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TDS & TCS for e-commerce: Section 194-O explained

Marketplaces deduct tax from your payouts under two different laws. Here's what each one is and how to get the credit.

By the Launch My Office team · Updated 2026-06-22 · 6 min read

If you sell on Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho or similar, you'll notice tax deducted from your settlements. There are actually two separate mechanisms — TCS under GST and TDS under income tax (Section 194-O). They're easy to confuse.

TCS under GST

Marketplaces collect Tax Collected at Source on the net value of taxable supplies and deposit it against your GSTIN. You claim it in your GST returns, where it reduces your output tax liability.

TDS under Section 194-O (income tax)

Section 194-O requires e-commerce operators to deduct income-tax TDS on the gross amount of your sales. This is credited to your PAN and adjusts against your income-tax liability — reducing the advance tax you need to pay.

FeatureGST TCS194-O TDS
LawGSTIncome tax
Credited toGSTINPAN
Claimed inGST returnsIncome tax return
ReducesOutput GSTIncome tax / advance tax

How to claim both

Reconcile marketplace settlement reports with your GST and 26AS data regularly — see our MTR reconciliation guide — so no credit slips through.

Plan your cash flow

Because tax is collected upfront, your effective advance-tax outflow is smaller. Model it using the Income Tax Calculator.

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Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between TCS and 194-O TDS?

TCS is a GST mechanism credited to your GSTIN; 194-O TDS is income tax credited to your PAN. You claim them in different returns.

Where do I see 194-O TDS?

In your Form 26AS and Annual Information Statement (AIS). Claim it when filing your income-tax return.

Does this tax reduce what I owe?

Yes. GST TCS offsets output GST, and 194-O TDS reduces your income-tax and advance-tax liability.

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