Self-Assessment Tax

Taxes are the financial charges that the government imposes on the people and entities to generate revenue for providing public services and expenditures.

You have to pay your own taxes, and they cannot be transferred to other people. The self-assessment tax is the balance amount that is paid before filing the ITR after eliminating the TDS and advance tax. It is essential to have a clear understanding of the various taxes.

What is Self Assessment Tax?

The self-assessment tax is considered the difference between your final tax liability and the sum of advance taxes and TDS paid during the year. You must pay the remaining tax amount before you fill out the income tax return.

This process makes sure that you have paid the right amount of tax according to your tax deductions and income.

Generally, you need to settle this tax amount at the end of the financial year, but it should be before the filing of the income tax return. You can avoid the extra interest charges or the penalties by paying it on time.

This guide provides information about the self-assessment tax and how to pay it.

Who Should Pay the Self-Assessment Tax?

The following are the people who should pay the self-assessment tax:

  • It is paid by those who have not paid enough advance tax for the whole year. Advance tax is the tax that is paid in advance throughout the year in installments. If someone's tax payments do not cover their total tax liabilities, then they have to pay the remaining amount as self-assessment tax.
  • It is paid by those individuals whose income sources are not subject to TDS (tax deduction at source). TDS is a system of tax deduction from the income of an individual at the source, such as their employer or banks. If the individual has income in which the TDS is not deducted, then they have to pay SAT.
  • It is paid by those individuals who have made the adjustments in their deductions or income after they have filed the advance tax returns. The individuals have to adjust their SAT payments if there are any changes in their income.

How to Calculate Self-Assessment tax?

To calculate the self-assessment in income tax, you have to follow the given steps:

Step 1: Add your total income that comes from all the sources, such as business profits, salary, profession, capital gains, and other sources.

Step 2: Minus all the allowed tax exemptions and deductions, such as the investments that come under the section 80C, 80D, etc.

Step 3: Then, calculate the tax on the remaining amount according to the slab rates. The amount that comes is what you are paying in SAT.

The formula to calculate is given below:

[(A=B) - (C+D+E+F)]

where A = total payable tax, B = Interest as per section 234 A/B/C, C = tax relief under scetion 90/90A/91, D = MAT credit under section 115JAA, E = TDS/TCS, F = Advance Tax 

How to Pay Self Assessment Tax Online?

Here are the steps to pay self assessment tax India:

  1. Visit the online portal of Income Tax e-filing and then log in to your account on the website.
  2. Select the option that says e-pay tax under the section of e-file.
  3. Click on the payment button on the website.
  4. Select the 1st option that appears on the page, which says 'Income Tax', and then click on proceed.
  5. Select the relevant assessment year and select 'self-assessment tax (300)' from the menu.
  6. Enter the amount of the tax, and then select continue for the payment.
  7. Select the mode of payment and the bank to make the payment.

How to Download the Self-assessment Tax Challan?

Here are the steps to follow if you want to know how to download self-assessment tax paid challan:

  1. Visit the online portal of Income Tax e-filing and then log in to your account.
  2. Click on the tab for e-file.
  3. Select the option saying e-pay tax.
  4. Click on the payment history option and select the self-assessment challan that you want to download.
  5. Then, on the Action tab, click on the three dots and select the download option.

Related Glossary

Explore key terms and definitions related to this topic to deepen your understanding.

Remittance
 
Return of Loss
 
Salary Arrears
 
Scrutiny Assessment
 
Tax Advisor
 
Join Community