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Total Income- How to Calculate Total Income?

What is Total Income and How to Calculate It?

Updated on: 29 Mar, 2022 04:29 PM

Total Income (TI) or Gross Total Income (GTI) are the terms used interchangeably but differ in substance. Where Gross Total Income is calculated by summing up earnings received as per all five heads of income. Total income is arrived at after deducting from Gross Total Income deductions under Section 80C to 80U (namely, Chapter VI A deductions) under the Income Tax Act 1961. Which means GTI is a large component out of which on subtracting certain specified amount we can arrive at the TI.

How to Calculate Total Income?
Why the calculation of Total Income (TI) important under the Income Tax Act?

How to Calculate Total Income?

Total Income can be calculated by-

Adding up earnings from all five heads of income
Reducing from it allowable deductions under Section 80C to Section 80U of the Income Tax

The resultant amount is Total Income.
For better understanding, find below the tabular presentation of how to compute total income.

Particulars	Amount
Particulars	Rs	Rs	Rs
1. Income from salaries
Income from salary	xx	xxx	xxxx
Income by way of allowances	xx
Taxable value of perquisites	xx
Gross salary
Less: Deduction under Section 16		xxx
Entertainment allowance		xxx
Professional tax		xxx
INCOME TAXABLE UNDER THE HEAD SALARIES
2. Income from House Property
Adjusted net annual value	xx	xxxx
Less: Deduction under section 24	xx
INCOME TAXABLE UNDER THE HEAD HOUSE PROPERTY
3. Income from Business or Profession
Net profit as per profit and loss account	xx	xxxx
Add: Amounts which are debited to P&l a/c but are not allowed as a deduction under the act	xx
Less: Expenditure which are not debited to P&L a/c but are allowed as a deduction under the act	xx
Less: Income which are credited to P&L a/c but are exempt under section 10	xx
Add: Income which are not credited to P&L a/c but are taxable under this head	xx
PROFIT & GAINS TAXABLE UNDER THE HEAD BUSINESS & PROFESSION
4. Income from Capital Gains
Amount of capital gains	xx	xxxx
Less: Amount exempt under sections 54, 54B,54D,54EC,54F, 54G, 54GA, 54GB, and 54H	xx
INCOME TAXABLE UNDER THE HEAD CAPITAL GAINS
5. Income from other sources
Gross income	xx	xxxx
Less: Deduction under section 57	xx
INCOME TAXABLE UNDER THE HEAD OTHER SOURCES
Total [i.e., (1) +(2) +(3) +(4) +(5)]	XXX
Less: Adjustment on account of set-off and carry forward of losses	XXX
Gross total income	XXXX
Less: Deductions	XXXX
Total Income or Net income	XXXX

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Why the calculation of Total Income (TI) important under the Income Tax Act?

A question might come up in your mind that why it is important to know total income?? The need to understand the concept of total income becomes vital because it directly impacts your tax payments. Tax is calculated on total income or net income of a person and not on Gross Total Income. If the computation of Total Income is made wrong i.e. either it is calculated higher than actual income or lower, following consequences shall follow

In case TI has been calculated more than the actual amount. Then the tax would be calculated on such increased amount and you might end up paying higher taxes unnecessarily.
The other side is even more distressing. Computing lower Total Income and resultantly paying lower income tax will be an open invite for tax notices, penalties & prosecution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q- What is total income?

To know your total income sum up your annual income under all the five heads of income and account for the deductions under chapter VIA. The net result would be your total or net income.

Q- What is difference between gross income and total income?

Gross income is the aggregate income and a wider term from which total income can be arrived at after subtracting the decutionsunder section 80C to 80U of the income tax act.

Q- Is total income and taxable income different?

No, total income/net income and taxable income are one and the same thing.

Q- What is annual income?

Annual income means your income from all sources, it is same as Gross Total Income.

Q- What is the gross total income?

Aggregate income before deductions under chapter VIA is known as Gross Total Income.

Q- Is total income before or after tax?

When tax from gross income is deducted it results in total income. Hence, total income is always after tax.

Q- What is difference between total income and taxable income?

Total income and taxable income are interchangeable terms. There is no difference.