{"id":"f-86c21c4f86-141f2dea-8746-5c9a-a6d8-8cae14f78e0f","title":"Budget 2026: Will the new income tax regime get even sweeter for salaried taxpayers?","description":"Incremental measures could enhance the new tax regime’s appeal, especially for middle-class taxpayers who continue to find value in the old regime due to deductions","timestamp":1768458420,"category":"business","headline":"Budget 2026: Will the new income tax regime get even sweeter for salaried taxpayers?","modifiedHeadline":"Will Tax Cuts Boost Salaries in Budget 2026?","subCategories":["scid_08f7a4b9"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"ece1ae3d-908e-48c7-9e53-a4aa910ee4db","bundleTitle":"Grow Your Money","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"88","fcSummary":"As budget 2026 nears, taxpayers hope for relief, but experts anticipate minor changes. After 2025's tax reforms, focus shifts to incentivizing the new income tax regime. While major slab changes are unlikely, incremental measures for the middle class could enhance its appeal.","summary":"Budget 2026 may sweeten the new income tax regime, potentially attracting middle-class taxpayers still favoring old deductions.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/news/IN/en/firstpost/f-86c21c4f86-141f2dea-8746-5c9a-a6d8-8cae14f78e0f","sourceUrl":"https://www.firstpost.com/business/budget-2026-income-tax-salaried-taxpayers-13969010.html","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/Jd8m3baHJjz0.webp","content":"As Budget 2026 approaches, salaried and middle-class taxpayers are once again waiting eagerly to see if Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver another round of relief.\n\n
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\n After the sweeping tax reforms of 2025, including the overhaul of the new income tax regime, the introduction of the New Income Tax Act, and rationalisation of GST rates, the focus now shifts to whether the government will continue nudging taxpayers toward the new regime with more incentives.\n
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\n As always, taxpayers look to the government to tweak tax slabs and put more money in their hands. Based on past trends, any changes in Budget 2026 are likely to focus primarily on the new income tax regime.\n\n
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Will Budget 2026 bring further incentives?

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\n Experts are largely cautious about expecting major changes this year.\n
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\n “Since the Government has already made major improvements to the new income tax regime in Budget 2025, big changes to tax slabs are unlikely in this year's Budget,” Preeti Sharma, Partner at BDO India, told Times of India Online.\n
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\n Similarly, Surabhi Marwah of EY India told Times of India Online that the focus now is likely on “stability and a smooth transition rather than additional reforms.”\n
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\n Still, there’s consensus that incremental measures could enhance the new regime’s appeal, especially for middle-class taxpayers who continue to find value in the old regime due to deductions.\n\n
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Looking ahead

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\n With simplification, higher exemptions, and growing taxpayer adoption, the new income tax regime has clearly taken centre stage. Budget 2026 may not bring radical changes, but selective measures, particularly for middle-class and salaried taxpayers, could further sweeten the deal.\n
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\n As Sitharaman prepares to unveil Budget 2026 on February 1, taxpayers will be watching closely, hoping for tweaks that translate into more take-home income without complicating an already simplified system.","readDurationInMinutes":"3","author":{"name":"Firstpost","logo":"https://glance-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/bubble/png/28d65284-7c7e-4e74-a1da-84b4daef1e4c.jpeg"},"ism":false,"analyticsResponses":[{"measurementId":"DUMMy","type":"GA"}],"pointerSummary":["Budget 2026: Taxpayers await potential relief, hoping for tweaks to boost take-home pay.","Experts anticipate minor changes to the new income tax regime, focusing on stability.","Middle-class taxpayers seek more incentives to shift from the old tax regime option."],"tags":["Budget2026","IncomeTax","TaxReform","NirmalaSitharaman","SalariedTaxpayers","MiddleClass","NewTaxRegime","OldTaxRegime","TaxDeductions","TaxSlabs","EYIndia","BDOIndia","PreetiSharma","SurabhiMarwah","TaxIncentives","NewIncomeTaxAct","GST","TaxSimplification"],"consent":true,"redirectionEnabled":false}

Budget 2026: Will the new income tax regime get even sweeter for salaried taxpayers?

SUMMARY