23/08/2026
*📌 7 Still Available Under the New Tax Regime*
📖 Section 115BAC — Applicable from AY 2026–27 / FY 2025–26 onwards
While the new tax regime offers lower slab rates and a simplified tax structure, several important deductions and exemptions continue to remain available. Taxpayers should carefully evaluate these benefits while computing their tax liability. 📊
*1. 💰 Standard Deduction — ₹75,000*
📖 Section 16(ia)
Available to salaried employees and pensioners. Combined with the enhanced rebate under Section 87A, a resident individual with total income up to ₹12 lakh may be eligible for a rebate of up to ₹60,000, subject to applicable conditions.
Accordingly, salary income of up to approximately ₹12.75 lakh can effectively become tax-free, subject to applicable conditions. ✅
*2. 🏦 Employer’s Contribution to NPS — Up to 14% of Salary*
📖 Section 80CCD(2)
Deduction is available for an employer’s contribution to the employee’s NPS account. Under the new tax regime, the limit is 14% of salary (Basic + DA) for eligible employers, including Central/State Governments, PSUs and private-sector employers.
*3. 🧾 Allowances for Official Duties*
📖 Section 10(14)(i)
Certain allowances granted for expenses wholly, necessarily and exclusively incurred in the performance of official duties, such as travel, conveyance, daily allowance and uniform allowance, continue to remain exempt to the extent actually spent, subject to prescribed conditions.
*4. ♿ Transport Allowance for Specified Differently-Abled Employees — ₹3,200 per Month*
📖 Section 10(14)(ii)
Available to eligible employees, including blind, deaf and mute, or orthopaedically handicapped employees, for commuting between their residence and place of work, subject to applicable conditions.
*5. 👨👩👧 Family Pension Deduction — Up to ₹25,000*
📖 Section 57(iia)
A deduction equal to the lower of one-third of the family pension received or ₹25,000 is available under the new tax regime.
*6. 🏠 Interest on Home Loan — Let-Out Property*
📖 Section 24(b)
Interest on borrowed capital for a let-out house property is deductible while computing income under the head “House Property”.
⚠️ Important: Under the new tax regime, any loss arising under the head “House Property” cannot be set off against income under any other head. Such loss can, however, be carried forward and set off only against future house-property income, subject to the applicable provisions and the eight-assessment-year limit.
*7. 🏖️ Retirement Benefits and Other Deductions/Exemptions*
Certain retirement-related receipts continue to enjoy exemption under:
* 📌 Section 10(10) — Gratuity
* 📌 Section 10(10AA) — Leave Encashment
* 📌 Section 10(10C) — Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS)
These remain subject to applicable monetary limits and conditions.
Other benefits available under the new regime include:
* 📌 Section 80CCH — Contribution to Agniveer Corpus Fund
* 📌 Section 80JJAA — Deduction for employment of new employees, subject to eligibility conditions
*⚠️ Important Clarification*
Any reference stating that house-property loss is “capped at ₹2 lakh” under the new tax regime is incorrect.
The ₹2 lakh inter-head set-off restriction applies under the old tax regime. Under the new tax regime, inter-head set-off of house-property loss is completely disallowed.
*📊 Final Takeaway*
Taxpayers should evaluate both tax regimes carefully based on their specific income profile, deductions and exemptions before finalising their tax regime.
*— GST & Tax Alerts*
PRAJAPATI_s & P Paarvati Prajapati