What Is TDS on Cash Withdrawal?
To curb black money and encourage digital transactions, Section 194N of the Income Tax Act mandates TDS on large cash withdrawals from banks, cooperative societies, and post offices. Introduced in Budget 2019 and tightened in Budget 2020, the section has two distinct rate slabs depending on whether you file income tax returns.
Section 194N — Quick Reference (2025-26)
| Who Deducts | Banks, cooperative banks, post offices |
| Threshold (ITR filers) | ₹1 crore per bank per financial year |
| Threshold (Non-filers) | ₹20 lakh per bank per financial year |
| Rate (ITR filers, above ₹1Cr) | 2% |
| Rate (Non-filers, ₹20L–₹1Cr) | 2% |
| Rate (Non-filers, above ₹1Cr) | 5% |
TDS Rate Slabs
Regular ITR Filers (filed ITR in any of last 3 years)
| Cash Withdrawal | TDS Rate |
|---|
| Up to ₹1 crore | Nil |
| Above ₹1 crore | 2% on excess |
Non-Filers (no ITR filed for any of the last 3 years)
| Cash Withdrawal | TDS Rate |
|---|
| Up to ₹20 lakh | Nil |
| ₹20 lakh to ₹1 crore | 2% |
| Above ₹1 crore | 5% |
Non-Filer Check: Banks verify your ITR status via the Income Tax portal using your PAN. If no ITR found for any of the 3 preceding assessment years, the stricter slab applies automatically.
Calculation Examples
Example 1 — ITR Filer, ₹1.5 crore withdrawn
| Item | Amount |
|---|
| Total cash withdrawn | ₹1,50,00,000 |
| Excess above ₹1 crore | ₹50,00,000 |
| TDS @ 2% | ₹1,00,000 |
Example 2 — Non-Filer, ₹80 lakh withdrawn
| Item | Amount |
|---|
| Taxable slab (₹20L to ₹80L) | ₹60,00,000 |
| TDS @ 2% | ₹1,20,000 |
Who Is Exempt?
- Central and State Government
- Banks (inter-bank withdrawals)
- White-label ATM operators and cash replenishment agencies
- Business correspondents of banks
- Commission agents under APMC (agricultural produce markets)
How to Avoid TDS on Cash Withdrawal
- File your ITR every year — gets you the ₹1 crore threshold (vs. ₹20 lakh)
- Spread across banks — limit is per bank; multiple bank accounts each get their own ₹1 crore limit
- Use digital payments — NEFT, RTGS, UPI are not subject to Section 194N
- Apply for nil TDS certificate under Section 197 if you have genuine high cash needs
Claiming TDS Credit
TDS under Section 194N is not a final tax. Credit the TDS in your ITR against income tax liability. If TDS exceeds liability, the excess is refunded. Check Form 26AS to confirm correct credit before filing.
Summary
Section 194N TDS on cash withdrawal is a targeted measure: 2% TDS above ₹1 crore for regular ITR filers; 2% from ₹20 lakh and 5% above ₹1 crore for non-filers. The fix is simple — file your ITR every year. All TDS deducted is creditable and refundable through your income tax return.
