TDS on property in India refers to the tax deducted at source on transactions involving the sale of immovable property. According to Indian tax regulations, when a property is sold, the buyer is required to deduct a certain percentage of the transaction amount as TDS and deposit it with the Income Tax Department.
Key points regarding TDS on property in India:
- Applicability: TDS on property is applicable when the sale consideration exceeds a specified limit. As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, the applicable limit is Rs. 50 lakh.
- TDS rate: The buyer is required to deduct TDS at the rate of 1% on the total sale consideration. If the seller does not provide a Permanent Account Number (PAN), the TDS rate increases to 20%.
- Payment and Form 26QB: The buyer needs to deposit the TDS amount using Form 26QB through the online tax portal. This form captures details of the property transaction, buyer, and seller.
- TDS certificate (Form 16B): After depositing the TDS, the buyer needs to download the TDS certificate, Form 16B, from the online tax portal. This certificate is proof of TDS deposition.
- Seller's responsibility: The seller can claim credit for the TDS deducted while filing their Income Tax Return. They need to provide the buyer's TDS certificate (Form 16B) as evidence.
- Filing of TDS return: The buyer is required to file a TDS return in Form 26QB within a specified period, providing details of the TDS deducted and deposited.
It is important to note that tax rules and regulations can change, so individuals involved in property transactions should verify the latest guidelines and requirements with the Income Tax Department or consult with a tax professional for accurate and up-to-date information.
How to pay TDS on property online?
The facility of property tax payment onlineinvolves a hassle-free process that allows you to pay the necessary amount from your bank account. However, to use this facility, you should have the net banking feature activated on your account. The account should also be associated with authorised banks as mentioned in the official website of TIN-NSDL.
Steps to pay TDS on property online
Follow the below steps to pay TDS on your property online.
Step 1: Fill form 26QB online
- Before depositing the payment fill form 26QB, available on theTIN-NSDL website
- The form is similar to the form available to pay Tax Deducted at Source from income tax on sale of land
- Provide details such as PAN, addresses of buyer and seller, property address property, date of sale agreement, and property value
Step 2: Confirm the e-payment
- Upon confirmation, the TDS amount will be deducted electronically from your bank
- You can schedule the payment for a later date
- Receive a 9-digit alpha-numeric acknowledgement number upon payment confirmation
- Obtain a challan with a unique CIN and payment and bank details
Step 3: Download form 16B
- As a seller, download form 16B from the official website of Centralised Processing Cell of TDS
- The buyer must submit the certificate of TDS to you (seller) within 15 days from the due date of submission mentioned on the challan
Follow the above-mentioned steps, to pay TDS on property online. After receiving the certificate of Tax Deducted at Source, you, as a seller, will be eligible to claim credit for TDS on a property purchase above Rs. 50 lakh against tax liability after submission.
As a seller, you can also claim TDS rebates on your residential property when you file your income tax returns. Moreover, if your property was acquired before 1 June 2013, you will not have to file Form 26QB while paying Tax Deducted at Source when selling it.
Additional read:What is property tax?
Why do you need to pay TDS on property?
Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on property transactions in India is a mechanism implemented by the government to ensure that taxes are collected at the time of the property sale, thereby preventing tax evasion, and promoting transparency in financial transactions. Here are the key reasons why TDS on property is required in India:
- Tax collection at source:
TDS ensures that a portion of the total sale consideration is collected as tax at the source itself, i.e., at the time of the property sale. This helps in the early collection of taxes. - Prevention of tax evasion:
TDS acts as a preventive measure against tax evasion. By deducting TDS at the time of the property transaction, the government can ensure that taxes are collected even if the seller fails to report the income or pay taxes later. - Transparency and accountability:
TDS promotes transparency in property transactions and ensures accountability. The details of the TDS transaction are recorded, and both the buyer and seller receive certificates (Form 26QB and Form 16B, respectively) as proof of the tax deduction. - Strengthening tax compliance:
TDS helps strengthen tax compliance by creating a direct link between property transactions and tax payments. It discourages individuals from avoiding or underreporting their taxable income. - Simplifies the tax collection process:
Collecting taxes at the time of the property sale simplifies the tax collection process for the government. It reduces the burden of tracking and collecting taxes from individual taxpayers after the transaction has taken place. - Documentation for property transactions:
TDS on property serves as an essential documentation process in property transactions. The TDS certificates issued to both the buyer and seller provide a record of the tax deducted and deposited. - Ease of verification:
TDS provides an easy mechanism for both the government and taxpayers to verify tax payments. The details are available on the online tax portal, making it accessible for verification purposes. - Ensures buyer's compliance:
TDS places a responsibility on the buyer to deduct and deposit taxes. This ensures that even if the seller is non-compliant, the buyer's action contributes to fulfilling the tax obligation.
It is important for both buyers and sellers involved in property transactions to understand the TDS provisions, adhere to the guidelines set by the Income Tax Department, and comply with the necessary documentation and reporting requirements.
Advantage of paying TDS online
- Convenient location and timing: Easily pay taxes from any location at any time using your net-banking account.
- Instant fund transfer: Experience the swift transfer of funds directly from your account.
- Direct submission to Income Tax Department: Information provided on the e-challan is directly sent to the Income Tax Department without intermediary data entry by banks.
- Record keeping: Save and print copies of the challan and receipt for your records.
- Prompt receipt: Upon authorisation of payment by your bank, promptly receive a clear and legible receipt/counterfoil.
- Easy tracking: Access the transaction ID in your bank statement for easy tracking of e-payment transactions.
- Verification of payment: Verify if your payment has reached the Income Tax Department by checking online through the Tax Information Network Website at https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/oltas/index.html.
