HourSlip
Try HourSlip free

Free tool · Advance tax

Four dates. No surprise interest.

If your tax for the year tops ₹10,000, the government wants it in instalments — not one lump at filing. Enter your estimate and we'll lay out each quarter's due date and amount, so 234B/C interest never catches you.

1Your estimate

Freelancers with gross receipts ≤ ₹75L can declare 50% as profit.

receipts for the year
₹
expected for the year
₹

Clients deducting 194J/194C reduce what you owe directly.

Stay updated

Get a reminder 7 days before each due date

We'll email you before Jun 15, Sep 15, Dec 15, and Mar 15 so you never pay a penalty.

We'll notify you of tax deadline changes and new tool updates. No spam. Privacy Policy

Track this automatically — try HourSlip free →

Worked example

Freelancer earning ₹15L gross — FY 2026-27, 44ADA, new regime

Step 1 — Taxable income: Under Section 44ADA, 50% of gross receipts is treated as profit. ₹15,00,000 × 50% = ₹7,50,000 taxable income.

Step 2 — Slab tax (new regime FY 2026-27): ₹0–₹4L @ 0% = ₹0. ₹4L–₹7.5L @ 5% = ₹17,500 slab tax.

Step 3 — Section 87A rebate: Taxable income ₹7.5L is below the ₹12L threshold, so the full ₹17,500 slab tax is rebated. Total tax = ₹0.

Step 4 — Advance tax: With ₹0 tax liability, no advance tax instalments are required (Section 208 threshold is ₹10,000). If TDS was deducted by clients, claim it back as a refund at ITR filing.

What if TDS was deducted? On ₹15L gross with 194J @ 10%, TDS = ₹1,50,000. Since total tax = ₹0, the full ₹1,50,000 is refundable when you file ITR-4.

How this works

Pay as you earn, not all at once.

Do freelancers need to pay advance tax in India?
Yes, if your total tax liability for the year exceeds ₹10,000 (Section 208 of the Income Tax Act), you must pay advance tax in 4 quarterly instalments by 15 June, 15 September, 15 December, and 15 March.
How is advance tax calculated under Section 44ADA?
Under 44ADA presumptive taxation, 50% of your gross professional receipts is treated as taxable income. Apply the slab rates of your chosen regime (old or new) to that 50% to get your annual tax. Then pay it in 4 instalments at 15%, 45%, 75%, and 100% cumulative.
What happens if I miss an advance tax instalment?
You'll owe Section 234B interest (1% per month on the underpaid balance from 1 April after the FY ends until you pay) plus Section 234C interest (1% per month for each missed quarter). Missing even one instalment can add ₹5,000+ to your final bill on a ₹15L income. Use the '234B/C interest if delayed' calculator below the schedule above to see exactly what your delay would cost.
Can I pay all my advance tax in March instead of quarterly?
Technically yes, but you'll still owe 234C interest for the missed Q1/Q2/Q3 instalments. The interest is small (1% per month for 1 quarter) but non-zero. For amounts above ₹2L total tax, the quarterly schedule is meaningfully cheaper.

Calculated per Income Tax Act Section 44ADA, Section 207–211, and Finance Act 2025 (rates confirmed unchanged in Budget 2026). Results are indicative; consult a CA for filing.

Related guides

Continue your calculation

Related glossary

Plain-English definitions of the terms behind this calculator.