Managing your taxes becomes a lot easier when you have the right documents in hand—starting with your TDS certificate. Whether you're a salaried employee, a freelancer, or someone earning from investments, downloading your TDS certificate is a key step in staying tax-compliant and financially sorted.
Thanks to digital portals like TRACES and services offered by leading banks, getting your TDS certificate online is now fast and hassle-free.
What is a TDS Certificate?
A TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) certificate is a document issued by the person or institution deducting the tax (called the deductor). It proves that tax has been deducted from your income and deposited with the government.
There are two main types:
- Form 16: Issued by employers to salaried individuals.
- Form 16A: Issued for non-salary income like interest, rent, or professional fees.
These forms include important details like your PAN, the deductor's TAN, amount paid, and the tax deducted. You’ll need them while filing your Income Tax Return (ITR) or claiming tax credits.
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How to download your TDS certificate from TRACES
Here’s a step-by-step guide to download your TDS certificate (Form 16 or 16A) from the TRACES portal:
- Go to TRACES: Visit https://www.tdscpc.gov.in.
- Login: Use your User ID (usually PAN), password, and CAPTCHA to log in.
- Click on ‘Downloads’: Choose “Form 16/16A”.
- Select Details: Choose the financial year, quarter, and form type.
- Submit Info: Review and confirm your details.
- Authenticate: Enter your Authentication Code or Challan Details.
- Proceed: Fill the copy authentication code and proceed.
- Wait for Processing: Your request may take 1–2 days.
- Download: Visit ‘Requested Downloads’, enter your request number, and download the certificate.
Make sure your PAN is correctly linked to avoid errors.
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Who is Responsible for Deducting TDS?
TDS is deducted by the entity making the payment. This includes:
- Employers (for salary payments)
- Banks and NBFCs (for interest)
- Companies and firms (for professional services, rent, etc.)
- Individuals/HUFs (subject to audit under the IT Act)
The deducted amount must be deposited with the government, and the deductor is required to issue a TDS certificate to the recipient.
This system ensures that taxes are collected in advance, and your TDS certificate is the key proof that tax has been paid on your behalf.
