1. Old and New Tax Regimes
The new tax regime under Section 115BAC is the default regime for eligible individuals, HUFs, AOPs (other than co-operative societies), BOIs and Artificial Juridical Persons. However, eligible taxpayers may opt for the old tax regime.
For taxpayers without business or professional income, the choice of regime can generally be made annually while filing the return. Taxpayers having business or professional income who wish to opt out of the new regime are required to furnish Form 10-IEA within the prescribed time.
Refer :
https://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/income-tax-rule-2026
2. Tax Slabs for Individuals Below 60 Years and HUF
| Total Income | Old Regime | New Regime |
| Up to ₹2,50,000 | Nil | — |
| ₹2,50,001–₹4,00,000 | 5%* | Nil |
| ₹4,00,001–₹5,00,000 | 5% | 5% |
| ₹5,00,001–₹8,00,000 | 20% | 5% |
| ₹8,00,001–₹10,00,000 | 20% | 10% |
| ₹10,00,001–₹12,00,000 | 30% | 10% |
| ₹12,00,001–₹16,00,000 | 30% | 15% |
| ₹16,00,001–₹20,00,000 | 30% | 20% |
| ₹20,00,001–₹24,00,000 | 30% | 25% |
| Above ₹24,00,000 | 30% | 30% |
*The slab-wise computation under the old regime should be applied as prescribed in the source material. The new-regime slabs are ₹4 lakh, ₹8 lakh, ₹12 lakh, ₹16 lakh, ₹20 lakh and ₹24 lakh.
3. Surcharge and Health & Education Cess
| Total Income | Old Regime | New Regime |
| Up to ₹50 lakh | Nil | Nil |
| ₹50 lakh–₹1 crore | 10% | 10% |
| ₹1 crore–₹2 crore | 15% | 15% |
| ₹2 crore–₹5 crore | 25% | 25% |
| Above ₹5 crore | 37% | 25% |
Health & Education Cess: 4% of the tax liability is applicable to all assessees.
4. Senior and Super-Senior Citizens
Under the old tax regime:
Senior Citizens (60 years or more but below 80 years):
- Up to ₹3,00,000 – Nil
- ₹3,00,001–₹5,00,000 – 5%
- ₹5,00,001–₹10,00,000 – 20%
- Above ₹10,00,000 – 30%
Super-Senior Citizens (80 years or more):
- Up to ₹5,00,000 – Nil
- ₹5,00,001–₹10,00,000 – 20%
- Above ₹10,00,000 – 30%
The new regime provides the same applicable slab structure irrespective of age.
5. Rebate under Section 87A
Resident individuals may claim rebate under Section 87A, subject to the prescribed conditions:
- Old Regime: Rebate up to ₹12,500 where total income does not exceed ₹5 lakh.
- New Regime: Rebate up to ₹60,000 where total income does not exceed ₹12 lakh.
The rebate is not available against income taxable at special rates, such as certain capital gains and casual income.
6. Major Differences Between the Two Regimes
| Particulars | New Regime | Old Regime |
| Default regime | Yes | No |
| Standard deduction from salary | ₹75,000 | ₹50,000 |
| Entertainment allowance deduction | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Professional tax deduction | Not allowed | Allowed |
| HRA exemption | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Interest on self-occupied house property loan | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Inter-head set-off of house property loss | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Chapter VI-A deductions such as 80C, 80D, 80G | Generally not allowed | Allowed |
| Certain specified deductions such as 80CCD(2), 80CCH(2), 80JJAA and 80LA(1A) | Allowed | Allowed |
| Basic exemption limit | ₹4,00,000 | ₹2,50,000 |
| Section 87A rebate | Up to ₹60,000* | Up to ₹12,500* |
*Subject to the prescribed income limits and conditions.
Quick Revision
New Regime: Higher basic exemption + lower slab rates + fewer deductions + default regime.
Old Regime: Lower basic exemption + higher slab rates + wider availability of deductions and exemptions.
This version is substantially more student-friendly and exam-oriented than the original, while preserving the structure and terminology of your source.
The Income-tax provisions for Assessment Year (AY) 2026–27 provide taxpayers with two alternative systems of taxation—the Old Tax Regime and the New Tax Regime under Section 115BAC. The new tax regime is the default tax regime for eligible taxpayers, including Individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), Associations of Persons (AOPs), other than co-operative societies, Bodies of Individuals (BOIs), and Artificial Juridical Persons. However, eligible taxpayers have the option to opt out of the new tax regime and choose taxation under the old tax regime.
The principal difference between the two regimes is that the new tax regime provides a higher basic exemption limit and concessional slab rates, but restricts several deductions and exemptions. On the other hand, the old tax regime provides a wider range of deductions and exemptions, but generally has a lower basic exemption limit and comparatively higher slab rates.
1. Choice of Tax Regime
In cases where the taxpayer does not have income from business or profession, the option to select the tax regime can generally be exercised every year while filing the Income-tax Return within the due date prescribed under Section 139(1).
For eligible taxpayers having income from business or profession, the new tax regime is the default regime. A taxpayer who wishes to opt out of the new regime is required to furnish Form No. 10-IEA within the prescribed time. The prescribed form is also relevant when the taxpayer subsequently withdraws or changes the option. The source material further specifies that, for eligible taxpayers having business or professional income, switching between the regimes is subject to the prescribed restrictions.
2. Tax Rates for Individuals Below 60 Years and HUFs
For a resident individual below 60 years of age or a non-resident individual, as well as an HUF, the tax rates differ significantly between the old and new regimes.
Under the old tax regime, income up to ₹2,50,000 is not taxable. Income between ₹2,50,001 and ₹5,00,000 is taxable at 5%. Income between ₹5,00,001 and ₹10,00,000 is subject to tax at 20%, while income above ₹10,00,000 is taxable at 30%.
The new tax regime under Section 115BAC provides a wider range of slabs. Income up to ₹4,00,000 is not taxable. Income from ₹4,00,001 to ₹8,00,000 is taxable at 5%. The subsequent slabs are ₹8,00,001–₹12,00,000, ₹12,00,001–₹16,00,000, ₹16,00,001–₹20,00,000, ₹20,00,001–₹24,00,000 and ₹24,00,001 onwards, with rates of 10%, 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%, respectively.
3. Surcharge and Health & Education Cess
In addition to income tax, surcharge may be applicable depending upon the level of total income. Under both regimes, surcharge is nil where income does not exceed ₹50,00,000. It is 10% for income between ₹50,00,000 and ₹1,00,00,000, 15% between ₹1,00,00,000 and ₹2,00,00,000, and 25% between ₹2,00,00,000 and ₹5,00,00,000.
For income exceeding ₹5,00,00,000, the surcharge is 37% under the old regime and 25% under the new regime.
In addition, Health and Education Cess at 4% is payable on the tax liability irrespective of the income level.
4. Tax Rates for Senior Citizens
For an individual who is 60 years or more but below 80 years of age, the old tax regime provides a basic exemption limit of ₹3,00,000. Income from ₹3,00,001 to ₹5,00,000 is taxable at 5%, income from ₹5,00,001 to ₹10,00,000 at 20%, and income above ₹10,00,000 at 30%.
For a super-senior citizen aged 80 years or more, the basic exemption limit under the old regime is ₹5,00,000. Income from ₹5,00,001 to ₹10,00,000 is taxable at 20%, while income exceeding ₹10,00,000 is taxable at 30%.
Under the new regime, the applicable slab structure remains the same irrespective of the taxpayer’s age, as indicated in the source material.
5. Rebate under Section 87A
A resident individual may be eligible for a rebate under Section 87A, subject to the applicable conditions.
Under the old tax regime, a rebate of up to ₹12,500 is available where the total income does not exceed ₹5,00,000. Under the new tax regime, a rebate of up to ₹60,000 is available where the total income does not exceed ₹12,00,000.
The rebate is not available against income taxable at special rates, including specified capital gains under Sections 111A and 112A and casual income.
6. Major Differences between the Old and New Tax Regimes
The two regimes differ not only in tax slabs but also in the availability of deductions and exemptions.
Under the new regime, the standard deduction for salary income under Section 16(ia) is ₹75,000, whereas it is ₹50,000 under the old regime. However, several deductions and exemptions available under the old regime are not generally available under the new regime.
For example, deductions relating to Entertainment Allowance and Professional Tax, exemption for House Rent Allowance (HRA) under Section 10(13A), and deduction for interest on a loan relating to a self-occupied house property under Section 24(b) are not available under the new regime as specified in the source material.
Similarly, the inter-head set-off of house property losses and deductions under Chapter VI-A, such as Sections 80C, 80D and 80G, are generally not available under the new regime.
Certain specified deductions, however, continue to be available under both regimes, including deductions under Sections 80CCD(2), 80CCH(2), 80JJAA and 80LA(1A).
7. Quick Comparison
| Particulars | New Tax Regime | Old Tax Regime |
| Default regime | Yes | No |
| Basic exemption limit | ₹4,00,000 | ₹2,50,000 |
| Standard deduction from salary | ₹75,000 | ₹50,000 |
| HRA exemption | Not allowable | Allowable |
| Chapter VI-A deductions | Generally not allowable | Allowable |
| Self-occupied house-property interest | Not allowable | Allowable |
| Section 87A rebate | Up to ₹60,000 | Up to ₹12,500 |
| Maximum surcharge | 25% | 37% |
Thus, the new tax regime may be considered a simplified system with a higher basic exemption limit, revised slab structure and fewer deductions, whereas the old tax regime continues to provide greater scope for claiming exemptions and deductions. Taxpayers should therefore consider their income structure, eligible deductions and exemptions before determining which regime is more suitable for them.