Understanding CTC and Salary Breakup
CTC (Cost to Company) is the total amount a company spends on an employee annually. It
includes your gross salary, benefits, EPF contributions, gratuity, bonuses, and other perks. However, your
in-hand salary (take-home pay) is significantly lower due to various deductions.
Our Salary Breakup Calculator helps you understand exactly how much you'll receive in your bank account from
your CTC, with detailed breakdowns of all components and deductions.
CTC Components Explained
1. Basic Salary
Percentage: 40-50% of CTC
What it is: The fixed component of your salary on which other benefits like HRA, EPF, and
gratuity are calculated.
Impact: Higher basic means higher EPF and retirement benefits but lower in-hand salary.
Example: For ₹12 lakhs CTC with 40% basic = ₹4.8 lakhs basic salary
2. HRA (House Rent Allowance)
Percentage: 40-60% of basic salary
Tax Benefit: Partially or fully exempt if you pay rent
Calculation: Minimum of:
- Actual HRA received
- Rent paid - 10% of basic salary
- 50% of basic (metro) or 40% (non-metro)
Example: Basic ₹40,000/month, HRA ₹20,000/month, Rent ₹15,000/month (Metro)
- Option 1: ₹20,000
- Option 2: ₹15,000 - ₹4,000 = ₹11,000
- Option 3: ₹20,000
- HRA Exemption: ₹11,000/month
3. Special Allowance
What it is: Balancing component to make up the CTC
Tax Treatment: Fully taxable
Includes: Conveyance, medical, LTA, performance bonus
4. EPF (Employee Provident Fund)
Employee Contribution: 12% of basic salary
Employer Contribution: 12% of basic salary (part of CTC)
Benefits:
- Retirement corpus building
- 8.25% annual interest (tax-free)
- Tax deduction under Section 80C
- Withdrawal allowed after 5 years
Example: Basic ₹40,000/month → EPF = ₹4,800/month (₹57,600/year)
5. Gratuity
Percentage: 4.81% of basic salary
Eligibility: After completing 5 years of service
Calculation: (Basic × Years of Service × 15) / 26
Tax Exemption: Up to ₹20 lakhs
Example: Basic ₹40,000/month → Gratuity provision = ₹1,924/month
Salary Deductions Explained
1. EPF Deduction (12%)
- Deducted from basic salary
- Reduces in-hand salary but builds retirement corpus
- Earns 8.25% annual interest
- Can be withdrawn for home purchase, medical emergency
2. Professional Tax
State-wise variation:
- Maharashtra: ₹200/month (₹300 in February) = ₹2,500/year
- Karnataka: ₹200/month = ₹2,400/year
- West Bengal: ₹200/month = ₹2,400/year
- Tamil Nadu: ₹208/month = ₹2,500/year
- Gujarat, Delhi, UP: No professional tax
3. Income Tax (TDS)
Calculated based on your total taxable income using new or old tax regime.
New Regime (FY 2025-26):
- Up to ₹3L: 0%
- ₹3-7L: 5%
- ₹7-10L: 10%
- ₹10-12L: 15%
- ₹12-15L: 20%
- Above ₹15L: 30%
Standard Deduction: ₹75,000 (new regime)
CTC vs Gross Salary vs In-Hand Salary
| Component |
CTC |
Gross Salary |
In-Hand Salary |
| Basic Salary |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| HRA |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Special Allowance |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
| Employer EPF (12%) |
✓ |
✗ |
✗ |
| Gratuity |
✓ |
✗ |
✗ |
| Employee EPF (12%) |
✗ |
Deducted |
✗ |
| Professional Tax |
✗ |
Deducted |
✗ |
| Income Tax |
✗ |
Deducted |
✗ |
Salary Structure Examples
Example 1: ₹6 Lakhs CTC
- Basic (40%): ₹2,40,000 (₹20,000/month)
- HRA (50% of basic): ₹1,20,000 (₹10,000/month)
- Special Allowance: ₹1,97,040 (₹16,420/month)
- Employer EPF (12%): ₹28,800
- Gratuity (4.81%): ₹11,544
- Employee EPF: -₹28,800 (₹2,400/month)
- Professional Tax: -₹2,500
- Income Tax: ₹0 (below ₹7L threshold)
- Monthly In-Hand: ₹43,820
- Annual In-Hand: ₹5,25,840 (87.6% of CTC)
Example 2: ₹12 Lakhs CTC
- Basic (40%): ₹4,80,000 (₹40,000/month)
- HRA (50% of basic): ₹2,40,000 (₹20,000/month)
- Special Allowance: ₹4,22,880 (₹35,240/month)
- Employer EPF (12%): ₹57,600
- Gratuity (4.81%): ₹23,088
- Employee EPF: -₹57,600 (₹4,800/month)
- Professional Tax: -₹2,500
- Income Tax: -₹78,000 (₹6,500/month)
- Monthly In-Hand: ₹83,940
- Annual In-Hand: ₹10,07,280 (83.9% of CTC)
Example 3: ₹20 Lakhs CTC
- Basic (40%): ₹8,00,000 (₹66,667/month)
- HRA (50% of basic): ₹4,00,000 (₹33,333/month)
- Special Allowance: ₹7,04,800 (₹58,733/month)
- Employer EPF (12%): ₹96,000
- Gratuity (4.81%): ₹38,480
- Employee EPF: -₹96,000 (₹8,000/month)
- Professional Tax: -₹2,500
- Income Tax: -₹2,85,000 (₹23,750/month)
- Monthly In-Hand: ₹1,26,983
- Annual In-Hand: ₹15,23,800 (76.2% of CTC)
How to Negotiate Better Salary Structure
1. Optimize Basic Salary
- Higher Basic (50%): Better for long-term (higher EPF, gratuity)
- Lower Basic (40%): Better for immediate in-hand salary
- Negotiate based on your financial goals
2. Maximize Tax-Free Components
- Food Coupons: Up to ₹50/day (₹13,000/year) tax-free
- LTA (Leave Travel Allowance): Tax-free if used for travel
- Reimbursements: Books, uniform, telephone bills
- NPS Contribution: Employer contribution up to 10% of basic (tax-free)
3. Flexible Benefits
- Ask for flexible salary structure
- Choose components based on tax planning
- Review and restructure annually
Frequently Asked Questions
Why
is my in-hand salary much lower than CTC?
Your in-hand salary is lower because CTC includes employer contributions (EPF 12%,
gratuity 4.81%) that you don't receive directly. Additionally, deductions like employee EPF (12%),
professional tax (₹200/month), and income tax (TDS) reduce your take-home pay. Typically, in-hand is
60-70% of CTC.
Can
I withdraw EPF before 5 years?
Yes, but with conditions. You can withdraw EPF before 5 years for specific purposes:
home loan down payment, medical emergency, higher education, or unemployment (after 1 month). However,
withdrawals before 5 years are taxable. After 5 years of continuous service, EPF withdrawal is tax-free.
What
happens to gratuity if I leave before 5 years?
Gratuity is payable only after completing 5 years of continuous service. If you
leave before 5 years, you don't receive gratuity. However, some companies offer gratuity even before 5
years as part of full and final settlement, though it's not legally mandatory.
Should I opt for higher basic or higher allowances?
It depends on your goals. Higher basic (50% of CTC) means higher EPF contribution,
better retirement corpus, and higher gratuity, but lower monthly in-hand salary. Higher allowances (40%
basic) mean higher monthly in-hand but lower retirement benefits. Choose based on your age and financial
priorities.
Is
professional tax applicable in all states?
No, professional tax is not applicable in all states. States like Gujarat, Delhi,
Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan don't levy professional tax. Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal,
and Tamil Nadu charge ₹200-₹208 per month. Check your state's professional tax rules.
Can
I claim HRA if I live with parents?
Yes, you can claim HRA even if you live with parents, provided you pay rent to them.
You need a rent agreement and rent receipts. Your parents must show this rental income in their ITR.
However, if your parents are in a lower tax bracket, this can be tax-efficient for the family.
What
is the difference between gross salary and CTC?
Gross salary is the total of basic, HRA, and allowances that you receive
monthly/annually. CTC includes gross salary plus employer contributions (EPF 12%, gratuity 4.81%,
insurance, bonuses). Formula: CTC = Gross Salary + Employer EPF + Gratuity + Other Benefits.
How
is bonus included in CTC?
Performance bonus and annual bonus are typically included in CTC as part of special
allowance or variable pay. Some companies show it separately. Statutory bonus (8.33% of basic, max
₹7,000) is mandatory for employees earning below ₹21,000/month and is part of CTC.
Common Salary Components Glossary
- Basic Salary: Fixed component, base for EPF and gratuity calculation
- HRA: House Rent Allowance, partially tax-exempt if paying rent
- DA (Dearness Allowance): Cost of living adjustment (mainly government)
- Conveyance: Transport allowance, up to ₹1,600/month tax-free
- Medical Allowance: Reimbursement for medical expenses
- LTA: Leave Travel Allowance, tax-free if used for travel
- Special Allowance: Catch-all for remaining CTC components
- Performance Bonus: Variable pay based on performance
- Retention Bonus: One-time payment to retain employees
- Joining Bonus: One-time payment when joining
Tips for Maximizing Take-Home Salary
- Optimize Tax Regime: Choose between old and new regime based on deductions
- Claim HRA: If paying rent, ensure proper HRA exemption
- Invest in Tax-Saving: Section 80C (₹1.5L), 80D (₹25K-₹1L), NPS (₹50K)
- Flexible Benefits: Opt for tax-free components like food coupons, LTA
- Salary Restructuring: Review annually and adjust components
- Reimbursements: Claim all eligible reimbursements (books, internet, phone)
- NPS Employer Contribution: Ask employer to contribute to NPS (tax-free up to 10% of
basic)
- Avoid Cash Salary: Ensure all components are properly structured
Technical Performance & Accessibility
Our Salary Breakup Calculator is built with modern web technologies:
- Instant Calculations: Real-time salary breakdown with Chart.js
- Mobile-Optimized: Responsive design for all devices
- Print-Ready: Generate PDF salary reports
- Accessible: WCAG AA compliant
- Privacy-First: All calculations happen locally
- Fast Loading: Optimized for Core Web Vitals
- Accurate: Updated with latest EPF, PT, and tax rates