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How much income tax on a Rs 30 lakh salary

At Rs 30 lakh a meaningful part of your income reaches the top 30% slab, though the lower bands still soften the overall rate. Here's the breakdown. 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

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  1. 1. The slab-by-slab breakdown
  2. 2. No surcharge at this level
  3. 3. Employer NPS is the key new-regime lever
  4. 4. The old regime can win with strong deductions
  5. 5. Coordinate investments and advance tax
  6. Common questions

Quick answer

On a Rs 30 lakh salary the new-regime tax is about Rs 4,75,800. Here's the slab-by-slab breakdown and how to reduce it.

1. The slab-by-slab breakdown

Under the new regime, the Rs 75,000 standard deduction brings a Rs 30 lakh salary to Rs 29,25,000 taxable. The slabs apply: 5% (Rs 20,000), 10% (Rs 40,000), 15% (Rs 60,000), 20% (Rs 80,000), 25% on Rs 20-24 lakh (Rs 1,00,000), and 30% on the Rs 5,25,000 above Rs 24 lakh (Rs 1,57,500). That totals Rs 4,57,500, plus 4% cess of about Rs 18,300 — roughly Rs 4,75,800.

2. No surcharge at this level

A surcharge only applies once total income crosses Rs 50,00,000, so a Rs 30 lakh salary isn't affected. The effective rate works out to around 16%, with only the slice above Rs 24 lakh taxed at the top rate.

3. Employer NPS is the key new-regime lever

The employer's NPS contribution under 80CCD(2) is deductible even in the new regime — up to 10% of salary (14% for government employees). At Rs 30 lakh this can be a sizeable deduction and one of the few that survives in the new regime.

4. The old regime can win with strong deductions

Full 80C, the Rs 50,000 NPS, 80D, significant HRA and home-loan interest up to Rs 2,00,000 can bring the old-regime tax below the new regime's roughly Rs 4,75,800. At this income, compute both before deciding.

5. Coordinate investments and advance tax

High earners usually have investment income too; plan salary, NPS and capital gains together. If tax after TDS will exceed what's deducted, pay advance tax in the instalments to avoid 234B/234C interest.

Common questions

1How much tax do I pay on a Rs 30 lakh salary?

About Rs 4,75,800 in the new regime — Rs 4,57,500 of slab tax on Rs 29,25,000 taxable (after the Rs 75,000 standard deduction) plus 4% cess. No surcharge applies at this level.

2What is the effective tax rate on a Rs 30 lakh salary?

Around 16% in the new regime — roughly Rs 4,75,800 on Rs 30 lakh — because only the slice above Rs 24 lakh is taxed at the top 30% rate.

3How can I reduce tax on a Rs 30 lakh salary?

Employer NPS under 80CCD(2) helps in the new regime; the old regime can win with full 80C, NPS, 80D, HRA and home-loan interest. Compute both on your exact numbers.

Earning around Rs 30 lakh? Write to the firm and we'll plan your regime, NPS and investments to cut the tax.