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TDS Compliance API

TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) compliance is the set of processes used by a deductor to prepare, validate, and submit quarterly e-TDS returns and generate TDS certificates in India. Use these APIs to download CSI (Challan Status Inquiry) files, generate FVU (File Validation Utility) packages, e-file quarterly TDS returns, and create Form 16/16A certificates using a job-based async workflow with optional webhooks.

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Key features

CSI download

Retrieve Challan Status Inquiry files from TRACES to reconcile tax payments before preparing quarterly returns.

FVU generation

Validate and package TDS return data into FVU-ready ZIP files for upload to the income tax portal.

E-file returns

Submit quarterly TDS returns electronically and download acknowledgement receipts and Form 27A artifacts.

Form 16/16A certificates

Generate salary (Form 16) and non-salary (Form 16A) TDS certificates from TRACES for distribution to deductees.

Job-based async workflow

Submit long-running compliance tasks as jobs and poll for status or receive webhook callbacks when complete.

Webhook notifications

Receive real-time status updates for job completion instead of polling, enabling event-driven integrations.

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How it works

1

Authenticate to get an access token

Call the authentication endpoint to obtain a bearer token for subsequent API requests.
2

Download CSI file

Generate an OTP and verify it to retrieve the CSI file URL for challan reconciliation.
3

Generate FVU package

Submit a job with return data, upload additional inputs if needed, then poll or await a webhook to download the validated FVU ZIP.
4

E-file the quarterly return

Submit the FVU for e-filing, then poll or await a webhook to download the acknowledgement receipt and Form 27A.
5

Generate Form 16/16A certificates

Submit a certificate generation job with deductee details, then poll or await a webhook to fetch completed certificate outputs.

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Recipes

File Form 24Q

E-file Form 24Q with CSI download, FVU generation, and receipt downloads.

File Form 26Q

E-file Form 26Q (non-salary TDS) with CSI download, FVU generation, and receipts.

Generate Form 16 certificates

Download Form 16 salary certificates after Form 24Q filing.

Generate Form 16A certificates

Download Form 16A certificates after Form 26Q or 27Q filing.

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API categories

Download CSI

Generate and verify OTP to retrieve Challan Status Inquiry files.

Generate FVU

Submit, poll, and search FVU generation jobs, with webhook status notifications.

E-file returns

Submit, poll, and search e-filing jobs for quarterly returns, with webhook status notifications.

Form 16/16A certificates

Submit, poll, and fetch certificate generation jobs, with webhook status notifications.

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CSI download APIs

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FVU generation APIs

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E-file APIs

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Form 16/16A certificate APIs

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Common use cases

Use the TDS Compliance API when you need to:
  • Build a payroll platform that validates quarterly TDS return files by generating FVU packages automatically
  • Help finance teams e-file quarterly TDS returns programmatically and store acknowledgements and receipts
  • Generate and distribute Form 16/16A certificates to employees and vendors after returns are processed
  • Automate CSI retrieval for challan reconciliation before preparing the quarterly return
  • Run asynchronous compliance workflows at scale using webhooks instead of polling

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Frequently asked questions

TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) compliance refers to the processes a deductor follows to withhold tax at source, file quarterly returns with the Income Tax Department, and issue TDS certificates to deductees. The TDS Compliance API automates these workflows including CSI download, FVU generation, e-filing, and certificate creation.
CSI (Challan Status Inquiry) is a file downloaded from TRACES (TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System) that contains challan payment details. You need the CSI file to reconcile tax payments before preparing your quarterly TDS return. Use the Download CSI APIs to retrieve this file programmatically.
FVU (File Validation Utility) is a tool provided by the Income Tax Department to validate TDS return files before submission. The TDS Compliance API generates FVU-validated ZIP packages from your return data. Submit a job with your return data, then poll or receive a webhook to download the validated FVU package ready for e-filing.
Job-based APIs handle long-running operations asynchronously. You submit a job with input data, receive a job ID, then either poll the job status endpoint or configure webhooks to receive a callback when the job completes. See the job-based API workflow guide for implementation details.
The TDS Compliance API supports webhooks for all job-based endpoints. Configure a webhook URL to receive notifications when jobs complete instead of polling. See the webhooks guide.
You need valid TRACES credentials (TAN-based login) to generate Form 16 and Form 16A certificates. See the credentials reference for required fields and setup before submitting jobs.
The TDS Compliance API supports quarterly TDS returns filed by deductors, including Form 24Q (salary payments), Form 26Q (non-salary payments), and Form 27Q (payments to non-residents). Certificate generation supports both Form 16 (salary) and Form 16A (non-salary) TDS certificates.
The TDS Compliance API returns structured error responses with codes and messages. Common errors include invalid credentials, validation failures, and job timeouts. Check the errors guide for error code reference and troubleshooting steps.