TDS payment due date for march 2026
For tax deducted at source (TDS) in the month of March 2026, the payment due dates depend on the type of deductor:
- Non-Government Deductors: The due date for depositing TDS is 30th April 2026.
- Government Deductors:
- Payment via Challan: The due date is 7th April 2026.
- Payment via Book Entry: The tax must be deposited on the same day of deduction.
- Special Cases (Challan-cum-Statement): For specific sections like 194-IA (property purchase), 194-IB (rent), 194M, and 194S, the due date is 30 days from the end of the month in which the deduction was made, which is 30th April 2026.
Summary of Q4 (Jan–Mar 2026) Compliance
| Compliance Action | Relevant Period | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| TDS Payment (March) | March 2026 | 30th April 2026 |
| TDS Return Filing (Q4) | Jan–Mar 2026 | 31st May 2026 |
| TDS Certificate Issuance | Jan–Mar 2026 | 15th June 2026 |
Important Notes
- Applicable Law: Since the deduction occurs on or before 31st March 2026, it is governed by the Income Tax Act, 1961, even though the payment is made in April 2026.
- Late Fees: A penalty of ₹200 per day applies under Section 234E for late filing of returns, capped at the total TDS amount.
- Interest: Failure to deposit deducted tax on time attracts interest at 1.5% per month or part thereof from the date of deduction.
How to pay TDS of March 2026
To pay TDS for March 2026, you must use the Income Tax e-Filing portal. [
Despite the introduction of the Income Tax Act, 2025 on 1st April 2026, payments for deductions made in March 2026 still fall under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Online Payment Steps (Post-Login)
- Login: Access the e-Filing portal using your TAN credentials.
- Navigate: Go to e-File > e-Pay Tax.
- Act Selection: On the Act Selection screen, you must select the radio button for “Income Tax Act 1961”.
- Note: Do not select the 2025 Act for March 2026 dues.
- New Payment: Click New Payment and select the Pay TDS tile.
- Assessment Year: Select AY 2026-27 (this corresponds to the financial year 2025-26).
- Details:
- Minor Head: Select (200) TDS/TCS Payable by Taxpayer.
- Nature of Payment: Choose the relevant section (e.g., 94C for contractors, 92B for salary).
- Payment: Enter the tax breakup (Tax, Interest, Fee u/s 234E if late) and complete the transaction via Net Banking, Debit Card, or Payment Gateway (UPI/Credit Card).
- Download: Save the Challan Receipt containing the Challan Identification Number (CIN).
Summary Checklist for March 2026 Payment
- Due Date: 30th April 2026.
- Applicable Act: Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Assessment Year: 2026-27.
- Challan Form: ITNS 281.
Would you like the specific interest calculation if you are paying after the 30th April deadline?
As of today, April 3, 2026, you are still within the deadline to pay TDS for March 2026 without any interest or penalties. If you pay by April 30, 2026, no interest is due. [1]
However, if you miss that deadline, interest is calculated based on the date of deduction, not the due date. [2, 3]
TDS Interest Calculation Rules
- Rate: 1.5% per month or part of a month.
- Period: Calculated from the date of deduction (not the due date) until the actual date of payment.
- Partial Months: Any part of a calendar month is treated as a full month. [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
Example Scenarios (Assume ₹10,000 TDS deducted on March 31, 2026)
- Scenario 1: Paid on April 30, 2026
- Status: On-time.
- Interest: ₹0.
- Scenario 2: Paid on May 5, 2026 (5 days late)
- Months counted: March, April, and May (3 months).
- Calculation: ₹10,000 × 1.5% × 3 months.
- Total Interest: ₹450.
- Scenario 3: Paid on June 1, 2026 (1 month late)
- Months counted: March, April, May, and June (4 months).
- Calculation: ₹10,000 × 1.5% × 4 months.
- Total Interest: ₹600.
Additional Late Filing Fees (Section 234E)
If the TDS Return (Q4) is filed after May 31, 2026, a late fee of ₹200 per day applies until the return is filed.
- The total fee is capped at the total TDS amount for that period.
Your Queries Solved
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