If your tax for the year — after TDS — is ₹10,000 or more, the law expects you to pay it as you earn it, in four instalments, not in one lump at filing. Miss or underpay an instalment and interest under Sections 234B and 234C accrues at 1% a month. This calculator estimates your FY 2026-27 liability, subtracts TDS and TCS credit, and lays out the 15 June, 15 September, 15 December and 15 March instalments (or the single 15 March payment for presumptive taxpayers), with the amount still due at any point in the year.
Who must pay advance tax
- Anyone whose tax liability after TDS is ₹10,000 or more in the year: freelancers, consultants, shop owners, landlords, investors with capital gains, and salaried people with significant side income.
- Exempt: resident senior citizens (60+) with no business or professional income.
- Presumptive taxpayers under 44AD/44ADA pay 100% in one instalment by 15 March.
The schedule
| Due date | Cumulative share of the year's tax |
|---|---|
| 15 June | 15% |
| 15 September | 45% |
| 15 December | 75% |
| 15 March | 100% |
The percentages are cumulative: if your estimated tax is ₹2,00,000 and you paid ₹30,000 in June, the September instalment brings you to ₹90,000, i.e. another ₹60,000. Capital gains and lottery income arising later in the year are covered if you pay the tax on them in the instalment that follows.
Interest for shortfalls
- 234C (deferment): 1% per month for three months on any shortfall at the June, September and December instalments (one month for March). No interest for the June and September instalments if you paid at least 12% and 36% respectively.
- 234B (non-payment): 1% per month from 1 April of the assessment year if the advance tax paid is less than 90% of the assessed tax.
- Both are simple interest; the calculator shows the estimated 234C exposure if you pay late.
How to use the calculator
- Enter estimated income by head — salary, business or profession, house property, capital gains, other — and deductions; choose the regime (the income tax calculator helps decide).
- Enter the TDS and TCS you expect to be deducted during the year (check Form 26AS/AIS).
- The tool computes net liability including cess and surcharge, and splits it into the four instalments.
- Enter what you have already paid to see the balance for the next date.
- Pay on the e-filing portal under "e-Pay Tax" with challan ITNS 280 (minor head 100 – Advance Tax) and keep the CIN.
Freelancers and small businesses
Freelancers using 44ADA pay tax on 50% of gross receipts; a designer billing ₹30 lakh declares ₹15 lakh income and, under the new regime, owes roughly ₹1.2 lakh plus cess — payable in full by 15 March. If clients deduct 10% TDS under 194J on the ₹30 lakh (₹3 lakh), the TDS already exceeds the liability and no advance tax is due; the refund comes at filing. The full picture, including GST at ₹20 lakh and the LUT for exports, is in Freelancer taxes in India: 44ADA, GST, LUT. Shop owners under 44AD declare 6% of digital and 8% of cash turnover.
Practical tips
- Re-estimate at each instalment; a bumper quarter in December should raise the March payment.
- Pay a little extra rather than a little short — the 10% margin under 234B is unforgiving.
- Reconcile TDS with AIS before the March instalment; a client who deducted but did not deposit leaves you paying interest.
- Keep challans; enter them in the ITR's tax-paid schedule. Which form to use is covered in Which ITR form to file.
Related tools
- Income tax calculator — the liability the instalments are based on.
- TDS calculator — estimate credits clients will deduct.
- Freelance rate calculator — price your work with tax built in.
- Business days calculator — plan payments around bank holidays.
- Late payment interest — simple-interest checks for 234B/234C.