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How to Calculate Salary, Take-Home, HRA Exemption, Tax (2026 Guide)

How to calculate salary, take-home, HRA exemption, income tax. Components, formulas, examples, tools. From ₹999. Free salary calculator.

Srishty Singh 25 Apr 2026 6 min read

Understanding how salary is calculated is important for both employees and employers. In this guide, we cover how to compute take-home, HRA exemption, and income tax.

Components of Salary

Salary = Basic + HRA + Special Allowance + Other Allowances. Each component has different tax treatment.

Take-Home Calculation

Take-Home = Gross Salary - Employee PF - Professional Tax - Income Tax. Income tax depends on the regime + total income + deductions.

HRA Exemption (Old Regime)

HRA is exempt to the minimum of:

  • HRA received from employer
  • Rent paid - 10% of basic salary
  • 50% of basic (metro) / 40% of basic (non-metro)

Example

Sample: Basic ₹50,000/month, HRA ₹25,000/month, Rent paid ₹20,000/month, Metro (Delhi/Mumbai).

  • HRA received: ₹25,000
  • Rent paid - 10% basic: ₹20,000 - ₹5,000 = ₹15,000
  • 50% of basic: ₹25,000
  • Minimum of 3: ₹15,000 (exempt HRA)
  • Taxable HRA: ₹25,000 - ₹15,000 = ₹10,000

Income Tax (New Regime, FY 2024-25)

IncomeRate
Up to ₹3LNil
₹3L-₹7L5%
₹7L-₹10L10%
₹10L-₹12L15%
₹12L-₹15L20%
>₹15L30%

Income Tax (Old Regime, FY 2024-25)

IncomeRate
Up to ₹2.5LNil
₹2.5L-₹5L5%
₹5L-₹10L20%
>₹10L30%

Standard Deduction

New regime: ₹75,000. Old regime: ₹50,000. From gross salary, before computing tax.

Example: Take-Home for ₹10 LPA

ItemValue
CTC₹10,00,000
Employer PF₹48,000
Gratuity (provisioned)₹19,231
Gross Salary₹9,32,769
Standard Deduction₹50,000 / ₹75,000
Net Salary (before tax)₹8,57,769 - ₹8,82,769
Old regime tax (approx.)₹60,000
New regime tax (approx.)₹40,000
Employee PF₹48,000
Professional Tax₹2,500
Net Take-Home (approx., old)₹7,30,000-₹7,90,000

Tools

  • Income Tax Calculator: https://corporatewalla.com/resources/tools/income-tax-calculator
  • Salary Calculator: https://corporatewalla.com/resources/tools/salary-calculator
  • HRA Calculator: https://corporatewalla.com/resources/tools/hra-calculator
  • Gratuity Calculator: https://corporatewalla.com/resources/tools/gratuity-calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the take-home for ₹10 LPA?

A: Approx. ₹60,000-₹70,000/month after PF, PT, and tax. Depends on regime + deductions.

Q: How is HRA calculated?

A: HRA exempt = minimum of (HRA received, rent paid - 10% of basic, 50% of basic for metro / 40% for non-metro).

Q: Should I choose old or new regime?

A: Depends on your deductions. Use our Income Tax Calculator to compare. Typically: new regime for lower deductions, old regime for higher deductions.

Use our free salary calculator — instant take-home computation

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