TDS Return Due July 31: 5 Changes You Can't Miss
The Q1 TDS and TCS return for April–June 2026 must be filed by July 31, 2026. New forms and updated section codes under the Income-tax Act, 2025 are now in effect. Missing the deadline triggers daily penalties that add up fast.
Missing the TDS deadline costs more per day than your morning chai and commute combined.
Your TDS filing delay costs you this much every single day
Key Takeaways
Download the updated TDS return forms from the TRACES or Income Tax portal before filing — do not reuse last year's Excel templates.
Check that all section codes used in your TDS challan entries match the revised codes under the Income-tax Act, 2025 to avoid mismatches.
File your Q1 return on or before July 31, 2026 — even a one-day delay triggers a ₹200 per day late fee under Section 234E.
The Q1 TDS and TCS return for April–June 2026 must be filed by July 31, 2026. New forms and updated section codes under the Income-tax Act, 2025 are now in effect. Missing the deadline triggers daily penalties that add up fast.
Here's what happened: Q1 TDS and TCS returns covering April to June 2026 are due by July 31, 2026, under the Income-tax Act, 2025.. New return forms and revised section codes have replaced older formats, meaning last year's filing templates may now be outdated.. Under Section 234E, a late filing fee of ₹200 per day applies from the due date until the return is actually submitted..
What you should do: Download the updated TDS return forms from the TRACES or Income Tax portal before filing — do not reuse last year's Excel templates.. Check that all section codes used in your TDS challan entries match the revised codes under the Income-tax Act, 2025 to avoid mismatches.. File your Q1 return on or before July 31, 2026 — even a one-day delay triggers a ₹200 per day late fee under Section 234E..
A TDS mismatch between your challan section code and the return entry can trigger a defective filing notice even if you submitted on time — always reconcile Form 26AS before hitting submit.
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- [1]“TDS Return Filing 2026: Q1 Due on July 31, Check New Forms and Section Codes” mint - money · 19 Jul 2026
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