A senior citizen (60-79) gets a higher basic exemption of Rs 3,00,000 and a super-senior citizen (80+) gets Rs 5,00,000 — but only under the old tax regime. The default new regime has the same slabs for all ages (no age concession), relying instead on a bigger rebate and standard deduction. Exclusive senior benefits: Section 80TTB — up to Rs 50,000 off interest income; no advance tax if there is no business income (Section 207); a higher TDS threshold on interest; and Form 15H to stop TDS when income is below the taxable limit.
The extra Rs 3 lakh / Rs 5 lakh exemption, Section 80TTB and Section 80DDB all apply under the old regime. Under the default new regime everyone — regardless of age — uses the same slabs, so a senior chooses the old regime when these deductions and the higher exemption outweigh the new regime's lower rates.
Senior Citizen vs General Taxpayer — Key Differences
How a senior (60-79) and super-senior (80+) are treated differently from a taxpayer below 60. The age concessions apply in the old regime; the new regime is age-neutral.
| Benefit | Below 60 | Senior (60-79) | Super-senior (80+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic exemption (old regime) | Rs 2.5L | Rs 3L | Rs 5L |
| Basic exemption (new regime) | Rs 4L | Rs 4L | Rs 4L |
| Interest deduction (old) | 80TTA Rs 10k (savings only) | 80TTB Rs 50k | 80TTB Rs 50k |
| Advance tax (no business income) | Required | Exempt | Exempt |
| Section 80DDB medical (old) | Rs 40,000 | Rs 1,00,000 | Rs 1,00,000 |
| Form to stop TDS | Form 15G | Form 15H | Form 15H |
New-regime basic exemption is Rs 4 lakh for all ages under the FY 2025-26 slabs; the age concession exists only in the old regime. 80TTB / 80DDB are old-regime deductions.
Old-Regime Slabs for Seniors & Super Seniors
Under the old regime the age-based higher exemption raises the nil-tax band. See our full income-tax slabs page for the new-regime slabs that apply equally to all ages.
| Income slab | Senior (60-79) | Super-senior (80+) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to Rs 2,50,000 | Nil | Nil |
| Rs 2,50,001 - 3,00,000 | Nil | Nil |
| Rs 3,00,001 - 5,00,000 | 5% | Nil |
| Rs 5,00,001 - 10,00,000 | 20% | 20% |
| Above Rs 10,00,000 | 30% | 30% |
Plus 4% health & education cess on tax. Old-regime Section 87A rebate makes tax nil up to Rs 5 lakh total income for both age groups.
Super-senior (80+) at Rs 5L income
Senior (60-79) at Rs 5L income
At Rs 5 lakh income both pay zero tax in the old regime — the super-senior via the Rs 5 lakh exemption, the senior via the Section 87A rebate. Above Rs 5 lakh the rebate no longer applies and normal slab tax kicks in.
Section 80TTB & the Advance-Tax Exemption
Two benefits that matter most to retirees living on deposit interest and pension.
- Section 80TTB (old regime) — deduct up to Rs 50,000 of interest from savings accounts, fixed deposits, recurring deposits and post-office deposits. Seniors use this instead of the Rs 10,000 Section 80TTA available to others.
- No advance tax (Section 207) — a resident senior citizen with no income from business or profession need not pay advance tax and faces no 234B/234C interest; the whole liability can be paid as self-assessment tax at filing.
- Higher TDS threshold — banks deduct TDS on interest u/s 194A only once senior-citizen interest crosses Rs 1,00,000 a year (raised in Budget 2025, w.e.f. 1 April 2025), versus Rs 40,000 for others.
- Form 15H — a senior whose total income is below the taxable limit can file Form 15H so the bank does not deduct TDS at all.
If a senior opts for the new regime for its lower rates, Section 80TTB, Section 80DDB and the age-based higher exemption are all lost. For someone with large FD/pension interest and few other deductions, the old regime often still wins — compare both before filing.
Living on pension and deposit interest? Get the regime and 80TTB checked.
Talk to a Tax Expert →Old vs New Regime for a Senior Citizen
The new regime is the default and is age-neutral. A senior weighs its lower rates and higher rebate against the old regime's age exemption plus 80TTB/80DDB. Use our old vs new regime calculator to compare on your own numbers.
Old regime — age benefits
- Rs 3L / Rs 5L age-based exemption
- Section 80TTB Rs 50,000 on interest
- Section 80DDB Rs 1,00,000 medical
- 80C, 80D and other deductions allowed
- 87A rebate up to Rs 5L total income
New regime (default) — age-neutral
- Same slabs for all ages, no age exemption
- No 80TTB / 80DDB / most deductions
- Rs 4L basic exemption for everyone
- Standard deduction Rs 75,000 (pension/salary)
- 87A rebate up to Rs 12L taxable income
A resident aged 75 or above with only pension and interest income from the same specified bank can submit a declaration (Form 12BBA); the bank then computes and deducts the tax, and the senior is relieved from filing an ITR under Section 194P. Seniors aged 60-74 must still file if income exceeds the exemption limit.
- PAN & Aadhaar (linked)
- Pension statement / Form 16 from bank
- Bank & FD interest certificates
- Form 26AS / AIS interest reconciliation
- 80TTB interest summary (up to Rs 50k)
- 80DDB medical certificate (Form 10-I) if claimed
- 80D health-insurance premium receipts
- Form 15H filed with bank (if applicable)
- Old regime selected if claiming age benefits
- Form 12BBA to bank (only if 75+ under 194P)
Want us to pick the best regime and file the senior-citizen ITR accurately?
Get ITR Filing Help →Senior Citizen Tax — Frequently Asked Questions
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Senior-Citizen ITR — 80TTB, Regime & Filing Sorted
Our CA-led team compares old vs new regime for a retiree, claims Section 80TTB, 80DDB and the higher 80D, applies the correct age exemption and files the ITR accurately — 100% online, across India.