Key Takeaways:

Form 15G prevents TDS on early EPF withdrawal when income is below the taxable limit, and service is under five years.
PAN and Form 15G submitted on time help you receive the full PF amount and avoid income tax refund delays.
PF withdrawals after five years are fully tax-free, while earlier withdrawals face TDS unless Form 15G conditions are met.

Bonus Point: NRIs cannot submit Form 15G or 15H to avoid TDS on Indian income. They can reduce tax by claiming DTAA benefits or filing returns in India.

Form 15G in PF helps you stop unnecessary tax deduction on your EPF withdrawal. If you’re withdrawing PF early and your income is not taxable, this form ensures you receive your money fully instead of waiting for a refund later.

Form 15G is a self-declaration that tells EPFO your income is below the taxable limit. Think of it like showing a “no tax needed” pass. It prevents tax from being cut before the money reaches you.

Let’s say Rohit, aged 29, worked for 3 years and withdrew ₹1,00,000 from EPF. Normally, TDS applies. But since his yearly income is below the tax limit, he submits Form 15G and receives the full amount without any tax deduction.

What Is Form 15G?

Form 15G is a self-declaration for resident individuals below 60 years and HUFs in India. It tells banks or companies that your total income is below the taxable limit. Early submission ensures no TDS is deducted on interest or other income, helping you avoid refunds later.

What Is the Purpose of Form 15G in PF Withdrawal?

Form 15G is a self-declaration form used by PF members below 60 years to avoid TDS on EPF withdrawals. It is mainly useful when you withdraw PF early, and your total income is not taxable.

Key purposes of Form 15G for PF withdrawal:

Avoid TDS: Tell EPFO not to deduct tax on your PF withdrawal.
Declare low income: Confirms that your total yearly income, including PF, is below the basic exemption limit.
Early withdrawal use: Applicable when EPF is withdrawn before completing 5 years of service, and the amount exceeds ₹50,000.
Who can submit: Only individuals below 60 years, HUFs, and trusts. Companies and firms cannot use it.
PAN required: Submitting PAN is compulsory along with Form 15G.

Form 15G helps eligible PF members receive their withdrawal amount without tax deduction when their income is not taxable.

When Is TDS Deducted on PF Withdrawal?

TDS on PF withdrawal can feel confusing, but a simple example makes it easy to understand. It mainly depends on how long you worked and how much PF you withdraw.

Example: Rohit worked for 3 years and withdrew ₹1,00,000 from his PF. Since he did not complete 5 years, the TDS rules apply.

The table below clearly explains how TDS on PF withdrawal works in different situations, using Rohit’s example for easy understanding.

Situation	What happens
Service less than 5 years & withdrawal ≥ ₹50,000	TDS is deducted
PAN submitted	10% TDS (₹10,000 deducted)
PAN not submitted	Around 34.6% TDS (₹34,600 deducted)
Form 15G submitted & income below tax limit	No TDS deducted
Service for more than 5 years	PF withdrawal is fully tax-free

This shows that completing 5 years of service or submitting PAN and Form 15G on time can help you avoid heavy TDS on PF withdrawals.

If you complete 5 years, PF is tax-free. If not, submitting PAN and Form 15G can help you avoid or reduce TDS.

Who Can Submit Form 15G for PF?

Form 15G for PF withdrawal can be submitted only by eligible members who meet specific income, age, and service conditions set by the income tax rules.

The applicant must be a resident Indian.
Age should be below 60 years at the time of withdrawal.
It can be submitted by individuals, HUFs, or trusts (not companies or firms).
The total annual income, including PF withdrawal, must be below the basic exemption limit (₹2,50,000-3,00,000, as per tax regime).
The tax liability must be nil for the financial year.
It is applicable when the PF service is less than 5 years.
The PF withdrawal amount should be ₹50,000 or more to prevent TDS deduction.

If all these conditions are satisfied, submitting Form 15G helps you receive your PF withdrawal without TDS and avoid claiming a refund later.

Difference Between Form 15G and Form 15H

Here is a comparison table explaining the difference between Form 15G and Form 15H in India:

Basis	Form 15G	Form 15H
Applicable age	Below 60 years	60 years and above
Who can submit	Individuals, HUFs, trusts, societies	Only resident senior citizens
Purpose	To avoid TDS when the income is below the taxable limit	To avoid TDS for senior citizens
Income condition	Total income must be below the basic exemption limit	Tax liability must be nil (income may exceed the exemption limit)
Residential status	Resident Indian only	Resident Indian only
PAN requirement	PAN is mandatory	PAN is mandatory
Common use cases	Interest on FD, RD, EPF withdrawal, and rent	Interest on FD, RD, bank deposits
Example	35-year-old earning low FD interest	65-year-old earning bank interest

Form 15G is meant for non-senior citizens, while Form 15H is specially designed for senior citizens to prevent unnecessary TDS on their income.

Conclusion

Form 15G is a useful form for PF members who are withdrawing their EPF early and do not fall under the tax bracket. If you meet the age, income, and service conditions, submitting Form 15G helps you receive your PF money without TDS and avoids the trouble of filing for a tax refund later.

FAQ:

Q1. Can I submit Form 15G for PF withdrawal?

Yes, if you are below 60 years, a resident Indian, your service is under 5 years, withdrawal exceeds ₹50,000, and your total income is below the taxable limit.

Q2. Do I need to submit Form 15G if my PF balance is ₹41,000 and my service is 1.5 years?

No, since the withdrawal is below ₹50,000, TDS does not apply, so submitting Form 15G is not required.

Q3. What is the process of Form 15G for PF withdrawal?

If you are not a taxpayer, submit Form 15G declaring income below the taxable limits officially. Otherwise, EPFO deducts TDS, which gets adjusted later while filing income tax returns each year.

Q4. What should I do if EPFO insists on Form 15G, but I’m okay with TDS?

You should not submit Form 15G if you have taxable income; instead, resubmit Form 19 without 15G or contact EPFO to process the withdrawal with 10% TDS deducted.

Q5. How should I fill Form 15G if I work abroad and have filed past ITRs?

Declare only your estimated taxable income in India for the relevant previous financial year. Ensure it stays below the exemption limit, since Form 15G applies only when income isn’t taxable.