What Is Income Tax for a Partnership Firm?
A Partnership Firm is a business entity where two or more partners carry on a business and share profits as per a partnership deed. Under the Income Tax Act, 1961, a partnership firm is treated as a separate taxable entity and must file its Income Tax Return (ITR) every year, irrespective of profit or loss.
Income tax for a partnership firm is calculated on its net taxable profit, after allowing eligible expenses, deductions, and partner remunerations as permitted by law.
Is Income Tax Filing Mandatory for Partnership Firms?
Yes. Income tax return filing is mandatory for:
- Registered partnership firms
- Unregistered partnership firms
- Firms with or without income
- Firms claiming loss or carrying forward losses
Failure to file ITR may lead to:
- Penalties
- Interest on tax dues
- Loss of carry-forward benefits
- Scrutiny notices
Tax Rate Applicable to Partnership Firms
- Flat tax rate: 30% on taxable income
- Surcharge: Applicable if income exceeds specified limits
- Health & Education Cess: 4% on total tax
👉 No basic exemption limit is available for partnership firms.
Documents Required for Income Tax Filing (Partnership Firm)
- PAN of the partnership firm
- Partnership Deed
- Financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet)
- Bank statements
- Details of partner remuneration & interest
- TDS details (Form 26AS)
- Audit report (if applicable)
Step-by-Step Process for Filing Income Tax – Partnership Firm
Step 1: Prepare Financial Statements
Prepare:
- Profit & Loss Account
- Balance Sheet
Ensure:
- Partner salary and interest are as per partnership deed
- All business expenses are properly recorded
Step 2: Check Tax Audit Applicability
Tax audit is required if:
- Turnover exceeds ₹1 crore (business)
- ₹50 lakh (profession)
Higher limits apply for digital transactions.
Step 3: Calculate Taxable Income
From net profit:
- Add disallowed expenses
- Deduct allowed expenses
- Deduct partner remuneration & interest (within limits)
Step 4: Choose Correct ITR Form
- ITR-5 is applicable for partnership firms
(ITR-5 is mandatory even if there is no income.)
Step 5: Login to Income Tax Portal
- Login using the firm’s PAN
- Select “File Income Tax Return”
- Choose relevant Assessment Year
Step 6: Fill ITR-5 Details
Enter:
- Firm details
- Partner details
- Business income
- Balance sheet & P&L details
- Tax computation
Ensure accuracy to avoid notices.
Step 7: Pay Tax (If Applicable)
- Pay advance tax or self-assessment tax
- Keep challan details ready
Step 8: Submit Income Tax Return
- Validate all fields
- Submit ITR-5 online
Step 9: Verify the ITR
- DSC (Digital Signature Certificate)
- EVC (Electronic Verification Code)
⚠️ ITR is invalid without verification.
Important Due Dates for Partnership Firm ITR Filing
- 31st July – Non-audit cases
- 31st October – Audit cases
- 30th November – Transfer pricing cases
(Dates may change as per government notifications.)
Benefits of Filing Income Tax Return for Partnership Firm
- Legal compliance
- Carry forward business losses
- Easy loan & credit approval
- Avoid penalties & interest
- Build financial credibility
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Filing wrong ITR form
- Incorrect partner remuneration calculation
- Missing audit requirement
- Not verifying ITR
- Mismatch with Form 26AS
Why Choose Saving Mantra for Partnership Firm ITR Filing?
- Expert CA-assisted filing
- Accurate tax computation
- Audit & non-audit support
- Error-free ITR-5 filing
- Complete compliance management
Disclaimer
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Income tax provisions may change and depend on individual business circumstances. Saving Mantra recommends consulting a qualified tax professional before filing income tax returns for a partnership firm.