Methodology
How the calculations and benchmarks are built.
Each tool exposes the assumptions that affect the answer. Official rule sources are cited where they matter, and planning benchmarks are labeled as estimates instead of being presented as facts.
Official tax references
Income Tax India - Tax Rates
https://incometaxindia.gov.in/Charts%20%20Tables/Tax%20rates.htm
Income Tax India - Salary Calculation Guide
https://incometaxindia.gov.in/tutorials/78.calculation-of-taxable-salary-income.pdf
Income Tax India - Tax Rates
https://incometaxindia.gov.in/Charts%20%20Tables/Tax%20rates.htm
Income Tax India - Budget 2026 FAQ
https://incometaxindia.gov.in/Documents/Budget2026/FAQs-Budget-2026.pdf
Benchmark policy
City and country costs are benchmark planning assumptions, not live market feeds.
Exchange rates are editable because FX moves materially and should not be hard-coded for high-stakes decisions.
Long-horizon planners expose their inflation and return assumptions so the numbers remain interpretable.
Cess at 4% is included. Surcharge is not included in the MVP salary engine.
The HRA exemption calculation is available only for the old regime and uses the standard least-of-three method.
Professional tax is kept user-editable so state-specific payroll differences do not silently change the result.