Meal cards to cut income tax by Rs 1.05 lakh? New changes for salaried taxpayers under Income Tax Rules 2026 to be effective from April this year

Salaried employees can now claim an income tax exemption of up to Rs 1.05 lakh annually on meal cards, vouchers, or subsidized canteen food. New Income Tax Rules, 2026, have increased the per-meal limit to Rs 200, potentially boosting savings under both old and new tax regimes. This benefit is calculated based on working days and employer policies.