Tax guides (India)
Foundational tax explainers for salaried employees — focused on clarity, not filing software.
Tax Year 2026–27 (FY 2026–27) tax slabs in engine
Reviewed July 2026
- Old vs new tax regime in India: basics for salaried employees
A readable overview of how regime choice interacts with deductions — and why “lower tax on paper” is not automatic.
- How to read Form 16 line by line (Part A and Part B explained)
What each line of Form 16 actually means, how to reconcile it with Form 26AS/AIS, and the common employer errors that cost salaried employees a tax notice or a lost refund.
- Section 156 rebate marginal relief explained (earlier Section 87A; the ₹12 lakh cliff, worked out)
Why earning ₹1 more than ₹12 lakh doesn't cost you ₹60,000 extra tax — how Section 156 (earlier 87A) marginal relief caps the damage, with the exact worked math.
- HRA exemption rules explained (the actual formula, not just the theory)
The least-of-three HRA formula, metro vs non-metro city classification, paying rent to parents correctly, and why this exemption only exists under the old regime.