Form 16 : How to Download, Fill & Upload

*T&C Apply

Provides the exact taxable income figure

How to Download Form 16 from TRACES?

HR simply hands over the certificate once it is ready for most employees. Employers who register on TRACES as deductors are the ones actually pulling it from the portal, and the steps look roughly like this:

1. Log in to TRACES using the company's TAN credentials.
2. Navigate to the Downloads section and select Form 16.
3. Select the relevant assessment year before submitting the request.
4. Retrieve the completed file from Requested Downloads once processing is done.

If you don’t want to check your tax credit through TRACES in any case, then Form 26AS on the Income Tax e-filing website will work.

Why is Form 16 important for salaried employees?

• Your ITR filing process becomes quicker and with minimal chances of error because it is already pre-filled.
• Banks and NBFCs generally list it as required income proof for home loans, car loans, and visa applications.
• It allows a straightforward comparison between salary and TDS entries against Form 26AS and the AIS.
• A signed Form 16 works in an employee's favour if the tax department raises a query later.

Ask anyone who has recently gone through a personal loan application, and there is a good chance a recent Form 16 was somewhere on the checklist. At LoansJagat, it shows up on nearly every debt consolidation application our borrowers submit to NBFCs and banks.

Conclusion

For FY 2025-26, Form 16 continues to be the most dependable piece of paper in relation to the recording of salary income and tax deduction. And in no way can this form be considered optional for you. You need to obtain it from your employer before 15th June 2026, compare it with Form 26AS, and file it on 31st July 2026. Keeping a digital copy of Form 16 comes in handy in the future because it will be required for one or another loan application eventually.

FAQs

1. What is Form 16?

A certificate from your employer confirming the tax deducted from your salary and deposited with the government.

2. Is Form 16 mandatory for ITR filing?

Not strictly, given that salary slips and Form 26AS cover much the same ground, though having Form 16 does speed things along.

3. Who does not qualify for Form 16?

All individuals earning less than the taxable limit for that year; no deduction of TDS is made from their salary.

4. What is the difference between Form 16 and Form 16A?

Form 16 is connected with the TDS on salary under section 192, while Form 16A is associated with TDS on interest/professional fees.

5. Can an individual download Form 16 themselves?

No, because creation of Form 16 is only allowed for employers registered as deductees on the TRACES website.

6. What happens if I change my job mid-year?

Each employer deducting TDS provides Part A for the time spent at that job, while Part B usually comes from the latest employer.

7. If Form 16 is issued late, what is the penalty?

The employer faces a penalty of ₹100 per day per certificate according to Section 272A(2)(g) till the issuance of the certificate.

8. Is Form 16 being renamed?

Yes, Form 16 will be known as Form 130 from Tax Year 2026-27 when the Income Tax Act, 2025 becomes applicable.

9. How can the authenticity of Form 16 be checked?

By verifying the TDS amount and PAN information in Part A of Form 16 with those present in Form 26AS on the e-filing website.

10. Does Form 16 contain information about the regime followed?

Yes, part B for financial year 2025-26 contains information on whether TDS was calculated under the new or old regime.