India take-home pay: example salaries (2026)
Here is the net take-home pay after tax for a range of common gross salaries in India, for a single person using the default settings above. Use the calculator for your exact figure.
| Gross salary (per year) | Net per year | Net per month | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹4,00,000 | ₹4,00,000 | ₹33,333 | 100.0% |
| ₹6,00,000 | ₹6,00,000 | ₹50,000 | 100.0% |
| ₹8,00,000 | ₹8,00,000 | ₹66,667 | 100.0% |
| ₹10,00,000 | ₹10,00,000 | ₹83,333 | 100.0% |
| ₹12,00,000 | ₹12,00,000 | ₹1,00,000 | 100.0% |
| ₹15,00,000 | ₹14,02,500 | ₹1,16,875 | 93.5% |
| ₹20,00,000 | ₹18,07,600 | ₹1,50,633 | 90.4% |
| ₹30,00,000 | ₹25,24,200 | ₹2,10,350 | 84.1% |
| ₹50,00,000 | ₹39,00,200 | ₹3,25,017 | 78.0% |
How your in-hand salary is calculated in FY 2026-27
India lets you choose between two systems. The new regime is the default: it has lower rates and a ₹75,000 standard deduction, but disallows most exemptions. The old regime has higher rates but lets you claim deductions such as 80C, 80D and HRA. Everyone also pays a 4% health & education cess on top of the tax. Budget 2026 kept the slabs unchanged from FY 2025-26.
On top of income tax, your own EPF/PF contribution is set aside into your provident fund, which reduces your monthly in-hand pay even though it is your savings.
New regime slabs — FY 2026-27 (default)
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹4,00,000 | 0% |
| ₹4,00,001 – ₹8,00,000 | 5% |
| ₹8,00,001 – ₹12,00,000 | 10% |
| ₹12,00,001 – ₹16,00,000 | 15% |
| ₹16,00,001 – ₹20,00,000 | 20% |
| ₹20,00,001 – ₹24,00,000 | 25% |
| Over ₹24,00,000 | 30% |
Zero tax up to ₹12 lakh (new regime)
Under the new regime, the Section 87A rebate of up to ₹60,000 means resident individuals with taxable income up to ₹12 lakh pay no income tax. With the ₹75,000 standard deduction, a salary up to ₹12.75 lakh is effectively tax-free. Just above ₹12 lakh, marginal relief ensures your tax never exceeds the amount by which your income crosses the limit.
Old regime: when it still wins
The old regime can beat the new regime if you claim large deductions — typically once your total deductions (80C up to ₹1.5 lakh, 80D, HRA, home-loan interest, etc.) exceed roughly ₹3.5–4 lakh. Enter your deductions above and switch the regime to compare your in-hand pay side by side.
Old regime slabs — FY 2026-27 (below 60)
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹2,50,000 | 0% |
| ₹2,50,001 – ₹5,00,000 | 5% |
| ₹5,00,001 – ₹10,00,000 | 20% |
| Over ₹10,00,000 | 30% |
Surcharge and cess
A surcharge applies to high incomes: 10% above ₹50 lakh, 15% above ₹1 crore, 25% above ₹2 crore (and 37% above ₹5 crore under the old regime — the new regime caps it at 25%). A 4% health and education cess is then added to the tax plus surcharge for everyone.
Worked example: ₹15,00,000 salary, new regime
- Standard deduction ₹75,000 → taxable ₹14,25,000
- Income tax across the slabs: ₹93,750
- Add 4% cess ₹3,750 → total tax ₹97,500
- In-hand: about ₹14,02,500 a year, roughly ₹1,16,875 a month (before EPF)
Under the old regime the same ₹15 lakh would attract ₹2,57,400 tax with no deductions — so you would need around ₹3–4 lakh of deductions for the old regime to come out ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Is income up to ₹12 lakh really tax-free?
Yes, for resident individuals under the new regime. The Section 87A rebate (up to ₹60,000) makes taxable income up to ₹12 lakh tax-free, and with the ₹75,000 standard deduction a salary up to ₹12.75 lakh pays no income tax in FY 2026-27.
New regime or old regime — which is better?
The new regime wins for most salaried people because of its low rates and the ₹12 lakh rebate. The old regime only comes out ahead if you have large deductions (roughly ₹3.5–4 lakh or more). Compare both above by switching the regime.
What is the health and education cess?
A 4% cess charged on your income tax (plus any surcharge), regardless of income level. It funds health and education programmes and applies under both regimes.
Does EPF reduce my tax?
Under the old regime your EPF contribution counts toward the ₹1.5 lakh 80C limit, so include it in your deductions. Under the new regime it does not reduce tax, but it still reduces your monthly in-hand pay because it goes into your provident fund.
How much tax on ₹20 lakh under the new regime?
About ₹1,92,400 for FY 2026-27 (taxable ₹19.25 lakh after the standard deduction), including the 4% cess — leaving roughly ₹18,07,600 before EPF.