Individuals and corporations are subject to income tax, which is a government-imposed direct tax on their annual earnings and profits. It is calculated using a person’s or entity’s net taxable income for the applicable financial/fiscal year, which runs from April 1 to March 31 of the following calendar year.

Who is obligated to pay income tax?

Any individual or organization having income, regardless of the amount received, is required to file income tax returns under the present IT Act. Income tax, on the other hand, is currently only due if a fiscal’s net taxable income exceeds Rs. 2.5 lakh. Individuals and businesses who must pay tax if their net taxable income for fiscal year 2018-19 exceeds a certain threshold include:

• Individuals who earn a living
• Individuals who work for themselves
• Professionals who work for themselves
• Undivided Hindu Family
• Artificial persons who have been legally recognised
• Individuals as a group
• People’s Organization
• Corporations and business firms
• Local Governments

What are Slab Rates on Income Tax?

In India, income is taxed at regulated income tax slab rates that vary depending on the net annual income of the taxpayer. The progressive characteristic of income tax slab rates is that they climb in tandem with an individual’s net annual income. The rates of income tax slabs are subject to change on a regular basis and are announced as part of the Union Budget.

It is a legal need to file tax returns.

• All components of the tax process are overseen by the Income Tax Department.
• Every taxpayer is required to submit his income to the Income Tax Department in a form stipulated by the government at the end of the financial year. India is an Indian country.
• Individuals and businesses earning money in India must file a tax return, whether or not tax is deducted at source.
• This ITR (Income Tax Return Form) summarizes income for a specific fiscal year.
• A business, a paycheck, a pension, rental income, or capital gains are all examples of sources of income.

Avoiding Sanctions

• By submitting an Income Tax Return form, you are informing the government of your earnings and the tax you have paid on them.
• You prove that you earned money and paid taxes on it when you file an income tax return.
• According to the Income Tax Act, you must file an ITR every year.
• Failure to file income tax returns could result in hefty penalties. You can be considered a tax evader by the IT department.
• The Internal Revenue Service may levy penalties as a result.
• You will be repaid the difference if you have paid more tax than is required.

What are the many types of taxable earnings?

The following are the primary types of income that are taxed at the corresponding rates under the current Income Tax Act 1961 rules:

• Salary-based income
• Gains on Capital Assets
• House Property Rental Income
• Profits from Business
• Other sources of revenue include lotteries and other forms of legal gaming, dividends, and so on.

The Benefits of Filing a Tax Return (ITR)

Individuals who earn taxable income must file tax returns. If you are under the age of 60 and have an annual income of less than 2.5 lakhs, you are free from paying income tax. Many salaried workers wrongly assume that their employer has deducted tax at source, and that their financial burden has thereby been alleviated. The filing of income tax returns and the payment of income taxes are two separate tasks. You should still file your tax returns even if you don’t owe any money in taxes. There are several advantages to filing tax returns:

• Ensures that loans are processed quickly.
• Return submission is required for VISA processing.
• It is feasible to register immovable properties quickly.
• The bank will not give the applicant a credit card until he files his returns on a regular basis.The bank will not give the applicant a credit card until he files his returns on a regular basis.
• When you file income tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, you create a record.

Filing Income Tax Returns

According to the Income Tax Act, you must file income tax returns if you:

• If your gross total revenue in a fiscal year exceeds $250,000, you must file a tax return. Senior persons have a limit of 3,00,000 dollars, while those over the age of 80 have a limit of 5,00,000.
• Whether you make a profit or lose money, you are still a business.
• You’re looking forward to getting your tax refund.
• If you are a resident of India and have assets outside the country, you must file an income tax return.
• If you receive funds from a research organization, a political party, an educational institution, a news organization, or a medical or educational institution that is held in trust for religious or charitable purposes.
• For non-resident Indians, income earned in India is taxable.

Suggested Read: Income Tax Notice