Income Tax Slabs for Senior Citizens — Tax Year 2026-27
Updated June 2026 · VerifiedWho Qualifies as a Senior Citizen or Super-Senior Citizen?
| Category | Age Criteria | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Citizen | 60 years or more but below 80 years | Resident individuals only |
| Super-Senior Citizen | 80 years or more | Resident individuals only |
Age is determined as on the last day of the Tax Year (31 March). Non-resident Indians (NRIs) do not qualify for the higher exemption limits regardless of age.
What Are the Old Regime Tax Slabs for Senior Citizens?
Senior Citizens (60–80 years)
| Income Slab | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹3,00,000 | Nil |
| ₹3,00,001 – ₹5,00,000 | 5% |
| ₹5,00,001 – ₹10,00,000 | 20% |
| Above ₹10,00,000 | 30% |
Super-Senior Citizens (80+ years)
| Income Slab | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹5,00,000 | Nil |
| ₹5,00,001 – ₹10,00,000 | 20% |
| Above ₹10,00,000 | 30% |
What Are the New Regime Tax Slabs for Senior Citizens?
Under the new regime (default under the Income-tax Act, 2025), age-based exemptions do not apply. All individuals — regardless of age — are taxed at the same rates:
| Income Slab | Tax Rate (All Ages) |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹4,00,000 | Nil |
| ₹4,00,001 – ₹8,00,000 | 5% |
| ₹8,00,001 – ₹12,00,000 | 10% |
| ₹12,00,001 – ₹16,00,000 | 15% |
| ₹16,00,001 – ₹20,00,000 | 20% |
| ₹20,00,001 – ₹24,00,000 | 25% |
| Above ₹24,00,000 | 30% |
How Does the Rebate Compare Across Regimes?
| Parameter | Old Regime | New Regime |
|---|---|---|
| Rebate (u/s 87A) | Up to ₹12,500 if taxable income ≤ ₹5,00,000 | Full rebate if taxable income ≤ ₹12,00,000 |
| Effective nil-tax income (salaried) | ₹5,00,000 + deductions | ₹12,75,000 (after ₹75,000 standard deduction) |
| Standard Deduction | ₹50,000 | ₹75,000 |
What Special Deductions Are Available for Senior Citizens?
Under the old regime, seniors can claim these additional benefits:
- Section 80TTB: Deduction up to ₹50,000 on interest from deposits (savings, FDs, post office) — available only to seniors (replaces 80TTA).
- Section 80D: Medical insurance premium deduction up to ₹50,000 (vs ₹25,000 for non-seniors).
- Section 80DDB: Deduction up to ₹1,00,000 for treatment of specified diseases (vs ₹40,000 for non-seniors).
- No advance tax: Senior citizens with no business/professional income are exempt from paying advance tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do senior citizens get higher exemption under the new regime?
No. Under the new regime, the tax slabs and exemption limits are the same for all age groups. The basic exemption is ₹4,00,000 regardless of whether you are below 60, a senior citizen, or a super-senior citizen.
Can a senior citizen switch between old and new regime every year?
Yes, if the senior citizen has no business or professional income. Salaried and pension-income seniors can switch between regimes each Tax Year at the time of filing their ITR.
Is advance tax applicable to senior citizens?
Senior citizens who do not have income from business or profession are exempt from paying advance tax. However, if they have business income, advance tax provisions apply normally.
What is the Section 80TTB deduction for senior citizens?
Section 80TTB allows resident senior citizens a deduction of up to ₹50,000 on interest earned from bank deposits, post office deposits, and cooperative society deposits. This is available only under the old regime.
Are NRI senior citizens eligible for higher exemption limits?
No. The higher basic exemption limits for senior and super-senior citizens apply only to resident individuals. Non-resident Indians, regardless of age, are taxed at the normal slab rates applicable to individuals below 60 years under the old regime.