Income Tax Planning for Business Owners: Old vs New Regime (2026-27)
By Rajesh Kannan
Key Takeaways
- New regime offers lower slab rates but disallows most deductions — income up to Rs.12 lakh is tax-free
- Old regime allows deductions under 80C, 80D, HRA, and home loan interest — beneficial if you claim heavily
- Default regime is the new tax regime; opt for old regime in your ITR if it saves more tax
- Salary up to Rs.12.75 lakh can result in zero tax under the new regime (with standard deduction of Rs.75,000)
- Surcharge of 10%-37% applies on income above Rs.50 lakh depending on regime chosen
Old vs New Regime — Quick Decision Flow
Here is a simple flow to decide which regime works for you:
→ Step 1: Calculate your total deductions (80C, 80D, HRA, home loan)→ Step 2: If deductions exceed Rs.3-4 lakh → consider old regime→ Step 3: If deductions are minimal (below Rs.1.5 lakh) → new regime is better→ Step 4: Run the numbers for both regimes side by side→ Step 5: Choose the regime that gives lower tax
💡 Tip: Tip: The default regime is the new tax regime. If you prefer the old regime, you must opt for it while filing your ITR. Salaried individuals must inform their employer at the start of the year.
New Tax Regime Slabs for FY 2026-27
Income up to Rs.12 lakh is effectively tax-free (Section 87A rebate of Rs.60,000). Standard deduction of Rs.75,000 for salaried individuals.
• Up to Rs.4,00,000 → Nil• Rs.4,00,001 – Rs.8,00,000 → 5%• Rs.8,00,001 – Rs.12,00,000 → 10%• Rs.12,00,001 – Rs.16,00,000 → 15%• Rs.16,00,001 – Rs.20,00,000 → 20%• Rs.20,00,001 – Rs.24,00,000 → 25%• Above Rs.24,00,000 → 30%
📌 Note: Surcharge: 10% above Rs.50 lakh, up to 25% above Rs.5 crore.
Old Tax Regime Slabs for FY 2026-27
Higher rates but allows deductions up to Rs.1.5 lakh under 80C, plus 80D, HRA, and home loan interest.
• Up to Rs.2,50,000 → Nil• Rs.2,50,001 – Rs.5,00,000 → 5%• Rs.5,00,001 – Rs.10,00,000 → 20%• Above Rs.10,00,000 → 30%
Senior citizens (60-80 yrs): Basic exemption Rs.3 lakh Super senior citizens (80+ yrs): Basic exemption Rs.5 lakh
Standard deduction: Rs.50,000 for salaried. Section 87A rebate: Rs.12,500 (income up to Rs.5 lakh tax-free).
Real Example: Mr. Kumar's Tax Comparison
Mr. Kumar, a retail business owner in Puducherry, has a taxable income of Rs.18 lakh.
📌 Under new regime (minimal deductions): • Tax liability: ~Rs.1.30 lakh + cess
📌 Under old regime (with full deductions): • 80C: Rs.1.5 lakh | 80D: Rs.25,000 | Home loan: Rs.2 lakh • Taxable income reduces to Rs.14.25 lakh • Tax liability: ~Rs.2.07 lakh + cess
- ✓Verdict: New regime saves Mr. Kumar ~Rs.77,000.
💡 Tip: Tip: If Mr. Kumar's deductions exceeded Rs.4 lakh, the old regime would win. Always calculate both scenarios before filing.
Advance Tax — Pay in Installments, Avoid Penalty
If your tax liability exceeds Rs.10,000 in a financial year, you must pay advance tax in four installments:
→ 15th June: Pay 15% of estimated tax→ 15th September: Pay 45% (cumulative)→ 15th December: Pay 75% (cumulative)→ 15th March: Pay 100% (cumulative)
⚠️ Missing deadlines attracts interest under Section 234B and 234C at 1% per month.
💡 Tip: Tip: Estimate your income in April itself, set aside the tax amount in a separate account, and pay installments on time. This avoids last-minute cash flow stress.
How IQ Business Advisors Simplifies Your Tax Planning
We help business owners across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry with:
- Regime selection — old vs new, calculated both ways
- Advance tax calculation and payment reminders
- ITR filing for businesses and professionals
- Notice management and response
- Investment planning to maximize deductions
For broader business optimization, explore our guide on Business Advisory Services for Tamil Nadu SMEs.
Contact us at +91 9150072756 or support@iqba.in for a personalized tax planning consultation.
Need Help Applying These Insights to Your Business?
Our team of experienced consultants can help you implement the strategies discussed in this article. Get personalized guidance for your specific business situation.
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