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CTCPlanner

Salary breakup calculator

Two offers with the same CTC can pay very differently, because structure decides how much is cash, how much is locked, and how much is exempt. This breaks any CTC into its components and shows what each one does to you.

Break down my CTC

What it means

A salary structure allocates CTC across basic salary (typically 40–50%), HRA (usually 40–50% of basic), special or flexible allowances, employer provident fund (12% of basic), and gratuity accrual (4.81% of basic). Everything except employer contributions forms gross pay.

The formula

CTC = Basic + HRA + Allowances + Employer PF + Gratuity accrual

Basic is the pivot: it drives provident fund, gratuity and your HRA exemption ceiling simultaneously. A higher basic means more retirement saving and more HRA shelter, but less immediate cash.

Worked example

  • ₹20,00,000 CTC on a standard structure → basic ₹8,00,000 (40%).
  • Employer PF ₹96,000 and gratuity ₹38,480 never reach your account.
  • HRA of ₹4,00,000 can shelter rent — but only in the old regime.

How to use it

  1. 1Enter your CTC. Pick the template that matches your offer letter's shape.
  2. 2Open the breakdown. Every component is listed with its annual and monthly value and share of CTC.
  3. 3Download the report. PDF and Excel exports carry the full component table.

Frequently asked questions

What percentage of CTC should basic salary be?

Commonly 40–50%. A higher basic increases provident fund, gratuity and HRA exemption capacity; a lower basic increases immediate cash but reduces retirement accrual and HRA shelter.

Why is my gross salary less than my CTC?

Employer provident fund, employer NPS and gratuity accrual are costs to the company that never enter your gross pay. Gross is CTC minus those employer-side items.

Can I ask my employer to restructure my salary?

Often yes, within the same CTC — shifting toward employer NPS or adjusting the basic ratio. The optimizer shows which structural changes would actually reduce your tax before you ask.

Related tools & guides

Calculations on this site are based on official government provisions and should be verified against the latest government publications (incometax.gov.in).