TDS Return Quarterly Filing: Due Dates, Forms and Filing Process

Introduction

TDS Return Quarterly Filing is an important compliance requirement for persons who deduct tax at source on specified payments. The deductor must report details such as TAN, deductee PAN, payment amount, tax deducted and tax deposited within the prescribed timeline.

From Tax Year 2026-27, Forms 138, 140 and 144 apply to the main quarterly TDS statements discussed in this guide.

What Is TDS and Why Is Quarterly Filing Required?

Tax Deducted at Source, commonly known as TDS, is a mechanism under which tax is deducted when specified payments are made or credited, subject to the applicable provisions of the Income-tax law.

There is no single common threshold or rate for every type of payment. The rate, threshold, timing and other conditions depend on the nature of the payment and the relevant provision.

After deducting and depositing the tax, the deductor generally reports the transaction through the applicable quarterly statement. TDS Return Quarterly Filing helps the Income Tax Department match the tax reported by the deductor with the tax credit available to the deductee.

The statement may require details such as:

• Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN)
• PAN and other prescribed details of the deductee
• Nature and amount of payment
• Amount of tax deducted
• Date of deduction and deposit
• Challan and payment details

Incorrect reporting may affect the deductee’s tax credit and may require rectification of the statement.

What Is the TDS Return Due Date for Quarterly Filing?

Quarterly TDS statements cover four reporting periods during a tax year. The Income Tax Department’s user manuals for Forms 138, 140 and 144 list the following general filing schedule.

Businesses should keep deductee, challan and payment information ready before the applicable TDS Return Due Date instead of waiting until the final filing date.

What TDS Return Forms Apply From Tax Year 2026-27?

From Tax Year 2026-27, revised TDS Return Forms apply under the Income-tax Act, 2025 framework. Deductors can also refer to Ebizfiling’s guide on new TDS and TCS forms for the transition from the earlier forms to the forms applicable from TY 2026-27.

Form 138 covers salary TDS reporting by employers. Specified banks also use it for applicable reporting relating to pension or interest. The Income Tax Department identifies Form 138 as the successor to Form 24Q.

Form 140 replaces Form 26Q for relevant non-salary payments made to resident deductees. These may include professional fees, commission, rent and interest where TDS provisions apply. For the earlier framework, readers may refer to the Form 26Q guide.

Form 144 replaces Form 27Q for specified non-salary payments made to non-residents.

Deductors should choose the applicable form based on the nature of payment, deductee status and reporting period.

How to File TDS Return Quarterly Online?

The current TDS Return Filing Online procedure generally involves preparing the statement through the applicable Return Preparation Utility, validating the data and then uploading the validated FVU ZIP file through the Income Tax e-Filing portal. The official manuals for Forms 138, 140 and 144 follow this workflow.

The basic process for TDS Return Quarterly Filing is:

• Visit the Protean portal and access the e-TDS/e-TCS section.
• Open the quarterly return section for the applicable statement.
• Download the latest Return Preparation Utility or RPU.
• Enter the required deductor, deductee, challan and TDS details.
• Validate the statement and generate the FVU file.
• Convert the validated FVU file into the prescribed ZIP format.
• Log in to the Income Tax e-Filing portal using the deductor’s TAN.
• Go to e-File > Income Tax Forms > File Income Tax Forms.
• Select the category for deduction and collection at source.
• Choose Form 138, Form 140 or Form 144, as applicable.
• Select the applicable Tax Year, quarter and upload type. For TY 2026-27, use only the filing options currently available on the e-Filing portal. File a correction statement only after the Department enables the facility for that Tax Year.
• Upload the ZIP file containing the validated FVU file.
• Complete the prescribed electronic verification.
• Check the filed-form status to determine whether the statement has been accepted or rejected.

As of 26 August 2026, the Income Tax Department states that filing of TDS/TCS correction statements for TY 2026-27 will be enabled shortly. Deductors should check the live portal before attempting a correction. Where an already processed statement requires modification, businesses may also seek assistance with TDS Return Revision, subject to the correction facility available for the applicable Tax Year.

If portal validation rejects a regular statement, the deductor can rectify the identified error and upload a fresh regular FVU ZIP file.

What Happens If TDS Return Quarterly Filing Is Delayed?

Missing the applicable filing deadline can result in a statutory late-filing fee.

Section 427(1) of the Income-tax Act, 2025, as substituted by the Finance Act, 2026, provides a fee of ₹200 for every day for which the failure to furnish the prescribed statement continues. Under Section 427(2), the fee cannot exceed the amount of tax deductible or collectible and must be paid before furnishing the delayed statement.

For example, if a quarterly statement is filed 10 days late, the initial late-fee computation would be ₹2,000, subject to the statutory cap.

Apart from the late-filing fee under Section 427, Section 461 allows the Assessing Officer to impose a penalty ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000 for failure to furnish the prescribed TDS statement on time or for furnishing incorrect information. However, for delay or non-filing, the penalty does not apply if the deductor pays the tax, applicable fee and interest and furnishes the statement within one month from the prescribed due date.

TDS Return Filing Assistance by Ebizfiling

Ebizfiling can assist businesses and other deductors with:

• Reviewing TDS filing information and applicable quarterly requirements
• Identifying the relevant TDS return form based on available transaction details
• Assisting with preparation of the quarterly statement
• Reviewing PAN, TAN, challan and deductee information provided for filing
• Supporting TDS Return Quarterly Filing and post-filing record review

Assisting with identified validation issues or correction requirements when the applicable correction facility is available

Need assistance with quarterly TDS return filing? Ebizfiling can help with form selection, statement preparation, validation review and online filing support.

Conclusion

TDS Return Quarterly Filing requires correct form selection, accurate reporting and submission within the applicable quarterly deadline. From TY 2026-27, Forms 138, 140 and 144 apply according to the relevant payment and deductee category. Deductors should use the latest RPU and FVU requirements and check the live e-Filing portal before attempting a TY 2026-27 correction statement.

Frequently Asked Questions