Digital Form 16: How to access, download, and use it for e-filing your income tax returns

To obtain Form 16 digitally, employees or employers can visit the official TRACES portal.

As the income tax filing season approaches, salaried individuals across India gear up to submit their returns, with Form 16 playing a crucial role in the process.

Issued by employers, Form 16 certifies the Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), providing a detailed summary of an employee’s salary and the taxes deducted throughout the financial year. Thanks to increasing digitisation, accessing and using Form 16 has become more straightforward and convenient, making it a key document for accurate and hassle-free income tax return (ITR) filing.

How to access Form 16 online: a step-by-step guide

To obtain Form 16 digitally, employees or employers can visit the official TRACES portal at https://www.tdscpc.gov.in. Users need to log in with their TAN (Tax Deduction Account Number), password, and captcha code.

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Once logged in, navigate to the ‘Downloads’ tab and select ‘Form 16’ under the available options. Here, the user needs to select the relevant financial year and the form type, typically Part A and Part B. It’s important to verify that the employee’s PAN and other necessary details are entered correctly. Next, provide the TDS receipt number, deduction date, and total tax deducted for the period before submitting the download request. After processing, you can get the Form 16 from the ‘Downloads’ section.

Form 16 is divided into two parts. Part A contains the employer and employee details, along with a summary of the tax deducted and deposited with the government. Part B provides a detailed breakdown of the salary components, exemptions, deductions, and the overall tax payable or refundable. Employers are required to issue Form 16 to employees by June 15 of each assessment year, allowing sufficient time for tax filing.

The process typically begins with employers generating Form 16 via the TRACES portal by entering relevant details such as the financial year, quarter, and employee PAN. The digital Form 16 is then shared with employees.

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For salaried taxpayers, uploading the digital Form 16 on tax filing platforms significantly simplifies the return filing process. The platform automatically imports salary details, TDS, exemptions, and deductions, ensuring real-time validation against Income Tax department requirements. Any discrepancies flagged during this process can be corrected before submission, minimising errors and reducing the risk of notices.

After filing, taxpayers complete the e-verification process using Aadhaar (OTP), net banking, or by sending a signed ITR-V to the Centralized Processing Center, ensuring smooth processing of returns.

The shift to a digital Form 16 has revolutionised how salaried taxpayers manage their tax documentation. By embracing these steps, both employers and employees can ensure timely and accurate tax filing. As digital tools continue to evolve, leveraging technology will be key to navigating India’s increasingly complex tax landscape with ease.

Also read | ITR filing 2025: Preparing to file income tax returns? Keep these crucial documents handy

The author is Tax Expert with ClearTax

Disclaimer: The views expressed by experts on Moneycontrol are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol advises users to check with financial advisor before taking any decisions.