Is the Share of Salaried Taxpayers Earning Over Rs 30 Lakh a Year Surging in 2025?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The share of high-income salaried taxpayers is rising rapidly.
- Young Indians are increasingly focused on investing.
- Experience in the workforce translates to higher earnings.
- Income diversification is becoming more common.
- Crypto assets are seen as high-risk investments.
New Delhi, Jan 7 (NationPress) The high-income salaried demographic in India is expanding rapidly, as indicated by a recent report revealing that the proportion of salaried taxpayers earning over Rs 30 lakh annually rose from 18.49% in 2024 to 23.34% in 2025. This significant increase showcases strong upward mobility within the middle and upper-middle classes, according to data collected by ClearTax.
The insights are part of ClearTax’s annual publication, ‘How India Filed in 2025’, which delves into millions of income tax returns to shed light on how Indians are earning, investing, and accumulating wealth.
The report emphasizes that peak earning years are becoming increasingly clear. Approximately 38% of salaried taxpayers aged 40-50 earn more than Rs 30 lakh each year, marking this age group as the country’s most robust segment in terms of earnings and tax contributions.
This trend illustrates how experience and career stability are consistently translating into higher incomes during mid-career phases.
Moreover, the report highlights a substantial shift in the ways Indians are generating income. Taxpayers are moving beyond reliance solely on salaries.
A notable uptick in ITR-3 and ITR-2 filings indicates that a growing number of individuals are earning through business ventures, trading, and investments, signifying a transition from single-source income to diversified income strategies.
Investing has become a prevalent financial practice, rather than a specialized activity. A substantial portion of taxpayers filing ITR-3 reported capital gains, indicating that equity markets and trading are now integral to regular financial planning for many Indians.
Young professionals are entering the job market with an investor-oriented mindset. Tax filings among those under 25 have surged, with many first-time filers already reporting capital gains.
Millennials aged 25 to 35 are significantly influencing this shift, responsible for the largest share of intricate tax filings, fueled by active investing, trading, and diverse income sources.
The report also notes that crypto assets remain a high-risk addition rather than a mainstream investment option.