Tax Liabilities

Tax liabilities are the entire amount of tax outstanding within a concerned time horizon, payable to taxing entities like central or state government or local authorities like a municipality. Individuals and institutions are liable to pay taxes on their earned income. 

In business, these are considered as short-term debt accounted for on the balance sheet and cleared off within the given year. And, for individuals, these are payable obligations that need to be paid from withholdings or own savings.

Types of Taxes

Two major tax categories are found in India’s current taxation system. And these two categories have further subdivisions under them. Here are the types-

• Direct tax

Tax liabilities that are paid straight to the central government are direct taxes. Individuals and organisations with taxable income are entitled to pay it.

Sub-divisions of Direct Taxes

• Income tax

Other than companies, any individual or HUF is liable to pay taxes on his/her income during a financial year. The government levies income tax on salary, pension, interest earnings, and property rental income. Further, the earnings of freelancers, self-employed or contractors, CA, lawyers and doctors also come under the purview of income taxes.

• Corporate tax

Both domestic and foreign companies must clear income tax liability on their gross profit during a concerned period. However, the domestic companies pay taxes on the universal income while foreign companies are taxed solely on their Indian earnings. Corporate tax has the following sub-categories-

• Health and education cess – Further, another 4% of the income tax is accounted for health and education.

• Dividend distribution tax – Companies carry tax liabilities on its dividend circulated amongst the shareholders in every financial year and tax exemption up to Rs. 10 lakh is allowed under income tax law. This tax is levied on a company’s gross or net income of an investment. 

• Minimum Alternative Tax – A minimum alteration tax is mandatory tax companies pay under Section 115JA at an 18.45% rate on book profit, only if the concerned company is paying income tax below the said rate. 

• Fringe benefits tax – Fringe benefits tax is accounted for on the benefits such as accommodation expenses, travel allowance, employee’s contribution to the retirement fund, etc.

All these taxes come under the corporate taxation of India.

• Securities transaction tax

Indian government levies income tax on the trading of the stock market and securities on the Indian Stock Exchange.

• Capital gains tax

Capital gain tax is charged on both earnings from the returns on investments or gains from selling a property. 

• Prerequisite tax

Prerequisite taxes are counted on the several facilities that an organisation provides to its employees. 

• Indirect tax

Here an individual does not pay taxes directly to the government. Instead, the tax is bundled together with the price of products or services. Presently, the only indirect tax in India is GST or Goods and Services Tax.

Types of tax liabilities

Two types of tax obligations are counted-

1. Current liabilities

Current tax liabilities are such short-term tax obligations that an individual must pay within a year. 

2. Deferred liabilities

However, deferred tax obligations are tax debts that are assessed or due for the present period, but they have not been paid within the cycle.

Steps to Pay Taxes in India

In India, one can pay taxes both online and offline.

• Online Payment Method

Steps-

1. First, visit the authorised website – www.tin-nsdl.com and log in. Click the Services tab, followed by e-payment.
2. A screen with e-Payment of taxes will appear. Individuals need to select challan – ITNS 280.
3. Next, along with the PAN or TAN, fill up this challan with required details.
4. After the submission of valid PAN or TAN and details, the individual’s name will appear on the confirmation screen.
5. Post this confirmation, it will redirect the taxpayer to the bank’s net-banking page.
6. Now, access the net-banking site and enter the payment details.
7. After successful payment, as a proof of the payment, a counterpart of the challan will appear. This completes the tax payment process. 

• Offline mode

Individuals can download the challan 280 from the internet or collect it from their bank. They can clear the tax liabilities either by cash or cheque.

 FAQs

• What documents are required for ITR filing?

You need the following details while filing ITR

• Your tax amount
• Assessment year
• PAN number

Other than that you also need to know the type of payment, such as self-assessment tax or advance tax, etc. 

• What is the difference between exempted income and taxable income?

Taxable income is the income on which the tax will be levied. An exempted income is a part of your income that is tax-free. For example, if you earn Rs. 3 lakh annually, then Rs. 2.5 lakh is tax-free and the remaining Rs. 50,000 is taxable.

• Do I need to disclose all the avenues of my earnings?

You are mandated to mention all modes of earnings to avoid any penalty charges.