Advance Tax Due Dates FY 2025-26 — Installments, Payment & Penalty
Updated: 3 June 2026 | Income-tax Act, 2025 | Section 234B & 234C
This is the last opportunity to pay advance tax without Section 234C interest on the final installment.
Advance Tax Installment Schedule — FY 2025-26
Advance tax for FY 2025-26 is paid in four installments. The table below shows due dates, cumulative percentages, and example amounts on a ₹1,00,000 annual tax liability.
| Installment | Due Date | Cumulative % | Pay This Installment | Example on ₹1L Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 15 June 2025 | 15% | 15% of estimated annual tax | ₹15,000 |
| 2nd | 15 September 2025 | 45% | 30% more (cumulative 45%) | ₹30,000 |
| 3rd | 15 December 2025 | 75% | 30% more (cumulative 75%) | ₹30,000 |
| 4th | 15 March 2026 | 100% | Remaining balance (25%) | ₹25,000 |
Note: Amounts above are based on a flat ₹1,00,000 estimated tax liability. Your actual liability may differ based on income slabs, deductions, and TDS already deducted.
Who Needs to Pay Advance Tax?
Any taxpayer whose estimated tax liability for the year exceeds ₹10,000 after accounting for TDS credits must pay advance tax. This threshold applies to all categories of taxpayers — individuals, HUFs, firms, and companies.
MUST PAY ADVANCE TAX
- Self-employed professionals (doctors, lawyers, consultants)
- Business owners and proprietors
- Freelancers and gig workers
- Investors with capital gains (shares, property, mutual funds)
- Salaried employees with rental income, FD interest, or other income where TDS is insufficient
- Partners in firms receiving salary/interest from firm
- NRIs with taxable income in India
EXEMPT / NOT REQUIRED
- Senior citizens (60+ years, resident) with no business income — fully exempt under Section 207
- Salaried employees whose only income is salary and employer deducts full TDS
- Taxpayers with total tax liability of ₹10,000 or less after TDS
- Agricultural income (exempt from advance tax)
Penalty for Non-Payment — Section 234B & 234C
Failure to pay advance tax on time results in interest charges — not a flat penalty, but interest that compounds over time. There are two separate interest provisions:
| Section | Trigger | Interest Rate | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 234B | Advance tax paid < 90% of assessed tax liability | 1% per month | From 1 April of the next year until date of assessment / self-assessment tax payment |
| Section 234C | Shortfall in each individual installment | 1% per month | 3 months for 1st, 2nd & 3rd installments; 1 month for the 4th (March) installment |
Example: If your total tax is ₹1,00,000 and you pay nothing by 15 June 2025, Section 234C interest on the 1st installment shortfall (₹15,000) = ₹15,000 × 1% × 3 months = ₹450. Section 234B interest on the full unpaid amount accumulates from April 2026 onward.
How to Pay Advance Tax Online
Pay advance tax directly on the Income Tax Department portal using Challan 280 (ITNS 280). No registration required for payment.
-
Visit incometax.gov.in
Go to the official Income Tax e-Filing portal. Under the “Quick Links” section on the homepage, click e-Pay Tax. -
Select Challan 280 — Income Tax
Choose “Income Tax (other than companies) — ITNS 280”. For type of payment, select Advance Tax (code 100). For self-assessment tax (after year-end), choose code 300. -
Enter PAN & Assessment Year
Enter your 10-digit PAN, select Assessment Year 2026-27 (for FY 2025-26 advance tax), and fill in your name and address details. -
Enter the Tax Amount
Enter the advance tax installment amount (e.g., ₹15,000 for first installment). You can also break it up as Income Tax, Surcharge, Education Cess separately, or enter the total in the Income Tax field. -
Pay & Save Challan
Complete payment via net banking, debit card, or UPI. A challan counterfoil will be generated with BSR code, challan serial number, and date. Save this for ITR filing — these details are required in Schedule TDS/Advance Tax of your ITR.
Alternative: Pay via the NSDL TIN portal (tin.tin.nsdl.com) using the same Challan 280 ITNS 280 process. Both portals are official and the payment reflects in your Form 26AS / AIS within 3–5 working days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages & Calculators
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