How Zomato Delivery Partners Can Claim Their TDS Refund
If you deliver for Zomato, you have probably noticed that the money in your bank account is a little less than what you actually earned. A small slice gets cut from each payout, marked as TDS.
Here is the good part: that money is not gone. In most cases, you can get every rupee back.
This guide walks you through it in plain words. You will learn why Zomato deducts TDS, who qualifies for a refund, and the simple way to claim it using the Easy Return app.
What You'll Learn
- Why Zomato deducts TDS and at what rate
- Whether you qualify for a full refund and how the Section 87A rebate helps
- How to check your TDS right inside the Easy Return app
- The simple order-and-refund process with Easy Return
- Answers to the most common questions Zomato riders ask
What Is Zomato TDS and Why Is It Deducted?
TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) is a small part of your income that is cut before payment reaches you and deposited with the government under your PAN. Zomato does this because the law requires it.
For delivery partners, the deduction usually falls under Section 194-O, which covers payments made through e-commerce and digital platforms. The standard rate is 1% of your eligible payout.
Simple example:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total payout | ₹1,00,000 |
| TDS rate | 1% |
| TDS deducted | ₹1,000 |
| Amount you receive | ₹99,000 |
The 20% Trap: Always Link Your PAN
If your PAN is missing, incorrect, or not linked with Aadhaar, Zomato can deduct up to 20% TDS instead of 1%, under Section 206AA.
On a ₹1,00,000 payout, that is the difference between losing ₹1,000 and losing ₹20,000. So the first rule for every rider is simple: keep your PAN correct and linked with Aadhaar.
Can Zomato Delivery Partners Get a Full Refund?
Yes — most delivery partners get 100% of their TDS back. You only pay income tax if you earn above a certain limit, and the majority of riders earn below it.
Under the new tax regime, income up to ₹12 lakh effectively carries zero tax, thanks to the Section 87A rebate. Most riders earn far less than this, so their final tax works out to zero. When your tax is zero but TDS was already deducted, the government owes you a refund.
Here is the logic in three steps:
Refund Eligibility at a Glance
The table below shows how your yearly income affects your refund. Use it to quickly check your likely outcome.
| Annual Income (Gross) | TDS Deducted | Tax Liability | Refund Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to ₹3 lakh | 1% (valid PAN) | Nil | 100% full refund |
| ₹3 lakh – ₹7 lakh | 1% (valid PAN) | Nil (Section 87A rebate) | 100% full refund |
| ₹7 lakh – ₹12 lakh | 1% (valid PAN) | Nil (Section 87A rebate) | 100% full refund |
| Above ₹12 lakh | 1% (valid PAN) | Tax applies as per slab | Partial refund or adjusted |
| Missing/invalid PAN | 20% (Section 206AA) | Depends on income | Large refund locked until PAN is fixed |
How to Check Your Zomato TDS on the Easy Return App
You don't need to dig through portals or download confusing statements to see how much TDS was cut. The Easy Return app lets you check your TDS quickly and easily in a few taps.
Once you log in, the app pulls your tax records and shows the TDS deducted under your PAN. That way you know exactly how much refund you can expect before you do anything else.
This removes the guesswork. Instead of wondering "how much did Zomato cut this year?", you can simply open the app and see it.
The Simple 3-Step Refund Process
Claiming your refund with Easy Return is straightforward. You don't have to be a tax expert, and you don't need to prepare a pile of paperwork in advance.
Step 1: Check your TDS on the Easy Return app
Log in and see how much TDS Zomato deducted under your PAN. This confirms the refund you are due.
Step 2: Place your ITR filing order
The main action is simple — just place an ITR filing order on Easy Return for ₹199 + GST. That's it. No long forms to fill on your own.
Step 3: Share documents only as needed
You don't need to gather every document upfront. Easy Return asks for documents only as required for your specific case, so you share just what is needed.
Once your return is filed and verified, your refund is credited directly to your bank account, usually within a few weeks.
Key Tax Terms, Explained Simply
These short definitions cover the words you will come across most often.
Benefits Beyond the Refund
Getting your TDS back is only part of the value. Filing your ITR every year builds a record that helps you in other ways too.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Can a Zomato delivery partner get the full TDS money back?
Yes. Most riders earn below the taxable limit, so their final tax is zero. When you file your ITR, the full TDS amount is refunded to your bank account.
02 Why is TDS deducted from my Zomato earnings?
The law requires Zomato to deduct a small amount (usually 1%) as TDS under Section 194-O and deposit it with the government under your PAN. You claim it back by filing your ITR.
03 Which ITR form should a Zomato delivery partner file?
Most delivery partners file ITR-4 under the presumptive taxation scheme (Section 44AD), which is the simplest option for gig workers. With Easy Return, the correct form is picked for you.
04 What happens if I don't give my PAN to Zomato?
Without a valid PAN, the platform can deduct up to 20% TDS under Section 206AA instead of 1%. Always keep your PAN correct and linked with Aadhaar.
05 I earn very little. Do I still need to file?
Yes, if you want your money back. Even a small TDS deduction can only be refunded by filing an ITR. No filing means no refund.
06 How do I check how much TDS was deducted?
The easiest way is to log in to the Easy Return app, which shows your TDS deducted under your PAN. Your Form 26AS and AIS on the income tax portal also reflect the same details.
07 What documents do I need to file?
You don't need to prepare everything in advance. Easy Return asks for documents only as required for your case. Usually your PAN, Aadhaar, and bank details are enough to get started.
08 How does Easy Return work?
It's simple: check your TDS on the app, place your ITR filing order for ₹199 + GST, and share any documents that are needed. Easy Return files your return and your refund reaches your bank account.
09 How long does the refund take?
After your return is filed and e-verified, the refund is usually credited to your bank account within a few weeks, depending on processing.
10 What if my TDS is not showing in Form 26AS?
Wait one or two billing cycles if the deduction is recent. If it still doesn't appear, contact Zomato's finance team with your payout proof. Always claim only the TDS that reflects in your records.
11 Can I claim a refund if I delivered for multiple apps like Zomato and Swiggy?
Yes. Combine your total earnings from all apps and file one ITR. The TDS from every platform appears under your PAN and can all be claimed together.
12 What is presumptive taxation under Section 44AD?
It's a simplified scheme that lets small earners declare a fixed percentage of gross receipts as profit, so you don't have to maintain detailed account books.
13 Is filing ITR mandatory for every Zomato delivery partner?
Not always — it depends on your total income. But even if it isn't mandatory for you, filing is worth it whenever TDS has been deducted, because it's the only way to claim your refund.
Conclusion
For most Zomato delivery partners, the TDS cut from your payouts isn't a loss — it's a refund waiting to be claimed. Since income up to ₹12 lakh carries zero tax under the Section 87A rebate, most riders qualify for a full refund of everything deducted. The only catch is that you have to file your ITR to get it back.
The process doesn't have to be complicated. Check your TDS on the Easy Return app, place your ITR filing order, and share documents only as needed. Let Easy Return handle the rest for just ₹199 + GST — and get your money back where it belongs, in your bank account.
CA Sagar Batra
ICAI Registered Chartered Accountant · 10+ Years of Professional Experience · 12,000+ Tax Filings
Chartered Accountant with experience in taxation, compliance and business advisory. His work covers Income Tax, GST, TDS, tax notices, business compliance and financial documentation for individuals and businesses across India.