Supreme Court declines to entertain PIL for declaring TDS as arbitrary, irrational

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday declined to entertain a PIL filed by lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay seeking a declaration that the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) system is manifestly arbitrary, irrational and against the Constitution.

"We will not entertain this, it is a very badly drafted petition. You can move the High Court," a bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said told the petitioner.

The court also pointed out some of the judgments have upheld the TDS.

The petitioner claimed the TDS was violative of Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution, and hence void and inoperative.

The plea claimed the regulatory and procedural framework surrounding TDS is excessively technical, often requiring specialised legal and financial expertise, which most assessees lack. The result is an unjust shifting of sovereign responsibilities from the government to private citizens without adequate compensation, resources, or legal safeguards.

Alternatively, the petitioner sought a direction to the NITI Aayog to consider the grounds and contentions raised in this petition and suggest the necessary changes in the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) system; or direct the Law Commission of India to examine the legality of the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) system and prepare a report within three months.

The PIL contended that illiterate or economically weaker assessees, who lack the capacity to navigate technical framework, suffer undue hardship and harassment, undermining the constitutional guarantee of equality before the law under Article 14.

"This amounts to an indirect tax burden imposed on TDS assessees, which lacks explicit legislative sanction, making it unconstitutional and against public interest," it stated.

The TDS regime adversely impacts small earners and those below the taxable threshold, as tax is often deducted at source despite their incomes being non-taxable. This creates a system where small taxpayers are forced to file refund claims for excess TDS. It is economically unviable for many due to the cost of professional assistance and repeated visits to tax offices, which can lead to harassment and loss of time, the petitioner claimed.

"Many taxpayers, especially in rural and economically weaker sections, forgo their rightful refunds, resulting in unwarranted enrichment of the Government. This practice violates the constitutional principles of fairness, equity, and public interest, as it disproportionately exploits the most vulnerable segments of society," it said.

The petitioner stated the PIL is for the benefit of TDS assessees who have become a cog in the financial machinery of the country.

"No heed is paid to the illogical work system where private entities are bound to stricter regulations than the government officials. The transfer of sovereign duty on private entities without compensating them for the same is arbitrary and against the fundamental principles of the constitution," the PIL said.

The petitioner stated the government’s objectives of timely and regular tax collection can be achieved more effectively and equitably by replacing the TDS regime with a system of monthly advance tax payments.