Understanding income tax is essential for every earning Indian. This guide breaks down the 2025 tax landscape.
Income Tax Slabs 2025
New Regime: Up to ₹3L: Nil, ₹3-7L: 5%, ₹7-10L: 10%, ₹10-12L: 15%, ₹12-15L: 20%, Above ₹15L: 30%. Standard deduction: ₹75,000.
Old Regime: Up to ₹2.5L: Nil, ₹2.5-5L: 5%, ₹5-10L: 20%, Above ₹10L: 30%. Standard deduction: ₹50,000 plus all deductions available.
Which Regime Saves More?
Choose New if deductions < ₹3-4L. Choose Old if you have HRA + 80C + 80D + home loan adding up to ₹4L+. Use our [Income Tax Calculator](/calculators/income-tax-calculator) to compare. Check our [New vs Old Tax Regime comparison](/compare/new-vs-old-tax-regime).
Key Tax-Saving Sections
80C (₹1.5L): EPF, PPF, ELSS, life insurance, NSC, SSY, tax-saver FD. 80D: Health insurance ₹25K self + ₹25K parents. 80CCD(1B): NPS extra ₹50K. 24(b): Home loan interest ₹2L. 80E: Education loan interest (no limit).
Filing ITR Online
1. Gather: Form 16, 26AS, AIS, bank statements. 2. Login incometax.gov.in. 3. Select ITR-1 (most salaried). 4. Pre-fill and verify. 5. Submit and e-verify via Aadhaar OTP. Deadline: July 31.
Advanced Strategies
Salary restructuring (increase HRA, add NPS). Tax-loss harvesting. Harvest ₹1.25L LTCG annually tax-free. Maximize NPS for ₹2L+ deduction.