Section-15 : Basis of Charge of Salary Income

Any salary, bonus, commission or remuneration, by whatever name called due to or received by a partner of a firm from firm shall not be regarded as salary for the purposes of this section.

 Salary is taxable on “due” or “receipt” basis whichever is earlier -

Basis of charge in respect of salary income is fixed by section 15. Salary is chargeable to tax either on “due” basis or on “receipt” basis, whichever matures earlier.

if salary of 2019-20 is received in advance in 2018-19, it is included in the total income of the previous year 2018-19 on “receipt” basis (as tax incidence matures earlier on “receipt” basis, “due” basis is not relevant in this case; therefore, salary will not be included in total income of the previous year 2019-20).

On the other hand, if salary which has become due in 2017-18 and received in 2018-19, is included in total income of the previous year 2017-18 on “due” basis (as incidence of tax matures earlier on “due” basis, “receipt” basis is inapplicable; salary will, therefore, not be included in total income of the previous year 2018-19).

 Accounting method of the employee not relevant -

It is worthwhile to mention that salary is chargeable to tax on “due” or “receipt” basis (whichever matures earlier) regardless of the fact whether books of account, in respect of salary income, are maintained by the assessee on mercantile basis or cash basis. Method of accounting cannot, therefore, vary the basis of charge fixed by section 15.

Table showing List and different form of Salary for Computing Salary Income

Dearness allowance / Pay