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How to Save Tax For Salary Above 10 Lakhs?

By Ektha Surana

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Updated on: Mar 27th, 2024

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31 min read

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In India, the Income Tax Department taxes an individual’s income based on the tax slab they belong to. Taxpayers are always looking for measures to pay zero tax on salary. But they miss out on salary optimisation. If you want to pay zero tax on a salary above 10 lakh, give this article a read. Here you will find various tips on tax planning for salary above 10 lakhs.

Income tax slabs under the old income tax regime vs the new income tax regime:

Let us first understand the tax regimes and how to choose between old and new tax regimes. These are the slab rates under the old income tax regime vs the new income tax regime:

As per the new income tax guidelines, you can opt for either the new or the old regime while filing your taxes, with the new tax being your default tax regime from FY 2023-24 onwards. Here is a difference between the two:

Tax Slab

FY 2023-24 Tax Rate (Old tax regime)

Tax Slab

FY 2023-24 Tax Rate (New tax regime)

Up to Rs 2,50,000

Nil

Up to Rs 3,00,000

Nil

Rs 2,50,000 – Rs 5,00,000

5%

Rs 3,00,000 – Rs 6,00,000

5%

Rs 5,00,000 – Rs 10,00,000

20%

Rs 6,00,000 – Rs 9,00,000

10%

Rs 10,00,000 and beyond

30%

Rs 9,00,000 – Rs 12,00,000

15%

NA

NA

Rs 12,00,000 – Rs 15,00,000

20%

NA

NA

Rs 15,00,000 and beyond

30%

Budget 2024 update: There is no change in tax slabs as per Budget 2024.

Ways to save tax on 10 lakhs salary

If you opt for the old income tax regime in FY 2023-24, you must understand your salary structure.

Understanding Salary Structure:

Your salary component may include various tax-exempt allowances. The remaining salary will be your taxable income. 

Particular

Old tax regime

Gross Salary u/s 17(1)

XXXX

Less: Exemption u/s 10

 

HRA Exemption

XXXX

LTA Exemption

XXXX

Children education and hostel allowance

XXXX

Less: Deduction u/s 16

 

Standard deduction

XXXX

Income under the Head Salary

XXXX

Less : Deduction under Chapter VI-A

 

Section 80C

XXXX

Net Total Income

XXXX

Therefore, we can maximise tax savings through exemptions and deductions. It is important to note that the majority of the deductions are only available in the old tax regime.

Part 1- Exemptions

You can find out your salary structure from the CTC, which generally looks like:

Salary Component

Taxability

Basic 

Fully-taxable

Dearness Allowance 

Fully-taxable

House Rent Allowance (HRA)

Exempt up to a certain limit. Calculate now

Leave Travel Allowance (LTA)

Actual travel ticket expenses are exempt for 2 trips in 4 years under 10(5). Read more

Mobile/ Internet reimbursement 

Exempt if:

– used predominantly for office purposes – proofs/bills submitted

Children's Education and hostel Allowance

Rs. 4800 per child (max 2 children)

Food

Rs. 50 per meal (max 2 meals a day)

Annual = Rs. 31,200 (50*2*26 days*12 months)

Standard Deduction

Rs 50,000 (Will be given to all without any restrictions)

Professional Tax

Generally Rs 2,400 (Varies from state to state)

Part 2- Deductions

When you are tax planning for salary above 10 lakhs, you can get deductions on the following:

Paying health insurance policy

premium 

(Section 80D)

Self, your spouse, and your dependent children: 

Rs 25,000 (Rs 50,000 if aged 60 and above)

Parents: Rs 25,000 (Rs 50,000 if aged 60 and above)

Opting for an education loan (Section 80E)

Interest deduction for 8 years from the year of repayment of loan taken for the higher education of yourself, your spouse, dependent children, or a student of whom you are the legal guardian

Donating to charity (Section 80G)

50% or 100% of the eligible amount for notified institutions.

Investing in tax saving instruments

(Section 80C)

Tax benefit of Rs.1,50,000 per year. You can invest in the following options:

– Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF)

– Public Provident Fund (PPF)

– Equity Linked Saving Scheme funds (ELSS)

– Home loan repayment and Stamp duty

– Sukanya Smriddhi Yojana (SSY)

– National Savings Certificate (NSC)

– Fixed Deposit for 5 years, and more

Costs to treat disabled dependents (Section 80DD)

If you have disabled dependents for whom you bear 

medical expenses, you are eligible for the tax relief: 

– 40% disability: Rs.75,000

– 80% disability: Rs.1,25,000

Deductions on home loan payments

Principal amount: Upto Rs 1.5 lakhs u/s 80C

Interest amount: Upto Rs 2 lakhs paid u/s 24b  

The maturity amount of a Life Insurance Policy

Maturity proceeds are tax-exempt if the sum assured is ≤:

– 20%: policies issued before 1 April 2012

– 10%: policies issued after 1 April 2012

– 15%: policies issued after 1 April 2013 for a person with disability or disease.

How to pay zero tax on a 10 lakh salary? Tax calculation example 

Let us practically see a tax computation on how you can pay zero tax on a 10 lakh salary under both regimes:

Calculation of tax under the old and new tax regime.

Gross Salary

10,00,000

10,00,000

Less:

 

 

HRA

(1,50,000)

LTA

(40,000)

Children’s education and hostel allowance

(9,600)

Standard Deduction

(50,000)

(50,000)

Professional Tax

(2400)

Taxable Salary Income

7,24,000

9,50,000

Less: Deductions

 

 

80C (Refer to note below)**

(1,50,000)

80D

(50,000)

80E

(25,000)

Net Taxable Income

4,99,000

9,50,000

Tax on the above income 

12,450

54,600

Rebate u/s 87A

(12,450)

Total Tax on Rs 10 lakh under the old regime (inclusive of cess)

0

54,600

Additionally, you may claim these deductions if eligible:

Interest on home loan deduction u/s 24b

(2,00,000)

Home loan 80EEA

(1,50,000)

Investments in National Pension Scheme (NPS) u/s 80CCD(1B)

( 50,000)

**Note: You might not always have a home loan or be interested in the investment plans listed under Section 80C. However, you may consider these investments to make use of the entire Rs 1.5 lakh limit under 80C: 

  • EPF: Around Rs 30,000 – Rs 72.000, i.e., 12% of your basic + DA (contribution already made by your employer)
  • Term plan insurance: Rs 12,000 premium (Around Rs 1 Crore cover)
  • ULIP or endowment plant: Rs 12,000 premium
  • ELSS mutual funds: Rs 60,000 (Investment: Rs 500 per month SIP, Returns- 12% CAGR, Lock-in-period: 3 years)
  • Children’s Education fees: (Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh) 

In the above 2 scenarios, you will observe that after claiming deduction and exemption in the old tax regime, zero tax liability comes up. But in the new tax regime additional liability of Rs. 54,600. 

Thus it is very important that you check based on your available salary, exemption and deduction which tax regime is more beneficial for you. You may use this old vs new tax regime calculator.

Related Articles:

How To Save Tax For Salary Above 7 Lakhs?

How To Save Tax For Salary Above 12 Lakhs?

How To Save Tax For Salary Above 15 lakhs?

How To Save Tax For Salary Above 20 Lakhs?

How To Save Tax For Salary Above 30 Lakhs?

How To Save Tax For Salary Above 50 Lakhs?

How to Save Tax For Salary Above 1 crore?

Frequently Asked Questions

How to claim deductions under Section 80C?

You can claim deductions under Section 80C when you file your income tax returns at the end of each assessment year. 

How much income is tax-free according to the Income Tax Act?

According to the Income Tax Act, an individual earning up to Rs.2,50,000 per year is tax-free.
However, for people aged 80 and above, Rs.5,00,000 is tax-exempt. Likewise, people aged 60 to 79 have a tax exemption limit of Rs.3,00,000. 

However under the new tax regime the basic exemption limit for every taxpayer despite the age limit is Rs 3,00,000.

Can one claim Rs.1.5 lakh deduction for more than one investment policy?

No, according to Section 80C, Rs.1.5 lakh is the maximum deduction amount you can claim regardless of the number of investment policies. However, if you form a HUF, you can avail the 80C benefits of Rs.1.5 lakh for yourself individually and Rs. 1.5 lakhs for the HUF. 

Can you save 100% tax?

Yes, it is possible to save 100% on tax. However, it requires adequate tax planning and investments.

Can one avail of tax deductions by investing in post office schemes?

Yes, you can save taxes under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act by investing in post office schemes

About the Author

Multitasking between pouring myself coffees and poring over the ever-changing tax laws. Here, I've authored 100+ blogs on income tax and simplified complex income tax topics like the intimidating crypto tax rules, old vs new tax regime debate, changes in debt funds taxation, budget analysis and more. Some combinations I like- tax and content, finance & startups, technology & psychology, fitness & neuroscience. Read more

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