Difference Between Advance Tax and Self-Assessment Tax

Advance Tax

The term “advance tax” in India describes the tax that people, corporations, and businesses pay up front rather than waiting until the end of the fiscal year. Salaried workers typically use TDS, which is run by their employers, to fulfill their advance tax responsibilities.

However, additional revenue streams like capital gains, bonds, rental income, interest from savings accounts, fixed deposits, or other sources might raise the tax liability, so people have to project their upfront tax obligations.

Taxpayers must pay advance tax in quarterly installments (June, September, December, and March) if their annual tax liability exceeds Rs 10,000.

Taxes paid by March 31st at the latest are considered advance taxes paid in the same fiscal year. By checking the appropriate column, Advance Tax, on Challan ITNS 280, the advance tax deposit is made.

Who Needs to Pay Advance Tax?

According to section 208, any individual whose estimated tax liability for the year is Rs 10,000 or more must pay their tax in advance, known as ‘Advance Tax’. Explore the provisions related to advance tax payment by taxpayers in this section.

Calculating and Paying Advance Tax

a. For all taxpayers (excluding those eligible under sections 44AD and 44ADA of the Income Tax Act):

Minimum 15% by June 15
Minimum 45% by September 15
Minimum 75% by December 15
100% by March 15

b. In case of eligible assessee as referred to in sections 44AD and 44ADA: 100% On or before March 15.

Section 44AD’s presumptive taxation scheme aims to provide relief to small taxpayers in non-goods carriage businesses, excluding those under section 44AE.

The scheme under section 44AD is available to the following entities:

Resident individuals
Resident Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs)
Resident partnership firms (excluding Limited Liability Partnership Firms)

Similarly, individuals resident in India engaged in specific professions can benefit from section 44ADA:

Legal services
Medical services
Engineering or architectural services
Accountancy services
Technical consultancy services
Interior decoration services
Any other profession as notified by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)

Who is Exempt from Advance Tax Payment?

A resident senior citizen (aged 60 years or above during the relevant financial year) with no income from business or profession is not required to pay advance tax.

Self-Assessment Tax

The amount a taxpayer pays on the required income after deducting advance tax and tax deducted at source (TDS) is known as self-assessment tax.

It describes the extra tax that a person or organization pays to the government after determining their overall tax obligation for a specific fiscal year. This is typically done when the taxpayer discovers that the amount of tax already paid—either in advance tax or through TDS (tax deducted at source)—is less than the amount of tax owed.

The self-assessment tax is computed using the income tax rates and regulations in effect for that specific fiscal year. The taxpayer has two options for making the self-assessment tax payment: going to a specific bank branch or paying online via the income tax department’s website.

Read More: Deductions under Indian Income Tax Act for Individuals and HUFs

Calculating and Paying Self-Assessment Tax

Calculation of Self-Assessment Tax: After filling out your ITR form with the TDS and advance tax details (if paid), the system computes your income and checks whether tax is still payable. You need to pay it and then fill in the challan details in the return before submitting it.

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Advance Tax vs Self-Assessment Tax

Difference Between Advance Tax and Self-Assessment Tax