Is TDS filed monthly or quarterly?

You need to file TDS returns quarterly. Usually, the TDS return filing due date for each quarter is the 31st of the month following the quarter-end month. For instance, for the quarter ending December 31st, the due date for filing TDS returns is 31st January.

In case you pay excess TDS to the government, you can claim a refund of the excess amount. This ensures compliance with the Indian Tax regulations.

What happens if deductors fail to deposit the TDS to the Income Tax Department?

TDS deduction will not reflect on Form 26AS if your employer fails to deposit the deducted TDS with the government. Further, you will not be able to claim a tax credit while filing Income Tax Returns (ITR).

Is TDS calculated on gross salary or CTC?

Employers need to deduct TDS from the net salary of an employee. Notably, employers need to deduct exemptions and tax-free allowances from gross salary to derive the net salary.

Is it mandatory to deduct TDS from salary?

The Section 192 of the Income Tax Act requires every employer to calculate income tax on salary if the employee's salary exceeds the basic exemption limit and to deduct TDS on the salary payments accordingly.

What is the late fee for delayed TDS return filing?

Under Section 234E, a fee of ₹200 per day is charged for delays, capped at the total TDS amount due.

Know Your TDS Return Due Date and Filing Process

The Income Tax Department takes TDS compliance seriously; any errors in the TDS return form or incorrect TDS payments can lead to penalties, late fees, and interest. That is why taxpayers must file their TDS returns accurately and on time. Understanding the TDS return due dates can help you avoid unnecessary financial stress and stay compliant.

In fact, with the gross collection of Direct Taxes reaching ₹23.37 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, an impressive 18.48% growth over the previous year, it is clear that tax compliance is rising across the country.

Do not get left behind; stay informed, file responsibly, and be part of a financially disciplined India.

Quick Synopsis

TDS returns must be filed quarterly: 31st Jul, 31st Oct, 31st Jan, and 31st May.
Late filing attracts a penalty of ₹200/day under Section 234E (max = TDS amount).
Timely filing helps claim tax credits, refunds, and ensures compliance.

Quarterly TDS Return Due Date

Here is the list of TDS return due dates for each quarter of a financial year:

Quarter	Period	Last Date for TDS Return
1	April 1 - June 30	31 July
2	July 1 - September 30	31 October
3	October 1 - December 31	31 January
4	January 1 - March 31	31 May

The TDS payment due date for a month is the 7th of the following month. However, the due date for TDS payment for March 2025 was 7th April for tax deducted by government offices and 30th April for other deductors.

Notably, the TDS last date of filing return mentioned above is as per the Mumbai Income Tax Department and might vary between other Indian states.

TDS Return Filing Due Date Penalties

If you submit returns after the TDS filing date or there are inaccurate entries in the returns form, the following penalties apply:

Penalty Under Section 234E: The deductor is subject to a penalty of ₹200 per day till he/she pays TDS under the specified section of the Income Tax Act. However, the penalty amount cannot be more than the TDS amount.

Penalty Under Section 271H: If the returns form highlights inaccurate details such as erroneous PAN card number, incorrect tax amount or other information, a penalty ranging between ₹10,000 to ₹1 lakh applies.

Prosecution Under Section 276B:

In case a person fails to pay the due TDS amount, he/she will be subject to imprisonment for at least 3 months; however not exceeding 7 years in addition to a fine.

Depositing TDS payments and filing returns within the due date helps avoid interest and penalties, ensuring compliance with the Income Tax regulations.

Interest on Late TDS Deposit

Interest on late TDS deposits is charged when taxpayers fail to deposit the deducted tax within the due date. Let us find out how this interest is charged:

Section	Nature	Interest Rate	Duration for Which Interest is Payable
201 (1A) (i)	Partial or no TDS deduction	1% per month	From the due date to the actual date of tax deduction
201 (1A) (ii)	Partial or no deposit of TDS to the Government despite deduction	1.5% per month	From the date of tax deduction to the date of deposit

Forms for TDS Return Filing

You need to submit returns within the TDS return due date using the following forms:

Scenario	Form
Tax deduction from employee salary under Section 192	24Q
Tax collection from deductees who are non-resident individuals, foreign companies and not ordinary residents	27Q
Tax deduction under Section 194 - IA	26QB
Tax deduction under Section 194 - IB	26QC
Tax deduction under Section 194M	26QD
Any other tax deduction	26Q
Tax collection	27EQ

The above list of forms is as per the Mumbai Income Tax Department and might vary across other Indian states.

How to Fill in TDS Returns Online?

You can follow the steps below to file your quarterly returns within the TDS return due date:

Step 1: Visit the official Income Tax Department website.
Step 2: Log in using your user credentials and CAPTCHA.
Step 3: Navigate to the ‘TDS’ tab and click on ‘Upload TDS’.
Step 4: Review the necessary details and click on ‘Validate’.
Step 5: Upload your TDS file on the next redirected page.
Step 6: If you want online signature authentication, download the document and click on ‘Add’ to include the signature file.
Step 7: On successful completion of the process, you will receive a confirmation message on the screen and additional details over your registered email ID.

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Why Is TDS Return Filing Important?

Here is the importance of filing returns within the TDS return due date:

Legal Requirement: Failure to file TDS returns results in adverse legal consequences and penalties as TDS return filing is a mandate by law.
Tax Deduction Documentation: Documentation of TDS returns helps maintain transparent records with tax authorities. As a result, filing TDS returns is essential for deductors.
Tax Deduction Verifications: Verification of tax deduction ensures that the correct tax amount deducted has been remitted to the government.
Tax Deduction Credits: Taxpayers can claim credit of deducted tax at source against their annual tax liability. This reduces the risk of overpayment.
Refund Claim Facilitation: If excess tax has been deducted, you can claim a refund during income tax return filing.
Tax Regulation Compliance: TDS return filing ensures tax compliance and transparency in financial transactions.
Contribution to Government Revenue Collection: Filing TDS returns within the TDS submission date contributes to the government’s revenue collection for social welfare, education, healthcare and infrastructural activities.

TDS Rates and Key Sections at a Glance

TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) applies to various income types, such as salary, interest, rent, and professional fees. Rates vary based on the payment type and recipient. Here are the applicable rates:

Section	Payment Type	TDS Rate
192	Salary	As per the income tax slab
194A	Interest (excluding securities)	10%
194C	Contractors/Sub-contractors	1% (Individual/HUF), 2% (Others)
194I	Rent (Land/Building/Machinery)	2% / 10%
194J	Professional/Technical Services	10%

Note: These rates are subject to change.

Final Word

TDS return due date for each quarter is usually the 31st of the next month. However, the date is subject to change, based on the Income Tax Department’s notices. For now, make sure to file TDS returns within the due date to avoid paying late fees and interest that the Income Tax Department levies.

Notably, TDS applies to fixed deposit interest income for regular and senior citizens on exceeding the income threshold. Ensure that the bank deducts and remits TDS to the government, if applicable.

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