TDS is a mechanism for collecting tax at the time income is paid or credited. TDS applies to many day-to-day types of business transactions such as salaries, rents, professional fees, and contract payments. As a result, the net amount received is lower due to tax deduction.
At first glance, this can seem confusing. TDS details are used during income tax return filing. TDS information is reflected in Form 26AS for reference.
Each type of TDS falls under a specific section of the Income Tax Act. Every section has its own rules. Understanding these categories supports accurate tax reporting.
What is TDS (Tax Deducted at Source)?
TDS, or Tax Deducted at Source, means tax is collected at the time income is paid. Instead of paying tax later, the tax is deducted upfront. This system applies to many routine income payments.
Common examples include:
- Salaries
- Rent
- Professional fees
- Contract payments
Because of this deduction, the amount received often feels lower than expected.
TDS enables reporting of tax deductions during the financial year. It is considered while filing income tax returns. Details of these deductions appear in Form 26AS or AIS. Each TDS type falls under a specific Income Tax Act section, with defined rules and limits.
What are the Types of TDS?
TDS is not linked to one income type. Instead, it applies across many payment categories. Each category connects to a specific section of the Income Tax Act. For instance, salary follows one section. Bank interest follows another. Payments for rent, contracts, or professional services follow separate provisions. Because of this, rates and limits differ. However, the structure is quite systematic. Each income type corresponds to a specific section of the Income Tax Act.
Section
| Type of Payment
| Threshold Limit
| TDS Rate
|
|---|
| Section 192 | Salary | As per Slab Rates | Average Rate of Tax |
| Section 194A | Interest Income (other than on securities) | ₹40,000 (₹50,000 for Senior Citizens) | 10% |
| Section 194 | Dividend | ₹5,000 | 10% |
| Section 194I | Rent | ₹2.4 Lakh | 2% (Plant & Machinery) / 10% (Land & Building) |
| Section 194J | Professional/Technical Fees | ₹30,000 | 2% (Technical) / 10% (Professional) |
| Section 194H | Commission and Brokerage | ₹15,000 | 5% |
| Section 194C | Contractor Payments | ₹30,000 (Single) / ₹1 Lakh (Aggregate) | 1% (Indiv/HUF) / 2% (Others) |
| Section 194IA | Sale of Property | ₹50 Lakh | 1% |
| Section 194D | Insurance Commission | ₹15,000 | 5% |
| Section 194B | Lottery and Prize Winnings | ₹10,000 | 30% |
| Section 194O | E-commerce Transactions | ₹5 Lakh | 1% |
TDS on salary (Section 192)
TDS on salary is deducted under Section 192. The employer handles this deduction. The amount depends on the estimated yearly income and applicable tax slabs. Declared investments and exemptions are also considered. Because of this, deductions may change during the year. Investment declarations may be considered by employers while estimating salary TDS.
TDS on interest income (Section 194A)
TDS on interest is deducted under Section 194A. It applies to fixed and recurring deposits. Banks deduct TDS when yearly interest exceeds ₹40,000. For senior citizens, the limit is ₹50,000. The standard rate is 10% when PAN details are available.
TDS on dividend (Section 194)
TDS on dividends is deducted under Section 194. It applies when yearly dividend income crosses ₹5,000. The rate is 10% if PAN details are provided. Without PAN, the rate increases to 20%. These rules apply to dividends paid after April 2020.
TDS on rent (Section 194I)
TDS on rent applies under Section 194I. It is deducted when the yearly rent exceeds ₹2.4 lakh. Companies and firms must deduct TDS. Individuals and HUFs deduct TDS only if audited. The rate is 10% for land or buildings. For plants or machinery, it is 2%.
TDS on professional fees (Section 194J)
TDS under Section 194J applies to professional and technical services. It is deducted when yearly payments exceed ₹30,000. This includes doctors, consultants, and designers. The rate is 10%. For technical services, it is 2%. Deduction and deposit are governed by prescribed timelines.
TDS on commission and brokerage (Section 194H)
TDS under Section 194H applies to commission and brokerage income. It is deducted when yearly payments exceed ₹15,000. This includes sales, marketing, and referral services. The rate is 5% when PAN is available. Without PAN, the rate increases to 20%.
TDS on contractor payments (Section 194C)
TDS under Section 194C applies to contractor payments. It also covers subcontractors and labour supply. TDS applies when a single payment exceeds ₹30,000. It also applies when yearly payments cross ₹1 lakh. The rate is 1% for individuals or HUFs. For others, the rate is 2%.
TDS on sale of property (Section 194IA)
TDS under Section 194IA applies to property purchases above ₹50 lakh. Agricultural land is excluded from this rule. The buyer deducts TDS at 1%. This applies even when payments are made in instalments. The amount is deposited using Form 26QB. The transaction is reflected in Form 26AS.
TDS on insurance commission (Section 194D)
TDS under Section 194D applies to insurance commission income. It is deducted when the yearly commission exceeds ₹15,000. The insurer deducts TDS at 5% if PAN is provided. Without PAN, the rate increases to 20%. The deduction reflects in Form 26AS.
TDS on lottery and prize winnings (Section 194B)
TDS under Section 194B applies to lottery and prize winnings. It is deducted when winnings exceed ₹10,000. The rate is fixed at 30%. There is no exemption or lower rate option. TDS is required to be deducted before the release of winnings.
TDS on payments to non-residents (Section 195)
TDS under Section 195 applies to payments made to non-residents. This includes interest, royalty, and technical service fees. The rate depends on the payment type. Applicable DTAA provisions may also apply. TDS must be deducted before remitting funds.
TDS on e-commerce transactions (Section 194O)
TDS under Section 194O applies to online marketplace sales. The platform deducts TDS at 1% on gross sales value. This applies when yearly sales exceed ₹5 lakh. PAN or Aadhaar details are required as per the provisions. The deduction reflects in Form 26AS.