Fixed Deposit Calculator
Calculate maturity with TDS & compounding
+0.5% extra interest
Annual Interest
₹0
TDS Threshold
₹40,000
TDS Amount
₹0
Fixed Deposits (FDs) remain the bedrock of Indian savings, with over ₹150 lakh crore parked in bank deposits. In an era of volatile markets and uncertain returns, FDs offer guaranteed capital protection and predictable returns. Whether you're building an emergency fund, saving for a short-term goal, or preserving wealth in retirement, understanding how to maximize FD returns is crucial for financial security.
6-7%
Current FD rates
₹5L
DICGC insurance per bank
0.5%
Extra for senior citizens
Standard Bank FD
Traditional fixed deposit with banks
- • Tenure: 7 days to 10 years
- • Interest: 6-7% (public banks)
- • Safety: DICGC insured ₹5L
- • Liquidity: Premature withdrawal
Tax Saver FD (80C)
5-year lock-in with tax benefits
- • Lock-in: 5 years mandatory
- • Section 80C deduction
- • Interest taxable
- • No premature withdrawal
Corporate FD
Higher returns from companies
- • Interest: 8-9% typically
- • Risk: Company credit risk
- • Check CRISIL/ICRA ratings
- • Min: Usually ₹25,000
Post Office FD
Government-backed small savings
- • Sovereign guarantee
- • Tenure: 1-5 years
- • Interest: 6.9-7.5%
- • No TDS deduction
Instead of putting ₹5 lakhs in one 5-year FD, split it into five ₹1 lakh FDs with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 year maturities. This FD laddering technique gives you:
🔄 Regular Liquidity
One FD matures every year, giving you access to funds without breaking deposits
📈 Rate Averaging
If rates rise, you reinvest at higher rates. If rates fall, you still have older high-rate FDs
⚠️ No Penalty
Use maturing FD for needs instead of breaking long-term deposits early
Example: ₹5 Lakh FD Ladder
FD 1
₹1L @ 7%
Matures Year 1
FD 2
₹1L @ 7.2%
Matures Year 2
FD 3
₹1L @ 7.3%
Matures Year 3
FD 4
₹1L @ 7.5%
Matures Year 4
FD 5
₹1L @ 7.5%
Matures Year 5
When Year 1 FD matures, reinvest it for 5 years. Repeat annually for perpetual ladder.
📋 Understanding TDS on FD
- Banks deduct TDS at 10% if interest exceeds ₹40,000/year (₹50,000 for seniors)
- Submit Form 15G (below 60) or 15H (60+) to avoid TDS if total income is below taxable limit
- TDS is just advance tax. Final tax depends on your slab rate (0%, 5%, 20%, or 30%)
💡 Tax-Saving Strategies
Spread Across Banks
Interest from each bank kept below ₹40K to avoid TDS
Timing Matters
Start FDs in October to split interest across financial years
Joint Accounts
Interest split between holders, doubling TDS exemption
| Bank Type | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | Senior Citizen | Safety Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBI / HDFC / ICICI | 6.5-6.8% | 7.0-7.2% | 7.0-7.5% | +0.5% | AAA (Highest) |
| Small Finance Banks | 7.5-8.0% | 8.0-8.5% | 8.0-8.7% | +0.5-1% | Regulated by RBI |
| Post Office | 6.9% | 7.0% | 7.5% | Same | Sovereign Guarantee |
| Corporate NBFCs | 8.0-8.5% | 8.5-9.0% | 8.5-9.2% | +0.25-0.5% | Check CRISIL Rating |
Note: Rates change frequently. Small finance banks often offer 1-2% higher rates but stick to DICGC insured deposits up to ₹5 lakhs. For amounts above ₹5L, prefer AAA-rated banks or split across banks.
Fixed deposit interest earned in India is fully taxable according to your applicable income tax slab rate. Unlike equity mutual funds which enjoy preferential long-term capital gains tax rates, FD returns are categorized as "Income from Other Sources".
TDS Exemption Limits (Section 194A)
- • Regular Citizens (< 60 years): TDS of 10% is deducted if total interest across all branches of a bank exceeds ₹40,000 per financial year.
- • Senior Citizens (60+ years): TDS threshold is ₹50,000 per year under Section 80TTB. Additionally, interest up to ₹50,000 is tax-deductible.
- • Without PAN: If PAN is not provided, the bank is legally required to deduct TDS at a punitive rate of 20%.
How to Prevent TDS: Form 15G / 15H
- • Form 15G: For resident individuals below 60 whose total taxable income (including interest) is below the basic tax exemption limit.
- • Form 15H: For senior citizens aged 60 and above whose estimated final tax payable for the financial year is NIL.
- • Timing: Submit these forms at the beginning of each financial year (April) to all banks where you hold deposits.
Monthly Interest Payout Guide on Fixed Deposits
Calculated for non-cumulative monthly interest payout options across common deposit amounts at standard Indian bank rates:
| FD Deposit Amount | At 6.50% p.a. | At 7.00% p.a. | At 7.50% p.a. | At 8.00% (Senior) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹10 Lakhs | ₹5,417 / mo | ₹5,833 / mo | ₹6,250 / mo | ₹6,667 / mo |
| ₹25 Lakhs | ₹13,542 / mo | ₹14,583 / mo | ₹15,625 / mo | ₹16,667 / mo |
| ₹50 Lakhs | ₹27,083 / mo | ₹29,167 / mo | ₹31,250 / mo | ₹33,333 / mo |
| ₹60 Lakhs FD Interest | ₹32,500 / mo | ₹35,000 / mo | ₹37,500 / mo | ₹40,000 / mo |
| ₹1 Crore | ₹54,167 / mo | ₹58,333 / mo | ₹62,500 / mo | ₹66,667 / mo |
* Note: Monthly payout FDs pay interest at a slightly discounted rate compared to the annualized nominal yield because payments are disbursed before compounding occurs.
How is FD interest calculated in India?
FD interest is calculated using compound interest formula: A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt), where P is principal, r is annual rate, n is compounding frequency (usually quarterly), and t is tenure in years. Most banks compound interest quarterly, giving you slightly higher effective returns than simple interest. For example, 7% interest compounded quarterly gives 7.19% effective annual yield. Use our calculator above to see exact maturity amounts.
What is the monthly interest on a ₹60 Lakh fixed deposit?
At an interest rate of 7.00% p.a., a ₹60 Lakh fixed deposit earns approximately ₹35,000 per month (₹4,20,000 annually). At a 7.50% interest rate, the monthly payout increases to ₹37,500 per month. For senior citizens qualifying for 8.00% in certain public or small finance banks, the monthly income is ₹40,000 per month before applicable tax deductions.
Is TDS on fixed deposits the same as my final tax liability?
No. TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) is only an interim tax credit, not your final tax. The bank automatically deducts 10% TDS under Section 194A once interest crosses ₹40,000 (₹50,000 for seniors). However, if your total income places you in the 20% or 30% tax slab, you must pay the remaining self-assessment tax while filing your Income Tax Return (ITR). Conversely, if your total taxable income is zero or under the rebate limit, you can claim a full refund of the deducted TDS in your ITR.
What is a Tax-Saving Fixed Deposit and how does it work?
A Tax Saving FD has a mandatory lock-in period of 5 years and qualifies for a tax deduction of up to ₹1.5 Lakhs under Section 80C (available under the Old Tax Regime). Unlike regular FDs, you cannot break or pledge a tax-saver FD for a loan before the 5-year tenure completes. Note that while the principal investment qualifies for deduction, the interest earned remains taxable.
What happens if I break my FD before maturity?
Premature withdrawal means 0.5-1% penalty on the applicable interest rate. For example, if you booked at 7% for 5 years but break after 1 year when 1-year rate is 6%, you'll get approximately 5-5.5% after penalty. Some banks now offer "no penalty" FDs at slightly lower rates (0.25% less). Tax saver FDs (5-year) cannot be broken early under any circumstances. Always build an FD ladder for liquidity instead of breaking long-term FDs.
Are corporate FDs safe compared to bank FDs?
Corporate FDs offer 1-2% higher returns but carry credit risk - the company might default on payments. Always check CRISIL or ICRA ratings - stick to AAA or AA+ rated companies. Never put more than 10-20% of your FD portfolio in corporate deposits. Diversify across multiple companies if you invest. Bank FDs up to ₹5 lakhs are fully insured by DICGC, making them virtually risk-free. For safety-first investors, stick to reputed banks and post offices.
Should I choose monthly or cumulative interest payout?
Cumulative FD reinvests interest, giving higher effective returns through compounding. Best for wealth building. Monthly/Quarterly payout FD gives regular income but no compounding. Best for retirees needing cash flow. For a 5-year FD at 7%, cumulative gives ~7.7% effective while monthly payout stays at 7%. If you don't need the income, always choose cumulative for maximum returns. Some banks offer slightly higher rates for cumulative options.
Can I get a loan against my FD?
Yes! Loan against FD is one of the cheapest loans available. Banks offer overdraft facility up to 90% of FD value at interest rate just 1-2% above your FD rate. For example, if your FD earns 7%, loan might cost 8-9%. This is cheaper than personal loans (10-15%). Your FD continues earning interest even when pledged. No EMI pressure - pay when you have funds. No credit score check needed since your FD is collateral. Perfect for short-term emergencies without breaking your FD.
FD is just one way to grow your money. Explore these calculators to compare returns and plan better: