May 2026 is a high-intensity compliance month, with multiple deadlines converging across Income Tax, GST, labour laws, corporate filings, and FEMA reporting. For MSMEs and startups, this is not merely a checklist month—it is a test of discipline, cash-flow planning, and reporting accuracy.
A structured view of due dates helps avoid interest costs, late fees, and regulatory notices, while ensuring smooth financial and operational continuity. Below is a department-wise, practical compliance calendar designed for execution—not just reference.
Income Tax – May 2026
| Date / Timeline | Form / Section | Compliance Particulars |
|---|
| 07 May 2026 | TDS/TCS – Payment | Deposit TDS/TCS for April 2026 (non-government deductors) |
| 07 May 2026 | Sec. 394(2) Declaration | Buyer’s declaration for obtaining goods without collection of tax for April 2026 |
| By 15 May 2026 | Sec. 194-IA / 194-IB / 194M etc. | Issue TDS certificates for tax deducted in March 2026 |
| 15 May 2026 | Form 27EQ | Quarterly TCS statement for quarter ended 31 March 2026 |
| 30 May 2026 | TCS Certificates | Issue of TCS certificates for Q4 of FY 2025-26 |
| 30 May 2026 | Sec. 285B | Annual statement under section 285B for PY 2025-26 |
| 30 May 2026 | Sec. 393(1) | Challan-cum-statement of TDS for April 2026 |
| 31 May 2026 | Forms 24Q / 26Q / 27Q | Quarterly TDS statements (Q4: Jan–Mar 2026) for FY 2025-26 |
GST – May 2026
1 Regular & QRMP Returns / Payments
| Date / Timeline | Form | Compliance Particulars |
|---|
| 10 May 2026 | GSTR-7 | Monthly TDS return under GST for April 2026 |
| 10 May 2026 | GSTR-8 | Monthly TCS return by e-commerce operators for April 2026 |
| 11 May 2026 | GSTR-1 (Monthly) | Outward supply return for April 2026 (turnover > ₹5 crore) |
| 13 May 2026 | IFF (QRMP) | Optional outward supplies reporting for April 2026 |
| 20 May 2026 | GSTR-3B | Monthly summary return for April 2026 (turnover > ₹5 crore) |
| 25 May 2026 | PMT-06 | Monthly GST payment for April 2026 (QRMP taxpayers ≤ ₹5 crore) |
2 Special GST Returns / Statements
| Date / Timeline | Form | Compliance Particulars |
|---|
| 13 May 2026 | GSTR-5 / 5A | Return for non-resident taxable persons / OIDAR providers – April 2026 |
| 13 May 2026 | GSTR-6 | ISD return for April 2026 |
| 28 May 2026 | GSTR-11 | Statement of inward supplies by UIN holders (April 2026) |
| Rolling | RFD-10 | Refund application by specified persons (within 2 years from relevant quarter end) |
EPF & ESI – May 2026
| Date / Timeline | Law / Return | Compliance Particulars |
|---|
| 15 May 2026 | EPF – ECR + Payment | Deposit EPF contribution and file ECR for April 2026 wages |
| 15 May 2026 | ESI – Contribution Return | Deposit ESI contribution and file monthly return for April 2026 |
ROC / MCA – May 2026
| Date / Timeline | Form | Compliance Particulars |
|---|
| 30 May 2026 | LLP Form 11 | Annual return of LLP for FY 2025-26 |
| 30 May 2026 | PAS-6 | Half-yearly Reconciliation of Share Capital Audit Report (Oct 2025 – Mar 2026) |
| 30 May 2026 | FC-4* | Annual return of foreign companies having a place of business in India (if applicable) |
FEMA / RBI – May 2026
| Date / Timeline | Form | Compliance Particulars |
|---|
| Within 7 working days from end of month | ECB-2 | Monthly ECB return for April 2026 through RBI online portal |
Key Focus for MSMEs & Startups
| Date | Compliance Impact |
|---|
| 15 May 2026 | PF/ESI + TCS + TDS certificates – cash flow + multi-law compliance pressure |
| 31 May 2026 | Q4 TDS returns – high penalty exposure + scrutiny trigger |
Compliance is not about tracking every date—
it is about controlling the dates that can impact your business the most.
In May 2026, most deadlines are routine—
but 15 May and 31 May are decisive.
