Rohit joined his first job in Bangalore with a ₹8 LPA offer letter. Three months later, he still could not explain why his bank account showed ₹52,000 when his CTC implied ₹66,000 per month. Like most Indian employees, he was confused by PF, professional tax, TDS, and the old vs new tax regime. This guide covers everything from CTC breakdown to SIP planning — with free calculators for every step.
Understanding Your CTC and In-Hand Salary
CTC (Cost to Company) includes basic salary, HRA, special allowance, PF employer contribution, gratuity, and insurance — not all of which lands in your bank account. Use the CTC Calculator and read How to calculate in-hand salary from CTC and How to read salary slip.
Old vs New Tax Regime — Which Is Better
The 2025–26 budget made the new regime default for most employees. Compare both with the Income Tax Calculator. Full comparison: Old vs New tax regime 2025.
How to Save Income Tax Legally
Section 80C (₹1.5 lakh), 80D health insurance, HRA exemption, and home loan interest can significantly reduce tax under the old regime. Guide: How to save income tax legally. Generate rent receipts with our Rent Receipt Generator for HRA claims.
SIP vs FD — Where to Invest
FDs offer guaranteed returns; SIPs in mutual funds build wealth over time with market-linked returns. Model both with SIP Calculator and FD Calculator. Read How to start SIP in India and FD vs SIP comparison.
Home Loan EMI Planning
Before buying property, ensure EMI stays under 40% of take-home salary. Calculate with EMI Calculator. Full guide: Home loan EMI guide.
GST for Freelancers
GST registration is mandatory when turnover exceeds ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh in special category states). Calculate GST on invoices with GST Calculator. Guide: GST for freelancers.
Salary Hike Negotiation
Appraisal season in India means negotiating with HR or switching jobs. Calculate expected hike with Salary Hike Calculator. Read Salary hike negotiation guide and Notice period buyout guide. Plan exit dates with Notice Period Calculator.
EPF and Retirement Corpus
Your monthly PF deduction compounds over decades into a significant retirement corpus — but only part of your employer's contribution lands in EPF (the rest goes to EPS). Project your maturity with the EPF Calculator. Full guide: EPF calculator guide for India.
Gratuity When You Leave
After 5+ years of service, you're entitled to gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act — calculated as (Basic + DA) × 15 × years ÷ 26. Calculate yours with the Gratuity Calculator. Read Gratuity calculation formula in India.
LTA Tax Exemption
Leave Travel Allowance can reduce taxable salary — but only for actual domestic travel fares, within block-year limits and salary-structure caps. Split exempt vs taxable amounts with the LTA Calculator. Rules explained: LTA exemption rules in India.
Inflation and Real Returns
₹1 lakh today won't buy the same in 20 years. When planning SIP, FD, or retirement goals, adjust targets for inflation — not just nominal returns. Model purchasing power with the Inflation Calculator. Guide: What will your money be worth in 10, 20, or 30 years?.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much in-hand salary for 6 LPA CTC?
For ₹6 LPA CTC, in-hand salary is typically ₹45,000–₹52,000 per month depending on company structure, PF contribution, and tax regime. Use our CTC Calculator for exact breakdown.
Which tax regime is better in 2026?
New regime suits most salaried employees without heavy 80C investments. Old regime benefits those with home loans, HRA, and significant deductions. Compare both with our Income Tax Calculator.
How much SIP for 1 crore in 10 years?
At 12% annual returns, you need roughly ₹43,000/month SIP to reach ₹1 crore in 10 years. Use our SIP Calculator to model different amounts and return rates.
What is notice period buyout in India?
Notice period buyout lets you leave a job early by paying salary for remaining notice days instead of serving them. Amount depends on gross salary and days remaining.
How to calculate EMI for home loan?
EMI depends on loan amount, interest rate, and tenure. For ₹50 lakh at 8.5% for 20 years, EMI is approximately ₹43,400. Use our EMI Calculator for exact figures.