7 Common TDS Return Filing Errors (and How Software Prevents Them)

Most TDS return rejections trace back to a small set of recurring mistakes — nearly all of which are entirely preventable with validation before submission, rather than correction after the fact.

The 7 Most Common Errors

• Invalid or mismatched PAN — the single most common cause of return defects
• Challan mismatch — tax deposited doesn't reconcile with what's reported against deductees
• Wrong section code — applying the wrong TDS section to a payment type
• Short deduction — TDS deducted at a lower rate than required
• Incorrect deductee category — company vs non-company classification errors
• Missing or incorrect CIN (Challan Identification Number)
• Late filing — triggering the Section 234E fee entirely avoidably

How to Avoid Them Systematically

Each of these is exactly what built-in validation in TDS compliance software checks before a return is ever submitted — catching PAN and challan issues at the data-entry stage rather than after NSDL flags a defective return.

Frequently Asked Questions