Salary, perks and deductions
HRA, Form 16, investment proofs, NPS, bonuses and allowances: what your payslip means for your tax. 14 posts, every fact checked against official sources.
- Landlord PAN needed above₹1 lakh rent a yearSalary and perksLandlord's PAN for HRA: when you need it, and what if they won't share itIf your rent is over ₹1 lakh a year, HR will ask for your landlord's PAN before allowing HRA. Here's the rule, what to do if the landlord says no, and the receipts that pass.
- Standard deduction₹75,000, automaticSalary and perksChose the new regime? Here's what you still need to submitWhen HR's proof-submission email lands, new-regime employees usually have nothing to upload. But a few things still count, and you should check you picked the right regime before the window closes.
Salary and perks8th Pay Commission: where it stands, and what it could mean for your payThe 8th Pay Commission was set up on 3 November 2025 and has 18 months to report. The fitment factor isn't decided yet, so any figure you see online is a guess.
Salary and perksInvestment proof submission: what to give your employer, and whenBetween December and February, most employers ask for proof of the investments you declared. Here's the checklist for each claim, and what to do if you miss the deadline.
Salary and perksInvestment declaration to your employer: Form 124 (earlier Form 12BB)Your investment declaration tells your employer which deductions to allow, so less tax is cut from each month's salary. From FY 2026-27, Form 12BB is called Form 124.
Salary and perksDisability tax deductions: 80U and 80DD for FY 2026-27A flat ₹75,000, or ₹1,25,000 for severe disability, with no bills: 80U if you have the disability, 80DD if you support a family member who does. Old regime only.
Salary and perksWhich loans save tax? Education loans, personal loans, car loans and card EMIsEducation loan interest is fully deductible for 8 years under 80E (old regime). Personal, car and credit card loans usually save nothing, and card EMIs add 18% GST on the interest.
Salary and perksHome loan tax benefits in FY 2026-27: what you can still claimIn the old regime, a home you live in saves tax on up to ₹2 lakh of interest and ₹1.5 lakh of principal. In the new regime, only a let-out home's interest counts.
Salary and perksNPS tax benefits for salaried people in FY 2026-27In the new regime, only your employer's NPS contribution saves tax, up to 14% of basic + DA. In the old regime you also get an extra ₹50,000. Here's how it all adds up.
Salary and perksGratuity and leave encashment: how much is tax-free when you leave?Resigning or retiring? Gratuity is tax-free up to ₹20 lakh and leave encashment up to ₹25 lakh, under both regimes. Here's how each limit works.
Salary and perksFuel and car reimbursement: how it's taxed from 2026-27Fuel keeps getting dearer, and many employers pay for it through a car or fuel reimbursement. From 1 April 2026, the new Income-tax Rules raised the amounts treated as official use by nearly three times, so less of it is taxed.
Salary and perksDiwali bonus and gifts from your employer: how they're taxedA festive bonus is salary, and taxed like it. Gifts and vouchers are different: from 1 April 2026, they're tax-free if they add up to less than ₹15,000 in the year, three times the old limit.
Salary and perksForm 16 and Form 130 explained: what each part meansForm 16 is the TDS certificate your employer gives you after the year ends. From tax year 2026-27 it's called Form 130. It has almost everything you need to file your return, if you know where to look.
Salary and perksHRA exemption in 2026: the 50% limit now covers 8 citiesIf you live in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune or Ahmedabad and pay rent, more of your HRA can be tax-free from FY 2026-27.
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