Old vs New regime — FY 2025-26
New regime (default): ₹4 lakh nil, then 5/10/15/20/25/30% slabs plus standard deduction ₹75,000. No need to claim exemptions.
Old regime: ₹3 lakh nil (60 yrs) then slabs, plus standard deduction ₹75,000 and all your 80C/80D/HRA/exemptions stacked on top.
Rule of thumb: if total deductions exceed ~15% of income, old regime often wins. For most salaried folks with home loans + 80C → ₹2-3L deductions means old regime saves more. For those with no investments/HRA — new regime.