This is a quick-reference guide to TDS rates applicable for AY 2026-27 (Tax Year 2025-26), mapped to both the IT Act 2025 and the old IT Act 1961 sections.
TDS Rate Table: AY 2026-27
| Nature of Payment | IT Act 2025 Section | Old Section | Rate (%) | Threshold (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | 392 | 192 | Slab rates | As per slab |
| Interest on securities | 393A | 193 | 10 | 5,000 (listed debentures) |
| Dividends | 393B | 194 | 10 | 5,000 |
| Interest (other than securities) | 393C | 194A | 10 | 40,000 (bank) / 5,000 (others) |
| Winnings from lottery/crossword | 393D | 194B | 30 | 10,000 |
| Winnings from horse races | 393E | 194BB | 30 | 10,000 |
| Contractor payments (individuals/HUF) | 393F | 194C | 1 | 30,000 (single) / 1,00,000 (aggregate) |
| Contractor payments (others) | 393F | 194C | 2 | 30,000 (single) / 1,00,000 (aggregate) |
| Insurance commission | 393G | 194D | 5 | 15,000 |
| Payment for life insurance | 393H | 194DA | 5 | 1,00,000 |
| NSS deposits | 393I | 194EE | 10 | 2,500 |
| Rent (land/building/furniture) | 393J | 194I(a) | 10 | 2,40,000 |
| Rent (plant/machinery/equipment) | 393J | 194I(b) | 2 | 2,40,000 |
| Transfer of immovable property | 393K | 194IA | 1 | 50,00,000 |
| Payment of rent by individual/HUF | 393L | 194IB | 5 | 50,000/month |
| Professional/technical fees | 393M | 194J | 10 | 30,000 |
| Commission/brokerage | 393N | 194H | 5 | 15,000 |
| e-Commerce operator payments | 393P | 194O | 1 | 5,00,000 |
| Payment to non-resident | 395 | 195 | Rates in force | No threshold |
| Income from units | 393Q | 194K | 10 | No threshold |
Note: The IT Act 2025 section numbers above are illustrative mappings. CAs should verify the exact section numbers from the Act's table of contents, as CBDT's final concordance table may differ.
Key Threshold Limits to Remember
Rs. 2,40,000, Rent (Section 393J): The threshold for TDS on rent was increased from Rs. 1,80,000 to Rs. 2,40,000 per annum. This applies to all rent payments (land, building, furniture, plant, machinery).
Rs. 50,00,000, Immovable property (Section 393K): TDS at 1% is required on transfer of immovable property where the consideration exceeds Rs. 50 lakh. Both buyer and seller PAN must be quoted.
Rs. 50,000/month, Rent by individuals (Section 393L): Individuals and HUFs paying rent exceeding Rs. 50,000 per month must deduct TDS at 5%, even if they do not have a TAN. TDS is deducted once a year, in the last month of the tenancy or the financial year.
Rs. 30,000, Professional fees (Section 393M): TDS on professional/technical fees is required when the aggregate payment during the year exceeds Rs. 30,000.
New vs Old Act Section Mapping: Quick Reference
For CAs who have memorised old section numbers, here is a quick mapping of the most commonly used TDS sections:
| What You Know | What to Cite Now |
|---|---|
| 192 (Salary) | Section 392 |
| 194A (Interest) | Section 393C |
| 194C (Contractor) | Section 393F |
| 194H (Commission) | Section 393N |
| 194I (Rent) | Section 393J |
| 194J (Professional) | Section 393M |
| 194IA (Property) | Section 393K |
| 195 (Non-resident) | Section 395 |
Common TDS Mistakes CAs Should Avoid
1. Applying wrong rate for contractor payments:
Section 393F differentiates between payments to individuals/HUFs (1%) and others (2%). CAs must check the payee's status. A sole proprietorship is an "individual" for this purpose, but a partnership firm is "other."
2. Ignoring the threshold for 194A equivalent:
Banks deduct TDS on interest exceeding Rs. 40,000 (Rs. 50,000 for senior citizens). But for non-banking payers (companies, firms), the threshold is Rs. 5,000. CAs often apply the bank threshold universally.
3. Not deducting TDS on rent paid to multiple co-owners:
If rent is paid to multiple co-owners, the threshold applies per co-owner. Rs. 2,40,000 to each of 3 co-owners (total Rs. 7,20,000), no TDS required if each co-owner's share is within the threshold.
4. Missing the property TDS on stamp duty value:
For Section 393K (property transfer), TDS is on the consideration OR the stamp duty value, whichever is higher. If the sale deed shows Rs. 48 lakh but stamp duty value is Rs. 55 lakh, TDS applies on Rs. 55 lakh.
5. Not accounting for nil/lower rate certificates:
If the payee has a certificate under Section 397 (old Section 197) for nil or lower deduction, the deductor must apply the certificate rate. CAs should maintain a tracker for such certificates and their validity periods.
6. Late deposit of TDS:
TDS deducted must be deposited by the 7th of the following month (30th April for March deductions). Late deposit attracts interest at 1.5% per month under Section 220 (old Section 201(1A)). This is a common area of default during year-end.
TDS on Payments to Non-Residents (Section 395)
This is the most complex TDS area. Key points:
- TDS rate depends on the nature of income (royalty, FTS, interest, dividend, capital gains) and the applicable DTAA
- The payer must determine whether the DTAA rate or the domestic rate is more beneficial to the payee
- A Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) must be obtained from the payee before applying DTAA rates
- Form 15CA/15CB is mandatory for most payments to non-residents
Common error: Deducting TDS at 10% on software payments to non-residents without checking the DTAA. The India-US DTAA Article 12 treatment of software payments as royalties has been the subject of extensive litigation.
Quick Tips for Filing Season
- Verify all TDS credits in Form 26AS / AIS against the client's books before filing
- For salaried clients, ensure the employer has applied the correct regime (old vs new) for TDS
- If TDS credit is missing in 26AS, file a correction request with the deductor before the filing deadline
- Track lower/nil TDS certificates and their expiry dates to avoid over-deduction
TaxMarg's TDS reference database covers all sections with rates, thresholds, and DTAA cross-references. Search any TDS section or payment type for the complete provision with examples.