India Tax Calculator (2026)
Income tax rates and take-home pay for India
India Income Tax Brackets (2025/26)
| Bracket | Income Range | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Basic exemption limit | ₹0 - ₹250,000 | 0.0% |
| Slab 1 | ₹250,000 - ₹500,000 | 5.0% |
| Slab 2 | ₹500,000 - ₹1,000,000 | 20.0% |
| Slab 3 | ₹1,000,000+ | 30.0% |
Tax credit: ₹12,500
Employees' Provident Fund (EPF)
| Bracket | Income Range | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| EPF contribution rate | ₹0+ | 12.0% |
Surcharge on income
| Bracket | Income Range | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| No surcharge | ₹0 - ₹5,000,000 | 0.0% |
| Surcharge above 5M | ₹5,000,000 - ₹10,000,000 | 10.0% |
| Surcharge above 10M | ₹10,000,000 - ₹20,000,000 | 15.0% |
| Surcharge above 20M | ₹20,000,000 - ₹50,000,000 | 25.0% |
| Surcharge above 50M (old regime) | ₹50,000,000+ | 25.0% |
Applies when income exceeds ₹5,000,000
Health and education cess
| Bracket | Income Range | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Health and education cess at 4% | ₹0+ | 4.0% |
Key Facts
Tax Year
2025/26
Currency
INR
Top Rate
30.0%
Brackets
4 brackets
Tax Credit
₹12,500
Social Contributions
1 item
Assumptions
- · Old tax regime is used as the representative default model for salaried employees.
- · Basic exemption limit of INR 250,000 applies (standard for ages under 60).
- · Standard deduction of INR 50,000 is applied against salary income.
- · Surcharge and health & education cess are calculated as separate entities beyond income tax brackets.
- · Tax rebate of lower of income tax or INR 12,500 applies where total income ≤ INR 500,000.
- · Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) contribution of 12% is mandatory for establishments with 20+ employees.
- · EPF is treated as deductible social contribution reducing taxable income.
- · No state or local income taxes are modeled; profession tax varies by state and is nominal.
- · Model assumes resident ordinarily resident (ROR) status with worldwide income scope.
- · No voluntary schemes, church tax, or employer-only charges are included.
- · Surcharge rates on long-term capital gains (capped at 15%) are not modeled as this applies only to capital gains, not salary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the basic exemption limit for income tax in India?
The basic exemption limit in India is INR 250,000, meaning you don't pay any income tax on income up to this amount. If your income exceeds this threshold, you'll only be taxed on the amount above INR 250,000.
How much do I need to contribute to the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF)?
As an employee in India, you must contribute 12% of your gross income to the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) if your employer has 20 or more employees. The good news is that this EPF contribution is deductible from your taxable income, which reduces the amount of income tax you owe.
What are India's income tax brackets and rates?
India has four tax slabs: income from INR 250,000 to INR 500,000 is taxed at 5%, income from INR 500,000 to INR 1,000,000 is taxed at 20%, and income above INR 1,000,000 is taxed at 30%. Additionally, a standard deduction of INR 50,000 is applied against salary income before calculating tax.
Do I get any tax relief if my income is below INR 500,000?
Yes, if your total income is INR 500,000 or less, you're eligible for a tax rebate of up to INR 12,500, which directly reduces your tax liability. This means many salaried employees with lower incomes may pay no tax at all after applying the basic exemption limit and this rebate.
What surcharges and additional taxes apply beyond the main income tax rate?
Beyond the main income tax brackets, India applies a surcharge on high earners: 10% surcharge on income above INR 5,000,000, 15% on income above INR 10,000,000, and 25% on income above INR 20,000,000. Additionally, a health and education cess of 4% is applied to your total income tax and surcharges combined.
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