What is OLTAS? How to Inquire About TDS Challan Status Using CIN or TAN

Benefits of OLTAS

1. A simplified challan in one copy is replaced by the previous quadruplicate challan;
2. Taxpayers can pay online at any time and from any location;
3. They can easily obtain an acknowledgment for taxes paid, which is available as soon as the bank authorizes payment;
4. Additionally, the acknowledgement counterfoil with the Challan Identification Number (CIN) rubber stamp ensures that the payment is properly accounted for;
5. All information and details regarding the tax payments are available online and can be easily checked;
6. The taxpayer no longer needs to include copies or acknowledgement of the challan with the return because they have the counterfoil. Mention of the CIN details in the income-tax returns is sufficient compliance of enclosing proof of payment of taxes. ^[1]

Online Tax Accounting System (OLTAS) Challan Status Inquiry Tax Deducted at Source (TDS)

After taxes are paid, the taxpayer receives the torn-off piece of the counterfoil after it has been rubber stamped by the collecting bank. If the payment is made online, a challan is generated right away. The Challan Identification Number (CIN), a distinct serial number that includes the following, is present on the challan or counterfoil. The RBI assigns a seven-digit BSR Code to the bank branch where taxes are deposited. Date of Challan Presentation (DD/MM/YY) Challan's five-digit serial number in that bank branch on that particular day. ^[2]

A taxpayer's CIN serves as proof of tax payment and must be included in income tax returns and correspondence with the income tax department as needed. Additionally, the need to include a hard copy of tax-paid receipts with an income tax return has been eliminated by CIN. As a result, the tax paid challan is crucial, and it is crucial to make sure that all the information on it is accurate. A taxpayer can check the progress of their tax payments online at any time. However, OLTAS operates in the same manner for both income tax paid directly by the income earner and tax deducted at source paid by the deductor. ^[2]

Status Inquiry

Status The Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN) or CIN of the deductor can be used to monitor the status of the TDS Challan. While the CIN-based view can be used to check the status of any type of tax payment, the TDS challan can be checked using both the CIN and TAN-based views. A week after the challan is deposited with the bank, the status can be viewed. ^[1]

CIN based view

From Tax Payers, Choose CIN Based View Enter the Challan tender date (the date of the cash or check deposit), the Challan serial number, the amount (optional), and the CIN, or the BSR code of the collecting bank branch. The taxpayer can view the following information after choosing the option: ^[1]

1. The BSR Code
2. Deposit Date
3. Challan Serial Number
4. Descriptive Major Head Code
5. Permanent Account Number (TAN)
6. Taxpayer's Name
7. Received by TIN on (the day that TIN received it)
8. Verification that the amount entered (if submitted) is accurate ^[1]

TAN-based view

Go to the OLTAS website. Under "For Tax Payers," select "TAN based view." Enter the relevant period's TAN and Challan Tender Date range (it should be within 24 months). The following challan details for the chosen TAN and time can be downloaded as a text file after choosing this option: ^[1]

• CIN
• Major Head Codes with descriptions
• Minor Head Codes
• Type of Payment

The system will verify whether the amount the taxpayer submits against their CIN matches the information the bank uploaded. The challan details listed in the Quarterly e-TDS/TCS statement should be confirmed using this file. Import the challan file and the text file (Quarterly e-TDS/TCS statement) into the File Validation Utility (FVU) in order to check the challan details. FVU will supply the matching statistic for the challan details listed in the Quarterly e-TDS/TCS statement upon successful validation. ^[1]