1. Why a Compliance Calendar is Essential
Income tax compliance involves dozens of deadlines throughout the year -- for advance tax payments, TDS deposits, TDS return filings, ITR filing, audit report submissions, and various special form filings. Missing any deadline carries financial consequences: interest charges, late fees, penalties, and loss of tax benefits (like loss carry-forward if ITR is late). A comprehensive month-by-month compliance calendar for Tax Year 2026-27 (April 2026 to March 2027) helps individuals, businesses, and tax professionals stay on top of all obligations.
2. April 2026: The Year Begins
- 1 April: New Tax Year begins; Form 12BB update due to employer (regime choice, investments, HRA, home loan)
- 7 April: TDS deposit due for March 2025-26 (special -- March TDS has an extended deadline but 7 April applies to most deductions)
- 30 April: Final deadline to deposit TDS for March 2026 (extended due date for March month TDS)
- Update advance tax estimate for the new year based on expected income
3. May and June 2026
- 7 May: TDS deposit due for April 2026
- 15 May: Due date for Form 24Q Q4 (salary TDS return for Q4 of previous Tax Year)
- 15 June 2026: First advance tax instalment for Tax Year 2026-27 (at least 15% of estimated annual tax)
- 7 June: TDS deposit due for May 2026
- 15 June: Form 16 issue deadline for employees for previous Tax Year (2025-26)
- 15 June: Form 16A issue deadline for non-salary deductees
- 30 June: Equalisation Levy annual return (Form 1) due for 2025-26
4. July 2026
- 7 July: TDS deposit due for June 2026
- 31 July 2026: ITR filing due date for Tax Year 2025-26 (non-audit individuals, HUFs, firms)
- 31 July: Form 26Q / Form 27Q Q1 TDS return due (April-June 2026)
- 31 July: Form 24Q Q1 TDS return due
5. August and September 2026
- 7 August: TDS deposit due for July 2026
- 7 September: TDS deposit due for August 2026
- 15 September 2026: Second advance tax instalment (cumulative 45% of estimated annual tax)
- 30 September: Tax audit report due (Form 3CA/3CB + Form 3CD) for Tax Year 2025-26
6. October 2026
- 7 October: TDS deposit due for September 2026
- 31 October 2026: ITR filing deadline for tax audit cases (Tax Year 2025-26)
- 31 October: Form 26Q / Form 27Q Q2 TDS return due (July-September 2026)
- 31 October: Form 24Q Q2 TDS return due
7. November and December 2026
- 7 November: TDS deposit due for October 2026
- 7 December: TDS deposit due for November 2026
- 15 December 2026: Third advance tax instalment (cumulative 75% of estimated annual tax)
- 30 November 2026: ITR filing deadline for transfer pricing cases (Tax Year 2025-26)
- 31 December 2026: Belated/revised ITR filing deadline for Tax Year 2025-26
8. January 2027
- 7 January: TDS deposit due for December 2026
- 31 January 2027: Form 26Q / Form 27Q Q3 TDS return due (October-December 2026)
- 31 January: Form 24Q Q3 TDS return due
9. February and March 2027
- 7 February: TDS deposit due for January 2027
- 7 March: TDS deposit due for February 2027
- 15 March 2027: Fourth and final advance tax instalment for Tax Year 2026-27 (100% cumulative)
- 15 March: Section 44AD/44ADA/44AE single advance tax instalment
- 31 March 2027: Last date to pay advance tax on late capital gains
- 31 March: Year-end -- pay all MSME outstanding dues; close CGAS deposits; make all Section 43B payments; book capital losses for tax harvesting
10. Post-Year Compliance (April-December 2027)
- 30 April: March TDS deposit
- 31 May: Form 10BD (trust donation statement); Form 26Q Q4 TDS return
- 15 June: Form 16 to employees; Form 16A to deductees
- 30 June: Equalisation Levy return for 2026-27
- 31 July 2027: ITR due for Tax Year 2026-27 (non-audit)
- 30 September: Tax audit report for Tax Year 2026-27
- 31 October: ITR for audit cases (Tax Year 2026-27)
- 31 December: Belated/revised ITR for Tax Year 2026-27
11. ITR-U Window
For voluntary disclosure of missed income from earlier years: ITR-U (Updated Return) under Section 285A is available for 2 years from the end of the assessment year. For Tax Year 2024-25 (AY 2025-26): ITR-U window open until 31 March 2028. Additional tax: 25% (if filed in AY 2026-27) or 50% (if filed in AY 2027-28).
12. Why TaxClue
Missing compliance deadlines creates avoidable costs -- interest, penalties, and loss of tax benefits. TaxClue sends automated compliance reminders to all clients and manages the entire compliance calendar. Contact us for complete compliance management under ITA 2025.