The Assessment Year represents the year immediately following the prior financial year (April 01 to March 31 next year), during which individuals or businesses evaluate and report their income to tax authorities. In the assessment year, taxpayers are obligated to submit their income tax returns, disclose their earnings, and compute their tax liability based on the income they earned in the preceding financial year.
A self-assessment year denotes the timeframe in which individuals evaluate and disclose their personal income, expenditures, and financial particulars to tax authorities. During this procedure, taxpayers usually compute their tax responsibilities, report income sources, and assert qualifying deductions or credits.
This practice is widespread in global tax systems, representing the standard approach for individuals to meet their tax duties by voluntarily providing accurate financial information to the relevant tax authorities.
The deadline for filing income tax returns for individuals and non-audit cases in the assessment year 2023-24 in India was July 31, 2023. If missed, individuals can still file a belated return by December 31, 2023, albeit incurring a penalty. Alternatively, they have the option to submit a revised return within the same timeframe to update details without incurring additional penalties, providing a window for rectifications or late submissions.
The fiscal year spans 12 months and serves financial reporting, budgeting, and accounting needs, commencing on April 1 and concluding on March 31 in India. In contrast, the assessment year, occurring after the financial year, is when individuals submit income tax returns reflecting earnings from the prior financial year. This period is pivotal for tax evaluation and computation, marking a significant phase in determining and reporting income for tax purposes.
In economic contexts, "fiscal" and "financial" have separate meanings. "Fiscal" is associated with government revenue, taxation, and public finances, while "financial" concerns broader monetary aspects, including assets, liabilities, and overall financial well-being. Essentially, fiscal is more targeted, concentrating on government-related finances, while financial has a wider reach, encompassing diverse aspects of money and resources in both public and private sectors.