The draft Income Tax Rules 2026 propose higher exemptions for House Rent Allowance (HRA), children’s education, transport, and meals. While the new regime remains the default, these changes revive the old regime’s relevance for certain salaried taxpayers, especially those in high-rent cities or with significant deductions.
The government’s draft Income Tax Rules 2026 have reignited debate over the old versus new tax regimes. The new rules expand the scope of exemptions under the old regime, including a higher 50% HRA exemption now extended to cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Ahmedabad. This could make the old regime more beneficial for salaried individuals with substantial deductions and allowances.
While the new regime offers simplified slabs and higher standard deductions, it disallows most exemptions. For taxpayers with housing loans, high rent, or multiple allowances, the old regime may still deliver greater savings. Experts caution, however, that the benefits are selective and depend heavily on individual income profiles and expense structures.
Key Highlights
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HRA Exemption: Extended to more cities under the old regime.
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Additional Allowances: Children’s education, transport, and meals exemptions proposed.
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New Regime: Default option with simplified slabs and higher standard deduction.
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Old Regime Advantage: Works best for taxpayers with housing loans, high rent, or multiple deductions.
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Selective Benefit: Not all salaried taxpayers gain; depends on income and expenses.
Sources: Business Today, Firstpost, Economic Times