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Microlesson · 5-min read

Interest on Late Deduction / Late Payment of TDS – Section 201(1A)

# Interest on Default in TDS – Section 201(1A)

This interest is mandatory (not discretionary) and is compensatory in nature.

## 1. Default Type 1 – TDS NOT Deducted (or deducted but not paid)

SituationRate of Interest
TDS was deductible but not deducted1% per month or part of a month
TDS deducted but not paid to Government1.5% per month or part of a month

## 2. Default Type 2 – Late Deduction / Late Payment

Type of DefaultRate of Interest
Late deduction (deducted after due date of deduction)1% p.m. or part of a month
Late payment (deducted on time, paid after due date)1.5% p.m. or part of a month

## 3. Key Principles

  • 'Part of a month' is treated as full month – even one day's delay attracts a full month's interest.
  • Period of interest:
  • For non-deduction: from the date on which tax was deductible till the date it is actually paid.
  • For late payment: from the date of deduction till the date of actual payment.
  • Interest is in addition to any late filing fee (234E) or penalty (271H, 271C).

## Summary Table

```

Not deducted → 1.0% p.m. (part of month = full month)

Deducted not paid → 1.5% p.m.

Late deducted → 1.0% p.m.

Late paid → 1.5% p.m.

```

Memory hook: Deduction default = 1%; Payment default = 1.5%

Worked example

### Example 1

Example 1 – Late payment interest:

TDS of ₹40,000 was deducted on 5 August 2025 (correctly on time). Due date for deposit = 7 September 2025. It was actually paid on 12 October 2025.

  • Period of delay: 5 Aug (date of deduction) to 12 Oct = 3 months (part counted as full).
  • Interest @ 1.5% p.m. × 3 × ₹40,000 = ₹1,800.

### Example 2

Example 2 – Non-deduction:

A payment of ₹5,00,000 attracting TDS of ₹50,000 was made on 1 July 2025 but TDS was NOT deducted. Deductor finally deducts and pays on 15 December 2025.

  • Interest @ 1% p.m. from 1 July 2025 to 15 December 2025 = 6 months (part = full) × 1% × ₹50,000 = ₹3,000.

### Example 3

Example 3 – Late deduction:

TDS was to be deducted on 10 May 2025 but was deducted on 25 June 2025 and paid on 7 July 2025.

  • Late deduction period = 10 May to 25 June = 2 months × 1% = 2% on TDS.
  • After deduction, paid within due date (7 July) so no late payment interest.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Computing 'part of a month' on a pro-rata basis – the law treats ANY part as a FULL month.
  • Applying 1.5% rate for non-deduction – correct rate is 1% for non/late deduction; 1.5% is only for late payment.
  • Counting from the date of the original transaction for late-payment interest when only payment is late – it runs from the date of DEDUCTION.
  • Ignoring interest because penalty has been paid – interest u/s 201(1A) is independent of late fee or penalty.
Reference: 201(1A)
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