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TDS on House Rent — Section 194-IB (Individuals) Guide

Updated: 3 June 2026  |  Income-tax Act 2025  |  Rate: 2%  |  No TAN Required

If you pay house rent ≥ ₹50,000 per month, you must deduct TDS at 2% (Section 194-IB). No TAN needed — just PAN of landlord. File Form 26QC on the income tax portal. Issue Form 16C to the landlord. Companies/firms use Section 194-I (10%, ₹2.4L annual threshold, TAN required).
₹50K/mo
Monthly rent threshold for TDS under Section 194-IB — applicable to individuals and HUF tenants.
TDS rate: 2% (effective FY 2024-25, reduced from earlier 5%). No TAN required. File Form 26QC on incometax.gov.in.

Section 194-IB vs Section 194-I — Comparison

ParameterSection 194-IB (Individuals/HUF)Section 194-I (Companies/Firms)
Who must deductIndividual/HUF tenantCompanies, firms, AOP, BOI
ThresholdMonthly rent > ₹50,000Annual rent > ₹2,40,000
TDS rate2% (FY 2024-25 onwards)10% (building/furniture/fittings)
TAN requiredNoYes
Challan formForm 26QC (one-time/annual)Challan 281 (monthly)
TDS certificateForm 16CForm 16A (from TRACES)
When to deductLast month of tenancy or financial yearAt time of each payment/credit
Return filingForm 26QC is itself the returnQuarterly TDS return (Form 26Q)

Step-by-Step: How to Pay TDS on Rent (Section 194-IB)

StepActionDetails
1Determine TDS amount2% × total rent for the year (or period)
2Visit incometax.gov.inNo login required for Form 26QC
3Select e-Pay Tax → Challan 26QCTDS on Rent of Property
4Enter tenant PAN + landlord PANBoth mandatory; wrong PAN → higher TDS
5Enter rent period, monthly rent, total amountAnnual or one-time
6Pay TDS onlineNet banking / UPI / credit card
7Download Form 16CFrom TRACES after 10-15 days
8Give Form 16C to landlordWithin 15 days of downloading

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TDS rate on house rent paid by individuals?
For individuals and HUFs paying house rent: Section 194-IB applies when monthly rent > ₹50,000. TDS rate: 2% of total rent paid (effective from FY 2024-25 — reduced from 5%). TDS is deducted once per year (at time of last month rent or vacation/termination). No TAN required for individuals/HUF under Section 194-IB. Form 26QC is the challan cum return for depositing this TDS. Form 16C (TDS certificate) must be issued to landlord. Deadline: TDS deposit within 30 days from end of month (July 31 for June deduction, etc.).
What is the TDS threshold for house rent?
Section 194-IB threshold: ₹50,000 per month (not annual). If monthly rent is ₹50,000 or more — TDS at 2%. If monthly rent is ₹49,999 or less — no TDS under 194-IB. This threshold is per-month, not annual. So ₹6 lakh per year (₹50K/month) triggers TDS. Joint tenants: if two individuals share a flat and each pays ₹30K rent — each person pays below ₹50K/month, so no TDS per person. However, if paying to a landlord on behalf of another, total payment determines threshold. For companies/firms paying rent: Section 194-I applies with ₹2.4 lakh annual threshold and 10% TDS rate.
How to deposit TDS on house rent without TAN?
Individuals and HUFs (Section 194-IB) do NOT need TAN. Steps: (1) Calculate TDS: 2% of total annual rent. (2) Go to incometax.gov.in → e-Pay Tax. (3) Select Challan 26QC (TDS on rent of property). (4) Enter PAN of both tenant (deductor) and landlord (deductee). (5) Enter rent details and payment amount. (6) Pay via net banking/UPI/credit card. (7) Download Form 16C (TDS certificate) from TRACES within 15 days. (8) Give Form 16C to landlord — they use it to claim TDS credit in their ITR. Failure to deduct TDS: interest 1%/month for late deduction + 1.5%/month for late deposit.
Does the landlord pay tax on rent received even if TDS is deducted?
Yes — TDS is just an advance tax payment on behalf of the landlord. Landlord must: (1) Declare rental income in ITR under "Income from House Property" or "Income from Other Sources" for commercial rent. (2) Apply standard deduction of 30% on net annual value (NAV). (3) Deduct home loan interest under Section 24(b) if applicable (no cap for let-out property). (4) Credit the TDS deducted by tenant when computing final tax. (5) If TDS > tax liability, landlord gets refund. The landlord can verify TDS credit in Form 26AS / AIS on incometax.gov.in before filing ITR.
What happens if TDS on rent is not deducted?
Consequences of not deducting TDS on rent (Section 194-IB): Interest under Section 201(1A): 1% per month from date TDS was due to date of deduction + 1.5% per month from deduction to deposit. Penalty under Section 271C: up to 100% of TDS amount not deducted. Short deduction: same interest applies on shortfall. However, under Section 194-IB, individual tenants have some protection — if landlord pays tax themselves before assessment, the interest burden on the tenant may be reduced. Form 26QC is mandatory — even a single annual payment must be reported. If not filed: ₹200/day penalty under Section 234E + late fee.

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