Income Tax Slab for Women: Exemptions and Rebates

• Written by Anjali Sharma

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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Women are successfully carving a niche for themselves in every field, juggling work and home without complaining. Today, many women enjoy financial independence, enabling them to make the best life decisions. As responsible taxpayers, they also fulfill their tax obligations. The Indian Government offers women various benefits, including tax rebates and exemptions. These benefits help women increase their savings.

Income tax is levied on individual taxpayers based on different income slabs. This article discusses the different income tax slabs applicable to women in India, along with exemptions and health insurance tax benefits.

Income Tax Slab for Women   

Individual taxpayers, including women, fall under three categories as given below: 

• Taxpayers (Resident and Non-resident) who are below 60 years of age. 
• Senior citizens who are above 60 years of age and below 80 years.
• Super senior citizens, those above the age of 80 years.

Prior to the Financial Year 2011-12, the basic tax exemption limit in India for men and women taxpayers differed, with women having a higher exemption limit. However, in Financial Year 2012-13, common tax slabs became applicable for both men and women. 

In Budget 2022-23, the new tax regime was announced under which taxpayers had to forgo certain tax deductions and exemptions.

Income Tax Slab for Women Under the Age of 60

There are two tax regimes in India – the old tax regime and the new tax regime. Taxpayers can select either regime based on their preference. Given below are the tax rates for each regime:

Old Tax Regime:

New Tax Regime:

Income Tax Slab for Women Above the Age of 60-80

Old Tax Regime:

New Tax Regime:

Income Tax Slab for Super Senior Citizen Women

Old Tax Regime:

New Tax Regime:

Additional Surcharge for Women under Old Regime

Women taxpayers, just like men, have to pay an additional surcharge if they are earning above some specified limits, as explained below:

Income Tax Rebate For Women

In India, the income tax slabs are uniform for all individuals, regardless of gender. However, women can avail themselves of various deductions and exemptions to reduce their taxable income.

• Standard Deduction: Salaried individuals can claim a standard deduction of ₹50,000 from their gross salary.
• Deductions under Section 80C: Women can claim deductions up to ₹1.5 lakh annually by investing in:
  • Public Provident Fund (PPF)
  • Employee Provident Fund (EPF)
  • National Savings Certificates (NSC)
  • Equity-Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS)
  • Life insurance premiums
  • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
  • Tax-saving fixed deposits with a 5-year lock-in period 
• Deductions under Section 80D: Premiums paid for health insurance policies are deductible under Section 80D:
  • Up to ₹25,000 for self, spouse, and children
  • An additional ₹25,000 for insurance of parents under the age of 60
  • If parents are senior citizens, the deduction increases to ₹50,000 
• Home Loan Interest Deductions (Section 24): Women can claim deductions up to ₹2 lakh on the interest paid on home loans for self-occupied properties. This benefit encourages investment in real estate and can significantly reduce taxable income.
• National Pension System (NPS): Contributions to NPS are eligible for an additional deduction of up to ₹50,000 under Section 80CCD(1B), over and above the ₹1.5 lakh limit under Section 80C.

Income Tax Exemption for Women

Below are some income tax exemptions that women taxpayers can avail of in India. These are also applicable to male taxpayers.

Comparison in Tax Provisions for Women (Union Budget 2025)

Women, like all taxpayers, benefit from the increased basic exemption limit. Let us discuss the comparison in the tax provisions:

Closing Statement

The Indian Government offers various benefits and relaxations to empower women. However, since the introduction of a common tax slab for both genders in 2012-13, there have been no specific deductions or advantages exclusively for women under the Income-tax Act 1961. But it is always better for the pioneering women taxpayers to be aware of the tax slabs applicable, tax exemptions, and deductions when planning finance.

>> Also Read: One Nation, One Common ITR

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. The tax exemptions are subject to the rules and regulations of the Income Tax Act of India 1961.