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Tax filing for self-employed professionals

Last updated on: July 23, 2010 13:34 IST


The Income Tax Act states, 'Profession implies apparent achievement in special knowledge as distinguished from mere skill, special knowledge has to be acquired only after study and application.'

It covers doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects, accountants, consulting engineers, artists, musicians, singers and interior decorators, et cetera. These professionals also need to file their taxes.

How is tax accounted?

Mercantile system: Here net profit or loss is calculated after taking into consideration all income and expenses of a particular accounting period irrespective of whether or not income was received or expenses paid during that accounting period.

Cash system: Here a record has to be kept of actual receipts and actual payments of a particular year.

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Tax filing for self-employed professionals

Last updated on: July 23, 2010 13:34 IST

Permissible deductions:

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Tax filing for self-employed professionals

Last updated on: July 23, 2010 13:34 IST

Expenses not allowed as deduction are:

Hence, it is best to pay amounts exceeding Rs 20,000 by cheque.

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Tax filing for self-employed professionals

Last updated on: July 23, 2010 13:34 IST

Things to keep in mind

Book-keeping requirements

Case 1: If the gross receipts are less that Rs 1.50 lakh (Rs 150,000), the assessee has to maintain his accounts which enables the Income Tax official to compute the taxable Income.

Case 2: If the gross receipts exceed Rs 1.50 lakh, the assessee has to maintain books of accounting like the cash book, journal, ledger, copies of bills exceeding Rs 25. Accounts should be maintained either on mercantile basis or cash basis.

In case of professional income, accounts have to be audited if gross receipts exceed Rs 10 lakh (Rs 1 million). This audit report should be submitted along with the income tax return, before September 30.

PAN: Every person whose total sales, turnover or gross receipts are over Rs 500,000 are required to apply and obtain a Permanent Account Number (PAN).

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Tax filing for self-employed professionals

Last updated on: July 23, 2010 13:34 IST

Advance tax:

Since a professional earns his own income, there is no TDS. Hence, he is liable to pay advance tax as he earns income. Thus, advance tax is payable on the basis of estimated income of the current financial year. Advance tax is payable only in cases where tax payable is in excess of Rs 5,000.

Payment of advance tax:

If there was shortfall in earlier installment, it should be made up in subsequent installment

Due dates for filing returns:

Assessee having income from profession but who do not have to get the accounts audited under Income Tax or any other law has to file returns by 31st July.

Assessee who gets his accounts audited has to file returns by September 30.

Return Form :

Form ITR 4 needs to be utilized to file returns and can be submitted to either in the physical form or in the electronic form with a digital signature.


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