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🗓️ Last updated: June 2026 | 5 min read

An ELSS Calculator helps you estimate the returns and tax savings from investing in Equity Linked Savings Schemes — the only mutual fund category eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.

Use the ELSS calculator above to calculate:

• Your total invested amount over the investment period
• Expected portfolio value at your chosen return rate
• Tax deduction benefit under Section 80C (up to ₹1.5 lakh per year)
• Long-term capital gains tax (LTCG at 10% above ₹1 lakh)
• Your net post-tax returns

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Once you enter your SIP amount, duration, and tax slab, the calculator shows six key numbers:

Invested — the total amount you put in over the years. Returns — the profit earned on top of your investment
through equity market growth.

Total Value — your invested amount plus all returns before tax.

Tax Saved (80C) — the income tax you saved each year by claiming ELSS under Section 80C. At 30% slab on
₹1.5L this is ₹46,800 per year.

LTCG Tax — Long Term Capital Gains tax at 10% on gains above ₹1 lakh per financial year.

Net Gain — your actual profit after paying LTCG tax. This is the real return on your investment.

The Portfolio Breakdown donut chart shows the split between what you invested and what the market added.
The wider the green section, the better your investment is performing.

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Step 1: Choose SIP Mode or Lumpsum Mode based on how you plan to invest.

Step 2: Enter your monthly SIP amount or lumpsum investment amount in rupees.

Step 3: Set your expected annual return. ELSS funds have historically delivered 12–15% annually over long periods, though past returns do not guarantee future performance.

Step 4: Enter your investment duration. ELSS has a mandatory 3-year lock-in — the minimum duration is 3 years.

Step 5: Select your income tax slab (5%, 20%, or 30%) to calculate your actual tax savings under 80C.

The ELSS calculator instantly shows your portfolio breakdown, year-wise investment tracker, and total tax benefit.

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ELSS — Equity Linked Savings Scheme — is a category of diversified equity mutual funds that qualifies for tax deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Key features of ELSS:

• Tax deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakh per year under Section 80C
• Shortest lock-in period among all 80C instruments — only 3 years
• Potential for equity-linked returns of 12–15% annually over long periods
• LTCG of 10% on gains above ₹1 lakh per financial year
• Available as both SIP and lumpsum investment

ELSS vs Other 80C Investment Options

ELSS offers the shortest lock-in and highest potential returns among all Section 80C options — making it the preferred choice for investors with a moderate to high risk appetite and a long-term investment horizon.

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Here is exactly how the numbers work for a typical salaried investor in the 30% tax slab:

Monthly SIP: ₹5,000
Investment duration: 10 years
Expected annual return: 12%
Tax slab: 30%

Total amount invested: ₹6,00,000
Expected portfolio value at year 10: ₹11,62,000
Total gains: ₹5,62,000
LTCG exemption (₹1L per year): ₹1,00,000
Taxable LTCG: ₹4,62,000
LTCG tax at 10%: ₹46,200
Post-tax value: ₹11,16,000

Tax saved under 80C over 10 years: ₹1,80,000
Net gain after all taxes: ₹6,96,000

This means for every ₹1 invested, you get back ₹1.94 after tax — nearly doubling your money over 10 years
while also saving tax every single year.

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ELSS is suitable for:

• Salaried individuals looking to save tax under 80C
• Investors with a minimum 3-year investment horizon
• Those comfortable with equity market volatility
• Anyone wanting higher returns than PPF or tax-saving FDs

ELSS may not be suitable for:

• Investors with very low risk tolerance
• Those needing funds within 3 years
• Retirees or near-retirees dependent on fixed income

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Once you know your target SIP amount from the calculator above, here are the top-rated ELSS funds to consider:

Past returns do not guarantee future performance. Returns as of May 2026. Consult a SEBI-registered adviser before investing.

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Is ELSS better than PPF for tax saving?

ELSS has a shorter lock-in (3 years vs 15 years) and higher potential returns (12–15% vs 7.1%) but comes with market risk. PPF is safer but locks your money for 15 years. For long-term wealth creation with tax savings, ELSS typically wins on returns.

Can I withdraw ELSS before 3 years?

No. ELSS units are locked for exactly 3 years from the date of each SIP instalment. In a SIP, each monthly instalment has its own 3-year lock-in from its investment date.

What is the maximum tax benefit from ELSS?

You can claim a deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakh per year under Section 80C. If you are in the 30% tax slab, this saves you ₹46,800 in taxes annually (including cess).

Is ELSS return guaranteed?

No. ELSS funds invest in equities and returns are market-linked. Historical average returns have been 12–15% annually over 5–10 year periods, but short-term returns can be negative.

Can I invest more than ₹1.5 lakh in ELSS?

Yes. You can invest any amount in ELSS but only ₹1.5 lakh per year qualifies for tax deduction under Section 80C. Any amount above ₹1.5 lakh is treated as a regular equity mutual fund investment and does not get the 80C benefit — though it still follows the 3-year lock-in rule per instalment.

What happens to my ELSS investment if I stop my SIP?

Nothing happens to your existing units. Each SIP instalment has its own individual 3-year lock-in from its investment date. If you stop new SIPs, your already-invested money stays locked for its respective period and continues to earn market returns. You can resume SIP anytime without starting fresh.

Is ELSS better than NPS for tax saving in 2026?

Both serve different purposes. ELSS gives you higher potential returns of 12–15% with a short 3-year lock-in and deduction under 80C up to ₹1.5L. NPS gives an additional ₹50,000 deduction under 80CCD(1B) over and above the 80C limit, but locks your money till retirement. The smartest approach for salaried investors is to use both — max out ELSS for 80C and add NPS for the extra ₹50,000 deduction.

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Use our ELSS Calculator above to model your exact investment scenario before making any investment decision. For personalised advice, consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor.

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Explore More Free Calculators

Use these free tools on Gyani Turtle to plan your complete investment portfolio:

• SIP Calculator — Calculate Your Mutual Fund Returns
• PPF Calculator — Public Provident Fund Returns
• Start Investing in India — Complete Beginner’s Guide 2026
• Start Investing Guide — Complete beginner’s guide for 2026

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Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Please consult a SEBI-registered advisor before making investment decisions.

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