Key idea
A flat amount knocked off your salary before tax is calculated. No bills, no proofs, no effort. Everyone salaried gets it.
The standard deduction is the simplest tax break there is. A fixed sum is subtracted from your salary before the slabs apply, and you do not have to spend, invest, or prove anything to claim it. It is automatic.
How much, by regime
| Regime | Standard deduction |
|---|---|
| New regime | ₹75,000 |
| Old regime | ₹50,000 |
What it actually saves
Because it lowers your taxable income, its value depends on your slab. If ₹75,000 comes off income that would have been taxed at 20%, that is ₹15,000 less tax, for doing nothing. It is not a large lever, but it is a free one, and it applies to salaried people and pensioners by default.
You do not claim it separately; your employer and the tax system apply it for you. It simply sits there, reducing what you owe.
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