TDS Short-Deduction Interest Calculator
Deducted less TDS than you should have? See the shortfall, the 1%-per-month interest under Section 201(1A) and your total exposure — live, in one screen.
Short-deduction breakdown
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Disclaimer: Indicative estimate of interest u/s 201(1A). Actual liability depends on exact deductible and deduction dates, the applicable section rate and the higher rate u/s 206AA where PAN is not furnished. Confirm with your tax advisor.
Interest on short / non-deduction of TDS — Section 201(1A)
When you fail to deduct tax at source, or deduct less than the correct amount, you are treated as an "assessee-in-default". Section 201(1A) charges simple interest on the shortfall, and any part of a month is counted as a full month — so a delay of even one day into a new month adds a whole month's interest.
| Rate of interest | 1% per month |
| Runs from | Date TDS was deductible |
| Runs until | Date TDS actually deducted |
| Part of a month | Counts as full month |
| Rate of interest | 1.5% per month |
| Runs from | Date TDS was deducted |
| Runs until | Date TDS actually paid |
| Part of a month | Counts as full month |
Worked example
A contractor is paid ₹5,00,000 where TDS should have been deducted at 10%, but only ₹30,000 was actually withheld. The default is corrected 3 months later.
Key terms explained
Short deduction
The gap between the TDS that should have been deducted (amount × correct rate) and what was actually deducted. Interest and default consequences apply only to this shortfall, not the whole payment.
Section 201(1A) interest
Simple interest at 1% per month (or part of a month) on the shortfall, from the date TDS was deductible to the date it is actually deducted. A late deposit of deducted tax attracts 1.5% instead.
Section 40(a)(ia) disallowance
30% of the expense is disallowed while computing business income where TDS is not deducted or not paid. It is added back to income and later allowed in the year the TDS is deposited.
Part of a month
For interest, any fraction of a month is rounded up to a full month. A shortfall corrected on the 1st of the next month therefore still carries the full extra month of interest.
What is short deduction of TDS?
Deducting less than the rate required — usually by applying the wrong section, missing a threshold, or not applying the higher rate under section 206AA where PAN was not furnished. The deductor is liable for the shortfall.
What interest is charged?
Under section 201(1A), 1% per month from the date the tax was deductible to the date of actual deduction, and 1.5% per month from deduction to payment. Part of a month is counted as a full month.
Is the deductor always treated as in default?
No. If the resident payee has filed their return, included the income and paid the tax, and a certificate in Form 26A is furnished, the deductor is not treated as an assessee in default — but interest up to the date the payee filed is still payable.
What is the effect on business income?
Section 40(a)(ia) disallows 30% of the expenditure on which tax was not deducted or not paid. The disallowance is reversed in the year the tax is eventually paid.
How do short-deduction defaults come to light?
Through the default summary on TRACES after the quarterly statement is processed. Correcting the statement and paying the shortfall with interest quickly is far cheaper than letting the demand age.
Disclaimer: This tool gives indicative results for general guidance only and is not professional advice. Please verify with a qualified CA before acting on the numbers.