The Income Tax Act prescribes different TDS rates on salary, rent, interest, professional fees, and other payments. For FY 2025-26, taxpayers and businesses need to be aware of updated rates, threshold limits, and due dates to stay compliant. This guide explains everything clearly, with section-wise tables and examples.
What is TDS and Why is it Important?
Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is a system where tax is deducted at the time income is paid, rather than at the year-end. It ensures steady government revenue and reduces tax evasion. For taxpayers, it means advance payment of taxes and smooth credit adjustment when filing returns.
The main purpose of TDS is to collect tax in advance, distribute the tax burden evenly, and make compliance easier. It works on a “pay-as-you-earn” basis.
For taxpayers, TDS provides tax credits automatically in Form 26AS . For businesses, TDS compliance means monitoring TDS threshold limits, deducting at the right rates, depositing tax within TDS due dates, and filing accurate quarterly returns.
Different sections of the Income Tax Act cover different types of payments. Knowing the rates and limits under each section is essential for correct deduction.
Section | Nature of Payment | Threshold Limit | TDS Rate |
---|---|---|---|
192 | Tds on salary | N/A | Slab Rate |
194A | Tds on interest | ₹50,000 (banks), ₹1 lakh (senior citizens), ₹10,000 (others) | 10% |
194I | Tds on rent | ₹6 lakh p.a. or ₹50,000 monthly | 10% (land/building), 2% (PL/Furniture) |
194J | Tds on professional fees | ₹30,000 p.a. | 10% |
194H | Tds on commission/brokerage | ₹20,000 p.a. | 2% |
194/194K | Tds on dividend | ₹10,000 p.a. | 10% |
Thresholds are fixed amounts below which no TDS is required. They prevent unnecessary deductions for small incomes.
Taxpayers can submit Form 15G or 15H to claim exemption if their income is below taxable limits. Certain government bodies and notified entities are also exempt from TDS.
Timely deposit and filing are key to compliance. Missing TDS due dates leads to penalties and interest.
Payments are made via TDS challan and must follow the schedule below.
For steps and forms, see TDS Return Filing guidelines before the deadlines.
Understanding TDS on salary, TDS on rent , TDS on interest, and other sections is essential for compliance in FY 2025-26. With revised TDS threshold limits and strict TDS due dates, businesses must ensure timely deduction, deposit, and return filing. For taxpayers, TDS simplifies tax payment by giving advance credit at the time of income itself.
No TDS is deducted if bank interest is below ₹50,000 for senior citizens or ₹10,000 for others.
Payments to contractors are exempt if a single contract is below ₹30,000 or yearly total is below ₹1 lakh.
Interest of 1% per month for late deduction and 1.5% per month for late deposit applies, along with late filing fees.
The deductor may be liable to pay the shortfall, face penalties, and risk disallowance of expenses in tax computation.