That’s correct. We are required to pay production zakat on our earnings and production. Additionally, we’re also required to pay 2.5% on savings or assets once a year. There’s nothing cruel about it, in fact it’s very just. You can think of it as the total zakat due being split into two separate categories. The latter category only becomes due if the person has any savings or assets.
Also to clarify, the savings zakat becomes due once a year on a pre-determined date. On that particular date, whatever assets/savings you have which aren’t in personal use become subjected to zakat as long as you meet the nisab. You don’t have to have those assets in possession for a year.
For more details about zakat, please see:
Discussion 46733