Free Income Tax Calculator India (Old vs New)
Compare old and new tax regime free. Which saves you more depends entirely on your deductions — here's how to check.
Since the new tax regime became the default, the single most common tax question in India has stopped being "how much do I owe" and become "which regime should I pick". There is no universal answer. The regime that saves you money depends almost entirely on how much you actually claim in deductions, and most people substantially misjudge their own number.
Why a free income tax calculator 2026 matters more in India
The trade-off is straightforward in principle. The new regime offers lower slab rates but strips out most exemptions and deductions. The old regime keeps higher rates but lets you claim Section 80C investments, HRA, home loan interest, health insurance under 80D and more. So the new regime favours people who claim little, and the old regime favours people who claim a lot. The crossover point varies with income level, which is why guessing is unreliable and calculating is not.
The best free options compared
At a glance
Of the 4 options below, 4 are fully free with no paid tier to upgrade to, and 0 offer a free tier alongside paid plans. That distinction matters more than it first appears: a fully free tool cannot restrict you later, whereas a free tier is a commercial decision that can be revised.
| Tool | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Income Tax Department calculator | Fully free | official tool on the department's own site, including a dedicated old-versus-new… |
| ClearTax calculator | Fully free | More approachable than the official version and walks through deduction categories in… |
| Employer's payroll portal | Fully free | Most Indian employers provide a tax projection tool in their HR system that already… |
| A spreadsheet | Fully free | Worth building once |
Each option in detail
Income Tax Department calculator
✓ FREEThe official tool on the department's own site, including a dedicated old-versus-new comparison. It is authoritative and updated with current provisions. If any other calculator disagrees with this one, this one is right.
ClearTax calculator
✓ FREEMore approachable than the official version and walks through deduction categories in plain language, which helps if you are unsure what you are entitled to claim. Useful as a first pass before confirming against the official tool.
Employer's payroll portal
✓ FREEMost Indian employers provide a tax projection tool in their HR system that already knows your actual salary structure. Because it uses real figures rather than estimates, it is often the most accurate view available to you.
A spreadsheet
✓ FREEWorth building once. Entering the slabs yourself forces you to understand marginal rates, and you can then test scenarios — what if I invest another ₹50,000 in 80C, what if I claim HRA — far faster than re-entering data into a web form.
Note on free tiers: limits and features change often. Everything here was checked in July 2026, but confirm current terms on the provider's own site before committing to a workflow. Official guidance: Income Tax Department GST Portal.
How to choose the right one
Use the official Income Tax Department calculator for the decision, because it is definitive and free of commercial framing. Before you run it, spend ten minutes listing what you genuinely claim rather than what you could theoretically claim — the most common error is assuming a full 80C deduction that is not actually being made. Then run both regimes with your real numbers.
If you are assembling a wider free toolkit, these related guides cover adjacent problems: Free SIP Calculator: Project Mutual Fund Returns, Free GST Calculator: CGST, SGST and IGST, Free EMI Calculator: Home, Car and Personal Loan.
Verdict
Broadly, the new regime tends to suit those with few deductions, and the old regime tends to suit those with a home loan, substantial 80C investments and HRA. But 'tends to' is doing a lot of work in that sentence. Run your actual figures through the official calculator; the ten minutes it takes can be worth a meaningful sum.
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See all Finance & Tax Calculators →Frequently asked questions
Which tax regime is better for me?
It depends on your deductions. If you claim little beyond the standard deduction, the new regime's lower rates usually win. If you have a home loan, full 80C investments and HRA, the old regime often wins. Only your own numbers settle it.
Can I switch between old and new regime?
Salaried individuals without business income can generally choose each year when filing. Those with business income face tighter restrictions on switching back. Confirm current rules on the Income Tax Department site before relying on this.
Is the standard deduction available in the new regime?
Yes, a standard deduction applies to salaried taxpayers under the new regime, and its amount has been revised in recent budgets. Check the current figure on the official portal, as it has changed more than once.
Do free calculators handle capital gains?
Most handle salary income well and capital gains poorly, since gains have separate rates depending on asset and holding period. If you have significant capital gains, treat calculator output as indicative and consult the official rules or a professional.