> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.sandbox.co.in/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# TDS compliance API

> Download CSI files, validate and e-file quarterly TDS and TCS returns, and generate certificates with Sandbox's compliance APIs.

Use Sandbox's TDS compliance APIs to download CSI files, validate and e-file quarterly returns, and generate TDS and TCS certificates. Add these workflows to your payroll, accounting, or tax software.

<div id="choose-a-capability" />

<div id="fvu-generation-and-e-filing" />

<div id="what-you-can-do" />

## Key features

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="CSI download" icon="download" href="/api-reference/tds/compliance/download-csi/endpoints/generate_otp">
    Download Challan Status Inquiry files for return validation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="FVU generation" icon="file-circle-check" href="/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/submit_job">
    Validate TDS and TCS return files and generate the FVU package for filing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="E-file returns" icon="paper-plane" href="/api-reference/tds/compliance/e-file/endpoints/submit_job">
    Submit validated TDS and TCS returns and download filing receipts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="TDS certificates" icon="badge-check" href="/api-reference/tds/compliance/certificates/overview">
    Generate and download Form 130 and Form 131 TDS certificates and Form 133 TCS certificates.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<div id="return-filing-workflow" />

## How it works

Follow these steps to file a return. If you already have the FVU file and Form 27A, start at step 3.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the CSI file">
    Download the Challan Status Inquiry file to validate the challans in your return.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Validate the return">
    Upload your return text file and supporting files. The File Validation Utility (FVU) checks them and generates the filing package, or reports errors to fix.
  </Step>

  <Step title="E-file the return">
    Submit the FVU file and Form 27A for e-filing. Check the filing status and download the receipt once the job succeeds.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  To generate certificates, wait until TRACES processes the relevant statement and makes the certificates available. Then use the [TDS certificate API](/api-reference/tds/compliance/certificates/overview) to generate and download them.
</Note>

## Supported return forms

FVU generation and e-filing support these return forms:

| Return form | Earlier name | Use it for |
| :- | :- | :- |
| Form 138 | Form 24Q | Salary TDS returns |
| Form 140 | Form 26Q | Non-salary TDS returns for payments to residents |
| Form 144 | Form 27Q | TDS returns for payments to non-residents |
| Form 143 | Form 27EQ | TCS returns |

See the Income Tax Department's [transition FAQs](https://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/documents/81799/11848482/Updated-FQAs-on-Interplay%26Transitions.pdf/e10ad2b6-9495-de90-58d3-20606d8954ae) for the statutory form changes. For certificate forms, see the [certificate overview](/api-reference/tds/compliance/certificates/overview#supported-certificates).

<div id="frequently-asked-questions" />

<Note>
  FVU generation supports regular and correction returns. For correction returns, include the consolidated file with your return text file and CSI file. See the [FVU upload requirements](/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/submit_job).
</Note>

<div id="what-you-need" />

<div id="requirements" />

<div id="start-integrating" />

## Before you start

Get your API key and access token from the [Quickstart guide](/guides/get-started/quickstart). Prepare the files and details for your workflow:

* [Return validation](/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/submit_job): A return text file and supporting files.
* [E-filing](/api-reference/tds/compliance/e-file/endpoints/submit_job): An FVU file and Form 27A.
* [Certificates](/api-reference/tds/compliance/certificates/overview#requirements): TRACES credentials and certificates available for the requested period.

FVU generation, e-filing, and certificate generation run as background jobs. See the [job-based API workflow](/guides/developer-resources/job_based_apis#how-it-works) for uploads and completion checks.

<div id="recipes" />

## Integration guides

Follow a guide to file a return or generate certificates.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="File Form 138" icon="paper-plane" href="/recipes/tds/form-138/file-form-138">
    Download CSI, validate a salary TDS return, and e-file it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="File Form 140" icon="paper-plane" href="/recipes/tds/form-140/file-form-140">
    Download CSI, validate a non-salary TDS return for residents, and e-file it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Form 130 TDS certificates" icon="badge-check" href="/recipes/tds/form-130/generate-form-130-certificates">
    Check when Form 130 certificates become available after Form 138 processing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Generate Form 131 certificates" icon="badge-check" href="/recipes/tds/form-131/generate-form-131-certificates">
    Download Form 131 certificates after Form 140 or Form 144 filing.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<div id="api-categories" />

## API reference

### CSI download APIs

| API | Purpose |
| :- | :- |
| [Generate OTP for CSI download](/api-reference/tds/compliance/download-csi/endpoints/generate_otp) | Send an OTP to request a CSI file. |
| [Verify OTP for CSI download](/api-reference/tds/compliance/download-csi/endpoints/verify_otp) | Verify the OTP to download the CSI file. |

### FVU generation APIs

| API | Use it to |
| :- | :- |
| [Create FVU generation job](/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/submit_job) | Start validation and get file upload URLs. |
| [Check FVU generation status](/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/poll_job) | Check progress and retrieve validation results. |
| [Search FVU generation jobs](/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/search_job) | Find previously submitted jobs. |
| [FVU generation webhook](/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/webhook) | Receive completion notifications. |

<div id="e-file-apis" />

### TDS e-filing APIs

| API | Use it to |
| :- | :- |
| [Create TDS return e-filing job](/api-reference/tds/compliance/e-file/endpoints/submit_job) | Start a filing job and get the file upload URL. |
| [Check TDS return e-filing status](/api-reference/tds/compliance/e-file/endpoints/poll_job) | Check the filing result and download the receipt. |
| [Search TDS return e-filing jobs](/api-reference/tds/compliance/e-file/endpoints/search_job) | Find previously submitted jobs. |
| [TDS e-filing webhook](/api-reference/tds/compliance/e-file/endpoints/webhook) | Receive completion notifications. |

### TDS certificate APIs

See the [certificate endpoints](/api-reference/tds/compliance/certificates/overview#certificate-endpoints) to submit a generation job, check its status, search jobs, or configure a webhook.


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