Advance Tax Calculator India 2026
Find out if you need to pay advance tax and get the 4-installment schedule (15 Jun / 15 Sep / 15 Dec / 15 Mar). Avoids Section 234B and 234C interest penalties.
Your income & TDS details
✓ Advance tax NOT required. Your remaining tax liability (₹0) is below the ₹10,000 threshold. Either TDS already covers your tax, or your total liability is low enough that you can pay at ITR filing without interest penalties.
📋 Key advance tax rules
- •Senior citizens (60+) without business income: advance tax NOT required, regardless of liability
- •Pay on incometax.gov.in → e-Pay Tax → Challan ITNS 280 (online via net-banking, UPI, or debit card)
- •Section 234B: interest @1%/month if total advance tax paid is less than 90% of liability by 31st March
- •Section 234C: interest @1%/month for each shortfall in installment-wise payments
- •Salaried with only salary income + TDS covers full liability: you don't need to pay advance tax
- •Self-employed / consultants: estimate income early in the year and pay all 4 installments to avoid penalties
Advance Tax FAQ
Who needs to pay advance tax?
Any taxpayer whose total tax liability (after TDS) for the financial year exceeds ₹10,000 must pay advance tax. This includes salaried with additional income (FD interest, rent, capital gains), self-employed professionals, freelancers, and business owners. Exception: senior citizens (60+) without business or professional income — they're exempt from advance tax.
What happens if I don't pay advance tax?
Two penalties: (1) Section 234B — 1% per month interest if total advance tax paid is less than 90% of liability by 31st March; (2) Section 234C — 1% per month interest for missing any installment-wise threshold (15%, 45%, 75%, 100% on the 4 due dates). For ₹50,000 unpaid advance tax: 234B alone can add ₹6,000 by ITR filing in July.
How do I pay advance tax online?
Go to incometax.gov.in → e-Pay Tax → select Challan ITNS 280 → fill PAN, AY, your details → select 'Advance Tax (100)' → choose payment mode (net banking / debit card / UPI). The payment is instantly reflected in your Form 26AS within 3-5 days. Save the challan PDF for your records.
I'm salaried with only salary income — do I need to pay?
Usually no. Your employer's TDS via Form 16 typically covers 100% of your tax liability. Advance tax only kicks in if you have ADDITIONAL income that isn't TDS-covered: FD interest above TDS threshold, rental income, stock capital gains, freelance income, etc. Check this calculator to find out exactly.
Can I pay all advance tax in one shot in March?
Yes, but you'll attract Section 234C interest for missing the earlier installment thresholds. Example: if your full liability was ₹1L, by 15 June you should have paid ₹15k. If you only pay everything on 15 March, 234C interest for missed installments applies. It's cheaper to pay quarterly than face the interest.