Zero tax up to ₹24 lakh? The presumptive-tax rule for professionals
If you're a professional — a chartered accountant, doctor, lawyer, engineer, architect or technical/IT consultant — you may be able to pay zero income tax on gross receipts of up to ₹24 lakh a year. It isn't a loophole; it's presumptive taxation under Section 58 of the new Income Tax Act 2025 (the successor to Section 44ADA), combined with the new-regime rebate. Here's exactly how it works, who qualifies, and the conditions that matter.
The math, step by step
- Gross receipts: up to ₹24,00,000 in the year.
- Presumed income: under Section 58, a professional can declare 50% of gross receipts as income — so ₹12,00,000.
- Tax under the new regime: taxable income up to ₹12 lakh attracts zero tax after the Section 87A rebate.
- Result: ₹0 tax — legally.
The ₹24 lakh figure is simply the point where 50% of your receipts equals the ₹12 lakh zero-tax threshold. Bill more than that, and tax starts to apply on the excess.
Who can use it
Section 58 presumptive taxation is for specified professionals — including chartered accountants, doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, and technical or IT consultants.
- Your gross receipts must be within ₹50 lakh (or ₹75 lakh if at least 95% of receipts are digital/non-cash).
- You declare 50% or more of receipts as your income.
- You don't need to maintain detailed books of account or get a tax audit — a genuine compliance saving.
The conditions that matter
This works — but only if:
- You're on the new tax regime (the zero-tax-up-to-₹12-lakh rebate is a new-regime benefit) and have no other large income.
- You declare at least 50%. Declare less, and a tax audit becomes mandatory.
- Section 58 does not allow further business deductions or set-off of losses against this income.
- Section 58 applies from FY 2026-27; for FY 2025-26 the equivalent is Section 44ADA — the outcome is the same.
Takeaway: If you're a professional billing up to ₹24 lakh a year, presumptive taxation can legally bring your tax to zero — planned correctly.
Not sure if you qualify, or whether the new regime is right for you? Talk to us — we'll run your numbers.
AI-assisted note, reviewed by Chartford Consultancy. Rules and figures can change with government notifications — talk to us to confirm exactly what applies to your business.
