Implementing the right eligibility-based deductions can mean the difference between paying high taxes and or emerging tax-free. When planned smartly, those earning ?10 lakhs annually can gain no-tax status and retain over ?8 lakhs in hand per year.
Read on to discover actionable tips to save tax on salary through strategic financial management. Equipped with this expertise in navigating tax rules and exemptions, high-salary professionals can continue advancing in their careers while maximising in-hand earnings.
Old vs. New Income Tax Slabs for Individuals
This section will break down the income slabs and corresponding tax rates under both structures, empowering you to determine which works better for your specific financial situation.
The income tax slab rates for the old and new income tax systems are as follows-
Income Tax Slabs | Old Tax Regime | New Tax Regime |
| Under 60 years of age and NRI | Above 60 and below 80 years | More than 80 years of age | FY 2022-2023 | FY 2023-2024 |
?0 to ?250000 | NIL | NIL | NIL | NIL | NIL |
?250000 to ?300000 | 5% | NIL | NIL | 5% | NIL |
?300000 to ?500000 | 5% | 5% (tax rebate u/s 87A is available) | NIL | 5% | 5% |
?500000 to ?600000 | 20% | 20% | 20% | 10% | 5% |
?600000 to ?750000 | 20% | 20% | 20% | 10% | 10% |
?750000 to ?900000 | 20% | 20% | 20% | 15% | 10% |
?900000 to ?1000000 | 20% | 20% | 20% | 15% | 15% |
?1000000 to ?1200000 | 30% | 30% | 30% | 20% | 15% |
?1200000 to 1250000 | 30% | 30% | 30% | 20% | 20% |
?1250000 to ?1500000 | 30% | 30% | 30% | 25% | 20% |
Above ?1500000 | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% | 30% |
Minimising Taxes on a ?10 Lakhs Salary
Understanding how various salary components get taxed or exempted is key to planning savings on a ?10 lakhs package. When evaluating the best tax saving options for salaried individuals, it helps to break down your annual remuneration into main categories. Broadly, your annual salary consists of:
- Taxable Income: The parts of your compensation that are taxable
- Non-Taxable Exemptions: Benefits and allowances exempted from taxes
- Deductions: Investments and expenses qualifying for tax deductions
The math works like this:
- Gross Salary
- Tax-Exempt Allowances = Taxable Income
Taxable Income
- Applicable Deductions = Final Taxable Figure
Therefore, to reduce tax liability, the goal is to:
- Maximise non-taxable allowances
- Claim deductions by investing in tax-saving instruments
Structuring your ?10 lakh remuneration through permitted exemptions and deductions allows you to emerge tax-free potentially.
Breakdown of Taxable vs Non-Taxable Salary Components
Those earning high salaries can minimise their tax liability by fully utilising permitted exemptions. Certain elements of your compensation package fall under non-taxable components, while other portions get fully taxed.
This breakdown clarifies the tax status of key salary elements:
- Component - Tax Status
- Basic Salary - Fully Taxable
- Dearness Allowance (DA) - Fully Taxable
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) - Partially Exempt
- Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) - Exempt up to specified limits
- Communication & Tech Allowances - Exempt if utilised for work purposes
- Child Education Allowance - Up to ?4800 per child, max 2 children
- Food Allowance - Exempt up to ?50 per meal, max 2 meals
- Standard Deduction - ?50,000 flat deduction allowed
- Professional Tax - Varies across states, typically ?2400
Salary Deductions Allowed Under Income Tax
When exploring how to save tax on salary above ?10 lakhs, numerous components can qualify for deductions and reduce your tax liability.
Section 80D
- Deductions of up to ?25,000 allowed on health insurance premiums paid for self, spouse, and dependent children
- An additional ?25,000 deduction is allowed for covering parents
- Further ?50,000 deduction if insurance covers parents over 60 years
Section 80E
- 100% deduction allowed on interest paid on higher education loans for self, spouse or legal dependents
- Deduction benefit lasts for 8 years from commencement of loan repayment
Section 80G
- Between 50% to 100% deduction is allowed on donations made to approved charitable institutions and funds
Section 80C
Section 80DD
- ?75,000 deduction allowed for disabled dependent's medical treatment
- ?1.25 lakhs deduction if dependent has a severe disability
Section 24B
- Deductions allowed on home loans under Section 80C and Section 24B - Up to ?1.5 lakhs deduction permitted for principal repaid and up to ?2 lakhs deduction allowed for interest paid.
Insurance Maturity
- Tax exemption on maturity amount of life insurance policies based on premium ratios - 20% of the sum assured for policies issued before 1st April 2012, 10% for policies issued after 1st April 2012, and 15% for policies issued after 1st April 2013 for people with disabilities or certain ailments.
Tax-Saving Tips for Professionals Earning Over ?15 Lakhs
High-income professionals with generous salaries above ?15 lakhs have even further scope to minimise their tax outgo by leveraging permitted deductions. Strategic investments in tax-saving instruments allow those in the highest tax bracket to reduce their tax liability.
Some popular investment avenues to claim deductions include:
- Equity-Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS)
- Unit-Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs)
- Employees' Provident Fund (EPF)
- Term Life Insurance Plans
Carefully investing in such tax-saving financial products, as per one's risk appetite and goals, can help high earners making over ?15 lakhs annually bring down their taxable income considerably.
The Bottom Line
To minimise taxes on salaries above ?10 lakhs, the optimal approach is to select the old tax regime and fully tap into all available exemptions and deductions. Making tax-saving investments as per Section 80C and Section 80D allows you to reduce taxable income under the old system.
Alternatively, one can opt for the new simplified tax structure. However, this would mean preceding tax benefits on expenses like home loans as well as losses carried forward and deductions claimed previously. Hence, analysing all aspects of your financial situation is advisable before picking one structure over the other.