How to Download Form 16 from TRACES: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to download Form 16 from TRACES, an essential document for Indian taxpayers.
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13 June 2024

Form 16 is a crucial document for every salaried individual in India. It is a certificate issued by your employer, providing necessary details about the salary earned by you during a particular financial year, and the tax deducted at source (TDS) on it. This document plays an essential role in the process of filing income tax returns. In case you’ve not received Form 16 from your employer or misplaced it, you can download it from TRACES (TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System), a web portal managed by the Income Tax Department. Here's a complete guide on how to download Form 16 from TRACES.

What is TRACES Form 16?

TRACES Form 16 is a tax document issued by employers to employees in India, detailing the tax deducted at source (TDS) on salary. Generated through the Tax Deducted at Source Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System (TRACES) platform, it serves as proof of the TDS deposited with the government. Form 16 is crucial for filing income tax returns as it provides a summary of income earned and taxes paid. It consists of two parts: Part A, containing TDS details and PAN information, and Part B, which provides a detailed breakup of salary, deductions, and exemptions.

Why is Form 16 important?

Form 16 is an essential document for several important reasons:

  1. Proof of TDS: It serves as proof that your employer has deducted tax at source (TDS) from your salary.
  2. Income tax return filing: It provides all the necessary details required to file your income tax return accurately.
  3. Financial documentation: Form 16 is crucial for various financial transactions, such as applying for loans and verifying income.

Keeping your Form 16 handy can simplify many aspects of your financial planning and tax filing. It ensures you have the correct information needed to complete your tax return, verifies the TDS deducted by your employer, and supports financial applications. Proper management of this document is vital for maintaining a clean and organised financial record.

Step-by-step guide to download TRACES Form 16 online

Downloading Form 16 from TRACES is a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Registration on TRACES

To download Form 16, the first requirement is to register on the official TRACES website. Here, you'll use your PAN card details for registration. After filling in all the necessary details, you click accept the terms and conditions and complete the registration.

Step 2: Log in to TRACES

After successful registration, log in to your TRACES account using the user ID (which is your PAN number), password, and the captcha code.

Step 3: Access the dashboard

Once you've logged in successfully, you'll see a dashboard. Click on 'Downloads', a drop-down menu will show, and select 'Requested Downloads' from the options.

Step 4: Submit a request for Form 16

In the 'Requested Downloads' section, you should submit a request for Form 16. Fill in the necessary details involving the financial year, your PAN and, Form type (Form 16).

Step 5: Validate details

After submitting the request, the system will ask you to validate the details. This step requires you to use a digital signature.

Step 6: Request validation

Once the details are validated, TRACES will start processing your Form 16 request. Visit the ‘Requested Downloads’ section to check the status of your request.

Step 7: Download Form 16

Once the processing is done, a link to download Form 16 will become available. Click on the link to download the Form 16 PDF file. The password to open the document will be your PAN number followed by your date of birth.

Step 8: Verification of downloaded Form 16

After downloading, verify the Form 16 for accuracy. Cross-check PAN, TDS details, and salary breakups against official records.

A point to note here is that the process laid out above is primarily from the employer or deductor's side. As an employee or deductee, your employer would generally provide you with Form 16. If not, you can request for it to be generated via TRACES. Employees can familiarise themselves with the procedure and advice their HR or payroll department accordingly if the need arises.

Troubleshooting common issues

If you encounter problems while downloading Form 16 from TRACES, here are some useful tips:

  1. Forgot password: If you've forgotten your password, use the 'Forgot Password' link to reset it. Follow the instructions to create a new password and regain access to your account.
  2. Login issues: Double-check that you are entering the correct PAN number and password. Ensure that the CAPTCHA code is entered accurately as it is case-sensitive and often a source of errors.
  3. Browser compatibility: Sometimes, issues with the TRACES website can be resolved by switching to a different web browser. If one browser isn't working, try accessing the site using another one, such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

By following these tips, you can overcome common issues and successfully download Form 16 from TRACES.

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Frequently asked questions

Why do I need Form 16?
Form 16 is needed as it acts as evidence that TDS has been deducted on your salary by your employer and deposited with the authorities. It provides the details of tax deducted and helps in computing your annual taxable income.
What if I face issues while downloading Form 16 from TRACES?
If you face issues downloading Form 16 from TRACES, consult your employer or tax professional for their guidance. Alternatively, you can also reach out to the TRACES help desk for support.
Is Form 16 the only document required for filing income tax returns?
No, Form 16 is not the only document required for filing income tax returns. You also may need bank statement, proof of investments, house rent receipts, and other income-related documents.
Can I download Form 16 for previous years from TRACES?
Yes, you can download Form 16 for previous years from TRACES. The website provides facilities to download TDS certificate (Form 16/16A) for the previous seven years.
What should I do if there are discrepancies in my Form 16?
In case of discrepancies in Form 16, contact your employer immediately for rectification. Any mistake in this form can lead to complications while filing your income tax return.
How to File ITR without Form 16?

You can file ITR without Form 16 by gathering your salary slips, bank statements, and investment proofs. Use these to calculate your gross income, deductions, and tax liability. Then, fill out the appropriate ITR form based on your income and submit it through the income tax portal.

How to download form 16A from traces in PDF format?

Log in to the TRACES portal, select “Form 16A” under the “Downloads” tab, and enter the necessary details like TAN, financial year, and PAN. After processing, download the Form 16A in PDF format, which will contain TDS details for non-salary payments.

What are the different parts of Form 16?

Form 16 has two parts: Part A, which includes details like PAN, TAN, and TDS deducted by the employer; and Part B, which provides a detailed salary breakup, including income, deductions, and exemptions under various sections of the Income Tax Act.

When is Form 16 available to download?

Form 16 is usually available for download after the end of the financial year, typically by June 15th. Employers need to issue it to employees before this date to help them file their income tax returns on time.

What information does Form 16 contain?

Form 16 contains details like the employee's and employer's PAN, TAN, salary income, TDS deducted, deductions claimed under Section 80C, 80D, etc., and exemptions like HRA. It serves as a comprehensive summary for filing income tax returns.

What are the different types of Form 16?

There are two types of Form 16: Form 16 (for salaried employees) and Form 16A (for TDS on non-salary payments like interest income, professional fees, etc.). Both provide a summary of income earned and TDS deducted during the financial year.

How can I check if my employer has deposited TDS with the government?

You can check if your employer has deposited TDS with the government by accessing your Form 26AS through the income tax portal. It shows all TDS credited to your account, including details like the amount deducted and deposited by your employer.

What if I lose the original copy of Form 16?

If you lose the original copy of Form 16, request a duplicate from your employer. You can also retrieve relevant TDS information from your Form 26AS, which reflects all tax deductions credited to your PAN, and use it to file your ITR.

How to get 26AS from traces?

Log in to the income tax portal, navigate to “View Form 26AS” under the “My Account” tab, and click on “View Tax Credit (Form 26AS).” You’ll be redirected to the TRACES website, where you can download Form 26AS as a PDF file for your tax records.

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