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How To Save Tax For Salary Above 30 Lakhs?

By Ektha Surana

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Updated on: Jul 24th, 2024

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9 min read

High-income individuals, especially those who belong to the above 30 lakh tax slab, have to bear a heavy tax burden. However, there are various ways in which the tax liability can be reduced to some extent. 

So, if you earn Rs 30 lakh yearly and are looking for ways how to save tax for a salary above 30 lakhs, give this article a read. It covers everything about how you can save taxes by availing the deductions available under various sections of the Income-tax Act, 1961. 

Budget 2024 Latest Updates

As per the latest Finance Act 2024, changes have been made in the slab rate for the new tax regime as follows - 

Tax Slab 

Tax Rate

upto ₹ 3 lakh

Nil

₹ 3 lakh - ₹ 7 lakh

5%

₹ 7 lakh - ₹ 10 lakh

10%

₹ 10 lakh - ₹ 12 lakh 

15%

₹ 12 lakh - ₹ 15 lakh

20%

more than ₹ 15 lakh

30%

In the new tax regime, the standard deduction has been increased from Rs.50,000 to Rs.75,000, and the deduction on family pension has also been increased from Rs.15,000 to Rs.25,000. 

In the budget of 2023, revisions have been implemented to the tax slab rates, establishing the new tax regime as the default for FY 2023-24. Taxpayers have the option to revert to the old tax regime before filing their income tax returns by submitting Form 10-IEA. It needs to be submitted only If he has business income and this is not applicable if you are filing ITR 1 or 2. 

Furthermore, the rebate under section 87A has been raised to Rs 25,000, resulting in zero tax liability for salary income up to Rs 7.5 lakhs.

Keeping this in mind, let us discuss the tax slab rates, deductions, and exemptions available with examples under both regimes.

Income Tax Slabs Under Old vs New Income Tax Regime:

The tax slabs under the new vs old tax regime are:

Income Tax Slabs for FY 2023-24

Note: The tax slabs under the new regime have been revised in Budget 2023, there have been no changes made in budget 2024.

To calculate your tax liability in both regimes, you can use old vs new tax regime calculator. 

Please note that you will not receive any deductions under the new regime. The tax benefits you will read in this article will only be applicable if you file under the old regime.  

Ways To Save Tax On 30 Lakhs Salary

When you are tax planning for a salary above 30 lakhs, you need to know the following: 

  • Salary (-) Exemptions = Taxable Salary Income
  • Taxable Salary Income (-) Deductions = Net taxable income. 

Therefore, you can maximize tax savings through the following exemptions and deductions:

Part 1- Exemptions

You can find out your salary structure from the CTC. It generally looks like this:

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)

Professional Tax

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

Part 2- Deductions

When you are tax planning for a salary above 30 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.

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

– severe or 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.

Standard Deduction

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

Example Of Calculation Of Tax Under New And Old Tax Regimes

Let’s take an example for better understanding: 

Example: Mr A has a Salary income of Rs. 30 lakhs. He is also claiming the following deduction and exemption. Calculate tax liability under the Old Tax Regime and New Tax Regime

  1. HRA exemption = Rs 1,60,000
  2. LTA exemption = Rs. 55,000
  3. Children's Education and Hostel Allowance =Rs. 9,600
  4. Profession Tax = Rs. 2,400
  5. Investment in PPF, ELSS = Rs. 1,50,000
  6. Medical insurance premium towards Parents = Rs. 50,000
  7. Interest on education loan = Rs. 25,000

Particular

Old tax regime

New tax regime

Gross Salary u/s 17(1)

30,00,000

30,00,000

Less: Exemption u/s 10

  

HRA Exemption

1,60,000

LTA Exemption

55,000

Reimbursement

0

Children's education and hostel allowance

9,600

Less: Deduction u/s 16

  

Standard deduction

50,000

50,000

Profession Tax

2,400

Income under the Head Salary

27,23,000

29,50,000

Less: Deduction under Chapter VI-A

  

Section 80C

1,50,000

Section 80D

50,000

Section 80E

25,000

Net Total Income

24,98,000

29,50,000

Income Tax

5,84,376

6,08,400

Less: Rebate u/s 87A

0

0

Tax Liability (Including Cess)

5,84,376

6,08,400

As per the above computation the Old Tax Regime is more beneficial by Rs. 24,024. This is because of the claim of deduction and exemption under the Old Tax Regime, which is not available in the New Tax Regime.

Note: In the case of the Old Tax Regime, 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:  

  • 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) 
  • 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.

Related Articles:

How To Save Tax For Salary Above 7 Lakhs?

How To Save Tax For Salary Above 10 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 50 Lakhs?

How to Save Tax For Salary Above 1 crore?

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to claim a tax rebate under section 87A?

While filing your income tax return, if your taxable income is less than Rs.5,00,000 after incorporating all the applicable deductions and exemptions,  you can receive a tax rebate of up to Rs.12,500 under the old regime and Rs.25,000 in case of the new regime when taxable income is less than Rs 700,000.

What tax deductions do Agniveers get under section 80CCH?

Agniveers who work in the Indian Armed Forces can claim a deduction equal to the amount they deposit in the Agniveer Corpus Fund once they get enrolled in the Agnipath Scheme.

How is the house rent allowance calculated?

You can claim the entire house rent allowance or your rent if it is less than 10% of the basic salary and DA. If you reside in a non-metro city, you can claim 40% of your salary (Basic+DA) and 50% of your salary (Basic+DA) if you stay in a metro city. 

What is the maximum tax benefit you can claim under children's allowance?

You can claim a maximum tax exemption of Rs.1,200 per year on children allowance offered by your employer. However, this is allowed for a maximum of two children.

Which tax regime is better for 30 lakhs income?

This requires comparative analysis, which is based on your Salary Income, Exemption and deductions applicable to you. You can use our tax calculator and check which is the best option.

At what point can I opt for the old regime given my salary of Rs. 30,00,000?

If the deductions available under the old regime are over Rs. 3,75,000 then opting for the old regime will be beneficial.

Is Standard deduction of Rs. 50,000 available for salary income if the taxpayer opts to pay under the new regime?

Yes, standard deduction of Rs. 50,000 is available for salary income even under the new regime.

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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