.
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