Short answer
If your tax for Tax Year 2026-27, after TDS and TCS, is ₹10,000 or more, you pay it in advance in four instalments: 15% by 15 June 2026, 45% by 15 September 2026, 75% by 15 December 2026 and 100% by 15 March 2027.
Presumptive taxpayers pay everything by 15 March 2027. Resident senior citizens with no business income are exempt. Paying late or short attracts 1% a month interest under Sections 424 and 425 of the Income-tax Act, 2025 (earlier 234B and 234C).
How to use this advance tax calculator
- 1Pick who is payingSearch for your profile, such as freelancer, presumptive professional, LLP or company. The calculator applies the right rates and instalment rule.
- 2Choose the regime and enter incomeEnter the income you expect for the whole year. Salaried users get the standard deduction automatically. Presumptive users enter gross receipts.
- 3Add TDS, TCS and tax already paidTDS and TCS reduce the advance tax you owe. Tax already paid is set against the instalments.
- 4Read the resultYou see the amount to pay by the next due date and the full schedule. Switch to "Interest 424 & 425" to check interest on missed instalments.
Advance tax due dates for Tax Year 2026-27
| Due date | Pay at least (cumulative) | No Sec 425 interest if paid | Presumptive taxpayers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 June 2026 | 15% of the year's tax | 12% or more | — |
| 15 September 2026 | 45% | 36% or more | — |
| 15 December 2026 | 75% | 75% | — |
| 15 March 2027 | 100% | 100% | 100% in one instalment |
Tax paid by 31 March 2027 still counts as advance tax. Anything paid after that is self-assessment tax, and Section 424 interest runs from 1 April 2027 on any shortfall.
Who must pay advance tax, and who is exempt
| Taxpayer | Advance tax? | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer, consultant or professional | Yes, if tax after TDS is ₹10,000 or more | Clients deduct 10% or 2% TDS; the balance is usually well above ₹10,000. |
| Business owner or trader | Yes, same threshold | Estimate profit each quarter; seasonal income can be caught up in later instalments. |
| Presumptive tax (Section 58, earlier 44AD / 44ADA) | Yes, one instalment | Pay 100% by 15 March 2027. |
| Salaried employee | Only for other income | Rent, interest, capital gains or side income that leaves ₹10,000 or more of tax unpaid. |
| Resident senior citizen (60+), no business income | No | Pay the tax as self-assessment tax before filing the return. |
| Senior citizen with business or professional income | Yes | The exemption does not apply once there is business income. |
| Partnership firm or LLP | Yes | Flat 30%, plus 12% surcharge above ₹1 crore and 4% cess. |
| Company | Yes | Rate depends on turnover and regime: 22%, 25% or 30%, plus surcharge and cess. |
Tax rates used for Tax Year 2026-27
New regime slabs, individuals and HUFs
| Income slab | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to ₹4,00,000 | Nil |
| ₹4,00,001 to ₹8,00,000 | 5% |
| ₹8,00,001 to ₹12,00,000 | 10% |
| ₹12,00,001 to ₹16,00,000 | 15% |
| ₹16,00,001 to ₹20,00,000 | 20% |
| ₹20,00,001 to ₹24,00,000 | 25% |
| Above ₹24,00,000 | 30% |
Resident individuals with income up to ₹12 lakh pay no tax in the new regime because of the rebate, with marginal relief just above it. Salaried people get a ₹75,000 standard deduction in the new regime and ₹50,000 in the old one.
Old regime, firms and companies
| Taxpayer | Rate | Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Individual, old regime (below 60) | Nil to ₹2.5 lakh, 5% to ₹5 lakh, 20% to ₹10 lakh, 30% above | 10% to 37% above ₹50 lakh |
| Senior citizen, old regime (60–79) | Nil up to ₹3 lakh, then as above | Same |
| Partnership firm or LLP | 30% | 12% above ₹1 crore |
| Domestic company, turnover up to ₹400 crore | 25% | 7% above ₹1 crore, 12% above ₹10 crore |
| Domestic company, concessional regime | 22% | 10% flat |
| Other domestic company | 30% | 7% above ₹1 crore, 12% above ₹10 crore |
Health and education cess of 4% applies on tax plus surcharge in every case.
How advance tax is calculated: three worked examples
Work out the tax on your estimated income, subtract TDS and TCS, and check the ₹10,000 threshold. Then pay the cumulative percentage by each date.
Expected income ₹18,00,000. Tax is ₹1,60,000 plus 4% cess, or ₹1,66,400. Clients deduct ₹1,20,000 TDS, leaving ₹46,400.
Pay ₹6,960 by 15 Jun · ₹20,880 by 15 Sep · ₹34,800 by 15 Dec · ₹46,400 by 15 Mar (cumulative)
Receipts of ₹40,00,000 give deemed income of 50%, or ₹20,00,000. New-regime tax with cess is ₹2,08,000 and there is no TDS.
Pay ₹2,08,000 in one instalment by 15 March 2027
Tax after TDS is ₹1,00,000, nothing is paid during the year, and the balance is paid on 31 July 2027.
Sec 425: ₹450 + ₹1,350 + ₹2,250 + ₹1,000 · Sec 424: ₹4,000 · Total interest ₹9,050
Interest for late or short advance tax
| Default | Interest | 2025 Act | Earlier |
|---|---|---|---|
| An instalment paid short or late | 1% a month for 3 months on the June, September and December shortfall; 1 month on the March shortfall | 425 | 234C |
| Advance tax paid is below 90% of the assessed tax | 1% a month or part of a month, from 1 April after the tax year until paid | 424 | 234B |
| Return filed after the due date | 1% a month or part of a month on tax unpaid | 423 | 234A |
Interest is simple, and the amount it is charged on is rounded down to the nearest ₹100. Tax on capital gains, dividends and lottery winnings that arise after an instalment date does not attract Section 425 interest if it is paid in the remaining instalments.
Old and new section numbers for advance tax
| Provision | 1961 Act | 2025 Act |
|---|---|---|
| Liability to pay advance tax | 207 | 403 |
| ₹10,000 threshold | 208 | 404 |
| Computing advance tax | 209 | 405 |
| Due dates and instalments | 211 | 408 |
| Presumptive income | 44AD / 44ADA / 44AE | 58 |
| Interest for default in advance tax | 234B | 424 |
| Interest for deferment of instalments | 234C | 425 |
The Income-tax Act, 2025 applies from 1 April 2026. "Previous year" and "assessment year" are replaced by a single "tax year", so 2026-27 is the year you earn the income and pay advance tax.
How to pay advance tax online
- 1Open e-Pay TaxLog in to the income tax e-filing portal with your PAN, or use e-Pay Tax without logging in.
- 2Choose the tax and yearSelect Income Tax, Tax Year 2026-27 and the payment type Advance Tax (code 100).
- 3Enter the amount and payPay by net banking, UPI, debit card or at the bank counter.
- 4Save the challanKeep the challan identification number (CIN). It shows in your annual tax statement and goes in your return.
Frequently asked questions
What are the advance tax due dates for 2026-27?
15 June 2026 (15% of the year's tax), 15 September 2026 (45% cumulative), 15 December 2026 (75% cumulative) and 15 March 2027 (100%), under Section 408 of the Income-tax Act, 2025. Taxpayers on presumptive tax pay the full amount by 15 March 2027.
Who has to pay advance tax?
Anyone whose tax for the year, after TDS and TCS, is ₹10,000 or more, under Sections 403 and 404 of the Income-tax Act, 2025. This covers freelancers, professionals, business owners, firms, LLPs, companies and salaried people with rent, interest or capital gains. A resident senior citizen (60 or older) with no business or professional income does not have to pay advance tax.
Do salaried employees need to pay advance tax?
Usually not, because the employer deducts TDS on salary. They must pay advance tax when other income such as rent, interest, capital gains or freelance fees leaves ₹10,000 or more of tax unpaid after TDS.
What is Section 424 of the Income-tax Act, 2025?
Section 424 replaces Section 234B. It charges simple interest of 1% a month or part of a month when advance tax paid is less than 90% of the assessed tax. Interest runs from 1 April after the tax year until the balance is paid, on the unpaid amount rounded down to the nearest ₹100.
What is Section 425 of the Income-tax Act, 2025?
Section 425 replaces Section 234C. It charges 1% a month for three months on the shortfall in each of the June, September and December instalments, and 1% for one month on the March shortfall. No interest applies if at least 12% is paid by 15 June and 36% by 15 September.
How is advance tax calculated?
Estimate your income for the full tax year, work out the tax at slab or flat rates, add surcharge and 4% cess, then subtract TDS and TCS. If the balance is ₹10,000 or more, pay 15%, 45%, 75% and 100% of it by the four due dates.
When do presumptive taxpayers pay advance tax?
Businesses and professionals who declare income on a presumptive basis under Section 58 (earlier 44AD and 44ADA) pay the whole advance tax in one instalment by 15 March. If they miss it, interest under Section 425 applies on the shortfall for one month.
How do I pay advance tax online?
Log in to the income tax e-filing portal, open e-Pay Tax, choose Income Tax, select the tax year and pick Advance Tax (code 100). Pay by net banking, UPI, debit card or at the bank counter, then keep the challan identification number for your return.
Can I pay advance tax after the due date?
Yes. Pay the shortfall as soon as you can, because interest under Section 425 is charged for a fixed period per instalment and interest under Section 424 keeps growing by 1% a month. Tax paid after 31 March is self-assessment tax, not advance tax.
What happens if I pay more advance tax than needed?
The excess is refunded after you file your return and it is processed, with interest on the refund where it applies. It is better to revise your estimate each quarter than to overpay by a large margin.