Old regime or new? See your real tax for FY 2025-26.

New regime (the default) — standard deduction ₹75,000 for salaried, then:

• Up to ₹4,00,000 — Nil · ₹4–8L — 5% · ₹8–12L — 10% · ₹12–16L — 15% · ₹16–20L — 20% · ₹20–24L — 25% · above ₹24L — 30%.
• Section 87A rebate: if your total income is up to ₹12,00,000, your tax is fully rebated to zero (with marginal relief just above that line). So a salaried person can earn up to ~₹12.75L tax-free.

Old regime — standard deduction ₹50,000 for salaried, basic exemption ₹2.5L (₹3L if 60–80, ₹5L if 80+), then ₹2.5–5L — 5% · ₹5–10L — 20% · above ₹10L — 30%. Rebate makes tax zero up to ₹5L taxable. You can subtract 80C/80D/HRA/home-loan deductions.

Both add 4% health & education cess, plus surcharge on higher incomes (10% over ₹50L, 15% over ₹1cr, 25% over ₹2cr).

The new regime has lower rates and a big rebate but ignores most deductions. The old regime has higher rates but lets you subtract 80C, 80D, HRA, and home-loan interest. The rule of thumb: if you claim large deductions (home loan + full 80C + HRA), the old regime can still win; if you don't, the new regime almost always does. This tool computes both so you don't have to guess.

Advance tax is due if your tax for the year exceeds ₹10,000. Pay it in instalments: 15% by 15 Jun, 45% by 15 Sep, 75% by 15 Dec, 100% by 15 Mar. Missing dates attracts interest under sections 234B/234C.

Presumptive taxation can simplify life if you qualify:

• Section 44AD (small business) — declare 8% of turnover as profit (6% for digital receipts), turnover up to ₹2 crore (₹3 crore if cash receipts are ≤5%). No detailed books required.
• Section 44ADA (professionals — consultants, doctors, lawyers, etc.) — declare 50% of gross receipts as profit, receipts up to ₹50 lakh (₹75 lakh if cash ≤5%).

Under presumptive, enter the presumptive profit as your income above to estimate the tax on it.

Whether or not you're under presumptive tax, a clean set of books protects you in an assessment and makes filing painless:

• Bank reconciliation — match every entry in your books to the bank statement, monthly. This is the single most important habit.
• Sales & purchase registers — every invoice raised and received, with GST where applicable.
• Cash book — all cash in and out; keep cash transactions small and documented.
• Expense vouchers — a bill or receipt for every expense you claim. No receipt, no deduction.
• Fixed-asset register — what you own, when bought, and depreciation.
• TDS records — tax deducted on payments you make (rent, contractors, professional fees) and deposited on time; issue Form 16/16A.
• GST returns & reconciliation — GSTR-1 vs 3B vs books vs 2B, monthly or quarterly.
• Retain for 6+ years — the income-tax department can reopen older years; keep records accordingly.