Income Tax Rates for AY 2025-26 and 2026-27

The income tax rates for the assessment years (AY) 2025-26 and 2026-27 remain unchanged across categories. Under Section 115BAC, default rates for individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUF) include a 0% tax for income up to ₹3,00,000, rising progressively to 30% for income above ₹15,00,000. Senior citizens enjoy tax exemptions on incomes up to ₹3,00,000, while super-senior citizens are exempt for incomes up to ₹5,00,000. Co-operative societies, firms, local authorities, and companies retain their existing rates, with domestic companies taxed at 25% if turnover does not exceed ₹400 crore, and 30% otherwise. Non-domestic companies face a 35% rate. Surcharge rates mirror previous years, capped at 25% for high-income individuals under Section 115BAC. A Health and Education Cess at 4% applies universally, with no marginal relief on cess. Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) rates for FY 2025-26 also remain consistent, except for specified income types like salaries. Provisions for marginal relief aim to mitigate the tax burden on incomes nearing surcharge thresholds. These rates consolidate stability in income tax policy, aligning with prior fiscal strategies to maintain predictability for taxpayers while fostering compliance.

I. Rates of income-tax in respect of income liable to tax for the assessment year 2025-26.

In respect of income of all categories of assessees liable to tax for the assessment year 2025-26, the rates of income-tax have either been specified in specific sections of the Act (like section 115BAA or section 115BAB for domestic companies, section 115BAC for individual/HUF/AOP (other than a co-operative society)/BOI/AJP and section 115BAD or section 115BAE for cooperative societies) or have been specified in Part I of the First Schedule to the Bill. There is no change proposed in tax rates either in these specific sections or in the First Schedule. The rates provided in sections 115BAA or 115BAB or 115BAC or 115BAD or 115BAE of the Act for the assessment year 2025-26 would be same as already enacted. Similarly rates laid down in Part III of the First Schedule to the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2024, for the purposes of computation of “advance tax”, deduction of tax at source from “Salaries” and charging of tax payable in certain cases for the assessment year 2025-26 would now become Part I of the First Schedule. Part III would now apply for the assessment year 2026-27.

Tax rates under section 115BAC—

For assessment year 2025-26, as per the provisions of sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC of the Act, an individual or Hindu undivided family or association of persons [other than a co-operative society], or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or an artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2, has to pay tax in respect of the total income at following rates:

2. The above mentioned rates shall apply, unless an option is exercised as per provisions of sub­section (6) of section 115BAC. Thus, rates specified in sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC of the Act are the default rates.

3. In respect of income chargeable to tax under clause (ii) of sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC of the Act, the income-tax for the assessment year 2025-26 shall be increased by a surcharge, for the purposes of the Union, computed, in the case of every individual or Hindu undivided family or association of persons, or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act,-

(i) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, section 112 and section 112A of the Act) exceeding fifty lakh rupees but not exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of 10% of such income-tax;

(ii)  having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, section 112 and section 112A of the Act) exceeding one crore rupees but not exceeding two crore rupees, at the rate of 15% of such income-tax;

(iii) having a total income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, section 112 and section 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees, at the rate of 25% of such income-tax;

(iv) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, section 112 and section 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees, but is not covered under clause (iii) above, at the rate of 15% of such income-tax;

3.1       In case where the provisions of sub-section (1A) of section 115 BAC are applicable and the total income includes any income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, section 112 and section 112A of the Act, the rate of surcharge on the income-tax in respect of that part of income shall not exceed 15%.

3.2       Further, in the case of an association of persons consisting of only companies as its members, and having its income chargeable to tax under sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC, the rate of surcharge on the income-tax shall not exceed 15%.

3.3       Marginal relief shall be provided in such cases.

Tax rates under Part I of the First Schedule applicable for the assessment year 2025-26

A. Individual, HUF, association of persons, body of individuals, artificial juridical person.

Paragraph A of Part-I of First Schedule to the Bill provides following rates of income-tax:—

(i)     The rates of income-tax in the case of every individual (other than those mentioned in (ii) and (iii) below) or HUF or every association of persons or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act (not being a case to which any other Paragraph of Part I applies) are as under:—

(ii) In the case of every individual, being a resident in India, who is of the age of sixty years or more but less than eighty years at any time during the previous year,—

(iii) in the case of every individual, being a resident in India, who is of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the previous year,—

These rates are the same as those applicable for the assessment year 2024-25.

B. Co-operative Societies

In the case of co-operative societies, the rates of income-tax have been specified in Paragraph B of Part I of the First Schedule to the Bill. They remain unchanged at (10% up to Rs. 10,000; 20% between Rs. 10,001 to Rs. 20,000; and 30% when income excess Rs. 20,000).

C. Firms

In the case of firms, the rate of income-tax has been specified in Paragraph C of Part I of the First

Schedule to the Bill. They remain unchanged at 30%.

D. Local authorities

In the case of local authority, the rate of income-tax has been specified in Paragraph D of Part I of

the First Schedule to the Bill. They remain unchanged at 30%.

E. Companies

In the case of companies, the rates of income-tax have been specified in Paragraph E of Part I of the First Schedule to the Bill and remain unchanged vis-à-vis those for the AY 2024-25. In case of domestic company, the rate of income-tax shall be 25% of the total income, if the total turnover or gross receipts of the previous year 2022-23 does not exceed four hundred crore rupees and in all other cases the rate of income-tax shall be 30% of the total income.

2. In the case of companies other than domestic companies, the rate of income-tax shall be 35%, on the total income other than income chargeable at special rates.

(1) Surcharge on income-tax

The rates of surcharge on the amount of income-tax for the purposes of the Union are the same as that specified for the AY 2024-25. The surcharge shall not apply on income-tax computed on income of specified fund (referred to in clause (c) of the Explanation to clause (4D) of section 10) that is chargeable under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 115AD of the Act. Further, for person whose income is chargeable to tax under sub-section (1 A) of section 115BAC of the Act, the surcharge at the rate of 37% on the income or aggregate of income of such person (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding five crore rupees is not applicable. In such cases the surcharge is restricted to 25%.

(2) Marginal Relief—

Marginal relief has also been provided in all cases where surcharge is proposed to be imposed.

(3) Education Cess—

For assessment year 2025-26, “Health and Education Cess” is to be levied at the rate of 4% on the amount of income-tax so computed, inclusive of surcharge wherever applicable, in all cases. No marginal relief shall be available in respect of such cess.

II. Rates for deduction of income-tax at source during the financial year (FY) 2025-26 from certain incomes other than “Salaries”.

The rates for deduction of income-tax at source during the FY 2025-26 under the provisions of section 193, 194A, 194B, 194BB, 194D, 194LBA, 194LBB, 194LBC and 195 have been specified in Part II of the First Schedule to the Bill.

2. It is proposed that the rates in force for deduction of income-tax at source on income by way of insurance commission shall be reduced from 5% to 2%, in view of the amendments made vide Finance (No. 2) Act, 2024 in section 194D (Payment of insurance commission) with effect from 1st day of April, 2025.

3. For sections specifying the rate of deduction of tax at source, the tax shall continue to be deducted as per the provisions of the relevant sections of the Act.

4. Apart from the above, the rates will remain the same as those specified in Part II of the First Schedule to the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2024, for the purposes of deduction of income-tax at source during the FY 2024-25.

5. The surcharge on the amount of income-tax for the purposes of the Union is the same as that specified for the FY 2024-25.

6. “Health and Education Cess” shall continue to be levied at the rate of four per cent. of income tax including surcharge wherever applicable, in the cases of persons not resident in India including company other than a domestic company.

III. Rates for deduction of income-tax at source from “Salaries”, computation of “advance tax” and charging of income-tax in special cases during the FY 2025-26 (Assessment Year 2026-27).

The rates for deduction of income-tax at source from “Salaries” or under section 194P of the Act during the FY 2025-26 and also for computation of “advance tax” payable during the said year in the case of all categories of assessees have been specified in Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. These rates are also applicable for charging income-tax during the FY 2025-26 on current incomes in cases where accelerated assessments have to be made, for instance, provisional assessment of shipping profits arising in India to non-residents, assessment of persons leaving India for good during the financial year, assessment of persons who are likely to transfer property to avoid tax, assessment of bodies formed for a short duration, etc. The salient features of the rates specified in the said Part III are indicated in the following paragraphs-

A. Individual, HUF, association of persons, body of individuals, artificial juridical person.

With effect from assessment year 2026-27, it is proposed that the following rates provided under the proposed clause (iii) of sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC of the Act shall be the rates applicable for determining the income-tax payable in respect of the total income of a person, being an individual or Hindu undivided family or association of persons [other than a co-operative society], or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or an artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2:—

2. However, if such person exercises the option under sub-section (6) of section 115BAC of the Act, the rates as provided in Part III of the First Schedule shall be applicable.

3. Paragraph A of Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill provides following rates of income-tax:—

(i)     The rates of income-tax in the case of every individual (other than those mentioned in (ii) and (iii) below) or HUF or every association of persons or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or every artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2 of the Act (not being a case to which any other Paragraph of Part III applies) are as under:—

(ii) In the case of every individual, being a resident in India, who is of the age of sixty years or more but less than eighty years at any time during the previous year,—

(iii) in the case of every individual, being a resident in India, who is of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the previous year,—

4. The amount of income-tax computed in accordance with the preceding provisions of this Paragraph (including capital gains under section 111A, 112 and 112A), shall be increased by a surcharge at the rate of,—

(a) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding fifty lakh rupees but not exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of 10% of such income-tax;

(b) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding one crore rupees, at the rate of 15% of such income-tax;

(c) having a total income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees but not exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of 25% of such income-tax;

(d) having a total income (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding five crore rupees, at the rate of 37% of such income-tax;

(e) having a total income (including the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of section 111A, 112 and section 112A of the Act) exceeding two crore rupees, but is not covered under clauses (c) and (d), shall be applicable at the rate of 15% of such income-tax.

4.1       Provided that in case where the total income includes any income by way of dividend or income chargeable under section 111A, section 112 and section 112A of the Act, the rate of surcharge on the amount of income-tax computed in respect of that part of income shall not exceed 15%.

4.2       Provided further that in case of an association of persons consisting of only companies as its members, the rate of surcharge on the amount of income-tax shall not exceed 15%.

4.3      Further, for person whose income is chargeable to tax under sub-section (1A) of section115BAC of the Act, the surcharge at the rate 37% on the income or aggregate of income of such person (excluding the income by way of dividend or income under the provisions of sections 111A, 112 and 112A of the Act) exceeding five crore rupees shall not be applicable. In such cases, the surcharge shall be restricted to 25%.

5. Marginal relief is provided in cases of surcharge.

B. Co-operative Societies

In the case of co-operative societies, the rates of income-tax have been specified in Paragraph B of Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. These rates will continue to be the same as those specified for FY 2024-25. The amount of income-tax shall be increased by a surcharge at the rate of 7% of such income-tax in case the total income of a co-operative society exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crore rupees. Surcharge at the rate of 12% of such income-tax shall continue to be levied in case of a co-operative society having a total income exceeding ten crore rupees.

2. Marginal relief is provided in cases of surcharge.

3. On satisfaction of certain conditions, a co-operative society resident in India shall have the option to pay tax at 22% as per the provisions of section 115BAD. Surcharge would be at 10% on such tax.

C. Firms

In the case of firms, the rate of income-tax has been specified in Paragraph C of Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. This rate will continue to be the same as that specified for FY 2024-25. The amount of income-tax shall be increased by a surcharge at the rate of 12% of such income-tax in case of a firm having a total income exceeding one crore rupees. However, the total amount payable as income-tax and surcharge on total income exceeding one crore rupees shall not exceed the total amount payable as income-tax on a total income of one crore rupees by more than the amount of income that exceeds one crore rupees.

D. Local authorities

The rate of income-tax in the case of every local authority has been specified in Paragraph D of Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. This rate will continue to be the same as that specified for the FY 2024-25. The amount of income-tax shall be increased by a surcharge at the rate of 12% of such income-tax in case of a local authority having a total income exceeding one crore rupees. However, the total amount payable as income-tax and surcharge on total income exceeding one crore rupees shall not exceed the total amount payable as income-tax on a total income of one crore rupees by more than the amount of income that exceeds one crore rupees.

E. Companies

The rates of income-tax in the case of companies have been specified in Paragraph E of Part III of the First Schedule to the Bill. In case of domestic company, the rate of income-tax shall be 25% of the total income, if the total turnover or gross receipts of the previous year 2023-24 does not exceed four hundred crore rupees and where the companies continue in section 115BA regime. In all other cases the rate of income-tax shall be 30% of the total income. However, domestic companies also have an option to opt for taxation under section 115BAA of the Act on fulfillment of conditions contained therein. The rate of income-tax rate is 22% in section 115BAA. Surcharge would be at 10% on such tax.

2. In the case of a company other than a domestic company, the rates of income-tax shall be 35% of the total income, on income other than income chargeable at special rates.

3. Surcharge at the rate of 7% shall continue to be levied in case of a domestic company (except those opting for taxation under section 115BAA and section 115BAB of the Act), if the total income of the domestic company exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crore rupees. Surcharge at the rate of 12% shall continue to be levied, if the total income of the domestic company (except those opting for taxation under section 115BAA and section 115BAB of the Act) exceeds ten crore rupees.

4. In case of companies other than domestic companies, the existing surcharge of 2% shall continue to be levied, if the total income exceeds one crore rupees but does not exceed ten crore rupees. Surcharge at the rate of 5% shall continue to be levied, if the total income of the company other than domestic company exceeds ten crore rupees.

5. Marginal relief is provided in surcharge in all cases.

6. In other cases [including sub-section (2A) of section 92CE, 115QA, 115R, 115TA or 115TD], the surcharge shall be levied at the rate of 12%

7. For FY 2025-26, additional surcharge called the “Health and Education Cess on income-tax” shall be levied at the rate of 4% on the amount of tax computed, inclusive of surcharge (wherever applicable), in all cases. No marginal relief shall be available in respect of such cess.

IV. Rebate under section 87A

Under the provisions of section 87A of the Act, an assessee, being an individual resident in India, having total income not exceeding Rs 5 lakh, is provided a rebate of 100 per cent of the amount of income-tax payable i.e., an individual having income till Rs 5 lakh is not required to pay any income-tax.

2. Finance Act, 2023 inserted proviso to the said section, to provide rebate of income-tax in cases where the total income of such assessee is chargeable to tax under sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC. Proviso to section 87A provides the rebate of income-tax in cases of such individuals, upto Rs.25,000/-where the total income does not exceed Rs. 7,00,000/- (clause (a) of the said proviso) and marginal relief where the total income exceeds Rs. 7,00,000/- (clause (b) of the said proviso) to income chargeable to tax under sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC.

3. The provisions of sub-section (1A) of section 11 5BAC are subject to the other provisions of Chapter XII i.e. determination of tax in certain special cases. Hence, proviso to section 87A clearly provides that tax on incomes chargeable at special rates (for e.g.: capital gains u/s 111A, 112 etc.) as specified under various provisions of Chapter XII, are not included while determining the rebate of income-tax under the first proviso to section 87A.

4. From assessment year 2026-27 onwards, for an assessee, being an individual resident in India whose income is chargeable to tax under the sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC, it is proposed to,–

(i) enhance the limit of total income for rebate in clause (a) and (b) of first proviso under section 87A, on which the income-tax is payable as per the rates of income-tax under sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC, from Rs. 7,00,000/- to Rs. 12,00,000/- and the limit of rebate in clause (a) of first proviso to section 87A from Rs. 25,000/- to Rs. 60,000/-.

(ii) rationalise the first proviso to section 87A by inserting a new proviso so as to provide that the deduction under the first proviso, shall not exceed the amount of income-tax payable as per the rates provided in sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC.

5. Further, as mentioned in para. 4 above, such rebate of income-tax is not available on tax on incomes chargeable at special rates (for e.g.: capital gains u/s 111A, 112 etc.).

[Clauses 2, 20, 24 & the First Schedule]

Extract of Relevant Clauses of Finance Bill, 2025

Clause 2 read with the First Schedule to the Bill, seeks to specify the rates at which income-tax is to be levied on income chargeable to tax for the assessment year 2025-2026. Further, it lays down the rates at which tax is to be deducted at source during the financial year under the Income-tax Act; and the rates at which “advance tax” is to be paid, tax is to be deducted at source from, or paid on, income chargeable under the head “Salaries” or deducted under section 194P of the Income-tax Act and tax is to be calculated and charged in special cases for the financial year 2025-2026.

Clause 20 of the Bill seeks to amend section 87A of the Income-tax Act relating to rebate of income-tax in case of certain individuals.

The said section provides that an assessee, being an individual resident in India, whose total income does not exceed five hundred thousand rupees, shall be entitled to a deduction, from the amount of income-tax (as computed before allowing the deductions under this Chapter) on his total income with which he is chargeable for any assessment year, of an amount equal to hundred per cent of such income-tax or an amount of twelve thousand and five hundred rupees, whichever is less.

Proviso to the said section provides that where the total income of the assessee is chargeable to tax under sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC, and the total income—

(a) does not exceed seven hundred thousand rupees, the assessee shall be entitled to a deduction from the amount of income-tax (as computed before allowing for the deductions under this Chapter) on his total income with which he is chargeable for any assessment year, of an amount equal to one hundred per cent. of such income-tax or an amount of twenty-five thousand rupees, whichever is less;

(b) exceeds seven hundred thousand rupees and the income-tax payable on such total income exceeds the amount by which the total income is in excess of seven hundred thousand rupees, the assessee shall be entitled to a deduction from the amount of income-tax (as computed before allowing the deductions under this Chapter) on his total income, of an amount equal to the amount by which the income-tax payable on such total income is in excess of the amount by which the total income exceeds seven hundred thousand rupees.

It is proposed to amend the proviso to the said section to substitute the seven hundred thousand rupees with twelve hundred thousand rupees and twenty-five thousand rupees with sixty thousand rupees respectively.

It is further proposed to insert a second proviso to the said section to provide that the deduction under the first proviso, shall not exceed the amount of income-tax payable as per the rates provided in sub-section (1A) of section 115BAC.

These amendments will take effect from 1st April, 2026 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2026-2027 and subsequent assessment years.

Clause 24 of the Bill seeks to amend section 115BAC of the Income-tax Act relating to tax on income of individuals, Hindu undivided family and others.

It is proposed to amend sub-section (1A) of the said section to provide that notwithstanding anything contained in this Act but subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the income-tax payable in respect of the total income of a person, being an individual or Hindu undivided family or association of persons (other than a co-operative society), or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not, or an artificial juridical person referred to in sub-clause (vii) of clause (31) of section 2, other than a person who has exercised an option under sub-section (6), for any previous year relevant to the assessment year beginning on or after the 1st April, 2026, shall be computed at the rate of tax given in the following Table, namely:—

Table

These amendments will take effect from the 1st April, 2026 and will, accordingly, apply in relation to the assessment year 2026-2027 and subsequent assessment years.