Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is one of the core mechanisms used by the Indian tax authorities to ensure timely collection of taxes from your income streams. Whether you are a salaried employee, landlord, freelancer, or business owner, TDS can impact your cash flows. Understanding the different types of TDS becomes essential while managing your income tax return filing, tracking tax rebate eligibility, or ensuring timely compliance. This guide provides an in-depth breakdown of each category of TDS under various sections of the Income Tax Act so that you, as a taxpayer, are informed and well-prepared.
Meaning of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS)
Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) refers to the mechanism where tax is deducted at the point of income generation. It applies to your salary, interest income, professional payments, rent, and many other types of receipts. The entity responsible for making the payment deducts tax at prescribed rates before transferring the balance amount to you. TDS ensures regular flow of revenue to the government and widens the tax base. It also facilitates easier income tax return filing by pre-crediting your tax liability against deductions made. You can claim a tax rebate or refund, if applicable, based on TDS recorded in your Form 26AS or AIS.
TDS on salary (Section 192)
When you receive a salary from your employer, TDS is deducted under Section 192. This deduction depends on your estimated annual income, investments, exemptions, and applicable tax slab. Your employer is responsible for computing your total taxable income and deducting TDS accordingly each month. If you have declared tax-saving investments, those are also factored into the computation. This type of TDS is dynamic and may vary throughout the year depending on changes to your declared income or deductions. You should submit your proofs on time to avoid higher deductions and maintain compliance with your income tax return filing.
TDS on interest income (Section 194A)
If you earn interest from fixed deposits, recurring deposits, or certain non-banking financial institutions, TDS may be deducted under Section 194A. The threshold for deduction varies depending on the nature of the financial institution. For banks, TDS applies if interest exceeds ₹40,000 in a financial year (₹50,000 for senior citizens). The TDS rate is generally 10%, provided your PAN is furnished. If you fall under a lower tax bracket, you can submit Form 15G or 15H to avoid deduction. Tracking this type of TDS helps you calculate advance tax obligations or tax rebate claims accurately.
TDS on dividend (Section 194)
Dividend income received by you from Indian companies is subject to TDS under Section 194 if it exceeds ₹5,000 in a financial year. The deduction rate is 10% provided your PAN is available. If PAN is not provided, TDS may be deducted at 20%. These rules apply to dividends distributed by companies post April 2020, after the abolition of Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT). If your total income is below taxable limits, you can claim this deducted TDS as a refund during your income tax return filing. It is important to monitor dividend income from all demat holdings for accurate disclosures.
TDS on rent (Section 194I)
If you are paying rent exceeding ₹2.4 lakh per year for land, building, plant, or machinery, you are required to deduct TDS under Section 194I. This applies to individuals or HUFs only if subject to tax audit. For others like companies or partnership firms, the deduction is mandatory. The TDS rate is generally 10% for land or building and 2% for plant and machinery. As a tenant, you must deduct and deposit this amount with the government, ensuring the landlord gets credit. You must also issue a TDS certificate to the landlord to help them with their tax filing.
TDS on professional fees (Section 194J)
TDS under Section 194J applies when you make payments for professional or technical services. If you are paying doctors, lawyers, chartered accountants, engineers, consultants, or designers, and the payment exceeds ₹30,000 annually, you must deduct TDS. The applicable rate is usually 10%. However, for technical services, the rate can be 2%. This type of TDS is commonly encountered in freelance, contract, or business arrangements. It is your responsibility to deduct the correct rate, deposit it within due timelines, and issue Form 16A to the service provider. Failure to comply may attract penalties and interest for non-deduction.
TDS on commission and brokerage (Section 194H)
When you pay commission or brokerage exceeding ₹15,000 in a financial year, TDS is applicable under Section 194H. This applies to payments made for services like marketing, distribution, sales, and referrals. The standard rate is 5%, provided the deductee has submitted a valid PAN. If PAN is not available, a higher rate of 20% may apply. As a business entity, you are required to deduct this TDS before making the final payment. You must also deposit the deducted amount with the tax department and issue a TDS certificate, which the recipient can use for income tax return filing or rebate claims.
TDS on contractor payments (Section 194C)
TDS under Section 194C is applicable on payments made to contractors or sub-contractors for carrying out work, including supply of labour. The deduction applies when the amount exceeds ₹30,000 per contract or ₹1 lakh in aggregate during a financial year. The TDS rate is 1% for individuals or HUF contractors and 2% for others. If you are awarding contracts for civil work, event management, or supply of goods, you must deduct this TDS. As a deductor, you are responsible for timely deposition and for issuing a certificate to help the contractor claim credit or tax rebate.
TDS on sale of property (Section 194IA)
When you purchase an immovable property (excluding agricultural land) worth more than ₹50 lakh, TDS at 1% must be deducted under Section 194IA. This applies even if the payment is made in instalments. You, as a buyer, must deduct TDS and deposit it with the government using Form 26QB. The seller will receive credit for the same in their Form 26AS. Non-compliance can lead to penalties, interest, or disallowance of property registration. You should issue Form 16B to the seller for their income tax return filing and reporting obligations.
TDS on insurance commission (Section 194D)
If you are an insurance agent or intermediary and receive commission income exceeding ₹15,000 in a financial year, the insurance company must deduct TDS under Section 194D. The applicable TDS rate is 5% when PAN is provided. This applies to commission received for procuring or renewing insurance policies. If PAN is not furnished, the TDS rate can go up to 20%. The deducted TDS is reflected in your Form 26AS and must be considered during your income tax return filing. It is essential to retain the TDS certificate issued by the insurer for your tax documentation.
TDS on lottery and prize winnings (Section 194B)
If you win a lottery, crossword puzzle, or any game show and the winnings exceed ₹10,000, TDS at the rate of 30% is deducted under Section 194B. There is no basic exemption or lower deduction limit. The organisation responsible for distributing the winnings must deduct this amount before handing over the prize. Whether the prize is in cash or kind, tax compliance is mandatory. You are required to include this income in your total taxable income for the year. Unlike other income categories, you cannot claim deductions or rebates against lottery income when filing your income tax return.
TDS on payments to non-residents (Section 195)
Section 195 governs TDS on payments made to non-residents, including interest, royalty, technical fees, or business payments. The rate of deduction varies depending on the nature of payment and relevant Double Tax Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) if applicable. As a resident making the payment, you must obtain a Tax Deduction Account Number (TAN) and deduct TDS before remitting funds. The deducted TDS must be deposited with the government and reflected in Form 15CA and 15CB. Non-compliance may result in disallowance of expenses and penalties. Accurate application of Section 195 ensures international payments are fully tax-compliant.
TDS on e-commerce transactions (Section 194O)
Section 194O was introduced to cover digital transactions through e-commerce platforms. If you are a seller on platforms like Flipkart, Amazon, or other marketplaces, the operator must deduct TDS at 1% on gross sales value. This applies if your total sales exceed ₹5 lakh in a financial year and you have provided your PAN or Aadhaar. The deducted TDS is directly deposited with the government, and you can view it in your Form 26AS. This provision helps ensure tax compliance in the digital ecosystem and must be monitored while claiming tax rebate or preparing income tax return filing.
TDS rates applicable on various payment categories
Before going through the table, you should know that TDS rates differ based on the type of payment, recipient status, and threshold amount. The following table summarises the standard TDS rates as per the current financial year's provisions:
Payment Type
| Section
| Threshold Amount
| TDS Rate
|
Salary
| 192
| Based on income slab
| As per slab rate
|
Interest (Bank/FD)
| 194A
| ₹40,000 (₹50,000 for SCs)
| 10%
|
Dividend
| 194
| ₹5,000
| 10%
|
Rent (Land/Building)
| 194I
| ₹2.4 lakh
| 10%
|
Rent (Plant/Machinery)
| 194I
| ₹2.4 lakh
| 2%
|
Professional Fees
| 194J
| ₹30,000
| 10%
|
Technical Services
| 194J
| ₹30,000
| 2%
|
Commission/Brokerage
| 194H
| ₹15,000
| 5%
|
Contractor (Individual/HUF)
| 194C
| ₹30,000/₹1 lakh
| 1%
|
Contractor (Other)
| 194C
| ₹30,000/₹1 lakh
| 2%
|
Property Purchase
| 194IA
| ₹50 lakh
| 1%
|
Insurance Commission
| 194D
| ₹15,000
| 5%
|
Lottery/Prize Winnings
| 194B
| ₹10,000
| 30%
|
E-commerce Payments
| 194O
| ₹5 lakh
| 1%
|
Conclusion
Understanding the different types of TDS applicable to various income streams helps you stay compliant, avoid penalties, and streamline your income tax return filing. From salary and rent to dividends and professional fees, each category has unique provisions under the Income Tax Act. By actively tracking TDS deductions and maintaining proper documentation, you can ensure accurate reporting and claim tax rebate or refunds where applicable. This guide is designed to help you, as an Indian taxpayer, take control of your tax compliance with clarity and confidence.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Please consult a qualified professional or refer to official government publications for personalised guidance.