How is PF deducted from salary?

Employee PF deduction is 12% of basic salary. The employer also contributes 12% (3.67% to EPF, 8.33% to EPS). For employees earning above ₹15,000 basic, PF is still typically deducted on actual basic salary by most companies.

What is professional tax in India?

Professional tax is a state government tax on employment income, maximum ₹2,500 per year. It applies in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. States like Delhi, UP, and Rajasthan do not have professional tax.

In-Hand Salary Calculator – CTC to Take-Home

CTC vs In-Hand Salary — Everything Explained

What is the difference between CTC and in-hand salary?+

CTC (Cost to Company) is the total annual cost an employer bears for an employee — including salary, PF contributions, gratuity, insurance premiums, and other benefits. In-Hand Salary (take-home) is what actually gets credited to your bank account after all deductions: employee PF (12% of basic), income tax TDS, professional tax, and any other deductions. Typically, in-hand salary is 65–80% of CTC for most Indian salaried professionals.

How is basic salary calculated from CTC?+

Basic salary is typically 40–50% of CTC in most Indian companies, though this varies by employer and industry. Basic salary is important because PF (12% of basic), gratuity (4.81% of basic), and HRA (usually 40–50% of basic) are all derived from it. Higher basic means more PF savings but also higher income tax (since it's fully taxable). Some companies keep basic low to reduce PF and increase take-home, while others maintain higher basic for better retirement savings.

What is PF deduction and can I opt out?+

PF (Provident Fund) deduction is mandatory for all employees earning up to ₹15,000/month in basic salary. For higher earners, PF is still typically deducted on actual basic (or ₹15,000 minimum). The employee contributes 12% of basic, and the employer also contributes 12% (of which 8.33% goes to EPS pension scheme). Employees earning above ₹15,000 basic can opt out of PF at joining. PF is a long-term retirement benefit — while it reduces take-home, it earns 8.15% tax-free interest and builds significant retirement corpus.

What is professional tax and who pays it?+

Professional tax (PT) is a state government tax on employment income, deducted by the employer monthly. Not all states have PT — it's applicable in: Maharashtra (max ₹2,500/year), Karnataka (max ₹2,400/year), West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala. States without PT include Delhi, Rajasthan, UP, and Haryana. The maximum PT deductible is ₹2,500/year nationally. PT paid is deductible from income for tax purposes.

Is my entire CTC guaranteed as cash salary?+

No. CTC includes several non-cash components that aren't paid directly: Employer PF contribution (12% of basic) — goes to your PF account, not salary. Gratuity (4.81% of basic) — accrues and paid only after 5 years of service. Medical insurance premium — paid to insurer, you get coverage. ESOP value, if included. The actual "fixed cash" salary component is usually 80–85% of CTC for most IT and corporate employees. Always ask HR for the specific salary breakup before accepting an offer.

EARNINGS
Basic Salary	₹0
HRA (50% of basic)	₹0
Special Allowance	₹0
Other Allowances	₹0
Gross Monthly Salary	₹0
DEDUCTIONS
Employee PF (12% of basic)	₹0
Income Tax (TDS / month)	₹0
Professional Tax	₹0
Total Deductions	₹0
💰 Monthly In-Hand Salary	₹0