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TDS Quarterly Return — Q4 FY 2025-26 (January–March 2026)

Q4 TDS returns for FY 2025-26 covering January–March 2026 deductions. The Q4 return is the most critical quarterly filing as it determines the annual TDS reconciliation, Form 16 / 16A generation, and may impact employee ITR filing.

Due Date

31 May 2026

Form

24Q / 26Q / 27Q

Applicable To

All TDS deductors — salary (24Q), non-salary payments (26Q), foreign payments (27Q)

Penalty for late filing

Late filing fee ₹200/day under Section 234E (max = TDS amount); Penalty up to ₹1L under Section 271H

Q4 TDS Return: What Makes It Different

The Q4 TDS return (January–March) is not just another quarterly filing. It carries additional obligations:

  1. Salary TDS (24Q): Q4 is your chance to reconcile all 12 months' salary TDS. Employees who claimed additional deductions (HRA, home loan, 80C investments, NPS) should have submitted proof by March — factor these into Q4 TDS computation to minimise refunds/demands.

  2. Form 16 / 16A Issuance: You cannot issue Form 16 (salary) or Form 16A (non-salary) until Q4 returns are filed and processed. Form 16 must be issued by 15th June 2026 to employees.

  3. Lower TDS Certificates: Any valid Section 197 certificates (lower/nil TDS) expiring on 31st March must be renewed. TDS deducted at lower rates needs to be correctly reported per the certificate number.

Return-wise Due Dates

| Return | Period | Nature | Due Date | |---|---|---|---| | 24Q | Q4 (Jan–Mar 2026) | Salary TDS | 31st May 2026 | | 26Q | Q4 (Jan–Mar 2026) | Non-salary (domestic) | 31st May 2026 | | 27Q | Q4 (Jan–Mar 2026) | Non-residents | 31st May 2026 |

Common Q4 Errors to Avoid

Q4 is when annual TDS mismatches surface. Errors in Q4 24Q often cause Form 26AS mismatches, which then trigger income tax notices to both the deductor and employees.

  • PAN errors: All PAN numbers must match TRACES records — use TRACES bulk PAN verification before filing
  • Challan mismatch: Ensure all challans are mapped correctly in the return; unmapped challans cause processing failures
  • Year-end accruals: TDS on March accruals (salary, professional fees) must be reported even if payment is made in April
  • Section 194P (Senior Citizens): If deducting TDS under the senior citizen simplified regime, report under the correct nature-of-payment code

Action Checklist

  • [ ] Collect all investment/deduction proofs from salary employees (Form 12BB)
  • [ ] Reconcile March TDS challans against OLTAS (TRACES)
  • [ ] Run final salary TDS computation for Q4 (including full-year reconciliation)
  • [ ] Download all challans using TRACES and link to the return
  • [ ] File 24Q, 26Q, 27Q on TRACES by 31st May 2026
  • [ ] Issue Form 16A for Q4 non-salary TDS by June 15th

Need help with this filing?

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