Self Assessment Tax: Meaning & How to Pay it

The amount of taxes that the assessee (individuals obliged to submit an income tax self-assessment return) owes on the requisite income after subtracting Advance Tax and TDS for the specific financial year is the meaning of Self Assessment Tax. Taxpayers should appropriately determine their tax liability and pay any unpaid balance as Self Assessment Tax.

When it comes to Self Assessment Tax (SAT) in India, there is no specific deadline for payment since it is calculated at the end of the fiscal year. Unlike other taxes with fixed due dates, SAT allows some flexibility. However, to avoid Self Assessment Tax Challan, making the SAT payment before filing your income tax return is recommended.

SAT mainly applies to individuals who don't have taxes deducted at source. This includes self-employed individuals, freelancers, landlords, and those with additional sources of income. By paying SAT, individuals ensure their total tax liability is met, even if their income isn't subject to TDS.

How to calculate your self-assessment tax?

• First things first, determine your total income. Calculate your total income for the financial year by including income from all sources such as salary, business or profession, capital gains, rental income, and any other taxable income.
• Next up, consider deductions and exemptions. Deduct eligible deductions and exemptions as per the provisions of the Income Tax Act. These may include deductions for investments under Section 80C, 80D, 80G, and others, as well as exemptions for house rent allowance (HRA), leave travel allowance (LTA), etc.
• Now, you calculate taxable income. For this, take away the deductions and exemptions from your total income to arrive at your taxable income.
• Consult the income tax rates in effect for the relevant fiscal year. Find the tax rates that correspond to your range of taxable income. It is essential to refer to the most recent tax regulations because tax slabs and rates are subject to change annually. Apply the relevant tax rates to your taxable income per the income tax slabs to determine the amount of tax you have to pay.
• Take into account any TDS from your income by employers, banks, or other deductors. Include any payments made in advance taxes during the fiscal year too. Subtract both these sums from the tax liability you've estimated.
• If the total TDS and advance tax paid is less than your tax liability, the shortfall is your Self Assessment Tax. You need to pay this additional tax to meet your total tax liability.

Self-assess your expenses without any hassles!

For many of you, it’s a hassle to assess things like how much tax you owe and how to pay Self Assessment Tax online on your own. Some of you may even need to hire a professional to help you.

With Ask.Fi , you can review your spending patterns and see your money grow. With the 360-degree view of your expenses, you can filter your spending by category and time. Moreover, through the Fi app, you can invest the money you save in Smart Deposits and commission-free mutual funds .

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the self-assessment?

The amount of taxes that the assessee owes on the requisite income after subtracting Advance Tax and TDS for the specific financial year is referred to as Self Assessment Tax.

2. What is self-assessment with an example?

Self Assessment Tax is an additional payment made by individuals when the tax deducted at source (TDS) or advance tax is insufficient to cover their total tax liability. For example, if someone's tax liability is Rs. 50,000 but only Rs. 30,000 is deducted through TDS, they must pay the remaining Rs. 20,000 as Self Assessment Tax. This can be done through online or physical payment at an authorised bank.

3. Why is self-assessment used?

Self Assessment Tax is utilised to address any shortfall in the tax amount that individuals owe after considering the tax deductions made at source (TDS) or advance tax payments. It ensures that individuals accurately calculate and fulfil their total tax liability per applicable tax laws. By paying the Self Assessment Tax, individuals demonstrate their compliance with tax regulations and avoid penalties or interest charges for underpayment. It provides a mechanism for individuals to rectify discrepancies between the amount already deducted or paid and their actual tax liability, ensuring fairness and accuracy in the tax system.

4. What is self-assessment tax entry in income tax?

The journal entry for recording the payment of Self Assessment Tax in income tax would typically involve debiting the "Income Tax Expense" or "Income Tax Payable" account and crediting the "Bank" or "Cash" account.

Debit: Income Tax Expense/Income Tax Payable (with the amount of Self Assessment Tax paid)

Credit: Bank/Cash (with the same amount)