Section 87A Tax Rebate 2025-26 — ₹12 Lakh Income Tax-Free Explained
Updated: 3 June 2026 | Income-tax Act, 2025 | Budget 2025 Enhanced
Section 87A provides a tax rebate up to ₹25,000 for FY 2025-26 (new regime) if net taxable income is ₹12 lakh or less — making income up to ₹12 lakh effectively zero tax. Under old regime: ₹12,500 rebate if income ≤ ₹5 lakh. Budget 2025 doubled the new regime rebate and raised the ceiling from ₹7L to ₹12L. No investment or declaration needed — rebate is auto-applied when you file ITR.
₹12 Lakh
Income effectively tax-free under new regime (FY 2025-26) after Section 87A rebate.
Tax on ₹12L income = ₹60,000 → Section 87A rebate ₹25,000 + marginal relief = net tax ₹0. Confirmed in Budget 2025.
Tax on ₹12L income = ₹60,000 → Section 87A rebate ₹25,000 + marginal relief = net tax ₹0. Confirmed in Budget 2025.
Section 87A — New Regime vs Old Regime
| Parameter | New Regime (FY 2025-26) | Old Regime |
|---|---|---|
| Income ceiling for rebate | ₹12,00,000 | ₹5,00,000 |
| Maximum rebate amount | ₹25,000 | ₹12,500 |
| Effective zero-tax income | Up to ₹12 lakh | Up to ₹5 lakh |
| Change from Budget 2025 | Enhanced (was ₹7L / ₹25K) | No change |
| Available on special rate incomes? | No (STCG 111A, LTCG 112A excluded) | No |
How Section 87A Works — Tax Computation Example
| Income | Tax Before Rebate | 87A Rebate | Net Tax + 4% Cess |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹8,00,000 | ₹20,000 | ₹20,000 | ₹0 |
| ₹10,00,000 | ₹40,000 | ₹25,000 | ₹0* |
| ₹12,00,000 | ₹60,000 | ₹25,000 | ₹0* |
| ₹12,50,000 | ₹67,500 | Nil (income > ₹12L) | ₹70,200 |
| ₹15,00,000 | ₹1,05,000 | Nil (income > ₹12L) | ₹1,09,200 |
*Marginal relief ensures tax doesn't exceed (income − ₹12L) when income is slightly above ₹12L. Above example uses new regime slabs with ₹75K standard deduction already deducted from salary income. Tax calculated before cess.
New Regime Tax Slabs with 87A Rebate (FY 2025-26)
| Net Taxable Income | Tax Rate | Tax Amount | After 87A Rebate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to ₹4,00,000 | Nil | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| ₹4L – ₹8L | 5% | ₹20,000 | ₹0 (87A covers) |
| ₹8L – ₹12L | 10% | ₹40,000 + ₹20,000 = ₹60,000 | ₹0 (87A covers) |
| ₹12L – ₹16L | 15% | ₹60,000 + ₹60,000 = ₹1,20,000+ | No rebate — full tax payable |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Section 87A rebate limit for FY 2025-26?
Section 87A rebate for FY 2025-26: Up to ₹25,000 tax rebate if your net taxable income is ₹12 lakh or less (new regime) — effectively making income up to ₹12 lakh tax-free. Under old regime: ₹12,500 rebate if income ≤ ₹5 lakh. Budget 2025 enhanced the new regime rebate from ₹12,500 to ₹25,000 and raised the income ceiling from ₹7L to ₹12L.
Does Section 87A apply on special rate income like capital gains?
No. Section 87A rebate cannot be applied against tax on special rate incomes — specifically STCG under Section 111A (equity shares/equity MF: 20%) and LTCG under Section 112A (equity: 12.5% above ₹1.25 lakh). Even if total income is below ₹12 lakh, if it includes these special rate incomes, the tax on those specific portions is not reduced by 87A rebate.
How do I claim Section 87A rebate?
Section 87A rebate is automatically applied in your ITR. When you file ITR and your net taxable income is ≤ ₹12 lakh (new regime) or ≤ ₹5 lakh (old regime), the tax portal automatically applies the rebate and reduces your tax to zero. No separate declaration or investment is needed. If excess TDS was deducted by employer, file ITR to claim refund.
What is Section 87A for new regime vs old regime?
New regime (FY 2025-26): 87A rebate up to ₹25,000 if income ≤ ₹12 lakh — income effectively tax-free up to ₹12L. Old regime: 87A rebate up to ₹12,500 if income ≤ ₹5 lakh. The new regime limit was enhanced in Budget 2025. For those earning between ₹5L–₹12L with low deductions, new regime is now significantly more beneficial.
If my income is ₹12.5 lakh, can I get 87A rebate?
No. If net taxable income exceeds ₹12 lakh in new regime (or ₹5 lakh in old regime), the 87A rebate is not available — not even partially. At ₹12.5L income (new regime): tax = ₹82,500 (on ₹12.5L - no rebate). At exactly ₹12L: tax = ₹60,000 → rebate of ₹25,000 → net tax = ₹35,000 → wait, actually at ₹12L the tax with 87A becomes zero. Marginal relief concept applies at the boundary.
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