Advance tax for FY 2026-27 is paid in four instalments: 15% by 15 June, 45% cumulative by 15 September, 75% by 15 December and 100% by 15 March 2027. The next date is 15 December 2026, when 75% of the year's tax should already be paid.
Facts checked: 9 October 2026. FY 2026-27 is the first year under the Income-tax Act 2025, which renumbers these provisions. From a section mapping I saw, the liability to pay advance tax moves to section 404 and interest for deferment to section 425. I could not confirm the new number for 234B, so this post uses the familiar 1961 labels and I have not re-verified whether the 2025 Act changes any rate. Confirm against the Act text before citing.
Instalment dates
| Due date | Cumulative advance tax | Status on 9 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 June 2026 | At least 15% | Passed |
| 15 September 2026 | At least 45% | Passed |
| 15 December 2026 | At least 75% | Next |
| 15 March 2027 | 100% | Upcoming |
| 15 March 2027 (presumptive 44AD / 44ADA) | 100% in one instalment | Upcoming |
Who must pay
Anyone whose estimated tax for the year, after reducing TDS and TCS, is ₹10,000 or more. This covers salaried people with other income, professionals, firms, companies and investors with capital gains.
A resident senior citizen (60 or above) with no income from business or profession does not pay advance tax. That exemption disappears if there is any business or professional income.
Interest if you fall short
- Section 234C: 1% per month on the shortfall for each instalment, for 3 months on the first three instalments and 1 month on the last. Interest on the first instalment applies when less than 12% is paid by 15 June, and on the second when less than 36% is paid by 15 September. A shortfall caused by capital gains or dividend that arose after a due date is generally not charged, if the tax is paid in the remaining instalments. Verify on each case.
- Section 234B: 1% per month or part month from 1 April of the assessment year, if advance tax paid by 31 March is below 90% of the assessed tax.
Worked example
A consultant's estimated tax for the year is ₹4,00,000 after TDS. Nothing is paid until a single payment of ₹4,00,000 on 10 March 2027.
| Instalment | Required | Paid | Shortfall | 234C interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 June (15%) | ₹60,000 | ₹0 | ₹60,000 | 1% x 3 = ₹1,800 |
| 15 September (45%) | ₹1,80,000 | ₹0 | ₹1,80,000 | 1% x 3 = ₹5,400 |
| 15 December (75%) | ₹3,00,000 | ₹0 | ₹3,00,000 | 1% x 3 = ₹9,000 |
| 15 March (100%) | ₹4,00,000 | ₹4,00,000 | Nil | Nil |
| Total | ₹16,200 |
Section 234B does not apply here, because the full amount was paid before 31 March. The interest is charged even so, which is the trap described in advance tax 234B and 234C interest traps. Run your own figures in the advance tax 234B/234C calculator, and keep the advance tax working paper template on the file.
Practical steps for the next instalment
- Re-estimate full-year income as of November, including capital gains and bonus.
- Subtract expected TDS and TCS, not just TDS deducted so far.
- Pay by challan before 15 December and keep the challan with the working.
See also ITR due dates for AY 2026-27 and TDS return due dates for FY 2026-27.
Frequently asked questions
Is advance tax due on 15 December 2026?
Yes. By that date, 75% of the estimated tax for FY 2026-27 should be paid in total.
Do senior citizens pay advance tax?
Not if they are 60 or above, resident, and have no business or professional income.
What is the due date for presumptive taxpayers?
A single payment by 15 March 2027 for those who opt for section 44AD or 44ADA.
Can I pay advance tax after 15 March?
Payments made up to 31 March count as advance tax, but interest under 234C applies for the lateness against the 15 March instalment.
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