For salaried individuals in India, form 16 is an essential document when filing Income Tax Returns (ITR). It acts as a TDS certificate, issued by your employer, that summarises your salary income, deductions made, and tax deducted at source (TDS) deposited with the government.
However, for salaried folks, tax season also brings a familiar question: Do I need form 16 to file my ITR?
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While it’s the golden ticket for a smooth ITR filing experience, there are situations where it might not be mandatory.
Filing ITR Without Form 16
Form 16, issued by an employer to an employee, furnishes vital details such as salary, tax deducted at source (TDS), and other pertinent information. Although beneficial, possessing form 16 isn’t mandatory for filing an ITR.
In its absence, you can proceed with filing your ITR by assembling alternative documents and pertinent data concerning your earnings and tax payments. Collecting payslips, bank statements, and other pertinent financial records aids in computing income and taxes. Additionally, verifying the applicable tax rates for the respective financial year is essential.
Moreover, maintaining records of investments and eligible expenses for tax deductions is imperative. Contributions to schemes like the Public Provident Fund (PPF), National Pension System (NPS), or investments in tax-saving mutual funds enable deductions under relevant sections of the Income Tax Act.
For those without form 16, tax information can be sourced from form 26AS.
Form 26AS serves as a comprehensive tax statement, encompassing all taxes remitted to the government on behalf of a taxpayer. It stands as a reflection of tax credits within a taxpayer’s account.
The form encompasses the following details:
- Specifics of TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) on salary, interest income, rent, and miscellaneous sources.
- Information regarding TCS (Tax Collected at Source), if applicable.
- Particulars of Advance Tax/Self-Assessment Tax/Regular Assessment Tax remitted by the taxpayer.
- Account of significant transactions such as property acquisitions, investments, etc., if applicable.
- Account of tax refunds received throughout the financial year.
The form can be downloaded from the Income Tax Department’s website and app, accessible to taxpayers upon logging into their accounts. It serves as a crucial document aiding taxpayers in verifying their paid taxes and reconciling them with their tax returns.
Although manageable without it, form 16 streamlines the process and minimises error risks. It’s advisable to procure it from your employer whenever feasible.
