You cracked the competitive selection process, survived multiple rounds of technical interviews, and finally secured your position. Then your first stipend arrives—and it's much lower than expected. A solid chunk of your promised pay is missing, held back under the broad umbrella of TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) . For many students experiencing internship taxation for the first time, seeing a 10% deduction creates immediate friction. The confusion deepens when peers at different firms experience entirely different tax deductions for similar roles. This isn't a random corporate decision. It stems from how companies interpret your contract under the Income Tax Act, 1961 . To maximize your refund potential and protect your internship income , you must understand the interplay between Section 192, Section 194J, and Section 194C . ⚡ Quick Answer: Which TDS Section Applies to an Internship Stipend? Section 192 (Salary): Generally applies if ...
⚠️ URGENT UPDATE (December 2025): Did you miss the July 31st deadline? Don't worry. You can still file a Belated ITR until 31st December 2025 to claim your TDS refund. If you miss this date, your refund is lost forever. Read below to save your money. Imagine this scenario: You land a fantastic part-time work-from-home job or a summer internship. The offer letter says you will be paid ₹15,000 per month . You are thrilled! You already have plans for that money. But when the payment hits your bank account, you only see ₹13,500 . You panic. Where did the remaining ₹1,500 go? Did the company cheat you? Relax. The company didn't cheat you. The government just took a slice called TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) . This silent leak drains millions of rupees from student bank accounts every year because most students assume "I don't earn enough to pay tax, so I can't do anything about it." ...