Basic Definition Under Income Tax Laws
What is PREVIOUS YEAR [SEC.3] For the purpose of this Act ‘Previous Year’ means the financial year immediately preceding the Assessment Year. Income earned in a year is assessed in the next year. The year in which income is earned is known as Previous Year and the next year in which income is assessed is known as Assessment Year. It is mandatory for all assessee to follow financial year (from 1st April to 31st March) as previous year for Income-Tax purpose. Financial Year According to sec. 2(21) of the General Clauses Act, 1897, a Financial Year means the year commencing on the 1st day of April. Hence, it is a period of 12 months starting from 1st April and ending on 31st March of the next year. It plays a dual role i.e. Assessment Year as well as Previous Year. Example: Financial year 2020-21 is – • Assessment year for the Previous Year 2019-20; and • Previous Year for the Assessment Year 2021-22. What is Financial year A Financial year (FY) is a period between 1