About the Advance Tax Planner
Anyone whose tax for the year, after TDS, is ₹10,000 or more must pay advance tax in four instalments: 15 % by 15 June, 45 % by 15 September, 75 % by 15 December and the full amount by 15 March (cumulative). Taxpayers under presumptive taxation (44AD / 44ADA) pay the whole amount by 15 March. A shortfall in any instalment attracts simple interest at 1 % a month under section 234C, and unpaid tax after March attracts 234B interest until the return is filed.
Enter the estimated tax for the year and the TDS credit you expect; add what you have already paid against each instalment. The planner shows each due date, the cumulative amount due, this instalment's share, the shortfall and the 234C interest it attracts (three months for the first three instalments, one month for the last).
Estimate honestly — the interest is on the tax finally assessed, so an optimistic estimate defers the tax but not the cost. Business owners with lumpy income should re-estimate before each date.
How to use it
- 1Enter the estimated total tax for the year (use the regime calculator).
- 2Enter the TDS / TCS credit you expect for the year.
- 3Enter any advance tax already paid against each instalment.
- 4Read the instalment schedule, shortfalls and 234C interest.
How this is calculated
Net tax = estimated tax − TDS credit; advance tax required if net tax ≥ ₹10,000 Cumulative due = net tax × 15 % / 45 % / 75 % / 100 % by 15 June / 15 September / 15 December / 15 March Interest 234C = shortfall × 1 % × 3 months (1 month for the March instalment)
Rates used
- Advance-tax threshold10,000 ₹ tax liability · Income-tax Act s.208 · verified 2026-09-25 · owner to confirm
- Advance tax by 15 June15 % cumulative · Income-tax Act s.211 · verified 2026-09-25 · owner to confirm
- Advance tax by 15 September45 % cumulative · Income-tax Act s.211 · verified 2026-09-25 · owner to confirm
- Advance tax by 15 December75 % cumulative · Income-tax Act s.211 · verified 2026-09-25 · owner to confirm
- Advance tax by 15 March100 % cumulative · Income-tax Act s.211 · verified 2026-09-25 · owner to confirm
- Interest under s.234C per month1 % per month · Income-tax Act s.234C · verified 2026-09-25 · owner to confirm
Frequently asked questions
I am under presumptive taxation — do the four dates apply?
No. Taxpayers under sections 44AD and 44ADA pay the entire advance tax in one instalment by 15 March. Enter the full amount against the last instalment.
Is there any tolerance on the June and September instalments?
Yes. No 234C interest is charged for the first two instalments if at least 12 % and 36 % respectively of the tax was paid by the due dates. The planner shows the interest at the full percentages; treat the June/September figures as the safe amounts.
What if income arrives late in the year — a property sale in February?
Capital gains that arise after an instalment date are excluded from the earlier instalments: pay the tax on them in the remaining instalments. The planner does not know the timing of income, so exclude such gains from the estimate until they arise.
How do I pay?
Challan ITNS 280 on the income-tax e-filing portal, selecting 'Advance Tax (100)'. Keep the challan number for your return.