Every year, salaried employees face the same pressing question: Should I choose the Old Tax Regime or the New Tax Regime for F.Y. 2025-26? With Budget 2025 bringing fresh changes, the New Regime seems tempting at first glance. But does that mean it’s always the better option? Not necessarily.

Think of it like choosing between two train routes to the same destination. One offers comfort with extra amenities (deductions and exemptions), while the other is faster and simpler but has fewer perks. The route you pick depends on what matters more to you: comfort or speed.

To help you decide wisely, let’s explore both regimes in detail.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding the Old Tax Regime

The Old Tax Regime has been around for decades and is familiar to most taxpayers. It offers deductions under Section 80C, 80D, 80CCD(1B) and exemptions like HRA, LTA, and home loan interest. If you’re someone who invests wisely and makes use of these deductions, the Old Regime can help you save significantly.

2. How the Old Regime Works with Deductions and Exemptions

Let’s say your total annual income is ₹10 lakh.

• If you claim deductions and exemptions worth ₹2 lakh, your taxable income reduces to ₹8 lakh.
• The income isn’t taxed at a flat rate. Instead, it is divided into slabs, and each slab is taxed differently.

This system encourages savings and investments but also demands effort to maximise exemptions.

3. Example: Tax Calculation Under Old Regime

For a taxable income of ₹8 lakh:

• 0% tax on first ₹2.5 lakh → ₹0
• 5% tax on next ₹2.5 lakh → ₹12,500
• 20% tax on remaining ₹3 lakh → ₹60,000

Total Tax = ₹72,500

The more deductions you claim, the more your liability is reduced. That’s the power of the Old Tax Regime.

4. Understanding the New Tax Regime

The New Tax Regime for F.Y.2025-26 is designed to simplify taxation. It offers lower slab rates but eliminates most deductions and exemptions.

For instance, under the New Regime, the 30% tax rate applies only after ₹24 lakh—a big relief compared to the Old Regime, where 30% kicks in at ₹10 lakh.

It also comes with:

• Tax rebate up to ₹60,000 for income up to ₹12 lakh.
• Standard deduction of ₹75,000.

5. Example: Tax Benefits Under the New Regime

If your taxable income is ₹12 lakh or less, you may end up paying zero tax after accounting for the rebate and standard deduction. That’s a big win for middle-income earners who don’t want to bother with complicated exemptions.

6. Key Differences Between Old and New Regimes

Transitioning from one regime to the other requires evaluating both your income and your savings habits.

7. Case 1: Income Below ₹12 Lakh

If your taxable income is under ₹12 lakh, the New Regime usually wins. Thanks to the enhanced rebate, you can end up with zero tax liability.

In contrast, under the Old Regime, you’d still pay some tax unless you claimed very high deductions.

8. Case 2: Income Above ₹12 Lakh

When income exceeds ₹12 lakh, the choice becomes trickier. Your decision depends heavily on whether you can claim enough deductions.

Example:

• Income = ₹20 lakh
• Tax under New Regime = ₹1,85,000
• Tax under Old Regime = ₹3,97,500

Clearly, unless you have strong deductions, the New Regime is more tax-efficient.

9. Break-Even Analysis: Where Old Regime Wins

Studies show that to make the Old Regime beneficial, you’d need deductions up to ₹8 lakh. Beyond this threshold, the Old Regime starts competing well with the New one.

10. Why ₹8 Lakh Deduction is the Magic Number

After ₹24 lakh income, both regimes apply the same 30% tax rate. The only way the Old Regime stays competitive is if you claim at least ₹8 lakh in deductions.

But realistically, how many people can claim this much? Very few, unless they have high home loan interest, significant HRA, and other eligible expenses.

Check your Tax Liability and check which Regime fit for you by the Excel Utility 

11. Practical Example: Claiming Deductions in the Old Regime

Let’s consider a person earning ₹20 lakh annually:

• ₹10 lakh basic salary
• ₹5 lakh HRA with ₹3 lakh rent (non-metro)
• Home loan in another city

With multiple exemptions, this person might achieve ₹8 lakh in deductions, making the Old Regime worthwhile.

But for most people, such high deductions are unrealistic.

12. Advantages of the Old Tax Regime

• Encourages savings and investments.
• Beneficial if you have a large home loan or a high HRA.
• Familiar system with multiple tax-saving options.

13. Advantages of the New Tax Regime

• Simpler with fewer calculations.
• Higher standard deduction and rebate.
• More beneficial for those with low or no deductions.

14. Who Should Choose the Old vs the New Tax Regime in F.Y.2025-26

• Choose Old Regime if: You have high deductions (home loan, PPF, ELSS, insurance, etc.).
• Choose New Regime if: Your taxable income is below ₹12 lakh or you can’t claim many deductions.

Think of it this way: The Old Regime rewards planners, while the New Regime rewards simplicity.

15. Final Thoughts and Conclusion

To sum it up:

• If your income is ₹12 lakh or less, the New Regime usually gives you zero tax liability.
• If your income is above ₹12 lakh, the decision depends on whether you can claim substantial deductions.

The Old Tax Regime and New Tax Regime for F.Y.2025-6 both have unique advantages. Your choice should reflect your financial habits, lifestyle, and savings capacity.

FAQs

1. What is the main difference between the Old Tax Regime and the New Tax Regime for F.Y.2025-6?
   The Old Regime allows deductions and exemptions, while the New Regime offers lower slab rates but removes most exemptions.
2. Which regime is better if my income is below ₹12 lakh?
   The New Regime is usually better because you can pay zero tax after the rebate and standard deduction.
3. Can I switch between Old and New Tax Regime every year?
   Yes, salaried individuals can switch regimes annually when filing their income tax returns.
4. Why is the ₹8 lakh deduction important in the Old Regime?
   Because beyond ₹24 lakh, both regimes apply 30% tax. To make the Old Regime beneficial, you need at least ₹8 lakh in deductions.
5. Should I consult a tax advisor before deciding between the two regimes?
   Absolutely. Since tax planning depends on your income, expenses, and investments, professional guidance ensures you make the best choice.
6. Detailed Comparison of Tax Slabs under Old vs New Regime (F.Y.2025-26)

Here’s a side-by-side look at how income is taxed under both regimes:

Notice how the New Regime spreads out the tax rates more evenly, while the Old Regime jumps quickly to higher rates.

Illustration: Tax Liability Comparison at Different Income Levels

Let’s assume no deductions under the Old Regime (for fair comparison).

Clearly, the New Regime consistently results in lower taxes unless you can claim deductions that reduce your taxable income significantly.

How Deductions Can Change the Game

Now let’s factor in deductions under the Old Regime:

Example: Income = ₹20 lakh

• Deduction under 80C, 80D, NPS, HRA, Home Loan = ₹6 lakh
• Taxable income = ₹14 lakh
• Tax under Old Regime = ₹2,62,500
• Tax under New Regime = ₹1,85,000

Here, the New Regime still wins.

But if deductions = ₹8 lakh, taxable income reduces to ₹12 lakh, making Old Regime’s tax = ₹1,72,500, which is slightly lower than the New Regime.

That’s why experts say ₹8 lakh deductions is the break-even point.

Real-Life Scenarios

Scenario 1: A young professional with few investments

• Income = ₹10 lakh
• Minimal deductions (just ₹50,000 standard deduction)
• Better choice → New Regime, since lower rates give direct savings.

Scenario 2: A salaried person with a home loan and HRA

• Income = ₹18 lakh
• Deductions = ₹5–6 lakh (home loan interest, 80C, 80D)
• Better choice → Old Regime, if total deductions cross ₹6 lakh.

Scenario 3: A high earner without major deductions

• Income = ₹25 lakh
• Deductions = ₹1–2 lakh
• Better choice → New Regime, since the Old Regime tax will be much higher.

Decision-Making Framework: Which Should You Pick?

To simplify:

1. Check your annual income
   • If it’s below ₹12 lakh, the New Regime usually wins (thanks to rebates).
2. Calculate your eligible deductions under the Old Regime
   • If they exceed ₹8 lakh, the Old Regime may work better.
3. If deductions are minimal, stick with the New Regime.
4. If unsure, compute tax under both regimes using an income tax calculator and pick the lower one.

Tips for Choosing the Right Regime

• List out all possible deductions (PPF, ELSS, life insurance, home loan, tuition fees, HRA).
• Estimate your tax under both regimes before declaring your choice to HR.
• Remember, you can switch every year (if salaried), so your decision isn’t permanent.
• Think about plans (buying a house, children’s education, retirement planning) before locking into the Old Regime.

Final Wrap-Up

The Old Tax Regime and New Tax Regime for F.Y.2025-6 offer two distinct approaches:

• The Old Regime rewards disciplined savers and investors with exemptions and deductions.
• The New Regime rewards simplicity and transparency, especially for those with lower incomes or fewer investments.

Your best choice depends on your income level and lifestyle. If you’re a planner with multiple deductions, the Old Regime can save you money. But if you prefer simplicity and your income is under ₹12 lakh, the New Regime is often unbeatable.

Remember, taxes are like puzzles—there’s always more than one way to solve them, but the smartest move is the one that saves you both money and stress.