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Income tax on a 15 lakh salary in India

Income tax on a 15 lakh salary in India

The new tax season brings countless worries and questions, from figuring out the right tax regime to looking for the best tax-saving options. Safe to say, filing ITRs and navigating the tax regime can quickly overwhelm you.

The FY 2025-26 lets you choose between the old tax regime and the new one, allowing you to opt for the regime that benefits you most. While the old regime offers more deductions, the new regime provides lower tax slabs.

Choosing which regime to follow requires a detailed assessment of your income as well as the tax exemptions and deductions available to you.

This article will explore the updated 15 lakh income tax rates and help you maximize your tax savings on a 15 lakh salary.

15 lakh salary income tax slab rates: Budget 2026

The 2026 Union Budget didn’t announce any changes to the tax regime, keeping tax slab rates and rebates unchanged.

The following table illustrates the income tax rates for the fiscal year 2025-26 according to the new tax regime:

Total income in rupeesRate of tax
Up to 4 lakh0%
4 to 8 lakh5%
8 to 12 lakh10%
12 to 16 lakh15%
16 to 20 lakh20%
20 to 24 lakh25%
Over 24 lakh30%

These tax revisions significantly reduce the tax amount payable by individuals in the 15 lakh tax slab by lowering the tax rate for that income bracket.

Here is a comparison of the tax rates according to the old vs the new tax regimes:

Total income in rupeesTax rate in the old regimeTax rate in the new regime (2026)
Up to Rs. 2.5 lakh0%0%
Rs. 2.5 lakh – Rs. 4 lakh5%0%
Rs. 4 lakh – Rs. 8 lakh5%5%
Rs. 8 lakh – Rs. 12 lakh20%10%
Rs. 12 lakh – Rs. 16 lakh30%15%
Rs. 16 lakh – Rs. 20 lakh30%20%
Rs. 20 lakh – Rs. 24 lakh30%25%
Over Rs. 24 lakh30%30%

While the new tax regime introduces some much-needed financial relief for the people, you can still opt for the old tax regime if the deductions and exemptions claimed under it benefit you more.

Deductions & exemptions for 15 lakh salary: Old vs new regime

The new tax regime offers valuable tax deductions that can help you reduce liabilities on a 15 lakh salary tax, including:

  1. Standard deduction up to Rs. 75,000 for salaried employees
  2. Deductions up to Rs. 25,000 under Section 57(iia) (family pension received)
  3. Deductions under Section 80CCD (2) (employer’s contribution to the National Pension Scheme)
  4. Deduction under Section 80 CCH (investment in Agniveer Corpus)
  5. Tax exemption on voluntary retirement under Section 10(10C), gratuity u/s 10(10), and Leave encashment u/s 10(10AA).

However, the deductions and exemptions offered by the new regime are limited compared to the old regime, with certain key deductions no longer available.

Some changes to tax deductions to keep in mind are:

  1. Tax exemptions, such as House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Leave Travel Allowance (LTA), are no longer available.
  2. Deductions under Section 80C, such as life insurance and PF contributions, have been removed.
  3. Exemptions for transport and medical allowances are also unavailable.

Which tax regime is better for a 15 lakh salary?

Which tax regime one should opt for will vary from person to person, as the income tax for 15 lakh can differ according to factors like investments and income type.

The best tax regime for you will depend on your applicable income bracket. You must carefully review the exemptions and deductions available to you under each regime. This process may also include a review of your income source and investments.

As a general rule, opt for the old tax regime if your income-saving investments are over Rs. 3,75,000. If your income-saving investments are less than that, the lower tax rates offered by the new tax regime might benefit you more.

How to calculate tax for 15 lakh income: Step-by-step example FY 2025-26

The following example helps you understand the calculation of income tax on a 15 lakh salary under both the new and old regimes.

  • As per the new regime
    • Gross income: Rs. 15,00,000
    • Standard deduction: Rs. 75,000
    • Total taxable income: Rs. 14,25,000

Here’s the tax calculation as per the slab rates:

SlabTax rateAmount (Rs.)
0 – 4,00,0000%Nil
4,00,001 – 8,00,0005%20,000
8,00,001 – 12,00,00010%40,000
12,00,001 – 14,25,00015%33,750
Total tax 93,750
4% cess 3,750
Total tax payable 97,500

So, the total tax on a 15 LPA salary under the new regime is Rs. 97,500.

  • As per the old regime
    • Gross income: Rs. 15,00,000
    • Standard deduction: Rs. 50,000
    • Section 80C deduction: Rs. 1,50,000
    • Section 80D deduction: Rs. 25,000
    • Taxable income: Rs. 12,75,000

Here’s the tax calculation as per the slab rates:

SlabTax rateAmount (Rs.)
0 – 2,50,0000%Nil
2,50,001 – 5,00,0005%12,500
5,00,001 – 10,00,00020%1,00,000
10,00,001 – 12,75,00030%82,500
Total tax 1,95,000
4% cess 7,800
Total tax payable 2,02,800

The final income tax on a 15 lakh salary under the old regime is Rs. 2,02,800.

Thus, as per this example, filing returns under the new regime is beneficial, as the tax liability is much lower. However, if you have higher deductions, you must check the calculation in both regimes before deciding which one is more suitable for you.

Smart deductions to reduce income tax on a 15 lakh salary

If you want to reduce tax for a 15 LPA salary in India, here are some deductions that you can use under the new tax regime:

  1. Standard deduction of Rs. 75,000: It is available to salaried individuals and pensioners. It directly reduces taxable income.
  2. Employer NPS contribution (80CCD(2)): It is allowed as a deduction up to a prescribed limit.
  3. Gratuity and leave encashment (if received): The value is exempt up to the notified limits.
  4. Section 87A rebate up to Rs. 60,000: You can claim this if your taxable income is less than or equal to Rs. 12 lakh.

The old tax regime offers more tax-saving options in the form of the following deductions:

  1. Standard deduction: You can deduct a flat Rs. 50,000 from your gross income.
  2. Section 80C: You can claim deductions for investments, such as PPF, ULIP, ELSS, etc., of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh.
  3. Section 80D: You can claim deductions up to Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 for health insurance premiums, depending on whether you’re paying for yourself or your parents.
  4. Home loan interest: Section 24 allows you to claim interest of up to Rs. 2 lakh on a home loan.
  5. HRA and LTA exemptions

Tax for 15 LPA salary in India: Best saving instruments & tips

Here are some interesting tips to help you on your tax journey.

  1. Choose the right regime: Make sure you compare the new vs the old regime tax amount before filing income tax returns. Opt for the one resulting in lower tax payouts.
  2. Use Section 80C to your benefit: This section allows you to deduct up to Rs. 1.5 lakh. So, make investments in instruments like PPF, EPF, ELSS, or LIC to save tax.
  3. Buy health insurance: Section 80D allows you to deduct the medical insurance premium.
  4. Home loan benefits: If you have secured a home loan, the old regime allows you to claim interest deduction under Section 24.
  5. Employer NPS contribution: Section 80CCD(2) allows an extra deduction, even in the new regime. So, use it wisely.

Wrapping up

Careful tax planning and thorough analysis of the old vs. new tax regime are key to maximizing your tax savings on 15 lakh income and cutting down on liabilities. Learn how to plan your taxes the smart way with Tata Capital’s guides on tax on 7 lakh income and tax on 12 lakh income.

Start the journey towards your homeownership goals today with Tata Capital’s flexible home loan at attractive interest rates.

To learn more, check the Tata Capital website or download the app.

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FAQs

Which tax regime is better for a 15 lakhs salary?

The tax regime that best fits you will depend on the exemptions and deductions for which you are eligible. You can benefit from lower tax liability under the old regime if your tax-saving investments exceed Rs. 3,75,000. Otherwise, the new tax regime would be best.

Can I pay zero tax on 15 lakhs salary?

Under the new tax regime, incomes up to Rs. 12 lakhs are exempt from taxes. However, you can still pay zero tax on 15 lakhs salary by making smart use of exemptions and deductions, such as the deductions for senior citizens available under section 80D and the standard deduction of Rs. 50,000. You can also invest your Rs. 1.5 lakhs ELSS and PPF under section 80C, or Rs, 50,000 in National Pension Scheme under section 80CCD(1B).

What are the key tax-saving deductions available for individuals earning above Rs. 15 lakhs?

Individuals who have to pay tax on 15 lakhs salary can avail key tax deductions like those for investments, such as PPF, LIC, and ELSS, under section 80C, medical insurance premiums under section 80D, education loan interest under section 80E, and charity donations under section 80G. You can also benefit from HRA, LTA, and standard deduction depending on your eligibility.

What is 30% in 15 lakhs?

30% is the average rate of income tax on 15 lakhs salary that you will have to pay under the old tax regime. This totals Rs. 4,53,00 and leaves you with a net annual income of Rs. 10,47,000.

How much is the income tax on a 15 lakh salary in India?

The tax on 15 lakh income in the new regime is around Rs. 97,500, including cess. Under the old regime, the tax amount depends on the amount of deductions you have.

Which tax regime is better for a 15 lakh salary: The old or the new regime?

If you do not have many deductions to claim, the new regime is usually better. However, the old regime is better if you invest heavily in 80C, buy insurance, or claim home loan benefits.

How can I pay zero tax on a 15 lakh salary in India?

It is very difficult to pay zero tax for a 15 lakh salary in India. You would need maximum deductions under the old regime, along with exemptions like HRA and eligible rebates. Zero tax is possible on an annual income of Rs. 12 lakh.

What is the monthly take-home salary after tax for 15 LPA?

Under the new regime, after paying roughly Rs. 97,500 tax yearly, the monthly take-home may be around Rs. 1.15 to Rs. 1.20 lakh. It depends on PF and other salary deductions.

What tax deductions are available for a 15 lakh income under the old regime?

You can claim Rs. 50,000 standard deduction, Rs. 1.5 lakh under 80C, health insurance under 80D, home loan interest (Section 24), HRA, LTA, and other eligible exemptions.

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