Income Tax Compliance Calendar explained: this guide covers what Income Tax Compliance Calendar means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
1. Why a Compliance Calendar is Essential
Income tax compliance involves dozens of deadlines throughout the year -- for advance tax payments, TDS deposits, TDS return filings, ITR filing, audit report submissions, and various special form filings. Missing any deadline carries financial consequences: interest charges, late fees, penalties, and loss of tax benefits (like loss carry-forward if ITR is late). A comprehensive month-by-month compliance calendar for Tax Year 2026-27 (April 2026 to March 2027) helps individuals, businesses, and tax professionals stay on top of all obligations.
2. April 2026: The Year Begins
- 1 April: New Tax Year begins; Form 12BB update due to employer (regime choice, investments, HRA, home loan)
- 7 April: TDS deposit due for March 2025-26 (special -- March TDS has an extended deadline but 7 April applies to most deductions)
- 30 April: Final deadline to deposit TDS for March 2026 (extended due date for March month TDS)
- Update advance tax estimate for the new year based on expected income
3. May and June 2026
- 7 May: TDS deposit due for April 2026
- 15 May: Due date for Form 24Q Q4 (salary TDS return for Q4 of previous Tax Year)
- 15 June 2026: First advance tax instalment for Tax Year 2026-27 (at least 15% of estimated annual tax)
- 7 June: TDS deposit due for May 2026
- 15 June: Form 16 issue deadline for employees for previous Tax Year (2025-26)
- 15 June: Form 16A issue deadline for non-salary deductees
- 30 June: Equalisation Levy annual return (Form 1) due for 2025-26
4. July 2026
- 7 July: TDS deposit due for June 2026
- 31 July 2026: ITR filing due date for non-audit ITR-1 / ITR-2 filers (salary, house property, capital gains, other sources)
- 31 August 2026: ITR filing due date for non-audit ITR-3 / ITR-4 filers — business and professional income, freelancers and presumptive filers under sections 44AD, 44ADA and 44AE
- 31 July: Form 26Q / Form 27Q Q1 TDS return due (April-June 2026)
- 31 July: Form 24Q Q1 TDS return due
5. August and September 2026
- 7 August: TDS deposit due for July 2026
- 7 September: TDS deposit due for August 2026
- 15 September 2026: Second advance tax instalment (cumulative 45% of estimated annual tax)
- 30 September: Tax audit report due (Form 3CA/3CB + Form 3CD) for Tax Year 2025-26
6. October 2026
- 7 October: TDS deposit due for September 2026
- 31 October 2026: ITR filing deadline for tax audit cases (Tax Year 2025-26)
- 31 October: Form 26Q / Form 27Q Q2 TDS return due (July-September 2026)
- 31 October: Form 24Q Q2 TDS return due
7. November and December 2026
- 7 November: TDS deposit due for October 2026
- 7 December: TDS deposit due for November 2026
- 15 December 2026: Third advance tax instalment (cumulative 75% of estimated annual tax)
- 30 November 2026: ITR filing deadline for transfer pricing cases (Tax Year 2025-26)
- 31 December 2026: Belated/revised ITR filing deadline for Tax Year 2025-26
8. January 2027
- 7 January: TDS deposit due for December 2026
- 31 January 2027: Form 26Q / Form 27Q Q3 TDS return due (October-December 2026)
- 31 January: Form 24Q Q3 TDS return due
9. February and March 2027
- 7 February: TDS deposit due for January 2027
- 7 March: TDS deposit due for February 2027
- 15 March 2027: Fourth and final advance tax instalment for Tax Year 2026-27 (100% cumulative)
- 15 March: Section 44AD/44ADA/44AE single advance tax instalment
- 31 March 2027: Last date to pay advance tax on late capital gains
- 31 March: Year-end -- pay all MSME outstanding dues; close CGAS deposits; make all Section 43B payments; book capital losses for tax harvesting
10. Post-Year Compliance (April-December 2027)
- 30 April: March TDS deposit
- 31 May: Form 10BD (trust donation statement); Form 26Q Q4 TDS return
- 15 June: Form 16 to employees; Form 16A to deductees
- 30 June: Equalisation Levy return for 2026-27
- 31 July 2027: ITR due for Tax Year 2026-27 (non-audit)
- 30 September: Tax audit report for Tax Year 2026-27
- 31 October: ITR for audit cases (Tax Year 2026-27)
- 31 December: Belated/revised ITR for Tax Year 2026-27
11. ITR-U Window
For voluntary disclosure of missed income from earlier years: ITR-U (Updated Return) under Section 285A is available for 2 years from the end of the assessment year. For Tax Year 2024-25 (AY 2025-26): ITR-U window open until 31 March 2028. Additional tax: 25% (if filed in AY 2026-27) or 50% (if filed in AY 2027-28).
12. Why TaxClue
Missing compliance deadlines creates avoidable costs -- interest, penalties, and loss of tax benefits. TaxClue sends automated compliance reminders to all clients and manages the entire compliance calendar. Contact us for complete compliance management under ITA 2025.
Key Facts About Income Tax Compliance Calendar
- Applies in: All states across India, under the relevant central law.
- Mode: Mostly online via the official government portal.
- Typical timeline: Ranges from a few days to a few weeks depending on the case.
- Non-compliance: May attract penalties, interest or late fees.
- Expert help: TaxClue completes Income Tax Compliance Calendar end to end for you.
What are all the advance tax due dates for Tax Year 2026-27?
Advance tax for Tax Year 2026-27: 15 June 2026 -- at least 15% of estimated annual tax; 15 September 2026 -- at least 45% cumulative; 15 December 2026 -- at least 75% cumulative; 15 March 2027 -- 100% cumulative. Presumptive taxpayers (Section 44AD, 44ADA, 44AE) pay 100% in a single instalment by 15 March 2027. Senior citizens without business income are exempt from advance tax entirely.
When is the TDS deposit deadline?
TDS must be deposited to the government by the 7th of the following month for all deductors (7 May for April TDS, 7 June for May TDS, etc.). Exception: TDS deducted in March has an extended deadline -- 30 April (not 7 April). Government deductors without an account: same day of deduction. Late deposit: interest at 1.5% per month from deduction date to payment date under Section 415.
Over 90% of compliance penalties in India arise from missed due dates — timely handling of Income Tax Compliance Calendar can save businesses thousands of rupees each year.
Income Tax Compliance Calendar: a key compliance topic in Indian tax and corporate law that businesses and individuals must understand to remain compliant.