Standard Deduction
✓ Last verified 14 Sep 2026
The short version
Standard deduction is a flat amount subtracted from salary income before tax is calculated, with no receipts or proof required - one of the few deductions available under both the old and new tax regimes.
Unlike deductions that require specific investments or expenses (80C, 80D, HRA), the standard deduction applies automatically to salary income with no paperwork needed. It's currently higher under the new regime than the old regime - see our Old vs. New Tax Regime article for the exact figures - making it one of the few deductions that survived the new regime's general stripping-away of exemptions.
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