How to Download an Income Certificate Online?

An income certificate is a very important document If you want to avail yourself of any benefit from a government scheme or any scholarship from the government. In that case, you must provide this document, which has the details of your annual or monthly income from different sources. Your earnings and the revenue generated from banks or other sources must be mentioned in this document.

What is an income certificate?

An income certificate is a document that verifies a person’s or family’s yearly earnings from various sources such as salary, daily wages, pensions, businesses, rental income, and foreign remittances. It is an official document issued by the government. The income certificate is provided by a governing body of the state government that verifies the yearly earnings of an individual or his family from various sources. The Village Tehsildars can give the certificate. However, various states and union territories also designate District Magistrates, Deputy Commissioners, Collectors, Revenue Circle Officers, Sub Divisional Magistrates, or other District Authorities for this task.

Upon reviewing the applicant’s income certificate request, whether submitted online or in person, along with an affidavit and all necessary documents, the relevant authority provides the income certificate.

The importance of an income certificate.

Our government’s primary goal is to ensure that our nation’s growth continues. The different requirements of the entire country should be considered and supported accordingly. Governments introduce multiple initiatives at both the state and central levels for the benefit of the citizens. Yet, in a nation with such a large population, it isn’t easy to decide who qualifies for specific benefits in a real sense.

Therefore, the government provides different certificates as evidence for genuine candidates. One of those certificates is the income certificate. It can be utilised to be eligible to take advantage of government schemes.The certificate is not only useful for availing financial assistance; it is also utilised for a range of civic welfare programs, including accessing scholarships at schools, LPG subsidies, etc.

An income certificate can be utilised for various reasons, as mentioned below:

• Several educational institutions demand certificates to provide financial support. Students have the option to utilise their income certificate to secure scholarships or tuition discounts for higher education or during the process of applying for school/college admission.
• It is necessary for tax deductions, availing of government scheme benefits, and buying a house at a reduced price.
• SC/ST individuals can access loans from various government programs by providing an income certificate.
• People affected by natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, landslides, floods, cyclones, and droughts are also provided compensation based on their income.
• The income certificate can be used to provide support for people with physical disabilities.
• This certificate can also be used to take advantage of the frequent social support programs introduced by the government.

The income included in the income certificate.

Calculating the income to provide this certificate requires determining the earnings of the individual or family. Income refers to the financial benefit or consistent earnings received by an individual working for an organisation or those engaged in business. The income certificates are of two types:

1. Family Income Certificate
2. Individual Income Certificate

Family Income:

The total income of all working family members, including single daughters and unmarried siblings, is considered the family’s earnings. Family members’ income comprises the following:

• Income of all the members employed.
• Different retirement funds
• Income earned from entrepreneurship
• Consultation fees
• Agency work commissions
• Regular financial benefits received of any sort
• Bonus for employees
• Interest on deposits
• Earnings from investments in stocks and stock markets
• Renting property
• Profits from the disposal of assets

• Presents and gifts

Individual Income: The following income of the individual is included for the income certificate:

• Earnings from employment: The salary received, along with Dearness Allowance (DA), additional pay, and any other allowances, are taken into account. The travel allowance (TA), rent allowance (HRA), and payment for special tasks do not count towards salary income.
• Earnings from business or profession: The income generated from any business, profession, or consultation/agency work done by a family member is determined based on the filing of the Income Tax Return (ITR). If the individual is not a taxpayer, their income will be taken into account based on the declaration of the taxpayer.
• Pension income: The income certificate includes the Pension Payment Order (PPO), which is the primary factor for calculating a family member’s pension.
• Daily wages: The total earnings of labourers are taken into account when calculating their daily or monthly income.
• Earnings from rented property: Any income received by a family member from rented property is counted as income. However, the earnings are reduced by the annual maintenance fees.

Online method for applying for Income Certificate.

Most states provide a specific website for managing administrative tasks where individuals can request to obtain the income certificate. The process to request the same is as follows:

1. Visit the online portal of the relevant state or district to apply for the certificate.
2. Sign up by creating an account on the site using a distinctive username and password protected by a mobile number.
3. Sign in to your account and search for the option ‘Apply for an income certificate’ or similar phrases.
4. It will open a new page where you must enter or upload your personal information. Certain specifics include:

• Full name, date of birth, complete address (including district/taluka/village), gender, and other relevant information.
• Ration card, driving license, voter’s ID, or any other form of identification.
• Aadhar card is mandatory as it helps in uniquely identifying an individual and prevents false claims.
• Certificate specifying one’s caste, religion, or sub-caste.
• Document about SC/SST / OBC and their respective details.
• Proof of income such as income tax return, Form 16 provided by employer, and salary certificate are required. (May need confirmation by government officials with official rank.)
• Proof of address provided with rent, maintenance, electricity, telephone, or any other utility bills. (May need to be certified by government officers in the Gazette.)
• Declaration statement confirming the accuracy of information provided in the application.

5. Once all the documents are uploaded, the application must be submitted to the local district authority’s online portal, depending on the state’s infrastructure.
6. The cost of the application would vary depending on the state in which it is submitted.
7. The issuance of the certificate typically takes 10 to 15 days.
8. When the certificate is issued, you receive a notification on your registered mobile number. Now, you can download your income certificate from the portal.

Check the current status.

Sign in by using your mobile number and select the ‘Get Status’ page to view the status of your application.

Input the application number found on the acknowledgement receipt, and then select the Status option.

Necessary documents.

To obtain an income certificate, the applicant needs to provide the following:

• Either IT Return/Form 16 or IT Return/Affidavit if self-employed/small company owners.
• For photo identification: election photo ID card, Aadhaar card, driving license, passport, ration card with photograph,
• Self-declaration form for the purpose
• Birth certificate
• Receipt for house rent

Also Read: How to download an income certificate online?

Conclusion.

Once the applicant’s income certificate application, along with any additional documents such as an affidavit, is reviewed by the official authority, an income certificate will be issued. This certificate is necessary for availing any financial assistance from the government, or if you want a reserved seat in educational programs, this certificate is also required.

FAQs.