Walk into any bank in India and the humble Fixed Deposit (FD) is almost certainly the most popular savings product on offer. Decades of guaranteed returns, zero risk to principal, and the comfort of knowing exactly what you will get at maturity — it's easy to see why. But most depositors are unaware of the tax traps that come with FDs and the specific 5-year variant that transforms a vanilla FD into a legitimate tax-saving instrument under Section 80C.
This TaxFetch guide covers everything: types of FDs, current rates, TDS rules, loan facility, and the NRE/NRO FD options available to non-residents.
What is a Fixed Deposit?
A Fixed Deposit is a term deposit product where you lock a sum of money with a bank for a chosen period — ranging from as short as 7 days to as long as 10 years (some banks offer 20-year FDs) — in exchange for a fixed interest rate that is higher than a savings account. The interest rate is agreed upon at the time of booking and does not change during the chosen tenure.
FD features at a glance
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tenure | 7 days to 10 years (some banks up to 20 years) |
| Interest compounding | Quarterly for most banks (cumulative FDs) |
| Senior citizen benefit | 0.25%–0.75% extra interest rate |
| Loan against FD | Up to 90% of FD principal, at FD rate + 1–2% |
| TDS on interest | 10% if interest exceeds ₹40,000/year (₹50,000 for senior citizens under normal rules; ₹1,00,000 from Budget 2025) |
| Premature withdrawal penalty | Typically 0.5%–1% reduction in interest rate |
Indicative FD interest rates — major banks (2024-25)
FD rates vary by bank, tenure and deposit size. Below are representative rates for regular FDs in the 1–3 year tenure band:
| Bank | General Rate (approx.) | Senior Citizen Rate (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| State Bank of India (SBI) | 6.8–7.1% | 7.3–7.6% |
| HDFC Bank | 7.0–7.25% | 7.5–7.75% |
| ICICI Bank | 6.9–7.2% | 7.4–7.75% |
| Axis Bank | 6.7–7.2% | 7.2–7.75% |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank | 7.1–7.4% | 7.6–7.9% |
| IDFC First Bank | 7.5–8.0% | 8.0–8.5% |
| Small Finance Banks (e.g., Suryoday, ESAF) | 8.5–9.0% | 9.0–9.5% |
Note: Rates change frequently. Always verify the current rate on the bank's official website before booking. Small Finance Banks carry higher deposit insurance risk — verify DICGC cover (₹5 lakh per depositor) before depositing large amounts.
Types of Fixed Deposits
1. Regular FD
Standard FD for any tenure, any amount. Interest earned is taxable as "Income from Other Sources" at your slab rate every year (even if it is a cumulative FD where interest is paid only at maturity — it is still taxable on accrual basis).
2. Tax-Saver FD (5-year)
The only FD that qualifies for Section 80C deduction. You deposit money for exactly 5 years (no premature withdrawal allowed) and claim up to ₹1.5 lakh as a deduction. The important caveat: while the principal invested gets the 80C deduction, the interest earned is fully taxable at your slab rate every year.
3. Senior Citizen FD
For depositors aged 60 and above. Most banks offer a 0.25%–0.75% higher interest rate on all FD tenures. From Budget 2025, the TDS threshold for senior citizens' interest income has doubled to ₹1 lakh per year.
4. Cumulative vs Non-Cumulative FD
- Cumulative: Interest is compounded (quarterly in most banks) and paid along with the principal at maturity. Maximises corpus growth. Best for those who don't need regular income.
- Non-Cumulative: Interest is paid out at your chosen frequency — monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annually. Best for retirees needing a regular income stream. However, payout frequency affects effective yield: monthly payout earns slightly more than quarterly, which earns slightly more than annual.
Tax treatment of FD interest
This is the area where most depositors go wrong. FD interest is taxable under "Income from Other Sources" every year, regardless of whether you actually receive the cash.
- TDS: If total interest income from FDs across all branches of a bank exceeds ₹40,000 in a year (₹50,000 for senior citizens under normal rules; ₹1 lakh post-Budget 2025 for seniors), the bank deducts TDS at 10%. If you haven't provided your PAN, the rate is 20%.
- Form 15G / 15H: If your total income is below the basic exemption limit, submit Form 15G (general) or Form 15H (senior citizens) to the bank at the start of each financial year to prevent TDS from being deducted.
- ITR declaration: Even if TDS was deducted, you must declare FD interest income in your ITR. The bank's Form 26AS or AIS will show the TDS, and you can claim credit for it.
Loan against FD
Need liquidity without breaking your FD? Most banks will lend you up to 90% of the FD principal as an overdraft or term loan. The rate charged is typically the FD's own interest rate plus 1–2%. This is significantly cheaper than a personal loan and avoids the penalty of premature withdrawal.
NRE and NRO Fixed Deposits — for Non-Resident Indians
| Feature | NRE FD | NRO FD |
|---|---|---|
| Currency of deposit | Foreign currency converted to INR | INR (income earned in India) |
| Interest taxability in India | Fully exempt from Indian income tax | Taxable in India (TDS at 30% + surcharge) |
| Repatriation | Both principal and interest freely repatriable | Up to USD 1 million per year after tax compliance |
| Best for | Parking foreign earnings for India use | Managing income earned in India (rent, pension) |
Key things to check before booking an FD
- Compare rates across banks and NBFCs — don't auto-renew with the same bank out of convenience.
- Check DICGC cover — deposits up to ₹5 lakh per bank are insured. If your FD exceeds this, split across banks.
- Note the premature withdrawal penalty — most banks deduct 0.5%–1% from the applicable rate.
- File 15G/15H on 1 April every year — don't let the bank deduct TDS and then chase a refund later.
- For the tax-saver FD specifically — the 5-year lock-in is absolute. Do not book this unless you are certain you don't need the money for 5 years.