43B(h) • MSMED 15/45 days • FY-end risk

MSME Payment Auditor

Audit MSME vendor payments: compute the 15/45-day deadline, estimate MSMED interest, and understand FY-end (Mar 31) deduction risk under Section 43B(h).

Client-side tool• data stays in your browser
Last reviewed:2026-01-26
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MSME Payment Auditor Tool

Not legal advice • Verify before filing
Step 1: Check Supplier Status

Does MSME 45-Day rule apply?

Use supplier’s Udyam values to classify enterprise. If the supplier is Micro/Small, payment delays can trigger MSMED interest and 43B(h) deduction risk.

From Udyam certificate (₹ Crore)
From Udyam certificate (₹ Crore)
Enter supplier investment + turnover to classify.
Step 2: Audit an Invoice

Check deadline, interest and 43B(h) risk

Enter invoice details. If payment is pending, the tool computes risk as of a selected date (defaults to today).

Not legal advice • Verify before filing • Privacy: runs in your browser (no file upload)
Complete Step 1 first to classify the supplier. You can still enter invoice details, but results will be marked as “verify/not applicable”.
FY-end check uses invoice date. If acceptance differs, add optional acceptance date below (due-date basis).
If provided, the 15/45-day clock is estimated from acceptance/deemed acceptance (common MSMED practice). Otherwise we use invoice date.
Leave blank if unpaid.
Used only when payment date is empty.

Calculate deadline

Enter invoice amount and invoice date to see the deadline, interest and 43B(h) risk.

Disclaimer: Estimation tool. MSMED timelines depend on acceptance/deemed acceptance; due dates and tax treatment can vary by facts and notifications. Verify Udyam details and consult your CA for complex cases.
Next step after auditing
Plan compliance + tax impact together
Use deadlines + return context to avoid last-minute payment issues and year-end surprises.

Why this matters

Deadline clarity

MSME payments often have a statutory timeline: 15 days, or up to 45 days with a written agreement.

MSMED interest exposure

If eligible suppliers are paid late, interest under MSMED Act Section 16 may apply (often referenced as 3× bank rate).

RBI bank rate changes over time — verify the current rate on RBI before relying on the interest estimate.
FY-end deduction risk

Section 43B(h) is closely tied to whether amounts remain unpaid beyond the due date and at FY-end (Mar 31).

How this auditor works

  1. Classify supplier using investment + turnover from the Udyam certificate to identify Micro/Small vs others.
  2. Compute the payment deadline using 15 days (default) or up to 45 days (written agreement, cap applies).
  3. If unpaid, compute “days late” and estimates as-of a selected date (defaults to today).
  4. Show an MSMED interest estimate and highlight FY-end (Mar 31) relevance for 43B(h) deduction timing.

What to ask your vendor (quick checklist)

Supplier proof
  • Udyam registration / certificate
  • Enterprise type (Micro/Small) based on Udyam values
  • Confirmation of business activity (trader vs manufacturer/service)
Payment terms
  • Written agreement days (if any)
  • Acceptance / deemed acceptance date (if different from invoice date)
  • Any dispute/quality hold documentation (if relevant)

Frequently asked questions

What does Section 43B(h) do in simple words?

It can delay your expense deduction for purchases/services from Micro/Small enterprises if payment is not made within the MSMED time limit (15 days, or up to 45 days if there is a written agreement). In such cases, the expense may be disallowed for that FY and become allowable in the year you actually pay (general rule-of-thumb; verify facts).

When does 43B(h) disallowance risk become “serious”?

Risk increases if the invoice remains unpaid beyond the MSME due date and is still unpaid at FY-end (31 March). This tool highlights FY-end because it matters for year-wise deduction outcomes.

Do MSMED interest and 43B(h) both apply together?

They can. MSMED Act (Section 16) deals with interest for delayed payment to eligible suppliers, while Section 43B(h) affects tax deduction timing. Exact outcomes depend on facts, documentation and any notifications.

Does 43B(h) apply to “Trader” MSME vendors?

Trader classification can be tricky in practice. Don’t rely on blanket assumptions. Verify the supplier’s Udyam certificate and the nature of activity/supply; treat results as an estimate and confirm with your CA if unsure.

What date is used as “acceptance date”?

For estimation, this page uses the invoice date as the acceptance date. If acceptance/deemed acceptance differs, adjust the invoice date accordingly for a closer estimate.

Is the due date always 15 days?

No. The common baseline is 15 days, but if there is a written agreement, payment time can extend up to 45 days (cap). This tool lets you choose agreement mode and clamps days to 45.

What if I pay after the due date but before 31 March?

You may still face MSMED interest exposure for the delayed period (if MSMED applies). However, FY-end deduction risk is generally lower if payment is completed before FY end. Verify with your CA for your specific facts.

Does this tool file anything on the GST/Income-tax portal?

No. This is a planning/audit tool that runs client-side in your browser. It helps you estimate deadlines, interest and FY-end risk and generate shareable summaries/exports.

Accuracy & assumptions

This is an estimation tool to help you triage invoices and plan payments. Outcomes can vary based on acceptance/deemed acceptance, contract terms, supplier classification, and any notifications/clarifications.

  • Invoice date is treated as acceptance date for estimation (adjust if acceptance differs).
  • Interest estimate is approximate; exact computation can differ by method/period interpretation.
  • 43B(h) is highlighted with FY-end (Mar 31) context to reflect year-wise deduction impact (general rule-of-thumb).
  • Trader MSME treatment can be nuanced — verify Udyam details and the nature of activity/supply.
Disclaimer: This tool provides general estimates and is not legal/tax advice.

Sources & verification

This tool is an estimator to help triage invoices and plan payments. For decisions and filings, verify the latest legal text, notifications and your supplier’s Udyam status.

  • Income-tax Act: Section 43B(h) (timing of deduction for MSME supplier payments).
  • MSMED Act: Section 15/16 (payment timelines + interest on delayed payments).
  • Udyam: supplier classification based on certificate values (investment/turnover).
  • Portal/workflow: your accounting + payment dates + FY cut-off (31 March) drive outcomes.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-26
Tip: Save/share a specific invoice audit using the share link inside the tool. It preserves inputs in the URL.