Description
As per the provisions of the Indian Income-tax law, Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on payments/credits made during the month of March, needs to be deposited latest by 30th April.
In wake of Covid-19, the Indian government issued an ordinance on 31st March 2020, giving relief to taxpayers from various tax compliances, adherence of which were difficult due to the lockdowns. The TDS due dates for the compliances as mentioned in the ordinance have been extended to 30th June 2020.
On account of the above-stated ordinance, tax-payers heaved a sigh of relief and felt that they need not undertake any TDS compliance as of now. However, it may be noted that there is no extension in due date for deposit of TDS and the due date for deposit of TDS for the month of March 2020 still stands on 30th April 2020.
In this regard, one may note that the reliefs from TDS provisions provided by the ordinance are as under:
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Delay in depositing TDS for the month of March will invite a reduced interest of 0.75% per month instead of the existing rate of 1.5% per month.
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No penalty shall be levied on account of the above delay.
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No prosecution shall be sanctioned on account of the above delay.
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The due date for filing TDS returns has been extended from 31st May 2020 to 30th June 2020.
Given the above, it may be inferred that interest @ 0.75% per month will be levied for any delay in depositing TDS –
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beyond 30th April 2020 for the month of March 2020
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beyond 7th May 2020 for the month of April 2020
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beyond 7th June 2020 for the month of May 2020.
Further, the reduced rate of interest and relief from penal and prosecution provisions will be applicable only if the TDS is deposited on or before 30th June 2020.
Hence, it is advisable that the taxpayers should deposit the TDS on or before the due dates to avoid any repercussions. In a case, where on account of lock-down, the taxpayer is facing any sort of difficulty in computing the TDS liability, one may deposit TDS on an estimated basis so that interest on late payment is applicable only on the shortfall if any. In case of any excess, the same can always be adjusted towards the TDS liability for FY 2020-21.
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