Ek Croreएक करोड़
Personal Finance

Personal Finance

11 articles

Personal Finance

Can I switch between the old and new tax regime every year?

Yes — salaried employees can switch between old and new regime every financial year. Tell your employer in April for TDS; choose your final regime at ITR time in July. You can switch to old regime even after the employer deducted TDS for new regime — you'll get a refund. Employees with business income have one-time exit rules.

12 Jun 2026·6 min read
Personal Finance

Section 87A rebate: when it applies, the ₹12L cliff in the new regime, and what it does NOT cover

The Section 87A rebate makes income up to ₹12L taxable (₹12.75L gross) completely tax-free under the new regime. But at ₹12.25L taxable, your tax suddenly jumps to ₹66,300 — a cliff effect where a ₹25,000 raise costs you ₹41,300 in net income. And the rebate doesn't apply to equity STCG or LTCG at all.

12 Jun 2026·6 min read
Personal Finance

The extra ₹50,000 NPS deduction under Section 80CCD(1B): who should use it and how

Section 80CCD(1B) lets you deduct ₹50,000 in NPS contributions over and above the ₹1.5L Section 80C limit — but only under the old tax regime. At 30% bracket, that saves ₹15,600 in tax. This lesson explains when it's worth using, the lock-in trade-off, and who benefits most.

10 Jun 2026·6 min read
Personal Finance

Is health insurance premium deductible in the new tax regime?

No — Section 80D (health insurance premium deduction) is not available under the new tax regime. But whether you get a tax benefit should not determine whether you buy health insurance. This lesson explains what 80D covers under the old regime, the maximum ₹75,000 deduction with senior citizen parents, and why under-insuring to save premium is the wrong trade-off.

9 Jun 2026·5 min read
Personal Finance

Can I claim 80C deductions in the new tax regime?

No — Section 80C deductions (EPF, PPF, ELSS, life insurance, home loan principal) are not available under the new tax regime. Your investments still happen and still grow; you just don't get the upfront deduction. Only standard deduction (₹75,000) and employer NPS contribution (80CCD(2)) survive in the new regime.

7 Jun 2026·6 min read
Personal Finance

Which tax regime is better for salaried employees in FY 2025-26?

The new regime gives you a zero-tax outcome up to ₹12.75L gross salary. For Deepika on ₹12L with ₹1L in 80C, HRA exemption, and health insurance — new regime tax: ₹0, old regime tax: ₹1.08L. But at higher salaries with a home loan and maximum deductions, the old regime can win. Here's how to calculate yours.

4 Jun 2026·6 min read
Personal Finance

How to increase your in-hand salary without changing your CTC

Restructuring your salary components can legally increase your monthly take-home by ₹2,000–₹8,000 without your employer spending a rupee more. Here is how the math works.

18 May 2026·8 min read
Personal Finance

Can I pay rent to my parents and claim HRA exemption legally?

Yes — paying rent to parents and claiming HRA is legal under Indian tax law. But there are specific conditions, documentation requirements, and a catch around your parents' tax liability.

17 May 2026·7 min read
Personal Finance

How HRA is calculated — the three-part formula and when HRA is fully taxable

HRA exemption is the minimum of three amounts — not whichever is largest. Understanding this formula tells you exactly how much of your HRA is tax-free and how much is not.

16 May 2026·8 min read
Personal Finance

Why your basic salary percentage affects your EPF, HRA, and gratuity more than the number itself

A higher basic looks better on paper, but it means more EPF deduction, more gratuity obligation, and a bigger HRA calculation base. Here is the complete trade-off.

15 May 2026·8 min read
Personal Finance

If my CTC is ₹20 LPA, how much will I get in hand?

A CTC of ₹20 LPA does not mean ₹1,66,667 a month. Here is the exact breakdown of what gets deducted — PF, gratuity, income tax — and what lands in your account.

14 May 2026·7 min read