TDS and TCS
Self-employed people who have tax withheld on their income, and SMEs who must deduct when they pay contractors, professionals or rent.
TDS (tax deducted at source) cuts both ways. Clients deduct it from what they pay you, contract work under 194C, professional fees under 194J, commission under 194H, e-commerce payouts under 194O, perks in kind under 194R, and that tax is withheld against your PAN and reclaimed through your return. As you grow, you may also have to deduct TDS when you pay others. This hub explains the common sections, how to read your Form 26AS and AIS, and how to reconcile and reclaim. The recurring trap: TDS withheld is not extra tax, it is a prepayment you adjust against your final liability.
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Guidance, not advice. We explain the rules, we don't assess your situation. Always seek financial or tax advice from your accountant, or contact Income Tax Department. Read our editorial scope →
Guides in this hub
- Which TDS applies to my income →
194C vs 194J vs 194H and the rest, by income type
- 26AS, AIS and TIS reconciliation →
Reading the three statements and matching them
- TDS when you pay others →
Your obligations as a deductor, and 194T on partner pay
- Section 195 on foreign payments →
Deducting on payments to non-residents, 15CA/CB
Always quote your PAN
Without a PAN, TDS is deducted at a higher rate. Quoting your PAN keeps the deduction at the standard rate (for example 1% under 194C for an individual, 10% under 194J) and ensures the credit appears in your Form 26AS and AIS so you can reclaim it.
Reconcile before you file
Match the income and TDS in your 26AS, AIS and TIS against your own records before filing. Mismatches between what a payer reports and what you declare are a leading scrutiny trigger, and an unclaimed TDS credit is money left with the department.
Calculators for this topic
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