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What is Form 16?: Form 16 PDF Download, Part A & Part B of Form 16

Team AckoNov 7, 2024

Filing tax returns is an important action item for employees, as it can have many benefits, like getting back the extra tax paid. While filing these returns, the Form 16 can be a valuable document. In this article, we provide you with an overview of the Form 16. Take a look.

Contents

What is Form 16?
What are the different parts of Form 16?
- Form 16B
Why is Form 16 Important?
How to download Form 16
How to use Form 16 to file your Income Tax Returns?
Things to keep in mind while filing your ITR using Form 16
Frequently asked questions on form 16

What is Form 16?

In India, Form 16 is a Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) certificate given to an employee by their company. It shows the TDS deducted from the salary paid throughout the financial year. The form includes vital information such as the employee's PAN, the employer's TAN, the amount of salary paid, TDS deducted, and tax paid.

Form 16 is significant since it is proof of TDS paid and allows employees to claim tax credits when completing their Income Tax Returns. Employers must provide Form 16 to their employees by June 15th of the next financial year.

What are the different parts of Form 16?

Form 16 consists of two parts, Part A and Part B. The following information is available in each of these parts.

Form 16A

Employer's PAN (Permanent Account Number)
Employee's PAN
Employee's name and address
Assessment year for which the TDS is being furnished
Employer's TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number)
Tax information deducted and deposited with the government
Employer's or authorised signatory's signature

Form 16B

Break-up of salary, including allowances and perquisites
Details of exemptions and deductions claimed under Section 80C to 80U of the Income Tax Act
Computation of taxable income and tax liability
Tax paid, refund, if any
Signature of the employer or authorised signatory

Why is Form 16 Important?

Following are the reasons why Form 16 is important for an employee.

Proof of TDS

Form 16 verifies that TDS has been deducted from the employee's salary. This is necessary in order for the employee to claim credit for TDS paid when completing their Income Tax Returns.

Tax credits

Form 16 provides the employee's PAN and the company's TAN, which are necessary to claim tax credits when submitting their Income Tax Returns.

Salary breakdown

Form 16 gives a breakdown of the employee's salary, which can assist them in understanding how their compensation is taxed and whether they have any tax-saving opportunities.

Compliance

Form 16 is a legal document that employees must have when filing their Income Tax Returns. The Income Tax Department may impose penalties and fines if a valid Form 16 is not produced.

Tax planning

Form 16 comprises the employee's income and TDS information, which can assist them in better planning their taxes and avoiding tax liabilities.

Retirement planning

Form 16 can be used as proof of income for retirement planning and investment purposes.

How to download Form 16

Here are different ways in which you can download the Form 16.

1. From the employer

Many companies now provide Form 16 to their employees online, either by email or through a secure website gateway. If so, the worker only needs to download the form from the employer's portal.

2. From the TRACES website

The Income Tax Department of India maintains the TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System TRACES (https://www.tdscpc.gov.in/) Employees can obtain Form 16 by registering and sharing their PAN details on the TRACES website.

3. From the Income Tax e-Filing portal

Employees can also download Form 16 through the Income Tax efiling portal ( https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/ ) using their PAN and password. The employee can access and download the form.

How to use Form 16 to file your Income Tax Returns?

To use Form 16 to file your Income Tax Returns (ITR), you can follow these steps.

Steps	Description
Gather all necessary documents	Before filing your ITR, ensure you have all the necessary documents, including your Form 16, PAN card, bank account details, and other relevant documents, such as investment proofs, etc.
Review Form 16	Carefully review the information on your Form 16, including your salary details, TDS deductions, and the employer's TAN. Make sure that the information on the form matches your records.
Register on the e-filing portal	If you haven't already, register on the Income Tax Department's e-filing portal by providing your PAN and other personal details.
Select the correct ITR form	Depending on your income and tax situation, select the correct ITR form. You can refer to the e-filing portal for guidance on which form to use.
Enter your personal details	Provide details, such as your name, PAN, address, and contact information.
Enter your salary details	Enter the salary details from your Form 16, including your income, TDS deductions, and other relevant information.
Enter your tax-saving investments	Enter the details of any tax-saving investments you made during the financial year, such as the Public Provident Fund (PPF), Equity-linked Saving Scheme (ELSS), etc.
Claim tax credits	Use the TDS details from your Form 16 to claim tax credits while filing your ITR.
Submit your ITR	Finally, verify and submit your ITR. You will receive an acknowledgement number, which you should keep for future reference.

Things to keep in mind while filing your ITR using Form 16

Here are a few things to keep in mind while filing your Income Tax Returns (ITR) using Form 16.

Check that the information on Form 16 is correct, such as your pay and TDS deductions. If there are any discrepancies, notify your employer.
Check that the TAN listed on Form 16 belongs to your employer and matches the TAN listed on the Income Tax Department's website.
When filing your ITR, use Form 16 to claim any available deductions and tax credits. Deductions under Sections 80C, 80D, and other sections of the Income Tax Act may be included.
The ITR filing deadline is usually July 31st of the assessment year. To avoid penalties and interest, file your return on or before the due date.
Keep a copy of Form 16 for your records for future reference in case you need to file an amended return or prove your income.
After filing your return, you can e-verify it using a variety of ways, including Net banking, Aadhaar OTP, or EVC provided to your registered cellphone number and email.
If you are unclear about the procedure of completing your ITR or have any concerns, get expert assistance from a tax consultant or chartered accountant.
Keep track of the status of your ITR by using the acknowledgement number and visiting the e-filing portal.

Frequently asked questions on form 16

Here are some common questions and answers about Form 16.

When is Form 16 issued?

Form 16 is issued by the employer on or before 31st May of the assessment year, after the end of the financial year.

How can I get a copy of Form 16?

You can get a copy of Form 16 from your employer. You can also download it from the TDS portal if your employer has uploaded it there.

Can I file my Income Tax Returns (ITR) without Form 16?

You can file your ITR without Form 16, but it is advisable to use Form 16 as it contains important information that is required to file your ITR.

What should I do if there are errors in Form 16?

If you notice any errors in Form 16, inform your employer immediately and ask them to correct them.

How long should I keep Form 16?

It is advisable to keep Form 16 for at least six years from the end of the financial year for which the form is issued, as it may be required for future reference.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on industry experience and several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.