Tax deduction at source (TDS) in India is a means of collecting tax on income, dividends, or asset sales by requiring the payer (or legal intermediary) to deduct tax due before paying the balance to the payee (and the tax to the revenue authority).

Under the Indian Income Tax Act of 1961, income tax must be deducted at source as per the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Any payment covered under these provisions shall be paid after deducting a prescribed percentage of income tax. It is managed by the Central Board for Direct Taxes (CBDT) and is part of the Department of Revenue managed by the Indian Revenue Service. It has great importance while conducting tax audits. Assessee is also required to file quarterly returns to CBDT. Returns state the TDS deducted & paid to the government during the Quarter to which it relates.