TDS Return Filing Due Dates — Tax Year 2026-27
Updated: 7 June 2026What are the quarterly TDS return due dates for Tax Year 2026-27?
TDS returns must be filed every quarter. The due dates for filing TDS returns for Tax Year 2026-27 (1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027) are as follows:
| Quarter | Period | Due Date | Form (New Act) | Form (Old Act) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 1 Apr – 30 Jun 2026 | 31 July 2026 | Form 138 / Form 140 | 24Q / 26Q |
| Q2 | 1 Jul – 30 Sep 2026 | 31 October 2026 | Form 138 / Form 140 | 24Q / 26Q |
| Q3 | 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2026 | 31 January 2027 | Form 138 / Form 140 | 24Q / 26Q |
| Q4 | 1 Jan – 31 Mar 2027 | 31 May 2027 | Form 138 / Form 140 | 24Q / 26Q |
What are the TDS deposit due dates?
TDS must be deposited to the government separately from filing the return. The deposit deadlines are:
| TDS Deducted In | Deposit Due Date | Applicable To |
|---|---|---|
| Any month (Apr–Feb) | 7th of the following month | All non-government deductors |
| March | 30 April | All non-government deductors |
| Any day (government) | Same day | Government deductors (via book entry) |
Which form is used for which type of TDS?
| Form (New Act) | Form (Old Act) | Section (New) | Section (Old) | Nature of Deduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form 138 | 24Q | Section 392 | Section 192 | TDS on salary payments |
| Form 140 | 26Q | Section 393 | Section 194-series | TDS on non-salary payments (interest, rent, professional fees, etc.) |
| Form 27Q | 27Q | Section 393 | Section 195 | TDS on payments to non-residents |
| TCS Return | 27EQ | Section 394 | Section 206C | Tax Collected at Source |
What is the penalty for late filing of TDS returns?
Failure to file TDS returns on time results in the following consequences under the Income-tax Act, 2025:
- Late filing fee: ₹200 per day from the due date until the date of filing, subject to a maximum of the total TDS amount deducted and reported in the return.
- Penalty for non-filing: The Assessing Officer may impose a penalty ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000.
- Interest for late deposit: If TDS is deducted but not deposited on time, interest at 1.5% per month (or part of month) is charged from the date of deduction to the date of deposit.
- Interest for non-deduction: If TDS is not deducted at all, interest at 1% per month is charged from the date it was deductible to the date of actual deduction.
What is the process for filing TDS returns online?
TDS returns must be filed electronically through the following process:
- Prepare the TDS return using NSDL RPU (Return Preparation Utility) or any TDS-compliant software.
- Validate the return file using the FVU (File Validation Utility) provided by NSDL.
- Upload the validated file on the income tax e-filing portal (incometax.gov.in) or through a TIN facilitation centre.
- Sign the return using a valid DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) or verify via EVC.
- Download the provisional receipt after successful filing and retain it for records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the TDS return forms under the Income-tax Act, 2025?
Under the Income-tax Act, 2025 (effective 1 April 2026), TDS return forms have been renumbered. The erstwhile Form 24Q (salary TDS) is now Form 138, and Form 26Q (non-salary TDS) is now Form 140. Form 27Q for TDS on payments to non-residents continues as per notification. The content and filing process remain similar, but the form numbers reference the new Act sections.
What is the penalty for late filing of TDS returns?
Late filing of TDS returns attracts a fee of ₹200 per day under the Income-tax Act, 2025 until the return is filed, subject to a maximum of the total TDS amount. Additionally, the deductor may face a penalty ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000 for failure to file. Interest at 1.5% per month is also charged if TDS is deducted but not deposited on time.
Can TDS returns be revised after filing?
Yes, TDS returns can be revised if any errors are found in the original filing. There is no specific deadline for filing a revised TDS return, but it should be done as soon as the error is identified. The correction statement (revised return) must be filed through the TRACES portal using the same form number (Form 138 or Form 140 under the new Act).
What is the due date for depositing TDS with the government?
TDS deducted during any month must be deposited to the government by the 7th of the following month. For TDS deducted in March, the due date for deposit is 30 April. For government deductors, TDS must be deposited on the same day it is deducted. These deposit dates are distinct from the quarterly return filing dates.
Is there a difference between TDS and TCS return due dates?
TCS (Tax Collected at Source) returns follow the same quarterly filing schedule as TDS returns. TCS returns are filed in Form 27EQ (now renumbered under the Income-tax Act, 2025 referencing Section 394, previously Section 206C). The quarterly due dates — 31 Jul, 31 Oct, 31 Jan, and 31 May — apply equally to both TDS and TCS returns.
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