Consequences for a deductor if he fails to deduct TDS or fails to deposit it to the Government’s account

A deductor would face the following consequences if he fails to deduct TDS or after deducting the same fails to deposit it to the credit of Central Government’s account:-

a) Disallowance of expenditure

As per section 40(a)(i) of the Income-tax Act, any sum (other than salary) payable outside India or to a non-resident, which is chargeable to tax in India in the hands of the recipient, shall not be allowed to be deducted if it is paid without deduction of tax at source or if tax is deducted but is not deposited with the Central Government till the due date of eTDS filing.

However, if tax is deducted or deposited in subsequent year, as the case may be, the expenditure shall be allowed as deduction in that year.

Similarly, as per section 40(a)(ia), any sum payable to a resident, which is subject to deduction of tax at source, would attract 30% disallowance if it is paid without deduction of tax at source or if tax is deducted but is not deposited with the Central Government till the due date of filing of return.

However, where in respect of any such sum, tax is deducted or deposited in subsequent year, as the case may be, the expenditure so disallowed shall be allowed as deduction in that year.

b) Levy of interest

As per section 201 of the Income-tax Act, if a deductor fails to deduct tax at source or after the deducting the same fails to deposit it to the Government’s account then he shall be deemed to be an assessee-in-default and liable to pay simple interest as follows:-

(i) at one per cent for every month or part of a month on the amount of such tax from the date on which such tax was deductible to the date on which such tax is deducted; and

(ii) at one and one-half per cent for every month or part of a month on the amount of such tax from the date on which such tax was deducted to the date on which such tax is actually paid.

c) Levy of Penalty

Penalty of an amount equal to tax not deducted or paid could be imposed under section 271C.

Source: Income Tax

3 thoughts on “Consequences for a deductor if he fails to deduct TDS or fails to deposit it to the Government’s account

  1. Bharatic

    the society has paid amount to a contractor on 28-2-2018. we have deducted tds. but applied for tan only later.tan received in May 2018. do we pay tds now or reimburse the amount to contractor

    Reply
  2. Shailesh

    if we paid advance to the contractor and he giving his work bill at the end of the respective month than how to deduct TDS on contractor
    i) every advance payment
    ii) at the end of the month while contractors bill received

    Reply
    1. Praveen Godbole

      Any payment of advance (or deposit e.g. rent) does not required deduction of TDS. Therefore, in your query, TDS has to be deducted at the end of the month when contractor’s bill is received and payment is made or credited to his account.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *