A salary slip is defined as a document that is provided by your employer which contains the breakdown of your earnings, deductions, and other variables. Your monthly payslip will have the amount that is being paid to you and the deductions that will be made. This document is generated on a monthly basis, the employer hands over to you either over mail or a physical copy.
Importance of understanding the salary slip
As it is the legal proof your employer will give you acting as proof of your employability, it will help one understand the components and the salary associated with their position of responsibility. It helps you to fill your income tax returns, applying for loans, etc.
- Exploring opportunities: Your salary slip will play a pivotal role in having a raise or switching from one company to another, it acts as a negotiating factor between you and the employer.
- Tax Calculation: There are different tax treatments for different components in your salary slip. Knowing about these components will help you in encashing various benefits available for tax deductions, we will see in detail the various components of salary slip and how to avail the tax benefits from them.
Components of salary slip
The salary slip is generated every month, but do you really understand the format and the components associated with it? You need to learn about salary slip and then understand the terminologies and different variables that are included in your salary slip. Let’s not worry we will structurally break down the components and try to understand everything:
The deduction side
The professional tax, employee provident fund (EPF), tax deduction at sources (TDS) are the major components:
1. Professional tax: This is a small amount taxed by the state government by the earning professionals. The majority of the Indian states tax this amount to the individuals not only for the professionals but for individuals who earn a living. This deduction of the amount is from the taxable income. This amount is a very small amount, generally in a few hundred, which is majorly dependent on the gross tax slab of the individual.
2. Tax deducted at source (TDS): An amount the income tax department charges and is deduced by the employer. It has a similar criterion like professional tax, which is dependent on the gross tax slab of an employee. If you have invested in schemes like tax-saving FD, PPF, ELSS, NPS can reduce the amount paid to the tax department. As this comes under the 80C section of the Indian income tax, this increases your take-home salary. You can also invest in the mutual funds and submit the proof to your employer, further claiming the TDS returns.
3. Employee Provident Fund (EPF): This qualifies under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, this EPF goes to the contribution of an employee to the provident fund. This fund basically accumulates the amount for your retirement period. 12 percent of the basic salary of the employee goes to the EPF, the employer also makes a similar contribution towards the employee for their retirement. This whole process is governed and managed by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation.
The earning side:
1. Basic: This is the fixed component of your salary as the name suggests. This is usually the largest component of your salary. The fixed or basic salary defines your HRA furthermore, your PF is deducted as a percentage of your basic salary. The basics tend to be higher at the junior level. The salary in hand is 100 percent taxable to the employee.
2. House Rent Allowance: This allowance is for the individuals who live in rental houses or apartments. There is a partial or full exemption from taxes depending on the rental expenditure of the individual. If you do have HRA but you do not live on a rental basis then this component is fully taxable.
3. Conveyance Allowance: The amount of travel to and from the workplace by the employer to the employee. This allowance is generally exempt from tax until a limit so one can save on tax on this allowance. This appears on the earning side of the payslip.
4. Medical Allowance: For the medical expenses during the time of employment at a company, the employer provides an amount for the medical expenses for the employee. This amount is only received by the employee post presenting the medical bills to the employer as a proof. If the employee fails to provide the necessary certificates and bills, this amount shall be fully taxed. On the other hand, if the employee provides the proof of documentation the allowance is up to Rs. 15,000 that will be exempted from the tax.
5. Special Allowances: These allowances are performance-based allowances, they are generally given to the employees to derive motivation and better work. They are subject to companies and may be variable. These allowances are 100 percent taxable.
It’s most important to understand the salary slip for an individual, as it acts as a proof, credible source, helps in the background check, and many more cases. It also gives the growth trajectory of the individual for other employers. Salary also gives you the opportunity to get various loans, credit cards, and other borrowings.
