Statutory bonus

The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 makes bonus a statutory entitlement, not a discretionary gift. It has an eligibility threshold, a calculation ceiling, and a floor and cap on the percentage.

Statutory bonus

Payment of Bonus Act 1965 — eligible if monthly salary ≤ ₹21,000. Min 8.33% — max 20% of (Basic+DA), capped at ₹7,000 ceiling.

Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere or stored.

How it is calculated

1

Check eligibility — the employee must earn at or below the wage threshold and have worked at least 30 days in the accounting year.

2

Apply the calculation ceiling. Where wages exceed the ceiling, bonus is computed on the ceiling rather than actual wages.

3

Apply the percentage — a minimum of 8.33% and a maximum of 20% of the bonus-eligible wages.

Worked example

An employee on ₹18,000 a month with wages capped at the statutory calculation ceiling for bonus purposes receives 8.33% of the ceiling-based annual figure as the statutory minimum, rising to 20% where the employer's allocable surplus allows.

What to watch for

Frequently asked questions

Is bonus payable if the company made a loss?

Yes. The 8.33% minimum is payable regardless of profitability — that is the point of a statutory minimum.

Can ex gratia replace statutory bonus?

No. Ex gratia is over and above the statutory entitlement; it cannot be used to substitute for it.

Is the bonus taxable?

Yes, it is salary income and taxable in the year of receipt.

More Salary & Payroll calculators

There is an easier way to do this each month.

Garuda HR looks after payroll, attendance, leave and statutory compliance for Indian teams — the same arithmetic, run for you every month, with a full audit trail. We would be glad to show you around.