Enter Your Income Details
Select Tax Regime
Include salary, business income, rent, FD interest, etc.
⚠️ 87A rebate does NOT apply on STCG (Sec 111A) & LTCG (Sec 112A) — enter separately for accurate calculation
Tax Computation
Gross Income—
Standard Deduction—
Taxable Income—
Tax on Slab Income—
Tax on Special Rate Income—
Section 87A Rebate Applied—
Tax After Rebate—
4% Health & Education Cess—
Net Tax Payable
—
Effective Tax Rate
—
Section 87A Rebate — Complete Reference Guide
| Parameter | New Tax Regime (FY 2026-27) | Old Tax Regime |
|---|---|---|
| Rebate Amount | ₹60,000 | ₹12,500 |
| Taxable Income Threshold | ≤ ₹12,00,000 | ≤ ₹5,00,000 |
| Effective Zero-Tax Gross Salary (Salaried) | ₹12,75,000 | ₹5,50,000 |
| Applies to STCG / LTCG (Equity)? | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Available to NRI? | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Who can claim? | Resident Individual | Resident Individual |
| Rebate is of | = Tax on slab income (not full tax) | = Tax on slab income |
Understanding the Cliff Effect at ₹12 Lakh
| Taxable Income | Tax Before Rebate | 87A Rebate | Net Tax (incl. Cess) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹11,00,000 | ₹45,000 | ₹45,000 | ₹0 |
| ₹12,00,000 | ₹60,000 | ₹60,000 | ₹0 |
| ₹12,00,001 | ₹60,000 | ₹0 (Ineligible) | ₹62,400 |
| ₹12,50,000 | ₹77,500 | ₹0 | ₹80,600 |
| ₹15,00,000 | ₹1,35,000 | ₹0 | ₹1,40,400 |
✅ Who Gets the ₹60,000 Rebate?
- • Resident individual taxpayers only
- • Total taxable income ≤ ₹12,00,000
- • Under the New Tax Regime
- • Rebate on slab-rate income only
- • Income from salary, business, rent, FD interest
❌ Who Does NOT Get the Rebate?
- • NRIs — not eligible at all
- • Tax on STCG (Sec 111A, 15%) — no rebate
- • Tax on LTCG (Sec 112A, 12.5%) — no rebate
- • Income > ₹12L taxable — loses full rebate
- • HUF, firms, companies — not eligible
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Section 87A rebate for FY 2026-27?
Section 87A provides a tax rebate to reduce net income tax. For FY 2026-27 under the New Tax Regime, the rebate is up to ₹60,000 if your total taxable income does not exceed ₹12,00,000. Under Old Regime, rebate is ₹12,500 if taxable income ≤ ₹5,00,000.
Is ₹12 lakh income actually zero tax?
Yes, for salaried individuals. Gross salary of ₹12,75,000 minus standard deduction of ₹75,000 = taxable income of ₹12,00,000. Tax under New Regime = ₹60,000. Section 87A rebate = ₹60,000. Net tax = ₹0. However, income above ₹12L disqualifies you from the rebate entirely.
Does 87A rebate apply on STCG or LTCG?
No. Section 87A rebate is NOT available on tax on special rate income like STCG under Section 111A (15%) and LTCG under Section 112A (12.5%). It applies only on tax on ordinary income at slab rates. This is a critical distinction often missed by investors.
What is the cliff effect of Section 87A?
If your taxable income exceeds ₹12,00,000 by even ₹1, you lose the entire ₹60,000 rebate. For example: ₹12,00,000 income = ₹0 tax; ₹12,00,001 income = ₹62,400 tax. The additional ₹1 of income costs ₹62,400 in tax — an extreme cliff that makes tax planning around ₹12L critical.
Is 87A rebate available for NRIs?
No. The Section 87A rebate is available only to resident individual taxpayers. NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) are not eligible for the Section 87A rebate under either tax regime.
What if my taxable income is ₹12.5 lakh?
At ₹12.5L taxable income under New Regime: Tax before rebate = ₹77,500. Since income exceeds ₹12L, 87A rebate = ₹0. Net tax = ₹77,500 + 4% cess = ₹80,600. The additional ₹50,000 income above ₹12L costs ₹80,600 in tax — a classic cliff effect.
What is the 87A rebate in Old Tax Regime?
Under Old Regime, the Section 87A rebate is ₹12,500 for individuals with taxable income up to ₹5,00,000. This has not changed since FY 2019-20. The enhanced ₹60,000 rebate applies only under the New Tax Regime from FY 2025-26 onward.
How to plan income to stay within ₹12L limit?
Key strategies: (1) Maximize employer NPS 80CCD(2) contribution — allowed in New Regime up to 14% of salary. (2) Ensure FD interest, rent, dividends and other sources are included in computation. (3) Time capital gains harvesting to stay within ₹12L. (4) Defer non-urgent income like rent advance to next FY. (5) Use NPS Tier 2 for liquid savings (not tax-deductible but doesn't add taxable income).
Related Calculators
Income Tax Calculator
Full tax computation
New vs Old Regime
Breakeven comparison
Surcharge & Marginal Relief
HNI tax planning
Capital Gains Tax
STCG & LTCG
Section 80C Calculator
Tax saving investments
Advance Tax Calculator
Quarterly installments
TDS on Salary
Monthly TDS deduction
CTC to In-Hand Salary
Take-home salary