Understanding Indian Tax Filing Deadlines for Entrepreneurs

Chosen theme: Understanding Indian Tax Filing Deadlines for Entrepreneurs. A clear, founder-friendly guide to the Indian compliance calendar, so your startup stays nimble, penalty-free, and focused on growth rather than last‑minute tax scrambles.

Your Founder’s Year: The Big Income-Tax Filing Milestones

Non-audit businesses and individuals

If your startup does not require a tax audit, the income-tax return is typically due by July 31 following the financial year. Mark it early, because extensions are not guaranteed and documentation takes longer than expected.

Audit and transfer pricing cases

Where a tax audit applies, the return is generally due by October 31. If transfer pricing reporting is required, returns are commonly due by November 30. Always verify annual CBDT notifications for any updated timelines.

Belated and revised return windows

Missed the original deadline or discovered an error? Belated and revised returns are usually allowed until December 31 of the assessment year. Late actions can cost money, so plan corrections as early as possible.

Advance Tax: Four Checkpoints That Protect Your Cash Flow

For most businesses with tax payable over the threshold, advance tax is paid in four parts: June 15, September 15, December 15, and March 15. Targets are typically 15%, 45%, 75%, and 100% of estimated liability.

Advance Tax: Four Checkpoints That Protect Your Cash Flow

Under presumptive schemes like sections 44AD and 44ADA, entrepreneurs often pay the entire advance tax by March 15. This single milestone simplifies planning, but still requires disciplined profit estimation and timely working papers.

TDS/TCS: Deduct, Deposit, and Report Without Drama

TDS and TCS are generally deposited by the 7th of the following month, with special considerations around March. Automate reminders within your accounting software so due dates never slip during funding or launch crunches.

Monthly and quarterly GST returns

Depending on your scheme and state, GSTR-3B and GSTR-1 are generally due around the 20th or staggered dates. Keep reconciliations tight so sales, input credits, and income recognition agree before income-tax computations start.

Annual return and reconciliation

GSTR-9 annual returns are typically due by December 31 following the financial year, subject to notifications. A clean GST reconciliation strengthens the accuracy of your profit, turnover, and expense mapping for income tax.

Tax Audit, Transfer Pricing, and Critical Reports

Where applicable, the tax audit report is generally filed before the audited return due date, often around late September subject to notifications. Lock your trial balance early to avoid cascading changes during review.

Tax Audit, Transfer Pricing, and Critical Reports

If you have international or specified domestic transactions, Form 3CEB and TP documentation carry separate timelines, typically around late October. Early benchmarking saves fees, sleepless nights, and strained partner relationships.

Penalties, Interest, and Smart Safety Nets

File late and section 234F can apply, commonly up to five thousand rupees, with potential interest under section 234A. These costs are avoidable; reminders and realistic internal cutoffs make a measurable difference.

Penalties, Interest, and Smart Safety Nets

Returns must be e-verified within the specified window, often thirty days, or they may be treated as invalid. Schedule e-verification alongside filing so you never lose compliance due to a simple post-filing oversight.

Build Your Founder-Friendly Compliance System

Set internal deadlines two weeks before statutory ones. Assign owners, add escalation paths, and include backups. When responsibility is clear, filings stop being a scramble and start running on autopilot.

Build Your Founder-Friendly Compliance System

Create monthly close rituals: vendor confirmations, payroll summaries, bank reconciliations, Form 26AS and AIS checks. A tidy ledger reduces audit queries and makes tax computations fast, defensible, and boredom-free.