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CountYourTax Blog
Plain-English tax articles with worked examples, each linked to the calculator that does the maths for you.
Does the ₹12 Lakh Rebate (Old Section 87A) Cover Capital Gains?
The ₹12 lakh rebate (old Section 87A, now Section 156) never covers tax on STCG or LTCG, and gains can cost you the rebate on salary too. With worked examples.
- US Tax
California Bonus Tax Rate 2026: How Much Is Withheld and Why
California withholds 10.23% from bonuses on top of 22% federal, Social Security, Medicare and 1.3% SDI. See what a $10,000 bonus pays out in 2026 and why.
4 min read - US Tax
Comparing Job Offers in Two States: Take-Home Pay After State Tax (2026)
The same salary pays very differently by state. Compare 2026 take-home pay in California, Texas, New York and Washington, and the raise you need to break even.
4 min read - F&O TradingIndia Tax
F&O Loss: How to Set Off, Carry Forward and Report It (FY 2026-27)
An F&O loss can't reduce tax on salary, but it can be set off against other income and carried forward for 8 years if you file on time. Rules and an example.
4 min read - US TaxDeductions
How Much Will a 401(k) Contribution Reduce My Paycheck?
A pre-tax 401(k) contribution cuts take-home pay by less than you put in, because it saves income tax. 2026 examples at 3%, 6% and 10% in Texas and California.
3 min read - India Tax
LTCG Tax Harvesting: How to Use the ₹1.25 Lakh Exemption Every Year
Book up to ₹1.25 lakh of long-term equity gains tax-free each year and buy back to reset your cost. How LTCG tax harvesting works in FY 2026-27, with examples.
4 min read - US Tax
New York Bonus Tax Rate 2026: NYS 11.70% and NYC 4.25% Withholding Explained
New York withholds 11.70% from bonuses, and NYC residents pay 4.25% more, on top of 22% federal and FICA. What a $10,000 bonus pays in 2026 and what you owe.
7 min read - India TaxDeductions
Old vs New Tax Regime with a Home Loan (FY 2026-27): Which Saves More?
Does a home loan make the old tax regime cheaper in FY 2026-27? On its own, rarely. Salary-wise comparison with ₹2 lakh interest and the break-even point.
3 min read - US TaxDeductions
Roth vs Traditional 401(k): How to Decide Based on Your Tax Bracket (2026)
Roth or traditional 401(k)? It comes down to your tax rate now versus in retirement. 2026 brackets, a comparison by bracket and when splitting makes sense.
4 min read - India TaxDeductions
Section 80C Is Now Section 123: What Changed for FY 2026-27 (and What Didn't)
80C is now Section 123 under the Income-tax Act, 2025, with the same ₹1.5 lakh limit and investment list. What it saves in FY 2026-27 and when it doesn't help.
3 min read - US Tax
Why Is My Bonus Taxed So High? Withholding vs the Tax You Actually Owe
Bonuses aren't taxed at a higher rate; they're withheld differently. How the 22% flat and aggregate methods work in 2026, and whether you get money back.
4 min read