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 How to Calculate Income Tax on Salary with Example

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Income tax applies to all salaried employees in the country. However, the nitty-gritty of how to calculate income tax on salary can be overwhelming, especially for first-timers. 

From understanding income tax slabs to deciphering different applicable deductions and exemptions, all these details are necessary to calculate tax on taxable income

In this blog, we will discuss how income tax is calculated and walk you through a detailed example. This will give you a fair idea of what is considered when calculating income tax.

Relation between Income Tax and Taxable Income

Before we discuss how income tax is calculated, it is crucial to understand the difference between earned income and taxable income. 

  • Earned income is the total annual salary, including income from salaries, house property, business, capital gains, and other sources.
  • Taxable income is calculated by subtracting tax exemptions, deductions, and rebates. You can use the tax loss harvesting strategy for long-term investments to reduce income tax. 

How is Income Tax Calculated?

Determine your Gross Salary

The first step is to determine your gross salary to know how income tax is calculated. To do so, add up the following salary components.   

  • Basic Salary
  • House Rent Allowance (only valid if you can submit proof of living on rent)
  • Leave Travel Allowance 
  • Mobile Allowance
  • Special Allowance  
  • Bonuses 
  • Overtime payments 
  • Income from other sources like house property gains, dividends, stocks, 

Subtract Deductions for Taxable Income

To calculate income tax on salary, you must subtract the net salary from the gross salary. Here are all the deductions that are eligible for income tax. 

  • All salaried employees are entitled to a fixed ₹50,000 deduction per the new income tax regime. 
  • A taxpayer can claim a tax deduction of up to ₹1.50 lakhs under Section 80C based on their investments. This deduction helps you assess how to pay less tax as it reduces the taxable income. 

The investments can include Equity-Linked Savings Schemes, Employees’ Provident Funds, Public Provident Funds, and Mutual Funds

  • All deductions under Section 57(IIA).

Taxable Income = Gross Salary – Standard Deduction (₹50,000) – HRA – Other Deductions

After removing the necessary deductions, you get your taxable income. Next, you must learn how income tax is calculated on this new taxable income. 

Determine Applicable Income Tax Slab

The next step in calculating income tax is to assess and evaluate which income tax slab your taxable income falls into to determine the tax rate.

Income Tax Slabs (in ₹)New Regime Tax Rate (%)
Up to 2.5 lakhs
2.5 lakhs to 5 lakhs5% 
5 lakhs to 7.5 lakhs10% 
7.5 lakhs to 10 lakhs15%
10 lakhs to 12.5 lakhs 20%
12.5 lakhs to 15 lakhs25%
Above 15 lakhs30% 
Up to 60 years of age
Up to 2.5 LakhsNil
2.5 Lakhs to 5 Lakhs5%
5 Lakhs to 10 Lakhs20%
Above 10 Lakhs30%
Senior Citizens (60-79 years)
Up to 3 LakhsNil
3 Lakhs to 5 Lakhs5%
5 Lakhs to 10 Lakhs20%
Above 10 Lakhs30%
Super Senior Citizens (80 years and above)
Up to 5 LakhsNil
5 Lakhs to 10 Lakhs20%
Above 10 Lakhs30%

Calculate Taxes

Based on the taxable income calculation and slab recognition, you must apply the valid tax rate to calculate the tax on taxable income for the final tax liability. 

Income Tax Calculation Example for New Regime

To understand how income tax is calculated, let us look at the example of Ms. Rashi Gupta below.

Ms. Rashi Gupta earns an annual income of ₹12,00,000 and lives in a metropolitan city. 

Let us learn how to calculate income tax on salary for Ms. Rashi. 

Components Old RegimeNew Regime
Gross Salary ₹12,00,000₹12,00,000
Standard Deduction ₹50,000₹50,000
Deductions Under Section 80C (for Life Insurance Premiums, investments toward ELSS, PPF/SPF/RPF, NSC, etc. ) (Max Limit Up to ₹1.5 lakhs)₹1,00,000
Income From Other Sources (Interest Income from a Bank)₹12,000₹12,000
Final Taxable Income   10,2800011,28,000
Tax Liability Calculation 
Tax Under Normal Rates₹1,31,100₹84,300
Health and Education Cess (4%)4% of ₹1,31,100 = ₹52444% of ₹84,300 = 3372
Income Tax Liability₹1,36,344₹87627

According to the illustration above, Ms. Rashi pays more under the old regime scheme based on the tax slabs and deductions permitted under that scheme. However, her tax liability is lesser when she chooses the new income tax regime. 

Conclusion

Knowing how income tax is calculated on your earned income is necessary to assess your tax liability. Additionally, it is crucial to understand the different applicable deductions and exemptions to help you reduce your tax liability.

Investments offer significant deductions; thus, spending extra time on stock, share, and equity portfolio management is the need of the hour. For added assistance, you can always consult a SEBI-registered advisory that offers maximum support through daily reporting and stock management.  

FAQ On Income Tax

  1. What is the formula for calculating income tax?

    The formula for calculating income tax involves subtracting deductions and exemptions from your gross total income to arrive at your taxable income. Then, apply the applicable tax rates based on your choice of tax regime and the income tax slabs you fall under. Finally, add cess and surcharge, if applicable, to determine your total tax liability. 

  2. How much tax will I pay if my salary is 10 lakh?

    If your salary is ₹10 lakhs, your tax depends on the tax regime you opt for. Under the new regime, your tax liability would be approximately ₹78,000  (including cess at 4% on tax). This is calculated based on the slab rates of 5%, 10%, and 15% for different portions of your income up to ₹10 lakhs.
    So the calculation would be, 
    Income Tax Liability = Final Taxable Income + Education and Healthcare Cess (4%)
    Final Taxable Income = ₹75000 
    Education and Healthcare Cess (4%) = ₹3000 
    Income Tax Liability = ₹75000 + ₹3000 = ₹78,000

  3. Which salary is tax-free?

    Under the old tax regime, salaries up to ₹2.5 lakhs per annum are tax-free for individuals under 60. For senior citizens (aged 60-79), incomes up to ₹3 lakhs are exempt, and for super senior citizens (aged 80 and above), the exemption limit is ₹5 lakhs. Any income below these thresholds does not attract income tax.
    Under the new tax regime, salaries up to ₹3 lakhs per annum are tax-free.

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I’m Archana R. Chettiar, an experienced content creator with
an affinity for writing on personal finance and other financial content. I
love to write on equity investing, retirement, managing money, and more.

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