TDS Due Dates for FY 2026-27: Payment and Return Calendar
If you deduct TDS (Tax Deducted at Source), you need to deposit it to the government and file TDS returns on time. Missing either deadline leads to interest and penalties. This guide gives you the complete calendar for TDS payments and returns for FY 2026-27, along with how to pay online and what happens if you miss a deadline.
TDS Payment Due Dates: Month-by-Month (FY 2026-27)
TDS deducted in a given month must generally be deposited by the 7th of the following month. April is an exception, with a deadline of 30 April for March TDS.
| Month of Deduction | TDS Payment Due Date |
|---|---|
| April 2026 | 7 May 2026 |
| May 2026 | 7 June 2026 |
| June 2026 | 7 July 2026 |
| July 2026 | 7 August 2026 |
| August 2026 | 7 September 2026 |
| September 2026 | 7 October 2026 |
| October 2026 | 7 November 2026 |
| November 2026 | 7 December 2026 |
| December 2026 | 7 January 2027 |
| January 2027 | 7 February 2027 |
| February 2027 | 7 March 2027 |
| March 2027 (regular) | 7 April 2027 |
| March 2027 (government deductors) | 7 April 2027 |
Special case: TDS on income other than salary for March can be deposited up to 30 April 2027 if the deductor is a government office (without challan) or a company where the account is not closed in March.
TDS Due Date for Salary vs Non-Salary: Key Difference
| Type of TDS | Payment Deadline |
|---|---|
| TDS on salary (Section 192) | 7th of following month (all months) |
| TDS on non-salary (other sections) | 7th of following month (for months April to February); 30 April for March |
| TDS by government deductors (without challan) | Same day or 7th of following month |
The distinction matters because for March, non-salary TDS gets an extra month to be deposited, which is a relief for businesses doing year-end reconciliation.
TDS Return Due Dates: Quarter-Wise (FY 2026-27)
TDS returns must be filed quarterly. The return covers all TDS deducted and deposited during that quarter.
| Quarter | Period | Return Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | April 2026 to June 2026 | 31 July 2026 |
| Q2 | July 2026 to September 2026 | 31 October 2026 |
| Q3 | October 2026 to December 2026 | 31 January 2027 |
| Q4 | January 2027 to March 2027 | 31 May 2027 |
TDS returns are filed on the TRACES and NSDL TIN portal. For salary TDS, file Form 24Q. For non-salary TDS, file Form 26Q.
Form 16 and TDS Certificate Issue Deadlines
Once TDS returns are filed, you need to issue certificates to the deductees (employees, vendors, etc.).
| Form | For | Issue Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Form 16 (Part A) | Salary TDS | 15 June of the assessment year |
| Form 16 (Part B) | Salary TDS details | 15 June of the assessment year |
| Form 16A | Non-salary TDS | 15 days after the TDS return due date for each quarter |
For FY 2026-27, Form 16 must be issued to employees by 15 June 2027.
Penalty for Late TDS Payment: Section 201(1A)
If you miss the TDS payment deadline, interest is charged under Section 201(1A) of the Income Tax Act:
- Interest for late deduction: 1% per month (or part of month) from the date TDS was due to be deducted until the date it was actually deducted
- Interest for late deposit: 1.5% per month (or part of month) from the date of deduction to the date of actual payment
Example: You deduct TDS of Rs. 10,000 in May 2026 but deposit it on 25 June 2026 instead of 7 June 2026. You are 18 days late. Since interest is charged per month (or part thereof), you pay 1.5% for 1 month = Rs. 150 as interest.
Interest under 201(1A) is not a penalty but a statutory charge. It is non-deductible for income tax purposes, meaning you cannot claim it as a business expense.
Penalty for Late TDS Return Filing: Section 234E
If you file TDS returns after the due date, a penalty of Rs. 200 per day is charged from the day after the due date until the date of actual filing, subject to a maximum of the TDS amount for that quarter.
For example, if you file Q1 TDS return 30 days late, the penalty is Rs. 200 x 30 = Rs. 6,000 (unless your TDS for Q1 was less than that amount).
Additionally, under Section 271H, the Assessing Officer can levy a penalty of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 for failure to file TDS returns on time in certain cases.
How to Pay TDS Online: Step-by-Step (Challan 281)
TDS is paid through Challan ITNS 281 on the Income Tax e-filing portal.
- Go to
https://onlineservices.tin.egov-nsdl.com/etaxnew/tdsnontds.jspor the e-Pay Tax section onhttps://www.incometax.gov.in - Click e-Pay Tax and select Challan 281
- Enter your TAN, assessment year, and TDS type (company or non-company)
- Select the nature of payment (salary, contractor, interest, etc.)
- Enter the TDS amount, surcharge, interest, and penalty (if applicable)
- Choose your bank for payment (net banking, NEFT, or OTC at bank)
- Complete the payment
- Save the challan counterfoil (CIN number) for your TDS return filing
Always note the Challan Identification Number (CIN) after payment. You will need this when filing your TDS return on TRACES.
TDS Due Date Reminder: How to Stay on Top
With monthly payment deadlines and quarterly return deadlines, it is easy to miss a date. Here are three ways to stay organized:
- Set calendar reminders: Add recurring reminders for the 5th and 7th of each month in your Google Calendar or phone.
- Subscribe to CA notifications: Your chartered accountant typically sends due date reminders during filing seasons.
- Use the IT department’s compliance calendar: Available on
https://www.incometax.gov.in, it lists all upcoming deadlines for the year.
FAQs
What is the TDS payment due date each month?
TDS must be deposited by the 7th of the following month. For March, the due date for certain categories extends to 30 April of the next financial year.
What is the TDS due date for March 2026?
TDS deducted in March 2026 must be deposited by 7 April 2026 for most cases. For non-salary payments where the account is not closed in March, it can be deposited up to 30 April 2026.
What is the TDS return due date for Q4 (January to March)?
The Q4 TDS return for FY 2026-27 is due on 31 May 2027.
What is the penalty for late TDS payment?
Interest at 1.5% per month is charged from the date of deduction to the date of deposit under Section 201(1A). Additionally, a late filing penalty of Rs. 200 per day applies for delayed TDS returns under Section 234E.
How do I pay TDS online?
Use Challan 281 on the Income Tax e-filing portal (https://www.incometax.gov.in) under the e-Pay Tax section. Keep the CIN from the challan for return filing.
What is the difference between TDS payment and TDS return?
TDS payment is the monthly deposit of deducted tax to the government using Challan 281. TDS return is the quarterly filing on TRACES that reports all deductions and deposits made during the quarter.
