Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is one of the most common ways the Income Tax Department ensures timely collection of taxes. Whether you’re a salaried employee, freelancer, consultant, landlord, or retiree in Kerala, chances are that some portion of your income has already been deducted as TDS before it reached your hands. While this system helps prevent tax evasion, it often leads to excess deductions—especially when your total income is below the taxable limit or eligible for deductions under various sections.
Are you unsure if you’re entitled to a refund? Wondering how to claim back your hard-earned money? OurTaxPartner.com is here to assist individuals across Kerala in filing accurate Income Tax Returns (ITRs) and claiming the maximum possible TDS refund—legally and efficiently.
Learn how the TDS system works, when you may be eligible for a refund, and why professional help can make a big difference in your refund experience.
What is TDS and Why is It Deducted?
TDS is a mechanism where the person or organization making a payment—like salary, rent, contract fees, commission, interest, or professional charges—deducts a portion of it and deposits it directly with the government. The deducted amount appears against your PAN in Form 26AS or the new Annual Information Statement (AIS).
For example:
- Employers deduct TDS from salary under Section 192
- Banks deduct TDS from FD interest under Section 194A
- Tenants deduct TDS on rent under Section 194I (for higher-value cases)
- Companies deduct TDS from professional fees under Section 194J
However, your actual tax liability may be lower than the amount deducted—or even zero. That’s when you become eligible to claim a refund by filing your ITR.
Common Scenarios Where You Can Claim a TDS Refund
Many individuals across Kerala qualify for TDS refunds but are unaware. Here are some examples:
- Salaried individuals whose employers deducted excess tax due to not considering deductions under Sections 80C, 80D, etc.
- Senior citizens with bank FDs but whose total income is below the taxable threshold
- Freelancers or professionals paid after TDS deduction even if their business expenses make their taxable income negligible
- Landlords receiving rent from companies or businesses with TDS deduction, despite being under the exemption limit
- Students or part-time workers with small incomes that attract TDS despite being below the tax limit
In all these cases, you can file your income tax return and claim back the excess amount deducted as a refund.
Steps to Claim TDS Refund in Kerala
Claiming your TDS refund is straightforward when handled correctly. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Collect your PAN-linked Form 26AS and AIS from the income tax portal
- Reconcile TDS entries with Form 16 (salary) or Form 16A (other income)
- Compute your total taxable income, including deductions and exemptions
- File the appropriate ITR (most often ITR-1 or ITR-4) on the income tax portal
- Verify the return using Aadhaar OTP, DSC, or EVC
- Track refund status via the income tax portal or NSDL
However, many individuals in Kerala face issues like form mismatches, missed declarations, or selecting the wrong ITR forms—leading to refund delays or even rejection. That’s where professional assistance can help.
Why Choose OurTaxPartner.com for TDS Refund Assistance?
OurTaxPartner.com offers expert income tax return filing services tailored for Kerala’s salaried individuals, freelancers, senior citizens, landlords, and small business owners. Here’s why clients trust us:
- Personalized assessment to maximize deductions and refunds
- Expert ITR preparation based on latest tax laws and TDS rules
- Error-free filing with Form 26AS and AIS reconciliation
- Quick e-verification to prevent delays in refund processing
- Refund tracking assistance until credit is received in your account
Whether you’re a first-time tax filer or someone who missed claiming TDS refunds in previous years, our team is here to support you from start to finish.
How Much Refund Can You Expect?
The amount depends on how much tax was deducted and your actual liability after applying deductions under:
- Section 80C – Investments like LIC, PPF, EPF, NSC, ELSS
- Section 80D – Medical insurance for self and family
- Section 80G – Donations to approved charities
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Standard deduction of ₹50,000 for salaried taxpayers
By availing these deductions, your net tax liability can come down significantly—often resulting in full refunds.
Deadline for Claiming TDS Refund
You must file your income tax return within the due date (usually July 31 for individuals) to claim a refund. Late filings may attract penalties or interest loss on the refund amount. The sooner you file, the faster your refund gets credited to your bank account.
Need help? Get started here for fast and error-free filing support.
Conclusion
TDS deductions may seem like a loss of income—but in reality, they’re advance taxes that can be recovered. Whether you’re in Kochi, Trivandrum, Kozhikode, Thrissur, or any part of Kerala, don’t let your refund go unclaimed. Filing your ITR is not just a compliance activity—it’s your right to get back the tax you don’t owe.
Trust OurTaxPartner.com to help you claim your maximum TDS refund—quickly, legally, and stress-free.
Have questions? Connect with our experts today and start your refund process the smart way.
