Income Tax Slabs History in India

We all hate paying taxes, but like death taxes too are unavoidable! You may not know this but not very long ago (FY 1991-92) the minimum tax rate in India was 20% and the maximum 56%. So if you were in highest tax slab, you would more than half of your income to government, giving great incentive for not complying with tax laws and not to earn more!

Thankfully taxes have been bit rationalized, Now the high earners only need to pay one-third of their income as taxes (still high but seems low when compared historically)!

Below is the table showing the following since FY 1990-91:

  • Minimum Income for Tax
  • Lowest Tax Rate
  • Income at Which Highest Tax Rate Starts
  • Highest Tax Rate
  • Highest Tax Rate Including Surcharge
History of Income Tax Slabs in India
History of Income Tax Slabs in India
Financial YearMinimum Income for TaxLowest Tax RateIncome at which Highest Tax Rate StartsHighest Tax RateHighest Tax Including Surcharge
1990 – 9122,00020%100,00050%56.00%
1991 – 9222,00020%100,00050%56.00%
1992 – 9328,00020%100,00040%44.80%
1993 – 9430,00020%100,00040%44.80%
1994 – 9535,00020%120,00040%44.80%
1995 – 9640,00020%120,00040%40.00%
1996 – 9740,00020%120,00040%40.00%
1997 – 9840,00010%150,00030%30.00%
1998 – 9950,00010%150,00030%33.00%
1999 – 0050,00010%150,00030%34.50%
2000 – 0150,00010%150,00030%30.60%
2001 – 0250,00010%150,00030%31.50%
2002 – 0350,00010%150,00030%33.00%
2003 – 0450,00010%150,00030%33.60%
2004 – 0550,00010%150,00030%33.60%
2005 – 0650,00010%150,00030%33.60%
2006 – 0750,00010%150,00030%33.60%
2007 – 08110,00010%250,00030%33.90%
2008 – 09110,00010%250,00030%33.90%
2009 – 10160,00010%500,00030%33.90%
2010 – 11160,00010%500,00030%30.90%
2011 – 12180,00010%800,00030%30.90%
2012 – 13200,00010%1,000,00030%30.90%
2013 – 14200,00010%1,000,00030%33.99%
2014 – 15250,00010%1,000,00030%33.99%
2015 – 16250,00010%1,000,00030%34.61%
2016 – 17250,00010%1,000,00030%35.54%
2017 – 18250,0005%1,000,00030%35.54%
2018 – 19250,0005%1,000,00030%35.88%
2019-20250,0005%1,000,00030%35.88%
The important points to note are:
    1. Highest Tax Rate Including Surcharge has come down from 56% in FY 1990-91 to 30.9% since 2010-11 and has again gone up from FY 2013-14 (for income above Rs 1 Crore)
    1. The exemption limit for Income Tax has also increased more than 10 times from Rs. 22,000 in 1990-91 to Rs. 2.5 Lakhs in FY 2014-15
  1. Even the lowest tax rate has gone down from 20% to 5%

Download: Free ebook for Income Tax Planning for FY 2019-20

Below are recent detailed tax slabs for recent years:

Income Tax Slab for FY 2019-20

Budget 2019 - Income Tax Slabs for FY 2019-20
Budget 2019 – Income Tax Slabs for FY 2019-20

Income Tax Slab for FY 2018-19

Budget 2018 - Income Tax Slabs for FY 2018-19
Income Tax Slabs for FY 2018-19 (AY 2019-20)

Income Tax Slab for FY 2017-18

Income Tax Slab for FY 2017–18 [AY 2018-19]
Income Tax Slab for FY 2017–18 [AY 2018-19]

Income Tax Slab for FY 2016-17

Income Tax Slabs for FY 2016–17 [AY 2017-18]
Income Tax Slabs for FY 2016–17 [AY 2017-18]

Income Tax Slab for FY 2015-16

Income Tax Slab for FY 2015-16 (AY 2016-17)
Income Tax Slab for FY 2015-16 (AY 2016-17)

Income Tax Slab for FY 2014-15

Income Tax Slab for FY 2014-15 (AY 2015-16)
Income Tax Slab for FY 2014-15 (AY 2015-16)

Income Tax Slab for FY 2013-14

Income Tax Slab for FY 2013-14
Income Tax Slab for FY 2013-14 (AY 2014-15)

Income Tax Slab for FY 2012-13

Income Tax Slab for FY 2012-13
Income Tax Slab for FY 2012-13 (AY 2013-14)

Income Tax Slab for FY 2011-12

Income Tax Slab for FY 2011-12
Income Tax Slab for FY 2011-12 (AY 2012-13)

10 thoughts on “Income Tax Slabs History in India”

  1. Barring everything else done by the Finance Dept, the Taxation system seems fair and balanced. The fact that the top tax bracket paid 50%< is frankly shocking to hear. No wonder the practice of stashing away wealth offshore became such a point of contingent. There is also a very cleaver omission of the 1%, who basically encapsulate nearly 70% of the wealth in India. That is the bracket which should be taxed more comprehensively and aggressively I must say.

    1. I am not aware of any such deduction allowed for salaried people. In case you employee maid for commercial/business income – her salary would be deducted as business expenses

  2. Excellent information. I felt happy it is a feel good factor. FM can feel proud with this data/post. Keep it up

    1. Yes! there is no doubt the taxes have become more rational than it was. But still there is scope of lot of improvement. Direct tax code was step in the right direction but it has already been modified and still its Work in progress!

  3. Dear Sir, I had read he report “Income Tax Slabs History in India” which gives various details from 1991. A special reuest: As I have to urgently put up a claim to IT Dept for Refund (related to previous 20 years) can you please send me the details of entire IT Slabs / Surcharge etc from 1991 upto date. It will be very much helpful.

    Thanks and kind Regards
    R. Murugaiyan
    E-Mail : [email protected]

    1. MURUGAIYAN
      Your issue seems complicated and I would advice you to contact an expert on tax laws or a CA and help you file your IT returns for 20 years. In the mean time I might try to get you 20 years Income tax slab details.

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