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Published on:

December 29, 2024

Shaaransh Sharma

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TDS on Salary: Section 192 of the Income Tax Act

Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is a taxation system that the Government of India introduced to take tax at the source of income. This allows taxes to be deducted and sent periodically to the government, so end-of-year tax payments are less of a burden. One of the many provisions of TDS is Section 192 which relates to TDS on salary. Tax to be Deducted at Source by the Employee requires that If an employee's income goes beyond the basic exemption limit, he shall deduct the tax from his salary.

Sec 192 of income tax act is relevant for salaried people as it helps them pay taxes regularly and avoid huge tax liabilities at the end of a financial year. It creates an obligation for employers to be tax collectors for the government.

Understanding Section 192

The bottom line is that TDS on salary is covered under section 192 of the Income Tax Act. Unlike other TDS sections where a flat rate is mentioned, for Section 192, an employer is required to deduct tax based on the estimated income of the employee and the rate of tax applicable to him as per income tax slab rates. Below is a closer look at its key points:

Who is Covered?

Any person whose income is chargeable under the head “Salaries” is liable to TDS U/S 192 when annual income exceeds the basic exemption limit as per the Income Tax Act. The basic exemption limit is ₹2,50,000 for individuals below 60 years of age, ₹3,00,000 for senior citizens (60–80 years) and ₹5,00,000 for super senior citizens (above 80).

Employer’s Responsibility

General: Employers have to compute the expected income of the employee for the fy adjusted for the exemptions, allowances and deductions. They deduct taxes every month according to these calculations, depositing the amount with the government.

Applicability

Note that Sec 192 of income tax act only deals with payment classified as "salary" under the Income Tax Act. TDS for other income types like other contractual/professional payments are covered under different TDS sections.

You might also be interested in the Difference Between TDS and TCS

Calculating TDS on Salary

The calculation of TDS on salary Section 192 involves several steps:

Determine Gross Salary
Calculate overall salary including base pay, allowances (such as HRA, conveyance, and special allowances) and perquisites.
Account for Exemptions
House Rent Allowance (HRA), Leave Travel Allowance (LTA) and perquisites like medical reimbursement can also be exempted from tax under certain conditions.
Consider Deductions
Employers must factor in deductions available under sections such as:some text
- Section 80C: Investments in ELSS, PPF, NSC, etc. (up to ₹1,50,000).
- Section 80D: Health insurance premiums.
- Section 80E: Education loan interest.
- Section 80G: Donations to charitable organizations.
Apply Income Tax Slab Rates
Exemptions and deductions are accounted for before the employer arrives at taxable income and applies the relevant tax slab rates.
Rebate under Section 87A
If the total taxable income of the employee is less than ₹5,00,000, he/she is eligible to receive a rebate of up to ₹12,500 as per Section 87A.
Monthly TDS Deduction
Annual tax liability is then divided by the number of months remaining in the financial year to calculate the monthly TDS deduction.

Compliance and Documentation

In order to ensure correct deduction of TDS under Section 192, both the employer and employees should keep the proper documentation:

Form 12BB
This form has to be filed by the employees to declare their investments and avail of deductions/exemptions.
Proof of Investments
Employers might demand supporting documents like investment proofs, rent receipts, and insurance premium receipts.
TDS Certificate (Form 16)
After the financial year, employers must provide Form 16 to their employees. It mentions the salary paid and TDS deducted.
Quarterly TDS Returns
Employers are required to submit the TDS returns on a quarterly basis in Form 24Q.

Impact of Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with Section 192 can result in severe consequences for employers:

Interest on Late Payment

In case TDS is not deducted or deposited within the prescribed time limit, the employer is liable to pay interest at 1% per month on delay in deduction and 1.5% per month on delay in deposit.

Penalty under Section 271H

The penalty for filing incorrect or late TDS returns is ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000.

Disallowance of Salary Expense

Further, in case TDS is not deducted/ deducted but not paid in the prescribed time, the employer may face disallowance of salary expense during the calculation of his taxable income.

Exemptions and Allowances under Section 192

Section 192 also takes into account the different exemptions and allowances that reduce the taxable salary, such as:

House Rent Allowance (HRA)
HRA Exemption depends on rent payment, salary, and the location of where the employee resides.
Leave Travel Allowance (LTA)
LTA exemption can be claimed only for travel done within India, and subject to certain caveats.
Standard Deduction
All salaried employees are eligible for a flat ₹50,000 standard deduction.
Perquisites
Certain perks, shall we say, like employer contributions towards EPF or NPS etc, may be partially or wholly exempt.

Recent Updates and Changes in TDS Regulations

The government revises TDS rules from time to time. Here are the key changes affecting Section 192:

Introduction of a New Tax Regime

This optional new tax regime provides lower tax rates, but it withdraws most exemptions and deductions. While calculating TDS, employers need to keep in mind the regime opted by the employee.

Higher TDS for Non-Filers

Section 206AB provides for a higher TDS rate for individuals who have not filed their income tax return for the last 2 years.

Raising of Tax-Exempt Gratuity Threshold

The tax-free limit for gratuity was increased to ₹20,00,000 for employees, which would again benefit employees retiring or resigning after long stints.

Learn more about the Old vs new tax regime: Which One Should You Choose?

Why TDS on Salary Matters for Employees and Employers

For employees, TDS streamlines tax compliance by spreading their tax payments throughout the year. It also minimizes the risk of penalties for late tax payments. Proper deduction and timely TDS deposit for the employers serve as a sign of compliance and also save them from legal problems.

Conclusion

Section 192 of the Income Tax Act: This section is important for ensuring proper tax collection at source from salaried persons. It is important for both employers and employees to be familiar with its provisions to ensure compliance with tax laws.

Employers, by contrast, must comply with TDS accurately and make timely deposits. Keeping up with recent changes in tax law and knowing compliance requirements can help avoid penalties. Being aware of Section 192 benefits both employees and employers as you perform better on tax compliance and contribute more to the economy.

FAQs

Why TDS is deducted from salary?

TDS is deducted to simplify compliance meaning the government gets its dues regularly and no annual burden on the employee.

How to calculate TDS on salary?

Calculate total annual income (salary + allowances), less deductions (like 80C) and apply relevant tax slabs to arrive at monthly TDS.

What is Form 16 in the context of TDS on salary?

Form 16 is defined as a certificate that is issued by employers to employees showing the TDS (tax deducted at the source) that has been deducted from the salary throughout the financial year.

Can an employee influence the amount of TDS deducted?

Yes, employees can declare their savings, and spending which are exempted under section 80 which helps in reducing their TDS which reflects their taxable income.

What happens if TDS is deducted more than the actual tax liability?

When a taxpayer files the income tax return, the taxpayer can be refunded the excess amount paid as tax deducted at source (TDS) if TDS is more than the tax liability.