Salary Structure Optimizer
Enter your CTC, city and rent to get a tax-efficient salary split — and see how much tax you save vs an all-taxable pay structure.
- Free — no sign-up
- Instant, on-screen results
- Built by our CA · CS team
- Rules cited on the page
Fill in the details — the answer on the right updates as you go.
Suggested tax-efficient salary structure
| Component | Suggested / year | Why it is tax-efficient |
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Get a tax-optimised CTC structure designed by a CA
We restructure your salary components legally so you keep more of every rupee.
Disclaimer: Indicative planning tool for salaried residents under the old regime. Actual exemptions depend on your employer's salary heads, rent proof, and Finance Act 2025 limits. Confirm the structure with your payroll team or a CA.
Why salary structure matters
Two employees on the same CTC can take home very different amounts. The difference is the salary structure — how much of the package sits in fully taxable heads (Basic, Special Allowance) versus exempt or reimbursed heads (HRA, LTA, meal cards, NPS employer contribution, telephone and gadget reimbursements). Under the old regime, a well-designed structure can move ₹2–4 lakh out of the taxable base.
How the optimizer works
The tool builds a legal, old-regime salary split from your CTC, city and rent, then estimates the tax saved by comparing the tax-free portion against an all-taxable structure at your marginal slab.
Set Basic pay
Basic is fixed at ~45% of CTC — high enough to maximise HRA, PF and gratuity, but not so high that it inflates fully-taxable salary.
Maximise HRA
HRA is set to 50% of Basic (metro) or 40% (non-metro), then the exempt part is the least of actual HRA, rent minus 10% of Basic, or the 50/40% cap.
Layer allowances
LTA, meal cards, telephone/internet, books & periodicals, gadget reimbursement and employer NPS 80CCD(2) are added as exempt heads, capped at realistic limits.
Key terms explained
Old regime only
These exemptions work under the old tax regime. The new regime offers lower slab rates but disallows HRA, LTA, meal cards and most reimbursements — so structure optimisation mainly benefits those who stay on the old regime.
HRA — Section 10(13A)
House Rent Allowance is exempt to the extent of the least of: actual HRA received, rent paid minus 10% of Basic, or 50% of Basic (metro) / 40% (non-metro). You need rent receipts, and the landlord's PAN if annual rent exceeds ₹1 lakh.
Employer NPS — 80CCD(2)
An employer contribution to NPS of up to 10% of Basic (14% for government) is deductible for the employee, over and above the ₹1.5L 80C and ₹50k 80CCD(1B) limits — a rare uncapped-by-1.5L benefit.
Meal cards & LTA
Meal cards / food coupons are exempt up to ₹50 per meal (~₹26,400/year). LTA covers domestic travel fare, exempt twice in a block of four years against actual bills. Both need the component to exist in your CTC.
Questions people ask
Short answers on Salary Structure Optimizer. Tap a question to open it.
01How can a salary structure reduce tax?
Under the old regime, by using HRA against actual rent, LTA within the block, employer NPS under section 80CCD(2), and reimbursements that are exempt on production of bills. Under the new regime almost all of these fall away, leaving employer NPS as the main lever.
02Which allowances are still tax efficient under the new regime?
Employer's contribution to NPS under section 80CCD(2), and allowances granted to meet expenses actually incurred in the performance of duties, such as conveyance for official travel. Most personal allowances are fully taxable.
03What is the value of employer NPS?
Section 80CCD(2) allows a deduction for the employer's contribution up to 14% of salary under the new regime and 10% under the old, over and above the ₹1.5 lakh under 80C. It is the single most effective structuring lever available under the new regime.
04Does a higher basic help or hurt?
It increases the HRA exemption ceiling, PF and gratuity, so it helps long-term savings and old-regime tax planning. It lowers immediate take-home, so the right answer depends on the employee's stage and cash needs.
05Are reimbursements still worth having?
Only where they meet a genuine business expense and are supported by bills — telephone and internet used for work, books and periodicals, and official travel. Purely notional reimbursements without bills are taxable and invite scrutiny.
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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.