Tax Deducted at Source or TDS is the process wherein tax deduction takes place at the time of payment or when the payee’s account is credited with the money.

TDS return is a statement submitted to the Income Tax Department quarterly. Every deductor should mandatorily file the TDS return on time.

To file a TDS return, one must be thorough with the application procedure and the eligibility criteria. We present this article on how to file a TDS return to go over each segment thoroughly.

Read on to know more!

While filing TDS returns online, an individual should carry some of the essential documents. The list of documents are as follows:

• PAN cards of the deductee and the deductor
• Tax amount paid to the government
• Details of TDS challan
• Other paperwork, if needed

Now let us see the step-by-step procedure on how to file TDS returns online.

Steps to follow to file TDS returns

Deductors must use Form 27A to file returns along with quarterly statements. This form summarises the quarterly statements and contains the amount paid and the TDS. Take a look at the process of how to file a TDS return.

• A control chart is present on the form. Fill up all the columns in that chart.
• Carefully fill the sections of the amount paid and the Tax Deducted at Source by tallying it with respective forms.
• The assessee must enter their Tax Deduction Account Number (TAN) in this form for accurate verification.
• It is also crucial to mention the details of a TDS deposit while filing the return.
• As per the basic e-TDS return form format, one must enter the 7-digit Bank Branch Code or BSR code. The Reserve Bank of India gives this code to banks.
• To file a TDS return online, assessees should follow a certain format. This is achievable using software named Return Prepare Utility (e-TDS RPU) from the NSDL (National Securities Depositories Ltd). It is important to note that the file must come with a ‘txt’ filename extension.
• Now the deductor has to sign the form digitally and submit the same in the NSDL Tax Information Network portal. To know how to submit a TDS return online, one must be accustomed to digital signatures.
• After submission, an individual will receive an acknowledgement receipt containing a token number. In case of rejection of returns, the deductor will receive a non-acceptance memo stating the reasons for rejection.

Note: If an assessee wishes to file a TDS return in an offline mode, he needs to visit the nearby facilitation center under NSDL.

Besides knowing how to file TDS returns in a step-by-step process, an employee or an organization needs to fulfill the eligibility for Tax Deducted at Source returns. To that end, availing valid TAN (Tax Collection and Deduction Account Number) is a must before filing for a TDS return. 

An individual making a transaction under the Income Tax Act needs to deduct tax at the source and deposit the same within an allotted time. Some payments for which one needs to file a TDS return are as follows:

• Salary payments
• Income earned by winning lotteries, puzzles, etc.
• Income generated from securities
• Accruing income from competing in horse races and winning 
• Insurance commission
• Rent payment
• Interest earnings
• Sale/purchase of immovable property
• Any payments concerning National Saving Scheme and other schemes

Here under listed some advantages of filing these returns in the following section.

• Decrease in tax burden- Filing TDS returns ensures a reduction in lump-sum tax payment at year-end by dividing the amount over several months. This will, in turn, reduce a taxpayer’s burden at year-end.
• Reduction in tax evasion- The Income Tax Department collects the TDS amount submitted by the deductor. This amount includes a portion of the deductee’s tax during submission. Therefore, by filing for TDS, one can avoid tax evasion.
• Maintenance of income flow- TDS allows regular income flow to the government.

Therefore, it is advisable to learn how to file a TDS return without much ado and yield maximum benefits from the process.