Understand current income-tax slabs and the right year
Gather the facts for your next move.
Read the verified 2026–27 bands, understand marginal rates and distinguish current Tax Year payments from older AY returns.
Where it applies: India — year, taxpayer type, regime and actual portal requirements matter
A readable guide to the current tax bands, plus the year label to use when you discuss a return or payment.
Use it when you are confused by old versus new regime, FY versus AY, or the new Tax Year label.
Write the dates when the income was earned. FY 2025–26 returns use AY 2026–27; income April 2026–March 2027 uses Tax Year 2026–27.
New-regime marginal bands
2026–27 · Individual; ordinary slab-rate taxable income. This is not a liability calculation.
| Taxable income band | Marginal rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹4,00,000 | 0% |
| ₹4,00,001–₹8,00,000 | 5% |
| ₹8,00,001–₹12,00,000 | 10% |
| ₹12,00,001–₹16,00,000 | 15% |
| ₹16,00,001–₹20,00,000 | 20% |
| ₹20,00,001–₹24,00,000 | 25% |
| Above ₹24,00,000 | 30% |
- Rate applies only to income within each band.
- Rebates, permitted deductions, special-rate income, surcharge and cess are separate.
- The identical new-regime bands apply to AY 2026–27 for FY 2025–26; do not confuse those year labels.
Old-regime marginal bands — resident individual below 60
2026–27 · Resident individual below 60 only; ordinary slab-rate taxable income.
| Taxable income band | Marginal rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹2,50,000 | 0% |
| ₹2,50,001–₹5,00,000 | 5% |
| ₹5,00,001–₹10,00,000 | 20% |
| Above ₹10,00,000 | 30% |
- Different age and taxpayer categories need their own applicable table.
- Rebates, deductions, special-rate income, surcharge and cess are separate.
Gather your pieces
- These fixed tables cover 2026–27. Do not change their year by editing a field or use them for another year without checking.
- The old-regime table below is specifically for a resident individual below 60. Other ages and taxpayer categories require the appropriate table.
- A marginal rate applies to the slice of taxable income in that band. Rebates, deductions, special-rate income, surcharge and cess affect the final result.
Your prep sheet
Replace each [bracketed label] with your own verified details. Open the editor to make it yours, then read it through before sending.
CURRENT INCOME-TAX BANDS — VERIFIED 2026–27 GUIDE Prepared by: [Your name] For: [Person or office] Date: [Preparation date] Period needing review: [Period you need reviewed] NEW REGIME — ordinary marginal bands for an individual, Tax Year 2026–27: Up to ₹4,00,000: 0% ₹4,00,001–₹8,00,000: 5% ₹8,00,001–₹12,00,000: 10% ₹12,00,001–₹16,00,000: 15% ₹16,00,001–₹20,00,000: 20% ₹20,00,001–₹24,00,000: 25% Above ₹24,00,000: 30% OLD REGIME — resident individual below 60, 2026–27: Up to ₹2,50,000: 0% ₹2,50,001–₹5,00,000: 5% ₹5,00,001–₹10,00,000: 20% Above ₹10,00,000: 30% Only the portion inside a band takes that band's rate. These tables exclude the effect of rebates, deductions, special-rate income, surcharge and cess. They are not a final tax bill. The same new-regime bands also apply to AY 2026–27 for FY 2025–26 income; the return and payment year labels differ. Facts to review: [Relevant facts] Regime, residence, age and income-type questions: [Regime and eligibility questions] Help requested: [Help or action requested] Please confirm the applicable year, eligibility, permitted deductions and any special-rate income before comparing regimes. Use the official return or payment process for the actual filing.
Your next moves
- Open the official sources and confirm the income period, taxpayer category and available regime.
- Ask a CA to compare the applicable regimes using complete records before deciding or paying.
Real-world check
Original explanatory guide with verified official rate tables, checked 6 October 2026. The figures are ordinary marginal bands, not a personalised liability calculation or a promise that income up to a particular amount is universally tax-free.
Sources & official links
- Income Tax Department — Budget 2026 rates FAQ Legal background · Checked 6 Oct 2026
- Income Tax Department — enacted Finance Act, 2026 Legal background · Checked 6 Oct 2026
- Income Tax Department — objective and scope of the new Act Legal background · Checked 6 Oct 2026
- Income Tax Department — current tax payments FAQ Legal background · Checked 6 Oct 2026