What Is a TDS Return?
TDS stands for Tax Deducted at Source. When you pay salary, rent, professional fees, contractor charges or interest above certain limits, the law may require you to deduct tax and deposit it with the government. A TDS return is a quarterly statement that tells the Income Tax Department who you deducted tax from, how much, and which challan you used to deposit it. This is how the person you paid gets credit for the tax in their Form 26AS and AIS.
An Important Note Before You File
Deposit and return are two different duties. Paying TDS to the government through a challan does not file the return. You must do both.
A TAN is required. You cannot file a TDS return without one. See our TAN registration service if you do not have it.
Accuracy matters. Wrong PANs, wrong challan details or wrong amounts can cause the deductee to miss credit and can lead to a default notice.
Rules, rates and limits change. Your CA uses the current rules for the quarter you are filing.
No CA can guarantee that you will never receive a notice. A correct, on-time return reduces the risk.
We file from your real records. We do not alter or invent deductions, challans or documents.
Who Must File TDS Returns?
Employers: Deduct TDS from employee salaries.
Companies & Firms: Deduct TDS on rent, professional fees and contractor payments.
Clinics & Hospitals: Deduct TDS on applicable staff and vendor payments.
Businesses: Deduct TDS on interest and other eligible payments.
Trusts & Government Bodies: File returns for applicable TDS deductions.
Property Buyers: File TDS returns where property-related rules apply.
Rent Payers: Comply with applicable TDS rules on rent.
Businesses Paying Non-Residents: Deduct and report applicable TDS.
TCS Collectors: File applicable TCS statements.
Which TDS Return Form Do You File?
| Form | For | In simple words |
|---|---|---|
| Form 24Q | TDS on salary | Employers filing for salary paid to employees |
| Form 26Q | TDS on payments other than salary, to residents | Rent, professional fees, contractor payments, commission, interest and similar |
| Form 27Q | TDS on payments to non-residents | Payments to foreign vendors, consultants, NRIs and similar |
| Form 27EQ | TCS (tax collected at source) | Sellers who collect tax at source on certain sales |
What Are the Common Reasons for a TDS Notice?
Short Deduction: TDS deducted at a lower rate.
Late Payment: Delayed TDS deposit and applicable interest.
Payment Shortfall: Deducted tax not fully deposited.
PAN Errors: Incorrect or missing PAN details.
Challan Mismatch: Incorrect challan details in returns.
Late Filing: TDS returns submitted after the due date.
Form 26AS Mismatch: Differences in reported TDS credits.
Documents Required for TDS Return Filing
TAN & TRACES: Login and registration details.
Payment Records: Salary sheets, rent and vendor bills.
TDS Details: Sections, amounts, dates and deduction rates.
Deductee Details: PAN, name and address.
Challan Details: BSR code, serial number, date and amount.
Previous Returns: Filed returns and acknowledgments.
Correction Records: Previous errors or defaults.
Salary Documents: Employee investment declarations, if applicable.
TDS Certificates: Lower or nil deduction certificates, if applicable.
Non-Resident Documents: TRC, Form 10F and Form 15CA/15CB, where required.
TDS Return Filing Step By Step Process
Collect Data:
Gather quarterly payment and deduction records.
Classify Payments:
Identify the correct TDS sections and forms.
Verify PAN:
Check deductee details for accuracy.
Match Challans:
Reconcile deductions with tax deposits.
Prepare Return:
Create and validate the TDS statement.
Review Figures:
Verify details before submission.
File Return:
Submit the return and save acknowledgment.
Check Defaults:
Review processing errors and file corrections if needed.
1. Issue Certificates:
Generate Form 16 or Form 16A, as applicable.
Online TDS Return Filing in Bhubaneswar
With online TDS return filing in Bhubaneswar, you share records by upload, speak to your CA on a call or video and receive the filed return, acknowledgment and certificates in digital form. It saves time, which matters near the quarterly due dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a TDS return?
A quarterly statement showing who you deducted tax from, how much and which challan you used to deposit it.
Who must file a TDS return?
Anyone who deducts TDS, such as employers and businesses paying rent, professional fees, contractor charges or interest above the limits.
Which TDS return form should I file?
Form 24Q for salary, 26Q for payments to residents other than salary, 27Q for payments to non-residents and 27EQ for TCS.
Is depositing TDS the same as filing the return?
No. Depositing TDS is paying the tax. The return is a separate statement that must also be filed.
Can I correct a TDS return after filing?
Yes, by filing a correction statement. Your CA checks the processing status first.
What are CA charges for 24Q and 26Q filing?
They are lower for a few deductees with clean records and higher for many deductees, several forms or corrections.