The moment your business grows past a certain point, you become responsible for deducting tax at source (TDS) on some payments — and depositing it with the government. Getting this wrong invites penalties, so here's the essence.
What TDS is
On certain payments — salaries, contractor fees, rent, professional fees, commission — you must deduct a small percentage before paying, and deposit it against the payee's PAN. They then get credit for it.
Your responsibilities as a deductor
- Get a TAN (Tax Deduction Account Number).
- Deduct TDS at the right rate on applicable payments.
- Deposit it by the monthly due date.
- File quarterly TDS returns and issue Form 16/16A.
Common mistakes
Forgetting to deduct on rent or professional fees, depositing late (interest applies), or not filing returns (which blocks the payee's credit and attracts late fees). Consistency is everything.
TDS is routine once set up: deduct, deposit, file, repeat each quarter. If it feels like a burden, it's the kind of compliance that's cheap to outsource.
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This article is for general information based on rules current at the time of writing and is not professional advice. Rules change — confirm specifics with a GovYapar expert before acting.
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