What a video editor pays at different income levels for TY 2026-27, which expenses count, and how TDS, GST and presumptive tax apply.
Quick answer
A video editor with ₹9 lakh of yearly receipts and about 22% 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 | ₹24,00,000 |
| Expenses (~22%) | ₹66,000 | ₹1,98,000 | ₹5,28,000 |
| Tax: new regime | ₹0 | ₹0 | ₹1,81,380 |
| Tax: old regime (no deductions) | ₹0 | ₹55,020 | ₹3,89,060 |
| 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 taxOften eligible for 44ADA
Editors are listed in the definition of 'film artist', one of the notified professions for 44ADA. Editors of YouTube or corporate videos (not films) should confirm with a CA.
Compare presumptive vs actualIndian agencies usually deduct 10% TDS u/s 194J (fees for professional services) once they pay you more than ₹50,000 in a year. Some deduct 2% treating it as technical services. Both are credits you claim back.
Registration becomes compulsory once yearly turnover (including foreign clients) crosses ₹20 lakh in most states. Editing for foreign clients is export of services.
Only with regular books, not under presumptive taxation.
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