Many taxpayers face challenges when it comes to paying their income taxes and often need assistance. However, that’s no longer the case, as we have outlined a simple, straightforward guide to help you pay your tax dues. The income tax department has allowed for online tax payment, keeping pace with evolving technology and our dependence on it.
Eligibility For E-Tax Payment
With effect from 1st April 2008, the following assessees have to mandatorily pay taxes electronically.
All the corporate assessees.
All assessees (other than the company) to whom the provisions of section 44AB of the Income Tax Act, 1961 are applicable.
Prerequisite For E-Tax Payment
To be able to pay your taxes online, one must ensure the following:
You must have an account with a bank which is authorised to process the tax payments.
You must have internet banking activated on the account through which you want to make the payment.
You can also pay through UPI or credit or debit card.
Procedure Of E-Tax Payment
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make tax payments on the Income Tax Portal without logging in:
Step 1: Go To The Income Tax Portal & Navigate To The 'E-Pay Taxes' Section
On the left side of the home page, there is a 'Quick Links' section, click on the 'e-Pay Tax' option. You can also search for 'e-Pay Tax' in the search bar.
Step 2: Enter PAN/TAN And Mobile Number
On the ‘e-Pay Tax’ page, input your PAN and re-enter to confirm it. Then, provide your mobile number and click ‘Continue’.
Enter the 6-digit OTP received on your mobile number and 'Continue'.
Step 3: Select The Correct Assessment Year And Payment Type
Select the first box labelled as ‘Income Tax’ and click on ‘Proceed’
From the ‘Assessment Year’ dropdown menu, select 2024-25 for payments in relation to FY 2023-24.
Under the ‘Type of Payment’, select ‘Self-Assessment Tax (300)’ and click on 'Continue'.
Step 4: Enter Tax Payment Details
Make sure to input the payment amounts correctly under the appropriate category. You may refer to the pre-filled challan on ClearTax to obtain all the necessary amounts.
Step 5: Select Payment Method
Select the payment method and the bank to make the tax payment and press 'Continue'.
Payment can be made using internet banking, debit card, credit card, RTGS/NEFT, UPI or you can choose to pay at the bank counter.
Step 6: Verify Payment Information
After you click on 'Continue', there will be an option to preview the challan details.
Double-check the payment information you entered to ensure it is accurate, then click on the 'Pay Now' option at the bottom of the page to make the payment.
If you need to modify the details, click on 'Edit'.
Step 7: Submit The Payment
Tick the checkbox to agree to the Terms and Conditions after reading them and click on 'Submit To Bank'.
Step 8: Receive Payment Confirmation
You will receive a confirmation once your tax payment has been successfully submitted.
Note: Remember to download the challan as you will need the BSR code and Challan number for completing the return filing process.
Step 9: Add Details On ClearTax
Now, resume your tax filing on ClearTax. Click on ‘Add Paid Tax Details’.
Enter the Tax amount paid along with other details from the challan, such as the date of payment, BSR Code, and Challan Serial Number.
You can now proceed to ‘e-file’ and ‘e-verify’ your return
Steps To E-Pay After Log-in To E-filing Portal
Step 1: Log in to the e-Filing portal with your User ID and Password.
Step 2: On the Dashboard, click e-File > e-Pay Tax. You will be navigated to the e-Pay Tax. On the e-Pay Tax page, click the New Payment option to initiate the online tax payment.
Step 3: On the New Payment page, click Proceed on a tax payment tile applicable to you.
Step 4: Follow Step 3 to Step 9 mentioned above to make e-pay taxes without logging in
Benefits Of E-Tax Payment
The provision of being able to pay taxes electronically has definitely made paying taxes a lot easier. Some of the benefits of e-payments are as follows:
Saves time and can be done at one’s convenient time, avoiding long queues
Tax department records are updated automatically without the taxpayer having to take additional measures to ensure the updating of records
Instant generation of the receipt of tax payment
Verifying the status of tax payment can be done online
Banks Authorised For E-Tax Payment
Here's an updated list of banks that can be found on the e-filing portal for e-payment of taxes w.e.f 28.04.2023:
Allahabad Bank
Andhra Bank
Axis Bank
Bank of Baroda
Bank of India
Bank of Maharashtra
Canara Bank
Central Bank of India
Corporation Bank
City Union Bank
DCB Bank
Federal Bank
HDFC Bank
ICICI Bank
IDBI Bank
Indian Bank
Indian Overseas Bank
IndusInd Bank
Jammu and Kashmir Bank
Karur Vysya Bank
Karnataka Bank
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Punjab National Bank
Punjab & Sind Bank
RBL Bank
State Bank of India
South Indian Bank
UCO BANK
Union Bank of India
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it necessary to create a Challan (CRN) for tax payments?
In e-Pay Tax service at e-Filing portal, it is mandatory to generate the Challan for the payment of direct taxes. Every such generated Challan will have a unique Challan Reference Number (CRN) associated with it.
What are the various modes available for making payment after the generation of Challan (CRN)?
After the generation of Challan (CRN), the following modes are available for making tax payments:
Net Banking (select Authorised Banks)
Debit Card of select Authorised Banks
Pay at the Bank Counter (The Counter Payment at the Branches of select Authorised Banks)
RTGS / NEFT (through any bank having such a facility)
Payment Gateway (using sub-payment modes such as Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, and UPI of any Bank)
Can a taxpayer request for refund/reversal of the tax amount paid mistakenly?
Any request for a refund/reversal of the challan amount will not be entertained by the e-Filing portal. The taxpayer is advised to claim that amount as a tax credit in the income tax return for the relevant Assessment Year.
Can a taxpayer pay through cash? Is there any limit on cash transactions allowed?
Yes, taxpayer can make payment through Cash using Pay at Bank mode. However, tax payment through cash is limited to a maximum amount of Rs 10,000 per Challan Form (CRN).
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