Budget 2026 Update: Changes in TDS and TCS from 1 April 2026

Budget 2026: Key Amendments in TDS & TCS Framework (Effective from 1 April 2026)

The Union Budget 2026 has introduced wide-ranging reforms in the TDS and TCS provisions under the Income-tax Act, 2025. These measures are aimed at rate rationalisation, simplification of compliance, removal of ambiguities, taxpayer relief, and selective decriminalisation of offences.

Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, all amendments will come into force from 1 April 2026 and apply from Tax Year 2026–27 onwards.

1. Rationalisation of TCS Rates – Section 394(1)

Earlier, Section 394(1) prescribed multiple and inconsistent TCS rates across different categories of transactions. Budget 2026 proposes to standardise TCS rates wherever feasible, while also granting rate relief in select cases.

Revised TCS Rate Structure

Sl. No. Nature of Receipt Existing Rate Proposed Rate
1 Sale of alcoholic liquor for human consumption 1% 2%
2 Sale of tendu leaves 5% 2%
3 Sale of scrap 1% 2%
4 Sale of minerals (coal, lignite, iron ore) 1% 2%
5(a) LRS remittance – education / medical treatment exceeding ₹10 lakh 5% 2%
5(b) LRS remittance – other purposes 20% 20% (unchanged)
6 Overseas tour programme package Tiered (5% / 20%) 2% flat

2. Overseas Tour Programme Package – Significant Relief

Earlier Regime

  • 5% TCS on amounts up to ₹10 lakh

  • 20% TCS on amounts exceeding ₹10 lakh

Budget 2026 Change

  • Uniform TCS rate of 2%

  • ₹10 lakh threshold removed

  • Applicable irrespective of transaction value

Impact

  • Substantial reduction in tax burden on travellers

  • Prevents diversion of business to foreign tour operators

  • Simplifies compliance for Indian tour operators

3. Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) – Rate Reduction

For remittances under RBI’s LRS:

Purpose Earlier TCS Revised TCS
Education / Medical treatment (above ₹10 lakh) 5% 2%
Other purposes 20% No change

This amendment provides notable relief to students and individuals remitting funds for medical treatment abroad.

4. Electronic Filing for Lower / Nil TDS Certificates – Section 395

Earlier Position

  • Manual application before the Assessing Officer

  • Lengthy and compliance-intensive process

Amendment under Budget 2026

  • Payees can now apply electronically

  • Application to be made before a prescribed income-tax authority

  • Certificate may be:

    • Issued electronically, or

    • Rejected if conditions are not met or details are incomplete

Benefit

  • Faster processing

  • Improved transparency

  • Major compliance relief for small and medium taxpayers

5. TDS on Supply of Manpower – Ambiguity Clarified

Issue Earlier

Confusion existed on whether manpower supply should be classified as:

  • Contract work (1% / 2%), or

  • Technical / professional services (up to 10%)

Budget 2026 Clarification

  • Supply of manpower is explicitly included under “work” in Section 402(47)

Applicable TDS Rates

  • 1% – where payee is Individual or HUF

  • 2% – in all other cases

Outcome

  • Uniform tax treatment

  • Reduced litigation and interpretational disputes

6. Deduction Allowed to Non-Life Insurance Business for Delayed TDS

Earlier Issue

  • Expenses were disallowed if TDS was not deducted or paid on time

  • No explicit provision for allowing deduction in a subsequent year

Budget 2026 Amendment

  • Schedule XIV amended

  • New provision allows deduction in the year in which TDS is deducted and paid

Applicability

  • Non-life insurance businesses

  • Effective from AY 2026–27 onwards

7. Decriminalisation and Rationalisation of TDS/TCS Offences

Fully Decriminalised Defaults

Failure to deposit TDS relating to:

  • Lottery or crossword puzzle winnings

  • Benefits or perquisites arising from business or profession

➡️ No imprisonment prescribed

Revised Punishment Structure (Selected Cases)

Applicable to:

  • Online gaming winnings

  • Virtual Digital Asset (VDA) transactions

Amount of TDS Default Punishment
Above ₹50 lakh Imprisonment up to 2 years / fine / both
₹10 lakh – ₹50 lakh Imprisonment up to 6 months / fine / both
Other cases Fine only

Wholly in-kind transactions involving online gaming or VDAs are excluded from prosecution.

8. TDS on Sale of Immovable Property by Non-Residents – Procedural Ease

Earlier

  • Buyer was required to obtain TAN for TDS compliance

Now

  • TDS can be deposited using PAN-based challan

  • No TAN required

Impact

  • Simplified property transactions with NRIs

  • Reduced compliance burden for resident buyers

Effective Date

✔ 1 April 2026
✔ Applicable from Tax Year 2026–27 onwards

Closing Note

With these comprehensive reforms, Budget 2026 significantly reshapes the TDS–TCS landscape, balancing automation, relief, and enforcement. Taxpayers, professionals, tour operators, insurers, and businesses engaged in manpower supply or cross-border remittances should realign systems, contracts, and compliance processes well ahead of 1 April 2026.

January 2026: Complete Compliance & Filing Schedule for Businesses

January marks more than just the start of a new calendar year—it is also one of the busiest compliance months for businesses, professionals, and employers. A tight cluster of statutory obligations such as GST returns, TDS filings, PF-ESI contributions, and MCA compliances leaves little room for error. Missing even one due date can trigger late fees, interest, penalties, or system-generated notices.

As we enter January 2026, the compliance environment continues to become more stringent, backed by tighter deadlines, automated checks, and enhanced portal validations. To help businesses, taxpayers, and professionals stay on track, this article provides a comprehensive, date-wise compliance calendar for January 2026, covering GST, Income Tax, TDS/TCS, PF, ESI, and MCA requirements—all consolidated in one place.

GST Compliance

Due Date | Return/Form | Period | Applicability
7 January 2026 | GSTR-7 | December 2025 | GST TDS deductors
7 January 2026 | GSTR-8 | December 2025 | E-commerce operators
11 January 2026 | GSTR-1 | December 2025 | Monthly outward supply filers
20 January 2026 | GSTR-3B | December 2025 | Monthly GST return
22/24 January 2026 | GSTR-3B (QRMP) | Oct–Dec 2025 | Based on state category
20 January 2026 | GSTR-5A | December 2025 | OIDAR service providers

GST Composition Scheme
18 January 2026 | CMP-08 | Oct–Dec 2025

TDS/TCS & Income-Tax Compliances

Monthly TDS/TCS Payment
7 January 2026 – Deposit of TDS/TCS for December 2025
(Generally payable by the 7th of the following month)

Quarterly TDS/TCS Returns
15 January 2026 | Form 27EQ (TCS) | Oct–Dec 2025
31 January 2026 | Forms 24Q, 26Q, 27Q | Oct–Dec 2025

Income-Tax Update
As per CBDT indications, new ITR forms and procedures under the simplified Income-tax framework are expected to be notified by January 2026, ahead of implementation from 1 April 2026.

PF & ESI Compliance

15 January 2026
• EPF contribution payment & return – December 2025
• ESI contribution payment & return – December 2025

(PF and ESI dues are generally payable by the 15th of the subsequent month.)

MCA / ROC Filings

31 January 2026
• Filing of Annual Returns and Financial Statements for FY 2024-25
• Ensure timely submission of AOC-4 and MGT-7 within the extended timeline

LLPs should also verify due dates for Form 11 and other applicable ROC filings based on entity-specific requirements.

Other Important Statutory Compliances

Professional Tax (PT)
Generally payable by 31 January 2026 for December 2025 salary deductions (state-specific rules apply).

Advance Tax
No advance tax installment is due in January; the next installment falls in March 2026.

Consequences of Delayed Compliance – Quick Snapshot

• GST: Late fees and interest on net tax liability
• TDS/TCS: Interest and penalties for late payment or return filing
• PF/ESI: Interest and statutory damages under respective laws

In today’s technology-driven compliance framework, delays rarely go unnoticed. GST filings, TDS payments, PF-ESI contributions, and MCA submissions are closely monitored through integrated systems. Timely compliance is no longer optional—it is essential.

Use this January 2026 Compliance Calendar as a ready reference, plan your filings in advance, and complete all obligations well before due dates. Staying proactive today helps avoid financial exposure, legal complications, and unnecessary stress in the future.

New Regulations for TDS Return Rectification Applicable from 01-04-2026

TDS / TCS Correction Statements: Time Limit Cut Down to 2 Years (Effective 01 April 2026)

🔔 What’s the Latest Change?

The Income Tax Department has introduced a major compliance reform by reducing the time limit for filing TDS and TCS correction statements to just 2 years, applicable from 1 April 2026.

Until now, deductors had the flexibility to revise old TDS/TCS returns even after many years. This long-standing practice will no longer be permitted.

⏳ Key Change Explained: Old Rule vs New Rule

🔙 Earlier Position (Before 01.04.2026)

  • No strict statutory deadline for filing correction statements

  • Corrections were practically allowed up to 7 years or more

  • Deductors commonly rectified:

    • Incorrect PAN details

    • Challan mapping errors

    • Short or excess deduction

    • Late reporting issues

  • Corrections were accepted even after several years

🔜 New Rule (From 01.04.2026)

  • ⛔ Correction statements allowed only within 2 years

  • The 2-year period will be calculated from:

    • End of the relevant financial year

  • ❌ No correction will be permitted beyond this period

  • This is a strict and absolute deadline, not extendable in any case

📅 Last Opportunity for Old TDS/TCS Periods

Correction statements for the following quarters will be allowed only up to 31 March 2026:

  • Q4 of FY 2018–19

  • Q1 to Q4 of FY 2019–20 to FY 2022–23

  • Q1 to Q3 of FY 2023–24

⚠️ From 1 April 2026 onwards, the TRACES portal will permanently block corrections for these periods.

❌ Impact of Missing the 2-Year Deadline

Failure to file corrections within the prescribed time may result in:

  • ❌ Permanent denial of correction facility

  • ❌ Loss of TDS/TCS credit for deductees in Form 26AS / AIS

  • ❌ Disputes with employees, vendors, or contractors

  • ❌ Penalties ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹1,00,000

  • ❌ Higher compliance and audit risks

  • ❌ Interest liability and possible disallowance of expenses

✅ Reason Behind This Amendment

The department aims to promote:

  • Timely reconciliation of data

  • Faster and accurate credit to deductees

  • Reduced backlog of old corrections

  • Lower litigation and disputes

  • A shift towards real-time, technology-driven compliance

This change reflects a move towards strict timelines and disciplined reporting.

🧾 Best Practices Suggested by the Department

  • Regularly use TRACES utilities and validation tools

  • Track defaults and mismatches frequently

  • File correction statements immediately upon detecting errors

  • Train staff on the revised timelines

  • Adopt a preventive compliance approach

📌 Action Checklist for Deductors & Tax Professionals

✔ Review all pending TDS/TCS correction requirements
✔ Resolve old mismatches before 31 March 2026
✔ Strengthen internal review and control systems
✔ Inform clients and staff about the 2-year non-negotiable limit

Understanding TCS: Tax Collected at Source and Its Applicability

What is TCS?

TCS stands for Tax Collected at Source. It is a tax levied by the Indian government on certain specified transactions. Under the TCS provisions, the seller collects a specified percentage of the transaction value as tax from the buyer at the time of sale. The collected tax is then deposited with the government.

When is TCS Applicable?

TCS is applicable in various scenarios, including:

  • Sale of goods: TCS is applicable when a seller sells goods worth a certain threshold amount to a buyer.
  • Providing services: TCS is applicable when a seller provides specific services, such as hotel accommodation, tour packages, or event management services.
  • Remittance of money abroad: TCS is applicable when a person remits money outside India under the Liberalized Remittance Scheme.
  • Sale of scrap: TCS is applicable when a seller sells scrap, including scrap of any machinery or equipment.
  • Lottery and gambling: TCS is applicable on the sale of lottery tickets, horse race betting, or any other form of gambling.

Who is Responsible for TCS?

The responsibility for collecting and depositing TCS lies with the seller or the person receiving the payment. They are required to collect the tax from the buyer and deposit it with the government within the specified time frame.

However, there are certain exceptions where the buyer may be responsible for TCS. For example, in the case of remittance of money abroad, the buyer is required to deduct and deposit TCS if the seller does not have a Permanent Account Number (PAN) or Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN).

It is important for both the buyer and the seller to be aware of their responsibilities regarding TCS to ensure compliance with the tax laws.

In conclusion, TCS is a tax collected by sellers on specified transactions. It is applicable in various scenarios such as the sale of goods, provision of services, remittance of money abroad, sale of scrap, and lottery or gambling. The responsibility for collecting and depositing TCS lies with the seller, although there are exceptions where the buyer may be responsible. It is crucial for both parties to understand and fulfill their obligations to avoid any penalties or legal issues.