FreeComplianceTDS return forms: 138, 140 and 144 (formerly 24Q, 26Q and 27Q)
Every quarter, a company that has deducted TDS files a TDS return reporting each deductee and amount. Which form you use depends on what you paid and to whom.
Which form
| From tax year 2026-27 | Earlier form | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Form 138 | 24Q | TDS on salaries |
| Form 140 | 26Q | TDS on other payments to residents: professional fees, rent, contractors, interest |
| Form 144 | 27Q | TDS on payments to non-residents and foreign companies |
| Form 143 | 27EQ | Tax collected at source (TCS) |
How to file
- 1.Prepare the return using the Return Preparation Utility or accounting software.
- 2.Validate it with the File Validation Utility.
- 3.Upload on the Income-tax e-filing portal using the company's TAN, signed with DSC or EVC.
- 4.Download TDS certificates (Form 130 for salary, formerly Form 16; Form 131 for other payments, formerly 16A) from TRACES once the return is processed.
Mistakes such as a wrong PAN or challan are fixed by filing a correction statement on TRACES.
Frequently asked questions
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Government fees and procedures change; confirm current figures before you file.
- TDS due dates for companies: deposit, returns and certificates
When companies must deposit TDS, file quarterly TDS returns, and issue TDS certificates (Form 130 and 131, formerly 16 and 16A), with late fees and interest.
- TDS on salary vs professional fees: employee or consultant?
How TDS differs for salaried employees and professionals or contractors, rates and thresholds, and how to classify payments correctly.
- Form 26AS and AIS: checking a company's tax credits
What Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement show, why companies must reconcile them, and how to fix mismatches.