TDS compliance API

Download CSI files, validate and e-file TDS and TCS returns, and generate certificates with Sandbox’s TDS compliance APIs.

Sandbox’s TDS compliance APIs support return validation, e-filing, and certificate generation. Use them to download CSI files, file quarterly TDS and TCS returns, and retrieve certificates in your payroll, accounting, or tax software.

Key features

CSI download

Download Challan Status Inquiry files for return validation.

FVU generation

Validate TDS and TCS return files and generate the FVU package for filing.

E-file returns

Submit validated TDS and TCS returns and download filing receipts.

TDS certificates

Generate and download Form 130 and Form 131 TDS certificates and Form 133 TCS certificates.

Generate certificates through TRACES

Choose the certificate workflow that fits your integration:

• Use a deductor token for Form 131 or Form 133. You authenticate the deductor, refresh tokens, and poll the job status.
• Use saved TRACES credentials with the enriched APIs for Form 130, Form 131, or Form 133. Sandbox manages the TRACES session. You can poll the job status or configure an enriched certificate webhook.

Both workflows return a job_id to check progress and retrieve the certificate download URLs. See the certificate overview to compare them.

How it works

Follow these steps to file a return. If you already have the FVU file and Form 27A, start at step 3.

1. Download the CSI file

   Download the Challan Status Inquiry file to validate the challans in your return.

2. Validate the return

   Upload your return text file and supporting files. The File Validation Utility (FVU) checks them and generates the filing package, or reports errors to fix.

3. E-file the return

   Submit the FVU file and Form 27A for e-filing. Check the filing status and download the receipt once the job succeeds.

To generate certificates, wait until TRACES processes the relevant statement and makes the certificates available. Then use the TDS certificate API to generate and download them.

Supported return forms

FVU generation and e-filing support these return forms:

Return form	Earlier name	Use it for
Form 138	Form 24Q	Salary TDS returns
Form 140	Form 26Q	Non-salary TDS returns for payments to residents
Form 144	Form 27Q	TDS returns for payments to non-residents
Form 143	Form 27EQ	TCS returns

See the Income Tax Department’s transition FAQs for the statutory form changes. For certificate forms, see the certificate overview.

FVU generation supports regular and correction returns. For correction returns, include the consolidated file with your return text file and CSI file. See the FVU upload requirements.

Before you start

Get your API key and access token from the Quickstart guide. Prepare the files and details for your workflow:

• Return validation: A return text file and supporting files.
• E-filing: An FVU file and Form 27A.
• Certificates: A deductor token or saved TRACES credentials, and certificates available for the requested period.

FVU generation and e-filing run as background jobs with file uploads. See the job-based API workflow for uploads and completion checks. Certificate jobs take the period details directly in the request body and require no file upload.

Integration guides

Follow a guide to file a return or generate certificates.

File Form 138

Download CSI, validate a salary TDS return, and e-file it.

File Form 140

Download CSI, validate a non-salary TDS return for residents, and e-file it.

Form 130 TDS certificates

Check when Form 130 certificates become available after Form 138 processing.

Generate Form 131 with saved credentials

Use enriched APIs to download Form 131 certificates after Form 140 or Form 144 filing.

Generate certificates with a deductor token

Authenticate the deductor and poll for Form 131 or Form 133 certificate downloads.

API reference

CSI download APIs

API	Purpose
Generate OTP for CSI download	Send an OTP to request a CSI file.
Verify OTP for CSI download	Verify the OTP to download the CSI file.

FVU generation APIs

API	Use it to
Create FVU generation job	Start validation and get file upload URLs.
Check FVU generation status	Check progress and retrieve validation results.
Search FVU generation jobs	Find previously submitted jobs.
FVU generation webhook	Receive completion notifications.

TDS e-filing APIs

API	Use it to
Create TDS return e-filing job	Start a filing job and get the file upload URL.
Check TDS return e-filing status	Check the filing result and download the receipt.
Search TDS return e-filing jobs	Find previously submitted jobs.
TDS e-filing webhook	Receive completion notifications.

TDS certificate APIs

See the certificate endpoints to create a certificate job and check its status. The enriched certificate APIs also support job searches and webhooks.