Do you prefer receiving a reduced tuition fee for your kids’ education? Or do you wish to register for a pension plan? Or want to apply for a loan from a government agency? You might be requested to provide an income certificate issued by an authorised government official in any of these situations.
What is an income certificate?
An income certificate is a record that states the annual earnings of a person or family from all sectors, including salary, daily pay, pensions, businesses, goods produced by real estate, rent, and capital inflows from family members who are living abroad. The Village Administrative Officer will issue an income certificate form, which people must present to the state government to qualify for different subsidies and e-Scholarship.
Income certificate form: How do you benefit from an income certificate?
Common justifications for obtaining an income certificate include the following:
- To receive a fee reduction at a school.
- To obtain a seat in the reserved quota of public and private colleges for economically lower people.
- To receive loans for various purposes from government agencies.
- To receive pensions, including people of old age, widows, agricultural labourers, TB, leprosy, and cancer patients.
- To make financial aid for veterans of the armed forces available.
- To receive medical benefits, such as free treatment, discounted medications, and financial support for mothers who give birth to girl children.
- To obtain a loan for the SC/ST category people.
- To provide help to those affected by natural disasters.
Authorities having the right to issue income certificates in Indian states
| States in India | Authorities |
| Arunachal Pradesh | The district magistrate |
| Assam | Revenue circular officer |
| Bihar | Circle officer |
| Chattisgarh | Naib tehsildar |
| Goa | Mamlatdar |
| Gujarat | Mamlatdar/Prant officer/district collector |
| Haryana | CRO/tehsildar |
| Himachal Pradesh | Revenue department tehsildar |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Sub-divisional magistrate |
| Jharkhand | Sub-divisional officer |
| Kerala | Village officer/tehsildar |
| Madhya Pradesh | Tehsildar/naib tehsildar |
| Maharashtra | Tehsildar |
| Manipur | DC/ADC |
| Meghalaya | MLA/DC/SDO civil |
| Mizoram | District magistrate |
| Nagaland | Sub-divisional officers |
| Odisha | Revenue officers |
| Punjab | Tehsildar/naib tehsildar |
| Rajasthan | Notary/tehsildar |
| Sikkim | Special executive magistrate |
| Tamil Nadu | Zonal deputy tahsildar |
| Tripura | Deputy Commissioner |
| Telangana | Tehsildar |
| Uttaranchal | City magistrate |
| West Bengal | Tehsildar |
Authorities having the right to issue income certificates in Indian union territories
| Union Territory | Authorities |
| Andaman & Nicobar | Tehsildar |
| Daman, Diu, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli | Mamlatdar |
| Chandigarh | Sub-divisional magistrates |
| Delhi | Sub-divisional magistrates |
| Lakshadweep | Deputy collectors |
| Pondicherry | Tehsildar/deputy tehsildar |
Income certificate form: Documents required
- Authenticated copy of the applicant’s state or federal government-issued proof of residency is needed (passport, voter ID, ration card, Aadhar card, bank passbook)
- Age verification certificates are required (birth certificate or school certificate)
- Government-issued identity cards (Aadhar cards, licences, and passports) are mandatory.
- A colour photo is needed.
- Details about earnings (affidavit from a notary, salary slip, or monthly salary certificate) are needed.
- Individual and family members’ declarations are required.
Income certificate obtaining process
Most states offer a webpage specifically for these administrative tasks where applicants can submit their applications for the certificate. The following would be the process:
- Visit the relevant form or the district’s online application page to apply for the certificate.
- Create an account on the website by entering a unique username and password secured with your mobile number.
- When logged in, search for the “apply for income certificate form” option.
- Fill out and upload your personal information in the online form. The details required are;
- Name
- Age
- Date of birth
- Residence (including district, taluka)
- Gender.
- Provide any government-issued identity proof.
- The Aadhar number is mandatory since it identifies a person and stops fraudulent claims individually.
- Submit the caste, religion, and sub-caste proof.
- Use a parent’s income certificate or an income tax return as evidence of income.
- Provide your rent, maintenance, phone, or utility bills to verify your address.
- Submit the affidavit stating that the information provided in the application is accurate.
Depending on the infrastructure provided by the relevant state, the application must be completed and filed either in person at the local district authority’s office or online. The officer may charge the application depending on the state where it is submitted. The certificate is then issued after 10 to 15 days have passed.
Income certificate validity
An income certificate’s validity is set at one year from the date of issuance. Some states and administrative divisions offer different validity periods ranging from 3 months to 4 years for income certificates.
FAQs
Can ITR be used as a proof of income document?
Yes, an income tax return is a recognised form of identification for income proof issued by the government.
Can NRIs submit an income certificate application?
No, only residents of the particular state are eligible to get income certificates as the address proof is required for application.
Can an income certificate be renewed online?
Income certificates are renewed annually through the concerned state's official website, as they are valid for one financial year.