January is one of the busiest months for accountants, SMEs, finance teams, and GST filers. With monthly GST filings, quarterly returns, TDS payments, TCS returns, PF/ESI deadlines and year-end preparations coming closer missing a due date can lead to penalties.

To make compliance easier for SMEs, startups, and growing businesses, here is the simplified January 2026 compliance calendar, curated specifically to include ONLY the most important due dates that Indian businesses must track.

This guide also helps businesses stay on top of paperwork and avoid last-minute errors or late fees.

Important Compliance Dates for January 2026

Below are only the essential GST, TDS, TCS, PF, and ESI due dates relevant for most Indian businesses:

January 7, 2026 TDS/TCS Payment for December 2025

Deposit TDS/TCS deducted in December 2025.

January 11, 2026 GSTR-1 (Monthly) for December 2025

For taxpayers filing monthly GSTR-1 (turnover above ₹5 crore or opted monthly filing).

January 13, 2026 GSTR-1 (QRMP) for Oct–Dec 2025

For QRMP taxpayers submitting quarterly outward supply details using IFF.

January 15, 2026 PF & ESI Payment for December 2025

Deposit Provident Fund & Employee State Insurance contributions for December.

January 15, 2026 TCS Return (Form 27EQ) for Oct–Dec 2025

Quarterly TCS return submission.

January 18, 2026 CMP-08 for Oct–Dec 2025

Applicable only for Composition Scheme taxpayers.

January 20, 2026 GSTR-3B (Monthly) for December 2025

For regular taxpayers filing monthly returns.

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

QRMP filers in:
AP, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry.

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

QRMP filers in:
Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, UP, MP, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, etc.

January 30, 2026 TDS Payments (Forms 26QB, 26QC, 26QD, 26QE) for December 2025

For:

• Property TDS
  
  
  

• Rent TDS
  
  
  

• Contractor TDS
  
  
  

• Crypto asset TDS
  
  
  

January 31, 2026 TDS Return (Forms 24Q, 26Q, 27Q) for Oct–Dec 2025

Quarterly TDS return filing deadline.

Why Timely Compliance Matters

Missing these deadlines can result in:

• Penalties & late fees
  
  
  

• Blocking of input tax credit (ITC)
  
  
  

• Cashflow disruptions
  
  
  

• Vendor disputes
  
  
  

• Department notices
  
  
  

• Extra workload for accountants
  
  
  

Businesses that stay compliant operate with less stress and better financial discipline.

Pro Tip: Make Compliance Easier Next Month

Indian SMEs are increasingly adopting automation tools to manage:

• GST return data
  
  
  

• TDS workflows
  
  
  

• Vendor payments
  
  
  

• Invoice uploads
  
  
  

• Monthly books closing
  
  
  

Platforms like hisabkitab help automate accounting and compliance preparation so teams don’t struggle at month-end.

Want to simplify your monthly compliance & accounting?

Book a Free Demo and see how hisabkitab helps businesses close books faster, automate entries, and stay fully compliant every month.