Advance tax payment might sound complicated, but it’s actually simple—you pay your taxes before the financial year ends. Think of it like paying for a meal before eating, except there’s no immediate return unless you’ve overpaid. In that case, you’ll get a refund later. But first, let’s break down the basics.
What is Advance Tax?
Advance tax is the system of paying income tax in parts before the financial year ends, rather than as a lump sum later. If your advance tax payment exceeds ₹10,000, you must follow advance tax due dates to avoid penalties. Delays can lead to advance tax late payment Interest. To stay compliant, understand how to pay advance tax and easily pay advance tax online through the e-filing portal. Timely payments help manage your advance tax Liability without last-minute stress.
Who Should Pay Advance Tax?
- Salaried employees, self-employed professionals, and business owners – If your total advance tax liability in a financial year exceeds ₹10,000, you must make an advance tax payment. This applies to all taxpayers, including salaried employees, freelancers, and business owners.
- Senior citizens – Those aged 60 or above who do not have business income are exempt from advance tax. However, if they earn through a business, they must pay advance tax as per the prescribed advance tax due dates.
- Businesses under the presumptive scheme – Small business owners who opt for taxation under Section 44AD are required to settle their entire advance tax liability in a single installment by 15th March. They can also choose to pay their dues by 31st March.
- Professionals under the presumptive scheme – Self-employed professionals, including doctors, architects, and lawyers under Section 44ADA, must complete their advance tax payment in one go by 15th March. Alternatively, they have the option to clear the full amount by 31st March.
Understanding how to pay advance tax and choosing to pay advance tax online helps taxpayers avoid penalties like advance tax late payment interest.
Advance Tax Due Dates For FY 2025-26
For the financial year 2025-26, taxpayers must pay advance tax in installments instead of a lump sum to avoid penalties. The schedule ensures payments are spread throughout the year, helping manage tax obligations smoothly.
Salaried Employees, Self-Employed Professionals, and Business Owners
The table below shows the percentage of advance tax that must be paid by each due date to meet tax obligations.
Due Date
| Payment Percentage
|
By 15th June
| 15% of the total tax due
|
By 15th September
| 45% of the total tax due, after deducting previous payments
|
By 15th December
| 75% of the total tax due, after deducting previous payments
|
By 15th March
| 100% of the total tax due, after deducting previous payments
|
For Businesses Under Presumptive Taxation (Sections 44AD & 44ADA)
This table shows the advance tax payment requirement for those under the presumptive taxation scheme.
Due Date
| Advance Tax Payment Percentage
|
By 15th March
| 100% of the total tax due
|
Staying on track with advance tax due dates prevents interest charges on late payments.
How to Pay Advance Tax Online?
Taxpayers can pay advance tax online through the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal. Following the correct steps ensures timely advance tax payment and helps avoid penalties for missed Advance Tax Due Dates.
- Go to the official e-filing portal of the Income Tax Department.
- Locate the ‘e-Pay Tax’ option under the Quick Links section or search for it in the portal’s search bar.
- Enter your PAN, re-confirm it, provide your mobile number, and click ‘Continue’.
- Input the 6-digit OTP sent to your registered mobile number and select ‘Continue’.
- Choose ‘Income Tax’ as the payment category and proceed.
- Set the Assessment Year to 2025-26, select ‘Advance Tax (100)’, and continue.
- Fill in your advance tax liability details based on your calculations.
- Select a payment method, choose your bank, and confirm by clicking ‘Continue’.
- Review the challan details carefully and click ‘Pay Now’. If necessary, use the ‘Edit’ option to make corrections.
- After completing the transaction, a confirmation screen will display your BSR code and challan serial number. Save this receipt for future tax return filing.
Following these steps helps taxpayers comply with advance tax due dates and avoid advance tax late payment interest. Understanding how to pay advance tax and using the e-filing portal ensures a smooth advance tax payment process.
What is Advance Tax Late Payment Interest?
Missing an advance tax payment deadline can lead to additional interest charges under tax laws. These penalties apply when taxes are either not paid on time or paid in insufficient amounts, making it essential to follow advance tax due dates to avoid unnecessary costs.
Interest on Outstanding Advance Tax (Section 234B)
If at least 90% of the total advance tax liability is not settled by 31st March, an interest charge of 1% per month is applied until the remaining amount is fully paid.
Interest on Delayed Tax Installments (Section 234C)
Situation
| Interest Rate
| Duration
| Basis of Interest Calculation
|
When payment made by 15th June is less than 15% of total tax
| 1% per month
| 3 months
| 15% of due amount (-) tax already deposited
|
When payment made by 15th September is under 45% of total tax
| 1% per month
| 3 months
| 45% of due amount (-) tax already deposited
|
When payment made by 15th December is under 75% of total tax
| 1% per month
| 3 months
| 75% of due amount (-) tax already deposited
|
When payment made by 15th March is under 100% of total tax
| 1% per month
| 1 month
| 100% of due amount (-) tax already deposited
|
To avoid these charges, taxpayers should plan their advance tax payment carefully.
How Advance Tax Payment Calculated?
Properly computing advance tax payment ensures compliance with advance tax due dates and helps avoid penalties. Follow these steps to determine your advance tax liability:
Step 1: Calculate total income for the financial year, including earnings from salary, business profits, capital gains, rental income, and interest from savings or investments.
Step 2: Deduct eligible exemptions and deductions under provisions like Section 80C (investments in PPF, ELSS), Section 80D (health insurance premiums), and other applicable tax benefits to determine taxable income.
Step 3: Apply the latest tax slab rates to compute the total tax owed for the financial year.
Step 4: Account for any advance deductions such as TDS, ensuring that previously withheld tax is adjusted against the total liability.
If the net payable tax is above ₹10,000, taxpayers must deposit advance tax in installments. To streamline payments, use the e-filing system to pay advance tax online and avoid penalties like advance tax late payment interest.
Example for Advance Tax Calculation
To illustrate how advance tax payment works, let’s take an example. Rohan, a self-employed consultant, expects to earn ₹22,00,000 in FY 2025-26. His estimated business expenses are ₹13,00,000. He also contributes ₹50,000 to a PPF account, pays ₹30,000 in LIC premiums, and spends ₹15,000 on health insurance. A TDS of ₹35,000 is deducted from his professional income, and he earns ₹12,000 from fixed deposit interest. His advance tax liability is calculated as follows:
Income Breakdown for Advance Tax Calculation
Category
| Amount (₹)
| Net Taxable (₹)
|
Business Income
| 22,00,000
|
|
Less: Expenses
| 13,00,000
| 9,00,000
|
Other Income
|
|
|
Interest from Fixed Deposit
| 12,000
|
|
Total Earnings
|
| 9,12,000
|
Applicable Deductions
|
|
|
PPF Contribution (80C)
| 50,000
|
|
LIC Premium (80C)
| 30,000
|
|
Health Insurance (80D)
| 15,000
|
|
Total Deductions
|
| 95,000
|
Taxable Amount
|
| 8,17,000
|
Calculated Tax
|
| 67,000
|
Education Cess (4%)
|
| 2,680
|
Total Tax Obligation
|
| 69,680
|
Less: TDS Deducted
|
| 35,000
|
Remaining Tax Due (Payable in Advance)
|
| 34,680
|
Payment Schedule for Advance Tax
Due Date
| Installment Percentage
| Amount to Be Paid (₹)
|
15th June
| 15% of total amount
| 5,200
|
15th September
| 45% cumulative
| 10,400 (15,600 - 5,200)
|
15th December
| 75% cumulative
| 10,400 (26,000 - 15,600)
|
15th March
| Full amount settled
| 8,680 (34,680 - 26,000)
|
Key Considerations:
- The tax is calculated based on the old tax regime, which allows deductions under Section 80C and other exemptions.
- If the net amount due after TDS is ₹10,000 or less, advance tax payment is not required.
Tax Payable/Tax Refundable
To avoid a large tax burden at the end of the financial year, advance tax payment is made in scheduled installments. These payments align with advance tax due dates and are based on estimated earnings.
Once the financial year concludes, the final tax liability is determined by adjusting for advance tax, Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), and Tax Collected at Source (TCS). If the total tax paid exceeds the required amount, the excess is refunded. If there’s a shortfall, the outstanding amount must be settled.
Taxpayers can use the e-filing portal to pay advance tax online, ensuring timely compliance and preventing advance tax late payment interest. As mentioned already, knowing how to pay advance tax helps in managing obligations efficiently.
Conclusion
Paying advance tax on time is a crucial part of tax compliance, ensuring that individuals and businesses meet their obligations without facing last-minute financial pressure. By following the advance tax due dates, taxpayers can distribute their payments across the financial year and avoid penalties under sections 234B and 234C. Whether you are a salaried individual with additional income, a freelancer, or a business owner, understanding how to pay advance tax helps prevent unnecessary interest charges. Using the e-filing portal to pay advance tax online makes the process seamless and ensures accurate record-keeping. Planning ahead and calculating your advance tax liability correctly allows for a smoother tax filing experience and helps avoid unexpected tax dues at the end of the year.
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