How Much Income Tax Will Virat Kohli Pay On His Rs 21 Crore IPL Salary This Year?
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Virat Kohli is taking a salary of Rs 21 crore in the 18th edition of IPL this year, which is a 40 per cent hike over the last year. Here’s full income tax calculation on his IPL income:
Virat Kohli has earned a total salary of Rs 179.70 crore from IPL since 2008. (Picture Credit: X/@RCBTweets)
Virat Kohli, who scored over half a century against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday in the Indian Premier League 2025, was the top performer in Saturday’s match at Eden Gardens. The Royal Challenger Bangalore’s key player Kohli has remained one of the top performers in IPL. Considering his game play and popularity, how much salary does he take in IPL? As per reports, Kohli is taking a salary of Rs 21 crore in the 18th edition of IPL this year, which is a 40 per cent hike over the last year.
According to data from online tax and business consultancy firm Taxology India, Virat Kohli’s salary in IPL was just Rs 12 lakh during the years from 2008 to 2010, which skyrocketed to Rs 21 crore in 2025 amid his impressive game play and high popularity.
After 2010, his salary jumped sharply to Rs 8.28 crore during the 2011-13 period.
In 2014 to 2017, his IPL salary had stood at Rs 12.5 crore; and Rs 17 crore in 2018 to 2021.
However, his salary took a beating during 2022 to 2024 and fell to Rs 15 crore, which now surged by 40 per cent to Rs 21 crore in 2025, according to data from Taxology India.
So far, he has earned a total salary of Rs 179.70 crore from IPL since 2008.
Virat Kohli Highest-Paid Player In RCB
With Rs 21 crore, Kohli is the highest-paid player in the Royal Challengers Bangalore, followed by Josh Hazlewood (Rs 12.50 crore) and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar (Rs 10.75 crore).
The least paid auction is Rs 30 lakh, and RCB has got four players — Swastik Chikara, Manoj Bhandage, Abhinandan Singh, and Mohit Rathee — with the same amount each.
How Much Tax Would Virat Kohli Pay On His IPL Salary This Year?
Here is roughly estimated tax liability of Virat Kohli on his IPL salary of Rs 21 crore for the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025.
Since Kohli is not an employee of RCB but is receiving an IPL contract fee, this income is categorized as “income from business or profession” under Section 28 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Tax Calculation for FY 2024-25 (AY 2025-26)
Virat Kohli falls under the highest income tax slab as a resident individual earning above Rs 5 crore. Assuming he opts for the new tax regime (which is more beneficial for high-income earners), his tax liability would be as follows:
Income Slab (New Regime) Tax Rate:
- ₹0 – ₹3,00,000 Nil
- ₹3,00,001 – ₹6,00,000 5%
- ₹6,00,001 – ₹9,00,000 10%
- ₹9,00,001 – ₹12,00,000 15%
- ₹12,00,001 – ₹15,00,000 20%
- Above ₹15,00,000 30%
Since his IPL earnings exceed Rs 15 lakh, he will be taxed at 30% on the full amount.
Step 1: Basic Tax Calculation
Rs 21 crore @ 30% = Rs 6.3 crore
Step 2: Surcharge (as income is above Rs 5 crore)
Income above Rs 5 crore attracts a surcharge of 25% on tax:
Rs 6.3 crore × 25% = Rs 1.575 crore
Step 3: Health & Education Cess (4% on tax + surcharge)
(Rs 6.3 crore + Rs 1.575 crore) × 4% = Rs 0.315 crore
Final Tax Liability
Income Tax = Rs 6.3 crore
Surcharge (25%) = Rs 1.575 crore
Cess (4%) = Rs 0.315 crore
Total Tax Payable = Rs 8.19 crore
Net Take-Home Income After Tax
IPL Salary = Rs 21 crore
Tax Payable = Rs 8.19 crore
After-Tax Income = Rs 12.81 crore
Deductions
If he has business expenses (e.g., agent fees, fitness expenses, brand management), he can claim deductions under Section 37(1) before computing taxable income.
Other sources of income (endorsements, investments, etc.) will also be taxed separately.
