TDS returns and certificates
Build the quarterly Form 140 or Form 143 return file, fix what is missing, and print TDS or TCS certificates for your parties.
The app prepares your quarterly TDS and TCS return from the register. It does not file the return for you. You take the file into the government's return preparation utility (Protean RPU), check it with the File Validation Utility (FVU), and upload the final .fvu file on the income-tax e-filing portal.
Under the Income-tax Act 2025, Form 140 replaces 26Q (TDS on purchases) and Form 143 replaces 27EQ (TCS on sales). These new forms apply from FY 2026-27. Only these two returns are made here.
Before you start
- Switch on TDS or TCS and fill your TAN and responsible person in Set up TDS and TCS.
- Record the ITNS-281 challan for every entry in TDS register and challans. A return only includes tax that has been deposited.
- Download RPU and FVU from the Protean TIN site. The return screen has a Protean TIN e-TDS downloads link.
Make the quarterly return
- Open TDS & TCS > Returns (New Act).
- In Return, choose Form 140 — TDS on purchases (26Q) or Form 143 — TCS collected on sales (27EQ).
- Choose the FY. Only FY 2026-27 and later are listed.
- Choose the Quarter.
- Check the header: deductor name, TAN, PAN, Return form and Period.
- Read the coloured box below the header.
- If it lists items needed before the FVU file will validate, fix each item. Most are filled in Set up TDS and TCS, Business Profile or the challan screen.
- When it says Ready., click FVU return (.txt) to download the return file.
- Open the file in Protean RPU, then validate it in FVU with your challan status (
.csi) file. - Upload the
.fvufile that FVU makes on the income-tax e-filing portal.
The screen shows the return challan by challan. Under each challan you see each party, PAN, section and code, reference, date, amount and tax. Entries without a challan appear under Not deposited — no challan. The cards show CHALLANS, DEDUCTEES or COLLECTEES, TOTAL BASE and the total tax.
Other downloads on this screen:
| Button | What you get |
|---|---|
| RPU-import | A text file to help you key the data into RPU. It is not a validated return. |
| CSV | A spreadsheet of all the lines in the return. |
The section codes and payment codes come from your section library. Check them against the current rules and the current RPU before you file.
Print certificates
- Open TDS & TCS > Certificates (16A / 27D).
- In Type, choose TDS deducted (Form 16A → vendors) or TCS collected (Form 27D → buyers).
- Choose FY and Quarter.
- Find the party in the list. Check the Deposited column says Yes. Partial/No means some entries have no challan yet.
- Click 16A or 27D at the end of the row. The certificate opens in a new tab with the print window.
- Print it or save it as PDF.
From FY 2026-27 the certificate numbers are Form 131 (was 16A) and Form 133 (was 27D). The CERTIFICATE card shows which applies to the year you picked.
The certificate printed here is for reference only. The legal certificate is the one you download from TRACES after your return is processed. Check against it before you share.
Click Return CSV on this screen to download the party-wise lines for the period.
Common problems
- Set your TAN and responsible person in Settings → TDS / TCS — mandatory on every return. — the TAN is blank. Fill it in Set up TDS and TCS.
- Deductor state code (unrecognised state name in Business Profile) — correct the state in Business Profile.
- No deposited challans in this period — record ITNS-281 challans in the Register — record the challan first in TDS register and challans.
- Challan #1: BSR code (7-digit) — record it in the Register — the challan was saved without a BSR code or serial. Undo the challan on Challans & Payment and record it again with the full details.
- No deposited entries with challans for this period. — shown when you click FVU return (.txt) and nothing in that quarter has a challan.
- No FY 2026-27+ data yet — you have no entries in FY 2026-27 or later. Returns for earlier years use the old forms (26Q / 27EQ), which this screen does not make.
- PAN N/A shown in red on a line — the party has no PAN or GSTIN saved, so the higher no-PAN rate applies and FVU marks it PAN not available. Add the PAN to the customer or supplier.
- The FVU button is grey — there are no entries for the return, FY and quarter you chose.