Section 194I TDS explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Here is a worked example of TDS under Section 194I (Rent of land/building or plant & machinery), along with the deposit and return due dates.
Section 194I — key details
| Section | 194I |
| Nature of payment | Rent of land/building or plant & machinery |
| TDS rate | 10% (land/building); 2% (plant & machinery) |
| Threshold limit | ₹6,00,000 a year |
| Who deducts | Tenants (other than individuals not under audit) |
Example
A company paying ₹8,00,000 annual office rent deducts 10% TDS.
Due dates & returns
- Deposit TDS by the 7th of the following month (April–February); by 30 April for March
- File quarterly TDS returns — Q1 31 Jul, Q2 31 Oct, Q3 31 Jan, Q4 31 May
- Issue TDS certificates (Form 16/16A) after filing the return
- Late deposit attracts 1.5% interest per month; late filing ₹200/day under Section 234E
TDS compliance essentials
Whichever section applies, the core TDS process is the same:
- Obtain a TAN before deducting any TDS
- Deduct at the correct rate at the time of credit or payment, whichever is earlier
- Deposit the TDS by the 7th of the next month using the right challan
- File quarterly TDS returns (24Q/26Q/27Q) and issue Form 16/16A to the payee
- Verify deductions in Form 26AS/AIS and reconcile before filing
Related Section 194I guides
- How to Deduct TDS under Section 194I
- Section 194I TDS: Rate, Threshold & Applicability
- Section 194I TDS Rate Chart
TDS compliance under Section 194I, done right
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