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Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is a government system where a small part of your income is deducted as tax before you receive it. This helps in easy tax collection and prevents tax evasion. Filing your TDS returns on time keeps you compliant with tax laws, avoids penalties, and ensures smooth credit of your tax payments. This article will provide you with detailed information on the TDS return due date for FY 2025-26.
To file your TDS returns correctly, you need to use specific forms that depend on the type of payment and the deductor. The most common forms for filing TDS returns are mentioned in the following:
The details mentioned below will discuss the TDS return filing due date.
Filing your TDS returns on time is very important to avoid penalties and keep your tax records clean. The TDS returns need to be filed on a quarterly basis. The following details include the TDS quarterly return due date:
Quarter |
Period Covered |
Due Date for Filing TDS Returns |
1st Quarter (Q1) |
1st April 2025 to 30th June 2025 |
31st July 2025 |
2nd Quarter (Q2) |
1st July 2025 to 30th September 2025 |
31st October 2025 |
3rd Quarter (Q3) |
1st October to 31st December 2025 |
31st January 2026 |
4th Quarter (Q4) |
1st January 2026 to 31st March 2026 |
31st May 2026 |
Filing your TDS returns by these due dates ensures you avoid late fees and penalties. It also helps the deductee (the people whose tax is deducted) get timely credit for the tax deducted from their payments.
Paying TDS on time is just as important as filing the return. The government requires deductors (like employers or businesses) to deposit the TDS they have collected within a certain time every month. The TDS payment due dates are mentioned as follows:
Month |
TDS Payment Due Date |
April 2025 |
7th May 2025 |
May 2025 |
7th June 2025 |
June 2025 |
7th July 2025 |
July 2025 |
7th August 2025 |
August 2025 |
7th September 2025 |
September 2025 |
7th October 2025 |
October 2025 |
7th November 2025 |
November 2025 |
7th December 2025 |
December 2025 |
7th January 2026 |
January 2026 |
7th February 2026 |
February 2026 |
7th March 2026 |
March 2026 |
30th April 2026 (for government deductors) 7th April 2026 (for others) |
If you miss the TDS return due date, the Income Tax Department may charge penalties and fees. These can add up quickly, so it's important to know the consequences. Here are the late filing fee and penalty for TDS:
When TDS is deducted but not deposited on time, the Income Tax Department charges interest for the delay. This interest is mandatory and must be paid before filing the TDS return. Let us discuss the interest on the late deposit of TDS:
Section |
Nature of Delay |
Interest Rate |
How is it Calculated |
Section 201(1A)(i) |
TDS not deducted on time |
1% per month |
From the date TDS was deductible to the date it is deducted |
Section 201(1A)(ii) |
TDS deducted but not deposited on time |
1.5% per month |
From the date of deduction to the actual date of deposit |
Filing your TDS returns on time is more than just a formality. It is an essential part of staying compliant with income tax rules in India. The following details include the importance of filing a TDS return on time:
If you don’t file your TDS return by the due date, you will be charged a late filing fee and penalty fee, as mentioned above, under Section 234E and 271H. These fines can seriously increase your costs, especially if the delay is long.
One of the most important reasons to file TDS returns on time is to help the people whose tax you deducted. When you file accurately and on time, the deducted tax is reflected in their Form 26AS, which allows them to claim TDS credit while filing their income tax return. Delays from your side can impact their tax refunds or calculations.
If you are a business owner or employer, having timely compliance builds trust with vendors, employees, and clients. They see that you are serious and transparent about your financial responsibilities. It also boosts your reputation in audits and assessments.
Filing on time keeps your TDS records clean and updated on portals like TRACES and the Income Tax e-filing website. This helps you avoid unnecessary notices, inquiries, or scrutiny from the tax authorities in the future.
In many financial processes like loan applications, company audits, or tender submissions, timely tax compliance is a must. A delay or error in TDS returns can raise red flags or slow down approvals.
Staying updated with the TDS return filing due date for FY 2025-26 helps avoid penalties, ensures smooth tax credit for the deductee, and keeps your records clean. Timely TDS return filing also builds trust and supports smooth audits or financial approvals. So always make sure to track the TDS quarterly return due date, pay on time, and file accurately to stay stress-free and compliant with the law. In this article, you have learned about the TDS return due date for FY 2025-26. To get professional assistance and support from experts in TDS return filing, contact Online Legal India.