Every entity that deducts Tax at Source (TDS) must file quarterly TDS returns with the Income Tax Department. Employers, businesses making payments to contractors, professionals, and others are all deductors. Missing a TDS return deadline attracts significant penalties.
Types of TDS Return Forms
| Form | For | Who Files |
|---|---|---|
| Form 24Q (Form 138 from 1 Apr 2026) | TDS on salary (Section 192) | Employers |
| Form 26Q (Form 140 from 1 Apr 2026) | TDS on non-salary payments to residents | Businesses/individuals |
| Form 27Q (Form 144 from 1 Apr 2026) | TDS on payments to non-residents (NRIs) | Deductors paying NRIs |
| Form 27EQ | TCS (Tax Collected at Source) | Sellers collecting TCS |
TDS Return Due Dates (FY 2025-26)
| Quarter | Period | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | April – June 2025 | 31st July 2025 |
| Q2 | July – September 2025 | 31st October 2025 |
| Q3 | October – December 2025 | 31st January 2026 |
| Q4 | January – March 2026 | 31st May 2026 |
Note: From 1 April 2026, the Income-tax Rules, 2026 renumber the quarterly statements: Form 24Q becomes Form 138, 26Q becomes Form 140 and 27Q becomes Form 144. Returns for quarters of FY 2025-26 keep the old names.
Penalty for Late TDS Return Filing
- Section 234E: ₹200 per day per return from the due date (subject to maximum of TDS deducted amount) — this is mandatory late fee charged automatically
- Section 271H: Penalty of ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000 for non-filing (or filing with incorrect information) — at discretion of AO
- Interest under Section 201: 1.5% per month on TDS deducted but not deposited; 1% per month on TDS not deducted
- Prosecution under Section 276B for wilful default — up to 7 years imprisonment
Form 16 and Form 16A Issuance Deadline
| Certificate | For | Issuance Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Form 16 (Part A + B) | TDS on salary (24Q, Q4) | 15th June (within 15 days of Q4 TDS return due date) |
| Form 16A | TDS on non-salary payments (26Q) | Within 15 days of the quarterly return due date (15 Aug, 15 Nov, 15 Feb, 15 Jun) |
| Form 16B | TDS on property purchase (194IA) | 15 days from due date of challan |
How to File TDS Returns
- Download the Return Preparation Utility (RPU) from Protean (formerly NSDL)
- Prepare the .fvu (File Validation Utility) file with deductee details and amounts
- Validate using FVU and generate the .fvu output file
- Upload the .fvu file on the e-filing portal with DSC or EVC, or through a TIN Facilitation Centre
- Save the acknowledgement (token number) — you need it for corrections and TRACES downloads
Note: For most businesses, TDS return filing is outsourced to a CA or tax consultant. Indus Tax handles quarterly TDS return filing for individuals, businesses, and employers — including Form 16 generation and TRACES compliance.
