Relyonsoft.com
 
eTDS Software

FAQs on TDS

 eTDS Specific
  1. What is the Flow chart of e-Return?
  2. Why SaralTDS is required?
  3. What is NSDL?
  4. What is TIN Facilitation Centre [TIN FC]?
  5. What are the general points to be considered while filing the eTDS/TCS return?
  6. What is e-Return/electronic Format?
  7. What is File Validation Utility [FVU]?
  8. What are errors?
  9. What FVU does if any errors found in the file?
  10. What FVU does if there are no errors in the file?
  11. What are Form 24, 26, 27 and 27E?
  12. What data is to be entered in Form 24Q of salaries as it is a quarterly return? Do we require to specify the quarterly amounts of investments, incomes, etc
  13. What about the Salary Details, in case the employee has left the employment before 4th quarter?
  14. Can deductor file Form 26Q separately for contractors, professionals, interest etc.?
  15. What is Form 26AS?
  16. What if a return doesnt contain deductee PAN?
  17. What about the challan details entry for government deductors, as they remit the deductions with Book Adjustments/Book Entries/Treasury?
  18. Which File is to be submitted to NSDL for eTDS/TCS returns?
  19. What is form 26QA?
  20. What is Annual Information Return [AIR]?
  21. Where can the user get the detailed FAQs regarding eTDS from Income Tax department?
  22. Can return be filed before the end of Quarter?
 
 Saral TDS Specific
  1. If SaralTDS is built on VB, why Java Runtime Environment [JRE] is required?
  2. What is Challan and deduction link?
  3. Why Challan and deduction link is required?
  4. What is Part Payment?
  5. What about the challan and Deduction Link in case of Part Payment?
  6. What are TDS/TCS certificates?
  7. What is a Nil Return?
  8. What is the position for an assessee who has not made any payment at all?
  9. What about Challan and deduction Link for Zero Deduction?
  10. How to convert Last year [2004-05 or before] data to present year [2005-06]?
  11. How to convert Professional version data to corporate version?
  12. How to convert 2004-05 or before professional version data to 2005-06 corporate data?
  13. What are Option settings in SaralTDS?
  14. What is Auto linking option?
  15. Why clear special characters?
  16. What is the Extension of Saral TDS Data file?
  17. What about Form 26QA in SaralTDS?

 

 Validation and Errors
  1. Why FVU reports error as Invalid PAN, even though PAN is provided? OR What is Valid PAN Format checked by FVU?
  2. Why FVU reports error as Invalid TAN/TINFC ID, even though TAN is provided? OR What is Valid TAN Format checked by FVU?
  3. The Bank will have provided a bank Challan number of more than 5-character width, but SaralTDS [NSDL data structure] allows only 5 characters. What is to be done in this situation?
  4. What is the error message Sum of TDS/TCS-Interest Amount + TDS/TCS-Others (amount) + Total Tax Deposit Amount as per deductee annexure is greater than Total of Deposit Amount as per Challan/Transfer Voucher number?
  5. What is the error message Invalid Name of Employee/Party?
  6. While Validation Process, why the user should check the System Date?
  7. How to Identify error?
  8. The File is showing as Valid in SaralTDS, but when taken to TIN FC, they say invalid. Why?
  9. What are the solutions for problems (error messages) while importing, validating, Java related, etc?
 
 Other Issues
  1. Why in some systems with OS based on WinNT (E.g.: Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, etc) gives error while installation as autoexec.nt file missing or invalid. What s the resolution?
  2. While double clicking and opening the software, only the start-up screen (small window) opens and not the software?
  3. Even after connecting the Hardware Lock to Printer port, The product not getting registered. Still the product/s are displayed in Trial Version?
  4. Software installation gives message There is no enough disk space available to install the program, even though the system has around 70 to 200MB of Disk Space left free. The Relyon system requirement specifies only 50 MB of Disk Space. Why?
  5. Double clicking the Icon in the desktop and opening the software gives error message “A fatal error… What is the resolution for this problem?
  6. If user tries to access any of the Excel reports or excel related interfaces (Import/Export) from the software, The program results an error message "Run time error; 2147023067 (80070725) Automation error"
  7. While installing the program a message appears as Following files failed to Self Register and displays a list of files. Further the software gets installed successfully and gets opened. But access to some options results in error.
  8. While opening a particular data file the software displays an error message Microsoft Jet Database engine cannot open the File xxxx, as the file may be opened exclusively by another user or you dont have sufficient permission to access the file. Why?
  9. What is the easiest way to check the full access in network?
  10. What is the way to send a data file to Relyon
  11. What is the solution for the error message Run time error 339; the file xxxx may be missing or invalid?
 

eTDS Specific:

 
1.
What is the Flow chart of e-Return?

E Return Flow Chart is as below:

Deductor-> Tin FC/Direct Upload-> NSDL (e-Return Intermediatory)-> IT Department.

 
2.
Why SaralTDS is required?

As the Return of Quarterly TDS/TCS details is mandatory to be submitted in Electronic format through a computer media (Floppy/CD), it creates a requirement for SaralTDS that converts the General Data entered in it to the electronic format specified by NSDL.

 
3.
What is NSDL?

National Security Depositories Limited [NSDL], Mumbai is the Intermediatory appointed by IT Department for the e-Governance of Direct Taxes. It is the company Tendered by IT department for the superintendence of Direct Tax collection and returns administration.

 
4.
What is TIN Facilitation Centre [TIN FC]?

TIN FCs are the centers opened by NSDL for the purpose of collection of e-TDS/TCS returns filed by Deductors/Collectors. The detailed addresses of TIN FCs throughout India are available at www.tin-nsdl.com.

 
5.
What are the general points to be considered while filing the eTDS/TCS return?
Following points are to be considered for eTDS/TCS return filing:
Each e-TDS return file (Form 24, 26 or 27) should be in a separate CD/floppy.
Each e-TDS return file should be accompanied by a duly filled and signed (by an authorized signatory) Form 27A in physical form.
Each e-TDS return file should be in one CD/floppy. It should not span across multiple floppies.
In case the size of an e-TDS return file exceeds the capacity of one floppy, it should be furnished on a CD.
In case the e-TDS return file is in a compressed format, it should be compressed using WinZip 8.1 or ZipItFast 3.0 compression utility only to ensure quick and smooth acceptance of the file.
Label should be affixed on each CD/floppy mentioning name of the deductor, his TAN, Form no. (24, 26 or 27) and period to which the return pertains.
There should be not any overwriting / striking on Form 27A. If there is any, then the same should be ratified by an authorized signatory.
No bank challan, copy of TDS certificate should be furnished along with e-TDS return file.
In case of Form 26 and 27, deductor need not furnish physical copies of certificates of no deduction or lower deduction of TDS received from deductees.
In case of Form 24 deductor should furnish physical copies of certificates of 'no deduction or deduction of TDS at lower rate', if any, received from deductees.
e-TDS return file should contain TAN of the deductor without which the return will not be accepted.
CD/floppy should be virus free.

In case any of these requirements are not met the e-TDS return will not be accepted at TIN- FCs.

 
6.
What is e-Return/electronic Format?

e-Return is a process where the data which was submitted through paper returns in the earlier procedure, is converted to a specified (by NSDL) Text format in the 1st Level (Deductor/Collector) itself. This data is directly (www.tin-nsdl.com) or Indirectly (TIN Facilitation Centers) Uploaded to NSDL.

 
7.
What is File Validation Utility [FVU]?

FVU is a utility provided by NSDL to verify the e-Return (Text file) generated by the deductor, with the format prescribed. FVU takes an Input file and generates a report and *.FVU File.

 
8.
What are errors?

FVU checks the text file with the format prescribed by NSDL. The deficiencies found in the file are known as errors. This may be due to invalid data provided or dates/amounts out of limits, etc

 
9.
What FVU does if any errors found in the file?

If any errors found, *.FVU file will not be generated and Report file contains the List of errors in the Text file.

 
10.
What FVU does if there are no errors in the file?

If File Validation is successful, FVU generates a Report file with the Statistics of the return and a *.FVU file with Text file converted to a compatible format (With addition of few more details) for the software in TIN FC (SAM [ Statement Acceptance Module].

 
11.
What are Form 24, 26, 27 and 27E?

These forms are the respective formats prescribed by IT department for TDS/TCS returns. Form 24 is prescribed for Return of TDS details on Salary Payments, Form 26 for Return of TDS details on Other than Salary Payments (Domestic), Form 27 is also for Return of TDS details on Other than Salary Payments (NRI/Foreign) and Form 27E is for TCS returns.

 
12.
What data is to be entered in Form 24Q of salaries as it is a quarterly return? Do we require to specify the quarterly amounts of investments, incomes, etc

As per the clarification by NSDL/IT department, Form 24Q can contain only Deduction and challan details for 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters. [I.e.: Only amount of payment as per Pay slip, TDS deducted with respective rates and the challan remittance details].
But Last quarter should compulsorily contain the annual amounts of Investments, Contributions, etc under Chapter VI A, Details of Salary, Perquisites and Any other incomes reported and his net tax liability. Last quarter should also contain the Deduction and challan details of respective quarter.

 
13.
What about the Salary Details, in case the employee has left the employment before 4th quarter?

Where an employee has worked with a deductor for part of the financial year only, the deductor should deduct TDS from his salary and report the same in the quarterly Form 24Q of the respective quarter(s) up to the date of employment with him. Further, while submitting Form 24Q for the last quarter, the deductor should include particulars of that employee in Annexure II & III irrespective of the fact that the employee was not under his employment on the last day of the year. Note that in this case Deductions and Challan amount may not be there for that employee in last quarter.

 
14.
Can deductor file Form 26Q separately for contractors, professionals, interest etc.?

No. A single Form 26Q with separate annexure for each type of payment has to be filed for all payments made to residents. E-Return should comprise a single file with all the details of Form26Q.

 
15.
What is Form 26AS?

The annual statement will be issued for all tax deducted and tax collected at source from F.Y 2005-06 onwards after the expiry of the financial year u/s 203AA. This statement is known as Form 26AS. According to this, The PAN wise ledger account will be created after matching the information in the TDS/TCS returns filed by the deductor/ collector and the details of tax deposited in banks coming through OLTAS. This further depends on accuracy in e-Return [TAN, PAN, challan number, etc] by the deductor.

 
16.
What if a return doesnt contain deductee PAN?

In case PANs of some of the deductees are not mentioned in the e-TDS return, the Provisional Receipt will mention the count of missing PANs in the e-TDS return. The details of missing PANs (extent it can be collected from the deductees) may be furnished within seven days of the date of Provisional Receipt to TIN- FC. e-TDS return will be accepted even with missing PANs.
However, if PAN of deductees is not given in the TDS return, tax deducted from payment made to him cannot be posted to the statement of TDS to be issued to him u/s 203AA.

 
17.
What about the challan details entry for government deductors, as they remit the deductions with Book Adjustments/Book Entries/Treasury?

In such cases NSDL allow the Deductors to mark Transfer voucher details in place of Challan details. In SaralTDS If the deductor status is selected as Government, then a option to select Transfer Voucher will be available (on RHS) in Challan Details screen, where user should enter Transfer Voucher Number and Date. The other fields Cheque details and Bank Code is optional in this case.

 
18.
Which File is to be submitted to NSDL for eTDS/TCS returns?

After Validation of the File, the *.FVU file is to be copied to a Floppy/CD and should be enclosed with a covering Letter (Form 27A) duly signed by the responsible person. Both together should be submitted to the TIN FC. TIN FC will upload the *.FVU file through SAM and generate an acknowledgement receipt on the Form 27A furnished.

 
19.
What is form 26QA?

Section 206A of IT Act (Amended) mandates that any banking company or co-operative society or public company responsible for paying to residents any income by way of interest not exceeding five thousand rupees without deduction of tax, shall file quarterly returns.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes has notified that the return in such cases shall be furnished in Form No. 206QA. The Form shall be furnished on or before the 31st July, the 31st October, the 31st January and the 30th June following the respective quarter of the financial year.

 
20.
What is Annual Information Return [AIR]?
Section 285BA of the IT Act (Amended) mandates the specified entities to furnish an Annual Information Return (AIR) in respect of specified financial transactions registered/recorded during the financial year (beginning on or after April 1, 2004).
The Annual Information Return shall be furnished by every person mentioned below in respect of all transactions of the nature and value specified in the corresponding entry:
A banking company: Cash deposits aggregating to ten lakh rupees or more in a year in any savings account of a person maintained in that bank.
A banking company or any other company or institution issuing credit card:. Credit Card Payments to a person, aggregating to two lakh rupees or more in the year.
A trustee of a Mutual Fund: Receipt from any person of an amount of two lakh rupees or more for acquiring units of that Fund.
A company or institution issuing bonds or debentures: Receipt from any person of an amount of five lakh rupees or more for acquiring bonds or debentures issued by the company or institution.
A company issuing shares through a public or rights issue: Receipt from any person of an amount of one lakh rupees or more for acquiring shares issued by the company.
Registrar or Sub-Registrar appointed under the Registration Act, 1908: Purchase or sale by any person of immovable property valued at thirty lakh rupees or more.

An officer of the Reserve Bank of India, who is duly authorized by the Reserve Bank of India in this behalf: Receipt from any person of an amount or amounts aggregating to five lakh rupees or more in a year for bonds issued by the Reserve Bank of India.

 
21.
Where can the user get the detailed FAQs regarding eTDS from Income Tax department?

User can avail the detailed FAQs from the link http://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/etds_faqs.asp.

 
22.
Can return be filed before the end of Quarter?

No. The return can be validated only after the end of the quarter. NSDL FVU doesnt accept a return created before the end of the quarter.

 
 

SaralTDS Specific:

 
1.
If SaralTDS is built on VB, why Java Runtime Environment [JRE] is required?

Basically SaralTDS generates the text file as per the format prescribed. This text file is to be further checked by NSDL File Validation Utility for generation of *.FVU file. As it is recommended to verify the Text file output of SaralTDS with the FVU provided by NSDL, SaralTDS is inbuilt with NSDL FVU. The FVU for 200-06 (Quarterly Returns) is built in Java and the program requires JRE to be present in the User computer. So SaralTDS comes bundled with JRE and requires it to be installed for the purpose of validation.

 
2.
What is Challan and deduction link?

All the Deductions made by a deductor should be shown with the respective Challan details. The process of linking the deductions entered in Deduction details to the challans entered in Challan details is called Challan and Deduction Link.

 
3.
Why Challan and deduction link is required?
Prior to 2004-05 Financial Year, it was required only for the purpose of TDS/TCS certificate generation, where the linking was reflected. But 2005-06 Financial Year onwards (Quarterly Returns) the Linking is also to be shown in the Quarterly TDS/TCS returns. Each and every deduction should contain a challan linked with it.
 
4.
What is Part Payment?
If a single deduction is remitted to the bank with multiple challans (More than One challan), then such remittance are called as part payments.
 
5.
What about the challan and Deduction Link in case of Part Payment?
Incase of Part Payments, Deductions should be proportionally split up with respect to the payments made and shown in the return. This process is also internally taken care in SaralTDS Professional, Corporate and Institutional Versions.
For E.g.: If a deduction of 1500/- is paid through two individual challans of 1000/- and 500/-, then the return should contain 2 individual deductions of 1000/- and 500/- with the same Date and Proportionate Amount of Payment. These deductions should also be linked with respective challan amounts.
 
6.
What are TDS/TCS certificates?

As the details of TDS/TCS will be submitted to the department directly by the deductor, he should provide a certificate of deduction/collection to the Employee/Deductee/Colectee, which is required to be enclosed as proof of TDS/TCS made with his Annual Income Tax return.
Form 16/16AA is prescribed for TDS certificate of TDS on Salary Payments (Form 24). Form 16A for TDS on other than Salary Payments (Form 26 and 27) and Form 27D as the TCS Certificate for TCS collection (Form 27E)

 
7.
What is a Nil Return?
Return, which comprises of Only Zero/NIL Deductions in deduction details and no challan details (Apart from a NIL Challan Indication) is called NIL Return.
Note that the NIL return should have a value Greater than Zero as Total Amount Paid/Credited. Zero-Amount of Payment is not accepted by NSDL. It is compulsory for a deductor to file NIL return if he has done some payments and not deducted/Collected any TDS/TCS on the amount of payment. No Deduction Details and No Challan details is not a NIL returns.
 
8.
What is the position for an assessee who has not made any payment at all?
If there are no payments done under that particular form, it is not compulsory for the deductor to file eTDS returns for that form, unless intimated by IT Department/NSDL.