What are the penalties for late payment of TDS?

A delay in TDS payment leads to 1.5% monthly interest. There can also be penalties under Section 271C for non-payment, which could be equal to the TDS amount.

How do I calculate the TDS penalty and interest on late payments?

Use the formula: Interest = TDS amount × 1.5% × number of months delayed (part month counted as full)

What are the due dates for TDS payment and filing returns?

TDS must be paid by the 7th of the following month, except for March (due by 30th April). Returns must be filed quarterly—by July 31, Oct 31, Jan 31, and May 31.

How can I avoid TDS penalties and interest charges?

Deposit TDS on time, use correct challans, file quarterly returns before the deadline, and double-check PAN/TAN details before submission.

TDS Penalty for Late Payment and Filing

Paying and filing TDS on time is more than just a compliance requirement; it helps avoid penalties, interest charges, and legal trouble. If you delay TDS payments or filings, the Income Tax Department can levy strict charges. Understanding the TDS penalty for late payment, how interest is calculated, and how you can avoid unnecessary costs can help you out.

BOOK A FREE DEMO

TDS

Overview of TDS Penalties

The payer must deduct TDS before making payments like salary, rent, or contractor fees, and deposit it with the government within a specified time. Failing to comply can result in:

Interest on late TDS deposit
Penalties for delay in TDS payment
Late filing fees for not submitting TDS returns on time
Potential prosecution in serious cases

TDS Penalty for Late Payment

When TDS is deducted but not deposited within the deadline, it leads to interest and penalty. The TDS penalty for late payment includes:

Interest at 1.5% per month (or part thereof) from date of deduction to date of deposit
Penalty under Section 271C , which may equal the amount of TDS not deposited

Forms for Filing TDS Returns

Depending on the transaction type, different forms are used to report TDS:

Form 24Q: For TDS on salary payments
Form 26Q: For all other non-salary payments (rent, interest, professional fees)
Form 27Q: For payments made to non-residents

These forms must be filed quarterly to maintain compliance and avoid late filing penalties.

TDS Due Dates

TDS Payment Due Dates

Within 7 days from the end of the month in which TDS is deducted
For March, the due date is extended to 30th April

TDS deposited after these dates will attract interest and possibly penalties

How to Calculate TDS Penalty and Interest

Let’s say you deducted ₹10,000 as TDS on 1st July but deposited it on 20th August. Here’s how the TDS payment interest would be calculated:

Delay = July + August = 2 months (even partial months are counted as full)
Interest = ₹10,000 × 1.5% × 2 = ₹300

This ₹300 represents your interest liability, which increases with each passing day.

Interest on Late Deposit of TDS

Under Section 201(1A) of the Income Tax Act, the deductor has to pay:

1% per month: From due date till the date of deduction (if deduction itself is delayed)
1.5% per month: From date of deduction till the date of deposit (if deposit is delayed)

Steps to Avoid TDS Penalties

Set reminders for TDS due dates
Use TDS filing software to automate calculations
Verify all challan details before payment
Cross-check PAN and TAN numbers to avoid errors
File returns before the deadline every quarter

TDS Penalty Charges for Delayed Payments

Here’s a quick summary of possible TDS penalty charges:

Type of Default	Penalty/Interest Charged
Late Deduction	1% per month interest under Section 201(1A)
Late Deposit After Deduction	1.5% per month interest under Section 201(1A)
Late Filing of TDS Return	₹200 per day under Section 234E (Max: TDS amount)
Non-filing or incorrect filing	Penalty up to ₹1,00,000 under Section 271H
Failure to deposit TDS	Penalty equal to TDS amount under Section 271C

Susheel Kumar

Chartered Accountant

MRN No.: 096252

City: Delhi

I am a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience and a finance content writer. I focus on educating people about finance and taxation. I have written many blog posts on finance, taxation, trading, and investment on the BUSY website. My goal is to increase financial understanding by making complex concepts easier to grasp and to support educational programs in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the penalties for late payment of TDS?

A delay in TDS payment leads to 1.5% monthly interest. There can also be penalties under Section 271C for non-payment, which could be equal to the TDS amount.
How do I calculate the TDS penalty and interest on late payments?

Use the formula:
Interest = TDS amount × 1.5% × number of months delayed (part month counted as full)
What are the due dates for TDS payment and filing returns?

TDS must be paid by the 7th of the following month, except for March (due by 30th April). Returns must be filed quarterly—by July 31, Oct 31, Jan 31, and May 31.
How can I avoid TDS penalties and interest charges?

Deposit TDS on time, use correct challans, file quarterly returns before the deadline, and double-check PAN/TAN details before submission.

View all FAQs