What a digital marketer pays at different income levels for TY 2026-27, which expenses count, and how TDS, GST and presumptive tax apply.
Quick answer
A digital marketer with ₹9 lakh of yearly receipts and about 20% in business expenses pays roughly ₹0 in income tax for TY 2026-27 under the better regime: about 0.0% of receipts. Income is taxed as business or professional income at slab rates.
| Early career | Established | Top earner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly receipts | ₹3,00,000 | ₹9,00,000 | ₹25,00,000 |
| Expenses (~20%) | ₹60,000 | ₹1,80,000 | ₹5,00,000 |
| Tax: new regime | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹2,08,000 |
| Tax: old regime (no deductions) | ₹0 | ₹58,760 | ₹4,29,000 |
| Tax with presumptive (58) | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| GST registration | Not yet | Not yet | Required |
Estimates for Tax Year 2026-27 · Income-tax Act, 2025. Residents, no other income or deductions. Presumptive column uses section 58.
Calculate your own taxUsually 44AD, not 44ADA
Marketing services are usually treated as a business rather than a specified profession, so 44AD (not 44ADA) may apply. Confirm with a CA.
Compare presumptive vs actualClients may deduct 10% u/s 194J or 1–2% u/s 194C depending on how they classify the work.
Marketing services are taxed at 18% once registered. Client ad spend you pass through should be invoiced carefully.
Only with regular books, not under presumptive taxation.
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