Introduction

April marks the beginning of a new financial year, making it one of the most critical months for businesses, accountants, and finance teams in India. Along with starting fresh books, businesses must also handle multiple compliance responsibilities like GST filings, TDS payments, and annual returns.

Missing even a single deadline can result in penalties, interest, and unnecessary compliance issues. That’s why having a clear April 2026 compliance calendar is essential for smooth operations.

In this guide, we cover all important GST due dates April 2026, TDS payment due dates, GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing dates, and other key compliance requirements in a simple, easy-to-understand format.

April 2026 Compliance Calendar – Complete List of Due Dates

7 April 2026 – TCS Payment for March 2026

Businesses that have collected Tax Collected at Source (TCS) must deposit it by this date.

Timely payment is important to:

• Avoid interest penalties

• Maintain proper tax records

• Ensure smooth reconciliation

9 April 2026 – Books Setup for FY 2026–27

Although not a statutory deadline, this is one of the most important internal activities for businesses.

Key actions to take:

• Create new books for FY 2026–27

• Carry forward closing balances

• Verify opening stock and ledgers

• Clean up pending entries

A proper start ensures clean accounting throughout the year.

10 April 2026 – Income Tax e-Filing Begins (AY 2026–27)

The Income Tax portal opens for filing returns for Assessment Year 2026–27.

Businesses should:

• Start preparing financial statements

• Review tax liabilities

• Plan early filing to avoid last-minute rush

Early preparation helps in better tax planning and smoother filing.

11 April 2026 – GSTR-1 Due Date (Monthly) for March 2026

Businesses filing monthly GST returns must submit GSTR-1 by this date.

This return includes:

• Sales invoices

• Debit and credit notes

• Export details

Timely filing ensures:

• Correct Input Tax Credit (ITC) flow

• Better compliance rating

• Avoidance of penalties

13 April 2026 – GSTR-1 (QRMP) for Jan–March 2026

Taxpayers under the QRMP scheme must file GSTR-1 for the quarter Jan–March 2026.

This is crucial for:

• Reporting quarterly sales

• Ensuring ITC availability to customers

18 April 2026 – CMP-08 (Composition Scheme) for Jan–March 2026

Businesses under the composition scheme must file CMP-08.

This form is used to:

• Declare turnover

• Pay tax for the quarter

Timely filing ensures compliance under the composition scheme.

20 April 2026 – GSTR-3B Filing Date for March 2026

All monthly GST filers must submit GSTR-3B.

This includes:

• Summary of outward and inward supplies

• ITC claimed

• Tax payable

Missing this GSTR-3B filing date leads to late fees and interest.

22 April 2026 – GSTR-3B (QRMP – South India)

Quarterly filers in South India must file GSTR-3B by this date.

24 April 2026 – GSTR-3B (QRMP – North India)

Quarterly filers in North India must file GSTR-3B.

30 April 2026 – Major Compliance Deadlines

April end includes multiple critical filings.

TDS Payment Due Date for March 2026

Businesses must deposit TDS deducted in March.

Late payment results in:

• Interest charges

• Penalties under Income Tax Act

TDS (Form 26QB, 26QC, 26QD, 26QE) – March 2026

TDS must be deposited for:

• Property purchase (26QB)

• Rent payments (26QC)

• Contractor payments (26QD)

• Crypto transactions (26QE)

GSTR-4 (Annual Return) for FY 2025–26

Composition scheme taxpayers must file GSTR-4 annual return.

This includes:

• Annual turnover

• Tax paid

• Summary of transactions

GST QRMP Opt-in / Opt-out

Businesses can choose to:

• Opt into QRMP scheme

• Opt out and shift to monthly filing

This decision impacts:

• Filing frequency

• Cash flow

• Compliance workload

Why April Compliance is Critical for Businesses

April is not just about compliance it sets the tone for the entire financial year.

Key Reasons:

Financial Year Transition
Clean books ensure accurate reporting throughout the year.

GST Compliance Continuity
Timely filings maintain ITC flow and avoid notices.

Tax Planning Opportunity
Early planning helps optimize tax liability.

Avoiding Penalties
Late filings can lead to unnecessary costs.

Common Mistakes Businesses Should Avoid

• Missing GST filing deadlines

• Delaying TDS payments

• Not setting up books properly

• Ignoring reconciliation

• Waiting till last minute for filings

Avoiding these mistakes can save both time and money.

How hisabkitab Helps You Stay Compliant

Managing multiple compliance deadlines manually can be overwhelming for small businesses.

hisabkitab simplifies compliance by:

• Tracking all GST, TDS, and tax due dates

• Sending reminders for important deadlines

• Generating GST-ready reports instantly

• Maintaining real-time books

• Reducing manual accounting work

With automation and smart tracking, businesses can stay compliant without stress.

Conclusion

April is one of the most important months in the financial calendar for Indian businesses. From GST returns and TDS payments to income tax preparation and book setup, every compliance activity plays a crucial role.

Following this April 2026 compliance calendar helps businesses stay organised, avoid penalties, and maintain smooth financial operations.

Starting the year with proper compliance and clean books ensures better financial control and long-term growth.

If you want to simplify accounting, track compliance deadlines, and reduce manual work, using a modern cloud accounting solution like hisabkitab can help you stay organised and stress-free throughout the year.