Compare your income tax under both regimes for FY 2025-26. Enter all your deductions — HRA, 80C, 80D, home loan, NPS — and get a clear, personalised recommendation.
📚 Understand This Calculator
Old vs New Tax Regime: The ₹12 lakh zero-tax trap that's confusing everyone
The new tax regime for FY 2025-26 offers zero tax if your income is ₹12 lakh or less (after ₹75K standard deduction). This sounds brilliant — but for people with high deductions (HRA, 80C, home loan), the old regime can still save more. The right answer depends entirely on your specific deductions — there's no universal winner.
🇮🇳 Real-Life Example — Same Salary, Different Outcomes
Rahul, ₹15 lakh salary, no deductions → New regime wins. Tax: ~₹1,17,000. Old regime tax: ~₹2,25,000 (much higher).
Priya, ₹15 lakh salary, with 80C ₹1.5L + HRA exemption ₹1.8L + 80D ₹25K + NPS ₹50K → Old regime wins. Old: ~₹91,000. New: ~₹1,17,000.
Same gross income, same new regime tax — but Priya's deductions make old regime cheaper by ₹26,000/year.
💡 The Key Insight
The break-even point is around ₹3.5–4 lakh in total deductions (beyond the standard deduction). If your 80C + HRA + home loan interest + 80D + NPS add up to more than this, old regime likely wins. Below this threshold, new regime wins due to lower slab rates and the zero-tax-under-₹12L rebate.
⚠️ Common Mistake
Assuming the new regime is always better because "income under ₹12 lakh is tax-free." The rebate only applies when total taxable income (after standard deduction) is ₹12L or less. If you earn ₹13L with zero deductions in the new regime, you pay full tax on all ₹12.25L (after std deduction). The new regime has no gradual phase-out — the ₹12L limit is a cliff, not a slope.
📋 Income & Deductions — FY 2025-26
Old Regime Deductions
PF + ELSS + PPF + life insurance + home loan principal. Max ₹1,50,000
Self: up to ₹25K · Parents below 60: +₹25K · Parents above 60: +₹50K
Use our HRA Calculator to find your exact exempt amount
Max ₹2,00,000 for self-occupied property
Additional deduction up to ₹50,000 over and above 80C
80TTA (savings interest), 80G donations, LTA, etc.
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Enter your income & deductions
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Detailed Breakup
Quick Reference — New Regime Tax FY 2025-26
Tax payable for salaried individuals (after ₹75,000 standard deduction)
Gross Income
Taxable Income
New Regime Tax
Old Regime (no deductions)
₹8 Lakh
₹7.25L
₹0 (rebate u/s 87A)
₹54,600
₹12 Lakh
₹11.25L
₹0 (rebate u/s 87A)
₹1,09,200
₹15 Lakh
₹14.25L
₹1,17,000
₹2,25,000
₹20 Lakh
₹19.25L
₹2,96,400
₹4,18,600
₹30 Lakh
₹29.25L
₹7,48,800
₹8,32,000
₹50 Lakh
₹49.25L
₹15,31,200
₹16,12,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new tax regime slabs for FY 2025-26? ▾
New regime slabs after ₹75,000 standard deduction: ₹0–4L: 0%, ₹4–8L: 5%, ₹8–12L: 10%, ₹12–16L: 15%, ₹16–20L: 20%, ₹20–24L: 25%, above ₹24L: 30%. If total taxable income ≤ ₹12L, Section 87A gives full rebate — zero tax payable.
Who benefits more from the old tax regime in 2025-26? ▾
Old regime wins when total deductions exceed ₹3.5–4 lakh: maxed 80C (₹1.5L) + HRA exemption (₹1.5L+) + 80D (₹25K) + NPS 80CCD(1B) (₹50K). At higher incomes (₹25L+), the old regime becomes harder to beat even with full deductions because the new regime's lower slab rates compound faster.
Is income up to ₹12 lakh truly tax-free in the new regime? ▾
Effectively yes, for salaried people. The ₹75,000 standard deduction reduces ₹12L gross to ₹11.25L taxable. Section 87A then waives all tax. But if you earn ₹12.01L, the rebate disappears entirely and you pay full tax on ₹11.26L. This cliff effect makes ₹12–13L earners pay careful attention to their total income.
Can I switch tax regimes every year? ▾
Yes, for salaried individuals — you can choose a different regime each financial year when filing your ITR. Business owners and professionals (who have business income) can switch from new to old only once, and cannot switch back. Salaried people should run this comparison every year, especially after major changes: taking a home loan, salary hike, or starting NPS.
Once you've picked the optimal regime, make sure your investments are working as hard as your deductions. BullWiser's free MF Analyser helps you build a low-cost, high-return mutual fund portfolio.