Every April, millions of salaried Indians face the same question — Old Tax Regime or New Tax Regime? Making the wrong choice can cost you thousands of rupees unnecessarily. Here is a clear breakdown of both regimes with real examples.
Old Regime: Lower effective tax if you have significant deductions and exemptions.
New Regime: Lower base tax rates but almost no deductions allowed.
Standard deduction of ₹75,000 is available for salaried employees. Income up to ₹7,75,000 is effectively tax-free after standard deduction and Section 87A rebate.
Minimal investments (New Regime wins): Taxable income = ₹9.25 lakhs (after ₹75,000 standard deduction). Tax ≈ ₹54,600 including cess. Under Old Regime with no deductions: Tax ≈ ₹75,000. New Regime saves over ₹20,000.
Maximum deductions (Old Regime wins): Claims ₹1.5 lakh under 80C, ₹25,000 under 80D, HRA ₹1.2 lakh. Taxable income drops to ≈ ₹5.55 lakhs. Tax ≈ ₹27,750 including cess. Old Regime saves significantly more.
💡 Use the free Income Tax Calculator on DigitCalc to compare both regimes with your exact salary and deductions in seconds.
Compare Old vs New Tax Regime instantly — free income tax calculator.
Calculate Your Tax →Q: Can I switch between Old and New Regime every year?
A: Salaried employees can switch between regimes every financial year. Business owners and self-employed individuals can switch only once.
Q: Is the New Regime better for most salaried employees in 2026?
A: For those earning under ₹10 lakhs with limited investments, yes. Those with home loans, significant 80C investments and HRA claims may still save more under the Old Regime.