Payment of Bonus Act 1965 · Statutory Bonus

Statutory Bonus Calculator

Work out the annual statutory bonus payable to an employee — 8.33% to 20% on salary capped at ₹7,000 or the minimum wage, with an instant eligibility check.

💼 Salary details
Monthly salary / wages Basic + DA per month
Minimum wage For the scheduled employment (optional)
Bonus is calculated on salary capped at ₹7,000 or the applicable minimum wage — whichever is higher. Leave minimum wage blank to use the ₹7,000 statutory floor. Eligibility applies to employees drawing up to ₹21,000/month.
🎁 Bonus rate
Bonus percentage
%
The minimum bonus is 8.33% (payable even at a loss). The maximum is 20%, paid when the employer has enough allocable surplus. Anything in between is set by the surplus available.

How the bonus is worked out

Payment of Bonus Act 1965
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Disclaimer: Indicative estimate under the Payment of Bonus Act 1965. Actual bonus depends on the employer's allocable surplus, set-on/set-off and applicable minimum wage notification.

Statutory bonus under the Payment of Bonus Act 1965

Every employee drawing a salary or wage up to ₹21,000 per month in an establishment of 20 or more workers is entitled to an annual bonus. The bonus is not calculated on the full salary — it is worked out on salary capped at ₹7,000 per month or the minimum wage for that scheduled employment, whichever is higher. The rate ranges from a statutory minimum of 8.33% to a maximum of 20%.

₹21,000
Monthly salary eligibility ceiling — above this, no statutory bonus
₹7,000
Salary cap for the calculation (or minimum wage, if higher)
8.33%
Minimum bonus — payable even if the employer makes a loss
20%
Maximum bonus — paid from the allocable surplus

Worked examples

The salary used for the calculation is capped at ₹7,000 (or the minimum wage if higher), then multiplied by 12 months and the bonus percentage. Here is how the same ₹18,000/month employee is treated at different rates:

₹18,000 salary/mo
Capped salary₹7,000
Bonus rate8.33%
Annual bonus₹6,997
₹18,000 salary/mo
Capped salary₹7,000
Bonus rate20%
Annual bonus₹16,800
₹25,000 salary/mo
Eligibility> ₹21,000
Bonus rate
Annual bonusNot eligible
Example: salary ₹18,000/mo, bonus 8.33%, cap ₹7,000 → 7,000 × 12 × 8.33% = ₹6,997. At 20% → 7,000 × 12 × 20% = ₹16,800.

Key terms explained

Eligibility ceiling (₹21,000)

An employee must earn ₹21,000 or less per month to claim statutory bonus, and must have worked at least 30 days in the year. Anyone above the ceiling is outside the Act — bonus, if any, is contractual.

The ₹7,000 cap

Even if the actual salary is higher, bonus is computed on a salary capped at ₹7,000 per month or the notified minimum wage for that scheduled employment — whichever is higher.

8.33% vs 20%

The minimum bonus is 8.33% and is payable even in a loss year. The maximum is 20%, paid when the employer's allocable surplus allows it; the actual rate falls in between.

Allocable surplus

The share of the employer's gross profit (60% or 67%) available for bonus after prior charges. It determines whether the bonus rate rises above the 8.33% floor toward the 20% ceiling.

Frequently Asked Questions
How is statutory bonus calculated?

Bonus is a percentage — between 8.33% and 20% — of the employee's salary or wage for the days worked in the accounting year. Where monthly wages exceed ₹7,000, the calculation is capped at ₹7,000 or the applicable minimum wage, whichever is higher.

Which salary components count as wages for bonus?

Basic wage and dearness allowance. House rent allowance, overtime, conveyance, bonus, commission and employer contributions to PF or gratuity are excluded.

What is the eligibility limit for bonus?

Employees drawing up to ₹21,000 a month who have worked at least 30 working days in the year. Someone earning above that ceiling has no statutory entitlement, though an employer may pay ex gratia.

Is statutory bonus taxable?

Yes. Bonus is fully taxable as salary in the year it is received, and TDS under section 192 applies in the month it is paid.

Can bonus be adjusted against a festival advance or ex gratia already paid?

Yes. Under section 17, a customary or festival bonus and any interim payment made for the same accounting year can be deducted from the statutory bonus payable.

Disclaimer: This tool gives indicative results for general guidance only and is not professional advice. Please verify with a qualified CA before acting on the numbers.