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GST FAQs

The Goods and Services Tax is a unified, multi-stage, and consumption-based tax levied on the supply of goods or services, combining all stages such as manufacture, sale and consumption of goods and services. It functions at a national level in order to replace most of the national and state tax systems like VAT, service tax, excise duty, etc. It removes the cascading effect of tax-on-tax, earlier prevalent. It is applicable to you if you are into manufacturing, trading, e-commerce or providing services, and your annual turnover exceeds a prescribed limit.

You can enrol for GST via the common portal of the Goods and Services Tax. IDEAL Service can also help you with your enrollment. For more details, click here

Yes, businesses operating in multiple states or having different verticals may obtain separate GST registrations.

    • Cascading tax effect (the tax-on-tax effect) does not exist
    • It is easier to avail the input tax credit
    • Return filing and compliance are consolidated
    • Increased efficiency in logistics
    • Subsumed a variety of indirect taxes
    • Higher threshold for GST registration
    • Composition scheme for small businesses
    • Unorganised sectors brought under regulation
    • Simpler online procedure

Small businesses and taxpayers with a turnover of less than Rs.1.5 crore (Rs.75 lakh for special category states) can opt for the composition scheme where they will be taxed at a nominal rate of 0.5% or 1% (for manufacturers) CGST and SGST each (rates as per the latest proposed changes in the Goods and Services Tax bills). Composition levy is available to only small businesses dealing in goods. It is not available to interstate sellers, e-commerce traders and operators, and service providers.

The input tax credit refers to the amount of tax on purchases that you can reduce at the time of paying tax on sales. One of the fundamental features of the Goods and Services Tax is the seamless flow of input credit across the chain (from the time the goods are manufactured until it is consumed) and country.

GST replaced all the taxes currently levied and collected by the centre (such as Central Excise Duty and CVD) and by the state (such as VAT and CST) on businesses.

The HSN code stands for “Harmonised System of Nomenclature”. This system has been introduced for the systematic classification of goods all over the world. The HSN code is a 6-digit uniform code that classifies 5000+ products and is accepted worldwide. It was developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO), and it came into effect from 1988.

A business, not opting into the Quarterly Return and Monthly Payment of taxes (QRMP), will be required to furnish two returns monthly and one annual return. That means any business will require to file twenty-five returns in a financial year. The taxpayers opting into the QRMP scheme can file only 8-9 returns every year, consisting of four GSTR-1, four GSTR-3B and one annual return, if applicable, filed. However, there are separate returns for a taxpayer registered under the composition scheme and as an Input Service Distributor, and a person liable to deduct or collect the tax (TDS/TCS).

Income Tax FAQs

An income tax return (ITR) is a form that taxpayers must file with the Income Tax Department to declare income from all sources. The Income Tax Department then uses this information to calculate tax and define the tax slab into which the taxpayer will fall. Taxpayers can also claim deductions and exemptions on ITR to lower the tax burden.

There are seven different ITR forms, each of which is designed for a different type of taxpayer. The most common ITR forms are:

  • ITR 1: For individuals with a total income of up to ₹5 lakhs
  • ITR 2: For individuals with a total income of more than ₹5 lakhs
  • ITR 3: For individuals who are engaged in business or profession
  • ITR 4: For individuals who are salaried employees
  • ITR 5: For Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs)
  • ITR 6: For trusts and charitable organizations
  • ITR 7: For individuals who have income from overseas sources

According to the Income Tax Act in India, An individual is in obligation to file an income tax return (ITR) if he falls under any of the following categories:

  • If an individual is less than 60 years of age and his total annual gross income exceeds ₹2.5 lakh.
  • If a person is a senior citizen (aged 60-79), and his annual gross income surpasses the threshold of ₹3 Lakh.
  • If a person is a super senior citizen (aged 80 and above) and his annual gross income exceeds the exemption threshold of ₹5 lakh.

 It is important to note that even if an individual doesn't have a tax liability, it is required to file an (ITR) income tax return in order to avail of tax benefits.

  • No More Standing in a Queue: You can e-file your income tax return from the comfort of your home
  • Online Status Check: Once you file your ITR electronically, it becomes easy to track the status of your return online
  • No More Errors: E-filing software programs can help you avoid errors on your tax forms. This is because the software programs are designed to follow the latest tax laws and regulations.
  • Faster Refund: E-filed tax returns are processed faster than offline tax returns. I.e., You will get your refund faster.
  • Auto Saving of Records: Many e-filing software programs can automatically save your tax forms with information from your previous tax returns. This can save you a lot of time and hassle.
  • Easy Access to Documents: E-filing of your taxes gives you the option to save your documents online.
  • E-Verification: E-filing allows taxpayers to verify their identity and sign their tax returns electronically.

If you have filed an incorrect tax return, you can correct it by filing a revised return as per the current tax laws. The Income Tax Act allows taxpayers to file a revised return under section 139(5). If you come to know something wrong statement in your original return, a revised return can be filed before three months prior to the end of the assessment year or before the end of the assessment, whichever is earlier. Moreover, The assessment year comes immediately after the financial year in which the ITR is filed.

Income Tax returns can be filed an infinite number of times; however, if the original income tax return is filed on paper, then the revised return cannot be filed electronically or online. Moreover, The Income Tax Department do not charge any fees or penalty for the revision of income tax return. If ITR is to be filed online, the taxpayer must fill in the 15-digit acknowledgment number of the primary return. Additionally, it is to be noted that if the revised return is filled too many times, it might attract scrutiny from the Income Tax Department.

  • If you have paid more tax than your liability, you can claim a refund by filing your income tax return online. There is no separate process for the same. You should electronically verify your return using Aadhaar OTP, EVC (Electronic verification code) generated through the bank or by sending the signed physical ITR-V to CPC (Centralised Processing Centre) within 120 days of filing the return.

    You should also check your form 26AS to ensure that the excess tax paid by you is stated there. The Income Tax Department will verify the claimed refund, and will be paid only if it is found valid.

  • Linking Aadhaar with PAN for filing ITR is mandatory unless you fall under one of the exemptions. The deadline to link PAN and Aadhaar is June 30, 2023. If you do not link your PAN and Aadhaar by this date, your PAN will become inoperative. This means that you will not be able to use your PAN for any financial transactions, including filing ITR.

    There are a few exemptions to the PAN-Aadhaar linking requirement. These exemptions include the following:

    • Residents of Assam, Jammu, and Kashmir, and Meghalaya
    • Non-residents as per the Income-tax Act, 1961
    • Individuals who are 80 years old or older
    • Individuals who are not citizens of India

  • If an individual having his a gross income exceeding ₹2.5 lakh, and he does not have any tax liabilities or even have a refund, he still needs to file an income tax return. On the other hand, a person does not need to file an ITR if his income is below the taxable limit of ₹ 2.5 lakh. However, there are exceptions to this law.

    A person is still required to file an ITR if he has:

    • Deposited an aggregate amount exceeding ₹1 crore in one or more current bank accounts with any bank.
    • Incurred expenditure of an aggregate amount exceeding ₹2 lakh for himself or any other person for traveling to a foreign country.
    • Incurred expenditure of an amount or aggregate of the amounts exceeding ₹1 lakh towards consumption of electricity.

  • An individual requires to file ITR if he has investments in foreign assets. However, he must disclose the details of these assets in Schedule FA of his ITR. This is mandatory for all residents and ordinarily resident Indians who hold any asset located outside India.

    The following are some of the foreign assets that an individual need to disclose in Schedule FA:

    • Foreign depository accounts
    • Foreign equity and debt interest
    • Foreign cash value insurance contracts
    • Financial interest in any entity outside India

    You must disclose the following information about each foreign asset:

    • The name of the asset
    • The country in which the asset is located
    • The value of the asset
    • The date on which you acquired the asset
    • The source of the funds used to acquire the asset

    • Penalties: The IT Department can impose a penalty of up to Rs. 5,000 for not filing an ITR on time. If you file the ITR after the due date but within a year, the penalty will be Rs. 10,000.
    • Interest: If you have any tax liability and you do not file an ITR, you will be charged monthly 1% interest per month on the unpaid tax.
    • Non-Carry Forward of Losses: You will be unable to carry forward any losses from a previous year if you do not file an ITR.
    • Best judgment assessment: If you do not file an ITR, the assessing officer of the Income tax department will be obligated to make an assessment to the best of his judgment U/S 144 of the Income Tax Act.
    Refund of taxes: You will be able to claim a refund only if you have filed ITR.

  • Here are the tax benefits -

    • The basic exemption limit is 3 lakhs under both regimes
    • Health insurance premium paid up to Rs.50,000 by a senior citizen is deductible under section 80D.
    • No tax for senior citizens upto an annual interest of up to Rs.50,000 under section 80TTB.
    • People above 75 years are exempt from filing ITR if they have income only from a pension and have furnished form 12 BBA to a specific bank.
    • No need to pay advance tax except in case they have income from business or profession.
    • Spent up to 1 lakh on any treatment for a specified disease is deductible under section 80 DDB.
    • Rent on reverse mortgaging their property is exempt from tax.
    • Standard deduction of Rs.50,000 on pension income and a deduction of Rs.15000 for family pensioners.

TAN / TDS FAQs

  • The Central Government's Income Tax Department of India issues a 10-digit alphanumeric number to all persons who are responsible for deducting tax (TDS) or collecting tax (TCS) at the source. This is a unique number known as TAN, standing for Tax deduction and collection account number. As per section 203A of the Income Tax law, the TAN number should be mentioned on all TDS returns filed. A TAN starts with 4 alphabets followed by 5 numbers that end in an alphabet again. TAN number forms an important part of the compliance requirements for the Income Tax Act.

  • Every person who deducts tax at source and collects tax at source must apply for TAN and obtain it to make it easier to file ITR, except a person covered under the provisions of section 194IA as they are not required to obtain a TAN number.

    TDS refers to the tax deducted by the payer at the time of making the payment for specified services such as rent, commission, interest, salary, etc.

    The tax collected at source or TCS is the tax deducted by the seller from the buyer on the sale of certain specified goods. This amount is added to the sale price, collected from the buyer, and deposited to the Central Government.

  • TDS is a tax in which an amount is deducted on certain payments like salary, rent, commission, professional fees, and interest. The person making the payment has to deduct the tax, and the person receiving the payment is liable to bear the tax. This reduces the possibility of tax evasion as the tax is deducted right at the source of payment. TDS is deducted as per the rates specified in the Income Tax Act. The rates may vary depending on the type of service and products. Get to know in detail about the prevailing TDS rates.

  • Yes, a payee can approach the payer or the TDS deductor and request them to make the payment without deducting Tax at source. Although this is only possible if the total annual income of the payee after including the income on which TDS is being deducted is less than the basic exemption limit. In other words, if the total annual income of the payee from all the sources does not fall under the taxable bracket, the payee can request the payer not to deduct TDS. The payee must file Form 15G or 15H to request non-deduction of TDS.

    Form 15G: It is applicable to individual or any other person (except a firm and company)

    Form 15H: It is applicable to the request filed by senior citizens.

  • Section 194-IA of the Finance Act 2013 mandates the deduction of tax at source from the payment of sale consideration of immovable property (excluding rural agricultural land) to a resident seller. The deduction rate is 1% of the total amount. This provision is not applicable if the seller is non-resident or the consideration is less than ₹50 lakh. If the seller is a non-resident, then the tax will be deducted under section 195 of the Income Tax Act and not under section 194-IA. I.e., if the property is purchased from a non-resident, then section 195 will be applicable instead of 194-IA.

    You can also consult a tax advisor to get more information on TDS on property purchases.

  • One common question in the context of tax deduction at source (TDS) is whether it applies to payments made to the Government or its entities.

    No tax will be deducted if any sum is payable to the Government, Reserve Bank of India, or a corporation established by or under a central act. This means that any payment made to these government bodies, whether it is interest, commission, rent, royalty, fees, or any other income, is exempt from TDS. This exemption is based on the rationale that the Government is the ultimate recipient of tax revenue, and hence there is no need to deduct tax from payments made to the government.

Tax Audit FAQs

  • Literally, the word Audit means to check, review, and inspect. An audit is often associated with the inspection of a company's books of accounts. Different laws require different types of audits for example, company law requires you to conduct a company audit, Income tax law prescribes a tax audit, and cost accounting prescribes a cost audit.

    Section 44AB of the Income Tax Act provides for the classes of taxpayers who are required to get their books audited by a Chartered Accountant.

    The audit of the accounts of taxpayers conducted by a CA, as per the requirement of section 44AB, is known as a tax audit.

  • Below are the objectives of the tax audit -

    • Ascertain/report/derive the requirements of Forms 3CA, 3CB, and 3CD.
    • Ensures that the books of accounts and other account records are maintained properly and reflect the actual income of the taxpayer.
    • It ensures that the claims for deduction are made correctly.
    • Helps keep check of fraudulent activities
    • Analyzes the accuracy of ITR filed in the A.Y. by companies and individuals.
    • Reporting the findings of the tax auditor after analyzing the inaccuracies in ITR.
    • Reporting details like tax depreciation and other compliances.

  • Any person mandated to conduct a tax audit of his/her books of accounts under section 44AB has to furnish either of the following -

    Form 3CA: Any taxpayer having a business or profession and already mandated to get their accounts audited under any other law. For example, if a company needs to conduct an audit under the companies act, then it has to furnish Form 3CA.

    Form 3CB: Any taxpayer having a business/profession but doesn't have to get their accounts audited under any other law has to furnish Form 3CB. Proprietorship or partnership firms having opted for presumptive tax schemes and having a turnover exceeding Rs. 1 crore. Such companies are required to furnish Form 3CB.

    Form 3CD: Form 3CD is a detailed statement of particulars that contains 41 different points. The details of various business and professional aspects must be furnished in this form.

  • A person who has to follow section 44AB and does not get his accounts audited or submit the report as per section 44AB for any year or years may face a penalty from the Assessing Officer. The penalty amount will be the lower of the following:

    • 0.5% of the total turnover, sales, or gross receipts in business or profession for that year or years.
    • ₹ 1,50,000.
    However, section 271B states that no penalty will apply if the person can prove a reasonable cause for such failure.

  • The taxpayers who need to get a tax audit done:

    • An aggregate amount received, including the amount received for sales, turnover, or gross receipts during the previous year in cash, does not exceed 5% of the said amount.
    • An aggregate of all payments made, including the amount incurred for expenditure, in cash, during the previous year does not exceed 5% of the said payment: Threshold limit would be ₹10 crores instead of ₹1 crore (from 1/4/21 for FY 2021-22 - 5 crores)
    • An individual (In profession) with a gross receipt that exceeds ₹ 50 lakh during the previous year.
    • An assessee opted for sections 44ADA and 44AD but claimed his income was lower than the profits computed under presumptive and income exceeds the taxable amount according to the Income Tax Act.
    • An assessee opted for sections 44AE, 44BB, 44BBB but claimed his income was lower than the profits computed under the mentioned sections in any previous year.

PAN Card 2.0 FAQs

  • Citizens having a PAN card can apply for a new PAN card 2.0 through the unified portal, which is yet to be launched by the government. They can upgrade their existing PAN card to PAN 2.0 with new QR code features at no additional cost. However, the government has yet to announce the launch date for PAN 2.0. Thus, citizens can apply for PAN card 2.0 once the government launches the new PAN card and the unified portal for applying for PAN card 2.0 free of cost. The portal will also prioritize addressing PAN card-related grievances.

    The PAN 2.0 upgrade aims to enhance functionality without affecting the validity of the current PAN cards. The PAN 2.0 initiative is expected to improve taxpayer services and strengthen the digital infrastructure significantly.

    The PAN 2.0 Project promises to make India’s tax system more secure, efficient, and accessible, benefiting individuals and businesses. It aims to make PAN a common identifier for all digital interactions across government systems, ensuring ease of compliance and uniformity. The project will also feature a centralized portal for all PAN-related services and improved cybersecurity to protect user data.

PAN 2.0 is an e-governance project to upgrade the PAN system that integrates PAN or TAN services and PAN validation services into a paperless, unified platform. It introduces enhanced functionalities in the existing PAN card, such as the integration of the QR code for quick scans and easier data access and verification.

All citizens with a PAN card can apply to upgrade their existing PAN cards to PAN 2.0 cards.

The key feature of the PAN 2.0 card is the QR code, which facilitates easier data access, verification and quicker eco-friendly services.

The QR code in the PAN 2.0 facilitates easier data access, verification and quick scans. It will streamline taxpayer registration and verification through a paperless, secure, unified digital portal.

As of now, it is voluntary for citizens to apply for an update of PAN cards to PAN 2.0. Citizens have an option to upgrade their existing PAN card to PAN 2.0 containing the QR code.

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