FAQs

A deductor would face the following consequences if he fails to deduct TDS or after deducting the same fails to deposit
it to the credit of Central Government’s account:-
a) Disallowance of expenditure
As per section 40(a)(i) of the Income-tax Act, any sum (other than salary) payable outside India or to a non-resident, which is chargeable to tax in India in the hands of the recipient, shall not be allowed to be deducted if it is paid without deduction of tax at source or if tax is deducted but is not deposited with the Central Government till the due date of filing of return.
However, if tax is deducted or deposited in subsequent year, as the case may be, the expenditure shall be allowed as deduction in that year. Similarly, as per section 40(a)(ia), any sum payable to a resident, which is subject to deduction of tax at source, would attract 30% disallowance if it is paid without deduction of tax at source or if tax is deducted but is not deposited with the Central Government till the due date of filing of return. However, where in respect of any such sum, tax is deducted or deposited in subsequent year, as the case may be, the expenditure so disallowed shall be allowed as deduction in that year.
b) Levy of interest
As per section 201 of the Income-tax Act, if a deductor fails to deduct tax at source or after the deducting the same fails to deposit it to the Government’s account then he shall be deemed to be an assessee-in-default and liable to pay simple interest as follows:- (i) at one per cent for every month or part of a month on the amount of such tax from the date on which such tax was deductible to the date on which such tax is deducted; and (ii) at one and one-half per cent for every month or part of a month on the amount of such tax from the date on which such tax was deducted to the date on which such tax is actually paid.
c) Levy of Penalty
Penalty of an amount equal to tax not deducted or paid could be imposed under section 271C.

A deductor who fails to deduct the whole or any part of the tax on the sum paid to a resident or on the sum credited to the account of a resident shall not be deemed to be an assessee-in-default in respect of such tax if such resident—
(i) has furnished his return of income under section 139;
(ii) has taken into account such sum for computing income in such return of income; and
(iii) has paid the tax due on the income declared by him in such return of income,
and the deductor furnishes a certificate to this effect in Form No.26A from a chartered accountant.

In such a case, the payee can claim the refund of entire/excess amount of TDS (as the case may be) by filing the return of income.

It is the duty and responsibility of the payer to deduct tax at source. If the payer fails to deduct tax at source, then the payee will not have to face any adverse consequences. However, in such a case, the payee will have to discharge his tax liability. Thus, failure of the payer to deduct tax at source will not relieve the payee from payment of tax on his income.

Following are the basic duties of the person who is liable to deduct tax at source.
• He shall obtain Tax Deduction Account Number and quote the same in all the documents pertaining to TDS.
• He shall deduct the tax at source at the applicable rate.
• He shall pay the tax deducted by him at source to the credit of the Government (by the due date specified in this regard*).
• He shall file the periodic TDS statements, i.e., TDS return (by the due date specified in this regard*).
• He shall issue the TDS certificate to the payee in respect of tax deducted by him (by the due date specified in this regard*).
*Refer tax calendar for the due dates.

To know the quantum of the tax deducted by the payer, you can ask the payer to furnish you a TDS certificate in respect of tax deducted by him. You can also check Form 26AS from your e-filing account at https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
You can also use the “View Your Tax Credit” facility available at www.incometaxindia.gov.in

Non-reflection of TDS credit in Form 26AS can be due to several reasons like non-filing of TDS statement by the payer, quoting incorrect PAN of the deductee in the TDS statement filed by the payer. Thus, in case of non-reflection of TDS credit in Form 26AS, the payee has to contact the payer for ascertaining the correct reasons for non-reflection of the TDS credit in Form 26AS.

As per section 206AA, if you do not furnish your Permanent Account Number to the payer (i.e., deductor), then the deductor shall deduct tax at the higher of the following rates :
• At the rate specified in the relevant provision of the Act.
• At the rate or rates in force, i.e., the rate prescribed in the Finance Act.
• At the rate of 20%.

i) payment of interest on long-term bonds as referred to in section 194LC; and
ii) any other payment subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.

As per section 206AA, a declaration in Form No. 15G or Form No. 15H is not a valid declaration, if it does not contain PAN of the person making the declaration. If the declaration is without the PAN, then tax is to be deducted at higher of following rates :
• At the rate specified in the relevant provision of the Act.
• At the rate or rates in force, i.e., the rate prescribed in the Finance Act.
• At the rate of 20%.

Yes, failure to remit tax deducted by me in the government’s account within stipulated time-limit would attract interest, penalty and rigorous imprisonment of upto seven years.

Yes, the tax credit in your case will be reflected in your Form 26AS and, hence, you can check Form 26AS and claim the credit of the tax accordingly. However, the claim of TDS to be made in your return of income should be strictly as per the TDS credit being reflected in Form 26AS. If there is any discrepancy in the tax actually deducted and the tax credit being reflected in Form 26AS then you should intimate the same to the deductor and should reconcile the difference. The credit granted by the Income-tax Department will be as per Form 26AS.

Yes, Finance Act, 2013 has introduced section 194-IA which provides for deduction of tax at source in case of payment of sale consideration of immovable property (other than rural agricultural land) to a resident. Section 194-IA is not applicable if the seller is a non-resident. Tax is to be deducted @ 1%. No tax is to be deducted if the consideration is below Rs. 50,00,000. If the sale consideration exceeds Rs. 50,00,000, then tax is to be deducted on the entire amount and not only on the amount exceeding Rs. 50,00,000.
If the seller is a non-resident then tax is be deducted under section 195 and not under section 194-IA. Thus, in case of purchase of property from non-resident TDS provisions of section 195 will apply and not of section 194-IA

PAN stands for Permanent Account Number and TAN stands for Tax Deduction Account Number. TAN is to be obtained by the person responsible to deduct tax, i.e., the deductor. In all the documents relating to TDS and all the correspondence with the Income-tax Department relating to TDS one has to quote his TAN. PAN cannot be used for TAN, hence, the deductor has to obtain TAN, even if he holds PAN. However, in case of TDS on purchase of land and building (as per section 194-IA) as discussed in previous FAQ, the deductor is not required to obtain TAN and can use PAN for remitting the TDS.