₹12 Lakh Tax-Free Target
Zero tax on ₹12 lakh income from FY 2025-26
overview
What is this hack?
From FY 2025-26, earn up to ₹12 lakh with zero tax under new regime using ₹75,000 standard deduction and ₹60,000 Section 87A rebate
how it works
How it works
The Finance Act 2025 raised the tax-free income limit under the new tax regime from ₹7 lakh to ₹12 lakh with effect from 1 April 2026, i.e. FY 2025-26 onwards; FY 2026-27 continues on the same basis under section 202 of the Income-tax Act, 2025. Here's how: New regime basic exemption is ₹4 lakh. The salary standard deduction in the new regime is ₹75,000 (₹50,000 in the old regime) and has been ₹75,000 since FY 2024-25. The Section 87A rebate is ₹60,000 where TOTAL income does not exceed ₹12 lakh. Math: ₹12.75L gross salary - ₹75K standard deduction = ₹12L total income. Tax on ₹12L at the new-regime slabs (nil to ₹4L, 5% on ₹4-8L, 10% on ₹8-12L) = ₹60,000. Section 87A rebate = ₹60,000. Net tax = ZERO. This is a large change for middle-class salaried employees. It has been in force since FY 2025-26 and continues in FY 2026-27.
steps
Step-by-step guide
Verify Effective Date
This benefit has applied from FY 2025-26 (April 2025 onwards) and continues in FY 2026-27. The ₹7 lakh ceiling with a ₹25,000 rebate is the FY 2024-25 position and no longer applies.
Ensure Gross Income ≤ ₹12 Lakh
The ₹12 lakh test is on TOTAL income after the ₹75,000 standard deduction, so a gross salary of about ₹12.75 lakh still lands at nil tax. And crossing ₹12 lakh does not wipe out the rebate: marginal relief limits the tax to the amount by which total income exceeds ₹12 lakh.
Choose New Tax Regime
This benefit is ONLY in new tax regime. Old regime has different rules. From FY 2023-24, new regime is default. Don't opt for old regime if you want this benefit.
Restructure Salary if Needed
If your CTC is ₹13-14 lakh but gross is ₹12.5L, request employer to shift ₹50K-1L to employer NPS contribution (under 80CCD(2)). This reduces gross salary below ₹12L threshold.
Monitor Income Throughout Year
Track monthly salary, bonuses, arrears. If you're close to ₹12L threshold, avoid accepting mid-year bonuses or negotiate deferring to next FY.
File ITR Claiming Rebate
File ITR-1 showing gross salary ₹12.75L, standard deduction ₹75K, total income ₹12L, tax ₹60K, rebate ₹60K, net tax ZERO. Even though tax is zero, filing is mandatory to claim the rebate.
example
Real Example: Software Engineer with ₹11.5 Lakh Salary
situation
Ananya is a software engineer in Bangalore earning ₹11.5 lakh gross annual salary (₹95,833/month). She's in new tax regime. This is for FY 2025-26 planning.
without this hack
Under the FY 2024-25 position: ₹11.5L - ₹75K standard deduction = ₹10.75L total income. Tax at the then new-regime slabs (nil to ₹3L, 5% on ₹3-7L, 10% on ₹7-10L, 15% on ₹10-12L) = ₹61,250, plus 4% cess = ₹63,700. No Section 87A rebate at all, because the ceiling then was ₹7 lakh of total income and she was well above it.
with this hack
FY 2025-26 onwards: ₹11.5L - ₹75K standard deduction = ₹10.75L total income. Tax at the current slabs (nil to ₹4L, 5% on ₹4-8L, 10% on ₹8-12L) = ₹47,500. Section 87A rebate is the LOWER of the tax and ₹60,000, so ₹47,500. Net tax: ZERO. The unused ₹12,500 of rebate headroom is not refunded — the rebate can never exceed the tax payable.
- Applicable from FY 2025-26 onwards; for FY 2024-25 the ceiling was ₹7 lakh of total income and the rebate ₹25,000
- The ₹12 lakh test is on total income, not gross salary — and crossing it does not eliminate the rebate: marginal relief caps the tax at the amount by which total income exceeds ₹12 lakh
- Only for new tax regime - old regime has no such benefit
- Gross salary includes ALL taxable components - not just basic salary
- Other income (interest, rental, etc.) also counts toward the ₹12L limit — and the rebate can never exceed the tax computed at the new-regime slab rates, so tax on capital gains charged at the special rates under Sections 111A, 112 and 112A is not covered by it
- Must file ITR even if tax is zero - filing is mandatory to claim rebate
- Resident individual taxpayer
- Total income (gross income after the ₹75,000 standard deduction) ≤ ₹12 lakh
- Opt for new tax regime (default from FY 2023-24)
- Applicable from FY 2025-26 onwards (ITR filed in 2026)
- Filing ITR-1/ITR-2 to claim rebate
- All income disclosed (salary + other income)
- Potential savings: ₹1.5 lakhs tax saved
- Implementation time: Immediate
- Legal status: fully legal
- Risk level: low
related topics
Related Calculators
Income Tax Calculator
Compare old vs new tax regime and calculate your income tax liability
open →CALCULATORStandard Deduction & 87A Rebate
Calculate standard deduction and Section 87A rebate with FY 2025-26 Budget updates (₹75K + ₹60K)
open →CALCULATORSection 80C Deductions
Track all 80C deductions with NPS additional ₹50K benefit under 80CCD(1B)
open →Related Articles
New vs Old Tax Regime 2024: Which Should You Choose?
Detailed comparison between new and old tax regimes with examples and calculator
open →GUIDEOld vs New Tax Regime 2024-25: Complete Guide for Content Creators
Compare old and new tax regimes to save ₹50K-2L. New regime ₹7.75L tax-free vs old regime deductions.
open →GUIDESection 80C Deductions: Complete List to Save ₹1.5 Lakh Tax
Comprehensive guide to all Section 80C investments and deductions
open →GUIDESection 80G Charitable Donations: Complete Tax Deduction Guide
50%-100% tax deduction for donations to NGOs, PM CARES, relief funds. Understanding donation limits, verification, and tax savings
open →GUIDESalary Tax Changes 2026: 5 New Benefits That Save You ₹4+ Lakh
Education allowance, hostel allowance, HRA metro upgrade, meal cards, and gift vouchers — what changed effective April 2026 and how to claim under the Old Tax Regime.
open →related tax hacks
Need help implementing this hack?
Get expert guidance from CA Ashama Rajawat on implementing this strategy correctly for your specific situation.