1Is brokerage income taxable after TDS?
Yes — TDS is only an advance; brokerage is taxed at your slab. Claim full credit for the TDS in your 26AS and report all brokerage your AIS shows; pay tax on the balance.
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ArticleReal estate agents and brokers earn commission and brokerage income that usually arrives after TDS. The tax saving comes from claiming your real costs and personal deductions and getting the TDS credit right. Here's how property agents save tax.
Reviewed by CA Harika Chebolu, FCA · Last updated 2026-06-13
Quick answer
Brokerage is business income with TDS — so expense claims, 26AS reconciliation and personal deductions are the levers. Here's how property agents save tax.
Brokerage is business income, so the costs of earning it are deductible — travel and fuel for site visits, phone and internet, office or co-working rent, advertising and listings, client entertainment and staff. Significant expenses can sharply cut taxable income.
Developers and clients deduct TDS on your brokerage, which shows in your 26AS/AIS. Claim full credit for it against your final tax and report all brokerage the AIS shows — unclaimed TDS and under-reporting are both common and avoidable.
Pure commission and brokerage income is generally excluded from the 44AD presumptive scheme, so most agents keep books and claim actual expenses rather than declaring a flat percentage. Confirm your specific situation before assuming presumptive is available.
On your personal return, use 80C up to Rs 1,50,000, the extra Rs 50,000 NPS under 80CCD(1B), and 80D health insurance (Rs 25,000, plus up to Rs 50,000 for senior parents). Compare the total against the new regime each year.
Estimate your income after expenses and pay advance tax in the four instalments if tax exceeds Rs 10,000, to avoid 234B/234C interest. Lumpy brokerage means a strong quarter can create a liability, so re-estimate through the year.
Yes — TDS is only an advance; brokerage is taxed at your slab. Claim full credit for the TDS in your 26AS and report all brokerage your AIS shows; pay tax on the balance.
Yes — brokerage is business income, so travel, phone, office rent, advertising and staff are deductible. Claiming genuine expenses against gross brokerage is the main way agents cut tax.
Generally no — commission and brokerage income is excluded from 44AD. Most agents keep books and claim actual expenses instead; confirm your specific situation.
Earning brokerage with TDS across deals? Write to the firm and we'll claim every credit and expense.