Tax topic · compliance

    Advance Tax — Instalment Schedule & Interest under 234B/234C

    Any taxpayer (individual, firm, company) whose net tax after TDS exceeds ₹10,000 must pay advance tax. Senior citizens without business income are exempt. Missed instalments attract Section 234B (1% × months) and Section 234C (1% × 3 months) interest.

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    Key takeaways
    • 15 June: 15% of estimated tax
    • 15 September: 45% cumulative
    • 15 December: 75% cumulative
    • 15 March: 100% cumulative
    • 44AD/44ADA/44AE: entire tax by 15 March

    Definition

    Advance Tax

    Advance tax is tax paid in the same FY when income is earned, in four instalments as per Section 208, if total tax liability exceeds ₹10,000.

    What is Advance Tax?

    Any taxpayer (individual, firm, company) whose net tax after TDS exceeds ₹10,000 must pay advance tax. Senior citizens without business income are exempt. Missed instalments attract Section 234B (1% × months) and Section 234C (1% × 3 months) interest.

    Key rules to remember

    • 15 June: 15% of estimated tax
    • 15 September: 45% cumulative
    • 15 December: 75% cumulative
    • 15 March: 100% cumulative
    • 44AD/44ADA/44AE: entire tax by 15 March

    Worked example

    Freelancer estimated tax ₹1.2L: pays ₹18k by 15 Jun, ₹54k by 15 Sep, ₹90k by 15 Dec, ₹1.2L by 15 Mar. Miss any instalment → 1% × 3 months × short-fall as 234C interest.

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    Frequently asked questions

    FAQs

    Frequently asked questions

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    Last Updated
    15 September 2026

    Content refreshed against the latest CBIC / CBDT / MCA notifications and portal changes.

    Reviewed by Chartered Accountant
    CA Ravi Sharma

    Chartered Accountant · ICAI Member · 12+ years in Indian tax & compliance

    Update History
    1. 15 September 2026
      Reviewed rates, forms and portal workflow for Advance Tax. Verified against latest CBIC/CBDT notifications.
    2. 10 January 2026
      Refreshed FAQ set, added new penalty examples and jurisdiction notes.
    3. 05 October 2025
      Structural rewrite for EEAT — added expert commentary, playbooks and process timeline.