Best Free Tax Calculators for India (2026)
Income tax, GST, HRA and gratuity — with the current slabs and the exemptions people forget to claim.
The tax calculators worth having are an income tax calculator that compares old vs new regime side by side, an HRA exemption calculator (the single largest deduction most salaried renters miss), and a GST calculator for inclusive/exclusive splits. The regime choice is the big one: the new regime has lower rates but removes almost every deduction, so it wins for people who don't claim much and loses for people with home loan interest, HRA and 80C all in play.
Last updated 17 July 2026 IST · Maintained by SnoopTool, a free online tools website with 165+ browser-based utilities.| Rule | Calculation | Example (Rs 60k basic, Rs 25k rent, Mumbai) |
|---|---|---|
| Actual HRA received | Whatever your payslip shows | Rs 24,000 |
| Rent paid minus 10% of basic | 25,000 − 6,000 | Rs 19,000 |
| 50% of basic (metro) / 40% (non-metro) | 50% of 60,000 | Rs 30,000 |
| Exemption allowed | The lowest of the three | Rs 19,000/month |
Old vs new regime: the break-even rule of thumb
The new regime offers lower slab rates but strips out HRA, LTA, 80C, 80D and most other deductions (the standard deduction survives). The old regime keeps them all at higher rates.
The practical test: add up every deduction you actually claim. If your total deductions exceed roughly Rs 3.75–4 lakh, the old regime usually wins. Below that, the new regime usually wins. Someone with a home loan (up to Rs 2 lakh interest under Section 24), full 80C (Rs 1.5 lakh) and HRA is almost always better off in the old regime. Someone renting nothing and investing nothing is better off in the new one. Don't guess — run both in the income tax calculator, since the answer flips based on your actual numbers.
The HRA rule that costs people the most
HRA exemption is the lowest of three values, not the highest — see the table above. Two details people get wrong:
- Metro means only four cities for HRA purposes: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai get 50% of basic. Everywhere else — including Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune — is 40%.
- Rent above Rs 1 lakh a year requires your landlord's PAN. Without it the exemption can be denied at assessment. Keep rent receipts too.
HRA is only available in the old regime. If you're comparing regimes, this is usually the deduction that decides it.
Tools used in this guide
Frequently asked questions
Which tax regime is better, old or new?
It depends on your deductions. Total up everything you actually claim — 80C, HRA, home loan interest, 80D, NPS. If the total exceeds roughly Rs 3.75–4 lakh, the old regime usually costs you less tax; below that, the new regime usually wins because of its lower rates. A salaried person with a home loan, full 80C and HRA is nearly always better off in the old regime. Run both in an income tax calculator rather than guessing.
How is HRA exemption calculated?
Your HRA exemption is the lowest of three amounts: (1) actual HRA received, (2) rent paid minus 10% of basic salary, (3) 50% of basic if you live in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata or Chennai, else 40%. Because it's the lowest of the three, raising rent alone doesn't always increase the exemption. HRA is only claimable under the old regime.
Is Bengaluru a metro city for HRA?
No. For HRA purposes only four cities count as metros — Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai — and only those get the 50% of basic limit. Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad and everywhere else are treated as non-metro at 40%, despite what local cost of living suggests.
How do I remove GST from a total amount?
Divide by (1 + rate). For an 18% inclusive total of Rs 1,180: 1180 ÷ 1.18 = Rs 1,000 base, so GST is Rs 180. The common error is taking 18% of Rs 1,180 (Rs 212.40), which is wrong because the rate applies to the base, not the total. A GST calculator handles both directions.
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