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Big Tax Relief for Salaried Employees
There is good news for salaried employees.
Under the new Income Tax Rules 2026, the tax exemption on meal benefits has been increased significantly.
Earlier, employees could claim only ₹50 per meal as tax-free.
Now, this limit has been raised to ₹200 per meal.
This change will benefit millions of employees, especially those who receive meal coupons or use office canteens.
Popular meal cards like Sodexo (Pluxee) and Zaggle are also included in this benefit.
How Much Tax Can You Save?
With the new rule, an employee can claim tax-free benefits for two meals a day (lunch and dinner).
₹200 per meal = ₹400 per day
For 22 working days = ₹8,800 per month
Yearly benefit = ₹1,05,600
This means you can save over ₹1 lakh every year if meal benefits are included in your salary structure.
The benefit also depends on your working days:
5-day work week (22 days): Up to ₹1.05 lakh yearly benefit
6-day work week (26 days): Around ₹1.24 lakh yearly benefit
So, the more days you work, the higher your tax savings.
Will This Apply in the New Tax Regime?
There is still some confusion about whether this benefit will be available under the new tax regime.
Some experts say there are no clear restrictions, so it may be allowed in both old and new regimes.
Others believe that the new tax regime does not allow such exemptions, so the benefit may not apply.
Because of this, it is best to check with your HR or a tax expert before planning your taxes.
Good News for Work From Home Employees
Even if you are working from home, you may still get this benefit.
Experts say that if your company includes meal benefits in your CTC (salary package), you can claim them without going to the office.
This makes it easier for remote workers to also take advantage of this tax saving option.
A Smart Way to Save Tax
Meal vouchers are now becoming a smart tax-saving tool, especially for those earning between ₹15 lakh and ₹30 lakh annually.
If used properly, they can help reduce your tax and increase your take-home income.
However, since rules may vary and interpretations are still unclear, it’s always better to take advice from a tax professional before making any changes.
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