Virat Kohli, the backbone of Royal Challengers Bangalore, is once again in the spotlight, not just for his stellar IPL performance but also for his staggering ₹21 crore salary in the 18th edition of IPL 2025. But before he enjoys this massive paycheck, the tax department steps in to take its cut. So, how much does Kohli actually take home? Let’s break it down.
Virat Kohli’s Tax Calculation (FY 2024-25)
- Basic Tax (30%): Since his earnings exceed ₹24 lakh, Kohli falls under the highest tax bracket. He owes ₹6.3 crore in income tax.
- Surcharge (25%): Any income above ₹5 crore attracts a 25% surcharge on tax. That means ₹1.575 crore is added to his tax liability.
- Health & Education Cess (4%): A 4% cess on the total tax and surcharge applies, which equals ₹31.5 lakh.
Final Tax Liability: ₹8.19 Crore
After deductions, Kohli’s total tax bill comes to a massive ₹8.19 crore. So, out of his ₹21 crore IPL salary, he actually takes home ₹12.81 crore.
The Big Picture
While ₹12.81 crore is still a huge amount, it’s mind-blowing to think that Kohli loses almost 40% of his IPL earnings to taxes!
If you think your tax bill is high, imagine how Kohli feels!