TDS Payment & Return Due Dates (+ Rate Chart)

Last updated: 27 June 2026 · Thresholds reflect Budget 2025 changes, effective 1 April 2025. Confirm rates on incometax.gov.in before deducting.

TDS deducted in a month must be deposited by the 7th of the next month — with one exception: TDS for March is due by 30 April. Quarterly TDS returns (Forms 24Q, 26Q, 27Q) are due on 31 July, 31 October, 31 January and 31 May. Late filing of a TDS return attracts ₹200 per day under Section 234E, and Form 16 must reach employees by 15 June.

Key takeaways

Monthly deposit: by the 7th of the next month (March TDS by 30 April).
Quarterly returns: Q1 31 Jul, Q2 31 Oct, Q3 31 Jan, Q4 31 May.
Forms: 24Q (salary), 26Q (non-salary residents), 27Q (non-residents), 27EQ (TCS).
Form 16 to employees by 15 June following the FY.
Penalties: late deposit 1%–1.5% per month interest; late return ₹200/day (Section 234E).
206C(1H) TCS on goods is abolished from 1 April 2025 — sellers no longer collect it.

Fact box. TDS deducted in any month must be deposited by the 7th of the following month. The only exception is March, for which the deposit deadline is 30 April.

When is TDS payment due?

TDS you deduct must be paid to the government by the 7th of the next month. For example, TDS deducted in April is due by 7 May. The sole exception is TDS deducted in March, payable by 30 April.

Deduction month	Deposit due date
April – February	7th of the next month
March	30 April

Pay late and interest runs at 1.5% per month (or part of a month) from the date of deduction, or 1% per month if you failed to deduct in the first place.

When are quarterly TDS returns due?

After depositing TDS, you file a quarterly return so the credit reaches each deductee's Form 26AS. The form depends on the type of payment.

Quarter	Period	Return due date
Q1	Apr – Jun	31 July
Q2	Jul – Sep	31 October
Q3	Oct – Dec	31 January
Q4	Jan – Mar	31 May

Form	Covers
24Q	TDS on salary (Section 192)
26Q	TDS on non-salary payments to residents (194C, 194J, 194I, 194H, 194Q, etc.)
27Q	TDS on payments to non-residents
27EQ	TCS returns

Note on form names. The Income-tax Act, 2025 is reported to renumber these forms (24Q → 138, Form 16 → 130, Form 26AS → 168). As of mid-2026 the effective financial year is not yet confirmed, so older filings still use the familiar names — confirm the current position before relabelling.

TDS rate chart for FY 2025-26

These are the common sections SMBs deduct under, with the higher thresholds introduced in Budget 2025.

Section	Nature of payment	Rate	Threshold (FY 2025-26)
194C	Contractor payments	1% (individual/HUF), 2% (others)	₹30,000 single / ₹1,00,000 aggregate p.a.
194H	Commission / brokerage	2%	₹20,000
194I	Rent	2% (plant & machinery); 10% (land/building/furniture)	₹50,000 per month
194J	Professional fees	10% (professional); 2% (technical services)	₹50,000
194Q	Purchase of goods	0.1%	Purchases > ₹50 lakh from a seller (buyer turnover > ₹10 cr)
194N	Cash withdrawal	2% above ₹1 cr; 5% if ITR not filed	> ₹1 cr p.a.

Fact box. TCS on the sale of goods under Section 206C(1H) was abolished with effect from 1 April 2025. Sellers should no longer collect 1% TCS on goods sales above ₹50 lakh — the buyer-side TDS under Section 194Q already covers those transactions.

What is the penalty for late TDS filing?

A late TDS return costs ₹200 per day under Section 234E until you file, capped at the total TDS amount of that quarter. Separately, late deposit of the tax itself attracts 1.5% interest per month, and failure to deduct attracts 1% per month.

Default	Cost
Late deposit of TDS	1.5% per month interest
Failure to deduct	1% per month interest
Late filing of return	₹200/day (Section 234E), capped at TDS amount

How Ankeshan helps: Ankeshan flags the 7th-of-month deposit and each quarterly return date based on the TDS you record, and estimates the 234E fee if a return slips. (Launching soon — join the waitlist.)

Frequently asked questions

What is the TDS payment due date? The 7th of the following month, except for March TDS, which is due by 30 April.

What are the TDS return due dates for FY 2025-26? 31 July, 31 October, 31 January and 31 May for quarters Q1 to Q4 respectively.

When should I issue Form 16? By 15 June following the financial year — so 15 June 2026 for FY 2025-26.

Is TCS still collected on goods sales? No. Section 206C(1H) TCS on the sale of goods was abolished from 1 April 2025. Buyer-side TDS under Section 194Q covers those transactions instead.

What is the late fee for filing a TDS return late? ₹200 per day under Section 234E, capped at the TDS amount for the quarter, plus interest on any late-deposited tax.

Sources

Income Tax Department — TDS payment and return due dates, Sections 234E, 192, 194C/H/I/J/Q — incometax.gov.in.
Budget 2025 / Finance Act 2025 — revised TDS thresholds and 206C(1H) withdrawal.

General information, not professional advice. Verify each rate and date on the official portal for your specific case. Reviewed by a Chartered Accountant; last updated 27 June 2026.