New TDS and TCS Return Forms in 2026: Form 138, 140, 144 and 143 Explained (Q2 Due 31 October)

The Income-tax Act, 2025 replaced the 1961 Act from 1 April 2026. If your business deducts TDS, the biggest visible change is the form numbers. The return for July–September 2026 is due on 31 October 2026, so this is a good time to check you are using the right ones.

Old form, new form

What it is	New form	Earlier form
Quarterly TDS return – salaries	Form 138	Form 24Q
Quarterly TDS return – other payments to residents	Form 140	Form 26Q
Quarterly TDS return – payments to non-residents	Form 144	Form 27Q
Quarterly TCS return	Form 143	Form 27EQ
Salary TDS certificate	Form 130	Form 16
Non-salary TDS certificate	Form 131	Form 16A

The 'assessment year' is gone too. Returns and certificates now refer to the tax year, which is the same as the financial year. TDS provisions sit in sections 392 to 394 of the new Act, so make sure your accounting software and returns use the updated payment codes.

Due dates (unchanged)

Quarter	Months	Return due by
Q1	April – June	31 July
Q2	July – September	31 October
Q3	October – December	31 January
Q4	January – March	31 May

TDS deducted in a month is normally deposited by the 7th of the next month (March deductions by 30 April). A late return costs ₹200 for every day of delay, and interest runs at 1% a month for late deduction and 1.5% a month for late deposit.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Wrong or missing PAN of the payee, which means a higher TDS rate and no credit for them
• Challan details that don't match the return
• Filing salary TDS in the wrong form (Form 138 is for salaries only)
• Issuing old-format certificates instead of Form 130 and Form 131

QTS handles TAN, monthly TDS working, quarterly returns, certificates and corrections for Chennai businesses. See TDS return filing in Chennai, or our payroll service if you also want salaries handled.

Need help? Call or WhatsApp QTS on 87789 49661, or book a ₹499 + GST expert consultation. Our Chennai head office is at 5/99, 2nd Floor, Kundrathur Main Road, Mowlivakkam, Porur, Chennai 600125 (Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM).

ROC Annual Filing for FY 2025-26: AOC-4 and MGT-7 Due Dates for Chennai Companies

If your private limited company held its annual general meeting (AGM) on or before 30 September 2026, two ROC deadlines are now close: AOC-4 (financial statements) within 30 days of the AGM, and MGT-7 or MGT-7A (annual return) within 60 days. LLPs have Form 8 due by 30 October.

Due dates if your AGM was on 30 September 2026

Filing	Who files	Due by
ADT-1 (auditor appointment)	Companies appointing an auditor at the AGM	15 October 2026
AOC-4 (financial statements)	Private limited companies	30 October 2026
Form 8 (statement of account and solvency)	LLPs	30 October 2026
MGT-7 / MGT-7A (annual return)	Companies (MGT-7A for small companies and OPCs)	29 November 2026

If your AGM was earlier, count 30 days (AOC-4) and 60 days (MGT-7) from the AGM date. One Person Companies don't hold an AGM: they file AOC-4 within 180 days of the year end, and MGT-7A within 60 days of the date the AGM would have been due.

What late filing costs

Each form filed late attracts an additional fee of ₹100 for every day of delay. A company that misses its filings for three years in a row can see its directors disqualified. MCA extended the deadline for FY 2024-25 last year, but at the time of writing (October 2026) no extension has been announced for FY 2025-26, so plan to file on time.

Checklist before you file

• Accounts audited by a practising Chartered Accountant, with the audit report signed
• Board report and AGM notice, minutes and resolutions
• Shareholding and director details as on 31 March 2026
• A valid digital signature (DSC) of a director
• Director KYC up to date: from 31 March 2026 directors file DIR-3 KYC once every three financial years, and must update a new mobile number, email or address within 30 days

QTS prepares the books and schedules your auditor needs, drafts the AGM papers and files AOC-4, MGT-7/7A, ADT-1 and LLP Forms 8 and 11 for you. See ROC annual filing in Chennai.

Need help? Call or WhatsApp QTS on 87789 49661, or book a ₹499 + GST expert consultation. Our Chennai head office is at 5/99, 2nd Floor, Kundrathur Main Road, Mowlivakkam, Porur, Chennai 600125 (Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM).