194K TDS: Updated Guide on Applicability, Rate & Limits

Key Takeaways
 

• Section 194K applies only to mutual fund dividends, not redemption proceeds. Capital gains are taxed separately during ITR filing, which is why no TDS is deducted when you redeem mutual fund units.
   
• TDS under Section 194K is only an advance tax, not the final tax. Your actual liability is calculated after considering total income and slab rates while filing your ITR.
   
• Know the limits, track TDS in Form 26AS, report dividends correctly, and settle refunds or balance tax without last-minute stress.

Bonus Point: Do you know? From April 1, 2025, Budget 2025 introduces higher TDS thresholds, which reduce tax deductions and ease compliance for individuals and companies.

Section 194K often confuses mutual fund investors when TDS suddenly appears on payouts. This guide clears the confusion by explaining when TDS applies, when it doesn’t, and how it finally impacts your tax return, using simple examples.

Section 194K is a tax rule that applies only to mutual fund dividends. Think of it like a movie ticket advance, you pay a part now, not the full bill. The final tax is settled later when you file your ITR.

Let’s say Rohan earns a ₹20,000 dividend from a mutual fund. The AMC deducts ₹2,000 as TDS and pays him ₹18,000. Later, when filing his ITR, this ₹2,000 is adjusted against his final tax, refunded, or topped up as needed.

What is 194K TDS, and why does it matter?

Many investors panic the moment they see TDS deducted from their mutual fund payout. The first thought is usually, ‘Why was a tax cut during redemption?’ The truth is, most of the time, it has nothing to do with redemption at all. It’s because of the 194K section.

What is Section 194K?

The 194K section is a tax rule that applies to mutual fund dividend income received by resident investors. It ensures that tax is deducted before the dividend is credited to your bank account.

The table below shows who deducts the tax, when it applies, and the applicable rate, helping investors know what to expect from mutual fund dividends.
 

With a clear understanding of the basics, tracking TDS on mutual fund dividends becomes easy. It helps you plan taxes better, claim TDS credit correctly, and avoid confusion while checking mutual fund statements or Form 26AS.

What Is TDS on Mutual Fund Redemption Under Section 194K?

Rahul’s story is something many mutual fund investors relate to.

Rahul invested ₹2,00,000 in an equity mutual fund. After 18 months, he redeemed his investment for ₹2,60,000, earning a profit of ₹60,000. When the money reached his bank account, he noticed something interesting: no TDS was deducted.
But a few weeks later, he received a dividend of ₹12,000 from another mutual fund and saw ₹1,200 cut as TDS. Confusing, right?

This happens because of Section 194K.

Why no TDS on redemption?

Section 194K applies only to dividend income, not to money you get from selling or redeeming mutual fund units. So:

• Mutual fund houses do not deduct TDS on redemption
• You pay tax on capital gains while filing your ITR

How are capital gains taxed?

Capital gains tax depends on the holding period and the type of mutual fund. The table below explains it clearly.

These rates help you plan redemptions better and avoid unexpected tax surprises later.

Why TDS on dividends?

Dividends are taxed as Income from Other Sources, so the fund house deducts 10% TDS under Section 194K before paying you.

Once you know this difference, mutual fund taxes feel much less confusing.

Section 194K TDS Rate and Limit

Section 194K sets clear rules on the TDS rate and threshold limit for dividend income from mutual funds paid to resident investors. The table below summarises this in a simple and easy-to-understand format.
 

This table helps investors quickly understand when TDS is deducted and at what rate, without getting lost in technical tax language.

Is Section 194K TDS Final Tax?

No. It is only an advance tax collected by the government. The final tax is decided when you file your Income Tax Return (ITR).

Let’s say Rohan receives a mutual fund dividend of ₹20,000 in a year. The fund house deducts 10% TDS (₹2,000) and credits ₹18,000 to his account. This deduction is not the final tax; it’s just an advance.

What happens next?
 

• The deducted ₹2,000 appears in Form 26AS/AIS
   
• Rohan adds the dividend income under “Income from Other Sources”
   
• His total income is taxed as per his income tax slab

Final adjustment
 

Section 194K helps the government collect tax early; however, your actual tax liability is determined only after filing your ITR. This clarity saves you from panic, confusion, and last-minute tax surprises.

Conclusion

Section 194K becomes simple once you separate dividends from capital gains and understand how TDS actually works. It applies only to dividend income, not mutual fund redemption, and the deducted TDS is merely an advance tax. 

Proper tracking of TDS in Form 26AS, correct income reporting, and awareness of applicable limits help investors avoid confusion, claim refunds smoothly, and plan mutual fund taxes with confidence.

FAQs

Q: How does Section 194K of the Income-Tax Act affect income from mutual funds in India?

Section 194K applies TDS on mutual fund dividends, while redemption capital gains are taxed separately in the ITR.

Q: When is tax deducted in a mutual fund, and how much is it?

A: Tax is deducted at 10% on mutual fund dividend income when it exceeds the threshold, at the time of credit or payment.

Q: What TDS applies when an NRI redeems Indian mutual funds?

TDS is deducted at applicable LTCG or STCG rates for NRIs (not slab rates), usually 12.5% for LTCG on equity funds and higher for others.

Q: How can an NRI claim a refund on excess TDS deducted on mutual funds, property, or NRO FDs?

File an Indian income tax return using your Form 26AS/AIS data to report income correctly and claim any excess TDS as a refund, even while living abroad.

Q: Does Section 194K apply to both dividends and capital gains from mutual funds?

A: No, Section 194K applies only to dividend income from mutual funds, while capital gains from redemption or sale are taxed separately when filing the Income Tax Return.