Guide on TDS Return Filing, Eligibility, Process and Procedure

TDS or Tax Deducted at Source is a source of collecting tax by the Government of India and it is done at the time of every transaction. This type of tax is usually deducted at the time when expense is incurred. 

What is TDS Return?

Besides depositing the tax, the deductor must also file a TDS Return. This is a quarterly statement that has to be given to the I-T department, and it is mandatory for deductors to present or submit a TDS return at the expected time. 

Here are the details needed to file TDS returns:

• PAN of the deductor and the deductee
• Tax amount paid to the government
• Information of TDS challan
• Others, if any

Who is required to deduct TDS?

There is no need to deduct TDS if the expense is incurred an individual or HUF whose books are not liable to be audited. But, if the rental payments of an Individual / HUF exceeds Rs.50,000/- per month, they are required to deduct TDS. If the deductee does not own a PAN, TDS can be deducted at a higher rate of 20%.

TDS Return Filing

TDS returns must be filed in a particular time limit, below are mentioned period when TDS returns have to be done every year.

The TDS return forms vary depending on the purpose of the deduction. Check out the various types of TDS Return Forms below:

With a signed verification in Form No. 27A, these returns have to be in company, and it is a form that checks the statements every quarterly. This has to be filed by deductors along with quarterly statements. It sums up the control totals of income tax deducted at source and the amount paid, and most importantly, this amount should match with the totals in the TDS return.

TDS Return Submission

Individuals are legally responsible to submit TDS return only if TDS is deducted from his/her salary or income. It is compulsory to file TDS return within the expected dates which are mentioned above. In case, if an individual does not file the return within the due date, that particular individual will be liable for the penalty amount.
The following are the people who are liable to file TDS return every quarter:

• People whose accounts are Audited u/s44AB
• People now own an office under the Government
• Company

TDS Return Filing Process

Consider the following points to file an error-free TDS return:

• Form 27A is a form that contains a control chart, and all the columns in this form must be filled out. Verify this form thoroughly before filing the TDS return electronically.
• The total amount paid and the tax deducted at source must be filled correctly and fill the same amount in all the forms. The forms include Form No. 27A, Form No. 26, Form No. 24 and Form No. 27.
• The person who is filing TDS returns is needed to mention their Tax Deduction Account Number (TAN) in Form No. 27A. The same has to be filled if the person is filing an e-TDS return. This is determined by ‘sub-section (2) of section 203A of the I-T Act in India’.
• While filing the TDS return, the person should be very careful and ensure that the details of the tax-deducted deposit at the source are mentioned accurately without any errors.
• The basic form which has been applied for e-TDS return mentioned by the department is mandatory to follow. As it brings regularity and better understanding in filling the respective forms. It is required to mention the BSR code or the Bank Branch code, the 7-digit code provided to every bank by the Reserve Bank of India.
• TDS return must be filed in the ASCII clean text format. To get this format, you can use software such as MS Excel, Computex or Tally. Also, it is also recommended to use software available at NSDL website which is known as Return Prepare Utility (e-TDS RPU Light) for filing the returns online. Note that the online TDS return file formats comes only with ‘txt’ as the filename extension.
• The physical TDS returns are filed at any TIN-FCs managed by NSDL. TIN-FCs are found in many places across the country.
• If TDS returns are filed online, then you can visit the NSDL TIN website and file the return. While filing online, the deductor has to sign the TDS return via digital signature.
• When filing the return, if all the information and amounts mentioned in the forms are accurate then an acknowledgement number will be issued, declaring the fact that the TDS return has been filed. If the return is not accepted due to any errors, then a non-acceptance memo will be released together with the reasons for rejection. 

Validation process for TDS Return File

The procedure for the validation process of the TDS return file is detailed below:

• First, fill all the required details in the file
• next, update the details in the portal validation utility tool
• This validation utility tool is available on the NSDL website and it is free
• If there are any errors in the file, FVU will issue a report for the same
• Modify the necessary changes or errors and verify the file again via the FVU

Delay in filing TDS Return

Delaying in filing TDS return result in penalty. According to Section 234E, if an individual fails to file his/her TDS Return within the expected date, a penalty of Rs.200/- per day is charged. However, keep in mind that the total penalty of TDS return filing not exceeds the TDS amount.

Non-filing of TDS Return

If an individual who is liable to File TDS Return has not filed the return for about 1 year from the due date of filing return or if an individual has provided incorrect information, then that individual will be liable for penalty. The penalty imposed should not be below Rs10,000 and not more than Rs.1, 00,000.

Conclusion

TDS is applicable to various types of income such as salary, interest, commission, rent, etc. The rate of TDS and the due date for depositing the TDS with the government varies depending on the nature of the income and the status of the recipient.

Filing TDS returns is mandatory for all entities that have deducted TDS during the year. The due date for filing TDS returns is 31st July for the first quarter, 31st October for the second quarter, 31st January for the third quarter, and 31st May for the fourth quarter.