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A Simple Guide to Income Tax Rebate Under Section 87A

Shaggun V Singh
June 02, 2025
8 min read

Paying taxes is part of being a good citizen, but who doesn’t love a good discount? That’s exactly what the income tax rebate under Section 87A gives you – a direct cut from your tax bill. 

It’s a fantastic way to save money, especially if you’re not earning a high income. This rebate is one of the key benefits you’ll find when you prepare your income tax return.

What is Rebate in Income Tax (Section 87A)?

Think of the income tax rebate under Section 87A as a coupon you use to pay your taxes. If you owe the government some money in taxes, this rebate lets you pay less. It’s not about making your income smaller; instead, it directly lowers the actual tax amount you have to pay.

So, if you’re a resident of India and your total taxable income is below a certain amount, this rebate kicks in. It can even make your tax bill completely zero! This is the core income tax rebate. People often ask, “What is a rebate in income tax?” It’s a direct tax reduction.

How Much Money Can You Save?

The amount of your rebate depends on which tax system you choose: the new one or the old one. This is key to figuring out your savings.

New Regime: Simpler Taxes, Bigger Savings

The new tax system became the default starting from April 2023. Here’s how the 87A rebate income tax works now:

how much money can you save
  • For your income from April 2024 to March 2025: If your total taxable income is up to Rs. 7,00,000 (7 lakh rupees), you can get a rebate of up to Rs. 25,000. So, if your tax bill is Rs. 20,000, you pay nothing. If it’s Rs. 30,000, you get Rs. 25,000 off, and only pay Rs. 5,000. This is your limit.
  • For your income from April 2025 onwards: If your total taxable income is up to Rs. 12,00,000 (12 lakh rupees), your income tax rebate can go up to Rs. 60,000. This bigger limit means many more people could pay no tax under the new system.

Old Regime: Traditional Ways, Smaller Savings

The old tax system lets you claim various deductions for investments and expenses (like PF, insurance, etc.). If you choose this:

  • For your income from April 2024 onwards: If your total taxable income (after all your allowed deductions) is up to Rs. 5,00,000 (5 lakh rupees), you can claim up to Rs. 12,500. So, if your tax bill is Rs. 10,000, you pay nothing. This is the income tax rebate limit for the old system.

Here’s a timeline of the new and old regimes for a clear understanding:

  • Before April 1, 2023 (FY 2022-23 and earlier):
    • Old Regime Only: The only option available.
    • Rebate Limit: Maximum ₹12,500 if your total taxable income was up to ₹5,00,000.
  • From April 1, 2023 (FY 2023-24):
    • New Regime Introduced: This became an additional option alongside the old regime.
    • Old Regime Rebate: Remained ₹12,500 for income up to ₹5,00,000.
    • New Regime Rebate: Introduced at ₹25,000 for income up to ₹7,00,000.
  • From April 1, 2024 (FY 2024-25):
    • New Regime Becomes Default: While you can still choose the old regime, the new regime is now the default.
    • Old Regime Rebate: Continues at ₹12,500 for income up to ₹5,00,000.
    • New Regime Rebate: Continues at ₹25,000 for income up to ₹7,00,000.
  • From April 1, 2025 (FY 2025-26 onwards):
    • Old Regime Rebate: Remains at ₹12,500 for income up to ₹5,00,000.
    • New Regime Rebate Significantly Increased: The maximum rebate jumps to ₹60,000 for income up to ₹12,00,000.
    • New Rule on Special Incomes: From this financial year, the rebate generally will not apply to income taxed at special rates (like certain capital gains under Section 112A).

What is Marginal Relief?

Marginal relief is a tax benefit that limits the extra tax you pay if your income slightly exceeds a tax-free point. It stops you from paying a huge amount in tax just because you earned a little extra money. 

For instance, in the new system, if your income is slightly above Rs. 7 lakh (say, Rs. 7,10,000), you won’t suddenly pay a huge tax. The rule makes sure the extra tax you pay is only on the amount that went over the limit. So, you pay tax only on that extra Rs. 10,000, not on your whole income as if you got no rebate at all. This keeps the rebate under Section 87A fair.

How Do You Get This Tax Discount?

Claiming under Section 87A is quite simple, especially when you file your taxes online. You don’t need a special income tax rebate calculator to apply it; the system usually does it automatically.

  1. Add Up Your Income: First, total all your earnings from your salary, house rent, selling property, etc.
  2. Subtract Your Deductions (If Old System): If you picked the old tax system, take away money for your investments and expenses that reduce your taxable income. The new system doesn’t allow most of these.
  3. Find Your Taxable Income: The amount left is what you’ll be taxed on. Check this against the income tax rebate limit.
  4. Figure Out Your Tax: Calculate how much tax you owe based on your taxable income and the tax rates for your chosen system.
  5. The Rebate Kicks In: If your taxable income is within the specified limits (e.g., Rs. 7 lakh for the new system), the tax filing software will automatically reduce your tax bill by the income tax rebate.
  6. File Your Tax Return: When you send in your tax forms, the 87A rebate income tax is usually applied automatically, so you don’t have to do anything extra.

What Kind of Taxes Does This Rebate Help With?

The income tax rebate under Section 87A lowers your overall tax amount. This includes tax on:

  • Your regular income: Like salary, income from renting out property, or your business earnings.
  • Profits from selling certain properties (capital gains): Both short-term and long-term gains.

But here’s an important change: From April 2025 onwards, the income tax rebate under Section 87A will generally not apply to certain profits from selling shares or mutual funds that are taxed at special, fixed rates (known as Section 112A capital gains). To understand these changes more effectively, contact a professional to address your queries.

Rebate Limits Through the Years

The income tax rebate limit has changed over time to give more relief to taxpayers:

  • Until March 2023 (Old System): Max income tax rebate of Rs. 12,500 if your income was up to Rs. 5,00,000.
  • For income from April 2023 to March 2024:
    • Old System: Max income tax rebate of Rs. 12,500 for income up to Rs. 5,00,000.
    • New System: Introduced with a max income tax rebate of Rs. 25,000 for income up to Rs. 7,00,000.
  • For income from April 2024 to March 2025:
    • Old System: Still Rs. 12,500 for income up to Rs. 5,00,000.
    • New System: Still Rs. 25,000 for income up to Rs. 7,00,000.
  • For income from April 2025 onwards:
    • Old System: Stays at Rs. 12,500 for income up to Rs. 5,00,000.
    • New System: Max income tax rebate is Rs. 60,000 for income up to Rs. 12,00,000. This makes the 87A rebate income tax even more impactful.

Below is a table simply showcasing the above information:

Financial YearTax SystemMax Income for RebateMax Rebate Amount
Until March 2023OldRs. 5,00,000Rs. 12,500
April 2023 – March 2024OldRs. 5,00,000Rs. 12,500
NewRs. 7,00,000Rs. 25,000
April 2024 – March 2025OldRs. 5,00,000Rs. 12,500
NewRs. 7,00,000Rs. 25,000
April 2025 onwardsOldRs. 5,00,000Rs. 12,500
NewRs. 12,00,000Rs. 60,000

Who Can’t Get This Tax Discount?

While the income tax rebate under Section 87A is great, not everyone can claim it:

  • NRIs (Non-Resident Indians): This rebate is only for people who are considered residents of India for tax purposes. If you’re an NRI, you can’t get this income tax rebate.
  • HUFs, Firms, Companies: This rebate is strictly for “individuals.” So, family groups (HUFs), business partnerships (firms), or companies can’t claim this 87A rebate income tax.
  • People with High Income: If your total taxable income goes even slightly over the set income tax rebate limit (Rs. 7 lakh/Rs. 12 lakh for the new system, or Rs. 5 lakh for the old system), you unfortunately lose the rebate.

Final Thoughts

The income tax rebate under Section 87A stands out as a significant relief for many individual taxpayers in India. Understanding “what is rebate in income tax” and how it applies is important for smart financial planning. This makes a large segment of the population exempt from income tax, generating greater financial inclusivity and reducing the burden on lower and middle-income groups.

Whether you choose the old or new tax regime, being aware of the income tax rebate limit and eligibility criteria is vital when you prepare your income tax return. This benefits the government’s commitment to easing the tax load for ordinary citizens, making basic tax compliance more accessible and less daunting. 

By using this rebate, individuals can optimize their tax savings and retain more of their hard-earned money, ultimately contributing to better personal financial health.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I get this rebate in both the old and new tax systems? 

A: Yes, the income tax rebate under Section 87A is available in both systems, but the income limits and maximum rebate amounts are different. This means that while the benefit is universally applicable to resident individuals, its scale depends on the tax regime you choose.

Q2: Does the rebate apply before or after the 4% education cess? 

A: The income tax rebate applies to your main tax amount before the 4% Health and Education Cess is added. This ensures that the cess is only calculated on your final tax liability after the rebate has already reduced it.

Q3: Can an older person get this rebate too? 

A: Yes, residents older citizens (60-79 years old) and higher older citizens (80+ years old) can claim the 87A rebate if their income is within the specified limits. The eligibility for the rebate is based on total taxable income, regardless of age, provided they are resident individuals.

Q4: What if I have profits from selling property or shares? 

A: As of now (FY 2024-25), it can help with some capital gains, specifically short-term capital gains (STCG) under Section 111A and long-term capital gains (LTCG) under Section 112. However, remember that from FY 2025-26, the income tax rebate generally won’t apply to specific long-term capital gains on listed shares and equity-oriented mutual funds taxed under Section 112A.

Q5: Do I have to calculate this rebate myself when I file taxes? 

A: No, most online tax filing sites and the government’s tax portal will automatically figure out and apply the income tax rebate under Section 87A if you qualify. You just need to accurately report all your income and eligible deductions, and the system will take care of the calculation.

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