When filing your Income Tax Return (ITR), Form 16 and Form 26AS are two of the most crucial documents. While Form 16 is issued by your employer detailing the TDS deducted on your salary, Form 26AS is a government record linked to your PAN, showing all tax-related information like TDS from salary, interest income, and self-paid taxes. But what if both these forms don’t match?
🔍 Difference Between Form 16 and 26AS
-
Form 16: Provided by your employer; contains details about salary and the TDS deducted on it.
-
Form 26AS: Issued by the Income Tax Department; shows complete tax information linked to your PAN — salary TDS, bank interest TDS, advance tax, and self-assessment tax.
✅ What Should You Check in Both Forms?
-
Verify PAN Number: Ensure that your PAN is correctly mentioned in both forms.
-
Salary Income: The salary mentioned in both forms should match.
-
TDS Amount: The amount of TDS deducted in Form 16 should exactly match what appears in Form 26AS.
-
Salary Components in Form 16: If you’re under the old tax regime, HRA, LTA, and exemptions should be clearly listed.
-
Additional Tax Entries in Form 26AS: Check for TDS on bank interest, advance/self-assessment taxes, and ensure accurate entries.
🔁 If you worked at more than one company during the financial year, collect Form 16 from each employer and match them all with Form 26AS.
⚠️ What to Do If There’s a Mismatch?
If the data in Form 16 and Form 26AS doesn’t match:
-
Contact your Employer: It might be a clerical error like incorrect PAN entry or missed tax deposit.
-
The employer may need to revise their TDS return or rectify reporting errors.
📌 Why Is Matching So Important?
If the income and TDS don’t match across both documents, your ITR may be considered “defective” by the Income Tax Department, which can lead to:
-
A notice for clarification or rectification
-
Delay in processing your return or refund
🧾 Conclusion
Always cross-check your Form 16 and Form 26AS before filing your income tax return. A mismatch could lead to unnecessary notices or complications. Make sure your PAN, salary figures, and tax deductions align perfectly to ensure smooth ITR processing and peace of mind.
