TDS Return Due Dates 2026: Forms, Payment Calendar and Filing Guide

TDS return due dates for FY 2026-27 have changed significantly because the Income Tax Act 2025 replaced the old 1961 Act from 1 April 2026. The quarterly TDS return is now filed under section 397(3)(b) using new form numbers  Form 138 (salary), Form 140 (non-salary, residents), and Form 144 (non-residents). The TDS payment due date stays at the 7th of the following month (30 April for March). Filing deadlines for TDS quarterly return remain 31 July, 31 October, 31 January, and 31 May. Penalty under section 427 of the 2025 Act is Rs. 200 per day for late filing. If you deduct TDS and file returns under the old form numbers (24Q, 26Q, 27Q) for post-March 2026 transactions, the return will fail validation at the TRACES portal. This guide covers every due date, correct form, deposit timeline, penalty, and the step-by-step filing process for tax year 2026-27.

What Are TDS Return Due Dates for FY 2026-27?

TDS return due dates for FY 2026-27 (Tax Year 2026-27) are 31 July 2026 for Q1, 31 October 2026 for Q2, 31 January 2027 for Q3, and 31 May 2027 for Q4. These are the deadlines to file your quarterly TDS statement on the new forms prescribed under the Income Tax Rules, 2026.

Every business that deducts TDS must file a quarterly statement after depositing the deducted tax. For tax year 2026-27, the returns go on Form 138 (salary TDS), Form 140 (non-salary TDS to residents), or Form 144 (TDS on payments to non-residents). The Q1 return for April to June 2026 was the first statement filed entirely under the new Income Tax Act 2025 framework, due on 31 July 2026.

The table below shows the complete quarterly TDS return due date calendar for FY 2026-27:

What Are the New TDS Forms Under Income Tax Act 2025?

The Income Tax Act 2025 introduced completely new TDS return forms under the Income Tax Rules, 2026. The old forms (24Q, 26Q, 27Q, 27EQ) are now replaced by Form numbers 138, 140, 143, and 144 for transactions on or after 1 April 2026. Choosing the wrong form will result in a validation failure at the TRACES portal.

Here is the complete old-to-new form mapping you must use for FY 2026-27 and beyond:

One critical rule: old forms 24Q, 26Q, 27Q are still valid but only for correction statements or belated returns relating to periods up to 31 March 2026. A deductor filing a correction for Q4 of FY 2025-26 today will use Form 26Q. The Q1 return for FY 2026-27 goes on Form 140. Both series will legitimately coexist during the transition year.

If you need to check the status of your GST filings alongside your income tax TDS obligations, you can check your GST filing status on the portal to keep all compliance on track.

TDS Payment Due Date: Monthly Calendar for FY 2026-27

TDS must be deposited by the 7th of the month following the month of deduction. For March, the deadline extends to 30 April. Government deductors using book adjustment must deposit on the same day of deduction. These deposit timelines are prescribed under Rule 218 of the Income Tax Rules, 2026, which mirrors the earlier Rule 30.

Missing the TDS payment due date attracts interest at 1.5% per month from the date of deduction to the date of actual payment. This interest is charged even if you are one day late. Below is the full monthly TDS payment due date calendar for FY 2026-27:

Note for government deductors: if TDS is paid through challan (not book adjustment), the 7th of the month deadline applies. Only the book-adjustment route requires same-day deposit. March deductions must reach the government by 30 April 2027 for non-government deductors and 7 April 2027 for government offices paying via challan.

TDS Return Due Dates for FY 2025-26: Complete Reference

FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) used the older Income Tax Act 1961 forms. The TDS return due dates for FY 2025-26 are now all past, but you may still need them for filing correction statements, belated returns, or issuing revised TDS certificates.

Any correction statement for a quarter in FY 2025-26 must still go on the old form series. Do not use Form 140 or Form 138 for these corrections. The old forms remain valid for this specific purpose even after 1 April 2026.

The TDS return due date for March 2025 deposit was 30 April 2025. The Q4 FY 2025-26 return filing deadline was 31 May 2026. These timelines are governed by sections 234E and 271H of the Income Tax Act 1961, which continue to apply to all FY 2025-26 transactions.

TCS (Tax Collected at Source) Return Due Dates in 2026

TCS return due dates have shifted under the Income Tax Rules, 2026. The old Form 27EQ was due on 15 July, 15 October, 15 January, and 15 May. The new Form 143 (TCS statement) now follows the same calendar as TDS returns  due on 31 July, 31 October, 31 January, and 31 May. This is an extension, so no default arises from the earlier 15th-of-month system.

The risk for collectors: if your internal reminder system still fires on the 15th, you may wrongly believe a default has occurred when none has. Update all compliance calendars to the 31st-of-month dates for Form 143. Sellers who collect TCS on scrap, minerals, motor vehicles, or foreign remittances fall under this rule.

How to File TDS Return Online in 2026: Step-by-Step Process

Filing a TDS return online in 2026 follows a clear sequence: deduct tax, deposit it to the government, prepare the return file using RPU, validate it using FVU, and then upload it on the e-filing portal. Missing any step or getting the order wrong will create a default intimation from CPC-TDS.

Step 1: Deduct Tax at Source

Deduct tax at the time of payment or credit  whichever happens earlier  using the correct payment code under section 392 (salary) or section 393 (non-salary). The old section codes like 192, 194C, 194J no longer apply to transactions on or after 1 April 2026.

Step 2: Deposit TDS by the Due Date

Pay deducted TDS to the government using the Income Tax e-filing portal under the 'e-Pay Tax' option. Save the challan receipt with BSR code, date of deposit, challan serial number, and minor head. These details feed directly into your TDS return file.

Step 3: Prepare the Return Using RPU

Download the Return Preparation Utility (RPU) from the TIN portal. Enter deductee-wise details: PAN, name, payment code, amount paid, date of payment, date of deduction, tax deducted and deposited, rate applied. For Form 140, a single annexure format works identically across all four quarters.

Step 4: Validate Using FVU

Run the File Validation Utility (FVU) on your prepared file. A successful validation generates a .fvu file. Any PAN errors, challan mismatches, or section code issues will flag here before submission.

Step 5: Upload on e-Filing Portal

Log into the Income Tax e-filing portal. Go to the TDS section and choose 'Upload TDS.' Upload the .fvu file. After successful submission, you receive an acknowledgment and Return Receipt Number (RRN). The old 'Token Number' system has been replaced by the RRN in the new forms.

Step 6: Issue TDS Certificates from TRACES

Once the return is processed at CPC-TDS, generate TDS certificates from TRACES. Form 131 (non-salary) must be issued within 15 days of the filing due date  that is, by 15 August, 15 November, 15 February, and 15 June. Self-generated certificate formats are not valid for FY 2026-27. Certificates must be downloaded from TRACES.

If you need help with GST return filing alongside your income tax TDS compliance, our GST return filing service covers all major returns including GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B.

Penalty for Late TDS Filing and Deposit in 2026

Late filing of TDS returns attracts a fee of Rs. 200 per day under section 427 of the Income Tax Act 2025 (successor to section 234E of the 1961 Act). This fee is capped at the total TDS amount in the return. For transactions up to 31 March 2026, section 234E of the 1961 Act still applies.

No penalty under section 461 (old 271H) is charged if the TDS, interest, and late fee are all paid and the return is filed within one year of the due date. This window exists but should not be relied upon as a routine practice.

For GST-related penalties, you can read the detailed penalty guidelines on our GST penalty page to keep your entire tax compliance picture clear.

What Changed Inside the New TDS Forms 138, 140, 143, 144?

Beyond just renumbering, the Income Tax Department revised the internal structure of all TDS forms for tax year 2026-27. These changes affect how you prepare your return and what information you enter.

The new forms are designed as smart forms with drop-downs, date pickers, and API integration with TRACES. Auto-population pulls your deductor profile details directly, reducing manual entry errors. PAN validation happens in real time, so PAN mismatches surface before submission rather than as post-processing defaults.

TDS certificates also changed format. Form 131 (replacing Form 16A) and Form 130 (replacing Form 16) are the valid certificate formats for tax year 2026-27. If you issue a certificate in the old Form 16A format for a post-March 2026 period, it is not a valid certificate and your deductee cannot use it to claim credit.

TDS Compliance Checklist Before Filing Your Next Quarterly Return

Before you upload your next TDS return, run through these five checks. Missing even one can result in a processing default or a rejected return.

Check 1  Section Master Updated: Your accounting system's section master must use section 392 and 393 payment codes, not the old 194-series codes. Returns using old codes for post-April 2026 transactions will fail FVU validation.

Check 2  Correct Form Series: Use Form 138 for salary TDS, Form 140 for non-salary resident payments, Form 143 for TCS, and Form 144 for non-resident payments. Old forms are only for FY 2025-26 corrections.

Check 3  All Challans Deposited and Reconciled: Every challan for the quarter must be deposited before you file. Reconcile BSR codes, deposit dates, and serial numbers against your deduction register before entering them in the return.

Check 4  Valid PAN for Every Deductee: PAN errors surface as processing defaults at CPC-TDS. Verify every deductee PAN before filing. Invalid or missing PANs lead to higher TDS at 20% and matching failures in the deductee's Form 168.

Check 5  Certificate Timelines in Calendar: Update your internal calendar to show Form 131 issuance deadlines: 15 August, 15 November, 15 February, and 15 June. You cannot issue certificates in the old Form 16A format for FY 2026-27 transactions.

Managing TDS compliance is easier when your GST registrations and filings are also in order. If you need to verify any GSTIN or check registration status, our GST verification tool gives you instant results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the last due date for TDS return in 2026?

For Q1 of FY 2026-27 (April to June 2026), the last due date was 31 July 2026. The Q2 due date is 31 October 2026, Q3 is 31 January 2027, and Q4 is 31 May 2027. These deadlines apply to the new forms 138, 140, and 144 under the Income Tax Act 2025.

Q2: What are the new TDS forms as per Income Tax Act 2025?

The Income Tax Act 2025 introduced Form 138 (salary TDS, replacing 24Q), Form 140 (non-salary resident TDS, replacing 26Q), Form 144 (non-resident TDS, replacing 27Q), and Form 143 (TCS, replacing 27EQ). These new forms are mandatory for all transactions on or after 1 April 2026.

Q3: What is TDS Q1 due date for FY 2025-26?

The TDS Q1 due date for FY 2025-26 was 31 July 2025. This applied to Forms 24Q and 26Q under the Income Tax Act 1961. For FY 2026-27, the Q1 due date is 31 July 2026 using the new Form 138 or Form 140.

Q4: Has the TDS return due date been extended for FY 2026-27?

As of July 2026, no extension has been announced for TDS return due dates for FY 2026-27. The Q1 deadline of 31 July 2026 remains unchanged. Always check the official incometaxindia.gov.in portal for any CBDT notifications on extensions.

Q5: What are forms 24Q, 26Q, 27Q, and 27EQ?

These are the old TDS and TCS return forms under the Income Tax Act 1961. Form 24Q was for salary TDS, 26Q for non-salary resident TDS, 27Q for payments to non-residents, and 27EQ for TCS. From 1 April 2026, these are replaced by Forms 138, 140, 144, and 143 respectively under the Income Tax Rules, 2026.

Q6: Is TDS return monthly or quarterly?

TDS is deducted monthly (or at the time of payment/credit, whichever is earlier) and deposited monthly by the 7th of the following month. But TDS returns are filed quarterly  31 July, 31 October, 31 January, and 31 May. The payment is monthly; the return filing is quarterly.

Q7: What is the TDS payment due date for March 2026?

For non-government deductors, TDS deducted in March 2026 had to be deposited by 30 April 2026. Government offices paying via challan had to deposit by 7 April 2026. This was the last monthly deadline under the old Income Tax Act 1961 framework.

Q8: How can I get my TDS return filed online in 2026?

Download the RPU (Return Preparation Utility) from the TIN portal, enter deductee details, validate using FVU to generate a .fvu file, then upload it on the Income Tax e-filing portal. For FY 2026-27, use the correct new form number  138, 140, or 144 depending on the nature of payment.

Q9: What is the penalty for late TDS filing in 2026?

Late filing of TDS return attracts a fee of Rs. 200 per day under section 427 of the Income Tax Act 2025 (for post-March 2026 transactions). This fee is capped at the total TDS amount in the return. An additional penalty of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 may also be levied under section 461 of the 2025 Act.

Q10: What is the TDS return due date for FY 2026-27 Q4?

The Q4 TDS return due date for FY 2026-27 is 31 May 2027. This covers the January to March 2027 period. The return must be filed on Form 138, Form 140, or Form 144 as applicable, after depositing March 2027 TDS by 30 April 2027.

Q11: Can TDS return be filed after the due date?

Yes, you can file a belated TDS return after the due date. But you must pay the late filing fee of Rs. 200 per day (capped at the TDS amount) before submission. Interest on any delayed deposit must also be paid. Filing within one year of the due date avoids the larger penalty under section 461.

Q12: What happens if TDS is deducted but not deposited on time?

Interest at 1.5% per month is charged from the date of deduction to the date of actual deposit under section 201(1A)(ii) of the Income Tax Act. This interest is computed monthly, with part of a month treated as a full month. In severe cases, prosecution under section 276B can result in imprisonment of 3 months to 7 years.

Q13: Where can I check TDS return filing status?

You can check TDS return status on the TRACES portal (tdscpc.gov.in) after logging in with your TAN. The processing status will show whether the return is processed, or if any defaults have been raised. You can also check your GST filing status on gstregistration.co to manage all your tax compliance in one place.

Conclusion

TDS return due dates for FY 2026-27 follow a clear quarterly calendar: 31 July, 31 October, 31 January, and 31 May. The biggest change for this year is the shift to new form numbers (138, 140, 143, 144) under the Income Tax Act 2025. If you use old form numbers for post-March 2026 transactions, your return will fail at the portal. Monthly TDS payment deadlines remain at the 7th of the following month, with 30 April for March. Stay on top of your PAN verification, challan reconciliation, and certificate issuance within 15 days of the filing deadline. Late filing costs Rs. 200 per day, and interest on delayed deposit runs at 1.5% per month from the date of deduction itself.

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