1How much tax do I pay on a Rs 15 lakh salary?
About Rs 97,500 in the new regime — Rs 93,750 of slab tax on Rs 14,25,000 taxable (after the Rs 75,000 standard deduction) plus 4% cess. The 87A rebate doesn't apply above Rs 12,00,000.
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ArticleAt Rs 15 lakh, you're above the zero-tax band, so some tax is due — but the new regime keeps it modest. Here's the exact breakdown and what can lower it. Figures are for the new regime, salaried, with no other income; your actual tax depends on your full situation.
Reviewed by CA Harika Chebolu, FCA · Last updated 2026-06-13
Quick answer
On a Rs 15 lakh salary the new regime tax works out to about Rs 97,500. Here's the slab-by-slab breakdown and how to reduce it.
Under the new regime, the Rs 75,000 standard deduction brings a Rs 15 lakh salary to Rs 14,25,000 taxable. The slabs then apply: nil on the first Rs 4 lakh, 5% on Rs 4-8 lakh (Rs 20,000), 10% on Rs 8-12 lakh (Rs 40,000), and 15% on the Rs 2,25,000 from Rs 12-14.25 lakh (Rs 33,750). That totals Rs 93,750, plus 4% cess of Rs 3,750 — about Rs 97,500.
The 87A rebate that gives zero tax up to Rs 12,00,000 of total income doesn't apply here, because your income is above that threshold. So unlike a Rs 12 lakh salary, tax is genuinely payable on Rs 15 lakh.
In the old regime, a Rs 15 lakh salary faces a much higher base tax, so you'd need substantial deductions — full 80C, the Rs 50,000 NPS, 80D, plus meaningful HRA or home-loan interest — to bring it below the new regime's roughly Rs 97,500. With a big rent or home loan it can be done; without, the new regime usually wins.
The employer's NPS contribution under 80CCD(2) is deductible even in the new regime — up to 10% of salary (14% for government employees). Routing part of your package through employer NPS is one of the few ways to cut the new-regime tax at this level.
Interest, rent or capital gains add on top of salary and raise the tax, so reconcile all income. Make sure your employer's TDS reflects your chosen regime, so you neither under-pay (and face interest) nor over-pay and wait for a refund.
About Rs 97,500 in the new regime — Rs 93,750 of slab tax on Rs 14,25,000 taxable (after the Rs 75,000 standard deduction) plus 4% cess. The 87A rebate doesn't apply above Rs 12,00,000.
Usually the new regime, unless your deductions are large. With full 80C, NPS, 80D and significant HRA or home-loan interest the old regime can win; without them, the new regime's roughly Rs 97,500 is hard to beat.
Mainly through employer NPS under 80CCD(2) , which is deductible even in the new regime (up to 10% of salary, 14% for government staff). Most other deductions need the old regime.
Want the lower of the two regimes worked out on your exact salary? Write to the firm and we'll run both for you.