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An Overview of Professional Tax Registration

Professional tax registration is a mandatory procedure through which professionals like doctors, lawyers, and consultants register with the appropriate authorities, ensuring compliance with the local tax regulations. Simply, it is a state-level tax imposed on the income earned by practising professionals, salaried employees, and organizations.

The process of obtaining company professional tax registration typically involves obtaining a professional tax enrolment certificate (PTEC) for employers and a professional tax registration certificate (PTRC) for employees or self-employed professionals. Moreover, the professional tax registration must typically be completed within 30 days of hiring employees or commencing a profession or business, although the exact timeline may vary by state.

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What is Professional Tax Registration

What is Professional Tax?

Professional tax, also known as profession tax, is a direct tax levied by the state government in India. It applies to all individuals engaged in various professions, trades, and types of employment. It not only includes salaried employees and professionals, but is also applicable to persons carrying on business, freelancers, and individuals. However, it is calculated as a percentage of the income earned and is deductible under the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Professional tax, which is a charge shown on the payslip’s deduction, is deductible according to Section 16 (iii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. This tax was introduced to help states raise additional revenue for expenditure on the development of activities and welfare programs. However, the proceeds from professional tax are reserved exclusively for municipal and local body activities in the state.

Benefits of Online Professional Tax Registration

Have a look at the following benefits of online professional tax registration, as given below:

Benefits of Online Professional Tax Registration
Legal Compliance

Legal Compliance

Online professional tax registration ensures adherence to the relevant laws, minimising the risk of penalties and legal actions.

Revenue Generation

Revenue Generation

Online professional tax registration helps contribute to state revenue used for infrastructure and public services.

Employee Management

Employee Management

Online professional tax registration facilitates systematic deduction and remittance of professional tax for salaried employees.

Audit and Inspection

Audit and Inspection

Online professional tax registration helps simplify the process during audits and inspections by maintaining proper records of tax payments.

Avoid Penalties

Avoid Penalties

Online professional tax registration helps avoid penalties and any punitive action against the employer or a self-employed person.

Implements Development & Welfare Programs

Implements Development & Welfare Programs

Online professional tax registration helps the government to implement schemes for various development and welfare programs in the region.

Enhances Credibility

Enhances Credibility

Online professional tax registration helps enhance your credibility and trust among clients, promoting commitment to ethical business practices and compliance with tax regulations.

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Objective of Professional Tax

The objective of professional tax is to generate revenue for the state government to support various socio-economic and infrastructural development programs. It is a nominal tax that acts as a source of revenue for the government. Moreover, the professional tax encompasses two main components as discussed below:

  • Employer Acquiring Professional Tax Registration Every employer, including business entities, is eligible to acquire the professional tax registration from the respective state governments. However, it shall be payable to the State government on an annual basis of the amount of Rs. 2500/- by the employer.
  • Employee Making Payment of Tax Amount Every employee whose income is mentioned under the state tax slab rate is eligible to pay the maximum amount of tax, as prescribed by the respective state governments. However, the amount so prescribed under the professional tax must be deducted from the salary of the employee and paid to the government.

Types of Professional Tax Certificates

The different types of professional tax certificates in India are as listed below:

  • Professional Tax Enrolment Certificate (PTEC) Professional Tax Enrolment Certificate (PTEC) applies to self-employed business entities like public/private companies, sole proprietorships, partnership firms, and professionals. It allows an entity or individual to pay their own professional tax.
  • Professional Tax Registration Certificate (PTRC) Professional Tax Registration Certificate (PTRC) applies to government and non-government employers responsible for deducting tax from their employees’ salaries and remitting it to the government. It allows employers to deduct professional tax from employees’ salaries and remit it to the government.

Entities Exempted from Profession Tax Return Filing

The entities and individuals exempted from profession tax return filing under the Professional Tax Rules of India are as discussed below:

  • Parents of children with permanent disability or mental disability
  • Senior citizens who are more than 65 years of age
  • Individuals with permanent physical disability (including blindness)
  • Parents or guardians of mentally or physically challenged individuals/ children
  • Badli workers in the textile industry
  • Charitable institutions or persons employed in such institutions
  • Persons earning below the prescribed income threshold
  • Women exclusively engaged in household activities
  • Women exclusively engaged as an agent under the Mahila Pradhan Kshetriya Bachat Yojana (MPKBY), or Director of Small Savings
  • Persons with temporary employment
  • Individuals engaged in agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, or fishing
  • Professionals employed specifically within the textile industry
  • Members of auxiliary/ armed forces or reservists serving in the state
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Who is Eligible for Profession Tax Return Filing?

The entities/ persons eligible for the profession tax return filing are as discussed below:

  • An individual or a legal person, carrying freelancing business without employees
  • Owners of sole proprietorships, corporations, and partnership firms
  • Public/ Private/ One-person Companies
  • Co-operative societies, clubs, and associations
  • Association of Persons (AoP)/ Group of persons
  • Hindu Undivided Family (HUF)
  • Branch offices of foreign companies
Documents Required for Online Professional Tax Registration

Documents Needed for Online Professional Tax Registration

The list of essential documents needed for online professional tax registration is given below:

  • Certificate of Incorporation, AOA & MOA, and PAN (Attested by the Director)
  • Address and identity proof of all directors
  • Passport-size photograph of all the partners, proprietor, and directors (as applicable)
  • The company’s bank account statement, along with a cancelled cheque
  • Proof of registered office, such as a rent agreement or NOC from the owner
  • Board Resolution in the case of a company
  • Declaration of consent by the concerned partner
  • Details of the salary and attendance register of the partnership firm
  • Financial statement of the establishment
  • Copy of Shop and Establishment License Certificate
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Procedure for Company Professional Tax Registration

The procedure for company professional tax registration, varying from state to state, is as discussed below:

  • Determine Applicability The applicants are initially required to visit the official website of the concerned state government and determine the applicability based on the nature of their business or profession.
  • Apply Application The applicant is further advised to apply to the concerned state government’s commercial tax department website. However, a copy of the same shall also be submitted to the concerned tax department.
  • Upload Documentation The applicants are further required to upload all the necessary documents needed for the registration of the professional tax liability in India.
  • Verification by Authorities Once all the documents and application are submitted, the authorities or the respective tax officer shall verify and scrutinize the application, ensuring the accuracy of information.
  • Issuance of Registration Certificate Upon successful verification, the authorities shall issue a professional tax registration certificate or an enrolment certificate.
  • File Periodic Returns Once registered, the applicants are advised to begin filing periodic tax returns before the scheduled due dates.
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Consequences of Non-Compliance with Professional Tax Norms

The individual who defaults in the timely payment of the professional tax would be liable for a penalty as specified by the state government. However, the consequences for non-compliance with the professional tax regulations, which vary from state to state, are as discussed below:

  • Failure to Obtain Registration
    Any failure or delay in obtaining professional tax registration attracts a penalty of Rs. 5 per day along with interest, as prescribed.
  • Late Deposition
    Any late deposition or filing of professional tax attracts a penalty, levied due to a delay in depositing the required amount to the government.
  • Non-Deposition of Amount
    Failure to deposit professional tax can lead to recovery with interest and penalties. However, the authorities may attach the defaulter’s bank account, and in serious cases, initiate prosecution.
  • Failure to Initiate Payment
    Any failure to initiate payment within the due date attracts a penalty of 10% of the amount of tax along with an interest of 1.25% per month.

What is the Professional Tax Rate in India?

The professional tax levied by the state government follows a slab system based on income to levy professional tax. The professional tax rates as specified by a few states in India are as discussed below:

State Tax Period Tax Slab Professional Tax Rate
Gujarat Monthly Up to Rs. 12,000
Rs. 12,001 and above
Nil
Rs. 200 per month
Andhra Pradesh Monthly Up to Rs. 15,000
Rs. 15,001 to Rs. 20,000
Rs. 20,001 and above
Nil
Rs. 150 per month
Rs. 200 per month
Bihar Monthly Up to Rs. 3,00,000
Rs. 3,00,001 to Rs. 5,00,000
Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs. 10,00,000
Above Rs. 10,00,000
Nil
Rs. 1,000 per month
Rs. 2,000 per month
Rs. 2,500 per month
Karnataka Monthly Rs. 1 to Rs. 9,999
Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 14,999
Rs. 15,000 and above
Nil
Nil
Rs. 200 per month
Madhya Pradesh Monthly Up to Rs. 2,25,000
Rs. 2,25,001 to Rs. 3,00,000
Rs. 3,00,001 to Rs. 4,00,000
Above Rs. 4,00,000
Nil
Rs. 125
Rs. 166 (11 months) / Rs. 174 (12 months)
Rs. 208 (11 months) / Rs. 212 (12 months)
Maharashtra Monthly Up to Rs. 7,500
Rs. 7,501 to Rs. 10,000
Rs. 10,001 and above
Nil
Rs. 175 per month
Rs. 200 / 300 per month
Meghalaya Monthly Up to Rs. 50,000
Rs. 5,00,001 and above
Nil
Rs. 2,500 per month
Mizoram Monthly Up to Rs. 4,000
Rs. 4,001 to Rs. 5,000
Rs. 5,001 to Rs. 7,000
Rs. 7,001 to Rs. 9,000
Rs. 9,001 to Rs. 12,000
Above Rs. 12,000
Nil
Rs. 35
Rs. 75
Rs. 110
Rs. 180
Rs. 208 per month
Odisha Monthly Up to Rs. 1,59,999
Rs. 1,60,000 to Rs. 3,00,000
Above Rs. 3,00,000
Nil
Rs. 125 per month
Rs. 200 per month
Punjab Monthly Rs. 25,000 and above Rs. 200 per month
Tamil Nadu Half-Yearly Up to Rs. 21,000
Above Rs. 75,000
Nil
Rs. 1,250 per month
Kerala Half-Yearly Up to Rs. 11,999
Rs. 1,25,000 and above
Nil
Rs. 1,250 per month
Jharkhand Yearly Up to Rs. 3,00,000
Rs. 3,00,001 to Rs. 5,00,000
Rs. 5,00,001 to Rs. 8,00,000
Rs. 8,00,001 to Rs. 10,00,000
Above Rs. 10,00,000
Nil
Rs. 1,200 per month
Rs. 1,800 per month
Rs. 2,100 per month
Rs. 2,500 per month

Difference Between Professional Tax and TDS

The difference between Professional Tax (PT) and Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is as discussed below:

S. No. Aspect Professional Tax (PT) Tax Deducted at Source (TDS)
1 Definition Professional Tax (PT) is a formal tax levied by the state government on individuals practicing a profession, trade, or employment. Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is a tax deducted at the very source of income generation.
2 Applicability Only applicable in states that levy professional tax in India. Nationwide applicability to various types of income.
3 Purpose Revenue collection and funding local infrastructure for the state government. Timely and advance collection of income tax by the central government.
4 Governing Authority Governed by the respective state government. Governed by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
5 Eligibility Salaried individuals, freelancers, and professionals. Deducted by the taxpayer from the payee’s income.
6 Rate Fixed slab rates as decided by state governments. Tax rate varies based on income type and applicable sections of the Income Tax Act.
7 Tax Limit Capped at Rs. 2,500 annually. Varies based on income level and applicable tax rates.
8 Frequency of Deduction Monthly deduction for salaried employees. Based on payment frequency (monthly, quarterly, or annually).
9 Forms & Documentation No separate documentation required for filing professional tax returns. Requires Form 16 and Form 16A for reporting TDS deductions.

Due Date for Payment of Professional Tax in India

In case your employment date is on or before the 31st of May of the year, your due date for the payment of professional tax in India will be the 30th of June of that year. However, in case if you enrolled after the 31st of May, the due date must be within 1 month from the date of enrolment.



Time Taken for Professional Tax Registration

It often takes around 5 to 10 working days for professional tax registration in India. However, the timeline is further subject to government processing, approval time, public holidays, etc.



Fees for Professional Tax Registration

The fees for professional tax registration vary from state to state. Most small businesses would prefer to go to a single location for payroll, tax practice, income tax reporting, bookkeeping, and financial statement filing. For fee details, contact the Corpbiz team.



Why Trust Corpbiz for Professional Tax Registration?

Corpbiz stands out as a popular partner, having assisted over 50,000+ businesses and professionals across India. Connect us now to simplify your professional tax registration journey. Below are some of the reasons for partnering with Corpbiz for the online registration of professional tax in India:

  • Resolves queries regarding professional tax registration
  • Empowered 20,000+ self-employed individuals and businesses with professional tax registration
  • Seamless application filing and accessibility within 24 to 48 hours
  • Conducts AI-assisted document checks, ensuring accuracy and compliance
  • Provides 24/7 customer expert assistance and real-time updates
  • Guarantees end-to-end data security and confidentiality of sensitive business information
  • Guarantees auto-renewal before the lapse of deadlines and due dates
  • Seamless online documentation with no physical visits
  • Offers legal backup and advisory services with 5-star ratings
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FAQs on Online Professional Tax Registration

Professional tax, also termed as profession tax, is a direct tax levied by the state government in India. It is simply a charge shown on the payslip’s deduction, which is deductible according to Section 16 (iii) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

The entities eligible for professional tax registration in India are an individual or a legal person, carrying a freelancing business without employees, owner of sole proprietorships, corporations, and partnership firms, Public/ Private/ One-person Companies, Co-operative societies, clubs, Association of Persons (AoP)/ Group of persons, a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), and branch offices of foreign companies.

A professional tax certificate, which is categorized into Professional Tax Enrolment Certificate (PTEC) and Professional Tax Registration Certificate (PTRC), is an official document issued by the respective state government’s commercial tax department, permitting individuals and entities to legally pay professional taxes in India.

Employers applying for professional tax registration require at least one employee on their payroll.

The Commercial Tax Department of the State Governments of every state is responsible for collecting the professional tax in India.

The benefits of applying for online professional tax registration in India are as discussed below:
  • Ensures adherence to the relevant laws
  • Minimizes the risk of penalties and legal actions
  • Contribute to state revenue used for infrastructure and public services
  • Facilitates systematic deduction and remittance of professional tax for salaried employees
  • Simplifies the process during audits and inspections
  • Implement schemes for various development and welfare programs in the region
  • Enhances credibility and trust among clients
  • Promotes commitment to ethical business practices and compliance with tax regulations

No, professional tax is not refundable. However, it is claimed as a deduction to reduce the taxable income, applicable through a tax refund.

According to Article 276 of the Constitution of India, every individual earning an income/ salary is held liable for the payment of professional tax in India.

Yes, a professional tax, which is a tax levied by the state government, differs from one state to another. Every state declares its slab rate, and the professional tax is deducted based on the slabs decided by the authority.

The maximum amount of professional tax levied by a state is Rs. 2,500.

The entities responsible for deducting the tax and depositing the same with the government are as discussed below:

  • In case of self-employed individuals, the tax has to be paid by the individual themselves.
  • In the case of employed individuals, the liability to pay the tax is on the employer.

No, Professional tax is imposed only in the states of Karnataka, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Assam, Kerala, Meghalaya, Odisha, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, and Chhattisgarh

Yes, Professional Tax is applicable even for freelance professionals if income exceeds the specified limit as per the Professional Tax Laws applicable in the state where the freelancer resides.

Some states accept the concept of the composition scheme, allowing individuals to make payment of a lump sum payment of the professional tax in certain years.

The liability will arise on the date on which the employer disburses salary to any of his employees in the taxable limit for the first time.

The states where professional tax is not applicable are Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Nagaland, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Pondicherry, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, etc.

About the Author


NE
Neha Dawra

Legal Researcher

Written by Neha Dawra. Last updated on Jun 3 2026, 05:31 AM

Neha Dawra has 4+ years of experience in legal research and intellectual property advisory. Her expertise lies in analyzing IP laws, drafting structured legal content, and simplifying complex registration procedures into clear, simple insights.

 

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