Retention money calculator for contractors
Works out the retention or security deposit deducted from an RA bill at your contract's rate, limited by the cap on total retention, and the amount held after the bill.
- Applies to
- Every RA bill with a retention or security deposit clause
- Rates
- Set per contract
- Last checked
- 10 November 2026
Inputs and result. Every rate is yours to set.
From the abstract of cost, before GST.
5% is the example contract's rate. Use the rate in your contract.
The example contract's cap. Enter 0 for no cap.
Retention this bill
₹1,04,244
- At the configured rate₹1,04,244
- Cap on total retention₹24,00,000
- Room left under the cap₹17,75,000
- Retention held after this bill₹7,29,244
Rule applied. Retention this bill = value of work done this bill x the retention rate in your contract, limited so total retention held does not pass the cap the contract sets. There is no standard rate: use the one in your contract.
Last checked 10 November 2026
The steps behind the figure
- Take the value of work done in this bill from the abstract of cost, before GST.
- Multiply by the retention rate in your contract.
- Work out the cap on total retention from the contract value, and subtract retention already held.
- Deduct the smaller of the two figures, and add it to the retention held.
- Value of work done, this bill20,84,879
- Retention, 5%- 1,04,244
- Mobilisation advance recovery- 1,50,000
- Interest on advance- 12,375
- Secured advance adjusted- 2,40,000
- Labour welfare cess, 1%- 20,849
- Income-tax TDS, 2%- 41,698
- GST TDS, 2%- 41,698
- GST on the invoice, 18%+ 3,75,278
- Recoveries, 7 lines- 6,10,864
- Net payable₹18,49,293
What is the standard retention percentage?
There is none that applies to every contract. Read the retention or security deposit clause in yours, including any cap and any release against a bank guarantee.
Is retention worked out on the value with GST?
Usually on the value of work done before GST, but the contract decides the base. Set it once per work order.
When is retention released?
As the contract says, usually after the defect liability period. Track the end date and ask for release on that day.