The new regime FY 2024-25 slabs are: ₹0-3L at 0%, ₹3-7L at 5%, ₹7-10L at 10%, ₹10-12L at 15%, ₹12-15L at 20%, above ₹15L at 30%. The standard deduction of ₹75,000 (raised from ₹50,000 in the latest budget) is the only major exemption salaried employees can use. EPF employer contribution up to ₹2.5 lakh stays exempt; HRA, LTA, 80C, 80D and home loan interest are all disallowed.
The old regime slabs are: ₹0-2.5L at 0% (₹3L for senior citizens, ₹5L for super seniors), ₹2.5-5L at 5%, ₹5-10L at 20%, above ₹10L at 30%. Standard deduction is ₹50,000. Allowed deductions include 80C (up to ₹1.5L), 80CCD-1B (additional ₹50,000 to NPS), 80D (₹25,000 for self + ₹25,000 for parents under 60, or ₹50,000 if parents are seniors), 80E (full education loan interest), HRA (the lowest of three formulas), 80TTA (₹10,000 savings bank interest), 80TTB (₹50,000 for seniors).
The Section 87A rebate makes income up to ₹7 lakh (new regime) or ₹5 lakh (old regime) effectively tax-free. The rebate is the smaller of the actual tax liability or the cap (₹25,000 or ₹12,500). Cross the threshold by even ₹1 and the rebate disappears entirely - this 'tax cliff' is why a salary of ₹7,00,000 attracts zero tax in the new regime but ₹7,01,000 attracts roughly ₹26,000.
Surcharge applies on incomes above ₹50 lakh: 10% (₹50L-₹1Cr), 15% (₹1Cr-₹2Cr), 25% (₹2Cr-₹5Cr) and 37% (>₹5Cr) in the old regime. In the new regime the highest surcharge is capped at 25% for incomes above ₹2 crore. Marginal relief applies at slab boundaries to prevent the surcharge from making income just above the threshold lower in hand than income just below. This calculator handles slabs and rebate but not surcharge - for high incomes, a CA review is essential.