Compare the default new tax regime with the old regime for ordinary salary, eligible pension and other slab-rate income earned from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. The estimate includes standard deductions, resident-individual rebates, surcharge marginal relief, 4% cess and Section 516 nearest-₹10 rounding.
- Budget 2026 rules checked
- New and old regimes
- Rebate and marginal relief
- Surcharge and 4% cess
Budget 2026 Income Tax Calculator
Enter annual ordinary income and verified deductions. Both regimes are calculated together using the same profile, so the comparison remains transparent.
Resident individual below 60, ordinary income only
Final tax comparison
New regime lowerBars compare final tax after rebate, surcharge marginal relief, 4% cess and nearest-₹10 rounding.
Tax computation
| Component | New regime | Old regime |
|---|---|---|
| Gross ordinary income | ₹12,75,000 | ₹12,75,000 |
| Standard deduction | ₹75,000 | ₹50,000 |
| Other deductions applied | ₹0 | ₹2,00,000 |
| Taxable income after Section 516 rounding | ₹12,00,000 | ₹10,25,000 |
| Slab tax before rebate | ₹60,000 | ₹1,20,000 |
| Resident-individual rebate | ₹60,000 | ₹0 |
| Tax after rebate | ₹0 | ₹1,20,000 |
| Surcharge after marginal relief | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Health and Education Cess | ₹0 | ₹4,800 |
| Final rounded tax | ₹0 | ₹1,24,800 |
Calculation steps
- Gross ordinary income is ₹12,75,000 from salary plus other slab-rate income.
- New taxable income is ₹12,00,000 after the ₹75,000 standard deduction.
- Old taxable income is ₹10,25,000 after the ₹50,000 standard deduction and ₹2,00,000 entered deductions.
- New-regime slab tax of ₹60,000 becomes nil after the Section 156 rebate.
- Old-regime tax is ₹1,20,000 before cess and ₹1,24,800 after 4% cess and rounding.
Recent comparisons
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How to Use This Budget 2026 Tax Calculator
- Select resident or non-resident status. The individual rebates under Section 156 are available only to eligible residents.
- Select your age during Tax Year 2026–27. Age changes the old-regime basic exemption for resident senior and super-senior individuals, but it does not change new-regime slabs.
- Enter gross salary or eligible pension before standard deduction. Do not include family pension in this salary field.
- Add only other income chargeable at ordinary slab rates. Use a separate tool for capital gains, lottery winnings, virtual digital assets and other special-rate income.
- Enter verified old-regime deductions and exemptions without the ₹50,000 standard deduction. Then enter only deductions allowed under the new regime, without its ₹75,000 standard deduction.
- Select “Compare Tax Regimes.” Review taxable income, slab tax, rebate, surcharge, cess, final rounded tax and the substituted steps.
Money fields accept plain digits and common Indian or international comma grouping. For example, 1275000, 12,75,000 and 1,275,000 produce the same amount. The calculator caps entered deductions at the income available after standard deduction instead of allowing a negative taxable income.
What Changed in Union Budget 2026?
Union Budget 2026 did not change the individual income-tax rates already enacted for Tax Year 2026–27. The official memorandum for the Finance Bill, 2026 states that the rates in Section 202 and the relevant First Schedule remain the same. This is important because many searches for a “Budget 2026 tax calculator” assume that every Budget creates a new slab table.
The Income-tax Act, 2025 applies from 1 April 2026. It uses “tax year” for the period from 1 April 2026 through 31 March 2027. You may still see this period described online as FY 2026–27. Section 202 contains the default new-regime rates. An eligible taxpayer can opt for old-regime treatment under the applicable procedure, but people with business or professional income face stricter switching rules than people without such income.
New Tax Regime Slabs for Tax Year 2026–27
| Taxable income band | Rate on that band | Maximum tax added within band |
|---|---|---|
| Up to ₹4,00,000 | Nil | ₹0 |
| ₹4,00,001 to ₹8,00,000 | 5% | ₹20,000 |
| ₹8,00,001 to ₹12,00,000 | 10% | ₹40,000 |
| ₹12,00,001 to ₹16,00,000 | 15% | ₹60,000 |
| ₹16,00,001 to ₹20,00,000 | 20% | ₹80,000 |
| ₹20,00,001 to ₹24,00,000 | 25% | ₹1,00,000 |
| Above ₹24,00,000 | 30% | No fixed maximum |
These rates are progressive. Crossing a band does not tax all income at the new percentage. Only the part inside that band receives its stated rate. At taxable income of ₹12 lakh, the slab calculation is ₹20,000 plus ₹40,000, or ₹60,000 before rebate.
Section 156 Rebate and Marginal Relief
Section 156 replaces the familiar Section 87A numbering for Tax Year 2026–27 under the Income-tax Act, 2025. Searchers still use “Section 87A rebate,” so both names appear on this page. The current statutory reference is Section 156.
For a resident individual under the default new regime, the rebate is 100% of slab tax or ₹60,000, whichever is lower, when total income does not exceed ₹12 lakh. The ₹12 lakh figure is not a basic exemption. Slab tax is calculated first and the rebate then reduces eligible tax.
When total income moves slightly above ₹12 lakh, marginal relief prevents eligible pre-cess slab tax from exceeding the amount by which total income exceeds ₹12 lakh. For example, at ordinary taxable income of ₹12.50 lakh, slab tax is ₹67,500. Income above the threshold is ₹50,000, so marginal relief is ₹17,500 and eligible tax before cess becomes ₹50,000.
Standard Deduction Used by the Calculator
Section 19 allows a standard deduction equal to salary or ₹75,000, whichever is lower, when tax is computed under Section 202(1). In other cases, the limit is salary or ₹50,000, whichever is lower. The calculator therefore never creates a loss by applying a standard deduction larger than the salary or eligible pension entered.
Pension from a former employer is generally treated under the salary head, while family pension follows different rules under income from other sources. Do not place family pension in the salary field. Work out the taxable ordinary amount under its applicable rule before adding it to other income.
Old-Regime Slabs Used for Comparison
| Individual profile | Basic exemption | Rates above exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Resident below 60 | ₹2,50,000 | 5% to ₹5 lakh, 20% to ₹10 lakh, then 30% |
| Resident age 60 to 79 | ₹3,00,000 | 5% to ₹5 lakh, 20% to ₹10 lakh, then 30% |
| Resident age 80 or more | ₹5,00,000 | 20% to ₹10 lakh, then 30% |
| Non-resident, any age | ₹2,50,000 | 5% to ₹5 lakh, 20% to ₹10 lakh, then 30% |
A resident individual with old-regime total income up to ₹5 lakh can receive a rebate equal to income-tax or ₹12,500, whichever is lower. Non-residents do not receive this individual rebate, and their old-regime slab does not rise with age.
Budget 2026 Tax Calculation Formula
Section 516 requires computed total income and the final amount payable or refundable to be rounded to the nearest ₹10. The calculator rounds taxable income first, then retains precision while applying slabs, rebates, surcharge and cess, and rounds the final liability to the nearest ₹10.
Worked Example: ₹12.75 Lakh Salary
Assume a resident individual below age 60 has gross salary of ₹12,75,000, no other income, ₹2,00,000 of verified old-regime deductions and no additional new-regime deduction.
- New taxable income is ₹12,00,000 after the ₹75,000 standard deduction.
- New-regime slab tax is ₹60,000. The Section 156 rebate reduces eligible tax to nil.
- Old taxable income is ₹10,25,000 after the ₹50,000 standard deduction and ₹2,00,000 deductions.
- Old-regime slab tax is ₹1,20,000. Adding 4% cess gives ₹1,24,800.
- The new regime produces ₹1,24,800 less estimated tax in this example.
This result does not prove that the new regime is always better. A larger valid old-regime deduction amount, a different income mix, special-rate income or a regime-option restriction can reverse the result.
How Deductions Are Handled
The old-regime field is an aggregate planning input. It can include eligible exemptions and deductions only after you check the applicable conditions, documentation and limits. Common examples include eligible HRA exemption and deductions for qualifying investments, insurance, medical payments or home-loan interest. The calculator does not validate each section.
The new-regime field is separate because most traditional deductions and exemptions are unavailable. Enter only amounts allowed under the current default regime, such as a qualifying employer contribution where the statutory conditions are satisfied. Never copy the old-regime total into the new-regime field without checking eligibility.
Surcharge, Marginal Relief and Cess
For ordinary income, surcharge starts when taxable income exceeds ₹50 lakh. Both regimes use 10% above ₹50 lakh and up to ₹1 crore, then 15% above ₹1 crore and up to ₹2 crore. The new regime uses 25% above ₹2 crore. The old regime uses 25% above ₹2 crore and up to ₹5 crore, then 37% above ₹5 crore.
Surcharge marginal relief limits the combined income-tax and surcharge at each threshold. The combined amount cannot exceed the tax at the threshold by more than the income above it. Health and Education Cess is then 4% of income-tax plus the allowed surcharge. Special-rate income can cap or change surcharge treatment, which is another reason it is excluded here.
When the Estimate Can Differ from Your Return
- Your income contains capital gains, dividend, lottery, virtual digital asset or another special-rate component.
- A deduction is entered without meeting its ownership, payment, investment, documentation or percentage limit.
- Rental or business income has not been computed under the applicable head before entry.
- A house-property loss, carried-forward loss, foreign tax credit, agricultural-income integration or relief applies.
- Alternate Minimum Tax, advance-tax interest, late fees, TDS credits or self-assessment payments matter.
- Your residential status, age, pension classification or right to switch regimes differs from the selected profile.
Choosing Between the New and Old Regimes
Start with valid, document-backed figures rather than a target result. The lower-tax regime depends on income, age, residence and the deductions you are entitled to claim. The new regime often benefits people with limited old-regime deductions because of wider bands and the higher standard deduction. The old regime can remain competitive when substantial eligible exemptions and deductions reduce taxable income.
If you have business or professional income, do not treat the lower number as an automatic election. Section 202 applies specific timing and switching restrictions. Review the filing procedure before choosing. People without business or professional income generally make the option with the return for the tax year.
Official Method and Review Sources
- Government of India memorandum for Finance Bill, 2026, including the statement that Tax Year 2026–27 personal rates remain unchanged.
- Income Tax Department, Section 202, for default new-regime slabs and option rules.
- Income Tax Department, Section 156, for resident-individual rebates and marginal relief above ₹12 lakh.
- Income Tax Department, Section 19, for the ₹75,000 and ₹50,000 salary standard deductions.
- Income Tax Department, Section 516, for nearest-₹10 rounding of total income and payable or refundable amounts.
- Income Tax Department tax-rate guidance, for old-regime age bands, surcharge, marginal relief and 4% cess.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Did Budget 2026 change the new-regime tax slabs?
No. The official Budget 2026 memorandum states that the rates already enacted for Tax Year 2026–27 remain unchanged. Section 202 keeps the nil, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30% bands.
What are the new tax regime slabs for Tax Year 2026–27?
Tax is nil up to ₹4 lakh, then 5% from ₹4 lakh to ₹8 lakh, 10% to ₹12 lakh, 15% to ₹16 lakh, 20% to ₹20 lakh, 25% to ₹24 lakh and 30% above ₹24 lakh.
Is income up to ₹12 lakh a basic exemption?
No. The new-regime basic nil-rate band ends at ₹4 lakh. An eligible resident individual with ordinary taxable income up to ₹12 lakh can reach zero tax only after the Section 156 rebate is applied to slab tax.
Why is a ₹12.75 lakh salary often called tax-free?
A resident employee with ₹12.75 lakh gross salary can reach ₹12 lakh taxable income after the ₹75,000 standard deduction. Other income, ineligible salary classification or special-rate income can change the result.
Is Section 156 the same as Section 87A?
Section 156 is the resident-individual rebate provision in the Income-tax Act, 2025 for Tax Year 2026–27. Section 87A is the familiar numbering under the Income-tax Act, 1961 and remains a common search term.
Can a non-resident claim the ₹60,000 rebate?
No. Section 156 limits the individual rebate to an individual resident in India. This calculator removes both the new-regime and old-regime individual rebates when non-resident status is selected.
How does marginal relief above ₹12 lakh work?
For eligible ordinary income slightly above ₹12 lakh, the rebate reduces pre-cess slab tax to the amount by which total income exceeds ₹12 lakh when the statutory condition is met.
What standard deduction applies in Tax Year 2026–27?
Section 19 allows up to ₹75,000 against salary when tax is computed under Section 202(1), and up to ₹50,000 in other cases. Each deduction is limited to the salary amount.
Does age change the new-regime calculation?
No. New-regime slabs do not change with age. Under the old regime, resident individuals aged 60 to 79 and 80 or more receive higher basic exemption limits. Non-residents use the below-60 old-regime slabs regardless of age.
Does this calculator include surcharge and cess?
Yes. For ordinary income it applies the relevant surcharge rates, surcharge marginal relief, 4% Health and Education Cess and final nearest-₹10 rounding. It excludes special-rate income because its surcharge treatment can differ.
Tax and Calculation Disclaimer
This calculator provides an educational estimate for an individual with ordinary slab-rate income. It is not tax, legal, filing or investment advice. It does not determine deduction eligibility, special-rate tax, agricultural-income integration, AMT, loss treatment, foreign tax relief, TDS, advance-tax interest or filing procedure. Verify the result on the official Income Tax portal or consult a qualified tax professional before filing, paying tax or choosing a regime.