Income Tax on ₹21 lakh Salary
Tax year 2026-27 · new vs old regime
Tax a year, new regime
₹2,14,500
On a salary of ₹21 lakh (₹21,00,000) the income tax for 2026-27 is ₹2,14,500 under the new regime — 10.2% of the salary — leaving about ₹1,57,125 a month before provident fund. Under the old regime it is ₹4,44,600 with no deductions, or ₹3,97,800 with ₹1.5 lakh of 80C investments.
| New regime | Old regime (₹1,50,000 deductions) | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross income | ₹21,00,000 | ₹21,00,000 |
| Standard deduction | −₹75,000 | −₹50,000 |
| Other deductions (80C, 80D…) | ₹0 | −₹1,50,000 |
| Taxable income | ₹20,25,000 | ₹19,00,000 |
| Tax on slabs | ₹2,06,250 | ₹3,82,500 |
| Rebate / marginal relief | ₹-0 | ₹-0 |
| Surcharge | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Cess (4%) | ₹8,250 | ₹15,300 |
| Total tax | ₹2,14,500 | ₹3,97,800 |
| Take-home (year, before PF) | ₹18,85,500 | ₹17,02,200 |
| Take-home (month, before PF) | ₹1,57,125 | ₹1,41,850 |
₹17 lakh₹18 lakh₹19 lakh₹20 lakh₹22 lakh₹23 lakh₹24 lakh₹25 lakh
Frequently asked questions
How much income tax on a ₹21 lakh salary?
₹2,14,500 a year under the new regime (10.2%), including 4% cess — about ₹17,875 a month.
What is the in-hand salary on ₹21 lakh?
About ₹1,57,125 a month after income tax under the new regime. Your actual in-hand pay will be lower by provident fund and professional tax, which depend on your employer and state.
Is the new or old regime better at ₹21 lakh?
With ₹1.5 lakh of 80C deductions the old regime tax is ₹3,97,800, against ₹2,14,500 under the new regime — the new regime is cheaper unless you have large HRA or home-loan deductions.
Rates for tax year 2026-27 (FY 2026-27, Income-tax Act 2025) — Finance Bill 2026 — Memorandum (rates of income-tax); Income Tax Department — tax slabs for individuals; PIB — No income tax up to ₹12 lakh under the new regime. The Finance Bill 2026 proposed no change to these rates. Covers salary and other normal income only (not special rates on capital gains); includes 4% health and education cess, surcharge above ₹50 lakh and marginal relief. An estimate, not tax advice.