Salary tax planning · ₹8 lakh · FY 2025-26
Tax planning for a ₹8 lakh salary
On a ₹8 lakh salary, a salaried taxpayer pays no income tax under the new regime for FY 2025-26 — your taxable income after the ₹75,000 standard deduction is ₹7,25,000, under the ₹12 lakh rebate ceiling. Here is how the old regime compares and which deductions still matter.
Your tax at a glance
New regime
₹0
After ₹75,000 standard deduction
Old regime (full deductions)
₹0
With ₹4,25,000 of deductions
Cheaper for you
New regime
Lower tax: ₹0
₹8 lakh salary: old vs new, side by side
| Scenario | Taxable income | Tax (incl. 4% cess) |
|---|---|---|
| New regime (₹75k standard deduction) | ₹7,25,000 | ₹0 |
| Old regime — 80C only (₹1.5L) | ₹6,00,000 | ₹33,800 |
| Old regime — full stack (₹4.25L) | ₹3,25,000 | ₹0 |
Your break-even
Which regime should you pick?
At ₹8 lakh, the new regime brings your tax to zero — hard to beat. The old regime can only match it if you claim at least about ₹2,50,000 in deductions, which means locking up cash you do not strictly need to. Unless you already have a home loan and a full 80C/NPS/80D stack for other reasons, the new regime is the simpler and cheaper choice at this salary.
Deductions a ₹8 lakh earner should not miss
- Section 80C — EPF already running through salary, topped up with PPF or ELSS to ₹1.5 lakh
- Section 80CCD(1B) — the extra ₹50,000 for NPS, often the single most-missed deduction
- Section 80D — your own health-insurance premium, and your parents'
- Confirm the regime first — at this salary the new regime is frequently zero or near-zero tax
These figures are illustrative. The exact answer depends on your real Form 16, your rent and your investments — which is what a DrishtiTax review computes for you.
Frequently asked questions
Educational information
This page is general information for salaried taxpayers in India, not legal, financial or chartered-accountancy advice. Tax outcomes depend on your full, individual circumstances. Figures use FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) rules and may change. Verify against official sources or a qualified professional before acting.
See your real number on a ₹8 lakh salary
Upload one document — Form 16, AIS or ITR. See your estimated savings opportunity in under a minute. The preview is free; pay only if the report is worth it to you.
₹249 Audit · ₹399 Combo · No signup · Under 60 seconds