₹15 Lakh & ₹20 Lakh Salary Tax Calculation India FY 2026-27 — New Regime vs Old
Earning ₹15 lakh or ₹20 lakh CTC? Here's your exact tax bill under both old & new tax regime with step-by-step calculations, real numbers, and a clear recommendation on which regime saves you more money.
Tax on ₹15 Lakh Salary — Step by Step
Scenario: ₹15 Lakh CTC (₹14L salary + ₹1L bonus)
NEW TAX REGIME (Recommended for most)
| Income Slab | Tax Rate | Tax Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ₹0 - ₹3,00,000 | 0% | ₹0 |
| ₹3,00,001 - ₹6,00,000 | 5% | ₹15,000 |
| ₹6,00,001 - ₹9,00,000 | 10% | ₹30,000 |
| ₹9,00,001 - ₹12,00,000 | 15% | ₹45,000 |
| ₹12,00,001 - ₹14,50,000 | 20% | ₹50,000 |
| Total Income Tax | ₹1,40,000 | |
OLD TAX REGIME (with ₹1.5L deductions)
Assume you claim: 80C (₹1.5L PPF) = ₹1.5L. Taxable income = ₹14L - ₹1.5L = ₹12.5L.
| Income Slab | Tax Rate | Tax Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ₹0 - ₹2,50,000 | 0% | ₹0 |
| ₹2,50,001 - ₹5,00,000 | 5% | ₹12,500 |
| ₹5,00,001 - ₹10,00,000 | 20% | ₹1,00,000 |
| ₹10,00,001 - ₹12,50,000 | 30% | ₹75,000 |
| Total Income Tax | ₹1,87,500 | |
Tax on ₹20 Lakh Salary — Step by Step
Scenario: ₹20 Lakh CTC
NEW TAX REGIME
| Income Slab | Tax Rate | Tax Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ₹0 - ₹3,00,000 | 0% | ₹0 |
| ₹3,00,001 - ₹6,00,000 | 5% | ₹15,000 |
| ₹6,00,001 - ₹9,00,000 | 10% | ₹30,000 |
| ₹9,00,001 - ₹12,00,000 | 15% | ₹45,000 |
| ₹12,00,001 - ₹20,00,000 | 20% | ₹1,60,000 |
| Total Income Tax | ₹2,50,000 | |
OLD TAX REGIME (with ₹2.5L deductions)
Assume: 80C (₹1.5L), 80D (health insurance ₹25K), NPS (80CCD: ₹50K) = ₹2.25L. Taxable = ₹17.75L.
| Income Slab | Tax Rate | Tax Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ₹0 - ₹2,50,000 | 0% | ₹0 |
| ₹2,50,001 - ₹5,00,000 | 5% | ₹12,500 |
| ₹5,00,001 - ₹10,00,000 | 20% | ₹1,00,000 |
| ₹10,00,001 - ₹17,75,000 | 30% | ₹2,32,500 |
| Total Income Tax | ₹3,45,000 | |
Old vs New Regime Comparison
| Factor | Old Regime | New Regime |
|---|---|---|
| Deductions Allowed? | Yes (80C, 80D, HRA, NPS) | No deductions, lower tax slabs |
| Max 80C Deduction | ₹1.5L (PPF, ELSS, LIC, NSC) | N/A |
| HRA Deduction | If no HRA given by employer | N/A |
| Home Loan Interest | ₹2L deduction (80EEA) | N/A |
| Life Insurance | 80C: Up to ₹1.5L premium | N/A |
| Health Insurance (80D) | Up to ₹25K individual, ₹50K family | N/A |
| NPS (80CCD) | Up to ₹2L extra deduction | N/A |
| Tax on ₹15L (no deductions) | ₹1,95,000 | ₹1,45,600 |
| Tax on ₹20L (no deductions) | ₹2,85,000 | ₹2,60,000 |
| Can Switch Regimes? | Once chosen, lock for rest of FY | Once chosen, lock for rest of FY |
Which Deductions Make Old Regime Worth It?
Scenario Analysis:
For ₹15L salary to prefer old regime: You'd need to claim deductions that reduce your tax by ₹49,400. That means deductions of ₹2.5L+.
Real example: You earn ₹15L, and claim:
- PPF (80C): ₹1.5L
- Health Insurance (80D): ₹20K
- NPS contribution (80CCD): ₹30K
- Total: ₹2L deductions
Old regime tax = ₹1,72,500 (saves you ₹27,000 vs new). Still not as good as new regime's ₹1,45,600!
Only scenario old regime wins: If you get HRA benefit.
Example: ₹15L salary, employer doesn't give HRA, so you can claim rent as HRA deduction.
- PPF: ₹1.5L
- HRA (50% of rent, max ₹7,500/month = ₹90K/year): ₹90K
- Health insurance: ₹20K
- Total: ₹2.6L deductions
Taxable = ₹14L - ₹2.6L = ₹11.4L. Old regime tax = ₹1,59,000. This is ₹13,400 less than new regime!
Step-by-Step: How to Calculate Your Own Tax
- Step 1: Get your gross salary + bonus from your payslip.
- Step 2: Apply standard deduction: ₹50K (same for both regimes).
- Step 3 (Old Regime Only): Calculate your deductions:
- 80C: PPF ₹1.5L + ELSS ₹1.5L (max combined ₹1.5L) + LIC ₹2L (max combined ₹1.5L)
- HRA: If employer doesn't give HRA & you pay rent, claim 50% of rent (max ₹7,500/month = ₹90K/year)
- 80D: Health insurance (₹25K individual, ₹50K family)
- 80CCD: NPS contribution (₹2L extra above 80C)
- Step 4: Calculate taxable income = Gross - Standard Deduction - Deductions (if old regime).
- Step 5: Apply tax slabs per regime.
- Step 6: Add Health & Education Cess: 4% of tax.
- Step 7: Subtract tax already paid via TDS on salary.
Use our Income Tax Calculator to auto-calculate & compare both regimes.
FAQ
Can I switch from old to new regime mid-year?
No. You must choose one regime for the entire financial year (April-March). Your choice is locked in your ITR filing. From next FY, you can switch if you want.
What if my employer gives HRA along with salary?
If you receive HRA, you CANNOT claim it as a deduction in old regime. Instead, calculate: HRA to exclude = minimum of (HRA received, 50% of rent paid, or 10% of salary). In new regime, HRA is already factored into the lower tax slabs, so it's irrelevant.
Should I max out PPF & NSC to get 80C benefit?
PPF & NSC are good investments REGARDLESS of tax. But if you're in new regime & can't get ₹2.5L deductions, the tax benefit is minimal. Invest in them for compounding (7-8% returns), not just tax. Use PPF Calculator to see 15-year growth.
Is NPS better than PPF for tax savings?
NPS has EET tax status (tax on exit), while PPF is EEE (tax-free throughout). But NPS gives ₹2L extra deduction above 80C. At ₹20L salary, ₹2L NPS deduction could save ₹60K in taxes under old regime. Choose based on lock-in comfort & expected returns.