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Microlesson · 5-min read

Section 40(a)(ia) - Disallowance for Non-Deduction/Non-Payment of TDS on Payments to Residents

# Section 40(a)(ia) - Payments to Residents

## Trigger

Payment to a resident AND:

  • TDS not deducted, OR
  • TDS deducted but not paid to Government up to the due date of return u/s 139(1).

## Disallowance

  • 30% of the expenditure is disallowed.

## Subsequent Year Allowance

  • If TDS is deducted and paid (or paid to Government) in a later year, the 30% earlier disallowed is allowed as deduction in that later year.

## Section 201(1) - 'Bachne Ka Tarika' (Escape Route)

If payer has NOT deducted TDS, the payer is NOT treated as 'assessee in default' AND the disallowance does not happen if all the following conditions are met by the PAYEE (Resident or NR):

1. The payee has furnished his return of income u/s 139(1),

2. The payee has taken such payment into account while computing his income, AND

3. The payee has paid tax on such income.

4. The payer furnishes a CA certificate in this regard to the Assessing Officer.

## Timing of Subsequent Deduction

  • In such case, the expense will be allowed in the year in which the payee files his return (deemed TDS deduction date).
  • It will remain disallowed in the current year since TDS was not actually deducted then.

## Interest under Section 201(1A)

  • The payer must pay interest at 1% per month or part thereof from:
  • Date on which TDS was deductible TO
  • Date on which return was filed by the payee.

## Illustration Timeline

```

01.04.2025 ─── 31.03.2026 ─── 20.07.2026 ─── 31.07.2026

Payee files return → TDS deemed deducted in P.Y. 2026-27

```

Worked example

### Example 1

Q.9 Example: Mr. A pays ₹5,00,000 commission to Mr. B (resident) in P.Y. 2025-26 without deducting TDS.

  • 30% × ₹5,00,000 = ₹1,50,000 disallowed in P.Y. 2025-26
  • If TDS is deducted and deposited in P.Y. 2026-27 → ₹1,50,000 allowed in P.Y. 2026-27.

### Example 2

Q.10 Example - Section 201(1) escape: Mr. A pays ₹5,00,000 commission to Mr. B in P.Y. 2025-26 without TDS. Mr. B files his ROI on 20-July-2026, includes ₹5,00,000 as income and pays tax. Mr. A obtains CA certificate.

  • ₹1,50,000 (30%) remains disallowed in P.Y. 2025-26.
  • ₹1,50,000 allowed in P.Y. 2026-27.
  • Mr. A must pay interest @ 1% per month from TDS deductible date till 20-July-2026.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Applying 100% disallowance to payments to residents — only 30% applies u/s 40(a)(ia).
  • Forgetting the 'Bachne Ka Tarika' route under Sec 201(1) where deduction can effectively be claimed in subsequent year via CA certificate.
  • Forgetting interest u/s 201(1A) @ 1% p.m. for delay even when escape route is used.
  • Allowing deduction in current year just because payee paid tax — disallowance still applies in current year; allowance is in subsequent year.
Reference: Section 40(a)(ia), 201(1), 201(1A) — Income Tax Act, 1961
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