Can I Claim Deductions in New Tax Regime While Filing ITR? A Practical Guide for Indian Taxpayers

Can I claim deductions in new tax regime while filing ITR? This is one of the most common questions Indian taxpayers ask while comparing the old tax regime and the new tax regime on the Income Tax eFiling portal. The answer is: yes, but only selected deductions and exemptions are available under the new tax regime. You cannot claim many popular tax saving deductions such as Section 80C, Section 80D, HRA, LTA, home loan interest on a self-occupied house, and several Chapter VI-A deductions if you choose the new tax regime.

This matters because a wrong assumption can directly affect your Income Tax Return. Many salaried employees, freelancers, professionals, NRIs, investors and first-time filers believe that if they have invested in EPF, PPF, ELSS, life insurance, health insurance, NPS or home loan repayment, they can automatically claim these benefits while filing ITR. However, the new tax regime works differently. It offers lower tax slabs and a simpler structure, but it restricts most deductions. For FY 2025-26 / AY 2026-27, the government has also provided relief under the new regime, including no tax payable up to ₹12 lakh of eligible income, and up to ₹12.75 lakh for salaried taxpayers after standard deduction, subject to applicable conditions and exclusions such as special-rate income. (Press Information Bureau)

The confusion becomes bigger because employers may ask employees to declare a tax regime during the year, while the final choice is made during Income Tax Return filing, subject to rules applicable to business and non-business taxpayers. In addition, your Form 16, AIS, TIS and Form 26AS may show income, TDS, interest, capital gains, dividends, rent or other transactions that must be matched correctly before you file your return.

This is where accurate tax planning matters. A deduction that helps under the old tax regime may not reduce your tax under the new tax regime. Similarly, a taxpayer with capital gains, freelance income, business income, NRI income or foreign assets may need more than a basic tax calculator. WealthSure helps Indian taxpayers understand the right tax regime, review deductions, match documents and file their Income Tax Return online with expert-assisted support. If your income profile is simple, free filing may be enough. However, if your income has multiple components, expert review can help you avoid missed disclosures, defective return notices, refund delays and avoidable compliance stress.

The short answer: yes, but only limited deductions are allowed

Under the new tax regime, you can claim only specific deductions and exemptions permitted by law. The new regime is designed to reduce dependence on multiple deductions and exemptions. Therefore, it gives concessional slab rates but removes many traditional tax-saving benefits.

For salaried taxpayers, the most important benefit under the new tax regime is the standard deduction, which is available up to ₹75,000 for AY 2026-27 as listed by the Income Tax Department’s deduction guidance. (Etds)

You may also be able to claim deductions such as employer contribution to NPS under Section 80CCD(2), certain family pension deductions, Agniveer Corpus Fund deduction under Section 80CCH(2), and specific business-linked deductions such as Section 80JJAA, if applicable. However, most commonly used deductions are not available.

So, when taxpayers ask, “Can I claim deductions in new tax regime while filing ITR?”, the practical answer is:

You can claim selected deductions, but you cannot claim most old-regime tax saving deductions.

That distinction is important. A taxpayer may still invest in PPF, ELSS, life insurance, health insurance or home loan repayment for financial planning reasons. However, these may not reduce taxable income if the taxpayer files under the new tax regime.

What makes the new tax regime different?

The old tax regime rewards taxpayers for using deductions and exemptions. The new tax regime focuses on simplified slabs with fewer deduction claims. Because of this, the right regime depends on your income, deductions, exemptions, family responsibilities, investment behaviour and long-term financial goals.

Under the old tax regime, taxpayers often reduce taxable income through:

• Section 80C investments such as EPF, PPF, ELSS, life insurance premium and principal repayment of housing loan
• Section 80D health insurance premium
• HRA exemption
• LTA exemption
• Interest on home loan for a self-occupied property
• NPS self-contribution under Section 80CCD(1B)
• Education loan interest under Section 80E
• Donations under Section 80G
• Savings interest deductions under Section 80TTA or 80TTB

Under the new tax regime, many of these are not available. However, the slab structure and rebate benefits can still make the new regime attractive for many salaried taxpayers, especially those with limited deductions.

That is why the question should not only be, “Can I claim deductions in new tax regime while filing ITR?” The better question is: Will the deductions I have actually reduce my tax under the regime I choose?

For personalised comparison, you can review your documents through WealthSure’s expert-assisted tax filing service: https://wealthsure.in/itr-filing-services

Deductions generally allowed under the new tax regime

The following table gives a practical view of deductions or benefits that may be relevant while filing ITR under the new tax regime. Tax laws may change by assessment year, so taxpayers should always verify the latest rules before filing.

Deduction / benefit	Available in new tax regime?	Who may benefit?	Practical note
Standard deduction from salary	Yes	Salaried employees and pensioners	Up to ₹75,000 for AY 2026-27, subject to salary income
Employer contribution to NPS under Section 80CCD(2)	Yes	Salaried employees whose employer contributes to NPS	Limit depends on salary and employer category
Family pension deduction	Yes	Family pension recipients	Deduction is allowed subject to applicable limit
Agniveer Corpus Fund under Section 80CCH(2)	Yes	Eligible Agniveers	Applies in specific cases
Section 80JJAA	Yes	Eligible businesses employing new workers	Relevant for business taxpayers, not most salaried filers
Gratuity exemption	Generally available subject to conditions	Salaried employees receiving gratuity	Based on eligibility and statutory limits
Leave encashment exemption	Generally available subject to conditions	Salaried employees	Depends on employment type and limits
VRS compensation exemption	Generally available subject to conditions	Eligible employees	Conditions apply
Transport allowance for specially-abled employees	Yes, subject to conditions	Eligible employees	Limited and specific
HRA exemption	No	Salaried tenants	Usually old regime benefit
LTA exemption	No	Salaried employees	Usually old regime benefit
Section 80C	No	Most individual taxpayers	Old regime benefit
Section 80D health insurance	No	Individuals and families	Old regime benefit
Section 80E education loan interest	No	Borrowers paying education loan interest	Old regime benefit
Section 80G donations	No	Donors	Old regime benefit
Self-contribution to NPS under Section 80CCD(1B)	No	Individual NPS contributors	Old regime benefit
Home loan interest on self-occupied house	No	Homeowners	Old regime benefit
Interest on let-out house property	Permitted as per house property computation, subject to law	Landlords	Set-off rules need careful review

For updated official tax filing resources, taxpayers may refer to the Income Tax eFiling portal: https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal/ and the Income Tax Department website: https://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/

Deductions you usually cannot claim in the new tax regime

Most taxpayers ask this question because they already have investments or expenses. They want to know whether their existing tax saving deductions still matter.

Under the new tax regime, you generally cannot claim:

• Section 80C for EPF, PPF, ELSS, life insurance premium, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, tax-saving FD and principal repayment of home loan
• Section 80D for health insurance premium
• Section 80CCD(1B) for your own additional NPS contribution
• HRA exemption
• LTA exemption
• Section 80E for education loan interest
• Section 80G for donations
• Section 80TTA / 80TTB for savings or deposit interest deductions
• Professional tax deduction
• Entertainment allowance deduction
• Home loan interest deduction for self-occupied property
• Most allowances under Section 10

This does not mean the investment is useless. For example, health insurance protects your family. SIP investment India options, retirement planning and goal-based investing may still support long-term wealth creation. However, if you select the new tax regime, many such investments may not provide ITR-based tax deduction benefits.

For taxpayers who want to separate tax saving from investment planning, WealthSure’s tax saving suggestions service can help review whether your deductions are useful under the old regime, whether the new regime is better, and whether your investments match your financial goals: https://wealthsure.in/tax-saving-suggestions

Practical example 1: Salaried employee with ₹14 lakh income and 80C investments

Rohit is a salaried employee earning ₹14 lakh annually. He invests ₹1.5 lakh in EPF and ELSS, pays ₹28,000 for health insurance and claims HRA because he lives in a rented apartment.

His confusion is simple: Can I claim deductions in new tax regime while filing ITR if I already made these investments?

Under the new tax regime, Rohit can claim the standard deduction if he has salary income. However, he generally cannot claim Section 80C, Section 80D or HRA exemption. Therefore, his old-regime deductions may not reduce taxable income if he files under the new regime.

The correct approach is to compare both regimes using actual numbers. Rohit should check:

• Salary as per Form 16
• HRA exemption eligibility under old regime
• Total Section 80C investments
• Health insurance premium
• Standard deduction
• Any employer NPS contribution
• AIS and Form 26AS entries
• Interest income and capital gains, if any

If his deductions are significant, the old regime may still be better. However, if his deductions are limited or his employer NPS contribution is strong, the new regime may work. A blanket answer can lead to wrong filing.

WealthSure’s assisted filing plans can help salaried taxpayers compare both regimes before filing: https://wealthsure.in/itr-assisted-filing-growth-plan

Practical example 2: Salaried taxpayer with mutual fund capital gains

Ananya earns ₹11.8 lakh from salary and also has short-term capital gains from equity mutual funds. She assumes she will pay zero tax under the new regime because her salary is below the relief threshold.

This is a common misunderstanding. Budget 2025 relief under the new regime specifically refers to eligible income and notes that special-rate income such as capital gains may not receive the same rebate treatment. (Press Information Bureau)

So, Ananya must file carefully. She should check:

• Salary income after standard deduction
• Capital gains from mutual funds and shares
• Whether gains are short-term or long-term
• Whether gains are taxed at special rates
• AIS and broker capital gains statements
• TDS, if any
• Applicable ITR form

Her question should not stop at “Can I claim deductions in new tax regime while filing ITR?” She must also ask whether capital gains affect tax calculation, rebate eligibility and ITR form selection.

For such taxpayers, capital gains tax support can reduce reporting errors: https://wealthsure.in/capital-gains-tax-optimization-service

Practical example 3: Freelancer with professional income and expenses

Meera is a freelance designer. She earns ₹18 lakh in professional receipts. She pays for software subscriptions, internet, laptop depreciation, design tools and coworking space. She also invests in PPF and buys health insurance.

Her confusion is different. She wants to know whether business expenses and tax saving deductions are the same.

They are not.

Business or professional expenses are considered while calculating business income, subject to tax rules. Tax saving deductions such as Section 80C and Section 80D are different. Under the new tax regime, many personal deductions are restricted, but legitimate business expenses may still be relevant in computing professional income, depending on the method of taxation and the ITR form used.

Meera must also consider presumptive taxation, books of accounts, advance tax and GST implications, if applicable. If she chooses presumptive taxation, the calculation works differently from regular books-based taxation.

For freelancers and professionals, WealthSure’s business and professional ITR filing support can help choose the right approach: https://wealthsure.in/itr-3-business-professional-income-filing-services

New tax regime vs old tax regime: how to decide before ITR filing

The decision should not be emotional. It should be mathematical and compliance-based.

Use this simple decision framework:

Choose the new tax regime when:

• You have limited deductions
• You do not claim HRA, LTA or major 80C benefits
• Your income fits better under concessional slabs
• You prefer simpler filing
• Your employer contributes to NPS under Section 80CCD(2)
• You want lower dependence on investment-linked tax saving
• You are within the eligible rebate range, subject to income type

Consider the old tax regime when:

• You claim high HRA exemption
• You have full Section 80C deductions
• You pay health insurance premium eligible under Section 80D
• You claim home loan interest on a self-occupied property
• You have education loan interest
• You use NPS self-contribution
• You have eligible donations
• Your deductions meaningfully reduce taxable income

The best tax regime depends on actual numbers. Therefore, compare both options using Form 16, AIS, TIS, Form 26AS, bank interest statements, capital gains reports and deduction proofs.

You can also upload your Form 16 for assisted review: https://wealthsure.in/upload-form-16

Why AIS, TIS, Form 26AS and Form 16 matter in the new regime

Even if deductions are restricted, income disclosure remains critical. The Income Tax Department increasingly relies on digital data, including AIS, TIS and Form 26AS. These reports may show salary, TDS, interest income, dividends, securities transactions, mutual fund redemptions, rent, foreign remittances and other financial information.

Your ITR should match these records wherever applicable. If your ITR shows only salary but AIS shows bank interest or capital gains, the mismatch may trigger communication, delayed processing or a notice.

Before filing under the new tax regime, check:

• Form 16 salary and TDS
• AIS income entries
• TIS summary
• Form 26AS tax credits
• Bank interest certificates
• Dividend income
• Capital gains statements
• Rental income
• Foreign income or assets, if applicable
• Advance tax and self-assessment tax payments

The tax regime affects deductions and tax calculation. However, it does not remove the duty to disclose income correctly.

If you receive a mismatch notice or defective return notice, you can seek notice response support from WealthSure: https://wealthsure.in/income-tax-notice-response-plan

Can NRIs claim deductions under the new tax regime?

NRIs must be careful. The new tax regime rules apply based on eligibility and income type, but NRI taxation often involves additional questions such as residential status, Indian income, foreign income, DTAA relief, TDS on NRO income, capital gains, property sale, rental income and foreign asset reporting.

An NRI may ask, “Can I claim deductions in new tax regime while filing ITR?” The answer remains limited. Common deductions may not be available under the new regime. However, the bigger issue is often not deductions. It is correct classification of income and residential status.

NRIs should check:

• Residential status for the financial year
• Indian salary, rent, capital gains or interest income
• NRO and NRE account taxation
• DTAA eligibility
• TDS credit in Form 26AS
• AIS reporting
• Foreign income disclosure requirements, where applicable
• Correct ITR form

For NRIs, filing without expert review can be risky when there is property income, capital gains or DTAA relief. WealthSure’s NRI tax filing service can help with residential status and Indian tax reporting: https://wealthsure.in/nri-income-tax-filing-service

Can business owners and professionals switch regimes freely?

Business and professional taxpayers should be extra careful. Salaried taxpayers without business income usually have more flexibility to choose between regimes each year while filing ITR. However, taxpayers with business or professional income face stricter rules around opting out of the new regime and switching back.

This matters for freelancers, consultants, doctors, lawyers, architects, creators, shop owners, traders and small business owners. A regime choice may affect not only current tax liability but future flexibility.

Business taxpayers should review:

• Whether presumptive taxation applies
• Whether ITR-3 or ITR-4 is relevant
• Whether accounts need to be maintained
• Whether audit applies
• Whether advance tax was paid correctly
• Whether GST data and income tax data align
• Whether expenses are properly documented
• Whether regime switching rules affect future years

For presumptive income cases, WealthSure provides ITR-4 filing support: https://wealthsure.in/itr-4-presumptive-income-filing-services

Common mistakes while claiming deductions in the new regime

Many filing errors happen because taxpayers assume the new regime is just the old regime with lower slabs. It is not.

Avoid these mistakes:

1. Claiming Section 80C under the new regime
   Investments may appear in your records, but they usually do not reduce taxable income under the new regime.
2. Claiming HRA without checking regime rules
   HRA is generally an old-regime exemption.
3. Ignoring employer NPS contribution
   Section 80CCD(2) can be valuable under the new regime if applicable.
4. Assuming zero tax applies to all income up to ₹12 lakh
   Special-rate income such as capital gains needs careful review. (Press Information Bureau)
5. Forgetting bank interest or dividend income
   AIS may already capture it.
6. Choosing regime only from salary TDS data
   Final ITR must include all income.
7. Not comparing old vs new regime before filing
   A simple comparison can prevent overpayment.
8. Using the wrong ITR form
   Capital gains, business income, NRI status and foreign assets can change the applicable form.
9. Ignoring revised return options
   If you discover a mistake after filing, you may still have correction options within the permitted timeline.
10. Treating tax saving as financial planning
    Tax benefit is only one part of investment planning. Returns, risk, liquidity, insurance adequacy and goals also matter.

When free filing may be enough

Free filing can work well when your income profile is simple. For example, you may use a free filing option if you have:

• One employer
• Salary income only
• No capital gains
• No foreign income
• No business or freelance income
• No rental income complexity
• No AIS mismatch
• No major deductions to compare
• No tax notice history
• No need for regime advisory

In such cases, free Income Tax Return filing online may be enough. WealthSure also offers a free tax filing option for eligible users: https://wealthsure.in/free-income-tax-filing

However, free filing should not mean careless filing. You should still verify Form 16, AIS, TIS, Form 26AS and bank interest before submitting your return.

When expert-assisted filing is safer

Expert-assisted filing becomes useful when your ITR involves judgement, classification or reconciliation.

Consider expert help if you have:

• Salary from multiple employers
• Capital gains from shares, mutual funds or foreign assets
• F&O or intraday trading
• Freelance or consulting income
• Business income
• Presumptive taxation confusion
• NRI income
• Foreign income or assets
• Rental income
• Home loan and co-ownership issues
• AIS or Form 26AS mismatch
• High income above ₹15 lakh
• Tax regime comparison needs
• Notice, defective return or refund delay
• Missed income in an already filed return

In these situations, the real question is not only “Can I claim deductions in new tax regime while filing ITR?” It is also “Am I filing the right return with the right disclosures?”

For one-on-one support, you can ask a tax expert: https://wealthsure.in/ask-our-tax-expert

What if you already filed ITR and claimed deductions wrongly?

If you selected the new tax regime and wrongly claimed deductions that are not allowed, you should review your filed return. Depending on the timeline and nature of error, you may be able to file a revised return. If the time limit for revised return has passed, an updated return may be possible in eligible cases, subject to tax law and additional tax implications.

Do not ignore the error. Incorrect deduction claims may lead to:

• Demand notice
• Defective return notice
• Refund adjustment
• Interest liability
• Penalty exposure in serious cases
• Future scrutiny risk

The right correction route depends on whether the return has been processed, whether the due date has passed, whether income was underreported, and whether additional tax is payable.

WealthSure supports revised and updated return filing: https://wealthsure.in/revised-updated-return-filing and ITR-U filing support: https://wealthsure.in/itr-assisted-filing-itr-u

Tax planning beyond deductions: why the new regime changes your strategy

The new tax regime reduces the role of compulsory tax-saving investments. That can be good or bad depending on how you behave.

Earlier, many taxpayers invested in ELSS, PPF, insurance and NPS mainly to save tax. Under the new regime, these investments may not reduce tax, so taxpayers must evaluate them on financial merit.

Ask yourself:

• Do I have enough health insurance even if Section 80D is unavailable?
• Is my life insurance adequate for my family?
• Am I investing for retirement or only for tax saving?
• Do my SIPs match my risk profile?
• Am I building an emergency fund?
• Should I use NPS for retirement planning even without self-contribution deduction?
• Do I understand market-linked investment risk?

Tax planning and financial planning are connected, but they are not identical. Tax benefits depend on eligibility and documentation. Market-linked investments carry risk. Refunds are subject to Income Tax Department processing.

For broader planning, WealthSure offers personal tax planning and financial advisory services: https://wealthsure.in/personal-tax-planning-service and https://wealthsure.in/retirement-planning-service

Quick checklist before filing ITR under the new tax regime

Before you submit your Income Tax Return, review this checklist:

• Have you compared old tax regime and new tax regime?
• Have you checked which deductions are allowed under the new regime?
• Have you included salary from all employers?
• Have you verified Form 16?
• Have you checked AIS and TIS?
• Have you matched Form 26AS tax credits?
• Have you included savings interest and FD interest?
• Have you reported dividends?
• Have you included capital gains?
• Have you selected the correct ITR form?
• Have you reviewed NRI status, if applicable?
• Have you checked employer NPS contribution?
• Have you avoided claiming 80C, 80D or HRA under the new regime?
• Have you paid self-assessment tax, if required?
• Have you saved supporting documents?
• Have you reviewed refund bank details?

This checklist can prevent many common errors in ITR filing India.

FAQs

1. Can I claim deductions in new tax regime while filing ITR?

Yes, you can claim deductions in the new tax regime while filing ITR, but only specific deductions are allowed. The new tax regime does not permit most popular deductions such as Section 80C, Section 80D, HRA, LTA, education loan interest under Section 80E, donations under Section 80G, and self-contribution to NPS under Section 80CCD(1B). However, salaried taxpayers can generally claim standard deduction, and eligible employees may claim employer contribution to NPS under Section 80CCD(2). Certain other benefits, such as family pension deduction, Agniveer Corpus Fund deduction and specific employment-linked business deductions, may also apply in relevant cases. Therefore, while the answer is yes, the scope is limited. Before filing, compare both regimes using Form 16, AIS, TIS and Form 26AS. If your deductions are high, the old tax regime may be better.

2. Can I claim Section 80C under the new tax regime?

Generally, no. Section 80C is one of the most widely used deductions under the old tax regime, but it is not available under the new tax regime for most individual taxpayers. This means investments such as EPF, PPF, ELSS, life insurance premium, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, tax-saving fixed deposits and principal repayment of housing loan usually do not reduce taxable income if you choose the new tax regime. However, these investments may still be useful for long-term financial planning, retirement planning, insurance protection or wealth creation. You should not stop investing only because the tax deduction is unavailable. Instead, separate investment merit from tax benefit. If you have full 80C investments along with HRA, 80D and home loan benefits, compare the old and new regimes before filing your Income Tax Return.

3. Can salaried employees claim standard deduction under the new tax regime?

Yes. Salaried employees and pensioners can claim standard deduction under the new tax regime, subject to applicable limits. For AY 2026-27, the Income Tax Department’s deduction guidance lists standard deduction up to ₹75,000 for the new regime under Section 115BAC(1A)(ii), subject to salary income. This deduction is important because it reduces taxable salary without requiring separate investment proof. However, standard deduction should not be confused with Section 80C, HRA or 80D. Those deductions and exemptions usually belong to the old regime and are not automatically available under the new regime. While filing ITR, check Form 16 and the tax regime selected. If your employer considered standard deduction in TDS calculation, still verify the final numbers in the Income Tax eFiling portal before submitting the return.

4. Is health insurance premium under Section 80D allowed in the new tax regime?

No, Section 80D deduction for health insurance premium is generally not available under the new tax regime. This creates confusion because many taxpayers buy health insurance for themselves, spouses, children or parents and expect deduction benefits while filing ITR. Under the old regime, Section 80D can reduce taxable income if conditions are satisfied. Under the new regime, it generally does not. However, health insurance remains financially important even without tax benefit. Medical costs can be high, and insurance protects your family from large unexpected expenses. Therefore, do not judge health insurance only by tax deduction. If you have high 80D premiums, 80C investments and HRA, compare both tax regimes carefully. In some cases, the old regime may still produce lower tax liability.

5. Can I claim HRA in the new tax regime while filing ITR?

No, HRA exemption is generally not available under the new tax regime. HRA is a major benefit for salaried taxpayers who live in rented accommodation and receive HRA as part of salary. Under the old regime, eligible taxpayers can claim HRA exemption based on salary, rent paid, HRA received and city of residence. Under the new regime, this exemption is usually not allowed. This can make a major difference for taxpayers living in metro cities with high rent. If you are claiming HRA, do not choose the new regime blindly. Compare the old regime after including HRA, Section 80C, Section 80D and other eligible deductions. Also keep rent receipts, landlord PAN where applicable and payment records. Incorrect HRA treatment can lead to mismatch or tax demand.

6. Can freelancers claim deductions in the new tax regime?

Freelancers need to distinguish between business expenses and personal tax deductions. Under the new tax regime, many personal deductions such as Section 80C and Section 80D are restricted. However, genuine business or professional expenses may still be considered while computing business income, depending on the method of taxation used. For example, a freelancer may incur software, internet, professional tools, rent, subcontractor, travel or depreciation expenses. These are not the same as tax saving deductions. If the freelancer uses presumptive taxation, income calculation follows a different method. Freelancers must also consider advance tax, correct ITR form, GST, AIS matching and professional receipts. Because the regime choice may affect future flexibility for business income taxpayers, expert-assisted filing is safer for freelancers with significant income or complex expenses.

7. Can NRIs claim deductions under the new tax regime?

NRIs may be eligible to use the new tax regime depending on their income profile and applicable tax provisions, but most common deductions remain restricted under the new regime. For NRIs, the bigger issue is often not only deductions. Residential status, Indian income, NRO interest, rental income, capital gains, property sale, TDS, DTAA relief and foreign asset reporting may affect ITR filing. NRIs should not assume that rules applicable to a simple resident salaried taxpayer will automatically apply to them. They should check Form 26AS, AIS, TIS, bank interest certificates, capital gains statements and residential status before filing. If tax was deducted at a higher rate, refund may be possible only after correct filing and Income Tax Department processing. NRI filing often benefits from expert review, especially where DTAA or property income is involved.

8. What happens if I claim wrong deductions under the new tax regime?

If you claim deductions that are not allowed under the new tax regime, your return may be processed with adjustment, tax demand or communication from the Income Tax Department. In some cases, the return may be treated as defective if there are inconsistencies. Refund processing may also get delayed. The exact consequence depends on the error, tax impact and processing stage. If you discover the mistake after filing, review whether a revised return can be filed within the permitted timeline. If the revised return window is not available, an updated return may be possible in eligible cases, subject to additional tax rules. Do not ignore wrong claims. Correcting early is usually safer than waiting for a notice. Keep computation records, deduction proofs and regime comparison for future reference.

9. Should I choose the old regime if I have many deductions?

Not always, but you should definitely compare. If you have high HRA, full Section 80C investments, health insurance premium under Section 80D, home loan interest, education loan interest and NPS self-contribution, the old regime may produce lower tax. However, if your deductions are moderate and your income benefits more from the new regime slab structure and rebate, the new regime may still be better. The decision depends on actual taxable income, eligible deductions, exemptions, income type and documentation. Also remember that some incomes, such as capital gains, may be taxed differently. Do not select a regime only because your friend or employer chose it. Use your own Form 16, AIS, TIS, Form 26AS and investment proofs. A side-by-side calculation is the safest approach before ITR filing.

10. Is paid expert-assisted filing better than free filing for the new tax regime?

Free filing may be enough if you have a simple salary return, no capital gains, no business income, no NRI issues, no foreign assets, no rental complexity and no AIS mismatch. However, paid expert-assisted filing can be better when you need tax regime comparison, deduction review, ITR form selection, capital gains reporting, freelance income calculation, NRI filing, notice response or revised return support. The new tax regime looks simple, but errors still happen because taxpayers claim old-regime deductions, miss AIS income, ignore capital gains or choose the wrong ITR form. Expert assistance does not guarantee tax savings, refunds or faster processing, but it can improve accuracy and confidence. For complex income profiles, the cost of expert review may be lower than the cost of correcting mistakes later.

Conclusion: choose deductions carefully, file accurately and plan beyond tax season

So, can you claim deductions in new tax regime while filing ITR? Yes, but only selected deductions are allowed. The new tax regime is not deduction-free, but it is deduction-light. Salaried taxpayers may benefit from standard deduction. Some taxpayers may benefit from employer NPS contribution or other specific deductions. However, most popular tax saving deductions such as Section 80C, Section 80D, HRA, LTA and self-occupied home loan interest are generally not available.

The right choice depends on your income profile. Free filing may be enough if your return is simple and your documents match. But expert-assisted filing is safer if you have capital gains, freelance income, business income, NRI status, rental income, foreign assets, AIS mismatch, notice history or confusion between old and new tax regime.

Before filing, compare both regimes, verify AIS, TIS, Form 26AS and Form 16, and disclose all income correctly. Tax planning should also go beyond one-year deductions. Your insurance, SIP investment India strategy, retirement planning, emergency fund and goal-based investing should support long-term financial growth, not just tax saving.

For accurate Income Tax Return filing online, regime comparison and deduction review, you can explore WealthSure’s expert-assisted tax filing services: https://wealthsure.in/itr-filing-services

At WealthSure, we don’t just file taxes — we simplify your financial journey and help you build long-term wealth with confidence.