ELSS Calculator
Free ELSS calculator for India. Project the future value of a tax saving mutual fund SIP or lumpsum, with the 80C tax saved and the three year lock in.
An Equity Linked Savings Scheme, or ELSS, is a category of equity mutual fund that qualifies for Section 80C deduction up to ₹1,50,000 per financial year under the old tax regime, with a three year lock in (the shortest among 80C instruments). This calculator projects the future value of an ELSS SIP or one time investment at any expected return, and computes the tax saved at your slab rate so you can see the post tax economics in one place.
ELSS — Tax Saving Mutual Fund
LTCG above ₹1,25,000 per FY taxed at 12.5% on redemption (Section 112A). 3-year lock applies per SIP instalment.
Why use the ELSS Calculator
ELSS sits at the intersection of equity returns and tax planning. The lock in is just three years, the cap is the same ₹1,50,000 80C ceiling that PPF and EPF eat into, and historical category returns have hovered in the 12 to 14 percent CAGR range over long horizons. The calculator helps you decide how much of your 80C bandwidth should go to ELSS versus PPF or NSC, model SIP versus lumpsum routes, and see the combined effect of return plus 80C tax saved on the effective post tax outcome.
Benefits at a glance
SIP or lumpsum projection
Toggle between a monthly SIP (most common ELSS route) and a one time lumpsum. The calculator uses month end compounding for SIPs and annual compounding for lumpsum.
Section 80C tax saved
Enter your marginal slab rate. The calculator shows the 80C deduction on the year's investment (capped at ₹1,50,000) and the immediate tax saved, so you can see the effective post tax return.
Three year lock in respected
Each SIP instalment has its own three year lock from the date of investment. The calculator's projection horizon is independent of the lock and helps you plan exits beyond the lock window.
Compare against PPF
PPF currently pays 7.1 percent tax free with a fifteen year lock. ELSS aims for higher equity returns with a three year lock but with market risk. The calculator output makes the tradeoff concrete.
Free, private and instant
Inputs never leave your browser. No login, no email, no tracking.
How to use the ELSS Calculator
- 1
Pick SIP or lumpsum
If you invest a fixed amount every month, choose SIP. If you invest the year's 80C allocation in one go (often in March), choose lumpsum.
- 2
Enter the investment amount
For SIP, the monthly amount. For lumpsum, the one time amount. Total annual ELSS investment counts toward the ₹1,50,000 80C cap shared with PPF, EPF, life insurance premium and other 80C items.
- 3
Set the expected return and horizon
ELSS category long term returns have historically been 12 to 14 percent CAGR but can vary widely. The horizon should be at least five years given the equity nature of the asset.
- 4
Enter your marginal slab rate
Pick the slab that applies to the year's deduction (5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 percent). The calculator shows the immediate 80C tax saved on the year's investment, capped at the deduction limit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the lock in period for ELSS?
Three years from the date of each investment. For an ELSS SIP, each monthly instalment has its own three year lock, so the SIP started in April 2024 unlocks in April 2027, the May 2024 instalment unlocks in May 2027, and so on. This is the shortest lock among Section 80C instruments.
Is ELSS available under the new tax regime?
ELSS as an investment is available to anyone. However the Section 80C deduction it offers is only available under the old tax regime. New regime taxpayers can still invest in ELSS for the equity returns but get no tax benefit on the deposit. Long term capital gains rules on the redemption are the same under both regimes.
How is ELSS taxed at redemption?
ELSS is an equity mutual fund. Long term capital gains (held more than 12 months) are taxed at 12.5 percent on gains exceeding ₹1,25,000 per financial year under Section 112A. Since the minimum holding period is three years due to the lock, all ELSS redemptions are LTCG.
Can I invest more than ₹1,50,000 in ELSS?
Yes. There is no cap on the ELSS investment itself. The ₹1,50,000 limit is the maximum 80C deduction you can claim. Any investment above that earns the same equity return but does not get extra 80C deduction. Many investors put their full annual ELSS allocation here even if they go above the cap.
ELSS versus PPF, which is better?
Different roles. ELSS aims for higher returns over the long term with equity risk and a three year lock. PPF pays a fixed tax free 7.1 percent with a fifteen year lock and zero risk. A balanced 80C allocation often splits the ₹1,50,000 cap between the two, with the proportion driven by your risk tolerance and existing equity exposure.
Can I do an SIP in ELSS?
Yes, this is the most common route. A monthly SIP into an ELSS fund is treated as a separate investment for each month with its own three year lock. SIP averages your purchase price across market cycles and is suited to first time investors.
Which ELSS fund should I pick?
The calculator does not recommend specific funds. As a general framework, look at long term (10 year) category percentile, expense ratio, fund manager tenure and consistency of process. Verify any fund choice with a SEBI registered investment advisor before investing.
Final word
ELSS gives you equity returns, an 80C deduction and the shortest 80C lock in, all in one product. The calculator shows the projected corpus, the tax saved at your slab and the effective post tax outcome. Use it to size your ELSS allocation alongside PPF, EPF and other 80C items. As always, this is an estimate based on the inputs you provide. Verify the numbers, the fund choice and your tax position with a qualified financial advisor before investing.
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