What a podcaster pays at different income levels for TY 2026-27, which expenses count, and how TDS, GST and presumptive tax apply.
Quick answer
A podcaster with ₹6 lakh of yearly receipts and about 30% 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 | ₹1,00,000 | ₹6,00,000 | ₹25,00,000 |
| Expenses (~30%) | ₹30,000 | ₹1,80,000 | ₹7,50,000 |
| Tax: new regime | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹1,56,000 |
| Tax: old regime (no deductions) | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹3,51,000 |
| 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 (eligibility debated, see below).
Calculate your own taxPresumptive eligibility is debated
Podcasting income is business/professional income; podcasters are not a named 44ADA profession. Confirm with a CA before using presumptive taxation.
Compare presumptive vs actualIndian sponsors deduct 10% u/s 194J or 1–2% u/s 194C. Platform payouts from abroad usually have no Indian TDS.
Sponsorships in India attract 18% GST once registered. Foreign platform payouts are exports but count towards the threshold.
Only with regular books, not under presumptive taxation.
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