Tax calculator for freelancers, consultants & self-employed professionals in India. Sec 44ADA presumptive tax, advance tax schedule & quarterly payment planner.
Total income from all clients/projects before expenses
Total paid so far (June + Sept + Dec instalments)
10% TDS deducted by clients on professional fees > ₹30K
Required if total tax liability > ₹10,000. Pay via Challan 280 on IT portal.
| Instalment | Due Date | Cumulative % | Amount Due |
|---|
Know how much TDS clients will deduct on professional fees
Check if excess TDS means you have a refund coming at ITR filing time
Freelancers, consultants and self-employed professionals in India face a unique tax situation: unlike salaried employees, there's no employer to deduct TDS on your behalf. You're responsible for estimating income, paying advance tax in quarterly instalments, and filing ITR-3 or ITR-4 (Sugam). This calculator handles all of it.
Section 44ADA is a simplified tax scheme for professionals (IT, software, doctors, lawyers, CAs, engineers, architects, consultants, content creators) with gross receipts under ₹50 lakh. Under 44ADA:
If your total annual tax liability exceeds ₹10,000, you must pay advance tax in quarterly instalments or face interest under Sections 234B and 234C. The schedule is: 15% by June 15, 45% by September 15, 75% by December 15, 100% by March 15. Under 44ADA, you can also opt to pay the entire tax in one shot by March 15 without interest.
✓ Invest in NPS under 80CCD(1B): Additional ₹50,000 deduction above the ₹1.5L 80C limit — saves ₹15,000/year at 30% slab.
✓ Collect TDS certificates: Get Form 16A from every client who deducts TDS. Reconcile with Form 26AS before filing ITR to ensure no TDS is missed.
✓ Separate business account: Maintain a dedicated bank account for freelance income — makes bookkeeping and ITR filing much easier.
✓ GST registration: If receipts exceed ₹20 lakh, register for GST. If you work with foreign clients, exports are zero-rated — you can claim input tax credit refund even on purchases.
✓ Choose 44ADA if expenses < 50%: If your actual expenses are less than half your income (common for software/consulting), 44ADA is highly advantageous — you get a 50% deduction automatically without maintaining books.
Freelancers under Section 44ADA pay tax on 50% of gross receipts. From this profit, personal deductions (80C, 80D, NPS, HRA) are subtracted. Tax is computed on remaining taxable income at applicable slab rates plus 4% cess. Under regular assessment, actual expenses are deducted from gross income to arrive at taxable profit.
Section 44ADA allows professionals with gross receipts under ₹50 lakh to declare 50% of receipts as profit without maintaining books of accounts. Eligible professions include IT, software, engineering, medical, legal, architecture, accountancy, interior design, film, photography, and authorized representatives. File ITR-4 (Sugam) to claim this scheme.
Yes, if total tax liability exceeds ₹10,000. The schedule is: 15% by June 15, 45% by September 15, 75% by December 15, 100% by March 15. Missing instalments attracts interest at 1% per month under Sections 234B and 234C. Under 44ADA, all 100% can be paid by March 15 without the earlier instalments attracting Section 234C interest.
GST registration is mandatory if annual turnover exceeds ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh for special category states). For services exported to foreign clients (US, UK, Europe), the service is zero-rated — no GST collected from clients. Software, IT services, and consulting for foreign clients typically qualify as export of service. Voluntary registration below threshold can help claim input tax credit on business purchases.
Yes, but with limitations. Under the new regime, you cannot claim 80C, 80D, or other Chapter VI-A deductions. You also cannot claim the 50% expense presumption under 44ADA (the new regime doesn't allow it for self-employed). Most freelancers with significant expenses or investments benefit more from the old regime. If receipts are low and you have minimal deductions, compare both options using this calculator.
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