Payroll

Payroll is the sum total of all compensation that a business must pay to its employees for a set period of time.

Payroll management can be quite a challenge for a new business owner. There are many provisions in Central and State laws that regulate payroll and failure to do so could result in regulatory problems and costs in terms of interest and penalties.

Compensation of employees is the total remuneration, in cash or in kind, payable by an enterprise to an employee in return for work done by the latter during the accounting period. Usually,the following are major components of Payroll:

Understanding government policies which relate to foreign investment in India

Preparing a comparative study and suggesting various alternative corporate structure viz. wholly owned subsidiary, JV, branch office or a liaison office

Drafting of applications to the concerned regulatory authority

Studying the existing business of the Company and designing tax efficient business models

Carrying out market survey and suggesting the appropriate location for setting up of the business

Setting up systems in tune with the local and international laws and initial hand holding

Particulars Type of Component Taxability Status Remarks
Basic Earning Fully Taxed-No Deduction The Basic is form of important figure for calculation of Retiral Benefits, PF Contributions, HRA Deduction, Leave Encashment etc.
HRA [House Rent Allowance] Earning Taxed-Exemption to the Extent It can be paid to all employees whether they stay in rented house. It is Partly taxable *Note1. In case one has own house HRA is fully taxable.
Special Allowance Earning Fully Taxed-No Deduction It is a fully taxable component. It is balance of total gross salary as payable.
Variable Allowance Earning Fully Taxed-No Deduction It is a fully taxable component
Performance Award Earning Fully Taxed-No Deduction It is a fully taxable component
Bonus Earning Fully Taxed-No Deduction It is a fully taxable component
Referrals Earning Fully Taxed-No Deduction It is a fully taxable component
Meal Allowance Earning Fully Taxed-No Deduction It is a fully taxable component
Leave Travel Concession Earning Taxed-Exemption to an Extent Exempt for reimbursements for the amount spent for self and any member of the family on fare by economy class air or air-conditioned class rail by the shortest route (2-Journeys are allowed in a block of 4-Calendar-Years)
Income Tax (TDS) Deduction Not Taxed TDS is the part of the Income Tax payable by the employee on his annual salary and is deducted by the employer before paying the salary.
Provident Fund (PF) Deduction Not Taxed PF is a Social Security deduction component. It is calculated on 12% of Basic salary.
Professional Tax (PT) Deduction Not Taxed PT varies from state to state.
ESI (Employee State Insurance) Deduction Not Taxed ESI is applicable when the Gross Salary is up to INR 21,000 per month.

*Note 1:

Lowest of the following are exempt from HRA under section 10(13A):

  • Actual HRA received
  • Rent paid over 10% of salary (Basic)
  • 50% of salary (40% in case of Non-Metros)