INCOME TAX COMPLIANCE
Income tax compliance means timely and accurate fulfilment of obligations under the Income-tax Act, 1961,
including return filing, TDS, advance tax, and reporting disclosures. Here's a complete guide to what’s
required.
1. INCOME TAX RETURN
An Income Tax Return (ITR) is a form filed with the Income Tax Department of India to report income,
expenses, taxes paid, deductions claimed, and other relevant tax details for a financial year (April to
March).
- Purpose: Filing an ITR serves legal, financial, and compliance-related purposes for
both individuals and businesses.
- Due Dates:
Category of Taxpayer |
ITR Filing Due Date |
Individuals (not liable for audit) |
31st July |
Businesses requiring audit |
31st October |
Companies |
31st October |
Transfer Pricing report (Form 3CEB) |
30th November |
Revised or Belated Return (FY 2023–24) |
31st December |
- Penalty: ₹5000 (₹1000 if income < ₹5 lakh)
2. TAX AUDIT
A tax audit is an examination of business/profession accounts by a Chartered Accountant to ensure compliance
with the Income Tax Act, 1961.
- Purpose: Ensure accuracy, proper bookkeeping, prevent evasion, and aid administration.
- Due Date: 31st October of the assessment year
- Penalty:
- Section 271B: 0.5% of turnover or ₹1,50,000 (whichever is lower)
- No penalty if reasonable cause is proven
3. TDS DEPOSIT
Tax deducted at source (TDS) must be deposited with the Central Government after deduction from payments such
as salary, rent, interest, etc.
- Due Dates: 7th of every next month (For March – 30th April)
- Penalty: Interest @ 1.5% per month
4. TDS RETURN
A quarterly statement filed by deductors to report TDS deductions and deposits.
- Purpose: Ensures transparency, credit availability, and legal compliance.
- Due Dates:
Quarter |
Period |
Due Date |
Q1 |
Apr – Jun |
31st July 2024 |
Q2 |
Jul – Sep |
31st October 2024 |
Q3 |
Oct – Dec |
31st January 2025 |
Q4 |
Jan – Mar |
31st May 2025 |
- Penalty: ₹200 per day (max up to TDS amount)
5. ADVANCE TAX
Advance tax means paying your tax liability in instalments throughout the financial year instead of at
year-end.
- Purpose: Ensures timely collection, improves transparency, and reduces year-end burden.
- Due Dates:
Due Date |
Minimum Amount Payable |
15th June 2024 |
15% of total tax liability |
15th September 2024 |
45% of total (incl. earlier payments) |
15th December 2024 |
75% of total (incl. earlier payments) |
15th March 2025 |
100% of total tax liability |
- Penalty:
- Non-payment/shortfall: 1% per month
- Delay in installment: 1% per month