Best Tax-Saving Strategy for ₹15 Lakh Salary

At ₹15 lakh CTC, the new regime gives zero advantage from deductions. Here is the optimal tax plan that maximizes your take-home.

1.Tax in both regimes at ₹15 lakh

**New regime** (₹15L CTC, basic ₹7.5L, standard deduction ₹75K): Taxable = ₹14.25L. Tax = ₹20K + ₹30K + ₹30K + ₹33,750 = ₹1,13,750 + 4% cess = **₹1,18,300**. **Old regime** with max deductions (80C ₹1.5L, 80D ₹25K, NPS ₹50K, HRA ₹2.4L, std deduction ₹50K): Taxable = ₹9.8L. Tax (old slabs) = ₹12,500 + ₹1,00,000 + ₹5,625 = ₹1,18,125 + cess = ₹1,22,850. **New regime wins by ₹4,550** even against maximum old-regime deductions.

2.The optimal strategy at ₹15 lakh

Choose the **new regime** (zero tax up to ₹12.75L with standard deduction, minimal tax above). Invest the money you would have locked in 80C instruments **wherever you want**: equity SIPs, PPF (still the best fixed-income product), international funds, or even a house down payment fund. The freedom to invest without tax-lock-in constraints is worth the negligible tax difference.

3.Still invest — just not for tax saving

Suggested allocation from ₹15L salary (take-home ~₹1.05L/month): **₹12,500/month PPF** (₹1.5L/year, 7.1% tax-free — great on its own merits). **₹10,000/month equity SIP** (₹1.2L/year, wealth building). **₹5,000/month NPS** (₹60K/year, retirement + employer 80CCD(2) works in new regime). **₹5,000/month liquid fund** (emergency buffer). Total: ₹32,500/month invested = 31% savings rate. Excellent for long-term wealth.

4.Key takeaway

At ₹15 lakh CTC, don't stress about tax saving — the new regime is nearly optimal, and your tax bill is only ₹1.18 lakh (7.9% effective rate). Focus on investing consistently for wealth building rather than chasing tax deductions. Use our income tax calculator and salary calculator to verify the numbers for your specific CTC structure.