TDS Return Filing Fees: Quick Comparison
Traditional CA: 3,000-5,000/quarter (12-20k/year)
DIY Software (Saral TDS): 5,000 + 10 hrs/month
Managed Service (Tax Garden): 1,500-2,000/quarter (6-8k/year)
Annual savings (CA vs Tax Garden): 4-12k/year
TDS filing fees vary wildly. A traditional CA might charge 4k/quarter. An online service might charge 1k/quarter. DIY might be "free" but cost your time. Guide breaks down real cost of each approach.
TDS Return Filing Fees: What CAs Actually Charge
Big-4 / Premium CAs
Fee: 5-10k/quarter
Includes: Form 24Q, certificates, reconciliation, notice response
Best for: Enterprise clients, complex TDS situations
Drawback: Expensive for SMEs
Mid-Size CAs (10-50 staff)
Fee: 3-5k/quarter
Includes: Form 24Q, basic reconciliation, certificates
Best for: Growing SMEs
Drawback: Slow response, impersonal
Solo CAs / Individual Practitioners
Fee: 2-3k/quarter
Includes: Form 24Q, you generate certificates yourself
Best for: Budget-conscious businesses
Drawback: Limited support, slow response
Online Managed Services (Tax Garden)
Fee: 1.5-2k/quarter
Includes: Form 24Q, full reconciliation, certificates, error cover
Best for: SMEs wanting speed + transparency
Advantage: Faster, cheaper, error-covered
What's Included in CA's TDS Filing Fee?
Typical CA Scope (3-5k/quarter)
Services included:
- Form 24Q preparation
- Deductee reconciliation (manual)
- Certificate generation (Form 16A)
- E-filing on portal
- Basic compliance advice
Services NOT included:
- Notice response (extra 2-5k if needed)
- Back-filings (1-2k per prior quarter)
- Complex reconciliation (hourly billing)
- Payment reminders (you remember deadline)
Tax Garden Scope (1.5-2k/quarter)
Everything included:
- Form 24Q preparation (automated)
- Full ITC/deductee reconciliation (automated)
- Certificate generation + distribution (automated)
- E-filing + e-verification
- Notice response (included)
- Back-filings (included)
- Error liability cover (up to 50k)
No extras. Everything included.
Real Cost Breakdown: CA vs DIY vs Managed
Option 1: Traditional CA (3-5k/quarter)
Cost:
- CA fee: 3-5k/quarter x 4 = 12-20k/year
- Your time following up: 3 hrs/quarter x 4 = 12 hrs/year (6k at 500/hr opportunity cost)
- Risk: Slow response, errors not covered
- Total: 18-26k/year
Option 2: DIY with Saral TDS Software (5k one-time)
Cost:
- Software: 5k one-time (covers lifetime)
- Your time: 10 hrs/quarter x 4 = 40 hrs/year
- At 500/hr opportunity cost: 20k/year
- Error risk: 500/day penalty if late = 50-100k potential
- Total: 5k + 20k + risk = 25k+/year
Option 3: Tax Garden Managed Service (1.5-2k/quarter)
Cost:
- Filing fee: 1.5-2k/quarter x 4 = 6-8k/year
- Your time: Zero (we handle everything)
- Error risk: 0 (Kavach covers up to 50k in errors)
- Total: 6-8k/year, zero stress
When to Hire Each Option
Hire a Traditional CA When:
- You have 100+ deductees/quarter (complex)
- You get GST/TDS notices regularly
- You need tax planning beyond TDS
- You want a personal relationship
Use DIY Software When:
- You're tech-comfortable (accountant background)
- You have less than 50 deductees/quarter
- You have 10+ hrs/month available
- Budget is critical (save 10-15k/year)
Use Managed Service (Tax Garden) When:
- You want TDS handled end-to-end
- You have no time to learn software
- You value error liability cover
- You want same-day filing guarantees
Negotiating TDS Filing Fees
Can you negotiate?
- Yes, with traditional CAs (especially for multi-quarter or multi-location)
- No, with Tax Garden (fixed pricing)
Tips for negotiation:
- Bundle quarters (discount if paying for 4 quarters upfront)
- Multi-location business (same CA handles all branches)
- Volume discount (if you're their biggest client)
- Long-term commitment (3-year agreement)
Typical negotiation: 10-15% discount for annual prepayment.
Hidden Costs: What CAs Don't Mention
Notice Response (Extra 2-5k)
If IT department queries your TDS filing, CA charges separately to respond.
Back-Filings (Extra 1-2k per quarter)
If you missed prior quarters, CA charges to file back-filings + penalties.
Reconciliation Complexity (Hourly billing)
If your 26Q doesn't match your 24Q (common), CA may charge hourly to investigate.
Deductee Updates (Extra 500-1k)
If a deductee disputes their TDS amount, CA charges to re-file or issue corrected certificate.
Penalty Minimization (Extra 1-3k)
If you missed a filing deadline, CA charges extra to file late + prepare penalty relief application.
Tax Garden: All included. No hidden charges.
People Also Search For: TDS Filing Fee FAQs
How much do CAs charge for TDS filing: 3-5k/quarter typical. Tax Garden 1.5-2k/quarter.
TDS return filing fees: Depend on CA type. Solo: 2-3k. Mid-size: 3-5k. Premium: 5-10k.
Is TDS filing expensive: Yes if you use a premium CA (5-10k/quarter). No if you use automated service (1.5-2k) or DIY (5k software + your time).
TDS filing cost reduction: Switch from CA (12-20k/year) to managed service (6-8k/year) = save 4-12k/year.
Bottom Line: How to Save on TDS Filing
- If you must use a CA: Negotiate annual prepayment for 10-15% discount
- If you're tech-comfortable: Use Saral TDS (5k one-time, but takes time)
- If you want speed + accuracy: Use Tax Garden (1.5-2k/quarter, fastest, error-covered)
Don't overpay. Compare total cost (fee + your time + error risk). Starting at Rs 5k upfront doesn't mean lowest long-term cost.