Difference Between Assessment Year (AY) and Financial Year (FY)

Many taxpayers confuse between the Financial Year (AY) and Assessment Year (AY). They often tend to treat them as the same, which leads to making mistakes when they file their income tax returns.

What is Financial Year?

A Financial Year (FY) is the period between 1 April and 31 March – the year in which you earn an income.

What is Assessment Year?

The assessment year (AY) is the year that comes after the FY. This is the time in which the income earned during FY is assessed and taxed. Both FY and AY start on 1 April and end on 31 March. For instance, FY 2019-20 and AY 2020-21 are one and the same.

AY and FY for recent years

What is the difference between AY and FY?

From an income tax perspective, FY is the year in which you earn an income. AY is the year following the financial year in which you have to evaluate the previous year’s income and pay taxes on it.

For instance, if your financial year is from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021, then it is known as FY 2020-21. The assessment year for the money earned during this period would begin after the financial year ends – that is from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. Hence, the assessment year would be AY 2022-22.

Why does an ITR form have AY?

Since income for any particular financial year is evaluated and taxed in the assessment year, income tax return forms have AY. Income earned in a financial year cannot be taxed before it is earned. 

Scenarios like loss of job, job change, new investments etc. can come up in the middle or end of the FY. Also, the income earned in a financial year cannot be exactly known before the end of the financial year.This is why the assessment can start only after the financial year ends. Hence, taxpayers have to select AY while filing their income tax returns.

What is the financial year and assessment year called in Hindi?

The financial year (FY) in Hindi is called वित्तीय वर्ष and assessment year (AY) in Hindi is called निर्धारण वर्ष.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should a taxpayer file an income tax return?

A taxpayer should file an income tax return in the Assessment Year, which is the year following the closure of a financial year.

How do I calculate my income and tax liability for the purpose of filing an income tax return?

You should calculate your income for the full financial year and calculate the tax thereon. You need to file an income tax return when your income exceeds Rs 2.5 lakh.

How do I pay the tax on my income?

You can pay the tax online before filing the income tax return.

Can I claim credit for TDS, advance tax, TCS paid or deducted on my income?

At the time of filing the return, you can claim credit for advance tax, TDS and TCS paid during the financial year.

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