Due dates
| What | Due date |
|---|---|
| TDS deposit | 7th of the next month (30 April for March) |
| Q1 return (Apr–Jun) | 31 July |
| Q2 return (Jul–Sep) | 31 October |
| Q3 return (Oct–Dec) | 31 January |
| Q4 return (Jan–Mar) | 31 May |
| Form 16 (salary) | 15 June |
| Form 16A (non-salary) | Within 15 days of the return due date |
What a delay costs
| Default | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Late filing of TDS return | Late fee of ₹200 per day under section 234E, up to the TDS amount |
| TDS deducted but deposited late | Interest at 1.5% per month or part of a month |
| TDS not deducted | Interest at 1% per month, and the expense may be partly disallowed |
| Return not filed for over a year, or filed with wrong details | Penalty of ₹10,000 to ₹1 lakh under section 271H |
Which form to file
- 24Q: TDS on salary
- 26Q: TDS on other payments to residents (contractors, professionals, rent, commission, interest)
- 27Q: payments to non-residents
- 27EQ: TCS
How to stay clear
- Deposit TDS by the 7th, even if the return is filed later.
- Collect correct PANs. Without a PAN, TDS applies at a higher rate.
- File every quarter on time, and correct defaults shown on TRACES quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a TAN to deduct TDS?
Yes. Every deductor must have a TAN and quote it on challans and returns.
Is a nil TDS return required?
If no TDS was deducted in a quarter, a return is generally not required, but filing a declaration on the TDS portal avoids default notices.
Can the 234E late fee be waived?
No. It is a fixed fee calculated automatically when the return is processed.
How do I fix a TDS default notice?
Download the justification report from TRACES, correct the challan or deductee details, and file a correction statement.
This guide is general information based on the law as on the date above. Rules and dates change through notifications, so check your own case with us before acting.