What Is Self-Assessment Tax: Calculation And How To Pay It Online

At the end of a financial year, a taxpayer has to check if there is any pending tax which should be paid after paying TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) and advance tax. This pending tax is known as the self-assessment tax. Self-assessment tax has to be computed by the taxpayer and paid on time to avoid penalty. 

If you have an extra source of income or see a quick jump in your income in a given year, you may need to pay self-assessment tax. Read on to know how to calculate self-assessment tax, how to pay it online and other details. 

What is Self-Assessment Tax?

Every taxpayer needs to pay tax to the Government for their income by the end of each financial year. Self-assessment tax is paid when there is an extra source of income which is not calculated while making tax payments or is exempted from TDS for the same reason. You also have to file for an income tax return which cannot be done until all tax payments are cleared. So, you must make the payment within the same assessment year.

Who Pays Self-Assessment Tax?

Any individual with a source of income should pay self-assessment tax to the Government by the end of each financial year. For salaried individuals, the employer makes the tax payment. Missing out on self-assessment tax happens mostly when an individual earns a lump sum amount of money from a fixed deposit or other investment and misses on including it while filing TDS. However, one should consider all income sources while computing income tax payments.

How to Calculate Self-Assessment Tax?

In cases where an individual has made tax payments prior to the assessment date, there are two ways to calculate the interest payable- 

• The advance tax amount, which is not paid until the self-assessment tax date, is considered for calculation.
• The SAT amount will be excluded from the advance tax amount and considered for calculation from the time the self-assessment tax has been paid. 

Here is another simpler procedure to follow the calculation-

Step 1: Calculate the taxable amount on the total income by using the income tax slabs available online.

Step 2: Calculate interest payable under Section 234A, 234B and 234C.

Step 3: Deduct the relief amount from the total amount under Sections 90 and 90A.

Step 4: Deduct the MAT credit score amount under Section 115JAA.

Step 5: Finally deduct the advance tax amount.

Step 6: Payable self-assessment tax amount will be available.

Procedure to Pay Self-Assessment Tax Online

One can follow the given steps to pay self-assessment tax online using a net-banking facility-

Step 1: Visit the income tax website of the Government 

Step 2: Login and choose from e-pay options 

Step 3: The individual will be redirected to the National Securities Depository Ltd. website

Step 4: Select the challan number/ITNS 280 and ‘0021 Income Tax (other than companies)

Step 5: Fill in PAN details, name, contact details, address and other details as required and choose the assessment year

Step 6: Under the type of payment, choose (300) Self-Assessment Tax

Step 7: Choose the bank and enter ‘tax payable amount’

Step 8: On the redirected net banking page of the bank, make the payment

Step 9: Check CIN, payment details and name of the bank in the self-assessment tax challan provided 

Step 10: Keep a soft copy or print out the challan for future requirements 

Form 26AS

Form 26AS is an accumulation of all taxes or TDS certificate for taxes paid by an individual or company, which can be useful for the taxpayer while claiming credits. One can verify the taxes and even the TDS/TCS amount which has been deducted and report to the authority in case of any discrepancy or mismatch.

Also Read: Belated Returns: Meaning, Types & Penalty For Late Filing

Final Word

An individual or company pays SAT or self-assessment tax for income earned through extra sources in regular intervals or lump sums. One can also pay the self-assessment tax offline by visiting the nearby bank branch and submitting Challan 280 and the required documents.

FAQs on Self-Assessment Tax

Read More on Income Tax Act