frequently asked questions
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about schoolTds.
schoolTds is a software developed by ESCO Fintech to prepare TDS Returns for Government Schools and Government Offices. It is designed specifically to simplify and streamline the TDS return preparation process for Government Deductors.
schoolTds can be used by Government Schools and Government Offices that deduct TDS from salaries and other payments and pay the TDS through book adjustment. Support for TDS payments through bank challan will be added shortly.
schoolTds works only on Windows operating systems. It supports Windows 7, Windows 10, and Windows 11 (64-bit). The computer must have a 64-bit version of Microsoft Office, from Office 2010 onwards. Both the Windows operating system and Microsoft Office must be 64-bit.
schoolTds works primarily offline. However, an internet connection is required for certain features, such as downloading the Excel data from Kalanjiyam (IFHRMS), BIN verification, and uploading the generated FVU file online through the Income Tax portal. An internet connection is also required once for updating the latest FVU version and for software licence activation or validation.
You can download schoolTds from the official schoolTds website. Go to the Download page and click the Download schoolTds button.
The software is provided as a ZIP file. After downloading, extract the ZIP file to a suitable location on your Windows computer before using the software.
schoolTds does not require a traditional installation. It is an Excel-based software.
Once the files are extracted, open the schoolTds Excel file and start using the software. Complete the software licensing when prompted.
After downloading the schoolTds ZIP file, simply extract (unzip) all the files into a suitable folder on your Windows computer. Keep all the files and folders together in the same schoolTds folder. Do not move or delete individual files or folders.
Yes. You can move the schoolTds folder to another location on the same computer after installation.
However, make sure that all the files and folders inside the schoolTds folder are moved together. Do not move, rename, or delete individual files or folders within it.
After moving the folder, simply open the schoolTds Excel file from its new location and continue using the software.
If Windows shows a security warning when opening schoolTds, allow the file to open and make sure that Macros are enabled in Microsoft Excel.
If you still experience any error after enabling macros, please take a screenshot of the error message and send it to schoolTds Support through WhatsApp or email. This will help us identify and resolve the issue.
To set up a deductor in schoolTds, first enter the TAN in the Dashboard.
Then click the Deductor Details button on the Dashboard and complete all the required details in the Deductor sheet.
- Download the Deduction Data from the Kalanjiyam website.
- Rename the downloaded Excel file using the TAN number.
- Place the renamed Excel file inside the ifhrms_extract folder of schoolTds.
- Open the Dashboard and click the Deductions button.
- In the Deductions sheet, click the Autofill Deductions button.
- schoolTds will automatically fill in the required TDS deduction details.
- If you need to make any changes, you can edit the deduction details directly in the Excel sheet.
Before preparing the TDS return in schoolTds, first download the required employee-wise TDS data from Kalanjiyam (IFHRMS).
Log in to Kalanjiyam using the following menu path:
Initiator Login → Finance → Payroll → Reports
Scroll down and select GTN Income Tax Non IT Employee wise Details Report, then click Continue.
Enter the following details:
- From Settlement Date: Enter the first date of the quarter.
- To Settlement Date: Enter the last date of the quarter.
- DDO Code: Enter the 8-digit DDO Code.
- Bill Type: Leave this field blank.
Click Continue and then click Submit.
After submitting the request, go to View Monitor Status Request and download the generated Excel file.
Rename the downloaded Excel file using the TAN number and place it inside the ifhrms_extract folder of the schoolTds project.
Once the Excel file is placed in the correct folder, open schoolTds and continue with the TDS return preparation.
To prepare a TDS return using schoolTds, follow the steps below.
-
Download the deduction data from Kalanjiyam (IFHRMS).
Log in through Initiator Login → Finance → Payroll → Reports. Scroll down and select GTN Income Tax Non IT Employee wise Details Report. Click Continue and enter the following details:- From Settlement Date: First date of the quarter
- To Settlement Date: Last date of the quarter
- DDO Code: 8-digit DDO Code
- Bill Type: Leave blank
- Rename the downloaded Excel file. Rename the file using the TAN number and place it inside the ifhrms_extract folder of the schoolTds project.
- Open schoolTds. Open the schoolTds Excel file.
- Enter Deductor Details. Enter the required deductor details. This information generally needs to be entered only once. Subsequently, edit the details only when necessary.
- Enter Deductions. Click the Deductions button and then click Autofill Deductions. schoolTds will automatically populate the deduction details from the downloaded data.
- Validate BIN. Click the Validate BIN button to automatically populate the required BIN details.
- Generate the TDS Return. Click the Generate TDS Return button. schoolTds will generate the required text file and FVU file for filing the TDS return.
- File the TDS Return. If you know the Income Tax e-Filing password, click Efile Return to proceed with online filing. Else, the generated files can be submitted through any TIN-FC.
This workflow automates most of the TDS return preparation process, from importing the Kalanjiyam data through generation of the return files.
schoolTds is designed to prepare TDS returns with maximum accuracy, helping to minimise the need for correction returns.
Currently, schoolTds supports the preparation of regular TDS returns. If a correction is required after filing a return, you can contact schoolTds Support.
Our support team will assist you in filing the required TDS correction return online through the TRACES portal.
The schoolTds licence fee is ₹2,000 per Financial Year.
The licence is valid for one Financial Year and is issued for one TAN.
schoolTds is currently not registered under GST. Therefore, GST is not charged on the current licence fee.
A schoolTds licence is valid for one Financial Year.
A new licence purchase is required for each subsequent Financial Year to continue using the licensed features of schoolTds.
Yes. A schoolTds licence can be used on multiple computers.
The licence is linked to the TAN, not to a particular computer. Therefore, you can use the licensed schoolTds software on different computers as required.
However, the licence remains restricted to the licensed TAN.
No. Each schoolTds licence is issued for one TAN.
Although the licensed software can be used on multiple computers, the same licence cannot be used for another TAN.
A separate licence is required for each TAN.
The schoolTds licence is valid only for the specified Financial Year.
After the licence period expires, a new licence must be purchased for the next Financial Year to continue using the licensed features of schoolTds.
Licence validation is linked to the TAN and licence period.
Yes. Software updates released during the licence period are included with the schoolTds licence.
FVU updates are also provided free of charge, as the FVU is a part of the schoolTds software.
When a new FVU version is available, you can use the Update Latest FVU feature in schoolTds.
Yes. FY 2026–27 is available as a free trial of schoolTds.
You can use schoolTds for FY 2026–27 as a trial before purchasing a licence for subsequent Financial Years.
From the next Financial Year onwards, the applicable schoolTds licence fee will apply.
schoolTds is generally updated only when necessary. Major software updates are usually released once a year, or when there are major changes or updates from Protean Technologies (formerly NSDL).
FVU versions may be updated from time to time based on releases from Protean Technologies. When a new FVU version is available, click the Update Latest FVU button in schoolTds to update the FVU.
Information about new versions and important updates will be communicated through the official schoolTds WhatsApp Channel.
No. Updating schoolTds will not affect your existing deductor details, deduction data, or other data already entered in the schoolTds files.
However, as a precaution, it is always recommended to keep a backup of your schoolTds folder before applying an update.
Your existing data can then be restored if required.
Yes. It is recommended to take a backup of your schoolTds folder before applying any software update.
Keeping a backup provides an additional safeguard for your existing deductor details, deduction data, and other files in case they are needed later.
After taking the backup, you can proceed with the schoolTds update with confidence.
To update schoolTds, first take a backup of your existing schoolTds folder.
Then download the latest schoolTds ZIP file from the official schoolTds website.
Extract the downloaded ZIP file and replace the existing schoolTds files
with the files from the latest version.
Make sure that the required files
and folders remain together in the schoolTds folder.
After updating, open the schoolTds Excel file from the updated folder and continue using the software.
Information will be updated shortly.
If any error occurs while generating the TDS return, please share the error file and the TEXT file generated in the output folder with schoolTds Support.
Our support team will check the files and assist you in resolving the issue.
For technical support, first download HopToDesk, a remote desktop application, from the official HopToDesk website.
After opening HopToDesk, send your HopToDesk ID to schoolTds Support through WhatsApp. Our support team can then connect to your computer and assist you with the issue.
Please do not share your HopToDesk ID or allow remote access with anyone other than schoolTds Support.
You can contact schoolTds Support through WhatsApp or email.
WhatsApp: 7708241251
Email: tds@schooltds.com
For technical issues, please include a brief description of the problem and, where applicable, share the relevant error file, TXT file, screenshot, or other supporting files. This will help us identify the issue and provide assistance more quickly.
For remote technical assistance, you may also be asked to use HopToDesk.
schoolTds Support does not provide direct phone support at present.
If you need to speak with our support team, please send a message through WhatsApp and request a callback. Our support team will contact you by phone when required.
For faster assistance, please include a brief description of the issue in your WhatsApp message. If applicable, you may also share the relevant error file, TXT file, screenshot, or other supporting files.