Cost to Company is the total pay benefits that the employee receives over the course of a year. That might involve interest-free loans, health insurance coverage, cabs, and food. The CTC package emphasizes the whole compensation, which includes the HRA, the Basic Salary, and additional benefits. In a nutshell, CTC is made up of all benefits provided to a worker, both financial and non-financial.

Private businesses frequently use the phrase CTC when presenting employment opportunities to potential employees. You see, they incorporate the services provided to the employee during his shift and are not the actual compensation.

Know all about the elements of CTC

CTC Components

CTC has a number of components. Nonetheless, it varies from one employer to the next, as well as from one employee to the next.

Your CTC’s primary parts are:

• Basic salary: This is a fixed component that fluctuates depending on grade. A basic wage typically accounts for 40% to 50% of CTC.
• Special allowances: These are mostly used to adjust the amount still owing to employees. Special benefits are wholly taxed.
• Medical reimbursements: Companies can provide an allowance on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. You must, however, provide proof of your medical expenses, which include any payments for you, your spouse, or any other dependent family members.
• Reimbursements: If an employee paid for a company expense that the company promised to cover, which is typically specified under one of the allowances, the employee may submit the necessary paperwork and claim their costs.
• House rent allowance: HRA varies based on the type of city the worker resides in, from 10% to 30%. Depending on factors like population density, the allocation varies from city to city.
• Dearness allowance: Dearness allowance is calculated as a proportion of basic and grade pay additions. In order to account for inflation, the dearness allowance is revised every three months. It usually amounts to approximately 110% of the base pay.
• Grade pay: Government employees are eligible for grade pay. This is based on the employee’s position and seniority within the hierarchy.

These CTC-related benefits are all governed by various income tax laws. The Income Tax Act in India specifies the procedures for taxing certain allowances. Therefore, it is crucial that you read up on these regulations when arranging a prospective employee’s wage in order to minimize their tax burden and maximize their take-home pay.

The required deductions make up the CTC’s final component. Provident Fund, Professional Tax (based on the state in which the organization is headquartered), and Income Tax (based on the employee’s tax rate) are among these deductions. As a result, the final salary will be as follows:

Basic + Allowances + Deductibles = CTC

Difference between Take Home Salary and CTC

The most significant disadvantage of the CTC structure is that it includes various deductions which are part of the total salary but are not in the employee’s control with direct aspects. This gives CTC a considerably exaggerated appearance. The idea of take-home pay enters the picture here. In comparison to the CTC, take-home pay is finally deposited in the employees’ accounts after all deductions such as PT, PF, TDS, and so on. 

Take-home pay is calculated as [CTC – TDS – professional tax – provident fund contribution – any other costs].

CTC’s Non-Monetary Advantages

There are additional non-financial advantages to CTC. These include all additional benefits offered to employees for which they are not required to experience stress and frustration. These benefits are managed by the corporation, and they are enjoyed by the staff.

Keep in mind that these advantages increase the monetary worth of your CTC. Here are a few benefits you’ll get:

• Gratuity
• Employee Provident Fund
• Income tax relief and other benefits
• Free pick-up and drop-off taxi service
• Health, medical, and life insurance
• Discounts at stores, movie passes, and food coupons
• No-interest loans

Conclusion

One of the most difficult points of conflict between an employer and an employee is wages. While an employer may want to get the most out of a potential resource at the lowest cost, they must also watch out for any underpayment of talent or other actions that would indicate possible exploitation. It is the duty of an employer to go over each entry in their compensation matrix with prospective employees and make sure that everyone is on the same page.

The employee may also receive a tax benefit on their housing allowance, and up to a certain amount, their transportation allowance is also tax-free. So make sure to request that this be included in your CTC package from your organization. It is crucial to review the firm’s policies before accepting an offer from a new employer. Allowances and gratuities may be subject to tax depending on the company. Take-home pay can be raised with the aid of smart tax preparation. All you have to do is invest in tax-saving instruments under section 80C, such as PPF, ELSS, and equity-linked savings schemes. Your CTC does not rise as a result, but your take-home pay rises.