Paying TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) in India can be done easily through the official Income Tax e‑Filing portal (formerly NSDL e-Payment site) without any consultant. You will need your TAN (Tax Deduction Account Number) and basic details like the assessment year and nature of payment.
Step-by-Step Guide to Pay TDS Online
- Open the Income Tax e-Filing Portal: Go to the official e‑Filing website at incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal Click on e‑Pay Tax (found under Quick Links).
- Enter TAN and Verify: On the e‑Pay Tax page, enter your 10‑digit TAN (Tax Deduction Account Number) and your mobile number. An OTP will be sent to your phone; enter it to verify your TAN(If you are logging in after registration, you can also use your e-Filing username/password and then select “e-Pay Tax”.)
- Choose Challan ITNS-281 and Assessment Year: After verification, you’ll be taken to a form. Select the appropriate Assessment Year (the financial year in which you deducted the tax) and make sure Challan No./ITNS-281 (TDS/TCS) is selected as the challan type. This challan is specifically used for depositing TDS/TCS
- Fill Deductor and Payment Details: Choose whether the deductee (recipient of payment) is a Company or Non-Company, and enter details of the payment (salary, interest, contractor payment, etc.) that had TDS deducted Enter the total amount of TDS, any interest or surcharge if applicable, and other required fields.
- Select Payment Mode: Choose your payment mode on the portal. You can pay immediately via Net Banking or Debit Card (no extra bank charges) To use UPI or a credit/debit card, select “Payment Gateway” as the mode. Payment Gateway links to banks’ apps and allows UPI/credit card payments. (Net banking/debit directly from your bank is usually simpler.)
- Verify and Make Payment: Review all entered details carefully. Then click Submit to Bank or Pay Now to proceed. You will be redirected to your bank’s page to complete the transaction. Once payment is successful, the portal will display a confirmation challan (counterfoil) on-screen
- Download the Challan (Form 281): After the transaction, download or print the challan receipt. This is your proof of TDS payment and includes a unique CIN (Challan Identification Number). Save this challan (or at least note the CIN) for your records and for filing your TDS return. You can also revisit the e‑Filing portal (TAN-based login) later to re-download this challan if needed.
Throughout these steps, use official sources (Income Tax e‑Filing portal) and ensure accuracy to avoid errors. The entire process is free and secure, and you do not need a chartered accountant or consultant for straightforward TDS deposits.
Key Takeaways
- Use Challan ITNS-281: Always select Form 281 (TDS/TCS) for depositing TDS online.
- Required Information: You need your TAN, Assessment Year, type of payment, deductee category (company or non‑company), and the TDS amount to pay.
- Payment Options: Pay instantly via netbanking or debit card (no fee), or use the Payment Gateway for UPI/credit card payments.
- Challan Receipt: After payment, a challan counterfoil with CIN is generated Download this PDF as proof of payment. You can also retrieve it later by logging into your TAN account on the e‑Filing site.
- Verify Details: Double-check TAN, PAN, and all amounts before payment to ensure they match Form 26AS (tax credit statement) and avoid mismatches.
- Timely Payment: Deposit TDS by the due date (generally the 7th of the following month) to avoid interest/penalties.
| Click Here To Know – Mistakes To Avoid While Making Payments |
FAQs
Yes. You can follow the above guidance for the same.
Use Challan ITNS‑281 for all TDS/TCS deposits This is the standard form for corporate and non‑corporate TDS payments.
You’ll need the ten‑digit TAN of the tax deductor, the relevant Assessment Year, the TDS amount, and details like the payment type and deductee category. TAN is mandatory for most TDS payments.
The portal accepts net banking and debit cards (no transaction fee) You can also use the Payment Gateway option to pay via UPI, credit card, or other bank gateways RTGS/NEFT and “Pay at Bank Counter” are also available but usually not needed for online payment.
Immediately after successful payment, the portal displays the challan (Form 281) with a CIN Download or print this PDF as proof. If you forget, you can log into your TAN-based account on the e‑Filing site later and retrieve the challan details.
Generally, TDS for any month must be paid by the 7th of the next month. For example, May 2025 TDS is due by 7th June 2025. (Exception: TDS on March payroll is due by 30th April for non-government deductors.) Late payment attracts interest.
