> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.sandbox.co.in/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # TDS compliance API > Download CSI files, validate and e-file TDS and TCS returns, and generate certificates with Sandbox's TDS compliance APIs. Sandbox's TDS compliance APIs support return validation, e-filing, and certificate generation. Use them to download CSI files, file quarterly TDS and TCS returns, and retrieve certificates in your payroll, accounting, or tax software. ## Key features > **[CSI download](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/download-csi/endpoints/generate_otp.md)** > > Download Challan Status Inquiry files for return validation. > **[FVU generation](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/submit_job.md)** > > Validate TDS and TCS return files and generate the FVU package for filing. > **[E-file returns](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/e-file/endpoints/submit_job.md)** > > Submit validated TDS and TCS returns and download filing receipts. > **[TDS certificates](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/certificates/overview.md)** > > Generate and download Form 130 and Form 131 TDS certificates and Form 133 TCS certificates. ## Generate certificates through TRACES Choose the certificate workflow that fits your integration: * [Use a deductor token](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/recipes/tds/certificates/generate-with-deductor-token.md) for Form 131 or Form 133. You authenticate the deductor, refresh tokens, and poll the job status. * [Use saved TRACES credentials](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/certificates/endpoints/submit_job.md) with the enriched APIs for Form 130, Form 131, or Form 133. Sandbox manages the TRACES session. You can poll the job status or configure an enriched [certificate webhook](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/certificates/endpoints/webhook.md). Both workflows return a `job_id` to check progress and retrieve the certificate download URLs. See the [certificate overview](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/certificates/overview.md#choose-your-integration) to compare them. ## How it works Follow these steps to file a return. If you already have the FVU file and Form 27A, start at step 3. **1. Download the CSI file** Download the Challan Status Inquiry file to validate the challans in your return. **2. Validate the return** Upload your return text file and supporting files. The File Validation Utility (FVU) checks them and generates the filing package, or reports errors to fix. **3. E-file the return** Submit the FVU file and Form 27A for e-filing. Check the filing status and download the receipt once the job succeeds. > [!NOTE] > > To generate certificates, wait until TRACES processes the relevant statement and makes the certificates available. Then use the [TDS certificate API](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/certificates/overview.md) to generate and download them. ## Supported return forms FVU generation and e-filing support these return forms: | Return form | Earlier name | Use it for | | :- | :- | :- | | Form 138 | Form 24Q | Salary TDS returns | | Form 140 | Form 26Q | Non-salary TDS returns for payments to residents | | Form 144 | Form 27Q | TDS returns for payments to non-residents | | Form 143 | Form 27EQ | TCS returns | See the Income Tax Department's [transition FAQs](https://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/documents/81799/11848482/Updated-FQAs-on-Interplay%26Transitions.pdf/e10ad2b6-9495-de90-58d3-20606d8954ae) for the statutory form changes. For certificate forms, see the [certificate overview](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/certificates/overview.md#supported-certificates). > [!NOTE] > > FVU generation supports regular and correction returns. For correction returns, include the consolidated file with your return text file and CSI file. See the [FVU upload requirements](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/submit_job.md). ## Before you start Get your API key and access token from the [Quickstart guide](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/guides/get-started/quickstart.md). Prepare the files and details for your workflow: * [Return validation](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/submit_job.md): A return text file and supporting files. * [E-filing](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/e-file/endpoints/submit_job.md): An FVU file and Form 27A. * [Certificates](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/certificates/overview.md#requirements): A deductor token or saved TRACES credentials, and certificates available for the requested period. FVU generation and e-filing run as background jobs with file uploads. See the [job-based API workflow](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/guides/developer-resources/job_based_apis.md#how-it-works) for uploads and completion checks. Certificate jobs take the period details directly in the request body and require no file upload. ## Integration guides Follow a guide to file a return or generate certificates. > **[File Form 138](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/recipes/tds/form-138/file-form-138.md)** > > Download CSI, validate a salary TDS return, and e-file it. > **[File Form 140](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/recipes/tds/form-140/file-form-140.md)** > > Download CSI, validate a non-salary TDS return for residents, and e-file it. > **[Form 130 TDS certificates](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/recipes/tds/form-130/generate-form-130-certificates.md)** > > Check when Form 130 certificates become available after Form 138 processing. > **[Generate Form 131 with saved credentials](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/recipes/tds/form-131/generate-form-131-certificates.md)** > > Use enriched APIs to download Form 131 certificates after Form 140 or Form 144 filing. > **[Generate certificates with a deductor token](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/recipes/tds/certificates/generate-with-deductor-token.md)** > > Authenticate the deductor and poll for Form 131 or Form 133 certificate downloads. ## API reference ### CSI download APIs | API | Purpose | | :- | :- | | [Generate OTP for CSI download](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/download-csi/endpoints/generate_otp.md) | Send an OTP to request a CSI file. | | [Verify OTP for CSI download](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/download-csi/endpoints/verify_otp.md) | Verify the OTP to download the CSI file. | ### FVU generation APIs | API | Use it to | | :- | :- | | [Create FVU generation job](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/submit_job.md) | Start validation and get file upload URLs. | | [Check FVU generation status](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/poll_job.md) | Check progress and retrieve validation results. | | [Search FVU generation jobs](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/search_job.md) | Find previously submitted jobs. | | [FVU generation webhook](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/generate-fvu/endpoints/webhook.md) | Receive completion notifications. | ### TDS e-filing APIs | API | Use it to | | :- | :- | | [Create TDS return e-filing job](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/e-file/endpoints/submit_job.md) | Start a filing job and get the file upload URL. | | [Check TDS return e-filing status](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/e-file/endpoints/poll_job.md) | Check the filing result and download the receipt. | | [Search TDS return e-filing jobs](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/e-file/endpoints/search_job.md) | Find previously submitted jobs. | | [TDS e-filing webhook](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/e-file/endpoints/webhook.md) | Receive completion notifications. | ### TDS certificate APIs See the [certificate endpoints](https://developer.sandbox.co.in/api-reference/tds/compliance/certificates/overview.md#certificate-endpoints) to create a certificate job and check its status. The enriched certificate APIs also support job searches and webhooks. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.