ELSS Calculator
ELSS growth, old-regime tax saving and lock-in.
Investment type
₹12,500 a month = ₹1.5 lakh a year, the full deduction limit.
Your result
—
Enter your numbers to see the result.
This ELSS calculator estimates what your investment in an Equity Linked Savings Scheme could grow to, and how much income tax it saves if you use the old tax regime. Enter a monthly SIP or a yearly lumpsum, the expected return and your tax slab. It also explains the 3-year lock-in, which applies to every SIP instalment separately.
What is a ELSS Calculator?
An ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) is a diversified equity mutual fund with a 3-year lock-in. Under the old tax regime, investments of up to ₹1.5 lakh a year qualify for the deduction familiar as Section 80C. It has the shortest lock-in among 80C options and the potential for equity returns.
Under the new tax regime, which is the default, ELSS gives no deduction; it is then simply an equity fund with a lock-in. This ELSS calculator shows both the investment growth and the tax you save, so you can judge its value for your situation.
How does the ELSS Calculator work?
For a SIP, the calculator uses the standard SIP formula with monthly compounding. For yearly lumpsums, it compounds each year’s investment annually. The tax saving is the deductible amount (up to ₹1.5 lakh) multiplied by your slab rate plus 4% cess.
Each SIP instalment is locked for 3 years from its own date, so a 12-month SIP becomes fully free only 3 years after the last instalment.
How to use the ELSS Calculator step by step
- Choose monthly SIP or yearly lumpsum.
- Enter the amount.
- Enter the expected return and years.
- Choose your tax slab, or the new regime.
- Read the value, gains and tax saved.
- Remember the lock-in on each instalment.
ELSS Calculator example with real numbers
You are on the old tax regime in the 30% slab and invest ₹12,500 a month (₹1.5 lakh a year) in an ELSS fund for 10 years, expecting a 12% average return.
| Example input | Value |
|---|---|
| Investment type | Monthly SIP |
| Amount | ₹12,500 |
| Expected annual return | 12% |
| Years you keep investing | 10 years |
| Your tax slab (old regime) | 30% |
| Example output | Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated value after 10 years | ₹29,04,238 |
| Total invested | ₹15,00,000 |
| Estimated gains | ₹14,04,238 |
| Deduction each year (max ₹1.5 lakh) | ₹1,50,000 |
| Tax saved each year (incl. cess) | ₹46,800 |
| Tax saved over 10 years | ₹4,68,000 |
| Last instalment unlocks | 3 years after it is invested |
The ELSS calculator estimates a value of ₹29,04,238. You save about ₹46,800 in tax each year, or ₹4,68,000 over 10 years, on top of the investment growth.
Key features of this ELSS Calculator
- SIP or yearly lumpsum
- Tax saving at your slab with cess
- ₹1.5 lakh limit applied
- New regime option
- Lock-in explained
Who should use the ELSS Calculator?
Who is this ELSS Calculator for?
- Salaried taxpayers on the old regime
- Young investors starting equity with tax benefits
- People comparing ELSS with PPF
- Advisers explaining 80C choices
Practical use cases
- Planning ₹1.5 lakh of 80C investments
- Comparing ELSS with PPF or NSC
- Checking whether ELSS still makes sense in the new regime
- Estimating 10-year growth
Key benefits
- Two gains: growth and tax saving together.
- Realistic: slab-based saving with cess.
- Clear rules: lock-in per instalment.
- Fast: instant results.
Tips for better results
- Start your ELSS SIP in April, not in a rush in March.
- Compare regimes first with the income tax calculator.
- Choose direct plans for lower expense ratios.
- You don’t have to sell after 3 years; hold longer if the fund is good.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Investing in ELSS while on the new regime expecting a deduction.
- Assuming a SIP unlocks after 3 years from the first instalment.
- Investing more than ₹1.5 lakh for tax reasons only.
- Judging ELSS only on tax saving.
Limitations of this ELSS Calculator
- It assumes a constant return.
- Tax saving assumes you have other income at that slab.
- Capital gains tax on redemption is not deducted.
ELSS Calculator vs other ways to calculate
| Option | Lock-in | Return | Tax on returns |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELSS | 3 years | Market-linked | LTCG above ₹1.25 lakh at 12.5% |
| PPF | 15 years | 7.1% | Tax-free |
| 5-year tax-saver FD | 5 years | Bank rate | Interest taxable |
| NSC | 5 years | 7.7% | Interest taxable |
For a tax-free fixed option, see the PPF calculator. For a regular SIP without lock-in, use the SIP calculator.
Privacy and data handling
This ELSS Calculator runs entirely in your browser. The numbers you type are not sent to Qorico or stored on any server, and nothing is saved after you close the page. The Copy and Download buttons create the result on your own device. If the page has analytics turned on, it may count that a calculation happened, but it does not record the values you entered.
ELSS Calculator FAQs
How much tax can I save with ELSS?
Up to ₹1.5 lakh a year is deductible under the old regime. In the 30% slab that saves about ₹46,800 including cess.
What is the ELSS lock-in period?
3 years from the date of each investment. For SIPs, each instalment has its own 3-year lock-in.
Is ELSS useful in the new tax regime?
It gives no deduction under the new regime, but it still works as a diversified equity fund with a lock-in.
ELSS or PPF: which is better?
ELSS has a shorter lock-in and higher potential returns but more risk; PPF is safe and tax-free but locked for 15 years.
How are ELSS gains taxed?
Equity gains above ₹1.25 lakh a year on units held over 12 months are taxed at 12.5%; units held 12 months or less are taxed at 20%. ELSS units are always held over 12 months by the time they unlock.
Can I stop an ELSS SIP?
Yes. Units already invested stay locked for their 3 years, but you can stop future instalments any time.
Related tools
Sources and references
We checked the method and the current figures used in this ELSS Calculator against these official and primary sources:
- AMFI: Association of Mutual Funds in India
- Mutual Funds Sahi Hai: AMFI investor education
- SEBI Investor Website
- Income Tax Department of India
Written and reviewed by the Qorico Team
