Why March 2026 Is the Most Critical Month for Indian Businesses
March is not just the last month of the financial year, it is the compliance month. With FY 2025–26 closing on 31 March, businesses face an unusually dense cluster of deadlines: GST filings, the final instalment of Advance Tax, TDS deposits, PF and ESI contributions, and a series of year-end regulatory actions. Miss even one, and you carry unnecessary interest, penalties, and notices into the new financial year.
This compliance calendar for March 2026 compiles every key statutory due date — GST, Income Tax, ROC/MCA, and Labour Law into clean, verified tables so that founders, CFOs, finance teams, and compliance professionals can plan proactively and enter April 2026 with clean books.
Important: Missing deadlines in March is costlier than any other month. Late fees on GSTR-3B are ₹50/day (₹20/day for nil returns). Interest under Section 234B/234C on Advance Tax shortfalls is 1% per month. ROC non-compliance can lead to director disqualification.
March 2026 — At a Glance
| Date | Compliance |
|---|---|
| 7 Mar | TDS/TCS Deposit (Feb 2026) |
| 10 Mar | GSTR-7 & GSTR-8 (Feb 2026) |
| 11 Mar | GSTR-1 Monthly (Feb 2026) |
| 13 Mar | IFF — QRMP Filers (Feb 2026) |
| 15 Mar | Advance Tax — 4th & Final Instalment |
| 15 Mar | PF & ESI Contributions (Feb 2026) |
| 17 Mar | TDS Certificates — Form 16B/C/D/E (Jan 2026) |
| 20 Mar | GSTR-3B Monthly (Feb 2026) |
| 22/24 Mar | GSTR-3B QRMP (State-wise) |
| 25 Mar | GST PMT-06 — QRMP Q4 Payment |
| 30 Mar | Challan-cum-statement 26QB/QC/QD/QE (Feb 2026) |
| 31 Mar | Financial Year End — FY 2025–26 Closes |
| 31 Mar | MSME-1 (Oct 2025–Mar 2026) |
| 31 Mar | CMP-02 — Composition Opt-in for FY 2026–27 |
| 31 Mar | RFD-11 (LUT) Renewal for FY 2026–27 |
| 31 Mar | Updated ITR for AY 2021–22 — Final Deadline |
GST Due Dates — March 2026
The GST compliance cycle in March 2026 covers February 2026 return periods for monthly filers, and the January–March 2026 quarter for QRMP taxpayers. With year-end ITC reconciliation and finalization of books, every GST deadline this month is time-critical.
Monthly GST Return Filers
| Due Date | Form | Particulars | Applicable To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Mar 2026 | GSTR-7 | TDS return under GST for February 2026. Report tax deducted on payments to registered suppliers. | GST TDS Deductors |
| 10 Mar 2026 | GSTR-8 | TCS return for February 2026. Report tax collected at source on supplies made through the e-commerce platform. | E-Commerce Operators |
| 11 Mar 2026 | GSTR-1 | Statement of outward supplies (sales) for February 2026. Covers B2B, B2C, exports, and debit/credit notes. Auto-populates GSTR-2A/2B for recipients. | Monthly GST Filers |
| 11 Mar 2026 | GSTR-6 | Return for Input Service Distributors (ISD) for February 2026. Report and distribute eligible ITC to registered branches/units. | Input Service Distributors |
| 13 Mar 2026 | GSTR-5 | Return for non-resident taxable persons for February 2026, or within 7 days of registration expiry, whichever is earlier. | Non-Resident Taxable Persons |
| 13 Mar 2026 | GSTR-5A | Return for OIDAR service providers for February 2026. Applies to foreign digital service providers serving Indian consumers. | OIDAR Service Providers |
| 20 Mar 2026 | GSTR-3B | Monthly summary return and tax payment for February 2026. Declare outward/inward supplies, ITC availed, and net tax liability. Reconcile GSTR-2B before filing. | Monthly GST Filers |
QRMP Scheme Taxpayers (Jan–Mar 2026 Quarter)
| Due Date | Form | Particulars | Applicable To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Mar 2026 | IFF (Optional) | Invoice Furnishing Facility for February 2026 (Month 2 of Q4). Optional upload of B2B invoices to enable ITC for recipients before the quarterly GSTR-1 is filed. | QRMP Filers |
| 22 Mar 2026 | GSTR-3B (Quarterly) | Quarterly GSTR-3B for Oct–Dec 2025 for states in Category I (e.g., Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka). | QRMP — Category I States |
| 24 Mar 2026 | GSTR-3B (Quarterly) | Quarterly GSTR-3B for Oct–Dec 2025 for states in Category II (e.g., Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu). | QRMP — Category II States |
| 25 Mar 2026 | PMT-06 | Monthly tax payment challan for March 2026 — Month 3 of Q4 (Jan–Mar). QRMP filers must deposit tax for the third month of the quarter. | QRMP Filers |
Year-End GST Actions — 31 March 2026
| Due Date | Form / Action | Particulars | Applicable To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 2026 | CMP-02 | Opt-in to Composition Scheme for FY 2026–27. File by 31 March to apply the composition scheme from the start of the new financial year. | Eligible Taxpayers |
| 31 Mar 2026 | RFD-11 (LUT) | Renewal of Letter of Undertaking for FY 2026–27. Mandatory for exporters making zero-rated supplies without payment of IGST. | Exporters (Zero-Rated Supply) |
| 31 Mar 2026 | ITC Reconciliation | Last date to claim or reverse Input Tax Credit for FY 2025–26 in GSTR-3B. Unclaimed ITC lapses after this date. Match GSTR-2B thoroughly. | All GST Registered Taxpayers |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Year-End Reconciliation | Reconcile books with GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B. Close all pending invoices, credit notes, and rectify mismatches before FY close. Critical for GSTR-9 annual return accuracy. | All GST Registered Taxpayers |
GST Penalty Note: Late filing of GSTR-3B attracts ₹50 per day (₹20/day for nil returns), capped at ₹10,000 per return period. Interest at 18% p.a. applies on the net tax liability from the due date until the actual payment date.
Income Tax Due Dates — March 2026
March is the most consequential month on the direct tax calendar. The final instalment of Advance Tax, multiple TDS/TCS deposit deadlines, challan-cum-statement obligations, and the last opportunity to file an Updated Return for AY 2021–22 all converge this month.
Advance Tax — FY 2025–26 (AY 2026–27)
| Due Date | Form / Challan | Particulars | Applicable To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar 2026 | ITNS 280 | 4th & Final Instalment of Advance Tax. 100% of total estimated tax liability for FY 2025–26 must be paid. Shortfall attracts interest under Section 234C at 1% per month. Select AY 2026–27, Minor Head: Advance Tax (100). | All taxpayers with tax liability exceeding ₹10,000 (excluding senior citizens with no business income) |
| 15 Mar 2026 | ITNS 280 | Presumptive Taxation — Single Instalment. Taxpayers under Sections 44AD (business) or 44ADA (professionals) must pay their entire advance tax liability in this single instalment. | Sec. 44AD / 44ADA Taxpayers |
TDS / TCS — Deposit & Certificate Deadlines
| Due Date | Form / Section | Particulars | Applicable To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Mar 2026 | ITNS 281 | Deposit of TDS/TCS deducted or collected in February 2026 by non-government deductors. Government deductors depositing via challan also follow this date. | All TDS/TCS Deductors & Collectors |
| 7 Mar 2026 | Book Entry (Govt) | Government deductors depositing TDS/TCS for February 2026 by book entry (without challan) must complete this by 7 March 2026. | Government Deductors |
| 15 Mar 2026 | ITNS 281 | Government deductors depositing TDS/TCS for February 2026 with challan (where tax is paid by the Drawing & Disbursing Officer). | Government DDOs |
| 17 Mar 2026 | Form 16B / 16C / 16D / 16E | Issue of TDS certificates for tax deducted in January 2026 under Sections 194IA (property purchase), 194IB (rent by individual/HUF), 194IC (JDA payment), and 194M (contractor/professional fees). Generated through TRACES. | Specified Deductors |
| 30 Mar 2026 | 26QB / 26QC / 26QD / 26QE | Challan-cum-statement for TDS deducted in February 2026 under Sections 194IA, 194IB, 194IC, and 194M respectively. Combines payment and filing in a single step. | Buyers / Payers (Individuals & HUF) |
Other Income Tax Deadlines
| Due Date | Form / Section | Particulars | Applicable To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Mar 2026 | Form 26QF | Challan-cum-statement for TDS deducted under Section 194S (virtual digital assets / crypto) for February 2026. | Specified VDA Deductors |
| 31 Mar 2026 | ITR-U (Updated Return) | Final deadline to file Updated Income Tax Return for AY 2021–22 (FY 2020–21). This window closes permanently after 31 March 2026. Additional tax of 50% on tax plus interest is payable before filing. | Taxpayers with pending AY 2021–22 corrections |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Form 67 | Upload of Form 67 (foreign income and foreign tax credit) for AY 2025–26 to claim Foreign Tax Credit under Section 90/90A/91. Mandatory for taxpayers with overseas income who filed their ITR on time. | Taxpayers with Foreign Income |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Form 3CEAD | Country-by-Country Report for constituent entities of international groups resident in India, where the parent is in a non-participating jurisdiction (for reporting year April 2024–March 2025). | MNE Constituent Entities |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Year-End Provisions | Finalise all provisions and accruals for FY 2025–26. Ensure TDS is deducted on all applicable year-end accruals — salary, interest, professional fees, and rent. TDS for March 2026 itself is due for deposit by 30 April 2026. | All Entities |
Interest Alert: Non-payment or shortfall in Advance Tax attracts 1% per month interest under Section 234B (if less than 90% of total liability is paid before year-end) and Section 234C (per-instalment shortfall). These charges are automatic and non-waivable for businesses.
ROC / MCA Due Dates — March 2026
March 31 marks the close of FY 2025–26 for companies on a standard financial year. While major annual ROC filings (AOC-4, MGT-7) fall post-AGM later in the year, several critical periodic and event-based compliances are due in or triggered by March 2026.
Periodic MCA / ROC Compliances
| Due Date | Form | Particulars | Applicable To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 2026 | MSME-1 | Half-Yearly Return for Oct 2025–Mar 2026. Disclose outstanding payments due to MSME suppliers exceeding 45 days. Non-filing attracts a penalty of ₹20,000 on the company plus potential director liability. | All Companies (with MSME vendors) |
| 31 Mar 2026 | DPT-3 | Annual return of deposits and outstanding loans. Disclose all money received not classified as deposits and outstanding exempted deposits as at 31 March 2026. Technically due 30 June — begin data preparation now. | All Companies (except Government companies) |
| 30 Apr 2026* | LLP-11 | Annual Return of LLP for FY 2025–26. Due 30 April 2026 — details of partners, designated partners, and contributions as at 31 March 2026. Begin preparation in March. | All LLPs |
| 30 Oct 2026* | LLP-8 | Statement of Accounts & Solvency for FY 2025–26. Due 30 October 2026 — solvency declaration as at 31 March 2026. Data preparation and accounts finalization must begin in March. | All LLPs |
Dates marked with an asterisk fall after 31 March but are directly triggered by the FY 2025–26 close and require action or data gathering in March itself.
Annual ROC Filings Triggered by FY 2025–26 Year-End
| Filing | Form | Trigger | Expected Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual General Meeting | — | FY 2025–26 end (31 Mar 2026) | On or before 30 Sep 2026 |
| Financial Statements | AOC-4 | Within 30 days of AGM | On or before 29 Oct 2026 |
| Annual Return | MGT-7 / MGT-7A | Within 60 days of AGM | On or before 28 Nov 2026 |
| OPC Financial Statements | AOC-4 (OPC) | Within 180 days of FY end | On or before 27 Sep 2026 |
| Director KYC | DIR-3 KYC | Based on DIN held as of 31 Mar 2026 | On or before 30 Sep 2026 |
ROC Penalty Reminder: Late filing of AOC-4 and MGT-7 attracts additional fees of ₹100 per day per form, with no upper cap. Directors of defaulting companies may face disqualification under Section 164(2) of the Companies Act, 2013.
Other Regulatory Due Dates — March 2026
Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) & ESIC
| Due Date | Form / Action | Particulars | Applicable To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar 2026 (pay by 13 Mar — Sunday) | ECR (EPFO) | PF Contribution for February 2026. Employer and employee share (12% + 12% of basic wages). Submit Electronic Challan-cum-Return via the EPFO Unified Portal. Since 15 March falls on a Sunday, complete payment by Friday 13 March to avoid banking delays. | EPFO Registered Employers |
| 15 Mar 2026 (pay by 13 Mar — Sunday) | ESIC Return | ESI Contribution for February 2026. Employee (0.75%) and employer (3.25%) contributions on eligible wages. File return and deposit via the ESIC portal. Same weekend caution applies — process by 13 March. | ESIC Registered Employers |
Professional Tax
Professional Tax due dates are governed by respective State Acts and vary by state. Employers registered for Professional Tax must align monthly deductions and deposits with their payroll cycle. Common states include Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. Verify the applicable due date with your state’s PT authority or your CA.
Penalty Quick Reference — March 2026 Defaults
| Compliance | Penalty / Interest |
|---|---|
| GSTR-3B Late Filing | ₹50/day (₹20 for nil return); max ₹10,000 + 18% p.a. interest on tax |
| GSTR-1 Late Filing | ₹50/day (₹20 for nil return); max ₹10,000 per return period |
| Advance Tax Shortfall | 1% per month under Sections 234B & 234C |
| TDS Late Deposit | 1.5% per month under Section 201(1A) |
| TDS Return Late Filing | ₹200/day under Section 234E — no cap |
| ROC Late Filing (AOC-4/MGT-7) | ₹100/day per form — no cap; risk of director disqualification |
| MSME-1 Non-Filing | ₹20,000 minimum penalty on company |
| PF Late Deposit | 12%–18% p.a. under Section 14B of EPF Act |
Summary & Month-End Planning Checklist
March 2026 demands a proactive, week-by-week approach. Here is a practical checklist for finance teams and business owners:
First Week (1–7 March)
- Lock February 2026 invoices and reconcile books for GSTR-1 preparation
- Compute and deposit TDS/TCS for February 2026 via ITNS 281 by 7 March
- Prepare GSTR-7 and GSTR-8 for submission by 10 March
Second Week (8–15 March)
- File GSTR-1 for monthly filers by 11 March — ensure all B2B invoices are accurate
- File GSTR-5, GSTR-5A, and GSTR-6 by 13 March
- Process PF and ESI contributions for February 2026 by 13 March (Friday) — 15 March is a Sunday
- Pay the 4th and final instalment of Advance Tax by 15 March
- Issue TDS certificates (Form 16B/C/D/E) for January 2026 by 17 March
Third Week (16–25 March)
- Reconcile GSTR-2B with purchase register before filing GSTR-3B
- File GSTR-3B for monthly filers by 20 March
- File quarterly GSTR-3B for QRMP filers by 22/24 March (state-wise)
- Pay GST PMT-06 challan for QRMP filers by 25 March
Final Week — Year-End (26–31 March)
- Submit challan-cum-statements (26QB/QC/QD/QE) for February 2026 by 30 March
- File MSME-1 for the Oct 2025–Mar 2026 half-year by 31 March
- File CMP-02 (Composition opt-in) and RFD-11 (LUT renewal) by 31 March
- Avail or reverse all pending ITC in GSTR-3B before 31 March — last opportunity for FY 2025–26
- File Updated ITR for AY 2021–22 before 31 March — this window is permanently closing
- Finalise audited financial statements and prepare for Board approval
- Reconcile all GST filings with accounting records to ensure GSTR-9 accuracy
- Review and record TDS provisions on all year-end accruals
- Upload Form 67 for foreign tax credit claims (if applicable)
Year-End Tip: 31 March is also the last day to make tax-saving investments under Sections 80C (PPF, ELSS, NSC), 80D (health insurance premiums), and other eligible deductions for FY 2025–26. Remind decision-makers and clients well in advance.
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