The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has asked the taxpayers to pay the installments of advance tax before the due date is expired.

Advance tax means income tax should be paid in advance instead of lump sum payment at year end. It is also known as pay as you earn tax. These payments have to be made in installments as per due dates provided by the income tax department. The due date for paying the third installment was 15th December 2017.

The last date for paying the first installment is 15th June 2018. The second, third and fourth installments must be remitted on or before 15th September 2018, 15th December 2018 and 15th March 2019 respectively.

The persons who are liable to pay advance tax are, (i) Any assessee, including salaried employee, whose tax liability for the financial year as reduced by the tax deducted/ collected at source is Rs. 10,000/- or more. (ii) The assessee in respect of eligible business referred to in section 44D is liable to pay the whole amount of such advance tax on or before 15th March of respective financial year. However, a Resident Senior Citizen (individual who is of the age of 60 years or more) not having income from business/ profession is not liable to pay advance tax.

According to an advisory issued by the Board today, online payment of the advance tax is mandatory for all Corporates and also those assessees whose accounts are required to be audited under section 44AB of the income tax Act, 1961. “Though e-payment is not mandatory for other taxpayers, it would be convenient for them since it ensures correct credit,” the Board said.

Any short or non-payment or deferment of payment of advance tax would attract levy of interest, it added.