The freelance market in India has been growing rapidly over the past couple of years. Many people are shifting to freelancing work as it provides greater flexibility and freedom.
According to a report on ‘Freelancing in 2020: An Abundance of Opportunities’ by Payoneer, India has the second-fastest-growing freelance market in the world with an estimated 15 million freelancers in the market. The market is booming and more people are ready to join the freelance market.
However, the grass is never greener on the other side. Unlike salaried professionals, freelancers do not have a fixed income which makes paying taxes difficult. In this blog, we’ll talk about how tax optimization services can help freelancers with their taxes. But first, let’s take a brief look at the kind of taxes a freelancer has to pay in India.
Taxes for freelancers in India
Freelancers are individuals who offer services to various clients on a project basis without being permanent employees of those clients. Freelancers are independent contractors who have the freedom to choose their work, projects, and companies. They are typically paid by the hour, project, or job, and are responsible for their taxes, insurance, and other business expenses.
As per the Income Tax rules in India, freelancing income is considered income from a profession and is taxed under the head “Profits and Gains from Business or Profession”. Freelancers need to pay income tax at the applicable slab rates.
Freelancers can opt for the presumptive taxation scheme under Section 44ADA, which allows them to pay tax on only half of their annual income if it does not exceed ₹50 lakhs. They are also liable to pay advance tax if their total tax liability exceeds ₹10,000 in a financial year and deduct TDS at 10% under Section 194J for any professional services provided.
Freelancers need to file their income tax returns using ITR-3 or ITR-4 forms depending on whether they opt for the presumptive taxation scheme or not.
How can tax optimization help freelancers in India?
Tax Optimizer is a simple yet important tool for freelancers. With tax optimization services, you get personalized tax-saving suggestions and the ability to explore beyond 80C. All the while remaining compliant with tax laws.
For freelancers, tax optimization services can result in significant savings and is another way to better financial management.
Benefits of tax optimization services for freelancers in India
A tax optimizer can help you choose the best tax regime for your income, whether it is the regular tax regime (old or new) or the presumptive taxation scheme. This is just one of the many benefits of tax optimization services.
Claim deductions
Tax optimizers help freelancers claim deductions under Section 44ADA for any business expenses that might have been incurred over a financial year. Business expenses are any expenses that your business incurs in order to earn an income. These expenses can include rent, office supplies, travel, internet bills, equipment, etc. Tax optimization services will look at all the expenses and help you identify any deductions that you can claim.
Simplifies ITR filing
Tax filing is a confusing and complicated subject for most people, including freelancers. Using a tax optimization service simplifies tax filing. It helps you file your income tax returns using the appropriate forms (ITR-3 or ITR-4) and comply with the due dates and any other requirements. They also help you to avoid any errors in your tax filing that could lead to penalties.
Saves on taxes
Tax optimization services help reduce the amount of taxes a freelancer has to pay. It helps you to save tax by pushing you to invest in various tax-saving instruments, such as ELSS, PPF, NPS, insurance, etc. These instruments can help you to reduce your taxable income and also provide you with long-term returns.
Financial planning
Long-term financial planning is important for everyone, but more so for freelancers who do not have a fixed monthly income. That’s why using a tax optimizer can help you optimize your cash flow and financial planning by providing timely and accurate tax advice and guidance. They can help you plan your income and expenses in a way that saves you the most tax. As well as provide guidance on how to save for retirement or other financial goals.
Advance tax computation
Advance tax is applicable to all individuals, including salaried employees, freelancers, and business owners, whose tax liability exceeds ₹10,000. It is calculated based on the individual's taxable income for the previous year and is paid in four instalments. By using a tax optimizer, you can compare and choose the best tax regime for you since the tax slabs are different for the old and new regimes. It also shows you how much interest and penalty you can avoid by paying advance tax on time.
Conclusion
Tax optimization services for freelancers in India can help you save time and money. As well as helping you avoid any hassle related to taxes. It can also help you comply with existing tax laws and avoid penalties.
If you are looking for a reliable and professional tax optimization service, TaxSpanner's Tax Optimizer gives you the best personalized tax optimization plan, made just for you. Our team of qualified and experienced tax experts can help you optimize your taxes and grow your freelance business.
