Payroll declaration season
Estimate 80C gap early so you can spread investments instead of rushing in March.
Section 80C Planner
Plan investments within ₹1.5 lakh limit (old regime).
GratuityPPFEPF / PFEMISIPFDNPSIncome TaxHRAAgeGSTPercentageBMITake-Home SalaryStamp DutySIP Step-UpCompound InterestLumpsumLoan EligibilityTDSRDSection 80C PlannerSalary HikeDiscount
How to use this calculator
- 1
Add current 80C contributions
Enter EPF, PPF, ELSS, insurance premium, tuition and home-loan principal already planned/paid.
- 2
Check remaining limit
See available room under ₹1.5 lakh cap and estimate marginal tax saving.
- 3
Choose goal-aligned products
Fill the gap only with investments that match your risk and lock-in comfort.
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80C summary
Total investments₹ 1,50,000
Deductible (capped)₹ 1,50,000
Room left in 80C₹ 0
Quick answer
Section 80C has a hard ₹1.5 lakh cap under old regime. The best strategy is to fill the cap with goal-aligned products, not random year-end purchases.
Section 80C allows eligible deductions up to ₹1.5 lakh under the old tax regime. Use this planner to see how EPF, PPF, ELSS, life insurance, tuition fees, and home-loan principal fill the 80C bucket.
What is this calculator?
An 80C planner adds eligible investments and expenses, caps the deduction at ₹1,50,000, and estimates possible tax saved at your marginal slab rate. It helps avoid both under-investing and investing extra only for tax reasons.
Formula
Eligible 80C amount = sum of qualifying items. Deductible amount = min(₹1,50,000, eligible amount). Estimated tax saved = deductible amount x marginal tax rate, before cess and regime comparison.
Example
Example 1: Employee EPF ₹60,000 + PPF ₹50,000 + ELSS ₹40,000 = ₹1,50,000. The 80C bucket is full. At a 30% marginal slab, rough tax saving is ₹45,000 before cess impact.
Another example
Example 2: Life insurance premium ₹25,000 + tuition fees ₹35,000 + EPF ₹55,000 = ₹1,15,000. Remaining 80C room is ₹35,000, which could be filled using PPF, ELSS, NSC, or other eligible options if old regime is beneficial.
Scenario snapshots
Old vs new regime decision
Use planner with income-tax comparison to avoid unnecessary lock-in investments.
Decision guide
Choose this when
- ✓You file under old regime and want to optimize 80C allocation.
- ✓You need clarity on remaining deduction room before year-end.
Pick another route when
- •You have already finalized new regime with no 80C deduction benefit.
- •You expect immediate liquidity from investments with long lock-in.
Common mistakes to avoid
- !Investing beyond ₹1.5 lakh expecting extra 80C deduction.
- !Choosing product solely for tax without checking lock-in and goal fit.
- !Ignoring old vs new regime comparison before fresh investment.
Assumptions and disclaimers
Updated context: FY 2026-27
- •80C deduction generally applies under the old tax regime; new regime availability is limited.
- •Each product has its own eligibility, lock-in, premium/payment rules, and documentation requirements.
- •Tax saved is estimated using marginal slab and may differ after cess, rebate, surcharge, or regime comparison.
- •The calculator does not validate whether each policy or expense satisfies every legal condition.
In practice (India)
Do not choose 80C products only for tax saving. Match product to goal: PPF for conservative long-term savings, ELSS for market-linked long-term growth, EPF for salaried retirement, and home-loan principal when already committed.
First compare old vs new regime using the income tax calculator. If the new regime is better, additional 80C investments may still be useful for goals, but not for tax deduction.
Benefits
- ✓Track how much of the ₹1.5 lakh 80C limit is already used.
- ✓Avoid last-minute random tax-saving purchases.
- ✓Estimate rough tax saved under old regime.
- ✓Compare EPF, PPF, ELSS, tuition and loan-principal contributions in one place.
Related calculators and guides
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is EPF included in 80C?
- Employee EPF contribution counts within the ₹1.5 lakh Section 80C limit. Employer contribution is treated separately.
- Does 80C work in the new tax regime?
- Most common 80C deductions are not available in the simplified new regime. Compare old vs new before investing only for tax saving.
- Can I claim both PPF and ELSS?
- Yes, both can qualify, but total 80C deduction is capped at ₹1.5 lakh.
- Are life insurance premiums always eligible?
- Eligibility depends on policy conditions and premium-to-sum-assured limits. Keep policy documents and receipts.
- What if I invest more than ₹1.5 lakh?
- The extra amount may still serve your financial goal, but it will not increase 80C deduction beyond the cap.
Section 80C rules can change. Keep proofs and verify old-vs-new regime benefit before filing.
How we calculate
Estimates use the formula shown above. Rules and rates are checked against official India sources where applicable (Income Tax Act, RBI/NSC circulars, GST law). Last reviewed for FY 2026-27.
- 80C deduction generally applies under the old tax regime; new regime availability is limited.
- Each product has its own eligibility, lock-in, premium/payment rules, and documentation requirements.
- Tax saved is estimated using marginal slab and may differ after cess, rebate, surcharge, or regime comparison.
- The calculator does not validate whether each policy or expense satisfies every legal condition.