TDS return deadlines are fixed, apply regardless of your business size, and carry both a per-day late fee and a separate discretionary penalty for non-compliance. Here is the full quarterly calendar for FY 2026-27, plus what the penalties actually cost.
Quarterly due dates
| Quarter | Period covered | Return due date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | April – June | 31 July |
| Q2 | July – September | 31 October |
| Q3 | October – December | 31 January |
| Q4 | January – March | 31 May |
These are the statutory due dates as generally applicable — always confirm against the current CBDT circular for the relevant assessment year, since due dates are occasionally extended.
What it actually costs to miss a deadline
- Late filing fee (Section 234E): ₹200 per day of delay, capped at the total TDS amount for that quarter — this adds up fast on a large deduction.
- Penalty (Section 271H): ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000, at the Assessing Officer's discretion, for returns filed beyond one year from the due date or containing incorrect information.
- Interest on late deposit (Section 201(1A)): 1.5% per month on the TDS amount, calculated separately from the return filing fee.
A practical filing checklist each quarter
- Reconcile TDS deducted against the challan payments made (Form 26Q/24Q/27Q as applicable).
- Verify PAN details of all deductees — mismatched PANs are the most common cause of return rejection and correction filings.
- File the return through TRACES/the income tax portal before the due date, not on the due date — leave a buffer for portal issues.
- Issue TDS certificates (Form 16/16A) to deductees within the prescribed window after filing.
If your business handles TDS deductions across multiple vendor and employee categories, a structured quarterly calendar avoids the compounding cost of repeated late fees — our Direct Tax service includes TDS compliance management as part of ongoing engagements.