We frequently observe people who are puzzled by the distinction between the financial year and the assessment year, regardless of their level of tax experience. It's critical to comprehend the distinctions between the assessment year and financial year concepts since ambiguity can cause people to make mistakes when submitting their income taxes.
By understanding the distinction between the assessment year and the financial year, taxpayers can simply avoid making these mistakes. Given how frequently the terms "assessment year," "previous year," and "financial year" appear in income tax legislation, it's beneficial for all taxpayers to understand what they represent. Learn the definitions and significance of these phrases by reading on.
The Financial Year: What Is It?
A 12-month period beginning on April 1 and ending on March 31 of the subsequent calendar year is known as a financial year (FY). When income is earned during this interval, it will be liable to taxes in the subsequent year. A person may receive their wage, incur costs and profits from a business, receive dividend income from mutual funds or realize capital gains on units that have been redeemed, and receive rental income from real estate. You must take into account all of your financial transactions during this time when filing your ITR.
Assessment Year in Income Tax
The period of time during which income received in a given fiscal year is evaluated for tax purposes is known as the assessment year. The assessment year, sometimes known as AY, begins following the conclusion of the relevant fiscal year. Income received during FY 2021–22 will be subject to taxation during AY 2022–23, which began on April 1, 2022, and ends on March 31, 2023. Understanding the definition of an assessment year is essential when filing an income tax return because the assessment year is when various types of income from the financial year - such as interest, capital gains tax, rental income, salary, gratuities, and other income - are taxed.
Difference between Financial and Assessment Year
The financial year usually comes before the equivalent assessment year in terms of income tax regulations. For instance, the fiscal year 2021–2022 and the assessment year 2022–2023 correspond to each other.
Importance of Assessment Year
The appropriate assessment year must be cited by the taxpayers when making any filings with the income tax department, such as submitting Income Tax Returns (ITRs), paying advance tax, self-assessment tax, etc. Since our ITRs are filed for the relevant assessment year alone, all of our tax records are maintained with regard to that assessment year alone.
It can be difficult to estimate one's annual income and file taxes in the same year. Therefore, it is expressly stated in income tax legislation that returns must be filed in the assessment year, which is the following year. Taxpayers must, however, additionally pay advance tax on their income during the financial year if their total tax burden surpasses Rs. 10,000 after deducting TDS (Taxes Deducted at Source) and TCS (Taxes Collected at Source). In order to avoid penalties, the taxpayer must estimate their tax liability for the fiscal year and pay their taxes in advance.
If taxpayers fail to make prorated advance tax payments according to the designated payment schedule, they will be liable for interest on the amount of the advance tax shortfall. Tax payments made during the assessment year or any subsequent years are referred to as self-assessment tax, whereas all tax payments made during the financial year are referred to as advance tax. When filing their tax returns and paying their taxes, taxpayers need to remember to include the relevant assessment year. Because the taxes paid for any prior assessment year cannot be deducted from taxes paid for any subsequent assessment year, this spares the taxpayers any difficulties in the future. When making such tax payments, the taxpayer must pay taxes on time and request a refund from the income tax authorities for any excess tax that was paid.
Difference between the Financial Year and Assessment Year
- Income tax is due on the taxpayer's earnings for the fiscal year according to the applicable income tax slab. In the assessment year, revenue from the prior fiscal year is subject to taxation.
- During the FY, income is not subject to tax assessment. Income from the previous fiscal year is evaluated in AY.
- For the money you have already earned and anticipate earning for the balance of the fiscal year, you can pay advance tax during the FY. The tax that remains after TDS and advance tax deductions is the self-assessment tax, which is paid in advance each year.
- To guarantee that tax deductions are claimed, any tax planning must be completed throughout the fiscal year. Investments made during the AY that save taxes will be included in the next fiscal year's tax deductions.
Conclusion
Understanding the distinctions between the financial year and the assessment year is crucial if you want to make sure you abide by tax laws and guidelines. The assessment year indicates when taxes are due on those incomes, but the financial year shows when money is generated and expenses are incurred. Understanding the meanings of these terms in combination with one another can make it easier for you to plan your business or investments. Knowing these differences will also guarantee that you pay only what is owed each tax season.
What are the fiscal and assessment years?
For example, the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2022 and ending March 31, 2023 is referred to as Fiscal Year 2022–23. The assessment year begins after the fiscal year finishes, therefore AY 2023-24 will be the assessment year for Fiscal Year 2022-23.
What is the fiscal year in 2024?
The term "financial year" is often known as F.Y. For example, the fiscal year 2023-24 began on April 1st, 2023 and ends on March 31, 2024. An assessee is needed to compute and plan taxes for the fiscal year, but an income tax return must be filed in the following year, or Assessment Year.
How much money is tax-free?
Income ranging from 0 to Rs 3 lakh is tax-free under the new regime. As a result, this income will be tax-free. Above this, the remaining taxable income is Rs 15 lakh (Rs 18 lakh less Rs 3 lakh). The next income tax bracket is higher than Rs 3 lakh and up to Rs 6 lakh.
What is period 13 in accounting?
The 13th accounting period is commonly used to enter year-end adjustments and is usually set as the last day of the fiscal year.