The advance tax due dates are 15 June, 15 September, 15 December and 15 March, and by each date you must have paid at least 15%, 45%, 75% and 100% of the year's tax after TDS. Taxpayers under the presumptive schemes of 44AD and 44ADA have just one date, 15 March, for the full amount.
The dates are the same for income of FY 2025-26 and for tax year 2026-27, the first year of the 2025 Act. As of now, the June and September dates of tax year 2026-27 have passed, and the next one is 15 December. For who has to pay and how to work out the amount, start at the advance tax hub.
Quick facts
First instalment
15 June: 15%Second
15 September: 45% in totalThird
15 December: 75% in totalLast date
15 March: 100%44AD or 44ADA
100% by 15 MarchPaid by 31 March
Still counts as advance tax for the yearMissing a date
234C interest at 1% a month on the shortfall
Advance tax due dates for tax year 2026-27
| Due date | Cumulative share of tax | Share paid on that date | Status as of November in tax year 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 June | 15% | 15% | Passed |
| 15 September | 45% | 30% | Passed |
| 15 December | 75% | 30% | Next |
| 15 March | 100% | 25% | Upcoming |
The cumulative share is what the law tests. If you paid nothing in June but paid 45% by 15 September, the September test is met, though 234C interest still runs on the June shortfall for three months.
Advance tax installment rules for presumptive income
Small businesses taxed on 8% or 6% of turnover under section 44AD, and professionals taxed on 50% of receipts under section 44ADA, pay the whole advance tax by 15 March. They can also pay earlier if they like. If tax due under the scheme is paid by 15 March, there is no 234C interest. If any part is paid after 15 March, interest of 1% for one month applies on the unpaid part.
| Scheme | Who uses it | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| 44AD | Business with turnover up to ₹2 crore (₹3 crore where cash receipts are no more than 5%) | 100% by 15 March |
| 44ADA | Professionals with receipts up to ₹50 lakh (₹75 lakh where cash receipts are no more than 5%) | 100% by 15 March |
More on the schemes: 44AD presumptive tax and 44ADA for professionals.
Worked example: a gain that comes late in the year
Rohan is salaried and his employer's TDS covers his salary in full. In January he sells equity fund units held for eight months and makes a short-term gain of ₹2,00,000.
Tax on the gain under 111A at 20% = ₹40,000, plus 4% cess = ₹1,600. Extra tax: ₹41,600, well over the ₹10,000 limit.
The gain arose after 15 December, so he could not have paid it in the earlier instalments. Paying ₹41,600 as advance tax by 15 March keeps him clear of 234C interest for June, September and December. If he pays only when filing his return, 234B and 234C interest will both apply.
Advance tax last date and the 31 March rule
The advance tax payment last date is 15 March. Tax paid from 16 March to 31 March is still treated as advance tax for that financial year, which reduces 234B interest. It does not, however, cancel the one month of 234C interest for missing 15 March.
When income such as a capital gain or lottery prize arises after 15 March, paying its tax by 31 March avoids 234C on it. After 31 March, any balance becomes self-assessment tax, payable before you file, with interest. The 234A, 234B and 234C interest page shows how the charges add up.
What a missed advance tax payment date costs
| Missed date | Shortfall measured against | Interest |
|---|---|---|
| 15 June | 15% of tax (no interest if at least 12% paid) | 1% a month for 3 months |
| 15 September | 45% of tax (no interest if at least 36% paid) | 1% a month for 3 months |
| 15 December | 75% of tax | 1% a month for 3 months |
| 15 March | 100% of tax | 1% for 1 month |
On top of this, if total advance tax paid by 31 March is below 90% of the tax due, 234B interest at 1% a month runs from 1 April until you pay.
How to pay before each advance tax date
Pay online through the e-Pay Tax option on the e-filing portal, choosing advance tax as the payment type and the right year: AY 2026-27 for FY 2025-26 income under the 1961 Act, or tax year 2026-27 under the 2025 Act for income earned from 1 April 2026. Pay a day or two before the date, since bank transfers by RTGS or NEFT can take time to reflect. The full process is on pay advance tax online.
Mistakes around the advance tax dates
| Slip | Better approach |
|---|---|
| Treating each date as a separate 15%, 30%, 30%, 25% that can be skipped and caught up | Interest is counted per date; pay each share on time |
| Thinking 44ADA professionals need four instalments | One payment by 15 March is enough |
| Waiting for the return to pay a January gain | Pay its tax by 15 March |
| Paying on the due date by a slow transfer | Pay early; the date of credit counts |
A general explainer on instalment dates, not advice for your own tax. CBDT can extend or revise dates, so before paying, confirm the newest dates on the official portal, or let a chartered accountant weigh in.
Sources we checked
- Income-tax Act, 1961, section 211
- Income-tax Act, 1961, section 234C
- Income-tax Act, 1961, sections 44AD and 44ADA
- Income-tax Act, 2025
Frequently asked questions
What are the advance tax due dates?
15 June, 15 September, 15 December and 15 March, with at least 15%, 45%, 75% and 100% of the year's tax paid by each. Presumptive taxpayers under 44AD and 44ADA pay all of it by 15 March.
What is the advance tax last date?
15 March is the last instalment date. Payments made up to 31 March still count as advance tax, which reduces 234B interest.
Is the advance tax payment due date different under the new Act?
No. The same four dates and shares apply to tax year 2026-27. Only the section numbers and the year label on the challan change.
What happens if I miss the first advance tax installment?
Interest under 234C runs at 1% a month for three months on the shortfall against 15%. There is no interest if you paid at least 12% by 15 June.
Do I pay advance tax if my gain comes in February?
Yes, if the extra tax is ₹10,000 or more. Pay it in the 15 March instalment to avoid 234C; a gain made in the second half of March can be covered by 31 March.