Income Certificate Online: Application, Documents, Importance

State governments in India can issue income certificates to citizens so that they can claim the benefits of various social welfare schemes. It contains a declaration about a person and his/her family’s annual income; it is used to assess their eligibility for various government schemes.

Here are the various aspects of the income certification, including its usage and application procedure. Take a look!

What Is an Income Certificate?

An income certificate is an official document issued by a state government stating a person’s annual income from all sources. It includes the income of an individual and his/her family from salary, pension, business profits, rent, daily earnings and remittance from foreign sources, whichever is applicable.

The issuing authority for income certificates varies from one state to another. If you reside in a village, you have to go to a Tehsildar to apply for an income certificate. In towns and cities, the issuing authority can be the Collector, District Magistrate, Deputy Commissioner, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Revenue Circle Officer or any other district authority.

The main function of an income certificate is to act as proof of an Indian citizen’s income for availing various government schemes. People require this document for various reasons such as availing scholarships, medical benefits, old-age pension, etc.

Also Read: Section 24 Of Income Tax Act

Why Do You Need an Income Certificate?

The following are some cases where one may need to show his/her income certificate:

Students from economically poor backgrounds need to furnish this document to apply for scholarships, fee concessions. Moreover, they’ll have to show an income certificate to get free admission to colleges/universities.
Victims of natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes, drought, etc., can receive compensation given by state governments.
You can avail medical benefits, including subsidised medicines, free/concessional treatment, financial assistance for childbirth, and so on.
Furnishing an income certificate is necessary for various pensions, including that for widows, retirees, agricultural labourers.
To apply for government jobs available under reserved categories, one must furnish an income certificate.
Individuals must show this document for obtaining loans from government entities at reduced interest rates.
Ex-servicemen can get financial aid provided by the government by furnishing an income certificate.

How to Apply for an Income Certificate in India?

You need to submit the application for an income certificate to a state government-appointed authority, which varies from one state to another. Nowadays, many states have made their dedicated websites where you can apply for an income certificate online. Eligible applicants can follow these steps:

Go to the respective state/district portal. For example, Delhi residents should visit the District Delhi homepage.
Create a new account on the portal. Thereafter, log in to this account using your username, password, and mobile number.
On the homepage, find an option that allows you to download the application form for an income certificate.
Fill out the online application form. Alternatively, you can download it in PDF format and enter the details on the printed form.
Fill in the following details:

Name, age, gender
Date of birth
Full residential address (village, taluka, and district)
Religion, caste, sub-caste
Whether SC, ST or OBC
Aadhaar number

Now, you will have to attach an affidavit mentioning that all of your furnished details are true.
Depending on the state’s infrastructure, you can submit this application along with required documents online or at the office of the local authority. You will also need to pay a nominal fee, depending on your state.
Upon successful submission, the concerned authority will conduct a local inquiry and issue the certificate within 10-15 days.

Also Read: How To Use Online Income Tax Calculator?

Documents Required to Apply for an Income Certificate

When applying at a CSC (Citizen Service Centre), you need to produce a self-attested copy of original documents. Individuals applying online need to upload scanned copies on the respective portal or verify the documents physically at the counter. Such documents include the following:

Passport-sized photographs
A valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar card, voter ID card, PAN card, driving licence, etc.)
Address proof (Aadhaar card, voter ID card, passport, ration card, electricity bill, water bill, etc.)
Income proof (salary certificate, Form 16, income tax returns, etc.)
Caste certificate: SC/ST/OBC (if applicable)
BPL ration or National Food Security Card (if applicable)
Rent agreement (if applicable)
Signed copy of self-declaration from applicant or head of the family

How Your Income for the Income Certificate Is Calculated?

When issuing income certificates, the authority calculates the regular income earned by all family members. A family consists of the applicant, his/her siblings, parents, dependent unmarried sons or daughters and widowed daughters living together in the same house.

The income of unmarried daughters, brothers, sisters and other family members is considered for this certificate. However, income from the following sources is excluded:

Family pension
Surrender leave salary
Terminal benefits
Income of widowed daughter and sister
Festival allowance

The annual earnings of individual family members from the following sources are added to compute total income:

Salary Income: Basic salary, DA (Dearness Allowance, special pay, and other allowances are taken into account for calculating your salary income. Note that HRA (House Rent Allowance), TA (Travelling Allowance) and Honorarium for special work do not count.
Pension: Excluding the commutation amount, the pension amount will be included in total income.
Income from Real Estate: Rent received, brokerage charges and produce from real estate are added to the total income. Deductions for improvements and annual maintenance charges are allowed.
Business/Professional Income: Income from any business, profession or consultancy/agency work is included in the total income based on a family member’s ITR (Income Tax Return).

Final Word

The income certificate is an official declaration of your and your family’s annual income. Based on the eligibility, you can use this document to avail various schemes and benefits offered by your state government. The issuing authority and process to apply for these certificates depend on the respective state.

FAQs on Income Certificate

1. For how long does an income certificate remain valid?

An income certificate usually remains valid for one year since the date of issuance. The actual validity depends on the issuing state and ranges from 3 months to 4 years. One will typically need to renew it every financial year.

2. Is it possible to get an income certificate in Tamil Nadu if I live in West Bengal?

No, state governments issue this certificate to their own residents so that they can avail various schemes/benefits. As a result, a resident of West Bengal will not be able to get an income certificate from the Government of Tamil Nadu.

3. Do I need my old income certificate to apply for a new one?

No, you do not need to submit your old income certificate to renew it. However, you have to keep your old certificate for 5 years after it is issued. This is necessary to verify eligibility for any government program that you may avail at a later date.

4. Is an income certificate the same as an EWS certificate?

No, the income certificate certifies the annual income of an individual and his/her family for around a year. On the other hand, People belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) can apply for an EWS certificate. Using this, they can get the benefit of 10% reservation in government jobs and higher education.

5. What is the difference between an income certificate and an agricultural certificate?

While an income certificate declares the income of a family from all sources, it does not include agricultural income. An agricultural certificate computes income from agricultural sources for tax exemption. Using it, individuals can get income tax exemption under Section 10(1) of the Income Tax Act.

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