As the income tax filing season begins, salaried employees need to collect one important document—Form 16. This certificate, issued by employers, gives a clear summary of your salary, deductions, and tax payments. In 2025, most companies are issuing digital Form 16, which helps employees file their ITR faster and without errors.
Let’s understand how to download digital Form 16 and how you can use it while filing your income tax return (ITR).
What is Form 16 and Why is it important for Salaried Employees?
Form 16 is a certificate that your employer gives, which contains details of the salary paid and tax deducted during the financial year. It has two parts:
- Part A shows employer and employee details, TAN number, PAN, and tax deducted.
- Part B includes details like salary break-up, exemptions, deductions (under sections like 80C, 80D), and total tax payable/refundable.
This form acts as proof of TDS deducted and helps the salaried person file an accurate income tax return.
Deadline: Employers Must Issue Form 16 by 15 June 2025
All employers must issue Form 16 to their employees by 15 June 2025. If you have not received it, you should contact your HR or payroll department immediately.
Where to Download Digital Form 16? Follow These Simple Steps
Even though most companies send Form 16 directly to employees, some may allow download through the TRACES (TDS Reconciliation Analysis and Correction Enabling System) portal.
Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Visit the TRACES website.
- Click on the “Taxpayer” login.
- Enter your PAN, password, and captcha code to log in.
- Go to the ‘Download’ tab.
- Select ‘Form 16’ and choose the relevant financial year.
- Enter your details like PAN, TDS receipt number, amount deducted, and deduction date.
- Submit the request and download the file once it is ready.
Make sure to keep a soft copy and print if required.
How to Use Digital Form 16 While Filing ITR Online
Filing your ITR becomes much easier with digital Form 16. Once you log in to the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal, most of the data from Form 16 is auto-filled in your return. This includes:
- Total salary income
- Tax deducted (TDS)
- Exemptions and deductions (Section 10, 80C, etc.)
You need to verify the information using Form 16. After checking the values, proceed to e-verify using Aadhaar OTP, Net Banking, or by sending ITR-V to the Centralized Processing Center.
Tips for Salaried Taxpayers Using Form 16
- Cross-check the details in Form 16 with your salary slips and Form 26AS.
- Make sure your PAN is correct on Form 16.
- Check if all deductions (like 80C, 80D, HRA) are properly mentioned.
- If your employer has not issued Form 16 yet, don’t wait till the last moment. Follow up in time.
Source: Moneycontrol
