Taxation Law Unit Test Answers LLB 6 Sem
Taxation Law Unit Test Answers LLB 6 Sem
The Assessment Year (AY) is the period of 12 months (from 1st April to 31st March) in which the
income earned during the previous year is evaluated and taxed.
For example:
● If a person earns income between 1st April 2023 – 31st March 2024, this period is called the
Previous Year (PY) 2023-24.
● The tax on this income will be assessed and paid in Assessment Year 2024-25 (1st April 2024 –
31st March 2025).
2. Legal Basis
● Taxpayers file Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the income earned in the previous year.
● The government assesses tax liability based on this income.
● Any applicable refunds, penalties, or additional taxes are processed in the Assessment Year.
Definition The year in which income is earnedThe year in which tax is assessed and
Example (2023-24) PY: 1st April 2023 – 31st March 20 AY: 1st April 2024 – 31st March 2025
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● The AY is crucial because all ITR forms, tax rates, and deductions are linked to a specific
Assessment Year.
● Tax authorities use the AY to process assessments, audits, and appeals.
● Taxpayers must ensure they file returns for the correct AY to avoid penalties.
👉 Suppose Rohan is a salaried employee and earns ₹10,00,000 from April 2023 – March 2024
👉 He will file his ITR in Assessment Year 2024-25 (i.e., after April 1, 2024).
(Previous Year 2023-24).
👉 The tax department will assess his tax liability for AY 2024-25 based on his earnings from PY 2023-24.
7. Important Deadlines & Penalties
● Income Tax Return (ITR) Filing Deadline: Generally, 31st July of the Assessment Year (for
individuals not requiring an audit).
● Late Filing Penalty: Upto ₹5,000 under Section 234F if filed after the due date.
Conclusion
The Assessment Year is a fundamental concept in taxation law, ensuring that income earned in the
Previous Year is taxed systematically. Understanding this is crucial for LLB students, especially for legal
practice in taxation and compliance law.
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The tax is levied on income earned in a Previous Year (PY), which is assessed in the following
Assessment Year (AY).
Example:
If a person earns ₹10,00,000 per annum as salary, it is fully taxable under this head after applicable
deductions.
Example:
If Mr. A earns ₹2,00,000 as annual rent from a house, he can deduct 30% (₹60,000) and pay tax on
₹1,40,000.
Example:
If a business earns ₹20,00,000 in revenue and has ₹5,00,000 in expenses, taxable income = ₹15,00,000.
● Profit earned from selling capital assets (land, shares, gold, etc.).
● Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) – Held for <3 years (or 1 year for stocks).
● Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) – Held for >3 years (or 1 year for stocks).
Example:
If Mr. B buys land for ₹10,00,000 and sells it for ₹25,00,000 after 5 years, LTCG = ₹15,00,000, taxed at
20% with indexation benefit.
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(5) Income from Other Sources (Section 56 - 59)
Example:
If a person wins ₹1,00,000 in a lottery, the entire amount is taxed at 30% under Section 115BB.
Example:
If Mr. C earns ₹5,00,000 from farming, this income is fully exempt from tax.
● Section 80C – Investment in PPF, EPF, LIC, ELSS (Max ₹1.5 lakh)
● Section 80D – Medical insurance premium (₹25,000 for self, ₹50,000 for senior citizens)
● Section 80E – Interest on education loan
● Section 80G – Donations to charities
Example:
If Mr. D earns ₹8,00,000 and invests ₹1,50,000 in LIC, his taxable income = ₹6,50,000.
Up to ₹2,50,000 No tax
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₹2,50,001 – ₹5,00,000 5%
Up to ₹3,00,000 No tax
₹3,00,001 – ₹6,00,000 5%
● If tax liability > ₹10,000, taxpayers must pay advance tax in installments.
● Employers, banks, and businesses deduct tax at the source before paying income.
● Example: Salary TDS, TDS on rent (10%), TDS on FD interest (10%).
Violation Penalty/Consequenc
Late ITR Filing (Section 234F) ₹5,000 (if filed after due date)
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Tax Evasion (Section 270A) 50%-200% of tax evaded
8. Conclusion
Understanding taxation of income is crucial for LLB students, as it helps in taxation law practice,
corporate law, and financial compliance. The Income Tax Act, 1961 provides a structured framework for
classifying income, allowing deductions, and ensuring compliance through penalties.
The Income Tax Act, 1961, recognizes certain incomes as casual income, which are subject to taxation
under the head "Income from Other Sources" (Section 56).
Key Characteristics:
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(1) Lottery Winnings
● Includes prize money from lotteries organized by the government or private organizations.
● Example: Winning ₹5,00,000 from a state lottery is casual income.
● Includes winnings from horse races, card games, casinos, or online betting.
● Example: Winning ₹1,00,000 in an IPL betting game is casual income.
Casual income is subject to a flat tax rate of 30% + surcharge & cess.
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Crossword Puzzle 30% Yes (TDS @30%)
👉
Example:
👉
Mr. X wins ₹10,00,000 in a lottery.
Tax Calculation:
● Held that casual income is not a part of regular business or profession and is taxable
separately.
● Income from a TV game show (Kaun Banega Crorepati) was taxed under Section 115BB at 30%,
despite being a knowledge-based competition.
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● If casual income is linked to professional work (e.g., a film award prize for a director), it may be
taxed as professional income, not casual income.
✔️
Certain casual incomes are exempt from tax, including:
✔️
Gifts from relatives (under Section 56)
✔️
Scholarships & Fellowships (under Section 10(16))
Compensation from accidental insurance
Offense Penalty
Not reporting casual income Tax evasion penalty u/s 270A (50%-200% of tax evaded)
10. Conclusion
Casual income is taxed at a fixed rate of 30%, with no deductions or exemptions. It includes lottery
winnings, game shows, betting, gifts, and windfall gains. LLB students must understand its taxation,
penalties, and legal implications, especially for corporate and financial law practice.
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Q4. Financial Year (FY) in Taxation Law
1. Introduction to Financial Year (FY)
The Financial Year (FY) is the 12-month accounting period used by the government and businesses for
financial reporting, budgeting, and taxation purposes.
In India, the Financial Year starts on 1st April and ends on 31st March of the next year. It is important
for tax filing, income calculations, and compliance with the Income Tax Act, 1961.
For Example:
1. Income Tax Act, 1961 – Tax laws require income to be reported for a specific FY.
2. General Clauses Act, 1897 (Section 3(21)) – Defines the FY as April-March.
3. Companies Act, 2013 (Section 2(41)) – Mandates companies to follow the April-March FY.
Definition Year in which income is earned Year in which income is assessed and taxe
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Duration 12 months (April 1 – March 31) 12 months (April 1 – March 31)
Example FY 2023-24 (April 2023 – March 2024) AY 2024-25 (April 2024 – March 2025)
Example:
If you earn income between April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024 (FY 2023-24), you will file taxes in AY
2024-25.
● All income earned during the Financial Year is taxed in the Assessment Year.
● The last date for filing ITR for an individual (non-audit cases) is 31st July of the AY.
● TDS and advance tax payments are calculated based on income earned during a financial year.
● Advance tax must be paid in installments throughout the FY.
● Deductions under Section 80C, 80D, etc. must be made within the same FY for tax benefits.
● Investments made after 31st March will be counted in the next FY.
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Country Financial Year
📌 Principle: Income tax is assessed for a financial year, not a calendar year.
(2) CIT v. Laxmi Ratan Cotton Mills Co. Ltd. (1969)
📌 Principle: Even if income is received after March 31, it is counted in the next FY.
(3) ESI Corporation v. S.K. Aggarwal (1998)
📌 Principle: Businesses must follow April-March FY for tax calculations, unless exempted.
7. Key Deadlines Related to Financial Year (FY 2023-24)
Event Date
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Start of AY 2024-25 April 1, 2024
Non-Compliance Penalty/Fine
Failure to pay Advance Tax 1% interest per month (under Section 234B)
9. Conclusion
Understanding the Financial Year (FY) is crucial for tax planning, ITR filing, and compliance with the
Income Tax Act, 1961. The FY determines the period for which income is calculated, and the
corresponding Assessment Year (AY) is when taxes are filed.
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1. Introduction to Tax Evasion
Tax evasion refers to the illegal act of deliberately avoiding paying taxes by individuals or businesses. It
involves misreporting income, hiding assets, or falsifying records to reduce tax liability.
Tax evasion is a criminal offense under the Income Tax Act, 1961 and attracts penalties, interest, and
imprisonment in severe cases.
Meaning Illegal act of not paying tax Using legal loopholes to Lawful ways to minimize ta
tax
Examples Hiding income, fake expen Using tax havens, compl Investments in 80C, HRA c
offshore accounts transactions donations
Punishment Heavy penalties & jail Legal but may face scrut No penalty
● If a person fails to file an Income Tax Return (ITR) despite having taxable income, it is considered
tax evasion.
● Penalty: ₹5,000 for late filing under Section 234F.
● If a taxpayer hides income or under-reports it, a penalty of 100%-300% of tax evaded can be
imposed.
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(4) Section 277 – False Statements & False Accounts
● If any CA, lawyer, accountant, or company director helps in tax evasion, they are equally liable
under law.
(5) Fake GST Invoices & Input Tax Credit (ITC) Fraud
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Failure to file ITR (S. 139, 234F) ₹5,000 for late filing No
Willful tax evasion (S. 276C) Fine + Tax liability 3 months – 7 years
False Statements / Fake Accounts (S. 277) Heavy fine 6 months – 7 years
Black Money (Foreign Income & Assets Act, 3x tax liability 3 – 10 years
Law Purpose
Income Tax Act, 1961 Covers income tax violations & penalties
Goods & Services Tax (GST) Act, 2017 Prevents GST frauds & fake invoices
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Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 Confiscates properties bought using black
Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2 Criminalizes money laundering and hawala
transactions
Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income & A Punishes unreported foreign assets
Act, 2015
● One Nation, One Tax system to prevent fake invoicing & tax frauds.
9. Conclusion
📌 Tax evasion is a serious criminal offense leading to heavy penalties and imprisonment.
📌 The Income Tax Act, 1961, along with PMLA, Benami Act, and GST laws, prevent tax fraud.
📌 Governments use Aadhaar-PAN linking, demonetization, and international cooperation to reduce
evasion.
Many large corporations and high-net-worth individuals use aggressive tax planning strategies to reduce
their tax burden, often shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions.
Meaning Reducing tax liability by u Illegally concealing incom Legitimate tax-saving unde
legal loopholes avoid taxes
Examples Using offshore tax haven Hiding income, fake expe Investments in PF, NSC, L
companies Sec. 80C
● GAAR was introduced in 2017 to prevent aggressive tax planning that lacks a commercial
substance.
● Tax benefits can be denied if the main purpose of a transaction is tax avoidance.
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(2) Transfer Pricing Regulations (Sections 92 to 92F)
● India has DTAA with over 90 countries, allowing taxpayers to avoid double taxation.
● Some companies misuse DTAA (e.g., Mauritius Route) to avoid capital gains tax.
● Many companies shift profits to low-tax countries (e.g., Bermuda, Cayman Islands).
● Example: Google used “Double Irish with a Dutch Sandwich” strategy to save billions in taxes.
● Black money is routed through foreign shell companies and reinvested in India as foreign
investment.
● Example: Using Mauritius or Singapore entities to avoid capital gains tax.
● Buying shares just before dividend declaration to claim tax-free dividends and then selling them
at a loss.
● This artificially reduces taxable income.
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(5) Thin Capitalization (Debt Over Equity Financing)
● Companies fund themselves with excessive loans instead of equity to claim higher interest
deductions and lower taxable profits.
● India introduced Section 94B (Thin Capitalization Rules) to prevent this abuse.
GAAR (General Anti-Avoida Income Tax Act, 1961 Prevents aggressive tax a
Rule)
📌 Issue: Vodafone acquired Hutchison’s Indian telecom business via an offshore deal to avoid capital
📌 Verdict: The Supreme Court ruled in Vodafone’s favor, stating that indirect transfers were not taxable
gains tax in India.
📌 Impact: India amended tax laws retrospectively to tax such transactions (Vodafone Tax
at the time.
Amendment).
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(2) McDowell & Co. Ltd. v. CTO (1985)
● Introduced in India (2020) to tax digital giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon.
9. Conclusion
📌 Tax avoidance is legal but unethical, often leading to amendments in tax laws.
📌 GAAR, Transfer Pricing, and DTAA amendments are India’s key measures to prevent it.
📌 Landmark cases (Vodafone, McDowell, Azadi Bachao) shaped India’s anti-tax avoidance
📌 With OECD’s BEPS framework and MLI, India is actively combating tax avoidance.
framework.
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Q7. Tax Deducted at Source (TDS)
1. Introduction to TDS
Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is a system introduced under the Income Tax Act, 1961, where the payer
deducts tax at the time of making payments such as salary, rent, commission, professional fees, and
interest. The deducted tax is then deposited with the Income Tax Department on behalf of the payee.
Purpose of TDS
● Employers deduct TDS from employees' salaries based on income tax slabs.
● No TDS if income is below the basic exemption limit.
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● TDS is deducted when rent payments exceed ₹2,40,000 per year.
● Rate: 2% (for plant & machinery), 10% (for land, buildings, furniture).
● TDS applies to fees paid to professionals, doctors, and consultants exceeding ₹30,000 per
year.
● Rate: 10%.
Nature of Paym TDS Rate for Individ TDS Rate for Co Threshold Limit
Salary (Sec. 192) As per income tax slab As per income tax Based on tax slabs
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4. TDS Deduction and Payment Process
(Step 1) Deduction of TDS
● The payer (employer, bank, or business) deducts TDS at the applicable rate.
● Example: If a company pays ₹5,00,000 as professional fees, it will deduct ₹50,000 as TDS (10%)
and pay only ₹4,50,000 to the professional.
● The deducted amount must be deposited with the Income Tax Department by the 7th of the
following month.
(Step 3) Filing of TDS Returns (Quarterly Filing – Form 26Q & 24Q)
● Employers file Form 24Q for salary TDS and Form 26Q for other TDS payments.
● Due dates:
○ Q1 (April – June): 31st July
○ Q2 (July – September): 31st October
○ Q3 (October – December): 31st January
○ Q4 (January – March): 31st May
5. Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to deduct TDS Interest @ 1% per month on TDS amount Section 201(1A)
Failure to deposit TDS Interest @ 1.5% per month on TDS amount Section 201(1A)
Late filing of TDS return ₹200 per day (max. penalty = TDS amount) Section 234E
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Failure to file TDS return Fine of ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000 Section 271H
📌 Issue: Whether TDS must be deducted on expatriate employees' salaries paid abroad.
📌 Verdict: Supreme Court ruled that TDS must be deducted on the full salary, including payments
outside India.
● 1% TDS on cryptocurrency and virtual digital assets (VDA) transactions above ₹10,000.
● 1% TDS deducted by e-commerce companies like Amazon, Flipkart for transactions above
₹5,00,000.
● Taxpayers can verify TDS details in Form 26AS on the income tax portal.
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8. Conclusion
📌 TDS ensures tax collection at the source, reducing tax evasion and ensuring steady government
📌 Employers, businesses, and banks are responsible for deducting and depositing TDS.
revenue.
📌 Non-compliance leads to interest, penalties, and prosecution under Section 201, 271H, and
📌 Recent amendments include TDS on crypto, e-commerce, and digital transactions to increase
276B.
transparency.
This exemption is based on the federal structure of the Indian Constitution, where only state
governments can levy taxes on agricultural income (Entry 46, State List – Seventh Schedule).
● Income from cultivation, harvesting, and selling of crops like wheat, rice, fruits, and vegetables.
● The land must be situated in India and used for agricultural purposes.
● If an agriculturist processes farm produce (e.g., coffee, tea, rubber) to make it marketable, the
income is considered agricultural.
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● Example: Drying and shelling of peanuts before selling is agricultural income.
● If a farmhouse is used for agricultural operations, income from it is exempt from tax.
● Conditions:
○ The building must be on or near agricultural land.
○ The land should be assessed for land revenue.
○ The building should be used as a warehouse, storehouse, or worker’s accommodation.
Sale of crops, fruits, and vegetables Sale of processed food (e.g., bread, jams, packa
Income from renting agricultural land Income from renting a warehouse in a city
Income from processing farm produce befor Income from sawmills, dairy farming, poultry farm
Income from a farm building used for storag Salary of agricultural workers
🔹 Example: If a person earns ₹4,00,000 as salary and ₹2,00,000 as agricultural income, tax will be
calculated on ₹6,00,000 but adjusted to exclude agricultural income.
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5. Exemptions & Exceptions to Agricultural Income
(1) Taxable Income from Agricultural Operations
● Processing beyond the basic level (e.g., making sugar from sugarcane) is taxable.
● Agricultural income from foreign countries is taxable in India.
● Rich individuals buy agricultural land and rent it to themselves, falsely claiming tax exemption.
● Shell companies claim agricultural income to convert black money into white.
🔹 Government Countermeasures:
● Increased scrutiny of agricultural income claims above ₹5 lakh.
● Mandatory PAN disclosure for high agricultural earnings.
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7. Important Case Laws on Agricultural Income
(1) CIT v. Raja Benoy Kumar Sahas Roy (1957)
9. Conclusion
📌 Agricultural income is tax-exempt under Section 10(1) but can be misused for tax evasion.
📌 Partial integration rule ensures fairness for individuals with mixed income.
📌 Fake claims & money laundering through agriculture are under government scrutiny.
📌 Case laws like Raja Benoy Kumar & Raja Mustafa Ali clarify the legal scope of agricultural
income.
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● Taxability of income (whether global income or only Indian income is taxed).
● Applicability of exemptions and deductions.
● TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) rates on income earned in India.
1. They stay in India for 182 days or more in the financial year, OR
2. They stay in India for 60 days or more in the financial year AND 365 days or more in the last 4
years.
For Indian citizens leaving India for employment, business, or as a crew member of a ship, the 60-day
rule is extended to 182 days.
(B) NRIs Returning to India (Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident - RNOR)
If an NRI returns to India, they may qualify as Resident but Not Ordinarily Resident (RNOR) if:
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📌 RNORs are taxed only on income earned in India, like NRIs.
(C) Recent Amendment for High-Income NRIs (Finance Act, 2020)
● If an Indian citizen earns more than ₹15 lakh from Indian sources AND stays in India for 120
days or more, they will be classified as RNOR (not NRI).
● This prevents tax avoidance by wealthy Indians who live abroad but earn in India.
● Income earned in India is taxable (e.g., salary in India, rent from Indian property, capital gains on
Indian investments).
● Income earned outside India is NOT taxable in India.
📌 Example: If an NRI works in the USA and earns $100,000, this income is not taxable in India. But if
they earn ₹10 lakh from rent in India, this income is taxable in India.
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Capital gains on property sale 20% (long-term), 30% (short-term)
● Section 80C: Deductions up to ₹1.5 lakh (Life insurance, PPF, ELSS, Home loan repayment).
● Section 80D: Deduction for health insurance premium.
● Section 54 & 54EC: Exemptions on capital gains from property sales if reinvested.
📌 Issue: Whether NRIs can use Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) to reduce tax liability.
📌 Verdict: NRIs can benefit from DTAA, avoiding double taxation in India and their country of residence.
(2) Sudhir Choudhrie v. CIT (2011)
📌 Issue: Whether income from rent received by an NRI from Indian property is taxable.
📌 Verdict: Rent received from India is taxable in India, even if the NRI lives abroad.
9. Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) for NRIs
NRIs may face double taxation (taxed in India & their country of residence). DTAA prevents this by:
📌 Example: If an NRI earns interest in India and the USA, DTAA ensures they do not pay tax twice.
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10. Recent Amendments in NRI Taxation
(A) Finance Act, 2020 – Stricter Residency Rules for NRIs
● Individuals earning more than ₹15 lakh from Indian sources & staying in India for 120+ days
are classified as RNOR.
● Prevents tax avoidance by high-net-worth individuals (HNIs).
● NRIs earning from Indian e-commerce platforms (Amazon, Flipkart) will have TDS deducted
at 1%.
11. Conclusion
📌 NRI status depends on the number of days spent in India (182-day rule, 120-day rule for HNIs).
📌 NRIs are taxed only on income earned in India, not global income.
📌 TDS for NRIs is higher than for residents (30% on rental, 20% on capital gains).
📌 DTAA prevents double taxation for NRIs.
📌 New laws aim to prevent tax avoidance by high-income NRIs.
Q10. Tax Liability of Residents in India
1. Introduction to Tax Liability of Residents in India
Tax liability refers to the amount of tax an individual is required to pay under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
In India, the tax liability of an individual depends on their residential status.
A resident in India is taxed on global income, while a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) is taxed only on
income earned in India.
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A person is considered a Resident if they meet any of the following conditions:
1. Stay in India for 182 days or more during the financial year (April 1 – March 31), OR
2. Stay in India for 60 days or more in the financial year AND 365 days or more in the last four
financial years.
A person is classified as NRI if they do not meet any of the conditions for residency.
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📌 Tax Liability of NRI:
✅ Only income earned in India is taxed.
✅ Income earned abroad is NOT taxed in India.
4. Scope of Taxable Income for Residents in India
A Resident and Ordinarily Resident (ROR) is liable to pay tax on all types of income, including:
📌 Example: If a Resident earns ₹10 lakh from an Indian salary and ₹5 lakh from rental income in the
USA, their total taxable income is ₹15 lakh.
Up to 2,50,000 Nil
2,50,001 – 5,00,000 5%
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5,00,001 – 10,00,000 20%
Up to 3,00,000 Nil
3,00,001 – 6,00,000 5%
✅ Rebate Under Section 87A: No tax if total income is below ₹7 lakh under the new regime.
6. Exemptions and Deductions for Residents
Deduction Maximum Limit (₹) Applicable U
Section 80D (Health Insurance Premium) ₹25,000 (₹50,000 for senior citiz Old & New Regime
📌 Residents can claim these deductions to reduce tax liability under the Old Regime.
7. Advance Tax & TDS for Residents
A. Advance Tax
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● If tax liability exceeds ₹10,000, the resident must pay advance tax in installments.
● Non-payment leads to penalties under Section 234B & 234C.
📌 Residents can file ITR and claim refunds if excess TDS is deducted.
8. Important Case Laws on Tax Liability of Residents
(1) K.V. Alagarswamy v. CIT (1977)
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